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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLandmark Preservation Commission - Minutes - 02/11/2004LANDMARK PRESERVATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting February 11, 2004 Minutes City Council Liaison: David Roy (407-7393) Staff Liaison: Joe Frank (221-6376) Commission Chair: W. J. "Bud" Frick, Jr. (484-1467) SUMMARY OF MEETING: The LPC approved a request for a letter of support for an HSA grant for the Darrah House, 612 S. College Ave., and determined that the Asmus Building Sign is an integral part of the landmark building at 226 Pine St. LPC also considered and approved applications for the 2004 Landmark Loan Program. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Commission called to order with a quorum present by Chairman Bud Frick at 5:30 p.m. at 281 N. College Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado. Angie Aguilera, Agnes Dix, Per Hogestad, Janet Ore, Ian Shuff and Myrne Watrous were present. Karen McWilliams, Carol Tunner and Timothy Wilder represented staff. GUESTS: Grant and Judith Reid, owners, for Darrah House, 612 S. College Ave.; Mike Asmus, owner, for Asmus Building Sign, 226 Pine St.; Rena Hansch, owner, for Garnick House, 516 S. Meldrum St.; Rayno and Patty Seaser, owners, for Gill -Nelson Farmhouse, 5529 S. Timberline Road; Meagan Harper, Stile & Rail Construction, for B.H. McCarty House, 218 Peterson St.; John Lueck, owner, for Blair House, 716 W. Oak St.. AGENDA REVIEW: The review of Ray Kramer of W/K/J Architecture and Urban Design for the Pre -Qualified List of the Design Assistance Program was postponed. Preserve America awards program was added to Other Business by Carol Tunner. A discussion of the Old Fort Collins High School was added to Other Business by Myrne Watrous. MINUTES: The minutes for Jan. 14, 2003, were accepted as presented. STAFF REPORTS: Carol Tunner distributed the updated version of the City's Boards and Commissions Manual and the LPC's meeting schedule for 2004. She also announced the National Association of Preservation Commissions meeting will be held in Indianapolis July 15-18, 2004. Ms. Tunner shared a letter and picture of the completed project at 725 Mathews St. from Jeff Moore, contractor. She also read comments on the LPC's 2004 Work Plan from the Commission's Council Liaison David Roy, who expressed particular interest in the effort to identify and protect structures in the Buckingham, Alta Vista and Andersonville Neighborhoods, and the LPC's opinion on the proposed moratorium on alley houses in the context of historic neighborhoods. Karen McWilliams distributed copies of the draft of the Poudre School District context and asked for comments from Commission members. She reported on the design charrette on alley houses and accessory structures, attended by Bud Frick and Ian Landmark Preservation Commission February 11, 2004, Meeting Minutes Page 2 Shuff as representatives of the LPC, and distributed a copy of proposed changes to the Land Use Code. One major change being considered, according to Ms. McWilliams, is to the definition of a dwelling unit. The current definition is based on whether a building has kitchen facilities; the proposed change would look at whether wet services had been installed. The issue is scheduled to come before the LPC for discussion on Feb. 25, 2004, before going to City Council for adoption. Ms. McWilliams left the meeting early to attend a public hearing on the subject at 6 p.m. COMMISSION MEMBER REPORTS: Myrne Watrous reported on the Downtown Development Authority meeting she attended. DDA decided to extend its boundaries to include the Webster House, on the southeast corner of Olive and Mathews Sts., and grant it $100,000 for renovations. Carol Tunner added that the extension will be before City Council on Feb. 17, 2004. Ms. Watrous also reported that the $1.7 million DDA loan to the Cortina Project has been extended for a year; the developer intends to break ground in 60 days. Plans for an amphitheatre near the historic Buckingham Neighborhood, in the vicinity of the Aztlan Recreation Center, were considered by the DDA. Ms. Watrous also reported that a member of the DDA have concerns about the Pita Pit sign on the Armstrong Hotel; she referred them to Ms. Tunner, who approves the signs administratively on behalf of the LPC. REQUEST FOR LETTER OF SUPPORT 612 S. College Ave. -- Support letter for HSA Grant for the Darrah House -- presented by Judith Reid, owner, introduced by Karen McWilliams. Ms. Reid is applying to the Colorado Historical Society's State Historical Fund for a Historic Structure Assessment grant. This grant would determine the building's needs for stabilization and fagade restoration, and identify historically appropriate work. She is working with Ray Kramer of W/K/J Architecture and Urban Design for this professional assessment of the designated Fort Collins Landmark. Staff recommends the LPC support the application with a letter. Public input: None Janet Ore moved that the LPC send a letter to the director of the State Historical Fund in support of the request for an HSA grant for the Darrah House, 612 S. College. Myrne Watrous seconded the motion, which passed unanimously, 7-0. DETERMINATION OF SIGNIFICANCE 226 Pine St. -- Historic Significance of Asmus Building Sign -- presented by Mike Asmus, owner, introduced by Carol Tunner. The new tenants of the historic Asmus Sign Shop Building have requested approval for a projecting sign at 226 Pine St., but under the City's sign code, the existing historic building sign is taking up all the sign allowance for the building. The applicant is requesting the LPC find the historic Asmus sign significant as a contributing feature of the historic character of the building, so it would no longer be governed by the municipal Landmark Preservation Commission February 11, 2004, Meeting Minutes Page 3 sign code. Such a finding by the LPC would allow both the historic sign to remain and the new tenants to install the proposed projecting sign, which already has staff administrative approval. The existing sign has been an integral part of the building's appearance for the past 27 years, being painted by renowned Fort Collins sign painter Harold Asmus to replace a rooftop projecting sign of same script and lettering on the building, which is a contributing part of the Old Town Local Landmark and National Register Historic Districts. Staff recommended that the Asmus sign be considered a contributing element of the building. Ms. Tunner also shared a letter from Dorothy Asmus, widow of Harold and mother of Mike, asking for the finding to help preserve the family's heritage as well as Fort Collins history. Janet Ore asked if the Commission had any precedent for designating a painted sign, rather than an attached sign like that on the Northern Hotel, since a painted sign is not architectural. Bud Frick pointed out that the LPC would be finding the sign a significant part of an already designated building, clarifying that the original building designation included the sign. If the LPC finds it significant, the sign cannot be changed without LPC approval, in effect creating a "ghost sign" for the future. Mike Asmus confirmed that the family intends to maintain the sign as it has previously. Public input: None Myrne Watrous moved the LPC find the Asmus Sign sign an integral part of the designated historic landmark building at 226 Pine St. and a contributing feature to the historical significance of the building. Janet Ore seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 7-0. Dr. Ore added that she felt it was a good thing that they were saving the sign. LANDMARK LOAN PROGRAM 2004 Allocations -- presented by Timothy Wilder, City Planner. Before consideration of current applications, Timothy Wilder submitted a request for a one-year extension of the loan from the 2003 program for 730 W. Olive. St., the Winslow/Guard Home, on behalf of the owner, Ralph Olson. Public input: None Janet Ore moved the LPC approve the extension of the zero -percent loan to 730 W. Olive to March 1, 2005. Myrne Watrous seconded, and the motion carried unanimously, 7-0. Landmark Preservation Commission February 11, 2004, Meeting Minutes Page 4 Mr. Wilder pointed out that all six current requests do not exceed the amount available, and the LPC agreed priority ranking of the proposed projects would not be needed. He presented a brief overview of each project, with additional input from present applicants. 1. 218 Peterson St., B.H. McCarty House -- requested $5,000 with a match of $8,000 match for brick work, tuck pointing and masonry work. Meagan Harper confirmed that when possible the original bricks are being reused on this project, which is a continuation of work funded last year. Peter Farquart Masonry, a company on the list of pre -qualified historical contractors, is doing the work. 2. 516 S. Meldrum St., Garnick House -- requested $5,000 with a $14,000 match to replace an inoperable door on the upper front fagade, re -pointing red brick chimney, replacing crown molding around windows, and refurbishing the back porch entry. The back porch is part of the designated building, but no historic photos are available to guide in proper design. This issue will be addressed in Design Review, but the staircase on the entry is currently not up to code. A number of other items including the issue of a possible front porch will also be discussed at Design Review. 3. 5529 S. Timberline Road, Gill -Nelson Farmhouse -- requested $1250 with a $1250 match for sealing brick restored after the paint was removed two years ago. The applicant would like to use water -based silane siloxane sealer to provide protection from water and weather. It will be tested in a small area to determine its efficacy. The Commission agreed an oil -based product like the one that produced sheen on 242 Pine would not be the right product. Janet Ore questioned the use of any sealers, citing Preservation Brief 6, which recommended painting to save damaged brick. Carol Tunner pointed out that in this case, several layers of brick had been falling off along with the old paint. She added that the house has no gutters, and without gutters, the damage will continue, with or without a sealer. Dr. Ore suggested that the lack of gutters was a greater threat to the historic resource than the exposed brick. The applicant agreed to accept and match an additional loan amount to install half -round gutters and downspouts and make sure all the old paint has been removed. 4. 612 S. College Ave., Darrah House -- requested $5,000 with a $13,000 to replace roof and repair soffits. The applicant confirmed plans call for using wood shingles on the roof. 5. 319 E. Plum St. -- requested $510 with $510 match for repair of a brick chimney, with tuck pointing and stucco repair. No applicant was present to address Commissioners questions about whether the proposed project included a new flue liner and whether the fireplace was designed to burn wood or gas. The liner issue will be addressed at Design Review, and Per Hogestad felt it would be appropriate to stipulate a liner be included before work proceeds. Landmark Preservation Commission February 11, 2004, Meeting Minutes Page 5 6. 716 W. Oak St., Blair House -- requested $1400 with a $1400 to replace front door. The applicant wants to install a more substantial and secure door than the one he installed when the family first moved in, and presented a design and estimate from Abraxis Glass. The Commission agreed that a new door was needed, however the design submitted was not in keeping with the Craftsman style house. Carol Tunner and Timothy Wilder gave the applicant a number of examples of appropriate designs, and the issue will be discussed in more depth at Design Review. Ian Shuff moved the LPC approve all six applications for the 2004 Landmark Loan Program with the condition that gutters be added to the Gill -Nelson Farmhouse and an additional $3,072 awarded for the cost of these gutters. Agnes Dix seconded, and the motion carried unanimously, 7-0. The LPC thanked Mr. Wilder for all his work on the Landmark Loan Program once again this year. OTHER BUSINESS 1. Discussion of Old Fort Collins High School -- presented by Myrne Watrous. Ms. Watrous felt that the addition being built on the Old Fort Collins High School was not what the Commission had seen in the drawings presented before construction, even after several iterations. However, after discussion, the Commission agreed that de -designating the building as a Fort Collins Landmark would not be appropriate; in part because only the addition is objectionable, not work on the original building itself. 2. Preserve America program -- presented by Carol Tunner. Ms. Tunner announced that she will be applying for this program, which encourages and supports community efforts for the preservation of the nation's cultural and natural heritage, especially as it affects economic development and heritage tourism. Last year, Preserve America was proposed as an honorific White House initiative, but it could be awarding a total of $10 million in grants in 2005, should the President's proposed budget remain intact. She will be asking City Council for a resolution in favor of the application on Feb. 17, 2004. The LPC, by nod of head, unanimously supported applying for this designation. Meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Kate Jeracki, Recorder ����; ✓24^'�u--� February 17, 2004