HomeMy WebLinkAboutLandmark Preservation Commission - Minutes - 03/24/2004LANDMARK PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
March 24, 2004 Minutes
City Council Liaison: David Roy (407-7393)
Staff Liaison: Joe Frank (221-6376)
Commission Chair: W. J. "Bud" Frick, Jr. (484-1467)
SUMMARY OF MEETING: LPC added Ray Kramer of W/K/J Architecture and
Urban Design to the Pre -Qualified Consultant's List of the Design Assistance
Program, and recommended Fort Collins Landmark Designation of the Charles
Sheldon House, 616/618 W. Mulberry St. LPC also authorized a letter of
support for a State Historical Fund grant for stabilization of the drop structure
at the Old Water Works, and selected recipients of the annual Friend of
Preservation Award.
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Commission called to order with a quorum
present by Chairman Bud Frick at 5:35 p.m. at 281 N. College Avenue, Fort Collins,
Colorado. Angie Aguilera, Agnes Dix, Per Hogestad, Janet Ore, Ian Shuff and Myme
Watrous were present. Karen McWilliams, and Carol Tunner represented City staff.
GUESTS: Ray Kramer of WKJ Architecture and Urban Design; Maryann Blackerby,
owner, for 616/618 W. Mulberry St.; Susan Hoskinson, Chair, Friends of the Water
Works.
AGENDA REVIEW: Carol Tunner added a letter of support for a State Historical Fund
grant for Friends of the Water Works, and a discussion of replacing exterior doors at
601 W. Mountain Ave., to Other Business.
MINUTES: The minutes of Feb. 25, 2004, were approved as presented.
STAFF REPORTS: Carol Tunner distributed information on upcoming conventions and
meetings. She also reminded Commission members that they must complete Conflict of
Interest forms for the City Clerk's office when the situation arises. She will have copies
of the form available at each meeting from now on.
COMMISSION MEMBER REPORTS: Myme Watrous reported on the Downtown
Development Authority meeting of March 11. Ernie Garner plans to convert the building
at 331 N. College Ave. into a new furniture showroom. Mikal Torgerson's group has
closed on all but one of the properties in the triangular block bounded by N. College,
Jefferson and Pine proposed as a hotel/convention center. DDA is requesting
professional design assistance to improve and upgrade the alley beginning on W.
Mountain Ave. between Austin's and Laporte Ave. and Trimble Court. DDA is exploring
ways to move the Discovery Center downtown when its lease at East Prospect and
Stover expires next year. Construction has begun on the Information Center and public
restrooms in Old Town, to be completed the first week in May.
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March 24, 2004, Meeting Minutes
Page 2
Janet Ore asked Carol Tunner why the letter to the Planning and Zoning Board about
alley houses did not mention that alley houses might encourage pop -ups of the main
house. Ms. Tunner, Karen McWilliams and Bud Frick explained that it was felt that the
other points made in the letter were more immediately relevant to the issues at hand.
Ian Shuff reported that P&Z had approved the alley -house guidelines without provisions
for subdivision, making a unanimous recommendation against subdivision to City
Council while Current Planning staff had been in favor of it.
DESIGN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Architect Ray Kramer outlined his experience in historic preservation in Fort Collins and
along the Front Range, including work on the Preston Farm rehabilitation and
development of a Master Plan for adaptive reuse of the farm. He was also involved in
developing the Master Plan for Old Town; the restoration of the Linden Hotel, and the
attempt to preserve the old Harmony Store. His Boulder -based firm, WKJ Architecture
and Urban Design, focuses on infill development, protection of cultural resources and
sustainable design, and at one time had an office in Fort Collins. Mr. Kramer said Fort
Collins is recognized as a leader in historic preservation in the state, and his clients in
other communities look to Fort Collins as a model when developing their own policies.
He worked on residential guidelines for the Westside Neighborhood Plan here, and is
thoroughly familiar with the technical requirements of the Secretary of the Interior's
Standards and the Preservation Briefs. Mr. Kramer also explained how he works with
experts in various fields for their technical skills and knowledge.
Janet Ore moved the LPC place Ray Kramer on the Design Assistance Program
list as a pre -qualified design consultant. Agnes Dix seconded. The motion passed
unanimously, 7-0.
Dr. Ore added that it will be great to have someone with Mr. Kramer's experience and
expertise on the list.
DESIGNATION
616/618 W. Mulberry St., Charles Sheldon House -- Maryann Blackerby, introduced
by Karen McWilliams.
This property is significant to Fort Collins under Landmark Standards 2 and 3, for its
association with Charles H. Sheldon, an early -day banker; with Arthur M. Garbutt, a
prominent architect; and with Herman W. Schroeder, one of the town's most important
contractors and builders. The home is also a good representation of the American
Foursquare style of architecture.
Charles H. Sheldon was associated with the A.K. & E.B. Yount Bank, Fort Collins' first
successful bank, and co-founded the Poudre Valley Bank in 1878; this institution is still
in business, now as the Wells Fargo Bank. Sheldon is credited with the survival of his
bank through the Panic of 1893. As a lender, Sheldon greatly influenced the
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March 24, 2004, Meeting Minutes
Page 3
development of Fort Collins. Architect Arthur M. Garbutt was active in Fort Collins from
approximately 1902 through 1912. Garbutt designed several residences and businesses
throughout Fort Collins and Northern Colorado, occasionally partnering with Montezuma
Fuller. After 1912, he moved to Wyoming, where he practiced architecture for several
years before retiring. Builder Herman W. Schroeder was a prominent contractor and
builder in Fort Collins for approximately 40 years, beginning in 1878. Many of
Schroeder's structures have been either demolished or significantly altered, and the
Sheldon House is a good example of his craftsmanship.
Originally built in 1905 at 131 S. Howes St., the house was moved to its present location
at 616/618 W. Mulberry St. in 1956, to prevent its demolition. Vance Phipps, a local
contractor who arranged the move, occupied the house with his family until 1973. Ann
and William McClelland bought the property in 1974 and used a portion for their real
estate office. In 1989, George M. (Mike) and Rebecca Martin bought the Sheldon House
and opened it for business as a bed and breakfast inn in 1991, remodeling the attic into
living quarters. Current owners Jack and Maryann Blackerby purchased the property in
2000, and continue to operate the Sheldon House Bed and Breakfast while residing in
the attic suite.
Constructed as an American Foursquare, with elements of Colonial Revival, the
Sheldon House has a belicast hipped roof with wide eave overhangs and exposed
modillions, fish -scale shingles beneath gables, a shed and a gabled dormer, and curved
bay windows. The front porch is open with open wood balustrade railing, columns and a
flat roof that serves as a second -story balcony, accessed by a pair of French doors with
diamond lights. Either to facilitate its move or subsequent to relocation, the building has
undergone several modifications. The original roof, chimney and porch were removed,
and a full concrete basement was poured to replace the original sandstone foundation
on which the structure originally stood. The porch and roof have been remodeled
several times; the latest roof modification, done in 1995 to accommodate the attic suite,
has returned the appearance to much like the original.
Staff recommended approving this request for Fort Collins Landmark Designation.
Karen McWilliams added that the Sheldon House was turned down for inclusion on the
National Register of Historic Places in 1980 because it had not yet been in its present
location for 50 years. Janet Ore asked if the length of time was the only issue, since the
structure has also undergone so many modifications. That answer was not known.
Myrne Watrous, who remembers the house in its original location, said..that the major
difference today is the porch. Bud Frick agreed that the 1995 remodeling took the roof
and dormers back much like the original appearance, and the new shed roof over the
window can be removed. Dr. Ore felt that with the various elements of its history and
the modification made over the years, it was more significant for its architecture than its
association with historical figures. Per Hogestad agreed, saying it was recognizable as
a Foursquare despite the porch. Maryann Blackerby confirmed they intend to restore
the porch, as funds become available. She added that the interior still retains many
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March 24, 2004, Meeting Minutes
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original elements, and the building helps spark interest in Fort Collins history for guests
and visitors.
Public input: None.
Myrne Watrous moved the LPC find the Charles H. Sheldon House, 616/618 West
Mulberry St., individually eligible for Fort Collins Landmark designation under
Standards 2 and 3, for its association with the lives of significant historical
persons and as a property that embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type
of construction, and recommend its designation to Council. Janet Ore seconded.
The motion carried unanimously, 6-0 (Per Hogestad had temporarily left the
meeting and did not vote).
OTHER BUSINESS
Friend of Preservation Award -- presented by Carol Tunner
After discussion of various projects that had come before the LPC during 2003,
Commission members agreed that the Historic Armstrong Hotel, 259 S. College,
was the most important building and restoration project undertaken this year.
Per Hogestad moved that the LPC present the 2003 Friend of Preservation
Award to the Levinger family for their work on the Armstrong Hotel, 259 S.
College Ave. Janet Ore seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 7-0.
Myrne Watrous suggested that the architect and contractor should also receive
recognition for executing the project with proper sensitivity to historic
preservation. Per Hogestad disagreed, on the grounds that they should, since it's
their business, and no additional recognition should be needed.
Myrne Watrous moved that the LPC present an additional Friend of
Preservation Award for work on the Armstrong Hotel to Richard
Beardmore, preservation consultant. Agnes Dix seconded; motion passed
6-0, with Per Hogestad opposed.
Myrne Watrous moved that the LPC present an additional Friend of
Preservation Award to Mark Thorburn for work on the Armstrong Hotel. Ian
Shull seconded; motion passed 6-1, with Per Hogestad opposed.
2. Friends of the Water Works Letter of Support -- presented by Susan
Hoskinson, introduced by Carol Tunner.
Susan Hoskinson explained that Friends of the Water Works, in conjunction with
the Poudre Landmark Foundation, is asking for a State Historical Fund grant of
$11,000 as part of at $15,000 project to find the root cause of and repair damage
to the drop structure on the south spillway at the old Water Works site. Larimer
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March 24, 2004, Meeting Minutes
Page 5
County Ditch #2 Co., owners of the spillway, has agreed to work with Friends of
the Water Works to make the needed repairs, but has no money for the project.
Repairs that have been made to the building in the past have not been effective
in halting flooding under the footings, and the concrete at the bottom of the pools
below the structure is in desperate need of stabilization so water won't leak
through. All the money invested to date, some from previous SHF grant work,
could wash away when the headgates are opened. The grant application is due
April 1, which lends some urgency to the request.
Janet Ore moved that the LPC write a letter of support for the "State
Historical Fund grant for the Friends of the Water Works. Agnes Dix
seconded; the motion passed unanimously, 7-0.
Carol Tuner will forward copies to the City Manager's office in time for the
application to meet the deadline. Ms. Hoskinson added that she looks forward to
more timely communications between the Friends of the Water Works and the
LPC in the future.
3. Exterior Doors at 601 W. Mountain Ave -- presented by Carol Tunner. In order
to get direction for an upcoming design review, Ms. Tunner showed a picture of
the door currently on the southwest entrance at 601 W. Mountain Avenue. This
existing door is a hollow -core interior door in very bad shape. The challenge is
that the entrance opens into the mechanical room of the house and must swing
outward. The LPC agreed that a matching door would be appropriate, and not
difficult to find. Ms. Tunner thanked the LPC for the direction, and then said that
this application would be coming to the next meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 7 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by
Kate Jeracki, Recorder
March 31, 2004