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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLandmark Preservation Commission - Minutes - 12/01/1993LANDMARK PRESERVATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting December 1, 1993 Council Liaison: Gerry Horak Staff Liaison: Joe Frank SUMMARY OF MEETING: The LPC approved the minutes of the October 6, 1993 and October 20, 1993 meetings. The LPC met with Felix Lee, Building Permits and Zoning Director and discussed the adoption of the UCBC. The LPC also discussed: the possible impact of a demolition ordinance; progress on the Fort Collins Waterworks reuse, and pursuit of a Linden Hotel Rehabilitation Video. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Commission Chair Jennifer Carpenter called the meeting to order at 5:40 p.m., 281 North College Avenue. Secretary Diane Slater called the roll. Commission members Jennifer Carpenter, Richard Hill, Per Hogestad, Jean Kullman, and Ruth Weatherford were present. Members Bud Frick and James Tanner were absent. Joe Frank and Carol Tunner represented staff. GUESTS: Rheba Massey, Local Historian at the Public Library; and Felix Lee, Building Permits and Zoning Director. AGENDA REVIEW: There were no changes. STAFF REPORT: Mr. Frank announced that Mr. Tom Peterson, City Planning Director, submitted his resignation today, effective in two weeks. Mr. Rondall Phillips, former Vail Town Manager, will serve as Interim Planning Director until a replacement can be chosen. Ms. Tunner said that the CLG III, known as the Agricultural Context, has been started by the consultants. She mentioned that Mr. Frank had suggested that the LPC investigate applying for funds from Fort Fund; the deadline for that is January 4. The money would be used to bring in a guest speaker for Preservation Week and she asked for member suggestions. Ms. Massey suggested Paul M. Bray, an attorney from New York who has written on the Hudson River Greenway. Ms. Tunner mentioned John Crosby Freeman, known as the "House Color Doctor." Mr. Frank noted that bringing people from out-of-state is more expensive and that advertising costs could be included in the funding request. Members were enthusiastic about the speaker involved with the Hudson River. Staff will look into it. Ms. Tunner announced that they are doing a Section 106 on the Cunningham Corner Barn. She is preparing a plaque presentation before the December 16 City Council meeting to commemorate the Cunningham Corner Barn and 816 West Mountain Avenue designations. Landmark Preservation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes December 1, 1993 Page 2 COMMISSION MEMBERS' REPORTS: None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Ms. Weatherford moved approval of the October 6 minutes and Mr. Bill seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0. Ms. Carpenter made a correction to the October 20 minutes. Under STAFF REPORT, the budget referred to should be 1994, rather than 1984. Mr. Hill moved approval of the October 20 minutes as amended and Ms. Kullman seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0. CURRENT DESIGN REVIEW: There were none. DISCUSSION ITEMS: BUILDING INSPECTION DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION ON UCBC ADOPTION Mr. Frank introduced Felix Lee, Building Permits and Zoning Director, and said that the HRPP recommends the adoption of the UCBC -- the Uniform Code for Building Conservation. Mr. Lee has also been looking into the code. He said that this code is a companion document to the other model code, the UBC (Uniform Building Code), and uses the same language and format. He has culled the "Existing Buildings and Residential Buildings" chapter due to resource issues. Staff would need to be added to enforce this chapter. This code provides staff with comprehensive guidelines for dealing with historic structures. For example, questions come up about archaic materials and fire codes and how to implement these without compromising safety and historical integrity. This code (UCBC) deals with all existing buildings, in addition to historic buildings. Therefore, Mr. Lee recommends adopting the sections of the UCBC which deal with older buildings. The.historic chapter only deals with landmark buildings. The UBC does include a paragraph on archaic structures, what sections of the code apply, and how to translate the old materials to new materials used. He noted that this applies only to landmarked structures and thus does encourage owners to have their house designated. The adoption of the UCBC gives the authority for officials to be more flexible, protects building officials and allows for the built-in constraints of existing buildings. Mr. Lee recommends adoption of this code because it will allow building officials to be more flexible while using good judgment especially regarding fire safety, as well as allowing continuity in making decisions. Ms. Tunner asked for examples of the types of difficulties found in older buildings. Mr. Lee mentioned stairs in particular. He said that the current code mandates that stairs have landings every twelve feet. However, in Old Town, some longer staircases were allowed because they were mitigated by the installation of Landmark Preservation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes December 1, 1993 Page 3 sprinklers. Door widths are a common problem. The height of stair railings is often a problem and he then considers the location of the stairs and how they are used. Whenever a building changes use, special considerations come into effect regarding the exit separation and sprinklers. Fire exits are not compromised. Mr. Lee recommends the adoption of Chapters 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 -- exclusive of Chapter 4. He would welcome a recommendation from the LPC before going to City Council requesting approval. Chapter 1 deals with the scope of the code, its purpose, the language and how and when the code applies, and considerations of material. Chapter 2 talks about permits required and right- of - entry. Chapter 3 has specific definitions. Chapter 4 covers existing buildings. Chapter 5 discusses changes of occupancy and gives guidelines on how to evaluate hazards. Chapter 6 discusses the historic buildings, designation requirements and exiting. The UCBC is more specific than the UBC, especially regarding exceptions. The UCBC defines historic buildings as "a building or structure which has been designated by official action of a legally constituted authority of this jurisdiction as having special historical or architectural features." The Commission discussed the implications of this definition. This definition means local designation only. Ms. Carpenter would like to include National Registered Landmarks. Mr. Lee will work with staff to submit new wording to the LPC and the Commission will vote in January. Mr. Lee is scheduled to appear before City Council on February 15. DEMOLITION ORDINANCE Ms. Carpenter opened the discussion by inviting anyone who brought copies of other cities' ordinances to share them. Fort Collins does not allow any demolition of a landmark designated building. Members of the Commission and staff would like for an opportunity to review requests for demolition of non -designated buildings to examine and document historic merit. Ms. Weatherford suggested an automatic hold on requests to demolish buildings over 50 years old for at least 90 days to survey the structure and possibly pursue other options. Ms. Massey recommended that the LPC investigate an ordinance similar to a Section 106 so that any building over 50 years old that comes up for any type of project requiring a permit, or which uses City money, would be subject to review to see if it is eligible for designation and what would be the effects of granting the permit requested. Mr. Frank noted that this approach would fit with the LDGS. If granting the permit would have no adverse impact, then the permit would be issued quickly and not come under Landmark Preservation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes December 1, 1993 Page 4 a Section 106 type review. He also recommended citizen participation in this process. Section 106 can define what types of permits would be affected and looks at mitigation. Mr. Frank stated that a demolition ordinance would be a large, time-consuming project and it is not on the current work program. Therefore, if the LPC would like staff time and resources to work on this, they would need to go before City Council with a request. Ms. Weatherford would like to use a positive approach, stressing protection. She also suggested considering minimum maintenance codes. Ms. Massey suggested that Historic Fort Collins may be interested in being involved in this effort and could gather information to present to the LPC and City Council. FORT COLLINS WATERWORKS Ms. Carpenter announced there will be a meeting on Thursday at 2 p.m. in the 281 Conference Room. She announced that Tom Shoemaker has said that they are willing to buy the land around the Old Waterworks from the Water Utility and has been working with the Poudre Landmarks Foundation. Mr. Frank agreed that groups are now working together and options are open. The LPC discussed possible reuses, including a water history museum. Mr. Frank suggested investigating applying for historic funds from the various grant programs. He also suggested that the Planning Department might offer to help with mapping, mailing, and general administrative support. Ms. Carpenter felt that this structure would be eligible for the HRPP grant program and the design assistance program, and would like to look into matching funds. LINDEN HOTEL REHABILITATION VIDEO Ms. Carpenter announced that Mitch Morgan had called to express interest in doing a video on the Linden Hotel project. Ms. Tunner suggested Clay Frazier of Frazier Design. Some suggestions for possible funding include: the DDA, the National Trust, the Colorado Historical Society mini -grants, and Historic Fort Collins. Mr. Frank suggested using the City Cable Department. OTHER BUSINESS: There was no other business. The meeting adjourned at 7:10 pm. Submitted by Diane Slater, Secretary.