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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLandmark Preservation Commission - Minutes - 02/12/2003LANDMARK PRESERVATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting February 12, 2003 Minutes Council Liaison: Eric Hamrick (225-2343) Staff Liaison: Joe Frank (221-6376) Commission Chairperson: Bud Frick, Jr. (484-1467) SUMMARY OF MEETING: LPC reviewed nine no -interest loan proposals, including presentations from six applicants, ranked the proposals, and allocated funds to eight of them under the Landmark Rehabilitation Loan Program. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Commission called to order by chairman Bud Frick at 5:35 p.m. at 281 N. College Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado. Angie Aguilera, Agnes Dix, W.J. 'Bud" Frick, Per Hogestad, Janet Ore, Carole Stansfield, and Myrne Watrous were present. Karen McWilliams, Carol Tunner, Joe Frank and Timothy Wilder represented staff. GUESTS: Steve Levinger, owner, for Armstrong Hotel, 259-261 S. College Ave.; Oliver and Janna Pijoan, owners, for Watrous House, 301 S. Loomis Ave.; Fred Snyder, owner, for Stroud House, 717 W. Olive St.; Ralph Olson, owner, for Winslow/Guard Home, 730 W. Olive St.; Megan Harper, Stile & Rail Construction, for McCarty House, 218 Peterson St.; Robert Liebler, owner, for Temple House, 817 Peterson St.. AGENDA REVIEW: No changes. MINUTES: The minutes of January 8, 2003, were accepted as written. STAFF REPORTS: Ms. Tunner distributed copies of the 2002 Landmark Preservation Commission Annual Report that has been turned into the City Clerk. She also discussed a number of calls for entry for various grants and award programs and distributed handouts about them. Karen McWilliams announced that Dr. Ore will be presenting a paper at the Society of Architectural Historians conference in Denver in April. She circulated revised drawings for 1223 W. Mountain Ave., which incorporate suggestions made to the property owners at the January 22 LPC meeting. Ms. McWilliams also announced that a person has expressed interest in acquiring the little house at 224 Willow, and would move them from their present location, next to the Giddings machine shop where they are scheduled to be torn down, to 425 North Loomis. The owner of the basement house has decided to go ahead and alter/demolish the structure. He has submitted the required documentation and plans, and the next step is a public hearing. Dr. Ore added that Colorado has just added the basement house to its list of distinct styles of architecture. Landmark Preservation Commis�...,i February 12, 2003 Meeting Minutes Page 2 COMMISSION MEMBER REPORTS: Myrne Watrous reported on attending the Downtown Development Authority meeting. The DDA decided not to fund beautification of the Pickle Plant building at Mulberry and Riverside, not currently designated as a historic structure. One citation has been issued since the new curfew has been enacted for Old Town. Removing parking from Jefferson Street was discussed. Scott Smith has indicated that he is willing to sell the business located in the kiosk at #13 Old Town Square, which is owned by Progressive Old Town Square Real Estate, to the City for a bathroom. A seasonal ice rink at the north end of the plaza was discussed. The owner of the Giddings building has met with the City, DDA and state historic preservation people about redevelopment plans. On the advice of legal counsel, DDA is exploring various means of keeping people from falling into the watercourse on the plaza; any proposed designs will come before the LPC. In response to a question, Ms. Tunner announced that representatives of the DDA will be the first item on the agenda for the LPC's March 26 meeting to discuss closer cooperation between the two organizations. She will also schedule a presentation by Kathleen Reavis of the City Transportation department on proposed barriers and improvements between Laurel and Cherry streets and returning Mason and Howes streets to two-way traffic. Agnes Dix reported on the CPI workshop that she attended as did Dr. Ore, Mr. Frick, and Ms. Tunner. It featured a mock LPC meeting and a well -received presentation by Dr. Ore on Authentic Snobbery and Vernacular Architecture. Ms. Dix suggested Dr. Ore make additional presentations to the LPC and other City departments for training purposes. RECUSAL: Following Member Reports, Ms. Watrous recused herself from the meeting. Three of the nine properties applying for Landmark Rehabilitation Loans are within 500 feet of her property -- one her former family home -- and Ms. Watrous has filed an Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement with the City. The City Attorney determined that there was the potential for Ms. Watrous to have a financial interest in the outcome of the decision to fund certain projects, which could result in a foreseeable, measurable financial benefit to her. She left the meeting at 6 p.m. and was not present for any of the discussion or deliberation of funding requests. LANDMARK REHABILITATION LOAN PROGRAM: Presented by Timothy Wilder, City Planner, City of Fort Collins. Mr. Wilder provided a brief introduction to the no -interest loan program, now in its third year, as successor to the grant program that had been in place for six years. For 2003, $20,000 is available to fund exterior improvements only, with a maximum of $5,000 per project. Landmark Preservation Commis, .j February 12, 2003 Meeting Minutes Page 3 Staff determined that the nine projects presented to the LPC are eligible for the loan program, and gave a preliminary ranking to the projects on the historic significance of the resource, further weighted by the amount of matching funds provided by the owner. LPC members considered each request on the basis of necessity to preserve the resource and the quality of the proposed work. The rankings on the four criteria were combined to determine priorities for funding; the LPC then allocated specific amounts to individual projects based on the ranking. APPLICANT PRESENTATIONS: 1. Armstrong (Mountain Empire) Hotel, 259-261 S. College Ave. — presented by Steve Levinger, owner. Requesting $5,000 to repair frames and replace screening on the windows; matching funds of $89,000; will accept partial funding. Mr. Levinger presented a sample of the screen windows from the residential second and third floors on the sides of the building facing east and south, toward College and Olive streets. He plans to send the screens to University Builders, where the existing screening will be replaced with more historically accurate material, the portions of the frames that are in disrepair will be repaired or replaced, prepped and painted to bring them back to their original appearance. Eventually, all the windows will be restored, but the applicant is requesting assistance for these first because they are the most visible. 2. D. Watrous House and Garage, 301 S. Loomis Ave. — presented by Oliver and Janna Pijoan, owners. $5,000 requested to stabilize foundation; matching funds of $10,800; will accept partial funding. The northwest corner of the house has severely cracked and shifted due to a leak from a 95-year- old sewer line that had rusted through. The pipe has been relined from the house to the street and plumbing has been repaired inside the house. The owners plan to place piers and a plate under the foundation to prevent further settling; without immediate attention, the house is in danger of collapsing. Piers cost $2,000 each to install; the cost of rebuilding the corner of the house is not included in the loan request. 3. William and Eva Stroud House and Garage, 717 W. Olive St. — presented by Fred Snyder, owner. $5,000 requested for roof repair; $7,000 matching funds; will accept partial funding. The applicant intends to remove two layers of asphalt roofing, the latest one installed in 1979, and replace the original cedar shingles. At present, there is no air circulation between the layers of material, which is contributing to rotting. The roof isn't leaking now, but is crumbly. The request for funds is based on the lowest bid; however, the applicant indicated he would be more comfortable using a more experienced -- and expensive -- firm. 4. Winslow/Guard Home, 730 W. Olive St. -- presented by Ralph Olson, owner. $5,000 requested for roof repair; $6,450 matching funds; will Landmark Preservation Commis, ..,o February 12, 2003 Meeting Minutes Page 4 accept partial funding. The applicant is three years into a five-year rehab project and has completed three previously funded projects. He now plans to remove the 1996 asphalt roof installed over the original 1907 wooden shingles and replace the shingles. The bid includes active homeowner participation in removing asphalt shingles. The roof is currently serviceable. 5. B. H. McCarty House, 218 Peterson St. -- presented by Megan Harper, Stile & Rail Construction, on behalf of owners Wayne and Jean Carpenter. $5,000 requested for repair of roof and eaves; $12,995 matching funds; will accept partial funding. The current cedar shingles are all cracked, allowing moisture to saturate sublayers of the roof. Rot is visible on the edge of the roof, and the fear is that it will affect the structure if not addressed immediately. Venting on the south side gable also must be addressed. The soffet and fascia of the eaves need to be repaired or replaced; crown molding will be replaced to bring the house back to its original glory. Current plans call for replacing the gutters with a drip cap, but the owners will be seeking advice from the LPC as the project progresses. No historic photos of the house have been located to date. 6. Temple House, 817 Peterson — presented by Robert Liebler, property owner. $5,000 requested for repair/replacement of roofing, siding, gutters and chimney flue; $15,500 matching funds; will accept partial funding. If less funding is received, the project will not be completed as proposed. The applicant proposes to use a European method to restore the chimney, which entails pouring cement down the chimney while maintaining the flue liner. The roof is 25 years old and would most likely leak if there were any rain, so applicant proposes to lay a new roof over the existing one. Siding is the lowest priority for this year -- the applicant intends to reposition undamaged clapboards from less visible portions of the structure to replace ones in worse condition. LPC members expressed concerns over the chimney restoration, which will be discussed further in Design Review. The following applicants made no presentations: 7. J.W. Spencer House and Garage, 1007 W. Mountain Ave. — $3,447 requested for rebuilding chimney; $3,448 matching funds; application indicates partial funding would not be accepted. 8. Richard and Orla Mae Wiggins House and Garage, 1009 W. Mountain Ave. — $4,800 requested for repair of basement windows and porch ceiling and refinish of Kelly Stone; $4,800 matching funds; will accept partial funding. 9. Rush and Jean C. Locke House, 719 E. Prospect St. — $2,000 requested for repair of windows; $2,500 matching funds; will accept partial funding. Landmark Preservation Commis.-o February 12, 2003 Meeting Minutes Page 5 RANKING AND ALLOCATION OF FUNDS: 1. Watrous House $5,000 100% of request 2. Armstrong Hotel $5,000 100% 2. B.H. McCarty House $2,500 50% 4. J.W. Spencer House $1,725 50% 5. Stroud House $1,125 23% 5. Winslow/Guard Home $1,125 23% 7. Wiggins House $2,400 50% 8. Temple House $1,125 23% 9. Locke House no funding 0% DISCUSSION: Members discussed both criteria for each application before filling out individual evaluation sheets. Mr. Wilder compiled the results and created an overall ranking. Watrous House: The LPC felt that this property scored highest on Criteria 1, threat to the historic resource. The alternative to funding this project is the building fall down. Armstrong Hotel: The LPC felt that a commercial building with original screens is a positive addition to downtown, and if the screens aren't done correctly, an alternative could compromise the appearance of the entire building. Members were impressed that the applicant was committed to doing it right. As Ms. Stansfield said: "This is best for the building, best for the people looking at it, and good for us in terms of historic preservation." McCarty House: The Commission also felt that evidence of rot at the edge of the roof indicated that this building also faced a significant threat. Spencer House: While the chimney is in pretty bad shape -- daylight is visible through the bricks -- the problem is not structural. The LPC was confident the contractor selected to do the work would do the job right. Stroud House and Winslow/Guard House: The LPC felt that correcting the asphalt overlays on both of these original wooden shingle roofs was important and worthy. Wiggins House: Finding someone expert in Kelly Stone finishes in Fort Collins will be a challenge. However, if the work isn't done correctly, it could destroy the historic significance of the structure. The Commission could not accurately assess the state of the windows from the photos accompanying the application. Landmark Preservation Commis.-n February 12, 2003 Meeting Minutes Page 6 Temple House: Members had many questions about the effects of the method proposed for the chimney repair, and felt it might be better to put on a new roof rather than put asphalt over wood, which may alter the appearance. Ms. Aguilar emphasized that it is important to make sure any repairs are done correctly to ensure the historic significance of the property is maintained. Locke House: The LPC felt that this project did not represent a pressing need at this time. There were also questions about power -washing the building before painting. In allocating funds, the LPC was in general agreement that loans should be granted to those projects with the greatest need, and where additional funds will make a difference in whether the project will be completed correctly. The Commission was unanimous in awarding full funding to both the Watrous House and the Armstrong Hotel and making no award to the Locke House. Remaining funds were allocated proportionally to the other projects; Mr. Wilder computed appropriate amounts as the discussion progressed. Motion: Carole Stansfield moved to accept funding as presented under the heading "alternative funding" in Mr. Wilder's spreadsheet, as shown above. Agnes Dix seconded the motion, which carried unanimously without further discussion. The Spencer House proposal indicated that partial funding would not be accepted. However, Mr. Wilder will contact the property owner to see if that is indeed the case. Motion: Carole Stansfield moved that if the partial award is rejected by the owner of the Spencer House, the amount should be distributed equally among those properties receiving 23 percent of their request. Janet Ore seconded the motion, which carried unanimously without further discussion. Mr. Wilder will send letters to all applicants informing them of the awards and will send full results of the discussion to LPC members. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Kate Jeracki, Recorder February17, 2003