A. Purpose: The economic, cultural, and aesthetic standing of Colorado Springs cannot be maintained or enhanced by disregarding the historical and architectural heritage of the City and by ignoring the destruction or defacement of cultural assets. The protection, enhancement, perpetuation, and use of structures and areas of a historical or architectural significance located within the City is a public necessity and is required in the interest of the prosperity, civic pride, and general welfare of the people. The purpose of the HP-O district is to:
1. Designate, preserve, protect, enhance, and perpetuate those structures and areas that reflect outstanding elements of the City's cultural, artistic, environmental, social, economic, political, architectural, historic, or other heritage;
2. Foster civic pride in the beauty and accomplishments of the past;
3. Stabilize or improve the aesthetic and economic vitality and values of such structures and areas;
4. Protect and enhance the City's attraction to tourists and visitors;
5. Promote the use of outstanding historical or architectural structures or districts for the education, enjoyment, and welfare of the people of the City;
6. Foster the economic and heritage tourism benefits associated with the City's cultural assets;
7. Promote good urban and architectural design in new infill buildings and rehabilitation of existing buildings including the preservation of related Green Space and Open Spaces; and
8. Promote and encourage continued private ownership and use of buildings and other structures now so owned and used, to the extent that the objectives listed above can be attained under such a policy.
B. Standards for Designation of Areas for Zoning Overlay: A structure may be designated by Council for historic preservation overlay zoning if it has either historical or architectural importance as defined below.
1. Historical Importance: The structure or area:
a. Has significant character, interest, or value, as part of the development, heritage or cultural characteristics of the city, state, or nation;
b. Is the site of a historic event with significant effect upon society;
c. Is identified with a person or group of persons who had significant influence on society; or
d. Exemplifies the cultural, political, economic, social, or historic heritage of the community.
2. Architectural Importance: The structure or area:
a. Portrays the environment of a group of people in an era of history characterized by a historically important and distinctive architectural style;
b. Embodies architecturally distinguishing characteristics;
c. Is the work of an architect or builder whose individual work has influenced the development of the City;
d. Contains elements of architectural design, detail, materials, or craftsmanship that represent a significant innovation; or
e. Contains buildings that, although individually lacking distinction, collectively display distinguishing characteristics.
C. Surveys and Inventories:
1. Surveys and inventories of historic properties that have been prepared by the City are on file at the Planning Department. These surveys and inventories already completed, and any completed in the future, shall be a part of the Colorado Springs Comprehensive Plan.
2. The City survey and inventory system shall be compatible with federal and state criteria and consistent with statewide comprehensive historic preservation planning.
D. Procedures: All procedures related to the administration of this Section 7.2.608 and the designation and regulation of historic structures are in Article 7.5: Administration and Enforcement. (Ord. 23-03)