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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLandmark Preservation Commission - Minutes - 06/14/1994LANDMARK PRESERVATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting June 14, 1994 Council Liaison: Gerry Horak Staff Liaison: Joe Frank SUMMARY OF MEETING: The LPC approved the minutes for the following meetings: March 22, 1994; April 12, 1994; April 26, 1994; and May 10, 1994. The LPC approved the designation of 1316 West Oak Street, the Jasper Loomis House. The LPC approved the following items under design review: an outdoor patio proposed at 180 North College, the Northern Hotel; a dinosaur from the Swetsville Zoo to be installed, in the public right-of-way in front of Buildings G and I, Old Town; 4 windows and a door to be replaced on the rear of 223 Jefferson; and the addition of an awning, at 112 South College, Starry Night Coffee Company. The LPC did a conceptual review of the facade rehabilitation proposed at 217 Linden Street, the Salvation Army Building. The LPC discussed the GID improvements on Linden Street and the Design Assistance Program draft recommendations. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Commission Vice -Chairman Bud Frick called the meeting to order at 5:45 pm, 281 North College Avenue. Secretary Diane Slater called the roll. Commission members Bud Frick, Jean Kullman, James Tanner, and Ruth Weatherford were present. Chairman Jennifer Carpenter was present to conduct the meeting from 6:10 pm to 7:40 pm. Members Richard Hill and Per Hogestad were absent. Joe Frank and Carol Tunner represented staff. GUESTS: Gary Williamson, interested citizen; Brian Janonis, owner of 1316 West Oak Street, the Jasper Loomis House; Heinrich Arens, representative for the Northern Hotel; Joe Frye, of Vaught/Frye Architects. Maggie Kunze, owner of Still Magnolias, located in Building I, Old Town; Brad Page, representative for Coopersmith's; Marjorie and Jake Strouse, owners of 223 Jefferson Street; Margie Cook, from Peterson Canvas, for Starry Night Coffee Company; Bruce Hendee, consultant for GID improvements; and Sherry Albertson -Clark, consultant for the Design Assistance Program. AGENDA REVIEW: No changes. STAFF REPORT: Ms. Tunner announced that she received word from the City Attorney's Office that the LPC does not have purview over pushcarts in the Historic District because they are not permanently attached structures. COMMISSION MEMBERS' REPORTS: None. Landmark Preservation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes June 14, 1994 Page 2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Ms. Weatherford moved approval of the minutes as read for March 22, April 12, April 26, and May 10. Mr. Tanner made a friendly amendment to page 2 for March 22 to change muffin to muntin. Ms. Kulhnan seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously. DESIGNATION OF 1316 WEST OAK STREET, THE JASPER LOOMIS HOUSE Ms. Tunner noted a change in the staff memo under Architectural I - "matching garage" is to be deleted due to extensive renovations done by previous owners involving additions and removal of garage doors. Brian and Catherine Janonis will be applying for state tax credit for restoring the house. The work will be presented at the next LPC meeting. Ms. Kulhnan moved that the Commission approve designation of 1316 West Oak Street and Ms. Weatherford seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. CURRENT DESIGN REVIEW: 180 North College Av Mr. Arens returned for a final review of the proposal to install outdoor patios in the public right- of-way. After studying the building itself, he settled on a height of 42" to match the height of existing brass railings. He found that other patio railings in Old Town varied between 30" and 44". He will use black railing to match the building trim and stairwell rail. The railing will not be attached to the building itself but set into the sidewalk and removable. The top edge will be rounded to avoid possible injury to pedestrians. The pickets will all be round, not twisted. 45 degree corners will be used to conform to requirements and to provide better stability. He prefers the simpler style, feeling it is more compatible with the building itself. Mr. Frick noted that Beau-Jo's used the circle style and felt that style might be more compatible with the rest of Old Town. However, Mr. Tanner felt that the straight simple style matched the building better. Ms. Weatherford said she appreciates a variety of styles. Ms. Carpenter noted that the Commission has not established uniform standards for railings in Old Town. There was no citizen input. Ms. Weatherford moved approval of the proposal to install an outdoor patio at 180 North College Avenue. Mr. Tanner seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0. 217 Linden Street, Loomis Block. Salvation Army Building The Commission decided to perform a conceptual review on this project. Mr. Frye, of Vaught/Frye Architects, explained the Salvation Army Building is under separate ownership from the Linden Hotel and that the Salvation Army Building owners are currently investigating 0 Landmark Preservation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes June 14, 1994 Page 3 pre -leasing the space for compatible commercial uses. Sinnett Builders are analyzing the condition of the building and the owners plan to apply to the State Historic Society (to use tax credits) for approval of the facade reconstruction, contingent upon the condition of the remainder of the building. He noted that a brick sill on top of the stone sill is now known to have been added later and will therefore be removed, as agreed to by Mr. James Stratis of the State Historic Society. The architect proposes to re-establish the stairway to the second floor, as shown in early photographs, and maintain the elevator access into this building from the Linden Hotel. The fire code requires a separate exit, which will be provided in the alley and the front. Mr. Frank asked if this project is a restoration and Mr. Frye said not because there is no straight on historic photo available, although the windows and belt cornice will be restored. Ms. Tunner noted that it is a contributing building in the historic district. She showed slides of the damaged brick on the backside of the building, most likely due to faulty drainage from the roof. The current Linden Street door will be replaced to match the Linden Hotel entrance door. Commission members responded positively to plans as presented and look forward to further details at the final review. •to 0 _ _ s : t I 'l • Maggie Kunze, owner of Still Magnolias, presented a proposal to temporarily (one year) install a 15' tall dinosaur made by local artist Bill Swets, owner of the Swetsville Zoo. The metal sculpture will be enclosed in a simple green painted fence to discourage climbing on the artwork and cover 12' x 6' of the public right-of-way in front of Still Magnolias and Coopersmiths. Brad Page of Coopersmiths appeared to state his support for the project. She has taken out a year's insurance policy on the sculpture. There was no citizen input. Mr. trick moved approval of the application for placement of a sculpture for 12 months at the location designated on the submitted plan. Ms. Weatherford seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously. Jake and Marjorie Strouse, owners of 221-223-227 Jefferson Street, propose to replace the existing, non -original windows on the rear facade second floor with windows closer in style to original windows existing elsewhere on the block and the deteriorated wood door with a more secure metal door that almost matches the style of the existing door. The windows to the right of the door are currently boarded over and the windows to the left are currently a combination of metal and wood. The new windows will be wood, single pane, double hung type and run the full height of the window. There was no citizen input. Landmark Preservation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes June 14, 1994 Page 4 Ms. Weatherford moved approval of the application as submitted and Mr. Frick seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 112 South College Avenue. Stain Night Coffee Comm,g Ms. Weatherford commented that the facade seems to need an awning. Margie Cook, of Peterson Canvas, stated that the owners of Starry Night Coffee Company have decided that the afternoon heat and reflection would be reduced by an awning covering the transom windows, as shown in the pictures submitted with the packet. Mr. Frick asked if the awning could come up higher and about the specific method of attachment to the facade. Ms. Tunner suggested that staff could investigate updating the check -off sheet to specifically require information from the applicant about method of attachment. Ms. Cook stated that the proposed awning is 16' wide and will use an awning rail. The top is mounted into the existing wooden signband with long legbolts placed every two feet. The frame is a put-up style --a U-shape frame sewn with a valance with ropes that tie around the frame to gather the material, as seen at Montagc Graphics. The pivot point is at the beginning of the valance and 2 holes are required to be drilled at each side to secure the awning. Mr. Frick asked if there was any way to put these 4 holes into the mortar rather than the brick. Ms. Cook said that brick is generally 3 inches wide and the screws must go 2 inches apart so that one might be able to be placed in mortar but not both. Mr. Tanner said that he did not recall a requirement that absolutely no holes could be drilled in brick and felt that two brick drilled holes to support the awning would be acceptable. Citizen input was requested and Mr. Williamson said that in his experience with preservation in Los Angeles, all of the old buildings had holes after time and that holes in brick for the awning shouldn't present problems. Ms. Turner commented that the LPC generally tries to avoid unnecessary holes in the outside of historic buildings to keep the building from looking unattractive over time but that holes are allowed if it is unavoidable or necessary. Mr. Tanner moved to approve the awning addition at 112 South College with the provision that staff be given specific graphic detail about the mode of attachment and dimensions of awning. Ms. Weatherford seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. DISCUSSION ITEMS: Mr. Hendee,landscape architect, presented recommendations and asked for feedback from the LPC regarding proposed renovations of the Linden Street streetscape. He was specifically asking for approval of several items involving demolition and construction. The two key points involve widening the Linden Street sidewalk from between 9' and 12' to 18' and continuing the Old Town pavers on to the Linden street sidewalks. However, the old trolley tracks still exist under 6" of paving in Linden Street and in order to have 6" of vertical curb with 2' of street 0 0 Landmark Preservation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes June 14, 1994 Page 5 pan, the trolley tracks would need to be removed. Widening the sidewalk to 18' and keeping the current height of the trolley tracks would make the sidewalk run straight into the street. After some discussion, the LPC agreed to removal of the historic trolley tracks. Ms. Tunner said the Fort Collins Municipal Railway Society would like to retain salvage rights. The Commission agreed to the removal the existing sandstone bollards. Typically, a minimum of 15' is recommended for a sidewalk space to include trees and benches. The LPC agreed to widen the sidewalk to 18', which leaves 28' of street. Delivery trucks would be asked to make deliveries at off-peak hours to avoid conflict with shoppers. Mr. Hendee pointed out the altered comers, would result in turn radii of 20' and 25', which is above the recommendation of 15'. The LPC agreed that the interlock pavers used in Old Town Square should also be used on the Linden sidewalks. Regarding the choice between the zigzag or rectangular pattern in the pavers, Mr. Tanner felt that the square pattern is a more accurate historical echo and that the zigzag draws too much attention to itself and away from the buildings. Mr. Hendee agreed that the square pattern is better for a background treatment and that the zigzag pattern acts as a feature. He commented that he looks for timelessness in design and that history is being made today. Ms. Weatherford, Mr. Frick, and Ms. Kullman did not like the inlaid designs because different businesses might someday be in a location designated with an incompatible symbol. However, Mr. Tanner thought a touch of whimsy would be appropriate. However, since the merchants had earlier expressed some preference for the zigzag pattern, Mr. Hendee will revisit this choice with the merchants and apprise the LPC of the response. Discussion of the placement of the original historic flagstone pavers will be taken up later. The National Park Service is strongly in favor of returning the pavers to their original positions. Ms. Albertson -Clark, consultant, noted that her survey of similar programs elsewhere made it apparent that a fee for use would not be appropriate here because clients likely to use the program in Ft. Collins are more likely to follow through on their plans due to the way the plan is structured. This program is designed to encourage owner occupied designation projects. However, the LPC suggested including a clause that if the plans are not implemented within 12 months (rather than the 24 months suggested on pg. 9), the assistance money must be repaid. The project encourages potential applicants to the LPC to go through the Design Assistance Program, if necessary, before submitting the completed application to the LPC. The applicant would be given a list of prequalified contractors to do the work. The client would make their own selection and then get a certificate from staff for the work to be done by a specific date. The provider would then do a drawing meeting the specifications required by the LPC for that Landmark Preservation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes June 14, 1994 Page 6 category of service. The City would then honor the amount designated for each category of certificate. Mr. Tanner emphasized the importance of the drawings being of a quality sufficient to meet LPC guidelines and Ms. Albertson -Clark said that the training would cover this area. If a provider failed to perform satisfactorily, Mr. Frank suggested they be dropped from the list of prequalified consultants. Mr. Frank asked about plans to publicize the program and suggested sending a brochure to the small number of potential applicants who own individually designated structures or structures within the Old Town Historic District. Mr. Frank asked Ms. Albertson - Clark for an accounting of estimated staff time necessary to implement and run the program. He then suggested that the Commission review the handout and discuss the proposal at the next meeting. OTHER BUSINESS: Ms. Tunner handed out copies of the letter sent by Ms. Carpenter to Mr. Kast of GT Land Inc. regarding the Preston Farm. Ms. Carpenter announced that time commitments make it no longer. possible for her to continue to represent the LPC on the Jefferson Street Coalition. Their mission statement was handed out for review by members. She will ask the Coalition to keep the LPC informed of progress. Ms. Tuner also passed out a memo from Ms. Carpenter to the Mayor and City Council regarding the 1995 Budget; an article on "scrape -offs"; a letter from Mr. Thomas Keohan, Historical Architect for the National Park Service, regarding the Flagstone Sidewalks in the Old Town Historic District; and a letter from Ms. Tuner to Mr. Jim Kline of the Fort Collins Housing Authority regarding the property to be moved from 618 North College Avenue. The meeting adjourned at 9:30 pm. Submitted by Diane Slater, Secretary.