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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