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Home My WebLink About2023 - Historic Preservation Commission - Annual ReportANNUAL REPORT City of Fort Collins HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION 2023 Annual Report Active Commission Members as of December 31, 2023: Jim Rose, Chair (Architectural historian; Architect) – Appointed 9/1/2020 Bonnie Gibson, Vice Chair (Archeologist) – Appointed 8/16/2022 Anne Nelson (Architect) – Appointed 1/7/2020 Jenna Edwards (Historian; Archivist) – Appointed 8/16/2022 Margo Carlock (Historian) – Appointed 12/21/2022 David Woodlee – (HVAC Professional) - Appointed 4/1/2023 Tom Wilson – (Realtor) - Appointed 7/1/2023 Andy Smith (Realtor) – Appointed 4/1/2023 (Resigned to take position with City of Fort Collins on January 9, 2024) 100% (8 of 8 members) of the HPC was composed of credentialed preservation-related professionals based on the Secretary of the Interior (SOI) requirements. A minimum of 40% of qualified professionals is required for preservation commissions serving Certified Local Governments by the State Historic Preservation Office (History Colorado). The City of Fort Collins also prioritizes qualified staff who meet the SOI requirements for preservation professionals. In 2023, the staff who supported the work of the HPC consisted of the following: To provide additional information for the work of the HPC, the City of Fort Collins relies on preservation contractors for ongoing, ad hoc historic property survey work to support the City's regulatory requirements. The Commission considers their documentation of properties that are under consideration for landmark nominations, design review, demolition review, and adaptive reuse for development projects. Commission training opportunities: The Historic Preservation Commission is a quasi-judicial body that makes decisions regarding Landmark Design Review and provides professional recommendations to City Council and other decision makers regarding proposed new City Landmarks and development review applications that affect historic resources. Ongoing training in the application of the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards to decision-making, the full requirements of the Fort Collins Code regarding historic resources, and the local history of the Fort Collins community is important for the HPC to function effectively on behalf of the community. There were two components to the 2023 training program: Statewide Training Conference: The annual Saving Places Conference (sponsored by Colorado Preservation, Inc) was held in Boulder, CO in February 2023. The entire HPC was registered for the event through the City’s group reservation process and members could choose to attend in person or virtually. Ongoing Work Session Training Modules: In 2023, City staff presented sessions on the following topics: additions to historic buildings that comply with the SOI Standards, an introduction to preservation methods, demolition policy basics, the development review process, the landmark nomination process and landmark design review, proposed changes to the land use code to support strategic housing goals, basic legal requirements for serving as a Commission member, Jewish history in Fort Collins, civil rights history in Fort Collins, women’s suffrage history in Fort Collins, and Hispanic/Latinx history in Fort Collins. Public meetings: Regular meetings (10): January 18, 2023 February 15, 2023 March 15, 2023 April 19, 2023 May 17, 2023 June 21, 2023 August 16, 2023 September 20, 2023 October 18, 2023 November 15, 2023 Work sessions (9): January 11, 2023 March 8, 2023 April 12, 2023 May 10, 2023 June 14, 2023 August 9, 2023 September 13, 2023 October 11, 2023 November 8, 2023 Per City of Fort Collins requirements, whenever one or more quasi-judicial items are on the agenda, the HPC meetings must be in-person for HPC members, while the public may participate either in-person or remotely. Landmark Designations – Recommendations to Council Emma Malaby Grocery Property, 313 N Meldrum (recommended; designated August 15, 2023) Alexander and Emma Barry Farm Property, 232 E Vine (recommended; designated July 18, 2023) 401 Smith Landmark Boundary Change (recommended; approved by Council) 323 S Loomis (non-owner initiated; did not recommend to Council) 1802 N College (non-owner initiated; did not recommend to Council) Local landmark design review: There are 300 properties designated as local Fort Collins landmarks and protected by ordinance. Related to those properties, 78 design review applications came forward in 2023. Five (5) were brought to the HPC for decisions. The remainder were simple enough to be reviewed at the staff level. Landmark eligibility determinations: Landmark eligibility determinations are made by staff but may be appealed to the HPC. In 2023, the HPC saw one appeal of a staff decision for 825 N College Avenue, which the Commission had reviewed and upheld in October 2022. After the item went on to Council on a second appeal, Council remanded the item back to the HPC, which again upheld the determination of eligibility on a unanimous vote. National Register of Historic Places and federal review: Staff provides comment to History Colorado for any projects that have federal involvement (funding or permitting) and require evaluation of potential adverse impacts on properties that are eligible for or listed on the National Register. Those activities are presented the HPC for monthly review at their monthly meetings. In 2023, there were 3: HUD – Harmony Cottages HUD – Heartside Hill CDOT – Mail Creek RR Pedestrian Overpass Development Review: Conceptual Development Review of 220 E Oak Development Review of 209 Cherry Mixed Use Project 3105 E Harmony Minor Amendment (CASA of Larimer County) Single-Family Demolition Noticing 127 N Grant 210 S Grant 1224 Magnolia/330 Scott 512 Edwards 416 Stover Incentive programs: Staff also provided monthly reports to the HPC on activities related to the City’s two financial incentive programs for historic resources (Design Assistance mini-grants and Landmark Rehabilitation Loans). Friend of Preservation Awards: The 2023 Friend of Preservation Awards sponsored by the HPC recognized several preservation and local history leaders in the community and again included a catered outdoor reception in the xeriscape garden in front of City Hall that included Commission members, family and friends of awardees, City Council members, and staff. Special projects: Two historic context studies that began in 2022 continued through 2023: an architectural theme study detailing the work of noted local mid-century architect William Robb, and a civil rights context study that will provide an intersectional overview of civil rights themes in Fort Collins history, with associated significant properties identified for future study. Both are funded by the State Historical Fund of History Colorado. The College Avenue Downtown survey project of fifty (50) commercial properties between Mulberry Street and Laporte Avenue, funded with a grant from the State Historical Fund of History Colorado, continued in 2023 with review and input by the HPC. 2024 Forecast: In addition to the usual flow of quasi-judicial items for decisions or recommendations, the 2024 HPC work plan recognizes supplementary activities and priorities under the four (4) thematic activity areas established in 2023. For these areas, either the full Commission, a subcommittee of the HPC, or individual members will contribute directly or work with staff and community members to support and guide collaborative activities: 1) Support building an equitable, affordable, and vibrant community 2) Grow a collaborative and inclusive network through improved public engagement 3) Strengthen connections to climate resilience work 4) Develop modernized and expanded tools for historic preservation