Los Alamos board backs countywide historic‑resource survey; RFP draft to follow

The Historic Preservation Advisory Board continued a multi‑month push to inventory Los Alamos County’s historic resources and to commission a consultant to produce a master plan or survey. Board members emphasized that identifying county‑owned eligible properties is a necessary first step to protect sites from inadvertent harm during routine maintenance or future public projects.

Board members discussed key parameters for the survey and RFP: the typical 50‑year threshold for National Register eligibility; the need to identify county‑owned historic assets; and the desire that the study produce a simple inventory and priorities rather than an exhaustive, expensive evaluation of every property. Jane Matthews, senior planner, told the board that funds for the study are budgeted and that a new planning manager will start on March 17 to help carry the work forward.

Why it matters: without a consolidated list of eligible county properties, preservation concerns often surface late in the design stage of public‑works projects. An RFP and master plan would give county departments, public works and facilities a single resource to consult during project planning, potentially reducing conflicts and unplanned impacts to historic fabric.

Board process and schedule Board members agreed to draft a “why” statement for the RFP to focus consultant work; staff said a draft RFP scope would be circulated for review and the advisory board would review a draft in June. Members also discussed forming a small subcommittee that could meet during work hours to accelerate scope development. Staff said they will produce a draft RFP for board discussion in June, and that some funding already is in hand for the study.

Technical clarifications Board discussion clarified that eligibility typically begins at 50 years of age (some flexibility exists), and that a resource’s eligibility does not automatically confer listing; nominations and formal evaluations are separate steps. The board also discussed Camp‑ or state‑level inventories and the Certified Local Government (CLG) relationship with the state historic preservation office as sources for baseline data.

Next steps Staff will circulate a draft RFP and a proposed “why” statement for board comment. A small advisory subcommittee will be formed to assist with scope development; timing will align with the incoming planning manager’s start date so staff capacity is available to support the effort.