Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Historic Designation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Owners of 116 West Lake seek guidance on local landmark designation
Summary
Owners of 116 West Lake told the Woodland Park Historic Preservation Committee they were seeking information about applying for local landmark designation, citing road encroachment and parking impacts; staff and committee explained the application, timeline (roughly 60–90 days), and potential state tax-credit opportunities tied to formal designation.
Owners of the property at 116 West Lake asked the Woodland Park Historic Preservation Committee for guidance on whether to pursue a local landmark designation and what protections or benefits such a designation would provide. The applicants said they wanted information about the process after finding an older reconnaissance survey noting the property.
The committee told the owners the property had been included in a prior reconnaissance survey and explained the typical local process: applicants submit a completed application and staff prepares a report, the committee makes a recommendation, and the matter then proceeds to city council as an ordinance with a first reading followed by a public hearing and final decision. Karen Schmank, the city’s planning director, said the scheduling and packet cycle mean a designation request usually takes about 60 to 90 days from a complete application to reach council for final action.
Committee members described local designation as primarily honorary for private residences: it places the property’s history on the public record, can include a small plaque and listing with the assessor, and may strengthen an owner’s ability to raise preservation values in future city decisions. The committee emphasized that designation does not automatically prohibit changes to interior spaces and generally does not restrict private work unless owners accept state or grant funding tied to preservation conditions.
Members also outlined additional options for owners interested in financial assistance. The committee noted that state-level historic tax credits or competitive grants may be available but that pursuing those programs requires separate state applications and compliance with program rules. A committee member summarized the levels of designation: local (less strict), state (stricter when funding is involved), and federal (most stringent and unlikely for most private properties).
On procedural questions, staff said the committee will provide assistance in preparing and reviewing an application packet and to distribute available past survey documentation. The committee encouraged the owners to submit the application packet with any photos or historical material they have and offered referrals to local volunteers and researchers who have studied the property’s history.
