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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLandmark Preservation Commission - Minutes - 09/02/1992• Landmark Preservation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes September 2, 1992 Council Liaison: Loren Maxey Staff Liaison: Joe Frank SUMMARY OF MEETING: Jennifer Carpenter was elected Commission Chairman and Bud Frick was re-elected Commission Vice Chairman. The Commission unanimously voted to deny a proposal to allow the painting of the window trim and door of 146 South College, Saigon 17 Restaurant. An agreement was reached with the applicant on a new paint scheme. Mr. Frank presented an update on the Historical Resources Preservation Program. Ms. Tunner reported on public support for the preservation of the war memorial on LaPorte and College. Karen Waddell, historical consultant, and Stewart Jacoby, historical video producer, discussed their proposal to obtain Limited Stakes Gambling Funds to produce a video on the impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act on historic structures. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Commission Vice Chair Bud Frick called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m., 281 North College Avenue. Jennifer Carpenter, Bud Frick, Brian Janonis, Kirk Jensen, James Tanner and Ruth Weatherford were present. Carol Tunner and Joe Frank represented staff. GUESTS: Hai Nguyen, business owner of 146 South College, Saigon 17 Restaurant, Karen Waddell, historical consultant, and Stewart Jacoby, historical video producer, were guests. APPROVAL OF THE AUGUST 5, 1992 MINUTES: Mr. Janonis asked to correct page 3, paragraph 4, of the August 5 minutes to read that he cited Guideline #27, not Guideline #7, in the roll -call vote on the proposed Saigon 17 color scheme. Mr. Tanner moved to approve the August 5, 1992 minutes, as corrected. Ms. Carpenter seconded the motion. The motion to approve the August 5 minutes, as corrected, passed 6-0. Ayes: Carpenter, Frick, Janonis, Jensen, Tanner and Weatherford. AGENDA CHANGES: Mr. Frank announced that Tom Shoemaker, Director of Natural Resources, would not be able to attend the meeting. He will attend the October 7 LPC meeting to discuss the "Draft Natural Areas Plan" with the Commission. Landmark Preservation Commission September 2, 1992 2 ELECTION OF OFFICERS: Mr. Frick opened the floor for nominations for Commission Chairman. Ms. Weatherford nominated Ms. Carpenter for Chairman. There were no other nominations for Chairman. Mr. Frick asked the commission to vote on Ms. Carpenter's nomination. Ms. Carpenter was unanimously elected Chairman, 6-0. in favor: Carpenter, Frick, Janonis', Jensen, Tanner and Weatherford. Mr. Frick asked for nominations for Commission Vice Chairman. Mr. Janonis nominated Mr. Frick. Mr. Frick nominated Mr. Janonis. Mr. Janonis declined the nomination because of frequent out-of-town commitments. Ms. Weatherford moved to close the nominations. Mr. Tanner seconded the motion. The motion to close nominations passed, 6-0. Ayes: Carpenter, Frick, Janonis, Jensen, Tanner and Weatherford. Mr. Frick was re-elected to serve as Commission Vice Chairman by acclamation. Mr. Frick turned the meeting over to Ms. Carpenter as the new Chairman. CURRENT ITEMS: 146 South College Saiaon 17 Restaurant - Repaint windows/door. Mr. Hai Nguyen, business owner, 146 South College, Saigon 17 Restaurant, made a presentation to keep the same color scheme for Saigon 17 as presented and denied at the August 5 meeting. Mr. Nguyen stated that the colors had been chosen in an attempt to attract customers to the location, which he believes is difficult to find because the structure is recessed and very flat. Existing signage is limited to an awning that is hidden behind a tree. Mr. Nguyen had the understanding that, as a historical structure, the business could not use neon signage. He said the Wild Mint green door helps customers find the business. He believes the existing colors are attractive and enhance the dull color of the brick structure. Ms. Tunner responded that neon signs are slowed in the district and Landmark Preservation Commission September 2, 1992 3 that only the color of the door and the window trim were under consideration at this time. She explained that staff still recommends denial of the application based on failure to meet Guidelines #12 and #27. Mr. Frick asked if the business has used all of its signage limits. Ms. Tunner responded that the business is allowed about 40 square feet of signage. The existing awning uses only 4 square feet of the allowance. Mr. Frick suggested that the applicant consider using the remaining 36 square feet for a neon sign for the window. Mr. Nguyen asked if he could keep the Wild Mint color for the door and repaint the window trim. He pointed out that he does not want to keep changing the appearance of his business facade. Mr. Tanner responded that the objection is not to a green color, but to the hue and tint of that green. He pointed out that there are too many colors for such a small structure. The Commission must insure that the applicant use traditional colors. Mr. Nguyen inquired how Wild Mint and pink detract from the historical aspect of the building. Ms. Weatherford replied that the Commission must follow the Guidelines; it is not a matter of subjective judgement. Ms. Carpenter agreed with Ms. Weatherford, stating that the Commission cannot make subjective decisions and must be even-handed with all applicants. Ms. Carpenter encouraged the applicant to consider neon signage, as Mr. Frick suggested. She stated that the door could be painted the same color as the awning. Mr. Frick noted that the applicant can use the pink and green in the neon signage. Mr. Nguyen expressed surprise that the Commission apparently considers flashing neon to be less damaging to the historical aspect of the building than paint. Mr. Tanner clarified this perception. He explained that the Commission addresses only the building itself; a neon sign is not a permanent part of the structure. The Commission can allow the applicant to do only so much to the actual structure to make it identifiable. The Commission must protect the building from permanent changes. Mr. Frick further clarified the Commission's position, stating that Landmark Preservation Commission September 2, 1992 4 a neon sign is not a permanent part of the structure. Mr. Tanner commented that, personally, he does not like neon signs, but in this case he recommends a neon sign to make the business more identifiable without threatening the historical integrity of the structure. Ms. Tunner stated that a sign can be reviewed administratively. Signage is most appropriate to express the business' personality. Mr. Nguyen stated that he will change the color of the door. He asked if he must change the pink and green window trim. Mr. Jensen commented that he finds the pink window trim to be acceptable. He stated that he could not tell the difference between the pink and the beige. Mr. Tanner stated that he does not have an objection to pink as an accent. Mr. Janonis moved to deny the application to allow the painting of the windows/door of 146 South College, as presented. Mr. Frick seconded the motion. The motion to deny the application passed, 6- 0. Ayes: Carpenter, Frick, Janonis, Jensen, Tanner and Weatherford. Mr. Nguyen agreed to paint the windows and door in Forest Green, to match the awning. He will supply Ms. Tunner with a color chip as a sample for the record. Mr. Jensen moved to approve the amended application to repaint the door to match the awning and allow the pink accent to remain. Ms. Weatherford seconded the motion. Ms. Carpenter called for a roll - call vote. The motion to approve the amended application passed, 4-2. Ayes: Carpenter, Jensen, Tanner and Weatherford. Nays: Frick and Janonis. Ms. Carpenter voted yes because the amended proposal meets the Guidelines. Mr. Frick voted no because the proposal does not meet Guidelines #12 and #27. Mr. Janonis voted no because the proposal fails to meet Guidelines #12 and #27. Mr. Jensen voted yes, but did not cite the Guidelines. Mr. Tanner voted yes, stating that the appropriateness of the pink is a marginal argument. The Guidelines allow the use of pink as an Landmark Preservation Commission September 2, 1992 5 accent color. He stated the Commission has some leeway :n interpreting the Guidelines in the case of accent colors. Ms. Weatherford voted yes, stating that this case is a close cal'.. Pink is not a traditional color, but it works well with the dull color of the stone. She recommended that the applicant reconsider the color scheme when the building needs repainting a few years in the future. Mr. Nguyen inquired if there is a deadline to complete the color changes. Mr. Frank asked the applicant if 30 days (October 1) was enough to complete the changes. Mr. Nguyen agreed to thirty days. OTHER BUSINESS: Historical Resources Preservation Program Update Mr. Frank reported that Allyn Feinberg contacted him to request more information on the HRPP draft. He asked her to provide a map of threatened sections and more information on merit for priorities. Mr. Frank asked the Commission to review his suggestions. He presented the Commission with a map on which he had highlighted areas of perceived immediate threat, medium-'.evel threat and low level threat. Mr. Frank stated that Ms. Feinberg needs to know which of the 125 surveyed structures are eligible for local designation. He asked if staff should provide this information. Ms. Tunner suggested the Commission appoint a subcommittee to 'ielp staff with this. Ms. Carpenter volunteered to help staff make these determinations. Mr. Frank asked the Commission if there were any changes to the map. There were none. Ms. Tunner advised the Commission that she had presented some changes to the Survey/Inventory Final Report from the consultaL-., Front Range Resource Associates. The finished product should :le completed soon. Ms. Tunner stated that Ms. Massey is also reviewing the work. Landmark Preservation Commission September 2. 1992 6 Trolley Barn Update Ms. Tunner announced that the Trolley Barn has been awarded $226,000 in ISTEA enhancement funds. War Memorial Update Ms. Tunner reported that there is a great deal of community support to preserve the war memorial on LaPorte Avenue and College. A limited phone survey conducted by TRI-102 radio stataion demonstrated 84% support by respondents, and Ms. Tunner has received many phone calls from citizens expressing concern for the memorial and support for historical preservation. Ms. Tunner asked the Commission to suggest uses for the brick structure located on the median with the memorial. She offered that the memorial stay where it is, but move the building which can be done according to a bid of $4,000. Ms. Tunner suggested that the brick building could be used to house a model and interpretation of the original "Fort". Ms. Weatherford moved that the Commission draft a letter to Mike Powers, Director of Cultural Resources, Library and Recreational Services, expressing LPC support for preserving the war memorial and the brick building. Mr. Frick seconded the motion. The motion to draft the letter to Mike Powers passed, 6-0. Ayes: Carpenter, Frick, Janonis, Jensen, Tanner and Weatherford. Video on Impact of Americans with Disabilities Act on Historic Structures. Karen Waddell, historical consultant, and Stewart Jacoby, historical video producer, discussed their proposal for Limited Stakes Gambling Funds to produce a 30-minute video on the impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act on historic structures. The video would be made available to public television stations, museums and historical societies at the cost of production. The museums and historical societies could sell copies of the video for a profit. Ms. Waddell and Mr. Jacoby provided Ms. Tunner with a copy of the proposal for LPC files. The applicants must obtain sponsorship from the city or county to apply. September 16 Work Session Commission members agreed to meet at 4:30 p.m. on September 16 at the Brown Farm for a tour. Landmark Preservation Commission September 2. 1992 7 Challenge Fort Collins Update Ms. Carpenter presented an update of the Challenge Fort Collins vision statements, which include support for the importance of historical preservation. Ms. Weatherford moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Janonis seconded the motion. All ayes. Ms. Carpenter adjourned the meeting at 7:40 p.m. Submitted by Charlotte Plaut, Secretary.