Town approves law to save historic buildings

“Adopt a shed” idea put forth

Despite some vocal dissent from town property owners during a public hearing Monday evening, the Crested Butte Town Council passed an ordinance intended to protect the historic “outbuildings” of the town. The council did want to provide assistance for property owners who are now forced to keep the historic buildings on their property standing.

The ordinance addressing the “demolition by neglect of historic structures” states that if such a structure is located on your private property, you will maintain it to the extent that it will not collapse. Property owners could be liable if one of the old shacks from Crested Butte’s past falls down on their private property.
Crested Butte building official Bob Gillie told the council Monday night that he felt since the town is a designated National Historic District, “Our obligation is to retain our resources. I don’t think as a National Historic District, we can address just part of our history. We need to address the whole fabric of our past and that includes protecting the historic outbuildings we have in town.”
In a memo to the council, Gillie pointed out there were approximately 420 structures in town that are listed as contributing historic buildings.
Of those, approximately 200 are outbuildings. He suggested the town set aside $2,000 and allow property owners to re-coup up to $200 in material costs used toward stabilization. He said $200 would buy approximately twenty 2x4s to stabilize buildings. “These buildings are without question important to the sense of place and historic context of town.”
The ordinance also came with penalties for those who let the buildings on their property deteriorate to the point of falling down. Standard municipal penalties of fines and even jail time are included in the ordinance, and that troubled some members of the public.
Homeowner Karen Anderson bought her property in 1986 and said, “I didn’t buy it for the smoke house or chicken coop or the other buildings out back,” she said. “I think the town is asking a lot of my private property. I don’t have the inclination or the money to do this.”
Elaine Weston of Crested Butte agreed. “My home was built in 1882 and I bought it in 1994,” she explained. “I have three historical sheds in the back. I think enactment of this ordinance is egregious in this economy. We need money to pay the mortgage and pay for heat right now.”
Weston did suggest to the council that if they want to save these structures and feel they are so important, the council should pursue something along the lines of an “adopt a shed” program. She felt those who want to see the sheds could help pay for their upkeep. She also suggested pursuing grants for such endeavors or making large commercial projects like the upcoming Sixth Street Station pay a mandatory fee that goes toward protecting the sheds of town.
“The penalties are far, far too severe,” Weston told the council. “Jail time and up to $1,000 a day is too much.”
Homeowner Mary Jane Bridges said some of the required repairs would be very expensive, especially if the old buildings didn’t have foundations.
“I perceive that perhaps some sway bracing and some lumber to stabilize the buildings would be all that’s needed,” said Gillie. “We are talking about keeping them from going to the ground, not turning them into palaces. Some would just take some 2×4 to brace the walls. This is something that comes along with buying a house in a National Historic District. I don’t think it is onerous.”
Cindy Czarnick said her family has lived in Crested Butte for generations and likes the idea of trying to preserve the buildings. “But I don’t want a fine when I am doing my best. The fines and the jail are awful. Maybe a softer approach is better. We need to help each other. My aunt Dorothy [Sporcich] commented that she’ll probably fall down before the outbuildings, but the young people in town shouldn’t be penalized.”
Gillie explained that the penalty clause in the ordinance was standard for almost any town ordinance. “It’s consistent through town. Spitting on the street is the same. The court would decide the fine. Having penalties in there puts people on notice that we treasure these buildings.”
Crested Butte resident Melissa Belz supported the ordinance. “It is important for the town to have these buildings,” she said. “I think the town should find some money to help with the work, but the steps outlined by Bob Gillie are reasonable.”
Steve Glazer of Crested Butte recommended pursuing an incentive-based plan as opposed to a fine-based ordinance. He also wanted to make sure town-owned buildings like the barn at the Town Ranch came under the same scrutiny. It does.
Weston said, “It galls me to have to support an old chicken coop when I can’t have a chicken.”
“Karen Anderson’s list of her outbuildings is exactly the tie to Crested Butte’s past,” said Gillie. “It’s the chicken coops and smokehouses and outhouses that are historical here.”
Anderson said, “I think people look at the houses in town, not the outbuildings.”
Councilperson Dan Escalante said he looks at the shacks more than the houses. “And I don’t think the heavy hand of the law will be coming down on anyone if you make the effort to try to keep them standing,” he said. “I also think in these economic times you can find people to do work at prices they wouldn’t have last year. I’m one of those people. I also like some of the creative ideas mentioned like the ‘adopt-a-shed.’ If someone wants to pursue it, go for it.”
Councilperson Kimberly Metsch didn’t think cost was a big problem. “It seems to me the intent is to keep the building from falling down,” she said. “Just keep them the way they are now. I like the town donating money to the cause but it shouldn’t really be expensive.”
Councilman Billy Rankin didn’t like the ordinance. “I like the creative, incentive-based ways to try to save these structures,” he said.
Councilperson Reed Betz said he walked the alleys “and I appreciate every one of those buildings. We do have a responsibility to the National Historic District.”
Gillie agreed and said he felt some people came to Crested Butte as a heritage tourism site. “It makes us unique,” he said.
Councilperson Skip Berkshire said the ordinance would help Crested Butte keep its character alive. “We’ve heard some passionate concerns and I appreciate that,” he said. “But I’m very in favor of this. We just want people to try to take care of these buildings a little bit. What’s wrong with that? I’m all over this.”
Town attorney John Belkin said the idea was not to have a penalty-based ordinance. “It is intended to be a deterrent,” he explained. “It’s a ‘please don’t’ ordinance. This could be called the ‘Please Don’t’ Ordinance.”
Gillie emphasized the town staff wanted to help each homeowner with an historic outbuilding as much as possible. “We’d be happy to come look at a structure and do whatever we can to help maintain these structures.”
“For a National Historic District, this is a pretty standard ordinance,” added mayor pro tem Leah Williams. “This has fewer requirements than most similar ordinances. Plus, I love the old sheds. I love the alleys. It’s part of why we are all here. It’s not to penalize anyone but it is to help Crested Butte keep its character.
With Rankin voting no, the ordinance was passed and the council asked the staff to look for more money and more ways to help property owners maintain the old outbuildings on their property.