City and state preservation staff introduce new planner and CLG resources

The Aspen Historic Preservation Commission welcomed a newly hired planner, Jillian White, described by staff as being in her fourth week with the City of Aspen and trained in historic preservation at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Staff said White brings prior experience in preservation planning and encouraged commissioners to reach out for one‑on‑one meetings.

Lindsay Fluelling, Certified Local Government coordinator at History Colorado, briefed the commission on the CLG program, explaining its role in the three‑tier preservation framework (local/state/National Park Service), the requirement for periodic evaluations and annual reporting, and available CLG grants and training resources. Fluelling offered to share best practices, training contacts and a tax‑credit specialist to advise on materials and code questions.

Staff also flagged a broader trend: larger, quieter mechanical equipment and electrification are increasingly common, and city staff are evaluating code and administrative pathways to provide predictable options for owners replacing mechanical equipment on historic resources. Staff encouraged discussion about how design guidelines and code changes might better accommodate evolving building‑performance needs while protecting historic character.

Why it matters: New staff capacity and state CLG resources expand the commission's technical support options for design guideline updates, training and grant opportunities; staff flagged mechanical equipment as a recurring policy area likely to return to the commission.