HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019 - Landmark Preservation Commission - Annual Report
Community Development & Neighborhood Services
281 North College Avenue
P.O. Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522.0580
970.416.2740
970.224.6134- fax
fcgov.com
Planning, Development & Transportation Services
MEMORANDUM
TO: Delynn Coldiron, City Clerk
TH: Caryn Champine, Director, Planning, Development and Transportation Services
Tom Leeson, Director, Community Development and Neighborhood Services
FR: Meg Dunn, Chair, Landmark Preservation Commission
RE: Landmark Preservation Commission (LPC) 2019 Annual Report
Overview of the Landmark Preservation Commission (Est 1968):
Federally authorized Certified Local Government (CLG) since 1991. CLG status:
o Authorizes LPC to administer state and federal preservation regulations, notably Section
106 Review and Compliance for all projects with federal licensing, permitting, or
funding. Ex: MAX bus system, Linden Street improvements, Community Development
Block Grant (CDBG), flood mitigation, telecommunications.
o Enables residents to participate in the 20% Colorado State Tax Credit program.
o Provides a dedicated pool of grant funding: Fort Collins has received over $200,000 in
CLG grants for training, surveys, building preservation, and community education and
outreach.
o Requires enforcement of appropriate state and local legislation for the designation and
protection of historic properties, consistent with the Secretary of Interior’s Standards.
o Requires on‐going survey of historic resources.
Nine‐member board, at least 40% of whom must have professional expertise in the fields of
historic preservation, architectural history, architecture, archaeology, or closely related
fields:
o Commission professional expertise includes: Architecture (Nelson, Paecklar, Simpkins);
Landscape Architecture (Bredehoft); Archeology (Gensmer); Finance (Bello); Historic
Preservation (Murray, Wallace); and Education (Dunn).
Final decision‐maker on:
o Requests for alterations to properties designated on the National Register, Colorado
State Register, and as Fort Collins Landmarks
o Determinations of eligibility for Fort Collins Landmark designation
o Allocation of Landmark Rehabilitation Loan funds
Makes recommendations:
o To Council on Fort Collins Landmark designations;
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o To the Colorado State Review Board on nominations to the National and State
Register
o To Decision Makers on compatibility of developments adjacent to historic properties
Advises Council on the identification and significance of historic resources, threats to their
preservation, and methods for their protection
Advises Council and staff about policies, incentives and regulations for historic preservation.
2019 Quick Review:
Presented "Friends of Preservation" Awards to four projects:
o Bohemian Companies and 4240 Architecture: Superior Infill Development, Elizabeth
Hotel;
o Susan Hoskinson: Landmark Designation and Preservation of Historic Resources;
o Poudre Heritage Alliance, City Recreation and Parks Departments, Ethan Cozzens, and
Empire Carpentry: Outstanding Dedication to Preserving Historic Resources for the
Restoration and Rehabilitation of the Ross Homestead Act Proving Up House;
o Myrne Watrous: Exceptional Contributions to Historic Preservation.
Generated $116,843 in local preservation work by provided $43,182 in Landmark
Rehabilitation Loans to eight property owners, for window rehabilitation and
weatherization, porch repair, stabilizing foundations, and more.
Supported two State Historic Fund grant applications, for the survey of 50 properties in
Old Town Fort Collins between Mulberry Street and Laporte Avenue; and for a
comprehensive Historic Structure Assessment of Fort Collins Water Treatment Plant No. 1
at Gateway Park.
Recommended seven properties for Fort Collins Landmark designation, and two properties
for designation on the National Register of Historic Places.
Provided Council and staff with input on the Historic Preservation Code Changes, the
Downtown Plan, the Old Town Neighborhoods Plan, and the KFCG Tax Initiative.2018 Year in
Review:
In 2019, the Commission convened 20 times, for 12 regular meetings and 8 work sessions.
Designations: There were 3 new individual Fort Collins Landmarks in 2018: The McMillen
Patterson property, 121 North Grant Ave.; The Evans/Reidhead Property, 707 West Mountain
Ave.; and the Trimble/Taylor/Dixon Property, 817 West Mountain Ave.
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Total
Designations By
Last 5 Years
7 4 3 8 3 294
B. Grants: In partnership with the Cache La Poudre River National Heritage Area, the Fort
Collins Historical Society, and the Camp Collins Couples Questers, in 2018 the Historic
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Preservation Division undertook the restoration of the Ross Proving Up House, the only
structure in Northern Colorado known to be associated with the 1862 Homestead Act.
Helped by $20,830 in grant funds from our partners, the one room home was relocated to
The Farm at Lee Martinez Park and restored to educate the community on homesteading,
water heritage, and pioneer life.
C. Incentive Programs:
Landmark Rehabilitation Loan Program:
The Landmark Rehabilitation Loan Program provides owners of locally designated
properties with interest free matching funds of up to $7,500 each year, for approved
exterior restoration and rehabilitation. Loans are paid back upon the sale of the property,
and the funds used for additional loans.
In 2018, Landmark Rehabilitation Loans amounting to $31,346 were allocated to six
property owners for projects such as window rehabilitation and energy retrofitting,
and porch repair. Owners provided an additional $31,347 in matching funds (a 1:1
ratio), generating $62,693 of rehabilitation work.
Design Assistance Program Funding:
The Design Assistance Program offers up to $2,000 towards consultation and plans for
projects promoting sustainability, rehabilitation, and contextually compatible design.
Owners select professionals with demonstrated experience in sensitive historic design,
ensuring that the plans comply with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards. The program
is available to all designated properties, and to all properties located in the Old Town
Neighborhoods.
In 2018, this program provided professional consultation and design advice to 12
properties, helping to promote safe and sustainable buildings and quality
neighborhoods through assistance for projects as varied as new infill construction,
installation of solar panels, foundation repairs, and improving energy efficiency.
D. Design Review: Using the Secretary of the Interior Standards and other standards contained
in the City code, in 2018, the Commission reviewed exterior alterations to 9 designated
Landmark Rehab Loan Funding Snapshot
2018: 6 Projects Funded
City funds: $31,346
Owners’ matching funds: $31,347
Total rehabilitation work funded: $62,693
2001 – 2017: 83 Loans Awarded
City funds awarded: $364,883
Owner’s matching funds: $932,355
Total amount of rehabilitation work: $1,297,237
Ratio of public dollars to private dollars: 1 : 2.6
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Landmark properties. Historic Preservation staff reviewed and administratively approved an
additional 24 applications for work on Landmark properties.
E. Demolition/Alteration Review: In 2018, staff processed a total of 414 demolition/alteration
requests for buildings 50 years old and older that are not Landmarks. As part of the proposed
2019 Historic Preservation code revisions, a new review process will be implemented,
eliminating the review of demolition or alterations for all single‐family dwellings that are not
designated.
F. Preservation Awareness: In 2018, the Commission sponsored three programs promoting
community awareness of historic preservation:
Friend of Preservation Awards, recognizing five outstanding individuals and projects that
showcase preservation efforts in Fort Collins;
Ross Proving Up House Ribbon Cutting Ceremony & Tours, celebrating partnerships
between three City departments, the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area, and
others in the restoration of this locally rare Homestead Act proving house;
National Historic Preservation Week Proclamation by City Council
G. LPC Professional Training: Commission members attended/presented at the following
conferences, trainings, and workshops in 2018:
Adobe Analysis & Repair Workshop I, Fort Collins, Oct 2018 ‐ Murray, Dorn
Colorado Preservation, Inc. Saving Places Conference, 2018 ‐ Dunn, Wallace, Hogestad,
Bello, Dorn, Gensmer, Murray, Simpson
Taller Internacional de Conservacion y Restauracion de Architectura de Tierra
(International Workshop on the Conservation and Restoration of Earthen Architecture),
Santa Fe, NM June 12‐15, 2018 ‐ Murray
National Preservation Institute: Landscape Preservation: Introduction and Advance
Tools, Fredericksburg, VA, April 2018 – Wallace
AIA Heath, Safety, & Wellness Continuing Education: Denver, May 10, 2018 and July 18,
2018 – Hogestad