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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLandmark Preservation Commission - Minutes - 12/11/2002s a LANDMARK PRESERVATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting December 11, 2002 Minutes Council Liaison: Eric Hamrick (225-2343) Staff Liaison: Joe Frank (221-6376) Commission Chairperson: Per Hogestad (416-7285) Summary: The LPC recommended the designation of the Giddings Machine Shop at 401 Pine St. An awning was approved for O'Hair's at #7 Old Town Square. Planters connected by railings rather than permanent railings were approved for the front porch of the Gill/Nelson Farm House at 5529 S. Timberline Road. Angie Aguilera and Jeff Benham of Edge Architecture, and Dick Anderson of Anderson Associates were approved as Design Assistance Program Pre -Qualified Consultants. Bud Frick was elected LPC Chairperson, and Angie Aguilera was elected Vice -Chairperson. A furnace exhaust solution for 328 Remington St., the First Baptist Church, was referred to staff for administrative review. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Meeting called to order by Chairman Per Hogestad at 5:38 at 281 N. College Avenue. Commission members Angie Aguilera, Agnes Dix, W.J. "Bud" Frick, Per Hogestad, Janet Ore, Carole Stansfield, and Myrne Watrous were present. Carol Tunner, Karen McWilliams, and Joe Frank represented staff. GUESTS: Jon Prouty, President, Daemian Enterprises for 401 Pine St.; Casey Dean, Boy Scout, and his parents for 5529 S. Timberline Road; Jeff Benham of Edge Architecture and Dick Anderson, Anderson Associates for the Design Assistance Program item. AGENDA REVIEW: Ms. Tunner added a discussion of the furnace exhaust for 328 Remington Street. STAFF REPORTS: Ms. McWilliams announced that the Armory building on E. Mountain had been entered in the National Register of Historic Places. She said that the proposed historic preservation code changes would go to City Council on December 16. She also announced that Adam Thomas had been selected as the consultant to do the work on the Quonset Hut Survey and Context. Ms. Tunner urged the Commission to sign up for the CPI conference in early February 2003. APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 11, SEPTEMBER 25, AND OCTOBER 23, 2002 MINUTES: These minutes were approved as written and passed by affirmation. COMMISSION MEMBERS' REPORTS: Ms. Watrous attended the last DDA meeting. She spoke about the city's street and sidewalk reconstruction program this summer. She described the brick and sandstone remodel at 221-223 N. College Avenue. She said that the owner of 100 W. Mountain Avenue has asked the DDA for $58,000 in funding for window restoration because the LPC had required them to repair the ` Landmark Preservation Commissiop December 11, 2002 Meeting Minutes Page 2 windows and use exterior storms rather than replacing the windows. Mr. Frick said that exterior storms will obliterate the look of the building and the LPC had preferred interior storms. Ms Watrous stated that a six -story building is being proposed for Canyon and Oak, designed by Vaught/Frye. At this point (6:00 p.m.), Mr. Frick received an emergency call, and had to leave. Ms. Aguilera took over as chairman of the meeting. DESIGNATION: 401 Pine Street, the Giddings Machine Shop Building Ms. McWilliams described the building as meeting the standards for designation for its association with significant persons, for both the business' and building's contributions to our history, as well as the building's representation of a type, period or method of construction. It is also eligible for National Register designation under Criteria A, B, and C, and would contribute to the Historic Old Town District. It is associated with the Giddings family, who played an integral part in the growth and development of Fort Collins; and with the Giddings Machine Company, today internationally known for its quality soil exploration equipment. Finally, it is important for its Factory -type commercial architecture of the 19th and 20th centuries. Staff recommendation is to approve this request for individual landmark designation. Discussion centered on the non -historic additions to the building, including the steel frame addition to the north, built in 1988, and the concrete block addition to the west, constructed in 1975. Mr. Hogestad asked if the Commission was clear that these pieces were non-contributing to the historic character of the building. Ms. Ore asked what if 50 years goes by and the non-contributing additions become contributing? Mr. Frank said that they could amend the designation in the future. Ms. Ore made a motion that the Commission recommends to City Council that the Giddings Building at 401 Pine Street be designated an individual local landmark. Ms. Watrous seconded the motion, which passed 6-0. CURRENT REVIEW: 1) #7 Old Town Square, O'Hair's — Addition of New Awning, Final Review (Rich Gilsdorf, Gilsdorf Canvas and Awning) The applicant was not present, so Ms. Tunner presented the proposed awning. The O'Hair's business at #7 Old Town Square would like have a retractable arm awning with open ends and loose valance installed at #7 Old Town Square. Pressure sensitive letters "O'Hair's" that are 7 feet wide and 2 foot 9 inches tall would be placed on a sewed -on vinyl patch in the center of the awning. The awning fabric would be Dickson acrylic in Baden Baden (7504) pattern, which are sand colors. The graphics are sand color. The frame and hood of the awning would be sand color like the body brick of the building. The awning would be mounted to the brick soldier course top and ends above the window. Ms. Tunner recommended the awning be approved with the condition that all anchors be placed in the mortar joints of the brick. Landmark Preservation Commissio* • December 11, 2002 Meeting Minutes Page 3 Ms. Aguilera asked if there was any public input. There was none. Ms. Aguilera made a motion to approve the awning at #7 Old Town Square for O'Hair's business with the condition that mounting brackets go into the mortar joints. Ms. Watrous seconded the motion, motion approved 6-0. 2) 5529 S. Timberline Road, the Gill -Nelson Farmhouse — Front Porch Railing for Conceptual/Final Review (Dean Casey, Boy Scout) Mr. Casey described how he was looking to build a railing between the columns of the front porch of the Gill -Nelson House as an Eagle Scout project. The Court Appointed Special Advocacy (CASA) agency rents the building and they feel the children rushing out the front door may fall off the porch which has a 24 inch drop to the ground. Mr. Casey described two options: 1. To build a railing with top and bottom rail and vertical balusters, such railing to be attached permanently to the columns of the porch. His design was for a contemporary railing. 2. Build two flower boxes with two and a half -foot high horizontal guard rails connecting them. They would be a form of a rail, but not attached permanently to the porch. Both options would be painted to match the porch color. Ms. Watrous said that flower boxes would be preferable to her. Mr. Hogestad asked Mr. Casey which option he preferred. Mr. Casey said that he preferred the permanently attached rail. They would be screwed to the columns with 90-degree supports to hold up the horizontal beams. Ms. Stansfield observed that children would be more likely to climb on option #2. Ms. Ore commented on Mr. Casey's design of the permanently installed balusters. They should look more like the photographs submitted of other historic porch railings in town. The balusters should be mortised in the rail and not extend below the bottom rail. She said she could vote for either option if the design of the permanently mounted rails were exactly like the historic rail would have been. Mr. Hogestad technically described the way an historic rail would have been assembled and asked Mr. Casey if he had those skills. He nodded no. Mr. Hogestad said that the current design of the permanent rail is not in character with the building. He supported the planter concept. Ms. Aguilera asked for public input and there was none. Ms. Watrous made a motion that the LPC approve option two, planters with rails between them that would not be mounted to the porch for 5529 S. Timberline Road. Ms. Dix seconded the motion, which passed 6-0. Landmark Preservation Commission • December 11, 2002 Meeting Minutes Page 4 DISCUSSION ITEMS: • Design Assistance Program (DAP) Applicants for Inclusion on the Pre - Qualified List of Consultants: Angie Aguilera and Jeff Benham Ms. Tunner introduced that Angie Aguilera and her partner Jeff Benham had started a new business, Edge Architecture. They want to be included in the city's DAP Pre - Qualified Consultants List. The Commission has been working all year to professionalize the manner in which consultants are selected, so the Commission's questions will become a template that Ms. Tunner can put together for future applicant interrogations. Ms. Aguilera relinquished the chair to Per Hogestad and stepped off the Commission for the following discussion of her inclusion on the DAP list. Mr. Hogestad asked if each of them had worked on any projects where they had to design changes to historic buildings. Mr. Benham said that he felt comfortable following the Secretary of the Interior's Standards. When a client doesn't understand, he tries to explain that they have to make decisions based on guidelines. It helps if the building owner has already dealt with this concept. It is necessary to explain to the client beforehand why the Secretary of the Interior's Standards need to be followed. He feels that part of his job is to help them to comply. Ms. Aguilera added that some clients still want to do what they want. Ms. Stansfield said that she used to work for CSU Facilities and the steps on the south side of the Plant Sciences Building that Ms. Aguilera worked on were compatibly designed. Ms. Watrous mentioned that the as-builts on the Rialto were good. Ms. Aguilera said that she had produced them. Mr. Hogestad asked about modern materials. "Do you believe they should be used on historic properties and why? And what about economics?" Ms. Aguilera replied that sometimes modern materials can be used but that they should match as closely as possible. Ms. Stansfield asked how they would handle an owner who wants to add detail that was never there. Ms. Ore said that these applicants are applying for our DAP list which deals with landmarks, but our discussions with many applicants are not over landmarks. "What would you do if a clearly historic house was not designated and the owner wished to Landmark Preservation Commission • December 11, 2002 Meeting Minutes Page 5 change it? You don't have the back-up of they must do it right because it is landmarked?" Ms. Aguilera replied she would go through all the options to try to direct them in a historically correct manner. She would show them how they would benefit by doing it the right way. Mr. Benham added that for his design ethics he trys to carry himself as a professional. He would first use common sense, and second he would respect the design that was already there. Ms. Aguilera added that it is unfortunate that people are not more educated in pure architectural styles and periods. Ms. Dix moved to accept Jeff Benham and Angie Aguilera of Edge Architecture for the Design Assistance Program Pre -Qualified Consultants list. Ms. Stansfield seconded the motion, motion passed 5-0. Ms. Stansfield added that the new consultants should be aware that they could be removed from the list if the Commission decides they are not following the Secretary's Standards. Ms. Aguilera took the reins again to chair the meeting. Dick Anderson, Anderson Associates Mr. Anderson described that he had moved to Fort Collins in 1978 and lives and works in an historic house at 422 E. Oak. He described some of the historic buildings that he had worked on, including 236 Linden Street. Ms. Ore asked, "What is your philosophy of additions to historic buildings and how do you mesh this with historic standards and guidelines?" Mr. Anderson replied that you should be able to clearly identify an addition. Ms. Watrous asked about his involvement in the Ryder Residence at 606 W. Mountain. Mr. Anderson said that there is only so much you can do if the client wants to have it their way. Ms. Ore asked, "Do you feel a commitment to old buildings?" Mr. Hogestad added, "What do you think about contemporary materials?" Mr. Anderson replied that if it looks, feels, and tastes as one, it should be one. Landmark Preservation Commission• December 11, 2002 Meeting Minutes Page 6 • Ms. Ore said that one of the big issues for the Commission is windows. She asked, "If you were asked to make a recommendation on historic windows, would you advocate taking out the old and putting in new windows?" Mr. Anderson said that he would advocate new windows if you couldn't tell the difference in old and new — and the casings and moldings were unchanged. Ms. Ore countered that historicity is the fabric, the very essence, and one shouldn't replace it if it is repairable. Mr. Anderson said that in 236 Linden Street, they kept the old windows — but there is a need for double pane window glass for a certain comfort level inside. Mr. Hogestad said that he was disappointed with that answer. Ms. Stansfield asked, "Should we table this appointment?" Mr. Hogestad tried to explain to Mr. Anderson that the point is about the material, the historic fabric itself. Ms. Ore made a motion to accept Mr. Anderson for the Pre -Qualified Consultants List of the DAP program. Ms. Dix seconded the motion. A voice vote was taken: Aguilera -yes, Dix - yes, Hogestad - no, Ore - yes (but disappointed in the window issue), Stansfield -yes (agree on the window issue), Watrous - no (looked at all these various projects — some were okay, some I would hesitate as far as blending into the original house.) Motion passed 4-2. OTHER BUSINESS: Election of Officers — Ms. Aguilera called for nominations for Vice Chairman of the Commission. Mr. Hogestad nominated Ms. Aguilera for this position. Ms. Ore seconded the motion. Motion passed 6-0. Ms. Aguilera called for nominations for Chairman of the Commission. Ms. Stansfield nominated Bud Frick. Mr. Hogestad said he had spoken with Mr. Frick and he will accept the nomination. Ms. Ore made a motion to elect Bud Frick Chairman, seconded by Ms. Stansfield, motion passed 6-0. Ms. Tunner described a situation where they need to exhaust the new furnace at 328 Remington St. and the previous exhaust chimney on the north side of the original