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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLandmark Preservation Commission - Minutes - 04/09/2003LANDMARK PRESERVATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting April 9, 2003 Minutes Council Liaison: Eric Hamrick (226-2343) Staff Liaison: Joe Frank (221-6376) Commission Chairperson: Bud Frick, Jr. (484-1467) SUMMARY OF MEETING: LPC approved installation of awnings and repainting of storefronts at 211-213 Jefferson St., and approved installation of an awning at 218 Pine St. LPC recommended 810 W. Mountain Ave. for Landmark Designation, and supported a proposed addition, subject to review of final plans. LPC granted a request for a one-year extension on the Landmark Rehabilitation Loan for Deines Barn, 7225 and 7309 S. College. A list of policy agenda CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Commission called to order by Chairman Bud Frick, Jr., at 5:36 p.m. at 281 N. College Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado. Agnes Dix, Per Hogestad, Janet Ore and Myrne Watrous were present. Angie Aguilera and Carole Stansfield were excused. Karen McWilliams and Carol Tunner represented staff. GUESTS: Heide Unger and Tim Corley, owners, for 211-213 Jefferson; David Thompson, owner, for 810 W. Mountain, John and Edna Squires House; Peter Landon, Spencer Cronis, Nicole Haak, Stefanie Brown, Kevin Spears, Pat Shively, Liz Shostrom, Brent Erb, Tressa Bronner, and Nick Asher, student observers. AGENDA REVIEW: Per Hogestad added the CSU Historical Building Review Board to Other Business. MINUTES: The minutes of March 12, 2003, were approved as presented. STAFF REPORTS: None. COMMISSION MEMBER REPORTS: Myrne Watrous reported on the Downtown Development Authority meeting, where Art in Public Places and North College Ave. improvements were discussed. The improvement project, which runs from Mulberry and Riverside to College Ave. up to Cherry St., is funded in part by federal money; the art portion is not. Councilman Bill Bertschy would like to see whatever art is installed on College near Cherry be compatible with the historic nature of the area. The LPC should also be aware of the proposed route for a trail either through or around the grotto at the power plant. Details still pending on purchase of kiosk in Old Town Square. Landmark Preservation Commission April 9, 2003 Meeting Minutes Page 2 CURRENT REVIEW 1. 211-213 Jefferson, Millennium Gallery -- presented by Heide Unger and Tim Corley, owners. Ms. Unger and Mr. Corley intend to expand their art gallery and tattoo shop into the space recently vacated by Stan Matsunaka's election campaign, and would like to repaint both storefronts in corporate colors of black, white and plum, and install three awnings, one over the doorway leading upstairs to space unconnected with the business. The applicant proposed the awning over the doorway be domed, to differentiate it from the business. The business awnings will be black, with back -lit white letters. The applicant would also like to change the color of the painted brick kickplate to black, from the current brick color, to minimize the appearance of dirt. The applicant plans to restore all brick properly in the future, as well as apply for a Landmark Rehabilitation Loan to restore the upper blocked -down windows to their original size and shape. For now, the upper windows will be painted black with plum accent color. Ms. Tunner explained that the size and design of the business awnings do not meet current building code requirements, and the applicant is working with the awning contractor and the City's sign coordinator to work out the details. Commission members felt the domed awning would be inappropriate. Bud Frick also had concerns about the method of attaching the awnings to the building, which, done improperly, could destroy the historic fabric. The details of attachment will be handled administratively. Janet Ore suggested investigating the possibility of water damage behind the very soft brick and fixing it rather than simply painting. Pubic input: None. Per Hogestad moved that the LPC approve work outlined for 211-213 Jefferson, with the provision that applicant supply staff with final details of the awning design and details for attachment of the rigid frame awnings to the building; the doorway awning should be sloped and all awnings have a loose valance. Janet Ore seconded. Motion passed unanimously, 5-0. 2. 218 Pine St., The Bayberry — Because the applicant, Mr. Gilsdorf, was not present, the project was presented by staff, Carol Tunner. Ms. Tunner described the proposed awning as fixed but with a loose flowing valance. Ms. Watrous asked why this awning met building code since it did not project three feet from the building. Ms. Tunner replied that there was no sign on this awning, so it would not be considered a cabinet sign (which is any lettered awning less than three feet from the building.) Ms. Ore asked why they wanted Landmark Preservation Commission April 9, 2003 Meeting Minutes Page 3 an awning since it only has a two foot projection. Mr. Hogestad answered that it would prevent fading of merchandise in the window. Ms. Ore moved to approve the awning at 218 Pine St. and Mr. Hogestad seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0. DESIGNATION 810 W. Mountain Ave., John and Edna Squires House -- presented by David Thompson, introduced by Karen McWilliams. Action on this item was postponed at last month's meeting to avoid delaying the permitting process; however, applicants do not intend to start work on the addition until August, and so will not be delayed by the designation process. The John and Edna Squires House is individually eligible for designation under Landmark Standard A, for its contributions to the history and development of our community; and Standard C, for its architectural significance to Fort Collins. The Squires House has been an integral part of West Mountain Avenue since the early 1900s, and is a recognized feature of the Loomis Addition neighborhood. Additionally, the house exhibits good physical integrity, and displays the prevailing architectural styles and social standards for middle class families in Fort Collins in the early 1900s. The home is reflective of the Folk Victorian architectural style, with many notable stylistic features. The property contains a historic residence and a concrete block garage. The garage is not a part of these designation proceedings. David Thompson confirmed that the modern solar panels are still functional, but will be removed when they stop working in five to ten years. The Commission also discussed the applicant's plans for removing the existing mud porch on the house, and replacing it with a new addition. The mud porch is located at the rear of the house, and was added at a later period. The owners would like to construct a 20x20-foot addition, creating a master bedroom/bath and kitchen nook. Ms. McWilliams clarified that the designation would be for the property as a whole, with the addition as proposed. The final plans for the addition would come before the Commission for review in the future. The Commission felt that it would be better to designate the property as it is currently built, and then evaluate the proposed addition under design review. Mr. Thompson expressed concern that the Commission would designate the house and later disallow the addition. In that case, he would prefer the house not be designated. Per Hogestad said that in concept the LPC supports the design of the addition. The Commission did not have the final set of plans to consider, but passed a motion that it supports the addition as presented, subject to review of the final plans. This was acceptable to the applicant. Landmark Preservation Commission April 9, 2003 Meeting Minutes Page 4 Public input: Nick Asher spoke in support of the project. Janet Ore moved that the LPC recommend the John and Edna Squires House at 810 W. Mountain for landmark status. Agnes Dix seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 5-0. Per moved that the Commission support the addition to 810 W. Mountain as presented, subject to review of final plans. Janet seconded. The motion carried unanimously, 5-0. DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. 7225 and 7309 S. College Ave., Deines Barn -- Extension Request for Landmark Rehab Loan, presented by Carol Tunner. Personnel changes on the Shenandoah Homeowners Association Board of Directors resulted in miscommunication, but the current board fully intends to follow through on the renovations covered by this $1,198 loan granted last year. Janet Ore moved the LPC grant the request for a one-year extension for the Landmark Rehabilitation Loan for the Deines Barn project at 7225 and 7309 S. College Ave. Agnes Dix seconded, motion carried unanimously, 5-0. 2. City Council Policy Agenda Recommendations Board members would like City Council to make these issues a priority in the coming sessions: • Tear -downs, scrape -offs and pop -ups. • Additional funds for the Landmark Rehabilitation Loan program. • Expanding the financial incentives we have and revisiting the Historical Rehabilitation Preservation Plan for more ideas. • Support for more surveys of critical areas. • Development policy should include historic preservation and the LPC should be brought into the process very early. • Simplified requirements for re -development of the downtown area, including Canyon, which should be what comes out of the current Strategic Plan process. • Simplify the current planning procedures to encourage more local owners to consider preservation. Bud Frick asked members to either e- or snail -mail any additional ideas to all members and staff; Ms. Tunner will prepare a final memo to be delivered to the City Manager's office by April 28. Landmark Preservation Commission April 9, 2003 Meeting Minutes Page 5 OTHER BUSINESS 1. CSU Historical Building Review Board Mr. Hogestad discussed the qualifications required for this board, and indicated that he intends to ask Angie Aguilera to serve. Janet Ore added that she currently sits on the HBRB as a CSU faculty representative, and there is a need for more members knowledgeable about historic preservation. 2. Roof Windows -- Carol Tunner passed around pictures (excerpts printed from the National Park Service slide show on the Secretary's Standards for Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings) of appropriate and inappropriate roof windows, showing why they should not be on prominent elevations. Meeting adjourned at 7:21 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Kate Jeracki, Recorder April 19, 2003 /%