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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLandmark Preservation Commission - Minutes - 03/23/2005LANDMARK PRESERVATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting March 23, 2005 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 recommended for local landmark designation 124 N. Sherwood, the Remington/Dees House. LPC approved plans for repairs of the drop structure at the Waterworks, 2005 N. Overland Trail, and will send a support letter for a State Historical Fund grant for an interior stabilization project. LPC also approved landscape and lighting plans for the Romero House, 425 Tenth St. LPC discussed the City Manager's 2006-07 recommended budget and nominees for the Friend of Preservation Awards. 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 Ave., Fort Collins, Colorado. Angie Aguilera, Agnes Dix, Heather Donahue, Alyson McGee, and Janet Ore were present. Ian Shuff was excused. Carol Tunner and Karen McWilliams represented city staff. GUESTS: Dick Beardmore, AE Design Associates; David Budge, project manager, and Norman Evans, Poudre Landmarks Foundation; Susan Hoskinson and Fred Bitting, Friends of the Waterworks, for 2005 N. Overland Trail; Mark and Liz Knapp, owners of 124 N. Sherwood; Katherine Woods, Betty Aragon, Marion Jones and Chris Koziol, Poudre Landmarks Foundation — Museo de las Tres Colonias, for 425 Tenth St.; and CSU Newswriting and Natural Resources student observers: Elizabeth Hipp, Mandy Ochsner, Mindy Paulek, Jenny Lugeanbeal, Ellen Walker, Genevere Turner, Trevor Edy, Brett Okamato, Tara Flanagan, Elizabeth de Graffenried and Diane Zahorodny. AGENDA REVIEW: Carol Tunner added a letter of support for a State Historical Fund grant for interior stabilization for the Waterworks to Other Business. PUBLIC COMMENT: Chairman Bud Frick asked if anyone present wished to address items within the purview of the Commission that were not on the agenda. There were no comments. Mr. Frick welcomed the many student observers. MINUTES: Minutes from February 9, 2005, were corrected to read, on Page 3, fifth line Ms. McGee said she would like to see more substantiation of an appropriate design... The minutes were unanimously approved as corrected on a motion by Angie Aguilera seconded by Alyson McGee. STAFF REPORTS: Carol Tunner distributed information about a conference on preserving historic recreation sites on May 5-7, 2005, in Chicago. In addition, CSU and the Architectural Preservation Society are sponsoring a workshop June 20-24, 2005, on historic wood structures. COMMISSION MEMBER REPORTS: Janet Ore announced that the CSU History Club and National History Honor Society are sponsoring a series of lectures by Richard White, leading Landmark Preservation Commission March 23, 2005, Meeting Minutes Page 2 New Western and environmental historian and recipient of a MacArthur Foundation "Genius" Award, on April 6 and 7. Alyson McGee announced a conference on landscape architecture at Chautauqua in Boulder at the end of April; she will email details to Commission members. She also accompanied Karen McWilliams to Pueblo last week to talk to the local preservation commission about what it means to become a Certified Local Government. She added that the stock of historic buildings in Pueblo is wonderfully diverse and they are doing great things with preservation right now. DESIGNATION 124 N. Sherwood, Remington/Dees House — presented by Mark and Elizabeth Knapp, owners; introduced by Karen McWilliams. The Remington/Dees House is significant to Fort Collins under Landmark Standard 3 for its architectural merits, as a minimally altered, well-preserved vernacular example of the side - gabled variant of the Prairie style of architecture. The Prairie style is a truly indigenous American style that originated in Chicago early in the 20th century and was most popular between 1900 and 1920. The vernacular form spread throughout the country by pattern books published in the Midwest. The Remington/Dees House is a fine example of this important, uniquely American architecture, with very good integrity. The house is a rectangular, two-story structure, featuring a moderately pitched side gable roof, a concrete foundation with massive rectangular piers, and stucco exterior. The west facade contains a center entrance; the two multi -light doors are flanked by multi -glazed sidelights. The one-story open porch has a flat roof. The style's horizontal effect is emphasized through horizontal trim band and window groupings. The rear elevation has an enclosed porch addition with a hipped roof; it is the entrance to the basement. The current owners removed the entire roof and its decorative trusses and panels in 2004 due to extensive water damage, and replaced them with exact duplicates. There is currently no detailed information on H.C. Remington, farmer, listed as the occupant of 124 N. Sherwood in 1922, and his connection, if any, to Col. John E. Remington for whom Remington Street was named. Arthur and Gay Dees purchased and lived in the house from 1952 to 1980. Since the 1980s, the primary use of the house has been as a rental, which it remains today. The current owners, who live next door, purchased the property in 1998. Staff recommends approving this request for Fort Collins Landmark designation of the Remington/Dees under Landmark Standard 3. The applicants are also proposing an addition in the rear of the building. Ms. McWilliams asked the Commission members to consider whether they would be comfortable designating the property with the addition. The applicants indicated they would be willing to make changes in the addition if necessary, but design review by the LPC is not appropriate at this time. Several Commission members felt it was important that the addition be identifiable as an addition. Angie Aguilera suggested jogging the addition where it joins the original house, but the Knapps explained that placement of an interior stairwell will not allow that. Heather Donahue suggested that the vertical lines of the addition already delineate it as an addition; Ms. Landmark Preservation Commission March 23, 2005, Meeting Minutes Page 3 McWilliams added that the change in roof further delineates it. Bud Frick asked about the photo showing no stucco on the rear northeast corner. Liz Knapp said that will be stuccoed as part of the project. Public input: none Alyson McGee moved that the LPC recommend the property at 124 N. Sherwood for Fort Collins Landmark designation, with the understanding that the proposed addition is in a conceptual state of design and will be subject to the full LPC design review process, Janet Ore seconded, and the motion carried unanimously, 6-0. Ms. Knapp asked for further clarification on the discussion of windows in the addition. Ms. Aguilera explained that the windows should be proportional and continue the profile of the original house. Dr. Ore added that the windows in the addition don't have to be exact replicas of the windows on the original, but be compatible in style. She explained the guidelines for alterations and the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for windows. Ms. McGee added that it's important not to create false history, but new windows should look like they belong with the original, not larger or more ornate. Ms. Aguilera complimented the applicants on proposing an addition of appropriate size for the house. Ms. Knapp said that they want to preserve the house the right way, pointing out that they duplicated the beadboard under the soffitts when redoing the roof. Mr. Knapp said they will come back to the LPC in two weeks for design review, as they are currently going through Zoning for a variance because of issues with the lot line. At the end of the discussion, student observer Tara Flanagan asked a number of questions for clarification on the benefits of landmark designation and the amount of funding available. Karen McWilliams will send her information on the program. CURRENT REVIEW Because of her work with the State Historical Fund, Alyson McGee completed a conflict of interest form and left the room for the remainder of the meeting. 2005 N. Overland Trail, Waterworks — Repair Concrete Drop Structure, Conceptual/Final Review — presented by Susan Hoskinson, Friends of the Waterworks; Dick Beardmore, AE Design Associates; David Budge, project manager, and Norman Evans, Poudre Landmarks Foundation; introduced by Carol Tunner In 2004, the Friends of the Waterworks received a State Historical Fund grant to find the root cause of and repair damage to the concrete drop structure on the south spillway at the Old Waterworks site. The City of Fort Collins is the owner of the drop structure, but Larimer County Ditch #2 leases it and the ditch. The ditch company has agreed to allow the repair of the concrete structure, but needs to open the headgates and release the canal water in early April. Repairs that have been made to the south elevation of the Waterworks building in the past have not been effective in halting flooding under the building footings because the concrete at the bottom and sides of the drop structure is broken. It needs extensive Landmark Preservation Commission March 23, 2005, Meeting Minutes Page 4 repair so that the water won't leak through to the footings of the pump room building eight feet to the north. The Friends have engaged a structural engineer, Atkinson - Noland, to provide the methodology to do the repairs. Staff feels the proposed solution to repair the drop structure is reasonable and meets Standard #6. Susan Hoskinson reviewed the problems with the cracking concrete of the drop structure. Dick Beardmore, preservation engineer, and Norm Evans, professor of water engineering at CSU, have been working on a plan for repairs. Mr. Beardmore pointed out that the drop structure is actually in amazingly good shape for a structure that is 100 years old. He explained that the plan is not to restore the structure but to stabilize it; the repairs would be obvious. He believes the original materials were site -mixed concrete of native materials, mixed by hand, and the cold joints have failed. The repairs will be made of high early cement that reaches strength in 24-30 hours with a traditional damp cure. Richard Lippoth, minerals engineer from the Colorado School of Mines, is also working with the team, testing bond strength in the field and evaluating the performance of specific products and how they adhere to the old material. Vents and drains to drain pans will be maintained. David Budge said they had hoped to do the work in the spring, because the water problem in the pump room building is bad. Mr. Evans added that the ditch may not be carrying water much longer because there is a strong move to consolidate ditches and this may be one of the ones closed as a result. Janet Ore said she had no problem with the new work showing through the old. It is like an addition to a house, which should be clearly delineated. Heather Donahue said her only concern is that if the new concrete is stronger than the old; that would leave the new standing as the old continues to deteriorate. Mr. Beardmore said that the field testing will address this issue as well. Public input: None. Janet Ore moved that the LPC approve for final review restoration of the concrete drop structure at the Waterworks, 2005 N. Overland Trail, as presented in plans and tonight's presentation. Agnes Dix seconded, and the motion carried unanimously, 5-0, with Alyson McGee recused. Susan Hoskinson also introduced Fred Bitting, interpreter, new member of Friends of the Waterworks. 2. 425 Tenth St., Romero House — Landscape and Site Lighting Plan, Conceptual/Final Review -- Katherine Woods, Betty Aragon, Marion Jones and Chris Koziol; introduced by Carol Tunner. The LPC has already approved the plans for partial demolition and restoration of the Romero House to its 1930s appearance for use as a house museum open to the public, Museo de las Tres Colonias. Now the applicants are asking for approval of site changes to include removal of some landscape and a non -historic fence. The site will then be enhanced with sidewalks, site lighting and parking in the street, upgrades required by Landmark Preservation Commission March 23, 2005, Meeting Minutes Page 5 the City. Staff recommends the public improvements for public health and safety reasons; the fence being removed is non -historic Cyclone© fencing. Katherine Woods explained that the plan to convert the historic structure to a museum has required rezoning from residential to a public facility, and adding archeologists to the project. The existing rose and lilac bushes will be saved, since they are historic, but all the other tress except the crabapple are suckers to be cut down. New trees — not cottonwoods -- will be added, as will donor bricks and a gray, hard surface sidewalk to the back. Buffalo grass will be planted so that no sprinkler system is needed. All the work in the back is subject to approval by the archeologists, since there are no existing historic photos. The parking will be large enough to accommodate buses and the doorways will be widened to accommodate wheelchairs in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Janet Ore asked about the proposed wall -mounted light fixtures. Ms. Woods said they would be screwed into the adobe; Chris Koziol added that it would be going into the existing shingled gable end. Bud Frick felt the Commission would need clarification of where and how the lighting will be attached. Several Commission members expressed concern with the final landscape plan, including sidewalks and lighting. Mr. Koziol clarified that what the LPC approves at this time will allow the project to move forward to pull a permit to begin the work. The final landscape plan will depend on the archeological study and will return for final LPC approval. Public input: None. Janet Ore moved that the LPC accept for final review the landscape, lighting and site plan for 425 Tenth St., the Romero House, as presented, with the qualification that the color of new sidewalks will be compatible with the site. Angie Aguilera seconded, and the motion carried unanimously, 5-0, with Alyson McGee recused. Dr. Ore explained that she was comfortable with the removal of trees because they aren't historic, and the lighting because it is compatible and not harming the historic fabric of the building. She added that she thought it was a good plan. DISCUSSION ITEM City Manager's 2006 and 2007 Recommended Budget — introduced by Carol Tunner Carol Tunner asked for suggestions for budget priorities to be forwarded to the City Manager by April 25 for consideration in developing upcoming budgets. Janet Ore suggested looking at what the Commission has included in its work plan to be accomplished to determine if additional funds would be needed to complete those items. Bud Frick reiterated his desire to double the amount available under the No -Interest Loan Program and suggested funding be available to allow the City to be more proactive on surveys that require a cash match. Ms. Tunner said she would bring the submitted LPC Budget to the next meeting for further discussion. Landmark Preservation Commission March 23, 2005, Meeting Minutes Page 6 Public input: Dick Beardmore asked if the LPC had ever asked the DDA to help match survey work. Mr. Frick replied that in the past, it was determined that DDA could only fund surveys within its boundaries. Dr. Ore thought that would be a good idea to keep in mind for future projects that might be in that area. OTHER BUSINESS Friend of Preservation Awards — Discussion of Nominees — presented by Carol Tunner Carol Tunner asked for nominations for this award, in recognition of preservation projects completed in 2004. Poudre School District was suggested for both the Laurel School Addition/Centennial High School and its survey and interest in preserving its post-war era buildings. Adam Thomas was nominated for his historical survey work, and Cameron Gloss for his work on helping establish standards for alley houses in Old Town. The LPC declined to nominate any new construction projects or works in progress. Final decision on the Friend of Preservation Awards will appear on the agenda for next meeting. 2. Request for Letter of Support for State Historic Fund grant for Waterworks — Interior Stabilization — presented by David Budge, project manager; introduced by Carol Tunner. Mr. Budge presented photos of interior structural features uncovered in the course of the excavation at the Waterworks on Overland Trail, under the direction of archeologist Richard Carrillo, currently funded by an SHF grant. He said they had encountered the top of a sizable barrel vault and timbers from the original floor. The partially exposed tunnel running under the building and part of a remaining water turbine's exhaust ring mounted in the floor are in need of preservation, stabilization and repair, and additional grant money is required to complete this project. Public input: Fred Bitting was all for it. Janet Ore moved that the LPC send a letter in support of a State Historical Fund grant for interior stabilization work at the Waterworks at 2005 N. Overland Trail. Agnes Dix seconded, and the motion carried unanimously, 5-0, with Alyson McGee recused. Meeting adjoufned at�.m. Respe s Witted by Kate J acki. Recorder , 2005