HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/13/2018 - Landmark Preservation Commission - Agenda - Work SessionMeg Dunn, Chair City Council Chambers
Alexandra Wallace, Vice Chair City Hall West
Michael Bello 300 Laporte Avenue
Katie Dorn Fort Collins, Colorado
Kristin Gensmer
Per Hogestad
Kevin Murray
Mollie Simpson
Fort Collins is a Certified Local Government (CLG) authorized by the National Park Service and History Colorado based on its
compliance with federal and state historic preservation standards. CLG standing requires Fort Collins to maintain a Landmark
Preservation Commission composed of members of which a minimum of 40% meet federal standards for professional experience
from preservation-related disciplines, including, but not limited to, historic architecture, architectural history, archaeology, and urban
planning. For more information, see Article III, Division 19 of the Fort Collins Municipal Code.
The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs, and activities and will make
special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please call 221-6515 (TDD 224-6001) for assistance.
An audio recording of the meeting is available upon request.
Work Session
June 13, 2018
5:30 PM
• CALL TO ORDER
• ROLL CALL
• REVIEW OF ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION AT THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING TO BE HELD
ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20, 2018 AT 5:30 P.M. IN CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
DISCUSSION
1. Consideration and Approval of the Minutes of May 16, 2018 Regular Meeting
2. 247 Linden – Conceptual Design Review
3. Walnut Street Infill – Conceptual Design Review
• I. POLICY AND LEGISLATION
1. Historic Sign Codes
• II. BOARD TOPICS
1. LPC Work Plan – Priorities and Progress
• OTHER BUSINESS
• ADJOURNMENT
Landmark
Preservation
Commission
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DATE:
STAFF:
June 13, 2018
Noah Beals, Senior City Planner/Zoning
WORK SESSION ITEM
Landmark Preservation
Commission
SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION
Sign Code Update: Restoration or Interpretation of Historic Signs
The sign section of the Land Use Code is in the process of an update. As part of the update, code language is
under consideration to improve the process for restoring or adding new interpretations of historic signs. City staff
is seeking comments from the Landmark Preservation Commission (LPC) on the drafted code language. Once
more fully developed, the item will return to the LPC for a recommendation to City Council.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Historic Signs
The Downtown Zone includes individual local landmark properties, the locally designated Old Town Historic
District, individual National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) properties, and two NRHP districts: a portion of the
Laurel School Historic District, and the Old Town Historic District, which extends partially into the River District
beyond the local historic district boundary. Within these districts and the Downtown Zone there are 258 commercial
properties that are of historic age (over 50 years old). Of those, there are 107 buildings that are either listed on the
NRHP or listed as a local landmark building or both, with periods of significance spanning roughly 100 years, from
the 1870s to the 1960s. Exterior changes to properties that are designated on the NRHP and as local landmarks,
and those individually eligible for designation, are approved by staff and the Fort Collins Landmark Preservation
Commission (LPC), including the addition or alteration of signage (City of Fort Collins 1994).
Sign types typically found during the periods of significance listed above are flush wall signs, painted/applied wall
signs, signage integrated into the wall brick, roof signs (extending above the primary rooftop), and projecting signs.
Of these signs types, roof signs and many of the larger painted/applied wall signs and projecting signs would not
be allowed by the current code.
Attached is a map depicting the 258 commercial properties of historic age and the 107 buildings listed on the
NRHP or listed as local landmarks.
New signs that are interpretations of historic signs previously associated with a property can enhance and
complement Downtown’s historic character and a building’s historic significance. This would involve defining a set
of criteria and a process. Zoning is recommending the following Historic Sign Re-Creation process and criteria:
Application • These recommendations would apply to buildings in the Downtown Zone that are eligible
for historic designation or are designated on the national, state and/or local registers.
• Historic Sign Re-Creations should count toward the maximum sign allowance of the site.
• Variances from other size and location standards would be approved by the Fort Collins
Landmark Preservation Commission.
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June 13, 2018 Page 2
Process • The property owner would be responsible for researching the historic signage of their
building and providing evidence of the historic use of this sign on the building or premises.
• The property owner would demonstrate the historic significance of the sign by determining
the age of the sign and period of historic significance of the building with the following
considerations:
o Association with significant figures, events or places.
o Significant as evidence of the history of the product, business or service
advertised.
o A significant part of the history of the building or the historic district.
o Representative of a specific historic period.
o An outstanding example of the sign maker’s art because of its craftsmanship, use
of materials, or design.
• The sign application would be reviewed by the Fort Collins Landmark Preservation
Commission (LPC) against the Historic Sign Re-Creation criteria.
Criteria • The sign will be place in a similar position and location as it was originally placed on the
building.
• The re-created sign shall be compatible with the historic character, materials, features, size,
scale and proportion, and massing of the building.
• If not a historic restoration, the sign should be differentiated enough so that it is not confused
as the building’s original sign.
Supporting Research
• “Historic Resources Preservation Program Plan” City of Fort Collins Comprehensive Plan. City of Fort
Collins. April 1994. (<https://www.fcgov.com/historicpreservation/pdf/hrppp1-toc.pdf>)
• “National Register of Historic Places Program: National Register Federal Program Regulations.” National
Park Service. 2018. (<https://www.nps.gov/nr/regulations.htm>)
• Grimmer, Anne E. “The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with
Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring & Reconstructing Historic Buildings.” U.S. Department
of the Interior National Park Service, Technical Preservation Services. Washington, DC. 2017.
(<https://www.nps.gov/tps/standards/treatment-guidelines-2017.pdf>)
ATTACHMENTS
1. Downtown Fort Collins Historic Locations
2. Draft Sign Code - Restoration or Replacement of Historic Signs
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POLICY & LEGISLATION
ITEM 1, ATTACHMENT 1
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DRAFT SIGN CODE
Page 1
(I) Restoration or Replacement of Historic Signs. The provisions of this subsection apply to buildings in the
Downtown sign district that are more than 50 years old, whether or not they are formally recognized as
historic at the local, state, or national level, or whether they are located within a designated historic
district.
(1) An owner of a building within the Downtown sign district may apply for a sign permit to restore or
replace an historic sign that may not otherwise comply with the strict provisions of this Sign Code.
Restorations or replacements that comply with the strict provisions of this Sign Code are not
processed as historic signs.
(2) In addition to other required application materials, the owner shall provide evidence of the historic
signage on the property during its period of significance (if applicable), or during the period within
20 years after its original construction.
(3) Upon determination that the application is complete (and not more than three business days after
receipt of the application), the application shall be forwarded to the Fort Collins Design Review Sub-
Committee (“DRC”) of the Landmark Preservation Commission (“LPC”) for consideration on its next
available regular or special agenda, which shall not be more than 45 days after the date of forwarding.
(4) After consideration of the application and appropriate supporting evidence at public hearing:
(a) If the DRC finds that the proposed sign is comparable to the design, placement, area, quality,
and character of the original sign, then the DRC of the LPC may approve the sign, and it shall be
counted towards the sign area allowance. The DRC of the LPC may condition such approval on
such modifications as are necessary to achieve comparability, but shall not condition such
approval on changes in content.
(b) If the DRC finds that the proposed sign is a replica or restoration of the original sign, including
materials (which may include modern materials that are appropriate for historic restorations),
design, colors, and content, then the DRC of the LPC may approve the sign, and it shall not be
counted towards the sign area allowance.
(c) If the DRC finds that the proposed sign is not comparable to the design, placement, area, quality,
or character of the original sign, then the DRC of the LPC shall deny the application and provide
the applicants written reasons therefor within seven days after the denial.
POLICY & LEGISLATION
ITEM 1, ATTACHMENT 2
CITY OF FORT COLLINS, COLORADO
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DATE:
STAFF:
June 13, 2018
Maren Bzdek, Historic Preservation Planner
WORK SESSION ITEM
Landmark Preservation
Commission
SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION
LPC Work Plan - Progress and Priorities
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
City Code requires all boards and commissions to file work plans on or before September 30 for the following
year. According to the Boards and Commissions Manual, work plans should set out major projects and issues for
discussion for the following year. The LPC adopted the attached 2018 work plan at its August 16, 2017 meeting.
Beginning with the September 13, 2017 work session, consideration of pending priorities associated with the work
plan will be a regular discussion item. The regular recurrence of this discussion item is intended to provide the
Commission with the opportunity to measure ongoing progress and identify action items.
ATTACHMENTS
1. LPC 2018 Work Plan
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BOARD TOPICS
ITEM 1, ATTACHMENT 1
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BOARD TOPICS
ITEM 1, ATTACHMENT 1
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