County, Features

What a CLG can do for you

RBC | CLG stands for “Certified Local Government.” What is a Certified Local Government, and do we want to have one? The Rio Blanco County Historical Society (RBCHS) has asked the county commissioners to consider a resolution to become a CLG.

What will that mean?

For the commissioners it means approving a resolution and appointing a volunteer nine-person board to oversee the process of landmarking historical properties, one step above listing those properties on the national or state historical register.  The process begins with obtaining a survey of all structures in the county for eligibility as a historic property.

“Ninety percent or more of the work is done by the volunteer board, not by county employees,” said attorney Sandra Besseghini, who drafted the resolution reviewed by commissioners Monday.

State grants are available to cover costs of training for the board, promotional expenses, professional support, as well as surveying properties and local preservation programs for which there are no other funding sources.

“We have looked at what other communities have done and tailored our resolution to meet the needs of our community, it’s totally voluntary,” she said.

For property owners it would mean additional opportunities for grant funding, tax credits and technical support to preserve historic properties, both commercial and residential.

Once established, the CLG board would have the authority—with a property owner’s consent—to recommend to the commissioners to landmark a property over 50 years old which meets certain historical criteria set by the National Park Service and the Colorado Historical Society. After a hearing, the commissioners may approve the landmarking. Landmarked properties are then eligible for various grants and tax credits for maintaining and preserving the property.

The goal of the CLG board would be to inform and educate property owners about the potential benefits of landmarking if their properties are eligible.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Can a third party designate a property for landmarking without the owner’s consent?

That language has been modified in the proposed RBC resolution. “Anyone can ask that a property be landmarked, but our resolution never permitted the process to go further without the owner’s consent, and now no one but the owner can ask again to consider landmarking until the property has new ownership,” Besseghini said.

Will the CLG delay approval for construction permits on historic properties?

According to Meeker Town Administrator Scott Meszaros, any delays would only be for the purpose of making sure a building’s history was recorded through photos, archiving, etc., before a structure is demolished or radically altered.

Does the CLG devalue properties?

Besseghini said in other communities with CLGs, property values of and around landmarked properties actually increase, not decrease, because there’s a “guarantee” the landmarked property will be maintained. If the property is sold, the landmark carries over to the new owner, they don’t have to apply again.

– Does the CLG limit what property owners can do?

“In fact, nothing can be done against an owner’s wishes,” Besseghini said. Unless there is an application for landmarking, nothing else would happen. “We’d like to have an opportunity to talk to a property owner, which we intend to do through public forums and mailings if they have an eligible property. If a property owner isn’t interested, so be it, that’s the end of it.”

Why involve the county at all?

Since the Town of Meeker already has a designated historic district, and the Town of Rangely is working on creating one, each town could establish its own CLG, as New Castle, Glenwood Springs and Carbondale have done in Garfield County. But that leaves property owners in unincorporated areas out of the potential benefits available through the CLG. For cost, time and procedural efficiency, the state recommends that the county become a CLG and that the towns participate through agreements. In neighboring Garfield County several towns (New Castle, Glenwood Springs and Carbondale) have gone ahead with creating their own CLGs without the county.

There are 161 CLGs in the State of Colorado, some set up under a municipality, others under a county. For more information, download “Understanding Certified Local Governments in Colorado” at http://bit.ly/2MtaeWu

The revised CLG resolution drafted by Besseghini follows in its entirety.

RIO BLANCO COUNTY HISTORIC PRESERVATION RESOLUTIONWHEREAS

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  • Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
1 day ago
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Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line. The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale. Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch. See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
1 day ago
View on Instagram |
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Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
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View on Instagram |
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3 days ago
View on Instagram |
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A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
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Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
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The winning teams and individuals for the 18th annual White River Community Association Buy-Fly Fishing Tournament are as follows. Individual top weight catch was Dave Metrovich and longest fish was Kevin Massey. First place team won by Rio Blanco Abstract: Erik Eckman, Adam Parrett, Dave Metrovich and Wayne Kirkpatrick. Second place team was Drake Consulting: Travis Kaiser, John Douglas, Tony Bartolomucci and Bob Brandeberry. Third place team Mr. Rogers and the Hood (accepted by Doug Rogers) Gary Rogers, Mark Beauchamp, Kyle Schutte and Rick Gunter. The white fish have been frozen and will be served at the annual White River Community Association fish fry fundraiser in June.
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Cowboy Carson Klinzmann on the mound for Meeker at Suplizio Field in Grand Junction last Saturday. Meeker took on the 4A Rifle Bears, losing 11-1, and the Basalt Longhorns, losing 7-3. Read the recap online at ht1885.com.
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