HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/09/2023 - Historic Preservation Commission - AGENDA - Work SessionPage 1
Kurt Knierim, Chair Location:
Jim Rose, Vice Chair This meeting will be held
Margo Carlock IN PERSON at
Jenna Edwards City Hall, 300 LaPorte Ave
Bonnie Gibson
Anne Nelsen
Andy Smith Staff Liaison:
Tom Wilson Maren Bzdek
David Woodlee Historic Preservation Manager
Work Session
August 09, 2023
5:30 PM
Fort Collins is a Certified Local Government (CLG) authorized by the National Park Service and History Colorado based
on its compliance with federal and state historic preservation standards. CLG standing requires Fort Collins to maintain
a Historic Preservation Commission composed of members of which a minimum of 40% meet federal standards for
professional experience from preservation-related disciplines, including, but not limited to, historic architecture,
architectural history, archaeology, and urban planning. For more information, see Article III, Division 19 of the Fort
Collins Municipal Code.
The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs, and activities and
will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please call 221-6515 (TDD 224-6001) for
assistance.
Historic Preservation Commission
AGENDA
All Commission Members in quasi-judicial matters, must be in person according to
Section 2-73 of the Municipal Code.
IN PERSON PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
No public comment is allowed during work sessions. Members of the public may observe the meeting
but will not be allowed to comment at the meeting.
The public may comment in the regular meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission which will be
held in person on August 16, 2023. Information on how to participate is contained in the agenda for that
meeting available at https://www.fcgov.com/cityclerk/boards/historic-preservation.
Documents to share: Members of the public wishing to submit documents, visual presentations, or
written comments for the Commission to consider regarding any item on the agenda must email them at
least 48 hours prior to the August 16, 2023 meeting to preservation@fcgov.com.
Packet Pg. 1
Page 2
• CALL TO ORDER
• ROLL CALL
• REVIEW OF ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION AT THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING TO BE HELD ON
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2023, AT 5:30 P.M. VIA ZOOM AND IN-PERSON
(Please see the agenda for the August 16, 2023, meeting for information on how to join that meeting.)
CONSENT
1. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF JUNE 21, 2023
DISCUSSION
2. REPORT ON STAFF ACTIVITIES SINCE THE LAST MEETING
3. CIVIL RIGHTS PROJECT INTREPRETATION STRATEGIES – REPORT TO HPC
4. EDUCATION WORKSHOP: WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE PRIMER
5. ELECTION OF CHAIR AND/OR VICE CHAIR
• BOARD TOPICS
1. HPC Work Plan Progress & Priorities
2. Code and Process Updates – Topic #3 – Landmark Designation and Landmark Design Review
3. Landmark Resolution Template Update
4. LUC Update
• OTHER BUSINESS
• ADJOURNMENT
Packet Pg. 2
Board Topic 1, Page 1
DATE:
STAFF:
August 9, 2023
Jim Bertolini, Senior Historic Preservation Planner
WORK SESSION ITEM 1
Historic Preservation
Commission
SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION
HPC Work Plan - Progress and Priorities
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
City Code requires all boards and commissions to file work plans on or before September 30 for the following year.
According to the Boards and Commissions Manual, work plans should set out major projects and issues for
discussion for the following year. The HPC adopted the attached 2023 work plan at its November 16, 2022 meeting.
Consideration of pending priorities associated with the work plan will be a regular work session discussion item.
The regular recurrence of this discussion item is intended to provide the Commission with the opportunity to
measure ongoing progress and identify action items.
ATTACHMENTS
1. HPC 2023 Work Plan
Packet Pg. 3
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
MEMORANDUM
DATE: November 16, 2022
TO: Susan Gutowsky, Council Liaison
CC: Kelly DiMartino, City Manager
Anissa Hollingshead, City Clerk
FROM: Kurt Knierim, Chair, Historic Preservation Commission
RE: Historic Preservation Commission 2023 Work Plan
The 2023 work plan reflects the results of a planning session held on October 12, 2022, at which the
Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) set priorities that coalesced into 4 primary work plan initiatives
that will be undertaken in addition to the Commission’s ongoing quasi-judicial and legislative business.
2023 Work Plan Initiatives
The 2023 work plan categories are aligned with the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Impact
Agenda, the Colorado Statewide Historic Preservation Plan, and most importantly the City’s strategic
plans and key outcome areas.
1.Support Building an Equitable, Affordable, and Vibrant Community
•Provide feedback and ideas for the following staff-led initiatives:
o share local history and elevate appreciation of historic building stock that provides
affordable housing for the community
o prioritize inclusion in order to tell a more accurate and comprehensive story of our
community
o encourage emphasis on the history of individual Fort Collins neighborhoods to help
residents learn about and appreciate where they live
o follow National Register process to consider updating the significance criteria to include
cultural significance and evaluate local potential for application.
2.Grow a Collaborative and Inclusive Network through Improved Public Engagement
•Expanded public engagement opportunities:
o Assist staff with informal presentations to community groups, focusing first on the key
interest groups of cultural and heritage non-profits, realtors, construction and building
trades, and developers as well as youth K-12 education (Jim Rose)
o Use HPC meetings to engage with and empower the participation, self-advocacy, and
storytelling of underrepresented groups who are not typically connected to historic
preservation work
o Interact more closely with Energy Board, Human Relations Board, and others (Jim Rose)
o Help staff to identify new stakeholder interest groups and partner agencies and
organizations to work on shared goals
•Network with community contacts and encourage City Clerk’s Office and City Council to recruit
and appoint new HPC members who represent the diversity of our community’s demographics
•Incorporate the City’s future land acknowledgement statement into HPC meetings.
BOARD TOPIC 1, ATTACHMENT 1
Packet Pg. 4
Historic Preservation Commission 2023 Work Plan
3. Strengthen Connection to Climate Resilience Work
• Use HPC work sessions and other educational outlets led by HPC members to educate residents
and contractors about value and passive energy performance of pre-WWII building stock and
material conservation/embodied energy, as well as methods for maintaining and improving
ongoing energy performance of historic buildings
• Provide feedback to staff on conceptual design of effective graphics to represent comparative
effects of demolition versus adaptive reuse/rehabilitation of buildings
• Provide comments for City’s effort to consider a future deconstruction ordinance that is connected
to a regional network of participants
4. Develop Modernized and Expanded Tools for Historic Preservation
• Engage a younger demographic with connections to emerging professionals in graduate
programs and emerging digital tools (Jenna Edwards)
• Support effort to create new and more numerous tools for recognizing historic places and learning
about their history (on site and online)
• Participate in staff-led effort to evaluate, address, and strengthen incentives and financial support
programs to encourage and support local landmarks (Jim Rose)
• Use HPC meetings to promote the existing Cost Calculator Tool on the City’s website
• Provide ideas to staff for new information and helpful resources to add to City’s website
--------------------------------------------
Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) Purpose and Overview:
• The HPC was established in 1968 and is a nine-member quasi-judicial body composed of
qualified residents of the City of Fort Collins. Per Certified Local Government (CLG) requirements
in the United States historic preservation system, the City must demonstrate an effort to maintain
at least 40% of the HPC membership with professional expertise in history, archaeology,
architectural history, architecture, or historic architecture.
o Currently, that expertise is represented on the Fort Collins HPC by 7 of the 9 members
(78%) as follows: Architecture (Anne Nelsen); Historic Architecture and Architectural
History (Jim Rose); History (Jenna Edwards, Margo Carlock, Kurt Knierim); Archaeology
(William Dunn, Bonnie Gibson).
o Two HPC members are Old Town residents who represent the interests of historic property
owners in the community and have relevant backgrounds in local history activities and
education (Meg Dunn) and corporate business, finance, and marketing (Eric Guenther).
• The HPC performs the CLG responsibilities for the City of Fort Collins:
o Enables the City to administer preservation regulations on behalf of the state and federal
governments; residents to receive 25% Colorado State Tax Credits for Historic
Preservation; and City to receive CLG grants for training, surveys, building preservation,
and community education
o Requires enforcement of state and local legislation for the designation and protection of
historic properties consistent with the Secretary of Interior’s Standards; requires on -going
survey of historic resources.
• The HPC is the final decision-maker on:
o Exterior alterations to properties designated as Fort Collins Landmarks; determinations of
eligibility for Fort Collins Landmark designation; and allocation of Landmark Rehabilitation
Loan funds.
• The HPC makes formal recommendations:
BOARD TOPIC 1, ATTACHMENT 1
Packet Pg. 5
Historic Preservation Commission 2023 Work Plan
o To Council on Fort Collins Landmark designations and matters of policy related to historic
preservation and land use; to the Colorado State Review Board on nominations of Fort
Collins properties to the National and State Registers of Historic Places
o To the Planning and Zoning Commission, Hearing Officers, and City staff on design
compatibility of developments adjacent to and/or containing historic resources, as well as
proposed treatment plans for adaptive reuse of those historic resources.
• HPC advises Council on the identification and significance of historic resources, threats to their
preservation, and methods for their protection; and advises Council and staff about policies,
incentives, and regulations for historic preservation.
• The HPC proactively addresses barriers that perpetuate inequality, to help minimize impacts to
historically under-represented and under-resourced community members; and directly supports
the City's goals of sustaining an environment where residents and visitors feel welcomed, safe,
and valued in the community.
BOARD TOPIC 1, ATTACHMENT 1
Packet Pg. 6
Board Topic 2, Page 1
DATE:
STAFF:
August 9, 2023
Jim Bertolini, Senior Historic Preservation Planner
Yani Jones, Historic Preservation Planner
WORK SESSION ITEM
2
Historic Preservation
Commission
SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION
Code Topics – Landmarks Designation & Design Review
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This is an introductory discussion on the basics of our existing codes and policies related to designating Fort
Collins Landmarks and conducting Design Review (or exterior project review) on those designated properties.
These historic preservation activities are generally governed by Municipal Code Chapter 14, which lays out the
process for both the designation of, and protection of, historic and cultural resources. The staff presentation will
include a review of current code provisions and administrative requirements, perspective on how staff works with
the community when a new designation requests and exterior project proposals are brought forward, a few staff
observations and community feedback notes regarding the status quo, and a summary of recent and proposed
process improvements. The discussion will invite the HPC to consider areas of improvement that could be
advanced for consideration, in anticipation of potential code updates in the future.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Staff Presentation
Packet Pg. 7
Code Topics #3 – Landmark Designations & Design Review
August 9, 2023
Historic Preservation Commission, Work Session
Jim Bertolini, Senior Historic Preservation Planner
Yani Jones, Historic Preservation Planner
Overview of MC 14 (Articles II, III, IV, & V)
• Article II - standards for
eligibility for Landmark
designation
• Article III – process for
designating new Landmarks
• Article IV – process for
reviewing projects on City
Landmarks
• Article V – Landmark Rehab
Loans
2
1
2
BOARD TOPIC 2, ATTACHMENT 1
Packet Pg. 8
Article II – What is a Landmark?
• 14-22 Standards for eligibility
• Modeled of NRHP
• Standard 1 (Criterion A)
(Events/Trends)
• Standard 2 (Criterion B)
(Persons/Groups)
• Standard 3 (Criterion C)
(Design/Construction)
• Standard 4 (Criterion D)
(Information Potential)
• 14-23 Historic Survey & Appeals
3
Article III – How do we make new Landmarks?
• Initiation of Landmark procedure:
• Owner
• Member of City Council in
writing
• HPC by resolution
• Any 3 residents of the city
• Review of designation requests
• Streamlined review for
voluntary nominations
• Careful review for
involuntary nominations
4
3
4
BOARD TOPIC 2, ATTACHMENT 1
Packet Pg. 9
Article IV – How do we protect Landmarks?
• Review on Landmarks (requiring
CoA)
• Staff-reviewed items
• HPC-reviewed items
• Appeals
• Standards?
• Federal U.S. Secretary of
the Interior’s Standards
for the Treatment of
Historic Properties
• Old Town Design
Standards
5
Staff Observations
• Potential for Landmarks designation for properties
owned by the City but outside city limits
(Soapstone, Gateway, etc.)
• Comprehensive notes on public and SHPO
notification
• NRHP Reviews – limit / staff only?
• Climate- & development-related pressure on design
review
• Need to increase “flex” on key climate-related
items (roofing, solar, energy performance)
• For infill construction, where’s the line for
enough on designated Landmarks?
6
5
6
BOARD TOPIC 2, ATTACHMENT 1
Packet Pg. 10
7Feedback - Designations
• Designations & Fairness (Involuntary nominations)
• Only 3 residents for involuntary Landmark
nominations too few
• Hearing #2 options, clarity, and applicability
• Require disclosures of relationships?
• Concern on comparative property valuations
pre- and post-designation
• Special hearings outside of normal meeting
schedule?
• Designations & Criteria
• Add new cultural significance criteria
• Tribal consultation?
8Feedback – Design Review
• Concerns on predictability
• SOI Standards are a methodology, not a
prescriptive set of design standards
• Can we establish city-wide design
standards or guidelines?
• Can we simplify when/where historic
preservation codes apply?
• Infill & City Landmarks – what’s appropriate?
• What about cultural landscapes?
• Tribal consultation on effective
stewardship
7
8
BOARD TOPIC 2, ATTACHMENT 1
Packet Pg. 11
9Questions / Requests
• What initial questions/concerns do you have?
• What topics closely related to Landmark designation and project
review on Landmarks would you like to learn more about?
9
BOARD TOPIC 2, ATTACHMENT 1
Packet Pg. 12
Board Topic 3, Page 1
DATE:
STAFF:
August 9, 2023
Yani Jones, Historic Preservation Planner
WORK SESSION ITEM
3
Historic Preservation
Commission
SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION
HPC Landmark Resolution Template Update
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
As described under Section 14-33 of the Municipal Code, the Historic Preservation Commission reviews
Landmark designation nominations and, should commissioners determine a nominated property eligible for
designation, the commission would adopt a written resolution recommending the property’s Landmark designation
to the final decision-maker, City Council.
Staff uses document templates to generate certain materials for the commission’s use, including draft HPC
Landmark resolutions, which allow for consistency in the contextual information and the property-specific
information provided. During the June 14, 2023 work session of the HPC, commissioners requested that staff
prepare a draft HPC Landmark resolution template update for discussion, specifically, to include language
recognizing the forced removal of Native American people that preceded the development of Fort Collins. The
attached resolution template draft includes a “Whereas” clause reflecting this request, which is highlighted for
reference. Heather Jarvis, Assistant City Attorney, has also provided some minor changes to language throughout
for legal clarity.
This administrative discussion should provide some guidance for staff whether these changes to the HPC’s
Landmark resolution template are acceptable for use in future Landmark designation nomination items presented
to the commission.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2023-8-9_HPC Resolution Template Update_DRAFT
Packet Pg. 13
RESOLUTION #, 202#
OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
RECOMMENDING LANDMARK DESIGNATION OF THE
PROPERTY NAME
ADDRESS, FORT COLLINS, COLORADO
AS A FORT COLLINS LANDMARK PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 14 OF THE CODE OF
THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
WHEREAS, it is a matter of public policy that the protection, enhancement and perpetuation
of sites, structures, objects, and districts of historic, architectural, archeological, or geographic
significance, located within the city, are a public necessity and are required in the interest of the
prosperity, civic pride and general welfare of the people; and
WHEREAS, it is the opinion of the City Council that the economic, cultural and aesthetic
standing of this city cannot be maintained or enhanced by disregarding the historic, architectural,
archeological and geographical heritage of the city or by ignoring the destruction or defacement
of cultural assets; and
WHEREAS, the historic, architectural, archaeological and geographic heritage of Fort
Collins is recognized within the broader context of the systems of Native American removal and
western land acquisition that preceded the establishment of the Fort Collins community, and in
some instances helps to illuminate that context; and
WHEREAS, the Historic Preservation Commission has determined that the PROPERTY
NAME, located at ADDRESS in Fort Collins and as more specifically described in the legal
description below (the “Property”) meets the standards of significance and integrity required to be
a Fort Collins landmark as set forth in City Code Section l4-22 and is therefore eligible for
designation as a Fort Collins Landmark; and
WHEREAS, the owner of the Property nominated the Property and consents to landmark
designation; and
WHEREAS, the Property is significant to Fort Collins under [Standard 1 – Events, Standard 2 –
Persons/Groups, Standard 3 – Design/Construction, and Standard 4 – Information Potential], contained
in City Code Section 14-22(a); and the Property retains sufficient historic integrity of Location,
Setting, Materials, Workmanship, Feeling, and Association, as described in City Code Section 14-
22(b).
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Historic Preservation Commission of the City of
Fort Collins as follows:
Section 1. That the Historic Preservation Commission adopts and incorporates the foregoing
recitals as findings of fact and:
BOARD TOPIC 3, ATTACHMENT 1
Packet Pg. 14
City of Fort Collins Historic Preservation Commission
Resolution No. #, 202#
2
1. That the designation of this Property will advance the City of Fort Collins’s Policies and
Purposes for Historic Preservation; and
2. That the property is significant under Standard # … because…; and [repeat for each
applicable standard]; and
3. That the Property retains a preponderance of integrity to convey its significance under the
following aspects: Location, Setting, Design, Materials, Workmanship, Feeling, and Association; and
4. That the owner’s desire to protect this historic Property and its resources will be furthered
by the Property’s status as a Fort Collins Landmark and the accompanying protections and review
mechanisms designation confers.
Section 2. That the Property located in the City of Fort Collins, Larimer County, Colorado,
described as follows, to wit:
INSERT LEGAL DESCRIPTION HERE
be designated as a Fort Collins Landmark in accordance with Chapter l4 of the Code of the City
of Fort Collins.
Section 3. That the criteria contained in Chapter 14, Article IV of the City Code will serve as
the standards by which alterations, additions and other changes to buildings and structures located
upon the above-described Property will be reviewed.
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission of the City
of Fort Collins held on ## day of MONTH, 202#.
____________________________
NAME, Chair
ATTEST:
____________________________
Secretary/Staff
BOARD TOPIC 3, ATTACHMENT 1
Packet Pg. 15
Board Topic 4, Page 1
DATE:
STAFF:
August 09, 2023
Maren Bzdek, Historic Preservation Manager
WORK SESSION ITEM
4
Historic Preservation
Commission
SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION
Land Use Code Topics – Next Steps
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
At the September 20, 2023 meeting, staff will be requesting a recommendation from the HPC to City Council on
proposed revisions to the land use code that reflect community input and Council work session feedback over the
course of the last year. More information about the revised, proposed code provisions will be provided at that
time. The community will be invited to provide additional public comment for the Commission’s consideration at
the September meeting.
As a follow up to the June 2023 HPC discussion of this topic, the notes from that discussion, including public
comment, are included in detail in the draft minutes presented for your approval and have been forwarded to the
Planning Division staff.
ATTACHMENTS
NA
Packet Pg. 16