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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLandmark Preservation Commission - Minutes - 09/22/2004LANDMARK PRESERVATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting September 22, 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: LPC approved roof repairs and gutters for 612 S. College Ave., the Darrah House, and a letter of support for a State Historical Fund grant for the Nix Farm Barn. The LPC voted not to perform State Tax Credit design review in 2005. Members also heard a training report on subdivisions, conservation districts and zoning as preservation tools by Dr. Janet Ore, and a presentation on the Poudre School District Survey by Adam Thomas of Historitecture LLC. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Commission called to order with a quorum present by Chairman Bud Frick at 5:35 p.m. at 281 N. College Ave., Fort Collins, Colorado. Angie Aguilera, Agnes Dix, Per Hogestad, Janet Ore and Ian Shuff were present. Karen McWilliams and Carol Tunner represented City staff. GUESTS: Judith and Grant Reid, owners, for 612 S. College Ave., the Darrah House; Adam Thomas, Historitecture LLC, for Poudre School District Survey. AGENDA REVIEW: Under Other Business, Carol Tunner added a letter of support for a State Historic Fund grant for the Nix Farm barn due October 1. MINUTES: Minutes of August 11, 2004, were accepted as presented. STAFF REPORTS: Karen McWilliams reminded Commission members of the City Council study session on Tuesday, Sept. 28. Carol Tunner announced various upcoming conferences: Historic Tax Credit Conference in San Francisco, Oct. 27-29, one on tax incentives in Boston, Nov. 11-12, and Colorado Preservation Inc.'s Saving Places conference in Denver, Feb. 4-7, 2005. She reminded members of the Bas Bleu Theatre event at the Giddings Building on Oct. 3, and the deadline for applications for vacancies on the Commission, Sept. 28. Ms. Tunner also distributed a sign-up sheet for members to attend Downtown Development Authority meetings as LPC liaison. COMMISSION MEMBER REPORTS: Janet Ore reviewed three articles on the use of various types of regulation — subdivision requirements, conservation districts and zoning — to promote preservation. In general, subdivision involves mandatory control of division of land and infrastructure; ways to help preservation can be formal or informal. Conservation districts developed out of neighborhood plans; their geography and identity are defined by local governments but involve no formal regulation. Such districts are usually formed around existing historic districts or potential districts, and because they are driven by policy rather than ordinance, are more flexible and can be effective in areas resistant to design review. However, conservation districts don't work well alone without coordination with other local preservation/design review efforts. Overlay zoning Landmark Preservation Commission September 22, 2004, Meeting Minutes Page 2 is a straightforward approach which requires historic preservation efforts to coordinate with local zoning ordinances and authorities. Some zoning tools available include special purpose; special use exceptions; transfer for development rights; bonus zoning and conditional zoning, all of which work better in some situations than others. Dr. Ore suggested it would be useful for the LPC to designate a liaison to the Planning and Zoning Board, and/or receive training in zoning issues. Ms. Tunner said it would also be useful to present the slide show on the Secretary of the Interior's Standards to the P&Z Board as well as the DDA and City Council. CURRENT REVIEW 1. 516 S. Meldrum, Garnick House — Door Changes to the Approved Plan -- no applicant present; introduced by Carol Tunner. According to staff, the owner is having difficulty finding a 32-inch wide door with a half-light and two panels below to match the historic 1948 photo submitted for the Local landmark Rehabilitation No -Interest Loan and approved by the LPC in April 2004. She has found a historic door of the correct width that is three -panel solid wood, without a glass pane, and Ms. Tunner asked the LPC for direction to relay to the owner. Ian Shuff felt that the correct type of door in the correct width could be easily obtained through special order at any local home supply store. Bud Frick and Per Hogestad also had several questions for the owner, and by consensus LPC declined to give direction until the owner could answer them in person. 2. 612 S. College Ave., the Darrah House — Roof Repair, Replacement and Gutters for the No -Interest Landmark Loan Program — Judith and Grant Reid, owners; introduced by Carol Tunner. The owners would like approval for re -roofing with wood, repair to associated trim, and the installation of half -round gutters. The existing wood roof has deteriorated and requires replacement as soon as possible to ensure that no more damage to the roof skip -sheathing occurs. If the existing damage is extensive, they may lay a decking surface over the spaced boards. They are planning on replacing with a wood roof but are getting estimates for the cost. Portions of the bead -board soffit and trim board are deteriorated or missing, allowing moisture and ice to enter the roof framing, which makes it a high priority. They will also replace the non -original facia/roof trim molding on the house to match the existing original trim on the front porch. Staff recommends approving the request for a new wood roof, crown molding replacement, and half -round gutters. Landmark Preservation Commission September 22, 2004, Meeting Minutes Page 3 Judith Reid explained they would like to have this work done before winter. She has called three roofing contractors and has received an estimate from one; so far the difference between an asphalt roof and wood is $1400, but she feels it is worth the extra cost to go with wood. Per Hogestad asked what they planned to do if the molding needed to match that on the front porch was not a stock design. Ms. Grant said the roofing contractor had assured her it would not be a problem to match it. Bud Frick asked about the materials to be used on the gutters, since no one makes prefabricated galvanized gutters in half -round. Ian Shuff pointed out that the fire retardant used with wood roofs reacts corrosively with galvanized metal. Possible solutions could be to use copper gutters or non -galvanized straps to attach the gutters. Ms. Grant said she would discuss this with the contractor. She added that the estimate, which she shared with the LPC, includes re -decking if needed and matching bead board. Public input: None Janet Ore moved that the LPC approve for final review the roof repair, roof replacement, and gutters for the No -Interest Landmark Loan program as presented, with the caveat that the crown molding and soffit replicate as closely as possible the existing design. Angie Aguilera seconded, and the motion passed unanimously, 6-0. Dr. Ore reminded the owners that the approval is of the work proposed not the estimate discussed. Grant Reid asked about the procedure for reimbursement of expenses under the loan program. Karen McWilliams explained that final bills and paperwork should be submitted to Timothy Wilder as administrator of the loan program. Once he inspects the work, he will issue a check to the owners so they can pay the contractors. DISCUSSION ITEM Poudre School District Survey — presented by Adam Thomas of Historitecture LLC, introduced by Karen McWilliams. Historitecture was contracted a year ago to work with the Poudre School District to survey all the schools in the district for architectural and historic significance. Mr. Thomas reported that the City and the district worked very well together on the project, and he felt that local preservation had scored a much needed victory through the process. His report includes both context and fieldwork, and all the buildings in the district, even those outside the Fort Collins city limits have been officially recorded. Landmark Preservation Commission September 22, 2004, Meeting Minutes Page 4 Because schools are iconic representations of the community, and school architecture directly relates to educational philosophy as well as architectural trends, Mr. Thomas provided an outline of the historical development of American pedagogy and how prevailing theories were expressed in Larimer County school buildings. Within the vast county, "school districts" were set up to include the one -room school serving a single homestead in some cases, but the identity of the local community was closely tied to the school. Washburn School was the first in Larimer County, built in 1864. The first school in old Fort Collins was moved to 115 Riverside in 1871 and became known as The Yellow School. The Remington Street School was built in 1879, and in 1880 the first kindergarten west of St. Louis opened in District 5, which served Fort Collins. It was followed in 1889 by Fort Collins' first high school and in 1925 by its first middle school — what is now Lincoln Junior High in the old, old Fort Collins High School. In 1960, district reorganization created PSD R-1, not without opposition from rural districts that, in some cases, had no students but did not want to give up the identity conferred by having a local district. Rural schools in 21 districts were included in this survey. In total, 34 properties were surveyed — five (15 percent) were found eligible for National Register designation; 12 (35 percent) eligible for state registration, and 12 (35 percent) eligible for local landmark status. The nationally eligible buildings are: 1. Laurel Street School/Centennial High School, designed by Montezuma Fuller and still in use. 2. Timnath School, built in 1909 and now used as the Art Building of the modern school. 3. Washington School, 1919, used now as the Lab School for Creative Learning. 4. Waverly School, the only high school for miles and almost the only building in Waverly which still exhibits high integrity. 5. Barton School, which now houses the Discovery Center on Prospect Street, an excellent example of the International Style, which Mr. Thomas said was the style of architecture most at risk in the district. Three other International buildings have all been converted to Post -Modern, as they are adapted to meet the needs of continuous use, ADA and modern security requirements. Mr. Thomas added that the Stove Prairie School, already listed on the state register, could become eligible for the National Register if the additions were removed; he said the district is considering this and building a new building for use by the students still attending there. He also reviewed the State Register eligible schools: Timnath Consolidated; Livermore School; Lesher Junior High, which is scheduled for a major renovation that may now be designed to take advantage of State Historical Fund grants; O'Dea Elementary; Riffenburgh Elementary; and the little known Cooper Memorial Vocational Training School, the earliest group home in Colorado, which is still operating. A few of the locally Landmark Preservation Commission September 22, 2004, Meeting Minutes Page 5 eligible schools include Mountain View School; Dunn Elementary, and Juan Fullana Elementary, replaced by Irish Elementary and now used as a community center. Mr. Thomas' recommendations are: to formally nominate the eligible properties; develop a historic preservation management plan for the district; inventory all rural schools in Larimer County; and help the district develop history and architecture lessons that meet the model content standards using the district's own buildings. He is meeting with school district officials soon to discuss specific action plans. He added that the enthusiasm for this project on the part of the school district has been remarkable, because they'd never considered it before, even though PSD has a national reputation for architectural excellence. Karen McWilliams said copies of the survey and report will be distributed to LPC members. A vote of support will be asked for after members have had a chance to study and comment on it. Janet Ore commended Mr. Thomas for the survey and especially the inclusion of the broader history of the development of education. She felt strongly that it was important enough to have its own section, so that local buildings could be evaluated in a national context. Per Hogestad and the rest of the Commission agreed, and thanked Mr. Thomas for his efforts. OTHER BUSINESS 1. Annual CLG Resolution Concerning the Design Review Function — introduced by Carol Tunner. Carol Tunner asked the LPC to consider returning to previous practice of reviewing State Tax Credit projects as part of the Commission's CLG functions. She said not as many local people are using it since the review was returned to Denver, and homeowners have been frustrated with the process for various reasons. She didn't know how staff would find the time, but she said that homeowners would find it easier to work with the local staff and Commission. Janet Ore didn't see how the LPC would be easier to work with than the state if they followed the same regulations. Per Hogestad recalled that when the LPC did such interiors reviews in years past, homeowners got frustrated with the LPC. Bud Frick agreed that taking on such responsibilities in the current climate would be political suicide. Public input: None. Angie Aguilera moved that the LPC not perform the design review function for State Tax Credit permitted under the Certified Local Government designation. Agnes Dix seconded and the motion carried unanimously, 6-0. Landmark Preservation Commission September 22, 2004, Meeting Minutes Page 6 Ms. Tunner suggested asking Dan Corson from the Colorado Historical Society to present some training classes on the design process. Ms. Dix thought that might be interesting and the Commission agreed it was a good idea. Mr. Frick suggested that more local incentives, especially more money for grants loans and rebates, could be more effective than doing the State Tax Credit review. 2. Support letter for Nix Farm barn — introduced by Carol Tunner. Carol Tunner explained that the Nix Farm Ramped Bank Barn is in need of numerous repairs, including new siding, window repairs, a new roof and structural stabilization, and funds under $100,000 are being sought as a grant from the State Historic Fund. Because there is no documentation of when the barn was actually built, the plan is to restore it to approximately 1920 and an earliest known picture. The grant application asks for a letter in support for the project from the LPC. Janet Ore moved the LPC approve a letter of support for a State Historic Fund grant to restore and stabilize the Nix Farm barn. Ian Shuff seconded and the motion carried unanimously, 6-0. Meeting adjourned at 8 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Kate Jeracki, Recorder October 7. 2004