HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012 - Landmark Preservation Commission - Annual ReportCommunity Development & Neighborhood Services
281 North College Avenue
P.O. Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522.0580
970.416.2740
970.224.6134- fax
fcgov.com
Planning, Development & Transportation Services
MEMORANDUM
January 31, 2013
TO: Molly Wendell, Chief Deputy City Clerk
TH: Karen Cumbo, Director, Planning, Development and Transportation Services
Laurie Kadrich, Director, Community Development and Neighborhood Services
FR: Ron Sladek, Chair, Landmark Preservation Commission
RE: Landmark Preservation Commission (LPC) 2012 Annual Report
Overview of the Landmark Preservation Commission:
The nine-member Landmark Preservation Commission (LPC) was created by Council in 1968 to
perform the duties relating to preservation of historic resources in Fort Collins, as set out in
Chapter 14 of the City Code. Additionally, the Commission must satisfactorily perform the
responsibilities delegated to it under the federal Certified Local Government (CLG) program.
LPC members are appointed by City Council for staggered four-year terms. To maintain Fort
Collins’ CLG status, a minimum of 40% of members are required to have expertise in the fields
of historic preservation, architectural history, architecture, engineering, or related subjects.
Currently, 75% of members meet these professional qualifications.
The Commission makes recommendations to the City Council on Fort Collins Landmark
designations. The LPC is the final decision-maker regarding requests for alterations to exterior
features of Landmark structures, and determinations of eligibility for local landmark designation.
The decisions of the LPC may be appealed to the City Council.
The Commission also performs additional functions including: promoting an awareness of and
appreciation for the value of historic preservation; advising the City Council with regard to the
identification and significance of historic resources, threats to their preservation and methods for
their protection; and advising City Council and City staff with regard to policies, incentives and
regulations for historic preservation.
Preservation Responsibilities and Activities
Fort Collins has been a leader in the state and nation in its planning, policy and implementation
programs, including local landmark designations, incentive programs, survey, and regulation,
including but not limited to:
Certified Local Government. In 1991, Fort Collins achieved state and federal recognition as a
Certified Local Government, one of the first communities so recognized in Colorado. This CLG
status gives the City broad powers to administer state and federal preservation regulations,
including Section 106 Review and Compliance, and provides a dedicated pool of federal grants
and the opportunity to participate in the state preservation tax credit program. In return, it
requires that the City enforce appropriate state and local legislation for the designation and
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protection of historic properties consistent with the federal Secretary of the Interior’s Standards.
It also requires the establishment of a qualified historic preservation review commission; that the
city survey and inventory properties to the State’s standards; provides for public participation;
and the performance of other responsibilities delegated to it.
Incentives. Fort Collins has assembled an impressive array of public/private financial incentives
to promote historic preservation, and to make the adaptive reuse of historic structures
economically feasible. Owning a property designated as a Fort Collins Landmark provides the
owners with substantial resources for the preservation and upkeep of these properties:
* 20% State Tax Credit Program
* 20% Federal Tax Credit Program
* Landmark Rehabilitation Loan Program, providing no-interest matching loans
* Free professional design help for alterations or additions (the Design Assistance Program)
* 10% Federal Investment Tax Credits
* State Historical Fund Grants
* Historical Structural Assessment Grants
* DDA Facade Grants
* CDBG Grants
* LDC Low-Interest Loans
* Affordable Housing Tax Credits
Policy. In 2011, the City adopted the "Historic Resources Preservation Program Plan" as an
element of the City's comprehensive plan. The Mission of this Plan is "to enhance the quality of
life in Fort Collins by the preservation of historic resources and inclusion of heritage in the daily
life and development of the City and community." City Plan includes several goals, principles,
and policies specifically relating to historic preservation.
Regulation. While much of the emphasis of the City’s Historic Preservation Division is focused
on identification, information, designation and incentives, the program also includes some
regulatory control over historic resources. Municipal Code Chapter 14, Landmark Preservation,
provides for the local landmark designation of historic structures and the review of exterior
alterations to these buildings; provides a public process for properties eligible for individual
Landmark designation that are proposed to be demolished or significantly altered; and provides
the process by which the Landmark Rehabilitation Loan Program is administered. Land Use
Code Section 3.4.7, Historic and Cultural Resources, directs that, to the maximum extent
feasible, historic buildings are preserved and incorporated into proposed development in a way
that does not adversely affect the significance and integrity of the historic resources; and, that
new construction is designed to respect the character of historic buildings in the neighborhood.
Program Honors
In February 2013, the City of Fort Collins will receive yet another Stephen H. Hart Award.
Awarded by History Colorado, this recognition is for the outstanding restoration of the Coca-
Cola Ghost Sign Project. In 2012, the City also received two State Historic Fund grant awards,
for updating the Historic Old Town Design Standards and Guidelines document, and for a
structural assessment of the Feeder Supply Building, 359 Linden Street. In 2011 -2012, with
Landmark Preservation Commission support, the Historic Preservation Division managed seven
grant projects totaling over $1 million dollars.
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The Year Ahead:
For 2013, the Commission has identified goals to further City Council’s objectives:
• Continued implementation of the recommendations contained in the 2010 Historic
Preservation Program Assessment, with particular emphasis on revising and refining
codes directing historic preservation activities.
• Continued property survey. The highest priorities are the survey of properties 40 years
old and older along the MAX/BRT corridor, with an emphasis on the Midtown area; and
of properties surrounding Colorado State University located in the area surrounding
Shields Street, College Avenue, Prospect Road and Laurel Avenue.
• The Commission has requested that staff pursue funding for a feasibility study of
conservation districts and/or character areas.
Year in Review:
In 2012, the Commission convened 21 times, for 11 regular meetings, 3 special meetings, and 7
work sessions.
A. Designations: There were 2 new Fort Collins Landmarks in 2012, bringing the total
number of Fort Collins Landmark properties to 244.
B. Grants: In 2011/2012, the Preservation Division managed seven State Historical
Fund (SHF) and Certified Local Government (CLG) grants, totaling $1,123,100 in
direct funding and generating actual revenue of $6,738,600:
▪ $74,000.00 - 216 Linden Street Rehabilitation (SHF 2012-M1-034)
▪ $65,000.00 - Post World War II Context and Survey (SHF 2008-02-031)
▪ $24,400.00 - North Campus Survey (CLG CO-10-014)
▪ $44,700.00 - Coca-Cola Sign Restoration/Rehabilitation (SHF 2009-M2-007)
▪ $700,000.00 - Avery Block Restoration/Rehabilitation (SHF 2010-02-048)
▪ $30,000.00 - Avery Block Building Easement
▪ $132,000.00 - Paramount Cottage Camp Rehabilitation (SHF 2010-02-040)
▪ $33,550.00 - Paramount Cottage Camp East Building Roof (SHF 2011 M1-001)
D. Landmark Rehabilitation Loan Program: In 2012, this program generated a total
of $56,177.00 in rehabilitation work, by providing local preservation assistance zero %
interest loans to four properties. City funds of $21,000.00 were matched by $35,077.00
in private funding.
Landmark Rehab Loan Funding Snapshot
2012: 3 Applications Funded
Matching funds: $35,077
Amount awarded: $21,100
Total project amount: $56,177
1995 – 2011: 102 Projects Completed
Matching funds: $2.7 M
Amount awarded: $333 K
Total project amount: $3 M
Ratio of private dollars to public dollars: 8:1
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E. Design Review: In 2012, the Commission and staff conducted reviews of 56
alterations to the exteriors of Landmark properties.
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
LPC Design
Review
26 19 23 17 22 18 25 15
Staff Admin.
Sign Review
11 12 19 12 18 10 28 17
Staff Admin.
Design Review
14 22 16 9 15 9 12 24
Totals 51 53 58 38 55 37 65 56
Notable design review projects included:
- 450 North College Ave., Old Power Plant/EECL – Addition
- Avery Block: College, Mountain, and Linden. – Restoration and Rehabilitation
- 232–238 Walnut Street, Old Fire House - Rear Alterations
F. Demolition/Alteration Review: Staff processed a total of 774 demolition/alteration
requests of buildings 50 years old and older in 2012.
G. Preservation Awareness: In 2012, the Commission sponsored three programs
promoting public awareness of historic preservation:
- National Historic Preservation Week Proclamation
- Friend of Preservation Awards – Five recipients
- Northeast Colorado Regional Historic Preservation Commissions Forum
H. LPC Training in 2012:
▪ Colorado Preservation Inc.’s 2012 Saving Places Conference, Denver, CO.
▪ Board and Commissions Training, presented by the Fort Collins City Attorney’s and
City Clerk’s Offices. All new and continuing LPC members have taken this training.
▪ Northeastern Colorado Region Historic Preservation Commission Forum, attended by
LPC members John Albright, W.J. (Bud) Frick, Sondra Carson, Ron Sladek, Mark Serour
and Doug Ernest, and Preservation Planners Karen McWilliams and Josh Weinberg
I. Changes to Historic Preservation Ordinance and/or By-Laws: Changes that
affected the Landmark Preservation Commission in 2012 are:
▪ Ordinance No. 004, 2012, adopted on January 17, 2012, amended Section 14-72(b)(6)
of the Fort Collins City Code to correct an error in the procedures for review of
applications for demolition or relocation of historic structures.
▪ Ordinance No. 067, 2012, adopted on August 21, 2012, made several revisions to
Chapter 14, providing enhanced public notification and an appeals process for
determinations of eligibility and demolitions/alterations.
▪ Ordinance No. 068, 2012, adopted on August 21, 2012, amended section 2-227 of the
City Code regarding the makeup of the membership of the Landmark Preservation
Commission, to ensure compliance with Certified Local Government requirements.