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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHistoric Preservation Commission - MINUTES - 05/15/2024Page 1 Jim Rose, Chair Location: Bonnie Gibson, Vice Chair Council Chambers, 300 Laporte Margo Carlock And remotely via Zoom Chris Conway Jenna Edwards Jeff Gaines Aaron Hull Staff Liaison: David Woodlee Maren Bzdek Vacant Seat Historic Preservation Manager Regular Meeting May 15, 2024 Minutes • CALL TO ORDER Chair Rose called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. • ROLL CALL PRESENT: Chris Conway, Jenna Edwards, Jeff Gaines, Bonnie Gibson, Aaron Hull, Jim Rose, David Woodlee ABSENT: Margo Carlock STAFF: Maren Bzdek, Heather Jarvis, Jim Bertolini, Yani Jones, Melissa Matsunaka • AGENDA REVIEW Ms. Bzdek reviewed the published agenda. • CONSENT AGENDA REVIEW No items were pulled from consent. • COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA Ron Sladek announced an upcoming Historic Larimer County event at the Mallaby Store on Meldrum. Gwen Brooks expressed interest in purchasing a historic building and in learning about potential implications of such a purchase. Historic Preservation Commission Page 2 • CONSENT AGENDA 1. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF APRIL 17, 2024. The purpose of this item is to approve the minutes from the April 17, 2024 regular meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission. Vice Chair Gibson moved, seconded by Commissioner Conway, to approve the April 17, 2024 minutes as written. Yeas: Conway, Edwards, Gaines, Gibson, Hull, Woodlee, and Rose. Nays: none. THE MOTION CARRIED. 2. SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE DEMOLITION NOTIFICATION – 1703 W. MULBERRY ST. Commissioner Conway moved, seconded by Commissioner Hull, to approve the consent agenda for the May 15, 2024 meeting as presented. Yeas: Conway, Edwards, Gaines, Gibson, Hull, Woodlee, and Rose. Nays: none. THE MOTION CARRIED. • STAFF REPORTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA Ms. Bzdek provided an update on the timeline and three Historic Preservation offers for the 2025-26 budget cycle: a core ongoing offer for continuing work at current levels with enhanced funding for revised outreach priorities, an enhancement offer for Historic Preservation Code and policy updates to ensure more explicit alignment with equity and climate resilience goals, and an offer for a deconstruction program feasibility study. • DISCUSSION AGENDA 3. REPORT ON STAFF ACTIVITIES SINCE THE LAST MEETING Staff is tasked with an array of different responsibilities including code-required project review decisions on historic properties, support to other standing and special work groups across the City organization, and education & outreach programming. This report will provide highlights for the benefit of Commission members and the public, and for transparency regarding decisions made without the input of the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC). Yani Jones, Historic Preservation Planner, discussed some of the staff activities that have occurred since the last meeting, including an event and luau at CSU for the Asian Pacific American Cultural Center’s 40th anniversary celebration. Jim Bertolini, Senior Historic Preservation Planner, provided information about a conceptual review for a multi-family mixed-use project at 360 Linden Street. Mr. Bertolini noted staff did recommend the applicants come before the Commission for additional conceptual review. Ms. Jones also provided a reminder about the Historic Preservation newsletter. Page 3 4. PROGRESS REPORT – WILLIAM ROBB HISTORIC CONTEXT DESCRIPTION: The City of Fort Collins is completing a historic context study about William Robb, one of the area’s most influential and prolific mid-20th architects. This project is being sponsored by the City's Historic Preservation Services division, with grant funding support from the State Historical Fund. The goal of the project is to provide an historical overview and analysis to help City staff and community members understand the importance of Robb’s influence on the city’s built environment. Robb practiced in Fort Collins from the 1950s through the 1980s and is responsible for a sizeable percentage of the city’s most prominent architectural works from that time period, including many of our larger institutional buildings, local schools, office towers, etc. As the majority of mid-20th century construction in Fort Collins is now over fifty years of age, this context report will help distinguish what projects in Robb’s body of work should be preserved as significant examples of his contributions to the built environment of the city. PRESENTOR: Ron Sladek of Tatanka Historical Associates, Inc. STAFF: Jim Bertolini, Senior Historic Preservation Planner Jim Bertolini, Senior Historic Preservation Planner, stated this presentation relates to a grant- funded historic context that is currently being completed related to William Robb’s contributions to the city’s built environment over the latter half of the 20th century. He noted Ron Sladek was hired to complete the work. Ron Sladek, Tatanka Historical Associates, Inc., noted he previously served on the Commission. He stated the presentation is a product of the Bill Robb Architectural Legacy Study which was sponsored by the City and funded by the City and State Historical Fund. Sladek noted Robb’s architectural firm is now known as RB+B Architects on East Mountain Avenue. He discussed Bill Robb’s upbringing in Pueblo and Durango, service in the U.S. Army Air Force in World War II, education in engineering and architecture in Boulder and MIT, and relocation to Fort Collins. He further discussed the evolution of Robb’s architectural practice and beginning of what is now the Historic Preservation Commission. Sladek showed photos of and discussed some of Robb’s projects, including many commercial buildings, private residences, schools, public buildings such as the current City Hall and the Larimer County Courthouse north annex, buildings on the CSU campus, various places of worship, multi-family residential projects, Scotch Pines Village, Steele’s Market, and the Stewart Professional Park. Sladek commented on the architectural legacy of Bill Robb noting he passed away in 1999. Vice Chair Gibson asked if there are next steps for this research. Sladek replied the study concludes by talking about how to proceed with the knowledge and the need for potential landmarking of buildings designed by Bill Robb. Sladek suggested possibly starting with the School District to determine if it would consider landmarking, and also contacting the Robb- designed churches. He noted a missing piece is the single-family houses designed by Robb as they were identified by the owners’ last names rather than by addresses. He also noted all of the drawings that were done on paper are gone from the current RB+B firm so seeking out those plans could be a valuable project. Commissioner Gaines stated he works at RB+B and is a Poudre School District parent. He commented on the potential for school closures. Sladek stated many of the school buildings could be eligible for local or national landmarking. (**Secretary’s Note: Bzdek requested Item No. 6 be moved up in the agenda) (**Secretary’s Note: The Commission took a brief recess at this point in the meeting.) Page 4 5. 426 E. OAK ST. (HOTTEL/HOFFMAN HOUSE AND ASH PIT) – CONCEPTUAL LANDMARK DESIGN REVIEW DESCRIPTION: This item is to provide a conceptual review of a proposed new carriage house for the City Landmark at 426 E. Oak St., the Hottel/Hoffman House and Ash Pit. The proposed new 2 bed/2 bath building would be 746 square-feet and 1.5 stories in height. The owner is seeking initial feedback regarding their concept designs and their consistency with the US Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation prior to commissioning construction drawings and seeking final approval from the HPC. APPLICANT/OWNER: Katherine Herr STAFF: Yani Jones, Historic Preservation Planner STAFF REPORT Yani Jones, Historic Preservation Planner, discussed the location of the City Landmark at 426 East Oak Street and noted the Commission’s role is to provide a conceptual design review of a proposed new structure on the site. Jones noted this project is a revision of one that was reviewed and approved in November of 2023 and reflects the current land use and zoning standards for the site. Jones outlined the proposed project for a new carriage house and demolition of a non-contributing accessory building. Jones showed elevations of the proposed structure and discussed its design features and proposed materials. Jones stated staff believes the project shows consistency with the Secretary of the Interior standards for rehabilitation as it appears to be compatible with the existing house, distinguishable, reversable, and subordinate. Jones addressed questions that were discussed at the work session, including showing images of the previously approved design, noting that the proposed new building would be 746 square feet whereas the existing non-contributing outbuilding proposed for demolition is about 350 square feet, and providing additional information on the ash pit on the site. Jones noted staff is recommending a condition of approval that a plan of protection be submitted prior to building permit issuance in order to minimize risk to the ash pit during construction. COMMISSION QUESTIONS Commissioner Conway asked about the cost and delay associated with the formation of a plan of protection. Jones replied there is no associated cost and staff provides a template document. Jones stated the intent is to make the location of the ash pit apparent and known to the contractor managing the site; therefore, there should be no significant impact to the timeline. Commissioner Conway asked if the ash pit is in an area that will be heavily trafficked due to the construction. Jones replied it is unlikely the ash pit would come into conflict with construction equipment, but the recommendation for the plan of protection is out of an abundance of caution given the ash pit is part of the historic designation. Christopher Herr, project architect and likely general contractor, stated the ash pit is not close to areas that are going to be excavated or trafficked, though he would have no issues with putting a plan of protection in place. Additionally, Herr noted the redesign was necessary due to the Land Use Code changes and discussed the design approach. He stated he would like to move forward to final review if deemed appropriate by the Commission. COMMISSION DISCUSSION Vice Chair Gibson noted she was supportive of the project in November and stated it is unfortunate that square footage had to be lost due to the Land Use Code requirements. She stated the new design is appropriate and concurred with staff’s findings, including the requirement for a plan of protection. She recommended moving forward to final review. Commissioner Edwards concurred with Vice Chair Gibson. Page 5 Chair Rose stated this iteration is more compatible as a carriage house and would have been an appropriate ancillary structure for the home in terms of its vintage. He commended the applicant’s work on the main house. Vice Chair Gibson made a moved, seconded by Commissioner Woodlee, that the Historic Preservation Commission proceed to final review of the proposed work on the Hottel/Hoffman House and ash pit at 426 East Oak Street. Yeas: Conway, Edwards, Gaines, Gibson, Hull, Woodlee and Rose. Nays: none. THE MOTION CARRIED. Vice Chair Gibson moved, seconded by Commissioner Edwards, that the Historic Preservation Commission approve the certificate of appropriateness for the proposed work on the Hottel/Hoffman House and ash pit at 426 East Oak Street because the work complies with the Secretary of the Interior standards for rehabilitation and Chapter 14, Article 4 of the Municipal Code, subject to the following condition: the applicant shall submit a plan of protection for the historic resources on site prior to building permit issuance, specifically the ash pit. Yeas: Conway, Edwards, Gaines, Gibson, Hull, Woodlee and Rose. Nays: none. THE MOTION CARRIED. 6. EDUCATION WORKSHOP – ASIAN AMERICAN HISTORY PRIMER DESCRIPTION: Staff will provide a brief summary of known history and historic places related to the Asian American History in Fort Collins from the 1860s and beyond. This presentation is being given at a regular meeting as opposed to a work session to benefit the attending public. May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the United States. STAFF: Jim Bertolini, Senior Historic Preservation Planner Jim Bertolini, Senior Historic Preservation Planner, noted May is Historic Preservation Month as well as Jewish American Heritage and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Bertolini provided a brief summary of the known history and historic places related to Asian American history in Fort Collins pre-1940. He focused on Chinese and Japanese immigration and work in the agricultural industry. He commented on three early Chinese business owners in Fort Collins and noted Japanese labor, in particular, helped build some of the early irrigation ditches that made farming possible in northern Colorado, including the Grand River Ditch which is still in operation. Bertolini discussed a boarding house on Jefferson Street that was believed to have served primarily Japanese workers. Bertolini outlined the next steps in this work which relate primarily to post-1950 research, including looking at CSU students and professors. He stated the work to research historically marginalized populations in Fort Collins includes talking about intangible stories and is an effort to address social inequity through places and stories. • CONSIDERATION OF CITIZEN-PULLED CONSENT ITEMS None. • OTHER BUSINESS Bzdek stated the Friends of Preservation awards are next Tuesday at the Avery House. • ADJOURNMENT Chair Rose adjourned the meeting at 8:27 p.m.