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LANDMARK PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Regular Meeting Minutes - DRAFT
September 8, 1999
Council Liaison: Scott Mason (226 — 4824)
Staff Liaison: Joe Frank (221-6376)
Commission Chairperson: Per Hogestad (303-292-1875)
SUMMARY OF MEETING: The LPC approved the items on the consent agenda,
which included final review of a wood roof replacement at 924 W. Magnolia for
State Tax Credit, Part 2 and an awning installation at 251 Linden Street. The
currently installed awnings at the Silver Grill, at 210-218 Walnut were
approved. The LPC commented on the proposed rehabilitation of the
Armstrong (Mountain Empire) Hotel, at 261 S. College Avenue. The LPC
approved the completed work at 518 Peterson for the State Tax Credit
Program, Part 2. A letter of support from the LPC was approved for the
proposed improvements for Sheldon Lake. The Commission approved a
waiver of portions of Chapter 14-72b, the Demolition/Alteration Review
Process, for the property at 300 Peterson, due to substantial hardships.
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Ms. Milewski, Commission Co -Chairperson,
called the meeting to order at 5:42 p.m., at 281 North College Avenue. Commission
members Bud Frick, Angela Milewski, Rande Pouppirt, Agnes Dix, Angie Aguilera, and
Janet Ore were present. Per Hogestad arrived at 5:46 p.m. and chaired the meeting.
Carol Tunner and Karen McWilliams represented staff.
GUESTS: Marie Locke, Shaw Sign and Awning, for 210-218 Walnut; Chip Steiner
(consultant), Tom Livingston (owner), and Wendy Helburn (J.G. Johnson Architects),
for 261 S. College Avenue; Kathryn Malers, owner of 518 Peterson Street; Janet
Meisel -Burns, Parks Planner, City of Fort Collins.
AGENDA REVIEW: None.
STAFF REPORTS: Ms. Tunner said that Colorado Preservation Inc. would be having a
conference in Gunnison, Colorado on September 25, 1999. She also mentioned a two-
day class being given on masonry in Chicago, Illinois in October and November.
COMMISSION MEMBERS' REPORTS: None.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Mr. Pouppirt moved to approve the May 26, 1999 LPC meeting minutes. The
motion was seconded by Mr. Frick, which passed unanimously. (7-0)
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September 8, 1999 Meeting Minutes
Page 2
Mr. Pouppirt moved to approve the June 23, 1999 LPC meeting minutes. The
motion was seconded by Mr. Frick, which passed unanimously. (7-0)
The July 28, 1999 LPC meeting minutes, roll call, was changed to state that Angela
Milewski was not present at the meeting.
Mr. Pouppirt moved to approve the July 28, 1999 LPC meeting minutes as
amended. Ms. Aguilera seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. (7-0)
CONSENT AGENDA:
924 W. Magnolia, Elizabeth Collins House and Associated Structures — Part 2
State Income Tax Credit for Wood Roof Replacement, Final Review (Eleanor
Pearson
Ms. Ore moved to approve Staff's recommendations on the Consent Agenda. Ms.
Milewski seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. (7-0)
CURRENT DESIGN REVIEW:
210-218 Walnut, Silver Grill — Installed Awning Fabric Error (Shaw Sign and
Awning)
Ms. Tunner stated that an error had been made on the part of Shaw Sign and Awning.
Marie Locke, Shaw Sign and Awning, explained that a solid fabric in forest green and
burgundy was used instead of tweed. She showed samples of the proposed fabrics in
Hemlock tweed and Dubonnet tweed. The changes in awning fabric were a mistake
made by the purchasing and design department. The current awnings have the same
colors as the proposed fabric, but with no tweed look. The pattern of the awnings was
not changed from the proposed design. John Arnolfo, owner, submitted a letter that
stated he would accept what was installed. Ms. Tunner added that the current awnings
met the historic guidelines for Old Town. Mr. Hogestad asked if there was any public
input and there was none.
Mr. Frick moved to approve the awning fabric that was installed on the Silver
Grill, at 210-218 Walnut, in lieu of what had been approved previously. Ms. Ore
seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. (7-0)
Ms. Tunner said that the applicants had submitted some color choices for the trim and
accent colors, in addition to the information included in the staff report. The building
had been remodeled in the late 1920s and again in the 1940s, when storefronts were
added to the Olive Street side of the building. The applicants are re -applying for a
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September 8, 1999 Meeting Minutes
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Colorado State Historical Society Grant and would like another letter of support from
the LPC. They are also interested in having the LPC give a conceptual design review
and pointers on how to improve the grant application. Some original windows in the
interior courtyard and west side of the building would be abandoned. They would like to
refurbish the other windows and masonry, using a low pressure water wash. Ms.
Tunner expressed a concern that they reconstruct the historic storefront. She said that
they should do as much rehabilitation work as possible. Tom Livingston, applicant,
asked for help finding photo -documentation of how the older storefront appeared. Ms.
Tunner recommended that they blow-up any existing photographs to get a closer look
at the fapade details. She reviewed the exterior rehabilitation elements in her Staff
Report. She suggested that more restoration work be done, including restoring old
design elements, preserving the iron pipe railing on Olive Street, and reconstructing the
historic sign. She also addressed enlarging the corner entrance. This would be
acceptable only if no historic elements would be lost. Ms. Tunner and the Commission
discussed whether the proposed project was a rehabilitation or a restoration and
pointed out the unique features of the post -World War I commercial building, which are
not fully appreciated. Mr. Livingston added that the additional bridges on the non -
primary elevations in the courtyards were required by Building Inspection as part of an
exit plan. Lastly, Ms. Tunner, as a suggestion to improve the grant application,
expressed a concern about removing the interior tin ceiling. Mr. Livingston explained
that the Building Inspection Department required permission for the ceiling from the
Poudre Valley Fire Authority and asked for the support of the LPC for this topic. Mr.
Livingston added that the exterior windows in the courtyard would be maintained, but
covered from the inside to protect from water damage, for instance if they were located
inside a bathroom.
Ms. Tunner showed slides of the building and discussed the pipe railing that was added
in the late 1920s on Olive Street. She explained that early in Fort Collins, basements
were used. Mr. Livingston said that the staircase flooded often and created a life -safety
code issue. In addition, it takes up a lot of space. The Commission discussed whether
the building facades should be restored to the 1920s or 1940s design. Ms. Ore
discussed the different design elements from the 1920s and 1940s that were left on
either fagade of the building. She encouraged them to maintain the 1940s elements
that existed on the Olive Street side. Ms. Milewski addressed the proposed forty-five
degree angle entryway. It would be a change for the main entry of the building, which
was originally in that proposed location. Mr. Livingston explained that the new angle
would be better for retail use. Ms. Milewski added that if the entrance were based on a
true historic restoration it might improve the grant application. Mr. Frick suggested that
they try to rework the interior north east staircase to the basement to try and get some
more space and to seek input from someone at the State Historical Society. Ms. Ore
discussed maintaining the window openings on the north side, possibly using glass
block.
Ms. Milewski suggested getting additional support letters representing community
support from outside the downtown area as well. Ms. Ore suggested that they improve
the statement of architectural and historical significance by addressing the importance
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September 8, 1999 Meeting Minutes
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of maintaining this unique, commercial building as a hotel. Mr. Pouppirt suggested the
removal of the 1940s historic fabric to create an entire 1920s design for both facades.
Ms. Ore thought this would destroy historic fabric, which was a result of the changes
that were made to the building over time. Mr. Pouppirt thought that the building design
would be more impressive with an entire fagade change to the same style.
Chip Steiner, consultant for the owners, reviewed the input and suggestions received
from the LPC. Their input included creating more details on the storefront, maintaining
the iron pipe railing, determining what to do about the signage, either making something
entirely new or restoring the original, to create details on the entry way, including the
width and angles, to determine the period to rehabilitate or restore the building to, the
additional bridges on the non -primary elevations are acceptable, to maintain the tin
ceiling, to revise all the color elevations, to create details for the windows on the north
elevation; to create details for the Olive Street entry way, and to rewrite the architectural
and historical significance portion of the grant application. As far as the colors were
concerned, staff recommended not using the color purple.
Angela Aguilera left the meeting.
518 Peterson, B. F. Avers House — State Tax Credit, Part 2. Final Review. (Steven
and Kathryn Malers)
Ms. Tunner explained that the applicants had received an extension from 1997 to 1999
to finish the proposed work. She stated that the work was complete. They took the
house back to its original appearance. One exception was the porch that is now bigger
because of the larger concrete platform, but still maintains the original design details.
Mr. Hogestad asked if there was any public input and there was none.
Ms. Ore moved to approve staff's recommendation for the B.F. Ayers House, at
518 Peterson for the State Tax Credit Program, Part 2. Ms. Dix seconded the
motion, which passed unanimously. (6-0)
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Letter of Support for Improvements to Sheldon Lake (Janet Meisel -Burns, Parks
Planner
Ms. Meisel -Burns provided copies of the site map to members of the Commission. She
explained that they had received a GOCO grant to improve the Sheldon Lake site. She
was interested in getting input on repairs to the historic fabric around the lake. She
explained the shoreline improvements, which have already been made. Ms. Meisel -
Burns stated that the second phase of the project would include the north shoreline
wall, which was three to four feet high and in bad repair, and the promenade, with a
twenty-five foot pedestrian area. They were interested in creating a public, urban space
using colored concrete and scouring patterns. She also asked for an historic design to
be used for benches and trash receptacles. Ms. Tunner said that the original benches
were at the Museum grounds. Ms. Meisel -Burns also wanted to tie in design using
historic moss rock. Mr. Hogestad expressed an interest in being involved in the design
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September 8, 1999 Meeting Minutes
Page 5
process. Ms. Tunner added that the site was eligible for the National Register of
Historic Places. Mr. Hogestad asked if there was any public input and there was none.
Ms. Tunner added that the historic concrete steps that went up to a now demolished
skating warming structure were still there on the north — east side of the lake.
Ms. Milewski moved that the LPC write a letter of support for the Sheldon Lake
improvements. Ms. Ore seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. (6-0)
— izu, ine Uemomionimneration Review process (Donn Kevin GCOSs and Maura M.
Velazquez Castillo)
Ms. McWilliams explained that the owners were petitioning the LPC to waive all or a
portion of the Demolition/Alteration Review requirements because of the substantial
hardship which would be caused by the delays in construction. She explained that the
proposed plans, while making the home more livable for the family, would impact the
integrity of the structure as a local landmark, and the LPC discussed whether these
changes would affect its eligibility as a contributing structure in the Laurel School
National Register Historic District. Mr. Hogestad asked if there was any public input
and there was none.
Ms. Ore moved that, In congruence with staff, we hereby recommend, as a group,
the request for a waiver of Section 14-72(b) of the Fort Collins City Code
pertaining to the Demolition/Alteration Review Process, due to substantial
hardship for the property owners at 300 Peterson. The motion was seconded by
Mr. Frick, which passed unanimously. (6-0)
OTHER BUSINESS: None.
The meeting adjourned 7:55 p.m.
Submitted by Nicole Sneider, Secretary