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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLandmark Preservation Commission - Minutes - 11/03/2004LANDMARK PRESERVATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting November 3, 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 repainting the storefronts at 208-214 Linden St. for Conor O'Neill's Pub, and plans for restoration and asbestos abatement of 425 Tenth St., the Romero House. LPC also adopted its 2005 Work Plan and discussed possible changes to the Municipal and Land Use Codes affecting historic preservation. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Commission called to order with a quorum present by Chairman Bud Frick at 5:40 p.m. at 281 N. College Ave., Fort Collins, Colorado. Agnes Dix, Per Hogestad, Janet Ore and Ian Shuff were present. Angie Aguilera was absent. Karen McWilliams and Carol Tunner represented City staff. GUESTS: Colm O'Neill, owner, and Sue Emmett, manager, for 208-214 Linden St., Conor O'Neill's Pub; Marion Jones, Betty Aragon and Chris Koziol for 425 Tenth St., the Romero House; Joshua Norom and Brad Sifers, CSU Tourism Planning Class. AGENDA REVIEW: Carol Tunner announced that the Fort Collins Museum agenda item had been postponed. Karen McWilliams added Preliminary Discussion of Code Changes to Other Business. MINUTES: Minutes of Sept. 8, 2004 were accepted as presented. STAFF REPORTS: Karen McWilliams reported that there are three candidates for the two open seats on the Landmark Preservation Commission next year. Carol Tunner announced an upcoming conference on tax incentives in Boston, Nov. 11-12, and reminded members to respond to the invitation to the reception honoring Boards and Commissions at the Lincoln Center on Nov. 10. COMMISSION MEMBER REPORTS: Agnes Dix reported on the annual Historic Preservation Commissions meeting in Berthoud, Oct. 30. She and Carol Tunner attended, along with commissioners and representatives from Berthoud, Loveland and Greeley. She said that Ms. Tunner gave a presentation on different levels of eligibility, and discussed some of the more challenging projects Fort Collins has dealt with in the past year. Per Hogestad said that he had been contacted by the City of Loveland about residential districting, and they are very excited about a new residential district, dating from the 1920s and '30s, which has also been a good selling point. Janet Ore will be attending the Downtown Development Authority meeting Nov. 4. Landmark Preservation Commission November 3, 2004, Meeting Minutes Page 2 TRAINING Public Education, July/August issue of The Alliance Review — presented by Carol Tunner. In addition to outlining the article, Ms. Tunner distributed a summary of Colorado's locally enacted historic preservation economic incentives, prepared by Dan Corson, Local Government Liaison for the Colorado Historical Society, and a list of possible community preservation partnerships. According to Ms. Tunner, The Alliance Review strongly urged historic preservation commissions to gain support through public relations and educational activities directed both at the general community and important decision -makers in local government. CURRENT REVIEW 1. 208-214 Linden St., Conor O'Neill's Pub — Repaint Two Storefronts, Conceptual and Final Review — Colm O'Neill, owner, and Sue Emmett, manager; introduced by Carol Tunner. Since taking over the space at 208-214 Linden St. in March of this year, the owners of Conor O'Neill's Irish Pub and restaurant have made minimal changes to the exterior, simply replacing the name in the faux I-beam sign over the storefronts. Now they would like to get more business identification with their pubs in other cities, and the applicant would like to repaint the exterior lower storefronts in "Guinness" Blue, which is like the Federal Blue on the historic paint palette for Milk Paints. This is the color scheme at other Conor O'Neill Pubs in Boulder and Ann Arbor, Michigan, and is famous as the color of the Guinness Brewery in Ireland. The I-beam signs would be repainted white, with the existing letters in blue. Staff opposed the paint scheme as proposed, because it does not meet guidelines #12, #13 and #14. It is one strong color only with no accent definition and not coordinated with the upper cornices. In consultation with staff prior to the meeting, the applicant agreed to a compromise to paint a smaller area such as the window sash/frames/surrounds and kickplate blue, leaving the pilasters and belt cornice to match the upper cornice. Colm O'Neill said he had worked with historic districts in other cities and understood the concerns and the process. He said he did not want to detract from the building, but Sue Emmett felt it was important to add more color to standardize the corporate identity. The applicant shared color photos of the exteriors of their other locations. The LPC agreed that a solid mass of blue, like that used on the Boulder location, would not be appropriate in the Old Town location, and preferred the treatment that integrated a cream color in Ann Arbor. Members discussed at length various possible color combinations. Per Hogestad felt it was important to allow the Landmark Preservation Commission November 3, 2004, Meeting Minutes Page 3 applicant to express the business's corporate identity, and a paint job would be reversible. Ian Shuff cautioned that repainting was a major investment, and it would be best to avoid making a negative impression with the color scheme. Bud Frick felt a less intense shade of blue should be used. After discussion, the LPC suggested the repainting should follow the scheme of whatever is currently green should become blue and whatever is currently maroon should be left that color. The color Slate should be used for accents and details, such as on the brackets, kickplates and for the background of the sign. The letters on the sign should stay as they are. Public input: None. Janet Ore moved that the LPC approve repainting the two storefronts at 208-214 Linden St. with the colors Federal Blue and Slate from the historic palette, to coordinate with the existing deep maroon. The color placement should follow the plan as discussed and outlined by Ian Shuff on the applicant's drawing. Agnes Dix seconded and the motion carried 4-1, with Bud Frick opposed. Mr. Frick explained that he wasn't opposed to allowing the applicants to paint the building, but he thought the chosen color scheme was inappropriate. Dr. Ore felt the placement of the colors was the most important element. Ms. Tunner will give the applicants a copy of the color placement plan so they can complete the project before cold weather sets in. 2. 425 Tenth St., the Romero House — Restoration for a Museum, Final Review — Marion Jones, Project Manager, Chris Koziol, project advisor, and Betty Aragon; introduced by Carol Tunner. The Poudre Landmarks Foundation is in the process of restoring the Romero House in Andersonville, owned by the City of Fort Collins, as a house museum and tribute to the Sugar Factory neighborhoods. The PLF has previously appeared before the LPC to describe conceptual plans to take the building back to its 1930s appearance by removing later additions and exterior plaster, which will be replaced with original adobe mud. The work is being funded by a State Historical Fund grant and supervised closely to meet the Secretary's Standards. The house is currently undergoing asbestos abatement inside and out; the applicants submitted a summary of work from Walsh Engineering. Staff recommends the restoration as planned. Ms. Tunner explained that the entire site, lot edge to lot edge, is designated. She added that Current Planning has concerns about the lack of curbs, gutters and sidewalks. Landmark Preservation Commission November 3, 2004, Meeting Minutes Page 4 Chris Koziol explained aspects of the project, including reconstructing doors and windows, and hiring Wattle -and -Daub as the contractor to make authentic adobe bricks on site. They've determined that the first two rooms were built in 1920, and then next two rooms added in 1935. That is the period of significance to which the house is being restored. The original roof was still intact under the 1950s roof, but was in need of reinforcement. The foundation of the 1950s addition will be left intact to show how the building evolved, but will also need to be stabilized. Mr. Koziol pointed out that the City paid little attention to codes or zoning back then in this neighborhood. Public input: None Per Hogestad moved that the LPC approve the application for restoration as presented. Janet Ore seconded, and the motion passed unanimously, 5-0. Dr. Ore said that this was the most exciting project underway in Fort Collins, and that it was unique for the region. She felt a house museum could generate a tremendous amount of attention. Ms. McWilliams added that in addition to being a museum, the building is planned to be a community -gathering place, which has triggered a Type 2 review of permitted uses by the City. Mr. Koziol said they would like it treated as a historic artifact, which would allow them to make necessary life safety upgrades while maintaining the historic integrity of the building, but bureaucratic concerns were holding up the permits which in turn was holding up the project and endangering the state grant funding. Karen McWilliams explained that the various departments are not necessarily aware of the project's historic nature when reviewing the project, and it would help if they could all be pulled together so allowances can be made for the unique nature of the building and the project. Mr. Hogestad suggested a letter from the Commission might help. Dr. Ore agreed, saying the LPC should do everything possible to keep this project on track. Bud Frick will sign a letter, based on the language in the designation, addressing the planners concerns and why it should not be treated as a standard development. LPC members also expressed interest in visiting the site to see the original historic fabric, and the project as it progresses. Mr. Koziol said they had several milestones planned, and the applicants projected early 2006 as a possible completion date for two of the rooms and exhibits based on the oral histories now being collected from area residents. Landmark Preservation Commission November 3, 2004, Meeting Minutes Page 5 OTHER BUSINESS 1. 2005 LPC Work Program — introduced by Carol Tunner. Carol Tunner reviewed the proposed workplan for the LPC for 2005. She pointed out that City Council had shown strong support for LPC complementary review, of development projects, which has been added to the workplan. To facilitate the Education component, Ian Shuff volunteered to help develop a simple "Preservation Dos and Don'ts" brochure for homeowners, to be made available at the Building Department. The goal would be to get them to contact staff before they had progressed too far in their project planning. Public input: None. Janet Ore moved that the LPC accept the work plan as presented. Agnes Dix seconded and the motion carried unanimously, 5-0. 2. Preliminary Discussion of Code Changes — introduced by Karen McWilliams. Karen McWilliams distributed a matrix showing four options for possible changes to the Municipal Code and Land Use Code, developed by staff in response to direction from City Council, and outlined how each one would affect designated Fort Collins Landmarks, designated National Register properties, those resources individually eligible for designation and those that would contribute to a historic district. Per Hogestad was concerned that development review in Section 3.4.7 of the Land Use Code remain intact; Janet Ore agreed, saying the impact of redevelopment on adjacent individually eligible properties can be major. She added that she felt commercial and residential projects should be treated differently. Bud Frick said it was important to keeps as many options available to the LPC as possible. Ian Shuff said the LPC should keep its standards high, especially with commercial projects. Mr. Hogestad disagreed with Mr. Frick's position that demolition/alteration reviews for residential properties remain mandatory, to give the LPC the opportunity to turn bad designs into good projects. Mr. Frick felt that if the LPC gives up mandatory review, Council in return should provide additional funding to support incentives and education. Dr. Ore asked how, if the reviews were no longer mandatory, would the LPC find out about projects in need of review? Ms. McWilliams confirmed that there is no mechanism for the City to mandate a review before a permit is applied for, by which time it is often too late to modify a project, without loss of time and the investment in plans. Mr. Shuff suggested that if applicants have a voluntary pre - meeting with the LPC, the permit process could be expedited somehow. Mr. Frick said that in cities back east, eligible properties are required to go through the LPC first, to help them get through the building department process with a better Landmark Preservation Commission November 3, 2004, Meeting Minutes Page 6 design. Mr. Shuff suggested mass mailings to promote the availability of free design advice through the LPC, adding that it would be useful to be able to gauge the level of actual concern about these issues in the neighborhoods. Ms. McWilliams summarized the preliminary discussion: • Section 3.4.7 should remain intact. • Regulations should be more strict for commercial properties than for residential. • All residences should be treated consistently, including those listed on the National and State Registers. (Fort Collins Landmarks follow a different set of code requirements.) • Accessory buildings should be treated the same as their main buildings. • Public education and outreach should be dramatically increased. • There was no consensus on whether to keep or eliminate the demolition/alteration review process. In general, Commission members would like to keep some kind of delay mechanism to have the option of improving the design; the crux of the problem is timing, and whether to make it mandatory or voluntary and the logistics of each approach. Ms. McWilliams said that this process of refining the options will continue over the next several meetings. A range of options supported by LPC and/or staff will be presented to City Council, including a 100 percent voluntary option, requested by Council. 3. Nix Farm Loafing Shed — Ian Shuff. Mr. Shuff reported that the owner would like to raise the roof of the shed by two to three feet from the original plans, to accommodate larger equipment. The LPC agreed they needed some documentation of the request and would need to see more information on how the change will relate to both the old and new buildings on the site. Mr. Shuff said he would bring in new drawings to a future meeting. Meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Kate Jeracki, Recorder December 22, 2004