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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLandmark Preservation Commission - Minutes - 08/05/1992Landmark Preservation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes August 5, 1992 Council Liaison: Loren Maxey Staff Liaison: Joe Frank SUMMARY OF MEETING: The Commission approved the July 1, 1992 minutes, as submitted, and approved the July 22, 1992 minutes, as corrected. A proposal to repaint the windows and door of 146 North College Avenue, Saigon 17 Restaurant, was denied. A proposal to recover an existing awning frame on 232 Walnut, the Old Firehouse, was unanimously approved. The Commission favorably reviewed a conceptual proposal to restore and repaint windows and doors and minor restoration of the stone masonry on 201 South College Avenue, the Old Post Office. A conceptual proposal to redesign a handicapped access ramp for the Avery Carriage House was favorably reviewed. The Commission passed the designation of 112 South College Avenue be contingent on restoration following the Secretary of Interior's Standards. A motion to designate the Old Trolley Barn as a local landmark passed unanimously. Ms. Massey announced that she will resign from the Commission to take a positioti with the City of Fort Collins, effective August 31, 1992. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Commission Chair Rheba Massey called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m., 281 North College Avenue. Jennifer Carpenter, Bud Frick, Brian Janonis, Kirk Jensen, Rheba Massey, and James Tanner were present. Ruth Weatherford was absent. Carol Tunner and Joe Frank represented staff. GUESTS: Tim Vowles, Joe Kowal and Dan Mertens, citizens, Catherina Nguyen business owner, Saigon 17 LTD, Karene Will, owner of the Old Firehouse, Al Linck, President of the Board for One West Contemporary Art Center, Richard Beardmore, Poudre Landmarks Foundation, Ron Baker of Colorado State University, Randall Sinner, a bidder for dismantling and moving the Cunningham Corners barn, Dan Eckles, real estate broker, Jean Miller, office manager for Dr. Michael Fangman, 112 South College Avenue, and Tom Frazier, Director of General Services for the City of Fort Collins, were guests. APPROVAL OF THE JULY 1, 1992 MINUTES: Mr. Tanner moved to approve the July 1, 1992 minutes, as submitted. Mr. Janonis seconded the motion. The motion to approve the July 1 minutes, as submitted, passed 5-0. Ayes: Carpenter, Janonis, Jensen, Massey and Tanner. Mr. Frick was not present for the vote. Landmark Preservation Commission August 5, 1992 Page 2 APPROVAL OF THE JULY 22, 1992 MINUTES: Mr. Tanner requested that page 4, paragraph 1, of the July 22 minutes be corrected to read that Mr. Tanner, not Mr. Frick, asked the applicants to consider tying a canvas to flag poles or other more temporary ideas. Mr. Tanner requested that page 5, paragraph 5, of the July 22 minutes be corrected to read that Mr. Tanner stated that no guideline directly addresses the proposed structure (the Center Stage cover) and that he cited Guideline #27 as having some relevance to the proposed structure. Mr. Frick noted that the last paragraph of page 3 should read "two weeks ago," not "two week ago." Mr. Tanner moved to approve the July 22, 1992 minutes, as corrected. W. Frick seconded the motion. The motion to approve the July 22 minutes, as corrected, passed 6-0. Ayes: Carpenter, Jensen, Janonis, Frick, Massey and Tanner. CONCEPTUAL AND FINAL REVIEWS: 146 North College. Saigon 17 Restaurant - Repaint windows/door. Ms. Turner presented a request to repaint the windows and door of 146 South College, Saigon 17 Restaurant. The new tenant is seeking approval for window and door painting that has already occurred. Two double hung sash windows and an entrance door have been repainted Wild Mint, #7396, and the two surrounding window frames have been repainted in a light pink, Smiles, #2664. Citing Guideline #12, which recommends developing a color scheme for the entire building front that coordinates all the facade elements, staff recommended denial of the proposal. Ms. Tunner presented a sample of vinyl fabric for an entrance door awning sign for administrative review. She asked for LPC comments on the vinyl fabric and there were none. Ms. Nguyen made a presentation for the repainting and the proposed awning. Ms. Massey asked for discussion. Landmark Preservation Commission August 5, 1"2 Page 3 Mr. Tanner recommended more thought for the color scheme. He noted that the Guidelines recommend a maximum of three colors for a building facade. He stated the applicant has proposed too many colors for a small building. Ms. Massey expressed the opinion that the Wild Mint green and the Smiles pink do not compliment the stone facade of the building. Mr. Kowal and Mr. Vowels disagreed, stating their opinion that the proposed colors compliment the building and the tree in front of the building. Mr. Janonis offered the opinion that the trim predominates the facade. He cited Guideline #7, which recommends that trim should be subordinate. Ms. Carpenter stated the Wild Mint green is too bright. Mr. Mertens stated that the Commission would like the color scheme if they could see it in place. Ms. Carpenter noted that the Commission has a responsibility to follow the Guidelines. Ms. Tunner cited Guideline #10, #12 and #27 as applicable. Mr. Kowal stated that they want the building to look very modern. He suggested that the Guidelines are outdated and written with old buildings in mind. Mr. Frick responded that the responsibility of the Commission is to deal with old buildings. Mr. Tanner noted that Fort Collins has a limited number of buildings to help the community remember its past. He explained that this is why there is a preservation ordinance in place. Ms. Tunner stated that the awning sign will be approved administratively. Ms. Massey asked Ms. Nguyen if she would like to work on another color scheme and return to the Commission next month. Ms. Nguyen responded that she prefers the colors she has used, but can change if necessary. Mr. Frank advised the applicant that she can appeal the commission's decision to City Council. landmark Preservation Commission August 5, 1"2 Page 4 Ms. Carpenter moved to deny the application, citing Guidelines #12 and #27. Mr. Frick seconded the motion to deny the application. The motion to deny the application, as presented, passed 5-0. Mr. Jensen abstained from voting on the motion because, as a new Commission member, he needs to study the Guidelines. Mr. Frank advised the applicants that they can contact the City Clerk's office to inquire about the appeal process. The applicants were provided with a copy of the Guidelines. 232 Walnut, Old Firehouse - Recover existing awning and repaint trim to match. Ms. Tunner presented a request to recover three exiting awning frames on 232 Walnut with a canvas type fabric that differs in color from the existing covers. The proposed awning color is a light aquamarine, Sunbrella #4623. Ms. Tunner presented a color elevation and showed slides of the building. The aquamarine was shown to oe picked up on the Mansard metal roof covering. Ms. Will stated that the paint needs touch-up and the awning covers need to be replaced. Ms. Tunner asked the applicant if the firehouse lettering will be replaced. Ms. Will responded that the lettering can be replaced. She suggested that the signage and lettering on the awning could be edged in black. Ms. Massey asked for citizen input. There was none. Mr. Frick moved to approve the awning covers, as proposed. Mr. Jensen seconded the motion. The motion to approve the awning covers, as proposed, passed 6-0. CONCEPTUAL REVIEWS: 201 South College Avenue, Old Post Office - Proposal to restore and repaint windows/doors, minor restoration of stone masonry. repair eaves/cornices, repair integral glitter/tile roof. Ms. Tunner showed slides illustrating the need for paint and restoration of the building. She noted that the applicant plans to apply for Limited Stakes Gambling monies to help pay for the work. 1Andmark Preservation Commission August 5, 1"2 Page 5 Al Linck, President of the Board for One West Contemporary Art Center, commented that Richard Beardmore and Ron Baker helped with this proposal. Mr. Linck stated that it is the applicant's intention to put the exterior of the building back to its 1911 quality and stop the deterioration. The work will be done in phases, as Limited Stakes Gambling funds are available. Ms. Tunner noted that the metal letters spelling "Post Plaza Fort Collins Colorado 80521" have been removed. She inquired if the applicant plans to repair the holes left by the removal of the letters. Mr. Beardmore responded that he does not know if the holes have been repaired. Ms. Tunner stated that she has the name of the place in Indiana where the stone was quarried in 1991 and suggested that this stone could be ground and used to fill the holes. Mr. Beardmore noted that this proposal also must go to the State Historical Society for review. Mr. Beardmore stated that Prosoco products for cleaning stone will be used. Ms. Carpenter requested that the proposal include provisions for repair of the holes left when the lettering was removed, if they have not already been repaired. Mr. Linck responded that he will check to see if the holes have been repaired. Ms. Tunner will place a letter of support from the LPC with the packet for the City. The Commission supports the proposal to restore the Old Post Office. 108 Meldrum. Avery Carriage House - Handicapped ramp redesign Ms. Tunner showed slides of the Avery Carriage House and noted -that Mr. Beardmore made a proposal for a handicapped ramp on the northeast side at the June 3rd LPC meeting. Mr. Beardmore reported that he recently attended a historic preservation seminar, where he learned that if the slope of a ramp is less than 1 in 20, it is not considered a ramp and is not required to have handrails. He proposed a landscape ramp to the front door. Mr. Beardmore noted that this plan has advantages over the original proposal. The new plan will allow handicap access through the front, rather than back entrance, and the currently Landmark Preservation Commission August 5, 1992 Page 6 proposed access could be removed if the structure is ever restored as a historic carriage house. He stated that this concept will have much less impact on the structure than the original concept. Ms. Massey commented that this appears to be a much better plan. She asked Mr. Beardmore if the LPC should write a letter of support to accompany the Limited Stakes Gambling funds application. Mr. Beardmore asked that the Commission draft such a letter. The Commission supports the redesign of the handicapped ramp. OTHER BUSINESS: Citizen interest in the Cunningham Corners barn. Randall Sinner, a bidder to dismantle and move the Cunningham Corners barn, appeared before the Commission to inquire about the Commission's position on the barn. Ms. Massey responded that the first choice is to preserve the barn on site, and the second choice is to dismantle the barn and move it. Ms. Massey stated that if the barn is to be found eligible for the National Register, the Commission must make a case that the barn represents significant barn architecture. She noted that the Commission has the option of trying to get a local landmark designation for the barn, but that City Council has the final decision on the designation. The Commission must decide whether to ask for local landmark designation or entry to the National Register. Ms. Massey believes the City will probably veto a local designation because the barn is currently a liability for the City. Mr. Frank advised that Staff would like two or three options on the barn from the Commission. He stated that financial incentives and application for Limited Stakes Gambling funds might make the proposal more attractive to a developer. Ms. Massey noted that the structure must be designated to be eligible for Limited Stakes funds. Ms. Massey stated that the Commission should write a letter to City Council recommending preservation as the first choice, use on site as second choice and moving the barn as third choice. Mr. Sinner inquired why the Commission waited so long to become involved in saving the barn. Landmark Preservation Commission August 5, 1"2 Page '/ Ms. Massey responded that the inventory of the structure was not completed until June of this year. Mr. Frick responded that the building was not under the purview of the Commission until the City became the owner of the property. Mr. Sinner stated that he wants the Commission to know that he is still interested in dismantling and moving the barn. Ms. Massey thanked Mr. Sinner for his interest. Ms. Massey suggested informing City Council of the Commission's priorities concerning the barn. The first priority is designation, second is preservation on site with a financial incentives package, and third is to work with a specialist on moving and restoring the barn, fourth would be tearing it down. Council should be advised that there are only about five historic bams left in Fort Collins. Mr. Tanner stated that he believes the Commission must make a firm decision on what should be done to preserve the barn and put all energy into that position. He believes that the City will not see it as reasonable to keep the barn on site, so Commission effort should go to preserving the barn somewhere else. Mr. Frank stated a new RFA has been issued by the City to find a developer willing to preserve the building on -site. Ms. Massey asked for public comment. Jean Miller stated the opinion that the barn should be preserved on site. She pointed out that Cunningham Corners is a geographic landmark. The barn is integral to the geographic landmark, and if removed from the property, it will just be an old barn. Mr. Eckles sees the value of financial incentives. He noted that the barn is a liability for the City at the present time. Ms. Carpenter stated that she would like to avoid losing the opportunity to show what the Commission can do if it has funding. Ms. Carpenter volunteered to work with Joe Frank to write a letter from the LPC supporting preserving the barn. Landmark Preservation Commission August 5, 1992 Page 8 Designation of 112 South College Avenue. the Auto Parts Store, Mr. Beardmore represented the Downtown Development Authority for the designation of 112 South College Avenue. The DDA recommends that the restoration meet LPC Guidelines. Mr. Eckles presented a photo of the original building, and Ms. Tunner presented several other early photos of the building. Ms. Tunner advised the Commission that the owner, Dr. Fangman, wants to take advantage of the state tax credit. She stated that architectural designation should be approved on the basis of the drawings, not on the building as it is now. It is also eligible for historic and geographic significance. Ms. Massey proposed to designate the building as a local landmark. Based on its historic architecture, it will be designated as it will be restored. The designation is necessary before Dr. Fangman can apply for the state tax credit. Mr. Jensen moved to approve the designation of 112 South College, contingent on restoration following the Secretary of Interior's Standards. Ms. Carpenter seconded the motion. The motion to approve the designation, contingent on restoration following the Secretary of Interior's Standards, passed 6-0. Designation of 328 North Howes Street. the Old Trolley Barn, Tom Frazier, Director of General Services for the City of Fort Collins, appeared before the Commission to support the local landmark designation of the Old Trolley Barn. Ms. Massey asked if there were any objections to, or comments on, the designation. Mr. Frank noted that Limited Stakes Gambling funds will be available for the restoration if it is designated. Mr. Frazier stated that the restoration will be completed in phases. The first phase is to repair the roof. Ms. Tunner advised Mr. Frazier that designation does not require the applicant to repair or restore the building. Ms. Carpenter made a motion to designate the Old Trolley Barn as a local landmark. W. Frick seconded the motion. The motion to designate the Old Trolley Barn passed, 6-0. Landmark Preservation Commission August 5, 1992 Page 9 Challenge Fort Collins. Ms. Carpenter reported on the Challenge Fort Collins meetings. She noted there is a great need to educate active citizens and officials in Fort Collins on historic preservation. She emphasized the need for LPC input to the Challenge program. Mr. Frick volunteered to attend the meetings. Funding for Old Town Center Stage Area, The DDA will vote on money for the Center Stage Area at 7:30 a.m., August 6. The meeting will be held in the second floor conference room of the One West Contemporary Art Center. Ms. Massey and Ms. Tunner will attend. Ms. Massey announces resignation. Ms. Massey announced that she must resign from the Commission because she has accepted employment with the City of Fort Collins. Election of Officers. The Commission agreed to postpone the election until the September 2, 1992 meeting when all Commission members would be present. Meeting with City Council on master plans. Mr. Frank announced that there will be a meeting to discuss master plans with City Council on August 25 at 7:15 p.m. The HRPP will be discussed. ADJOURN: Mr. Frick moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Janonis seconded the motion. The motion to adjourn passed 6-0. Ms. Massey adjourned the meeting at 8:15 p.m. Submitted by Charlotte Plaut, Secretary