HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/11/2021 - Zoning Board Of Appeals - Supplemental Documents - Zba210001 Hps Memo
Community Development & Neighborhood Services
281 North College Avenue
P.O. Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522.0580
970.416.4250
preservation@fcgov.com
fcgov.com/historicpreservation
Historic Preservation Services
February 5, 2021
Mr. Ralph Shields, Chair
Zoning Board of Appeals
281 N. College Ave.
Fort Collins, CO 80524
RE: Request for Variance for 1306 W. Mountain Avenue, a City Landmark
Dear Mr.Shields:
This letter is regarding the property at 1306 W. Mountain Avenue variance request due for discussion at
the Zoning Board of Appeals regular meeting on Thursday, February 11, 2021. The property in question
is a City Landmark, designated by City Council on December 2, 2014, and is subject to the requirements
of Municipal Code 14, Article IV. The designation includes the full property established by the parcel line,
and specifically identifies both the primary residence and the one-car, c.1942 garage as historic
resources. The Landmark Preservation Commission is the final decision maker on demolitions, new
construction or significant alterations on designated properties.
The variance request is part of a larger rehabilitation project proposed by the applicant, which will
require both issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Landmark Preservation Commission
(LPC) and an approved Plan of Protection in order for demolition and building permits to be issued. The
LPC typically reviews projects comprehensively, and will be considering the full scope of the project,
including the treatment of the existing accessory structures and the design and placement of the
proposed accessory building (the subject of this variance request), alongside other proposed additions
and alterations to the dwelling.
At this time, please note the following:
• This project has not received a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Landmark Preservation
Commission.
• Historic Preservation staff was not contacted about, or aware of, this project until the applicant
submitted demolition permits for the two accessory structures on January 12, 2021.
• As noted above, one of those structures affected by the variance, the one-car, 1942 garage is a
protected historic structure under Municipal Code and cannot be demolished without Landmark
Preservation Commission approval.
• the design review process, which includes both a conceptual and final review by the LPC for the
full, comprehensive project, has not been completed.
• The conceptual review for this project is currently scheduled for the LPC’s March 2021 agenda
and will discuss both the alterations to the primary dwelling, but also the proposed treatment
and infill construction regarding accessory structures.
• Based on preliminary review of the demolition permits, building permit, and Zoning Board of
Appeals packet, the project does not meet the Standards in Chapter 14 and is unlikely to be
approved by the LPC as submitted, due to several items that are critically inconsistent with the
Standards, including:
o Demolition of the historic, one-car, 1942 garage
o The size of the proposed accessory building relative to the site and to the historic
structures
o Substantial demolition and new construction on elevations of the primary historic
residence that are highly visible from public rights-of-way that are out of scale with the
historic building.
Preservation staff has begun discussing alternatives with the applicant in advance of the March 17, 2021
LPC conceptual review, however, staff anticipates significant changes to this project, including the
treatment of the existing accessory structures, prior to issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness and
subsequent issuance of building permits by the City.
If you have questions, please contact us at 970-416-4250 or preservation@fcgov.com.
Sincerely,
Jim Bertolini
Historic Preservation Planner