Page 4 - Breckendridge, CO Design Standards
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III.   Issue: Rating Categories in the Historic District
                                                The Town uses a five-tiered system of rating buildings that are
                                                within the historic district. These are:
                                                1.  Landmark
                                                2.  Contributing
                                                3.  Contributing with qualifications
                                                4.  Supporting
                                                5.  Non-contributing

                                                This system allows the Town to identify properties of
                                                outstanding significance as landmarks. They may be in the
                                                historic district or they may be individual properties outside
                                                it. The system also allows the Town to list properties that are
                                                relatively intact as “Contributing” to the district as well as
                                                those that are of historic significance, but need restoration, as
                                                “Contributing with qualifications.” The “Supporting” category
                                                is used for new construction that is compatible with the
                                                historic context. Finally, the “non-contributing” character is for
                                                structure that are out of character or have lost their integrity.


                                                This system helps the Town determine which design standards
                                                to apply to any individual project and, in the case of the
                                                “contributing with qualifications” category it signals to
                                                property owners that they have opportunities for restoration.


                                                The National Register uses only two categories:
                                                “Contributing,” and “non-contributing” in determining the
                                                potential for a historic district. It does, however, indicate
                                                properties that could be eligible for listing in the National
                                                Register individually. This “coarser” rating system doesn’t
                                                distinguish a new building that is compatible with the context
                                                from those that are out of character. They both are simply listed
                                                as non-contributing.


                                                While the National Register rating system itself is perhaps over-
                                                simplified, surveyors compensate by adding narrative to the
                                                survey form that can provide more detail. This may be helpful
                                                to someone who has access to the survey forms and takes the
                                                time to read them, in many cases, only the rating is noted.


                                                Recommendation
                                                The Town should continue to use its five-tiered rating system
                                                and include consideration of the different categories when
                                                reviewing a project proposal.











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