Historic Preservation Still Remains a Dicey Subject
Rick Langenberg
The Cripple Creek City Council has a full house again and is moving ahead full-speed head in its search for a new permanent head boss.
With little hesitation, elected leaders in Cripple Creek during their Aug. 5 session named former public works employee Zeb Pennock as its newest member. Pennock, a resident since around 2010, will serve the remainder of the vacated Ward 5 seat of former councilman Jared Bowman, who stepped down for personal reasons. Bowman, who was elected several years ago, recently moved out of the area and so was forced to vacate his position.
Pennock got the overwhelming appointment nod during a formal ballot process by the council. Two applicants, both former members of the city’s charter review committee, sought the position.
Pennock, who works as a mobile mechanic, hopes to use his expertise in infrastructure matters to assist the city. He also cited an interest in trying to bring more family-oriented activities to Cripple Creek. “Gaming is great, but we have to do more here to attract families,” said Pennock, following the Aug. 5 meeting.
Shortly after the vote, he was sworn into office and took his seat at the council table. He was jokingly referred to as “Councilman Zeb” throughout the night due to the difficulty in pronouncing his last name.
As for other internal business, Interim City Administrator Steve Rabe told the council that the city is making progress in its search for a permanent administration.
Rabe reported on Aug. 5 the city has already received nearly 30 inquiries from potential candidates, with 11 formally applying for the position. The closing date for submittals was Aug. 14.
Rabe, who was named interim boss following the departure of former administrator Frank Salvato, has cited a proposed tikme table of approximately four and a half months for picking a full-time administrator. He told the council he believes the city is on track to meet this deadline. The final decision, though, will be made by the city council.
In additional city business, Melissa Beatty, who has worked for the city for nearly three decades, was officially honored for her service. She was cited as an “unsung hero” for the role she played with the city, working for a variety of departments.
Historic Preservation Awards In Question
Even after 35 years of slots ringing down Bennett Avenue, the topic of historic preservation, one of the main goals of limited stakes gaming, is still a dicey subject locally.
In probably the only issue that got debated at the council’s most recent session, a few elected leaders and the staff differed regarding a residential grant award for a well-known property on 237 Carr Avenue.
Once again, the discussion dealt with whether the town should take a harder stance in giving out preservation monies for residential properties that have been vastly altered from their original historic look, and requests that don’t really constitute those of historic enhancements; or should it move forward in giving out awards that definitely add more aesthetics to the town and offer a definite sense of historic character.
A few leaders questioned certain aspects of the property in question, and whether it qualified as a valid request to receive substantial historic monies. “Are we setting a precedent?” asked Councilman Cody Schwab.
Schwab questioned the pursuit of a grant for $21,280 for an extensive painting and repair project, with a local match of only $7,000.
Both he and Councilman JR Gatlin raised concerns about certain alterations that occurred at the site and indicated that these constitute a major portion of the property, with little left of historic significance. The property is currently owned by Dan and Tana Rice, and it is cited as the first signature residential property noticed upon entry into Cripple Creek from Teller 1. In a report provided by J. Lynn Lyons of the city’s historic preservation department, the property was described as a “historic asset to the town.” It currently serves as an investment for the owners and operates currently as a rooming residence.
But Schwab wondered where the line should be drawn in what type of residential projects qualify for these grants. Lyons, though, told him and other council members that the town doesn’t really have any set preservation standards in its residential areas. And if every residential applicant was nitpicked in a detailed fashion, none would really qualify for the preservation grants.
Mayor Annie Durham came to the property owners’ defense. “Part of historic preservation is aesthetics,” said the mayor. She lauded the way the Rice couple has maintained the property, constructed originally in 1910, over the years, and mentioned this as an important property with historic significance.
After hearing the mayor and staff’s explanation, both Schwab and Gatlin altered their position. The council unanimously approved the request.
