HomeMy WebLinkAboutLandmark Preservation Commission - Minutes - 03/11/2015Ron Sladek, Chair
Doug Ernest, Vice Chair City Council Chambers
Maren Bzdek City Hall West
Meg Dunn 300 Laporte Avenue
Kristin Gensmer Fort Collins, Colorado
Per Hogestad
Dave Lingle Cablecast on City Cable Channel 14
Alexandra Wallace on the Comcast cable system
Belinda Zink
Laurie Kadrich Karen McWilliams Josh Weinberg Gino Campana
Staff Liaison, CDNS Director Preservation Planner Preservation Planner Council Liaison
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Regular Meeting
March 11, 2015
Minutes
• CALL TO ORDER
Chair Sladek called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m. He welcomed a large group of Historic
Preservation graduate students from C.S.U. and invited them to ask questions about the process at
the end of the meeting.
• ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Dunn, Zink, Hogestad, Wallace, Gensmer, Lingle, Ernest, Sladek
ABSENT: Bzdek (excused)
STAFF: McWilliams, Schiager
• PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
None.
• DISCUSSION AGENDA
Landmark
Preservation
Commission
Approved by Commission at their April 8, 2015 meeting.
Landmark Preservation Commission Page 1 December 10, 2014
1. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 11, 2015 REGULAR
MEETING.
The purpose of this item is to approve the minutes from the February 11, 2015 regular meeting of the
Landmark Preservation Commission.
Mr. Ernest moved that the Landmark Preservation Commission approve the minutes of the
February 11, 2015 meeting. Ms. Gensmer seconded. Motion passed 8-0.
2. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 25, 2015 REGULAR
MEETING.
The purpose of this item is to approve the minutes from the February 25, 2015 regular meeting of the
Landmark Preservation Commission.
Mr. Lingle pointed out that in the Applicant Presentation section of Item #3, there was a reference to
Loveland & Daub, which should be changed to Wattle & Daub.
Mr. Ernest moved that the Landmark Preservation Commission approve the minutes of the
February 25, 2015 meeting with the correction as stated. Ms. Dunn seconded. Motion passed 8-0.
[Timestamp: 5:36 p.m.]
3. REMINGTON - LAUREL MINI ROUNDABOUT
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Engineering Department will be providing Information to the Commission
on the Remington Greenway Pilot Project, a portion of which goes through the
Laurel School National Register District. Part of this project involves
construction of a mini-roundabout at the intersection of Remington and Laurel
Streets.
APPLICANT: Tim Kemp, Civil Engineer III and Project Manager, City of Fort Collins
Staff Report
Ms. McWilliams presented the staff report.
Applicant Presentation
Mr. Kemp gave the Applicant presentation.
Public Input
None
Commission Questions and Discussion
A Member inquired about the art, its placement, and whether it would be possible to include a
reference to the Historic District. The Applicant said that the art would be at the sidewalk street level
with no vertical elements. It would consist of a painted stone in the rain garden area that would
reflect at night, and the same treatment would be used at the roundabout. He further stated he would
follow up on the question of referencing the Historic District.
In response to a question from the Commission, the Applicant explained that a rain garden is a new
component to the stormwater regulations, which redirects stormwater through a swale to promote its
absorption back into the ground. Sometimes these are planted.
A Member asked whether the excavation for the swale would impact previously undisturbed soils.
The Applicant believed this section of Remington had been part of a full depth reconstruction
completed on most of Remington just 5-7 years ago.
There was a question about the project’s relationship to traffic, to which the Applicant responded that
the volume of traffic in that area is consistent, and the roundabout was just to handle the existing
traffic. Safety and comfort of bicyclists are also being addressed.
A Member asked for clarification on the Commission’s role in the process. Ms. McWilliams noted that
this presentation was informational only and was brought to the Commission due to its interest in the
Historic District. There is no Federal grant funding involved, and there is no Commission review or
need for comments.
City of Fort Collins Page 2
A Member mentioned that roundabouts typically have a lot of signage that can appear visually
cluttered. The point was made that the Commission had previously seen the Linden Street
streetscape improvements, and that didn’t have any controversy. The Applicant volunteered that a
mini-roundabout doesn’t have as many signs as a typical roundabout.
There was questioning about whether the bus stops were new locations, and if they were sheltered.
The Applicant said they were adding five concrete bus pads which would include a sign and bench,
but will likely not be sheltered since this is a residential area.
A Member asked for clarification about the size of the mini-roundabout. The Applicant explained that
it would be built within the existing pavement area. It will be about 4” higher than the surrounding
pavement, and the widest point would be almost 50’ wide, which is where pedestrians would cross.
Chair Sladek thanked Mr. Kemp for his presentation.
[Timestamp: 5:57 p.m.]
4. DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR DESIGNATION AS A FORT COLLINS LANDMARK, 408-
410 LINDEN STREET, PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 14 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This is a request to determine the eligibility of the property at 408-410 Linden
Street to qualify as a Fort Collins Landmark, pursuant to Chapter 14 of the
Municipal Code
APPLICANT: Kim Szidon, Ranch-way Feeds
Staff Report
Ms. McWilliams presented the staff report.
Applicant Presentation
None
Public Input
None
Commission Questions and Discussion
A Member commented that the Commission was correct in 2002 when they noted that the building
had suffered a loss of its architectural integrity. Several other Members agreed, specifically
mentioning changes in context and setting. Chair Sladek listed four elements of integrity that have
been diminished, including setting, design, feeling and association. Another Member noted that the
association with Wilcox was not substantial enough to landmark this property. There was also an
error pointed out in the Larimer County Assessor section of the inventory form where it says East Oak
Street instead of Linden Street. Ms. McWilliams said they would correct that.
Commission Deliberation
Ms. Gensmer moved that the Landmark Preservation Commission finds that the building at
408-410 Linden Street does not qualify for individual designation as a Fort Collins Landmark
pursuant to Sections 14-1 and 14-5 of the Municipal Code, based upon the findings of the
February 2015 survey report by Jason Marmor of RETROSPECT that support the building’s
lack of association and integrity. Mr. Lingle seconded. Motion passed 8-0.
[Timestamp: 6:07 p.m.]
5. 430 N. COLLEGE, POWER PLANT/ENGINES & ENERGY LAB - CONCEPTUAL AND FINAL
REVIEW OF HOPPER DESIGN
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The purpose of this item is to review the proposed design for the hopper, and
either approve, approve with conditions, or deny, the application.
APPLICANT: Jeff Jensen, JPL Development
Staff Report
Ms. McWilliams presented the staff report.
Mr. Hogestad recused himself at 6:10 p.m. due to a conflict of interest already on record.
Applicant Presentation
City of Fort Collins Page 3
Mr. Jensen gave a brief presentation.
Public Input
None
Commission Questions and Discussion
Members discussed the proposed use of the hopper as a greenhouse. Members mentioned that
since the hopper wouldn’t really look like a coal hopper, and would not function as one, it would not
create a false sense of historical development.
Some Members were conflicted about allowing the hopper at all, while others were more concerned
about whether the windows should be allowed since they weren’t on the original hopper. There was
discussion about whether the windows could be placed on the back side of the hopper rather than the
street side. The Applicant said that wouldn’t make much sense since there is little sun exposure on
the north and east sides. Members pointed out that the building had already been changed
significantly and had lost much of its original historic character.
The Commission referred to the minutes from past meetings of the LPC where there had been
discussion about a proposal to reconstruct the smokestacks and the coal hopper, but not the
conveyor system. Some said the greenhouse seemed to be in line with the other changes that had
been approved previously, further commenting that if they were going to allow the hopper, it didn’t
matter if it had windows in it. Given what the LPC had already approved in 2012, some Members
expressed a need to be consistent.
Members were particularly concerned that the windows appeared to be blue in the rendering. The
Applicant assured the Commission that the windows would be clear translucent.
Chair Sladek asked if everyone was ready for final review, and the Members indicated they were.
Commission Deliberation
Mr. Ernest moved that the Landmark Preservation Commission approve the final review of the
proposed greenhouse for the coal hopper at 430 North College Avenue, Power Plant/Engines
& Energy Lab, upon the condition that the greenhouse has clear translucent glazing in its
glass, finding that it is in compliance with Section 14-48 of the Municipal Code and the
Secretary of Interior Standards. Ms. Wallace seconded. Motion passed 7-0.
Mr. Hogestad rejoined the Commission at 6:46 p.m.
[Timestamp: 6:46 p.m.]
6. 301 SOUTH LOOMIS AVENUE - STATE TAX CREDIT PART 2
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Final Review — Part 2 State Tax Credit Review for Roofing of the David E.
Watrous House and Garage, 301 South Loomis Avenue
APPLICANT: Chester Daniel
Staff Report
Ms. McWilliams presented the staff report.
Applicant Presentation
Mr. Daniel introduced himself and was available for questions, but did not give a presentation.
Public Input
None
City of Fort Collins Page 4
Commission Questions and Discussion
Ms. Dunn asked whether the project timeline complied with the guidelines. Ms. McWilliams indicated
that the project timing met the criteria.
Commission Deliberation
Mr. Lingle moved that the Landmark Preservation Commission, acting as a reviewing entity
under CRS Section 39-22-514, grants Part 2 State Tax Credit for Historic Preservation approval
of the rehabilitation and restoration work on the David E. Watrous House and Garage at 301
South Loomis Avenue. Ms. Dunn seconded. Motion passed 8-0.
• OTHER BUSINESS
None
• ADJOURNMENT
Chair Sladek adjourned the meeting at 6:56 p.m.
After adjournment, the Commission entertained questions from the students in the audience, which
are not part of the meeting record.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Gretchen Schiager.
City of Fort Collins Page 5