Englewood preservation commission to submit CLG application, lays out five initial goals and outreach plan

The Englewood Historic Preservation Commission said at its meeting that it will submit a Certified Local Government (CLG) status application to the State Historic Preservation Office and outlined five initial goals and an outreach plan to educate property owners and identify eligible historic properties.

The CLG application follows what city staff described as the close of a 30-day appeal period for an ordinance passed by City Council. Staff told commissioners they planned to file the application early next week and that the state review typically takes roughly two months.

The commission identified core objectives it will list in the CLG application and pursue over the coming year: conducting a survey of downtown historic buildings while considering feasibility of a downtown historic district; running a community engagement and marketing campaign about preservation benefits; completing additional, more granular property surveys to identify eligible buildings; building partnerships with local entities such as the Chamber of Commerce and the Englewood Downtown Development Authority (EDDA); and researching opportunities for potential historic neighborhoods or district designations.

Commissioners said outreach will be an early priority once CLG status is submitted. Vice Chair Cash Parker, who represented the commission on a recent citizen planning panel, said the public often asks the same questions and that clear, concise talking points are useful when commissioners staff outreach tables. "It's voluntary; the owner has to agree to it," Parker said, explaining a frequent public concern about designation. He added that designation typically triggers review only for exterior changes and that "interior renovations aren't covered by that." Parker also said commissioners should make clearer on outreach materials that the commission "doesn't control everything," and that final designation decisions rest with elected councilmembers.

Commissioners discussed where to concentrate outreach at a series of city "neighborhood night" events this summer and a block party in August. Staff said they would circulate a sign-up spreadsheet for commissioners to indicate which events they can attend and that staff will prepare a packet for volunteers, including a prototype plaque, handouts with QR codes linking to the landmark application and an FAQ drawn from State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) materials. The commission plans to tailor handouts over time to answer frequently asked public questions about tax benefits, grants and the certificate-of-appropriateness process.

Commissioners and staff also discussed collaboration with the Englewood Downtown Development Authority on design guidance and outreach, and suggested keeping stated CLG goals broad enough to allow adjustments once state guidance and grant opportunities are clearer. Commissioner Ken Shoop said his background includes work funding preservation efforts, which he offered as relevant experience to list on the application; another commissioner suggested coordinating with business groups such as the Chamber of Commerce to reach property and business owners.

Commissioners said they will collect additional suggested goals and edits, asking members to submit ideas to staff by Friday so the application can be finalized. Staff said they will submit the CLG application early next week and will report back to the commission as the state review proceeds.

Votes at a glance: The commission approved the draft minutes from the April 16 meeting. Commissioner Melinda Elswick moved to approve the minutes; the transcript records a second but does not name the seconder. The motion carried; the meeting record shows members present voiced "Aye," but the transcript does not state an exact roll-call tally.

Commission business notes: Commissioners noted the commission is back to full membership after City Council appointed Samantha Hurst to a vacancy; commissioners said she is expected to attend the next meeting. Staff also noted that CLG designation can unlock grant funding and state tax-credit programs and that SHPO materials describing those benefits are available and will be used in outreach.

The commission concluded by directing staff to circulate the outreach sign-up spreadsheet and to include talking points and SHPO resources in materials for neighborhood nights. Commissioners said they will report public questions collected at events back to staff to refine the FAQ and outreach approach.