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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLandmark Preservation Commission - Minutes - 10/11/1994f . LANDMARK PRESERVATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting October 11, 1994 Council Liaison: Gerry Horak Staff Liaison: Joe Frank SUMMARY OF MEETING: The Commission approved the minutes of August 3, August 9, and September 21, 1994 as read. The LPC made recommendations during the Conceptual Review of the Trolley Barn adaptation for museum storage and approved the proposed scheme to repaint Boutique Bravo, 115 Linden. The LPC recommended Local Historic Landmark Designation for 3 commercial properties: Harmony Mils, Ranch -Way Feed Mill, and the Windsor Hotel. The Windsor Hotel was approved with the provision that an information plaque must be displayed and the restoration must be completed within 18 months of designation. Mr. Frick, Ms. Kullman, and Mr. McWilliams, with Mr. Tanner as alternate, volunteered to serve on the Eastside-Westside Design Guidelines Committee. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Commission Vice -Chairman Ruth Weatherford called the meeting to order at 5:40 pm, 281 North College Avenue. Secretary Diane Slater called the roll. Commission members Bud Frick, Per Hogestad, Jean Kullman, Ruth Weatherford, Carl McWilliams, and James Tanner were present. Jennifer Carpenter arrived at 5:45 and chaired the remainder of the meeting. Joe Frank and Carol Tunner represented staff. GUESTS: Rheba Massey, Local History Coordinator; Jim Reidhead, CSU Stabilization; Kristen Krueger, Planning Dept. intem; Wendy Irving Mills, Facilities Dept. Architect; Dominic Jamdrain, co-owner of Boutique Bravo; Denean Crane of Natural Resources Consulting and Engineering; Joel and Judy Bedford, prospective owners of 111 North College; Mary Dearhamer, consultant; and Kurt Nuckles. AGENDA REVIEW: The Paul Maxwell House request for local landmark eligibility determination will be continued, as noted on agenda. Ms. Weatherford added consideration of the historic district of 5 historic structures in the Harmony Corridor to Other Business. Ms. Carpenter and Mr. Frank will report on the budget hearing Oct. 4 with City Council under Other Business. STAFF REPORT: Ms. Tunner introduced Kristen Krueger, who will be an intern in the Planning Dept. through the end of the year. She was previously an Historical Architect with the NPS in Cleveland, Ohio, for 3 years. Ms.Tunner announced that the Colorado Historical Society will award the 1994 Certificate of Accommodation to Evadene Swanson for her book on Historic Fort Collins and the Stephen H. Hard Award to Taco Bell for the Mawson House conversion. Landmark Preservation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes October 11, 1994 Page 2 Ms. Tunner announced the CSU Oval, including 60 buildings from Laurel Street to the Student Services Building, with 3 exceptions but not including the railroad tracks has been submitted, as an Historic District for the State Register and the Sherwood Rigden Farm has been submitted for the State Register. They will be reviewed by the Agriculture Board on October 14. Ms. Tunner sent a letter to Mr. William Starke of the Northern Hotel regarding complaints about the recent patio benches installation. The letter requested that Mr. Starke respond to an LPC invitation to discuss the matter. Ms. Tunner said that the LPC will be asked to review a mural painted in the alley by Trimble Court Artisans at the November meeting. Ms. Carpenter said that she feels that the LPC needs to have a policy on art in public places and would like some input from the art community on this issue. She would like a meeting, possibly with the Cultural Resources Board, on the agenda. Ms. Tunner reiterated that design changes in Old Town must have LPC review and suggested sending a letter with this information to the owner. COMMISSION MEMBERS' REPORTS: See Other Business. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The August 3, August 9, and September 21, 1994 minutes were approved as read. CURRENT DESIGN REVIEW: URT a 3:�►`Ii3�I:�y Ms. Wendy Irving Mills, Facilities Dept. Architect, showed slides of the Trolley Barn, 328 North Howes, as it exists and pointed out areas to be adapted to make the building suitable for Museum storage. She noted that major concerns include making the exterior weathertight, security considerations, preventing light from entering the building, and providing climate control. She is proposing to install a rooftop HVAC unit, 30" tall. The Stabilization Center at CSU helped to locate the unit where it would be the most low impact visually and have the best structural support. She provided drawings showing the proposed location on the south side and slightly down from the center of the roof line. She feels it will have less impact than the two existing skylights and will also be hidden by the parapet wall on the ends of the building. She is also requesting to board up the windows (to keep light from entering the building and degrading the artifacts) and for better security. She said that they will take out and save all glass that needs to be removed so that it may be replaced at some later date. She recommends a 0 Landmark Preservation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes October 11, 1994 Page 3 plywood exterior cover for the windows. Drawings showed 3 options: plywood painted to match the brick; plywood painted to match the original color of the trim on the building (green), and to use the tromp Poel effect by having a sign painter paint the plywood to mimic window frames. Mr. McWilliams asked how long the plywood might be there. Ms. Mills said it may be quite a few years, certainly as long as it is used for storage. If use is changed or money for further repairs becomes available, it would be removed. She is not proposing to do anything with the large overhead doors on the west side although the small door will be repaired and painted and the window will be boarded over. She is proposing to replace the large green door on the northside, which will be used as the principal entrance for the museum staff and is used by the facilities staff. She has contacted Pro -Door, as recommended by the Stabilization Center, regarding duplication of the door and she believes this is the original door. Due to security considerations, mullions which can accept glass will have plywood installed and glass could later be installed. The consensus of the LPC was that rehabilitation of the existing door would be preferable to replacing the door. Ms. Mills will investigate the possibilities and cost of rehabilitation. Mr. Reidhead was asked to give citizen input and said that most owners ask for the cost of each option and he will bring the rehabilitation question back to CSU for research. Mr. Frick noted that the City allocates money in steps for this project. Therefore, any money saved by choosing one option over another now would not be saving money for future use on the building. Therefore, if the third option for painting plywood is somewhat more expensive than the second option, no financial advantage would be gained. Ms. Mills mentioned that tuckpointing would be done in the museum storage area exterior although the worst exterior damage is on the south side where salt was stored. The LPC gave the following directions to Ms. Mills: repair rather than replace the green door, if feasible; get an analysis of the proper mix to match the existing mortar for tuckpointing; get estimates of the cost of upkeep and maintenance of painting the plywood; investigate the cost differences between options 2 and 3; and the HVAC unit is okay. There was no further citizen input. Landmark Preservation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes October 11, 1994 Page 4 Dominic Jandrain and Kate Wegrzyn are proposing to update the colors of the facade of Boutique Bravo to better match the colors used in the rest of Old Town. The existing dark brown window frames will be burgundy; the existing cream kick plates, transom areas and area above the sign band will be beige; and the existing light brown storefront, pilasters, and sign band will be teal. There was no citizen input. Ms. Weatherford commented that these are Old Town colors. Mr. Tanner moved to approve the proposal as presented and Ms. Weatherford seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously, 7-0. PROPOSED DESIGNATIONS: KrALMLORCA&MMIN 0]NWAITU110 Ms. Denean Crane, of Natural Resources Consulting, represented the Harmony Mill and gave a brief historical review of the structure. Mr. Frick recommended Local Historic Landmark designation of the Harmony Mill as proposed. Ms. Kullman seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously, 7-0. WINDSOR HOTEL. 111 NORTH COLLEGE AVENUE Ms. Tunner noted that in order for a structure to be eligible for the Limited Stakes Gambling grants, it must be designated by mid -November. This particular structure cannot be restored unless the DDA grant can be matched by a gambling grant.. If this designation is approved, the exterior plans must still come back to the LPC for final review. She presented historical background and suggested that reconstruction of the facade would be an improvement for the historic district. Mr. Jim Reidhead, CSU Stabilization Center, presented the proposal for owners Joel and Judy Bedford. The designation form was prepared by Mary Dearhamer. Mr. Reidhead pointed out that other historic structures, such as the Linden Hotel, have been designated with elements of the building duplicated to read authentically where a portion of the historic structure was no longer intact. He noted that elements of historic buildings are commonly reconstructed, that 90 percent of the building is still original and that excellent documentation of the missing facade exists. Landmark Preservation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes October 11, 1994 Page 5 Ms. Tunner stated that a plaque documenting the reconstruction would be required to be installed on the site. Furthermore, prior to construction, good drawings would be required to certify that the work is done properly and that appropriate materials and details are used. Ms. Carpenter stated that the Commission must guard against watering down the prestige of landmark designation but feels that this project is eligible because of the excellent documentation and because a large percentage of the building is intact. Ms. Tunner noted that the Kissock Block had been substantially reconstructed and that more requests of this type would be likely. Mr. McWilliams asked how authentic the restoration would be. Mr. Reidhead said that some contemporary materials would be used and will do research into the composition of the brick and mortar although the brick will be the same size. Ms. Carpenter asked about the time frame and Ms. Bedford said they planned to take possession of the building August 1, 1995 and begin construction the same day, to be completed October 1, 1995. They will already have the drawings, materials, and budget lined up. Ms. Tunner recommended that they speak with Mr. James Stratis of the State Historical Society. Ms. Tunner asked why the door was off center and Ms. Dearhamer said that a large original post is in front of the door so the door has been moved to the side. Mr. Hogestad made a motion to accept the application for landmark designation with the provision that an informational plaque be placed on the building; that restoration be completed within 18 months from the date of designation; and the LPC be kept informed of materials to be used. Ms. Weatherford seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously, 7-0. RANCH -WAY FEED MILL. 546 WILLOW Ms. Tunner said that the applicant wishes to use a DDA grant to remove paint from the historic building and said this feasibility will need to be investigated. Ms. Weatherford moved approval of the request for Landmark Designation of Ranch -Way Feed Mill. W. McWilliams seconded the motion, which passed unanimously, 7-0. OTHER BUSINESS: Mr. Frank announced that City Council has appropriated $58,000 for the LPC for next year. $18,000 of those funds are ongoing and the other.$40,000 is for that year only. Council had noted that the LPC had done a good job of leveraging their money. The Commission reacted positively to the news and noted that Mr. Frank and Ms. Carpenter had worked hard for a favorable response from the Council. Mr. Frank will write a letter of appreciation to Council. Iandmark Preservation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes October 11, 1994 Page 6 Mr. Frank asked for 3 volunteers from the LPC to serve on the guidelines committee for the next six months or so. Workshops will be held, as well as meeting with a consultant. Mr. Frick, Ms. Kullman, Mr. McWilliams, and Mr. Tanner (alternate) volunteered to serve. NORTHERN HOTEL. Mr. Tanner asked what further position the LPC was to take with the representative from the Northern Hotel. The LPC decided that they would relay the complaints received about the outdoor seating area. Mr. Tanner noted that the railing is permanent, rather than temporary as required when permission was granted. HARMONY CORRIDOR Ms. Carpenter and Ms. Weatherford asked Commission members for reaction to possible designation of a Harmony Community Historic District. This district would include 5 historic structures; the Harmony Cemetery, the Preston Farm, the gas station, the school; and Harmony House. Ms. Weatherford explained that creation of a district requires the agreement of at least 50 percent of the owners, must have a connecting theme, and logical boundaries. Mr. Frick said he thought a district would be okay but that it would be difficult without owner cooperation. He also thought the area could be developed for re -use. Ms. Carpenter noted that owners sometimes feel that property is easier to sell without structures on a property and suggested approaching Historic Fort Collins Development Corporation with the proposal. Mr. Frank asked if all the structures are within City limits and Ms. Carpenter thought that Harmony House was not although the others are. She will check on the locations. FORT COLLINS NATIONAL GUARD ARMORY. 300 E. MOUNTAIN The applicants did not appear so there was no discussion. The meeting adjourned at 8 pm. Submitted by Diane Slater, Secretary.