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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLandmark Preservation Commission - Minutes - 09/27/2000• FA LANDMARK PRESERVATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting September 27, 2000 Minutes Council Liaison: Scott Mason (226-4824) Staff Liaison: Joe Frank (221-6376) Commission Chairperson: Per Hogestad (303-292-1875) SUMMARY OF MEETING: The request for Fort Collins Landmark designation of 131 North Loomis, the Howard Carriage House, was approved. The request for Landmark designation of the Edwin and Ella Wolf House and Garage at 120 Pearl Street was approved. A letter of support for a State Historical Fund grant to do a survey and contexts of the BAVA neighborhood was approved. Supplemental information on the windows at 515 South Meldrum was given and the commission was satisfied with the work. The discussion on the exterior basement entry railing at 261 South College was tabled until another meeting so further information could be gathered. Approval was given to Ms. Tunner to administratively approve work to be done (asphalt shingle re -roofing and repair/repainting of windows/trim) on 5529 S. Timberline Road. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Angela Milewski called the meeting to order at 5:43 p.m., at 281 North College Avenue. Commission members Angela Milewski, Agnes Dix, Rande Pouppirt, and Janet Ore were present. Angie Aguilera was absent and Bud Frick was excused. Per Hogestad arrived at 6:55 p.m. Carol Tunner and Karen McWilliams represented staff. GUESTS: Mike Loudon, owner's representative, for 131 N Loomis; Joe and Ginny McConathy, owners, 120 N Pearl; Rayno Seaser, owner, 5529 S Timberline. AGENDA REVIEW: Ms. McWilliams: added a request for a letter of support for a State Historic Fund Grant for Buckingham, Alta Vista and Andersonville neighborhoods. Ms. Tunner: add under "Other Business" 5529 S. Timberline and 515 Y2 S. Meldrum. STAFF REPORTS: 1.) Ms. Tunner and Bud Frick attended the State Historic Tax Credit workshop in Georgetown. Ms. Tunner distributed a handout "Common Issues about State Tax Credit"; 2.) The CPI conference is in Denver in February; 3.) The National Trust Conference is at the end of October; 4.) A change in the attendance Policy regarding the requirement of written notification of absences and absence Problems was read. If three consecutive absences from regularly scheduled meetings occur without prior written notification, the person will be removed from the commission. COMMISSION MEMBERS' REPORTS: None. Landmark Preservation Commission September 27, 2000 Meeting Minutes Page 2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The regular meeting of August 23 minutes were approved as presented with no change. Fort Collins Landmark Designations: 131 North Loomis Mike Loudon is representing his father, John Loudon, for this request for Fort Collins Landmark designation of the Howard Carriage House at 131 North Loomis. Ms. McWilliams described the carriage house as unusual because it has concrete coining. Mr. Loudon said that all of the blocks were pressed concrete. The building is an example of the early use of poured masonry block. The press used on this carriage house was the same that was used on the Virginian hotel in Medicine Bow, Wyoming. Ms. McWilliams said the building was there by 1894. She said the building made a contribution to the architectural and historical importance of the locally landmarked Howard House next door, on the comer at 145 N. Loomis. It is of architectural importance to the community and it is a rare example of a masonry carriage house. The carriage house suffered a major fire five years ago. Ms. McWilliams passed around pictures of the property. The carriage house has been condemned. If the owners don't remedy the property they could be ordered to tear it down. Ms. Ore asked if the structure retained its integrity after the fire. Mr. Hogestad said it is unusual material as well as shape. Ms. McWilliams said the designation will allow the Loudons to apply for State Tax Credit and other incentives. Mr. Loudon said the building was built out of two different dies turned in different directions so two different patterns are seen. Ms. Milewski asked if there was any public input. There was no public input. Mr. Hogestad moved to approve the application for Fort Collins Designation for 131 N Loomis — the Howard Carriage House. Ms. Ore seconded the motion. The motion was approved 5-0. (Ms. Milewski relinquished the gavel to Mr. Hogestad and he chaired the rest of the meeting.) 120 Pearl Street Ms. McWilliams introduced the owners of the property, Joe and Ginny McConathy, who are applying for Landmark designation for their property, the Edwin and Ella Wolf House and Garage at 120 Pearl Street. Ms. McWilliams presented photographs of the property and said that this is a good example of the Craftsman bungalow style of architecture. It was built in 1923. Ms. McWilliams read the staff report and architectural description of the property. Staff recommends approving the request. Mrs. Ore asked if the porch on the back is original. Ms. McWilliams said so far as they can tell because they didn't find any building permits to show the change and the same board was used on the back porch as on the front porch. Mrs. Ore said the half hip was unusual. Ms. McWilliams said that if it is an addition it is an early one. Ms. McConathy said the Sanborn Fire Insurance map of 1925 shows the porch footprint. Mr. Pouppirt asked for clarification, if the rear porch was actually a porch and not a stairway to the basement. It serves as a mud porch with stairs going down into the basement and up to the kitchen. Mr. Landmark Preservation Commission • September 27, 2000 Meeting Minutes Page 3 Hogestad liked the front porch. Mr. McConathy said there were windows and screens added to the front porch in the 30's or 40's and he removed them about 8 years ago. Ms. Ore moved that the designation of the Edwin and Ella Wolf House and Garage at 120 Pearl Street as a Fort Collins Landmark, based on architecture, be approved. The motion was seconded by Ms. Dix. The motion was approved, 5-0. Other Business Letter of Support for a State Historic Fund grant for a survey and contexts of the Buckingham, Alta Vista, and Andersonville neighborhoods. Ms. McWilliams reported that the Advance Planning Department is applying for a State Historic Fund grant. The project includes 1.) a survey of 150 homes in Buckingham, Alta Vista, and Andersonville neighborhoods; 2.) the development of 3 historic contexts, on the sugar beet industry in Fort Collins and on the Hispanics and Germans from Russia ethnic groups; and 3.) depending upon the results of the survey, one or more Fort Collins Landmark district nominations. Mr. Hogestad asked if there was any interest in a district. Ms. McWilliams said that a neighborhood group, the Great Western Sugar Beet Factory Neighborhood Coalition, has already passed around a petition of support and has obtained 50 signatures. There is a lot of support for the district. Ms. McWilliams is asking for a State Historic Fund grant of $30,000. The city will provide $8,000 for a total of $38,000. The commission agreed to support the letter. Ms. Ore added enthusiastic support from the LPC and said we need to support the preservation of areas that aren't just middle class. Mr. Hogestad added that it is good to hear another neighborhood is interested in being a district. Mr. Hogestad asked if there was any public input and there was none. 515 1/2 S. Meldrum Ms. Tunner began the discussion by showing slides of the barn on the property. She asked that the commission pay attention to the bay window. She said that during recent design review, the commission asked that the contractor bring back drawings of what window sashes he proposed to put in there. For clarification, Ms. Tunner said she was not asking for a vote or approval, but that this was supplemental information. The project has already been approved. She wanted to know if everyone was satisfied with what had been presented. Mr. Hogestad asked if Ms. Tunner thought it was acceptable. Ms. Tunner said yes, the window sashes' arch was being maintained. The commission was okay with the work. Ms. Tunner said she would notify the applicant that the plans and specifications for the bay window are approved. 261 South College The applicant, Tom Livingston, did not attend the meeting, so Ms. Tunner began the presentation. She explained that the LPC design review sub -committee met with the Landmark Preservation Commission September 27, 2000 Meeting Minutes Page 4 city storm drainage representative, Marsha Helmes, at the Armstrong Mountain Empire Hotel, 261 S. College. Ms. Tunner reported that the LPC has already approved the building rehabilitation and the property owners were asked to save the railing. Originally the owners were going to remove the railing because they plan to not use the basement, but now they will save the railing. Ms. Tunner said that Ms. Helmes said there had to be a 24-inch high barrier around the staircase to the basement for flood control. The building inspector said there had to be four -inch vertical ballasters for public safety. Ms. Tunner passed out the proposed plan from J. G. Johnson, Architects for the property owner. It included a colored elevation and rail detailing. Ms. Tunner said the owners plan to keep the railing and to meet the necessary requirements for flood control and building inspection by putting up a metal shield in front of the steps to the basement. Ms. McWilliams asked if the metal would be painted an appropriate color and Ms. Tunner said there were no colors chosen for the project yet, however it would blend in with the architecture of the building and be 36 inches in height. Mr. Hogestad asked how the shield would attach to the railing. It should be reversible. Then Mr. Hogestad suggested that they cover up the stairway opening with a flat metal plate entirely as a bulkhead. At this point there was not enough information about the attachment of the proposed metal wall to the railing. Ms. Tunner said they would have to find a way to clean the staircase out if a vertical wall was used. If a steel plate were put in flat over the opening no one would see the staircase and wonder what the railing was there for. Mr. Pouppirt suggested that they pour concrete in the opening and score it to show tread and they wouldn't have a problem keeping the rail. Ms. McWilliams said what happens when ownership trades hands again and they might want to have access to the basement? Ms. Tunner said the treatment of the basement entry must be reversible as stated in the Secretary's Standards. Because of questions for the applicant who was not present, the discussion on 261 S. college was tabled until another meeting. Mr. Hogestad asked for public input. Mr. Mike Loudon said he worked in the building and knew about the configuration of the basement. He said people really would wish they had those stairs in the future. Mr. Hogestad suggested placing a steel plate over the opening or have the owners answer how a metal shield would attach to the railing if they chose to stay with their present proposal. Ms. Tunner will relay this information to the applicant and reschedule the review. 5529 South Timberline Angela Milewski asked if there was a decision to be made on this review. Because there was, she declared a conflict and left the meeting. Ms. Tunner introduced the property owner, Rayno Seaser. Ms. Tunner passed out material on the property and explained that it was recently designated. Ms. Tunner Landmark Preservation Commission September 27, 2000 Meeting Minutes Page 5 showed pictures of the property. She explained that she has given administrative approval for the owners to use "Peel -A -Way" to remove the paint from the brick. The owners are applying to replace the roof and do maintenance to the windows. The owners wish to replace the current roof with asphalt shingles that simulate wood shakes. They wish to repair and prep windows and repaint with a cream color (antique white), as noted in their application. Ms. Tunner said that this item did not get posted on the agenda. Because the replacement of roof and repair/repaint of the windows doesn't affect historic character, if the LPC has no objections, Ms. Tunner would like to give administrative approval for this work to be done. The owners are using an asphalt shingle to look like shakes. They are using the State Tax Credit for the work. Mr. Hogestad asked if the Commission had approved asphalt over wood in the past. Yes, it has been approved in the past. Ms. Tunner asked if the roof currently had wood shingles. Mr. Seaser said yes. Mr. Seaser also said that they wanted to use asphalt shingles now only on the main house; nothing would be done to the stone house in the back. A discussion about shingles occurred. Ms. Tunner said that the chosen shingle is an architectural shingle meant to simulate wood shingles. Ms. Tunner said that the Secretary of the Interior's Standards don't specify that you have to use wood or asphalt and the State Tax Credit approves asphalt. Wood shingles are required only for a Local Landmark Rehabilitation Grant. The commission nodded in agreement to allow Ms. Tunner to give administrative approval for this work to be done. Mr. Seaser mentioned that Rob Wilson's Custom Painting did the work and they did a wonderful job at using the product. They did the whole house once and went back over the spots that didn't respond to the first application of the product. After that was complete they painted patched spots where brick was missing to look like brick. Mr. Seaser also mentioned that he wanted to have the bricks pointed and sealed. Ms. Tunner replied that he needed LPC approval and should come back in two weeks to the next meeting. Mr. Seaser said he planned to low pressure power wash and caulk the windows as the repair measures before re -painting the windows and trim. Per Hogestad asked if there was other business. There was none. Meeting adjourned at 6:52 p.m. Meeting minutes prepared by Heather Parrott.