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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHistoric Preservation Commission - MINUTES - 09/18/2024Jim Rose, Chair Location: Bonnie Gibson, Vice Chair Council Chambers, 300 Laporte Margo Carlock And remotely via Zoom Jenna Edwards Chris Conway David Woodlee Jeff Gaines Staff Liaison: Aaron Hull Maren Bzdek Vacant Seat Historic Preservation Manager Regular Meeting September 18, 2024 Minutes •CALL TO ORDER Chair Rose called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. •ROLL CALL PRESENT: Chris Conway, Bonnie Gibson, Aaron Hull, Jim Rose, and David Woodlee ABSENT: Margo Carlock, Jenna Edwards, and Jeff Gaines STAFF: Maren Bzdek, Heather Jarvis, Jim Bertolini, Yani Jones, Melissa Matsunaka •AGENDA REVIEW Bzdek reviewed the published agenda. •COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION ON ITEMS ON OR NOT ON THE AGENDA None. •CONSENT AGENDA REVIEW No items were pulled from consent. •CONSENT AGENDA 1.CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF AUGUST 21, 2024. The purpose of this item is to approve the minutes from the August 21, 2024 regular meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission. Historic Preservation Vice Chair Gibson moved, seconded by Commissioner Conway, to approve the Consent Agenda. Yeas: Conway, Gibson, Hull, Woodlee, and Rose. Nays: none. THE MOTION CARRIED. • STAFF REPORTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA Yani Jones, Historic Preservation Planner, provided an update on the landmark nomination for the Chavez/Ambriz/Gonzales property at 724 Martinez Street. Jones stated Council adopted the second reading of the landmark ordinance on September 3rd. Jim Bertolini, Senior Historic Preservation Planner, announced the upcoming Poudre Landmarks Foundation’s historic homes tour. • COMMISSIONER REPORTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA None. • CONSENT AGENDA FOLLOW UP None. • DISCUSSION AGENDA 2. 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, provided a report on a design review at 100 1st Street. Jim Bertolini, Senior Historic Preservation Planner, reported on a development review for the Tapestry project which includes Odell Brewery and the land right behind their facility off East Lincoln Avenue. The project will be an income qualified housing project. Bertolini also provided a report on how staff is preparing to address historic survey in the future, particularly given a Historic Survey Specialist, Rebecca Shields, will now be on staff. Jones reported on a recent historic walking tour she and Rebecca Shields led focusing on sites in the Old Town area related to women’s suffrage. Jones also provided a reminder about the Historic Preservation newsletter. 3. PROPOSED POLICY ADOPTION: EXPANDED ROOFING OPTIONS FOR PROJECTS ON HISTORIC BUILDINGS DESCRIPTION: would expand the allowable installation materials and methods, and allow residents to more heavily weight fire prevention, material durability, and recyclability as factors when selecting roofing on historic buildings. STAFF: STAFF PRESENTATION Jim Bertolini, Senior Historic Preservation Planner, stated this item is a proposed policy adoption regarding expanding roofing options for historic buildings in Fort Collins. He stated the policy is part of the larger transition in the historic preservation field related to several topics of national concern, including climate action and housing affordability. Bertolini noted climate action and resilience is part of the Commission’s 2024 work plan and the City’s Our Climate Future plan. In terms of roofing, Bertolini noted we are in one of the most hail prone regions of the United States; therefore, roofing wears out much more quickly here. This policy would provide expanded roofing material options to historic building owners and allow for a more responsible approach to waste management in terms of roofing. Bertolini outlined the role of the Commission and noted Fort Collins has previously required preservation of the existing roofing material or replacement in-kind for historic buildings. Bertolini provided a triple bottom line analysis of various roofing materials, including clay tile, metal, synthetic, and stone-coated metal, and commented on fire code requirements for roofing. Additionally, Bertolini noted the single largest source of solid waste going to the Larimer County landfill is asphalt shingles and this policy will help provide some options that will not wear out as quickly. Bertolini stated the proposed policy would significantly expand the scenarios in which a substitute roofing material could be approved on historic buildings in Fort Collins, with a focus on replacing wood and asphalt shingles. Additionally, this policy would establish City staff as the approval authority on most historic building roofing replacements. Bertolini clarified the policy would not propose substitute materials on some of the museum artifact buildings such as the Avery House and older buildings in Library Park where adaptive reuse standards are not being applied. PUBLIC INPUT Mary Humstone, historic homeowner, stated she does not believe Larimer County would even allow wood shingles. COMMISSION QUESTIONS / DISCUSSION Commissioner Woodlee asked about the use of solar panel tiles. Bertolini replied solar uses would be approved by staff on post-1950 buildings and a bit less visibility would be encouraged on pre-1950 buildings. Vice Chair Gibson stated she has no specific concerns with the policy and asked about certain instances wherein an inappropriate replacement material may be requested. Bertolini replied the policy has been crafted with the assumption that the material is not a character-defining feature, but the shingle pattern may be. Chair Rose commented on places where cedar shingles are used in places other than the roof and stated there are likely appropriate replacement materials that could be used. He expressed concern about allowing turtle vents to appear on the principal elevation. Bertolini replied staff does not currently weigh in on the type or location of vents for shingle roofing, particularly at the residential level; therefore, the policy would need to be adjusted if the Commission wanted that to be part of the consideration. Chair Rose suggested some basic clarification could be provided to give staff some tacit authority to provide guidance when the venting is part of a prominent or significant feature, be it character- defining or not. Commissioner Conway expressed concern with adding requirements leading to increased confusion for homeowners that are trying to navigate an already fairly complicated system. Commissioner Woodlee moved, seconded by Vice Chair Gibson, that the Historic Preservation Commission continue this item to the next meeting in order to seek additional information regarding the following Code requirements based on our discussion of specific literature and language around venting locations. Chair Rose stated this motion will direct staff to develop a little more language to give sufficient attention to the venting issue and the Commission will consider the item at next month’s meeting. Bertolini requested clarification as to whether the language should be crafted to require less visible ventilation or providing staff the discretion to manage that. Commissioner Woodlee replied he would expect it to be something that is required. Chair Rose replied he would rather recommend language encouraging applicants and staff to review the venting and other roofing aspects to allow for some flexibility. Commissioner Conway concurred with Chair Rose. Bzdek noted the policy already considers gutters and venting is a similar functional element that should also be included or addressed in some way. The vote on the motion was as follows: Yeas: Conway, Gibson, Hull, Woodlee, and Rose. Nays: None. THE MOTION CARRIED. 4.1316 W. OAK ST. (JASPER LOOMIS PROPERTY)– FINAL LANDMARK DESIGN REVIEW DESCRIPTION: on the Jasper Loomis Property at 1316 W. Oak St. The owner has waived conceptual design review and is seeking a Certificate of Appropriateness for the proposed work. APPLICANT: STAFF: STAFF PRESENTATION Yani Jones, Historic Preservation Planner, outlined the role of the Commission to provide a final landmark design review of the roofing material substitution proposal for the home at 1316 West Oak Street, which was designated as a City landmark in 1994 under standard 3 for its architectural significance. Jones stated the applicants’ proposed project is to replace the existing wood shingle roof to a Westlake Cottage shingle stone-coated steel roofing material in an iron wood color, as well as in-kind roofing replacement of the flat-roofed front porch, which is currently a modified bitumen material. Jones showed photos of the existing house and roof and noted the existing shed structure is also planned to be reroofed, but it is not a contributing structure to the historic property. Jones stated staff believes the consistency of this project with the Secretary of the Interior standards for rehabilitation depends on whether one considers the roofing material as a character-defining feature versus the type of roof itself. Staff finds the home’s ability to convey its architectural significance does not depend on the material being wood, but rather on the shingle type, and therefore recommends approval of the proposal. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Nate Elkins, Assurance Contractors, stated he is the roofing contractor for the project and is available for questions. COMMISSION QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION Vice Chair Gibson commented on the home’s beauty and noted the proposed shingles are a very close match for the existing shingles. She expressed support for the project. Commissioner Woodlee asked about the age of the existing roof. One of the property owners replied the cedar shingle roof was installed in 2006, to their best recollection, and it was treated to be resistant to hail, though there has been some damage sustained. Vice Chair Gibson moved, seconded by Conway, that the Historic Preservation Commission approve the proposed reroofing project at the Jasper Loomis property at 1316 West Oak Street as presenting, including the replacement of the wood shingle roof with the selected stone-coated steel roofing product, finding that the proposed work meets the Secretary of the Interior standards for rehabilitation. Yeas: Conway, Gibson, Hull, Woodlee, and Rose. Nays: none. THE MOTION CARRIED. 5. EDUCATION WORKSHOP – HISPANIC AMERICAN HISTORY PRIMER DESCRIPTION: presentation is being given at a regular meeting as opposed to a work session to make it available to the attending public in person and online and via the meeting recording. September 15 to October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States. STAFF: STAFF PRESENTATION Jim Bertolini, Senior Historic Preservation Planner, stated Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated during a non-calendar month in order to coincide with some Latin American independence days. He discussed Hispanic history and United States/Mexico war which led to the United States claiming the northern third of Mexico, which included the southern half of Colorado. He went on to discuss the dynamics of power and displacement as Anglo Americans started moving into Colorado. As those of Hispanic heritage were displaced to other parts of the state, there was a movement to work in agriculture, particularly here in northern Colorado. Bertolini discussed the key places of Hispanic history in Fort Collins, including the Tres Colonias neighborhoods, Great Western sugar factory, the Holy Family neighborhood, and North College area. He commented on the significant injection of Mexican residents into the United States and Canda during the Mexican Revolution during the 1910’s. Bertolini also discussed some of the key businesses and social institutions built by the Hispanic community in Fort Collins, including Joe’s Upholstery and the Holy Family Catholic Church. Additionally, he noted Fullana Elementary School was the result of a civil rights victory by the Hispanic community putting pressure on Poudre School District to invest the way it claimed it was going to during the 1960’s and ‘70’s. Bertolini discussed various residences throughout the city that were occupied by well-known Hispanic community members and commented on early Hispanic students and associated housing discrimination at Colorado State University. Bertolini outlined next steps for addressing Hispanic heritage in Fort Collins, specifically noting there are only three of roughly 300 City landmarks that specifically recognize Hispanic history. He announced the upcoming Hispanic Heritage Month celebration. Vice Chair Gibson asked why the number of Hispanic-related landmarks is so low. Bertolini replied there are a few reasons, one being the over-emphasis on architecture that local preservation programs across the country have, and though many of these homes may not be architecturally significant, they do have important historical significance. Additionally, private owners of those homes generally need to be in support of landmarking and gentrification has dramatically reduced the percentage of Hispanic ownership of the resources. Bzdek noted there are cultural differences that need to be considered when the preservation programs are being designed and advertised. Bertolini also commented on the emphasis on character-defining features and historic integrity, which may not translate on a cultural level. Vice Chair Gibson noted public engagement is part of the Commission’s work plan and commented on the importance of collaboration with trust. Members commented on the Pobre Pancho’s building and historic review. Chair Rose noted that building was important because of what it represents. Commissioner Conway and Chair Rose commended the presentation. •OTHER BUSINESS None. •ADJOURNMENT Chair Rose adjourned the meeting at 7:35 p.m. Minutes prepared by and respectfully submitted by Melissa Matsunaka.