HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012 - Landmark Preservation Commission - Work PlanCommunity 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
November 9, 2011
MEMORANDUM
TO: Karla Smith, Boards and Commissions Coordinator
FM: W.J. “Bud” Frick, Chair, Landmark Preservation Commission
RE: 2012 Landmark Preservation Commission (LPC) Work Program
The Landmark Preservation Commission's 2012 Work Program consists of both continuing
responsibilities and new projects. The Commission’s primary focus is implementing the goals
and actions contained in the Historic Resources Preservation Program Plan, an element of City
Plan, and the recommendations in the Historic Preservation Program Assessment, recently
completed by the firm of Winter and Company.
The Commission is very pleased to see two of its long held goals become reality: Re-establishing
the highly successful Design Assistance Program and re-instating the ability to offer Voluntary
Design Review. The Commission is already seeing the benefits of these two programs, in the
quality of new design proposals for additions and alterations in the historic core neighborhoods.
The Commission has ranked its preferences for historic preservation grant efforts in 2012. The
highest priority is to seek funding to revise and expand the 1981 Old Town Design Standards and
Guidelines document, followed by continued historic property survey in the core residential and
commercial neighborhoods, required for maintaining the City’s Certified Local Government
status.
In 2012, the Commission will continue to send business- and homeowners’ State Tax Credit
projects to the Colorado Historical Society for approval. In 2010, due to reductions in available
staff, the Commission chose to no longer offer local review and approval to the over 1000
property owners who qualify for these 20% tax credits.
In 2012, the Commission has committed to several new goals:
The Historic Preservation Program has been asked to sponsor and manage State Historic
Fund grants for: the rehabilitation of the Jessup Farm development, at Timberline and
Prospect; the EECL project at the Old Power Plant Building; and is considering leading a
Cost Benefit Analysis of Energy Savings in Retrofitted Historic Residences, in
conjunction with CSU and the Utilities Department.
The Commission will host a community-wide educational event on historic preservation
and sustainability for Historic Preservation Month in May/June 2012;
The Commission has identified as a goal the incorporation of historic property
information on designated properties onto the City’s web pages, to further the ease of
identifying significant historic resources
Landmark Preservation Commission
2012 Work Program
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Current special projects which will require continued Landmark Preservation Commission
involvement in 2012 include:
The over $700,000.00 restoration and reconstruction of the Avery Block, funded in part
through a State Historic Fund (SHF) grant;
The $74,000.00 project for the restoration and rehabilitation of 216 Linden Street, the
Seckners Brothers’ Photographic Studio, begun this Fall.
Participation in, and providing funding towards, model projects that promote sustainable
historic preservation practices, including the Engines and Energy Conversion Lab
(EECL) addition at the City’s Old Power Plant Building; CSU’s adaptation of the
Washington School; and the Downtown Marketplace.
Continued LPC involvement with the Voluntary Design Review and Design Assistance
programs, ensuring high-quality and sustainable building practices in Fort Collins Core
Neighborhoods.
Assisting staff in developing and updating informational brochures and web pages on the
predominant architectural styles in Fort Collins, and updating its “Historic Treasures”
list.
Ongoing responsibilities of the Commission for 2012 include the following:
Survey and Identification:
Identification of survey priorities;
Review and adopt results of historic property surveys.
Incentives:
Review applications to the Landmark Rehabilitation Loan Program, and allocate
funding;
Approve applicants for the Design Assistance Program, and comment upon or
approve any changes to the program’s policies and guidelines;
Participate in Complimentary Design Reviews of additions, alterations and infill
construction in the core neighborhoods.
Landmark Designation Program:
Evaluate applications for individual and district landmark designation, and provide
recommendations on eligibility to Council.
Design Review Function:
Final decision-making authority for design review of designated landmark buildings.
Planning:
Review and comment on issues affecting historic properties, particularly
implementation of City Plan redevelopment policies.
Pursue grant funds for historic contexts and survey, and for rehabilitation and
restoration projects, as appropriate.
Landmark Preservation Commission
2012 Work Program
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Education and Awareness:
Continue community outreach by providing technical information and education
concerning the community-wide benefits of historic preservation, and by promoting
the available financial incentives for historic preservation.
Continue the "Friends of Preservation" award program.
Facilitate communication with public and private business and development entities.
Facilitate the Demolition/Alteration Review process, allowing citizen input on the
demolition or alteration of non-designated properties fifty years old or older.
Training:
Attend professional training and workshops, including Colorado Preservation Inc.’s
annual conference.
cc: Landmark Preservation Commission Members
Wade Troxell, Council Liaison
Darin Atteberry, City Manager
Diane Jones, Deputy City Manager
Karen Cumbo, PDT Director
Steve Dush, CDNS Director