HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 - 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
MEMORANDUM
TO: Wanda Nelson, City Clerk
FM: Ron Sladek, Chair, Landmark Preservation Commission
RE: 2015 Landmark Preservation Commission (LPC) Work Plan
The year 2014 saw some significant changes in policy and legislation affecting the Historic
Preservation Division and the LPC. In April 2014, Council adopted three ordinances that
resulted, in part, in enhancing the clarity and understanding to the historic preservation codes,
adding explanations and references and reorganizing information; requiring a Plan of Protection
for work that may inadvertently affect the structural integrity of historic properties; and
providing for shorter development review times by enabling more decisions to be made
administratively, and asking for the LPC to provide a recommendation to the decision maker on
development projects affecting historic properties. The Commission’s 2015 Work Plan is
focused on implementing these changes and aligning these improvements with the Historic
Resources Preservation Program Plan, an element of City Plan.
Another significant highlight in 2014 was the adoption by Council of updated design standards
for the Old Town Historic District, funded in part through a State Historical Fund grant. These
design standards have already proved their worth, in facilitating the rehabilitation of the empty
Goodwill Building’s rehabilitation to serve Illegal Pete’s, and the Galvanize project in the heart
of Old Town. Design guidelines were also developed and adopted for the adjacent Downtown
River District, to promote design flexibility while providing for context sensitive development.
The Landmark Preservation Commission's 2015 Work Program consists of both continuing
responsibilities and new projects. For 2015, the Commission has identified these goals to further
align its strategic objectives with those of City Council:
• A priority of Council and of the Commission is historic property survey. The survey of areas
containing a preponderance of older buildings and structures results in proactively identifying
individual properties and areas of historic and architectural significance. In 2015, staff will seek
funding for on-going survey. The Commission’s priorities for survey, as funding allows, are:
o The West Side Neighborhood, including the Loomis Addition, City Park Neighborhood
and properties along Mountain Avenue and Oak Street, all areas facing substantial
development and infill pressures;
o Properties likely to be affected by development along the MAX/BRT corridor;
o Properties in the area surrounding Colorado State University; and
o Commercial and residential properties in the Midtown area and West Central
Neighborhoods.
• In 2015, the Landmark Preservation Commission will continue to strengthen awareness of, and
incentives for, historic preservation. While still relatively new, the Design Assistance Program is
Landmark Preservation Commission
2015 Work Program
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becoming increasingly popular and has already demonstrated its success in promoting context
sensitive infill design.
• Historic preservation preserves and protects the important aspects of Fort Collins’ history that
give it its identity. It is this sense of place that promotes community pride, and results in respect
for the collective standards acceptable to this community. In 2015, the Commission will
maintain the positive and unique character of Fort Collins through historic property survey and
landmark designation, and through design review of landmark properties. A goal in 2015 is to
set yet a new record for landmark designations, surpassing the 2014 record.
• In 2015, the Landmark Preservation Commission will continue to foster diversity through
recognition of the roles that various cultures and ethnic groups have played in our community’s
history through:
o Contextual histories and historic surveys capture the diversity historically present
within Fort Collins, through documentation of building designs and material choices that
characterize each individual neighborhood. In 2015, the contextual history of the Loomis
Addition will be finalized, and made available in print and on-line, and a State Historical
Survey grant will be sought for property survey of this important 15-block area.
o Efforts are underway to partner with emerging informational outlets within the
community, including blogs and NextDoor, to feature monthly articles on the history of
the numerous individual neighborhoods that collectively make up Fort Collins.
o In 2015, the Commission and the Historic Preservation Division will provide
internships and learning opportunities for graduate-level students of historic preservation
and related fields, continue a 20-year partnership with CSU.
• A priority of Council and of the Commission is to enhance the attractiveness of the downtown
commercial area and historic neighborhoods. In 2015, the Commission will support these goals,
through financial assistance for graffiti removal, using techniques consistent with the Secretary
of the Interior’s Standards; and by utilizing financial programs to incentivize renovations and
upgrades in support of the City’s sustainability goals through the revitalization of older
buildings.
• In 2015, the Commission will continue to allow citizen input on the demolition or alteration of
non-designated properties fifty years old or older; process applications for individual and district
landmark designation, and provide recommendations on their eligibility to Council; and direct
and guide growth in the community through appropriate planning and development review
processes.
cc: Landmark Preservation Commission Members
Gino Campana, Council Liaison
Darin Atteberry, City Manager
Karen Cumbo, PDT Director
Laurie Kadrich, CDNS Director