Colfax approves historic resources inventory

In an effort to bring forward implementation strategies of the general plan, the Colfax City Council approved its historic resources inventory on March 26. Within the general plan are goals and policies which direct the city to maintain an inventory of historic structures and areas in Colfax. According to Kathy Pease, planning consultant for the city, this could be a building structure, object, site or landscape. "If it's significant to the American historic background or of local significance as an example of architecture, archaeology, engineering, a historic event or culture," Pease explained. Pease confirmed the historic inventory included 32 structures based on information from the city's master plan, state and federal registers, field surveys and additional online research. According to the staff report, buildings in the inventory include the Colfax Library, City Hall, Colfax Theatre, Colfax Pharmacy, The Depot, Colfax Hotel and Colfax Elementary School. The inventory includes notes such as the buildings' address, style of architecture, past uses and whether they have a historic plaque. "Additional surveys would be needed for the remainder of the city, which is primarily residential structures," Pease advised the council. Advantages of adopting a historic resources inventory include providing flexibility for historic structures when using the California Historic Building Code and potential grant opportunities. Pease shared another advantage is the Mills Act, an economic incentive program for property owners that can grant tax abatements for restoration and preservation of qualified historic buildings. Pease noted even if the resource inventory was adopted, demolition permits are allowed by right without needing entitlements and would not preclude significant changes to historic resources. "The city council could consider a historic preservation ordinance in the future if additional protections are desired," she said. The council noted being impressed with the inventory and related information Pease accumulated. "It's very impressive what you did," Councilmember Larry Hillberg said. "I had no idea what all we had in this town and seems like we ought to be able to do something with that." The council approved the inventory in a 4-0 vote. Councilmember Kim Douglass was absent.