Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutLandmark Preservation Commission - Minutes - 07/21/1993LANDMARK PRESERVATION COMMISSION Special Meeting Minutes July 21, 1993 Council Liaison: Gerry Horak Staff Liaison: Joe Frank SUMMARY OF MEETING: The Commission reviewed and approved proposed changes to the currently in progress renovation of 107 N. College Avenue. The Commission discussed the formation of the Historic Fort Collins Development Corporation. The Commission adjourned the regular meeting to a worksession where they discussed the Historic Resources Preservation Program. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Commission Chair Jennifer Carpenter called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m., at 281 North College Avenue. Roll call was taken. Commission members Jennifer Carpenter, Richard Hill, Kirk Winkelmeyer, Jean Kullman, Ruth Weatherford, and James Tanner were present. Bud Frick was absent. Joe Frank and Carol Tunner represented staff. Guests: Mike Kenney, Construction Manager for Architractors, Inc. and Rheba Massey, Local History Coordinator for the Fort Collins Public Library. CURRENT ITEMS: Woolworth Building/Welch Block 107 N. College - Design changes Commission Member Dick Hill withdrew from the discussion because of a conflict of interest. Ms. Tunner explained that on July 14, the Commission had approved bricking in a south facade 1962 remodel window. The approval was based on the erroneous information that evidence of the window would not be visible because all 1962 yellow brick was to be removed from the facade and replaced with 1993 brick that more nearly matched the 1926 remodel brick. Since this was not to be the case, she said that the Commission needed to revisit this issue. Ms. Carpenter asked Mike Kenney, Construction Manager for Architractors, where the 1993 brick would be placed. Mr. Kenney explained the new brick (very close in color to the 1926 remodel brick but slightly smaller) would go: SOUTH FACADE: on the column to the west of the bookstore entrance, to infill windows, in the three foot inset of the service door, on the right side of the restaurant main door to the corner storefront window and all the way up to the steel beam above the awnings; EAST FACADE: New brick column on the southeast corner and below the windows. Landmark Preservation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes July 21, 1993 Page 2 Ms. Carpenter expressed a concern that the Commission needed to be clear on what was being presented and that the applicant be completely aware of what will be approved. The applicant should not proceed without knowing what is approved. Ms. Weatherford said that she approves of the 1962 brick because it shows a continuity in the construction progression of the building. Mr. Kenney added that they have to drop the steel lintels five inches on the N. College facade because of an unknown steel beam they uncovered in the exploratory demolition. He said that the W. Mountain Avenue restaurant service door is now required to be recessed three feet in order to meet building codes that require a door not swing into oncoming pedestrians. He also noted that they found a steam line inside the building that services the second floor. They cannot remove it because it serves a purpose, but they can move it back and maintain the storefront facade as it was approved previously by the LPC. Then he explained the daily problems and changes that have made the renovation a challenge. Ms. Tunner explained the Secretary of the Interior's Standards which recommend retaining historic windows. She cited several "Interpreting the Secretary's Standards" which speak to the importance of sensitive changes to primary facades as this proposal is doing. She spoke of the Guidelines as not recommending blocking in windows. Mr. Tanner interjected that the Commission had already decided that the first floor of the building had been appreciably altered, so it would be permissible to eliminate the window by bricking it in but alluding to it by recessing the brick infill. Mr. Winkelmeyer made a motion to change the window as proposed (brick in the window with a recess), recess the service door on the south facade, and lower the steel lintels five inches on the College Avenue facade. Ms. Weatherford seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0. Ayes: Weatherford, Carpenter, Kullman, Winkelmeyer, Tanner. Linden Hotel Rehabilitation Ms. Carpenter reported on the progress of a group called "Friends of the Linden". She said that the group has decided to continue to meet as the "Historic Fort Collins Development Corporation". She noted that the Poudre Landmarks Foundation is also interested in opening their group's focus to other buildings and is in support of restoring the Linden Hotel. The Veldman/Morgan proposal still seems to be in control of the hotel through an option. She Landmark Preservation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes July 21, 1993 Page 3 also related that the Mr. Veldman had expressed that the federal tax credits for historic preservation were not as attractive as thought because of the 1986 changes in the passive activity rules. Other Business It was discussed that an administrative change process is needed to handle minor design changes that occur in construction to already approved design review projects when such changes are not appreciably changing the historic character of the building. Ms. Tunner said that she and Ms. Massey were given some materials for Council and Mayor Azari as a result of the wrap-up of the Preservation Leadership Training Conference. They need to present them in some meaningful way. Ms. Carpenter said that Mary Humstone of the National Trust was preparing to make a presentation to Council and perhaps she could take care of this matter at that time. Ms. Carpenter adjourned the special meeting at 6:25 p.m. and the Commission went into a regular Worksession format of discussion about the Historic Resources Preservation Program and preparing for an upcoming worksession with the City Council. Ms. Carpenter adjourned the worksession discussion at 8:55 p.m. Minutes submitted by Carol Tunner, Staff.