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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLandmark Preservation Commission - Minutes - 10/25/1994LANDMARK PRESERVATION COMMISSION Worksession Meeting October 25, 1994 Council Liaison: Gerry Horak Staff Liaison: Joe Frank SUMMARY OF MEETING: The LPC heard an advisory design review for the Fort Collins National Guard Armory at 300 West Mountain; held a policy discussion regarding wall murals on buildings in the Historic Old Town District; gave feedback to staff on the 1995 Work Plan; and previewed "Fort Collins Lost" a video produced for the Planning Department. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Commission Chairman Jennifer Carpenter called the meeting to order at 5:35 pm, 281 North College Avenue. Commission members Jennifer Carpenter, Bud Frick, Jean Kullman, Carl McWilliams, and Ruth Weatherford were present. Jim Tanner was absent. Per Hogestad arrived at 5:50 and Joe Frank arrived at 6:20. Joe Frank and Carol Tunner represented staff. GUESTS: Norm Keally and Dave Cozzola, owners of Cozzola's Pizza; Cam Frazier, construction manager for Cozzola's; Diane Findley and Beth Holley -Garrison from Trimble Court Artisans; Rheba Massey, Local History Co-ordinator, Public Library. AGENDA REVIEW: The Advisory Design Review of the Armory and the Wall Mural discussion were moved up to immediately after the staff report. STAFF REPORT: Ms. Tunner announced that Mr. Greg Kendrick, Preservation Program Co- ordinator for the National Park Service in Denver, would like to do Historic American Engineer Drawings (HAER) on the Fort Collins historic irrigation system. He proposes to use CSU students and would like the City to apply for about $60,000 from the Gambling grant monies to fund the study. Ms. Carpenter said she would like more information and Mr. McWilliams noted that HAER studies are usually performed prior to destruction. The study could be used as a resource assessment for the Cache la Poudre National Heritage Corridor. Mr. Jason Marmor has been retained as consultant for the Overland Trail CLG grant project. The City Facilities Department will come back to the LPC after Nov. 3 regarding changes to the conceptual design on the stabilization of the Trolley Barn. COMMISSION MEMBERS' REPORTS: None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: None to approve. Landmark Preservation Commission Worksession Meeting Minutes October 25, 1994 Page 2 DISCUSSION FORT COLLINS NATIONAL GUARD ARMORY, ADVISORY DESIGN REVIEW: Mr. Norm Keally, co-owner of Cozzola's Pizza, presented their plans for reconstruction of the facade. He noted that they are preserving the cornice, door arch, decorative brick -work; and balcony inside. Mr. Frick asked if they have picked a paint color and Mr. Keally said they have not yet decided and will remove a section of the paint to see what the brick looks like. Mr. Cozzola added that they are not applying for historic designation but would like to work out a solution to the difference of opinion over the proposed window treatment. Mr. Hogestad asked about the two additional front doors and Mr. Cozzola said they were necessary to service outside dining and wheelchairs. Mr. Frick asked how the doors would match the finish floor height and Mr. Fraser, construction manager, said they planned to berm up the sidewalk in front of the door and are also proposing a berm out by the curb which will remove two parking spots for additional space. These proposals will require approval from the City. Mr. Hogestad inquired about the proposed materials for the new windows and Mr. Fraser said they would be double hung with wood frames. They have not yet decided if they would like to put in a transom window and feel that a standard window with awnings would be a possible alternative. The Commission was asked to comment and Ms. Weatherford began by saying that the main point of disagreement concerns the proposal to remove the two existing historic windows on the ground level. She said that by changing the window pattern, the historic character is lost. The National Park Service guidelines set Standard #2 for judging changes. Mr. Frick said that the owners have an opportunity to restore the Armory as a jewel and he feels that large windows are not necessary for attracting customers to a restaurant. Also, he questioned the logic of adding windows and then covering them with awnings and curtains. Mr. Fraser said they planned to use reflective glazing on the glass to avoid excessive and blinding light. Mr. Frick said that such glass acts like and mirror and does not allow customers to see in the restaurant. Mr. Keally said they feel big windows look inviting and they need to have the building work for them. Ms. Carpenter remarked that many restaurants in historic buildings do not have large windows and this is the only public facade of the building. Mr. Hogestad suggested a compromise --keeping the right side windows historic but changing the left side to suit their needs since it has already been altered during some past remodeling. The Commission asked for citizen input. Ms. Massey said that she owned and operated a local restaurant (Out of Bounds) and felt that food and hospitality were of utmost importance in the Landmark Preservation Commission Worksession Meeting Minutes October 25, 1994 Page 3 business. She agreed that the staff would require access in addition to the main entrance and agreed that Mr. Hogestad's proposal would be a good compromise. Mr. Frick suggested that the left side windows could be matched in width to those above for good proportions. Mr. Keally said he didn't think this was a compromise but just keeping it the same and that he would consider a compromise to be changing both windows and allowing the LPC to pick colors and so on. Ms. Tunner noted that if the building was designated, the LPC would have design review anyway. Ms. Tunner raised several points to consider: the LPC has the ability to perform a non- consensual designation but has already compromised by not doing so; the LPC cannot vote on the proposal at this time because the meeting is a worksession; even if the DDA were to agree to match funds for construction, the State Historic Society would be unlikely to agree to a state grant if the right side windows are removed; and that designation by the LPC would allow the owners to receive a 20% state tax credit and possibly federal tax credits. Mr. Keally said not that much money would be gained. Ms. Carpenter asked that staff send a letter to the DDA regarding this discussion. Ms. Tunner introduced Ms. Diane Findley of Trimble Court Artisans and Ms. Beth Holley - Garrison, the artist who painted the murals. She said that no decision would be made at this time and gave background information. Ms. Findley asked permission to paint a mural. Mr. Jeff George of Faith Realty, the property manager, said he was not aware of any reason why they couldn't paint the walls. Ms. Tunner circulated a copy of the minutes of the March 8 LPC meeting which covered a similar situation in Old Town in which Mr. Tanner stated that the old buildings are already deemed art and no art shall be superimposed on the existing art. Ms. Carpenter asked if anyone in the City was addressing the issue of art in public places and Mr. Frank said that there is no City policy or plan in place. He said that the sculpture installed by Foxfire in Old Town Plaza is excluded from consideration because it is freestanding and therefore removable. The Commission asked for public input and Ms. Findley said that their intent was to make the building more friendly and that Ms. Holley -Garrison had donated her time and materials. She had been planning to add a third postcard painting on the back alley wall. Ms. Weatherford said that the LPC does not make decisions about what is art but rather decides whether or not Landmark Preservation Commission Worksession Meeting Minutes October 25, 1994 Page 4 painting over an historic building is appropriate. She asked who would decide what would go where if such painting were allowed. She noted that if this painting were reviewed as signage, she would need to pay the $15 fee. Ms. Massey said that some European buildings are decorated with intricate tromp Foel effects but that has not been an American tradition on historic buildings. She suggested that the Commission consider letting the paint wear off. Mr. Frick said that in order for the paintings to be considered as signage, they would usually need to be on a removable panel but noted that the signs on this particular building are painted directly on the building itself. However, if the existing upper sign band were continued down the alley, more emphasis would be placed on the alley. Ms. Weatherford felt that the Commission's decision should be based on a broad basis rather than individual cases. The LPC felt the video was well done. Mr. Frank said they are developing plans for its use. Ms. Carpenter questioned Item I.3.--participate with NPS in HAER on irrigations systems. Ms. Massey said that an earlier study had been done by the NPS for $50,000 on the feasibility of establishing a Poudre River National Heritage Corridor and she was very disappointed with the quality of that study. She questioned the wisdom of funding a questionable project.She suggested hiring an interpretive specialist for the same money to work on a National Heritage Corridor Museum in the Old Waterworks and pointed out that other corridors have been established in areas that could claim to be economically depressed. Mr. Frank suggested inviting Mr. Kendrick to speak and Ms. Carpenter asked that the item be removed from the work program for the time being. Ms. Tunner suggested that II.,2., regarding providing technical information, be promoted. The Commission also suggested adding I16-training for Commission and Staff. The Commission also suggested adding 11.6., Training for Commission and Staff. OTHER BUSINESS: Landmark Preservation Commission Worksession Meeting Minutes October 25, 1994 Page 5 The Commission is waiting to see what the Task Force will recommend. Currently, they are recommending that the historic character be maintained; for example, installing plaques along the bike route commemorating historic structures/events. The Task Force feels that preservation is not controversial. An LPC presence at the hearings would be good. Ms. Tunner said that three geese (10 feet high) will be installed on the rocks in the central fountain, to be donated by Foxfire, the Soukups, and the artist. The LPC directed staff that they would be interested in seeing the plans and could review it as temporary public art. Ms. Tunner also noted that some parking stall signs have been installed behind the 200 block of Jefferson and some gates have been installed next to Tuesday Morning. She commented that these installations change the character of the area but not much. The Commission decided that the parking signs were temporary, but the Tuesday Morning parking lot fence needs to be reviewed. Mr. Frank said a parking plan will be coming up next year. The meeting adjourned a 8:45 pm. Submitted by Diane Slater, Secretary.