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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLandmark Preservation Commission - Minutes - 11/07/1990n L_-A LANDMARK PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES November 7, 1990 The meeting began at 5:40 p.m. Roll was called, and the following members were present: Rheba Massey, Jennifer Carpenter, Bud Frick, Prescott Handley, Jim Tanner, and Ruth Weatherford. Rae Ann Todd was absent due to illness. ,;,,.. Staff was represented by Carol Tunner. Tracy Johnston acted as Secretary. u Guests included: Marilyn Roberts, property owner in Old Town Historic District; Chris Grebenc, Thunderpup Construction; Rosalyn Spencer, Director of One West Contemporary Art Center; Darek Johnson, Shaw Signs; and Carr Bieker, lead architect of the One West Project. Truck Traffic on Jefferson Street The Commission viewed a videotape presented by Ms. Roberts of Channel 9 interviews conducted in September 1989 regarding the deterioration of buildings on Jefferson Street as a result of train and truck traffic. Some problems mentioned on the videotape were: bricks from buildings falling on the sidewalks below, and sizeable cracks in 18" thick brick walls. The story stated that the problems were forcing tenants out and that the property owners "want something done." Ms. Roberts also distributed to Commission members copies of an engineering opinion prepared for the Downtown Development Authority regarding the negative effects of highway traffic on the historic buildings in the 200 block of Jefferson Street. The opinion was prepared by Charles C. Robinson in October 1989, who feels that "the proximity of heavy traffic has contributed significantly to the deterioration" and will continue to do so. Ms. Carpenter inquired about the current status of the expressway. Ms. Roberts said that the County Commissioners are not actively working on it at the current time. She spoke with the Governor who, according to Ms. Roberts, said the state will not be able to release funds for a new expressway until the city and the county come to an agreement on a plan for the expressway. Ms. Roberts also commented that customers are afraid to cross Jefferson. Canyon Concert Ballet has asked that parents drop dance students off at the back alley entrance rather that at the Jefferson Street entrance. She brought this matter before the Commission because she felt it would be of interest to them and asked for their suggestions. Mr. Tanner felt that it is very important for the merchants and owners to organize themselves. Ms. Massey offered to contact Sally Pierce of the Colorado Highway Department and Karen Patterson of the Colorado Historical Society to arrange a meeting with the organized group of citizens to explore positive ways to address the impact on the buildings and possible preservation issues involved with the National Register district. Ms. Carpenter suggested that the County Commissioners also be invited to the meeting. FINAL REVIEW ITEMS Old Town Maintenance Shed Mr. Grebenc presented plans to construct a maintenance shed at the rear of Building D-21, Whitton Court Alley, behind Nature's Own Imagination. He stated that Foxfire Property Management is the maintenance company for Old Town. They are currently storing equipment in a space that is about to be rented and need to construct new storage space. Mr. Grebenc showed site plans and slides to demonstrate where the new shed will be constructed. It will be attached to the rear of building D which is classified as non -historic infill and to the back of the historic McPhearson Block, Building C. The structure will not obscure any historic architecture. It will be similar to the building housing Comedy Works using smooth brown metal panels. A re -used flush panel overhead door and a metal entrance door will be installed. Dayton light fixtures with photo -eye will be installed for security. The Commission suggested that: (1) Foxfire replace missing gates that once concealed utility boxes in the fenced area adjacent to the site where the new shed will be, and (2) Thunderpup explore the possibility of tying the gutter into an existing storm drainage pipe to prevent run- off from the building creating a sheet of ice in the alley. Mr. Grebenc said that Foxfire is willing to explore both possibilities. Ms. Weatherford made a motion to approve the plans as proposed. Ms. Handley seconded the motion. The motion passed: 6-0. Ayes: Massey, Carpenter, Frick, Handley, Tanner and Weatherford. Nays: none. Old Post Office <Mr. Frick left the meeting at this point> The Old Post Office, 201 S. College Avenue, has been purchased by One West to be operated as an art center and offices. Their proposal consists of four requests: repainting trimwork, awnings with signage, removal of Post Plaza and related signage, and installation of changing event signage. Reoainting Ms. Spencer proposed that exterior window frames, doors, and doorways of the building be scraped, sanded, patched, and repainted using a rich, dull black color ("Damien" or a color comparable mix) to match the lamp posts and iron railings. The eaves will remain their current Spanish tile brown color. Ms. Handley made a motion to approve the repainting as proposed. Ms. Carpenter seconded the motion. The motion passed: 5-0. Ayes: Massey, Carpenter, Handley, Tanner, and Weatherford. Nays: none. Awnings with Signage Four new awnings are proposed to be of charcoal tweed (*4607) canvas. All signage on the awnings will be of premium scotchcal white vinyl lettering. The existing burgundy awning on the north entrance to the building will remain intact for the time being. The main entrance awning will be 25' long by 6' wide and will be suspended in a 2" x 2" black tubular square steel welded framework, which will cover the width of the staircase. The frames will be arched to echo the arch of the windows. Signage: logo and "One West" on the end and "One West Contemporary Art Center " on the side. On the lower level doorway to the south of the main entrance on College Avenue, Ms. Spencer proposed an 8' by 8' awning, which is larger to eliminate a drainage problem. It will be mounted beneath a line of rounded stone that bands the building. Signage: "Photography Shop" in Caslon type style. 0 • Over the lower level entries on the north facade, two 416" awnings are proposed to be mounted over the doors fitting inside the doorway. Signage: the awning closest to College Avenue will read "Cafe" in script, and the rear one will read "Colorado State" in Caslon type style. Existing contemporary lights will be covered by these awnings. Ms. Handley referred to Drawing Number 1363A of the southeast lower level awning and asked if the awning could be extended over the adjacent flower bed to prohibit drainage into the doorway well. Mr. Johnson stated there would not be a problem in doing so. Ms. Handley also referred to the blueline drawing noting that the existing lamps are not shown. Ms. Spencer answered that the lamps would not be obscured by the proposed awning. Ms. Carpenter moved to approve the awnings with the condition that the southeast lower level awning be extended for adequate drainage. Ms. Weatherford seconded the motion. The motion passed 3-1 with one abstention. Ayes: Massey, Carpenter, Handley. Nay: Tanner. Abstention: Weatherford. Nayes: None. Removal of Post Plaza and Related Letter Signage Ms. Spencer requested permission to remove the lettering "Post Plaza Fort Collins, Colorado 80524" above the main entrance. Ms. Tunner noted that the lettering is not original to the building. Mr. Bieker explained that the holes in the facade left by removal of this and previous lettering will be filled by mixing dust from the actual stone of the building with mortar. The dust will be obtained by "cleaning" the stone. An epoxy filler was considered but dismissed due to concern over freeze/thaw differential. The dust -mortar mixture will be the closest to the original color of the building and has been successful in similar projects. Ms. Spencer noted that this mixture will also be used to repair scars on the building made when an attempt was made to saw out the cornerstone. Ms. Handley moved to accept the removal of the lettering and patching with appropriate material to match as close as possible. Ms. Carpenter seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0. Ayes: Massey, Carpenter, Handley, Tanner, and Weatherford. Nayes: None. Chanaina Event Sianage Ms. Spencer requested approval for signage that would promote changing events in the art center. It will be a single metal sign painted with exterior enamel and secured to the iron railings with hardware that would be difficult to remove. The sign will be 2' by 10' and placed on the College Avenue fence (east side). The existing corner kiosk would then be considered a free-standing sign on the north side. Ms. Weatherford made a motion to approve the signage as proposed. Ms. Handley seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0. Ayes: Massey, Carpenter, Handley, Tanner, and Weatherford. Nayes: None. OTHER BUSINESS Taco Bell House - 1530 South College Avenue Ms. Massey updated the Commission regarding phone calls she has made to Taco Bell management to inquire about their plans for the mission -style house immediately north of Taco Bell at College and Prospect. Ms. Massey first contacted Taco Bell's Loveland office, who owns the franchise, and spoke with Camille Cruz. Ms. Cruz told Ms. Massey that they own several Taco Bell franchises, and that franchise owners do have control over the architectural design. Taco Bell's architect has studied the house for the possibility of adaptive re -use and has found that it cannot be done. The walls of the house cannot be moved in order to adapt to Taco Bell's use. Ms. Cruz assured Ms. Massey that Taco Bell will not demolish the house. Ms. Massey stated that Taco Bell has not closed the purchase of the house and that Ms. Cruz was not sure that they would. To deviate from the standard Taco Bell design, the local franchise would need approval from the national Taco Bell headquarters. Ms. Massey then called Chuck Bowling, who confirmed that Taco Bell has explored the adaptive re -use option and has also looked at the house as a possible office for their corporate headquarters. However, it does not seem feasible to do either. Ms. Massey also contacted Ms. Jamie Young, the architectural designer for Taco Bell Headquarters in Los Angeles. Ms. Young seemed very interested in this project and said that Taco Bell has done several adaptive re -use projects in historic districts. Ms. Young then suggested that Ms. Massey tell Ms. Cruz that the Commission will be sending photos of the block containing the house to Ms. Young. Ms. Young also told Ms. Massey that they would work with the franchise owner to design something that would retain the block's historic integrity and reassured her that Taco Bell wants what is best for the community. Ms. Massey requested that Ms. Young send the Commission photos of their other adaptive re -use projects. Ms. Massey said she has informed all parties of the Commission's interest and concern for the house, and all expressed a desire to work with the Commission on this project. Christmas Party Ms. Tunner informed the Commission that the Christmas party would be at Canino's. The Commission agreed and set the date for Wednesday, December 5, 1990, for approximately 7:30 p.m. (after the meeting.) Next Worksession The next worksession meeting was moved from Wednesday, November 21, to Monday, November 19, due to conflict with the Thanksgiving holidays. CLG Aoolication Ms. Tunner distributed copies of a draft of the application to the Colorado Historical Society for Certified Local Government status. Commission members will review the draft and give input at the next meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Minutes submitted by Tracy Johnston.