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Littleton commission reviews draft citywide historic-survey plan, seeks comments before December deadline
Summary
Commissioners reviewed a draft citywide survey plan that recommends GIS integration, intensive evaluation of postwar multifamily housing, and phased surveying. The consultant said many reconnaissance sites were judged not eligible under National Register criteria; the commission discussed owner outreach and a tight comment timeline (preferred December 8; contract deadline Dec. 20).
Littleton city staff and a consultant presented a draft citywide historic-survey plan at a Nov. 17 study session, outlining four phases that prioritize data integration and a citywide evaluation of midcentury multifamily housing.
Sarah, a city preservation planner, said the survey plan provides a long-term roadmap to identify, document and protect Littleton’s historic resources and will inform a future preservation plan. Jason (the consultant) described reconnaissance work on roughly 30 properties and said many resources were recommended "not eligible" under National Register standards because they do not yet rise above a general association with postwar development.
The presentation listed a small set of reconnaissance resources recommended for further work, including the Royal Garden Apartments and several postwar multifamily examples. Jason explained the proposed phases: (1) GIS and survey data integration to compile disparate prior surveys into a consistent, public-facing database; (2) an intensive evaluation and development of historic-context chapters focused on multifamily housing; (3) a multi-year citywide survey of postwar subdivisions and multifamily housing; and (4) a later revisit of previously surveyed properties to update records.
Commissioners asked how field surveys were conducted (primarily from the public right-of-way and through photographic documentation of exterior features), how owners would be notified and whether Littleton should take a more proactive stance to protect threatened resources. Sarah said local designation is voluntary but reconnaissance findings could help owners access state and federal tax credits and that staff would publish survey results and guidance online. Commissioners suggested targeted owner notifications for properties deemed likely eligible and discussed the commission’s ability to direct staff to pursue outreach for threatened sites.
Consultant Jason flagged an abbreviated timeline: a contract deadline for the final survey plan of Dec. 20, with a request that commissioners return comments preferably by Dec. 8 to allow a study-session review on Dec. 15 and possible formal adoption in January. Commissioners agreed the schedule is tight and encouraged prompt review and written comments.
The study session closed at 8:21 p.m.; staff said the draft plan and site forms will be sent to commissioners for review and comment.
