Historic Preservation
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 Exterior Changes Minimize
Chapter 30 of Denver’s Revised Municipal Code requires that
   all proposed exterior alterations (including windows),
   to designated Landmark structures and structures in Landmark Districts,
   requiring a permit,
must be reviewed and approved by the Landmark Preservation Commission prior to the issuance of any Building or Zoning permit. 
 
We refer to this as Design Review
 
The rules that govern Design Review:  Landmark Ordinance and Design Guidelines
 
Design Guidelines:
 
     Effective September 2006
    
     Apply to both individually designated structures and structures in historic districts. 

     Exterior night lighting is an important consideration for the Denver Landmark Preservation Commission. The purpose of these guidelines is to help the Commission in conducting its review and in granting approval of Landmark alterations and additions having to do with exterior night lighting.

 
Area Specific Design Guidelines, which serve as supplements to the general guidelines
 
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 Design Review Process Minimize
Step 1:  Application
Review the Design Guidelines prior to completing the application.  Submit the completed Application for Design Review to the Landmark Preservation Commission staff. Staff will review the application for completeness. All pages must be numbered. Staff will contact the applicant if there are omissions or questions concerning the application.  Incomplete applications are not acceptable. 
 
 
Step 2:  Preliminary Staff Review
The Preservation Architect will evaluate the proposal based on the applicable guidelines (see above). If there are questions or issues, the Architect will contact the applicant. Issues arising from staff review should be considered before proceeding with the proposed project. The Preservation Architect may take the following actions regarding the application:
  1. Grant Administrative Approval,
  2. Schedule the proposed project for Formal Review with the appropriate reviewing body.

If the proposed project is scheduled for formal design review, the staff will advise the applicant as to dates and times. Meeting agendas are posted one week in advance of the meetings, at Landmark Preservation Commission

Step 3A:  Administrative Approval
Administrative Approval by staff can be given to minor project proposals that comply with the Design Guidelines and have minimal impact on the integrity of the historic structure or district.
 
Step 3B:  Formal Review
Formal design review takes place at regularly scheduled meetings of the LPC and the LDDRB.  The schedule for the year is included with this document.  A typical design review presentation to the LPC or LDDRB follows this format:

1.       Presentation of the Staff Design Review & Evaluation, prepared by the Preservation Architect

2.       Presentation of proposal by applicant

3.       Public comment

4.       There is a period of questions by the reviewing body, directed to applicant and staff, concerning the proposal

5.       The reviewing body discusses the project based on the application, the presentation, and the results of the period of questioning, relating comments to the appropriate design guidelines

6.       The reviewing body may then take any of the following actions, or they may continue the matter for further consideration:

·         Approve the proposal,

·         Approve the proposal with conditions (applicant directed either to re-submit to staff, or to return to subsequent LPC/LDDRB meeting)

·         Ask for restudies of aspects of the proposal (applicant directed to either re-submit to staff, or to return to subsequent LPC/LDDRB meeting)

·         Continue the proposal to a subsequent meeting, or

·         Deny the proposal.

LPC and LDDDRB meetings are open to the public and interested persons may comment on design issues related to the application. 

Step 4:  Once approved by the preservation staff, LPC, or LDDRB, projects can receive Staff sign-off on Zoning and Building Permit applications.
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 Application Minimize
 
Example Application:  coming soon!
 
Questions?
Please send us your questions and we will e-mail or call you back:
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 Photos Minimize
Curtis Park "D" Historic District
HOPE Community Center
Before & After
 
 
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