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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLandmark Preservation Commission - Minutes - 01/26/2005LANDMARK PRESERVATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting January 26, 2005 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 welcomed new member Heather Donohue. LPC requested the proposed fence to restrict access to outside stairwells at Fort Collins Museum, 200 Mathews, be redesigned, and found the property at 730 W. Prospect individually eligible for Fort Collins landmark designation. LPC also approved modified plans for the revitalization of Trimble and Tenney Court alleyways, and the plaza in Old Town. The Commission heard an update on road expansion improvements on Timberline Road and a report on the pubic open house on proposed code changes. The LPC also added Anne Perry to the Design Assistance Program's list of Pre -Qualified Consultants and elected officers for 2005. 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, Heather Donohue, Alyson McGee, Janet Ore and Ian Shuff were present. Joe Frank, Karen McWilliams and Carol Tunner represented City staff. GUESTS: Jonathan Irvin, representing The Group, for 730 W. Prospect; Frank Martinez, City Building Maintenance Supervisor, for 200 Mathews, Fort Collins Museum; Chip Steiner, Executive Director, Downtown Development Authority, Earen Russell and Brad Smith, EDAW, Kathleen Benedict, City of Fort Collins Senior Parks Planning Manager, Diane Findley, Trimble Court Artisans Co -Op, and Mike McCormick, owner, Trimble Block, for Fort Collins Downtown Alleys, Trimble and Tenney Courts; Matt Baker, City Engineer for Timberline Road expansion; Anne Perry, RA, for Design Assistance Program; Elaine Dodd, observer AGENDA REVIEW: Carol Tunner distributed a revised agenda, postponing the review of the Water Works at 2005 N. Overland Trail. PUBLIC COMMENT: Chairman Bud Frick asked if anyone present wished to address items not on the agenda. There were no comments. STAFF REPORTS: Carol Tunner introduced the newest LPC member, Heather Donohue, with the Fort Collins architecture firm of Aller-Lingle. She also reported that the Nix Farm had received a $97,500 State Historic Grant for exterior work, and asked for nominations for the Commission on the Status of Women's Marcilla M. Wood Award for volunteer work. Funding for the grant to renovate the trolley tracks on East Mountain will be available next year. Landmark Preservation Commission January 26, 2005, Meeting Minutes Page 2 Ms. Tunner also reviewed the extensive press outreach being done surrounding the Preserve America award, and once again urged all LPC members to attend the Friday, February 4 luncheon at the CPI conference in Denver where the award will be bestowed. Dr. Ore is participating in a SHPO panel discussion, and Alyson McGee will be conducting workshops on State Historical Fund Grants. Karen McWilliams reported that the public open house on proposed code changes held on Tuesday, January 25, was well attended, with more than 50 people signing in, and more present. The code issue will go before City Council in a study session on February 8, and all LPC members are urged to attend. COMMISSION MEMBER REPORTS: None MINUTES: Minutes of Dec. 8, 2004, were approved as presented. CURRENT REVIEW 200 Mathews St., Fort Collins Museum — Fence Understairs, Entry on West Elevation, Conceptual/Final Review — Frank Martinez. City Building Maintenance Supervisor; introduced by Carol Tunner. The City would like to secure the lower stairwell below the front staircase at the museum to address the ongoing problem of transients accessing that area. The proposal is to install a fence and gate on the north side stairs to the lower level, and fence over the opening to the area on the south side. The gate would have a panic bar on the inside, as this lower doorway is an emergency exit from the building, and an expanded section of wire mesh will be affixed to the inside of the gate to prevent the panic bar from being accessed from outside the gate. The fence is proposed as black iron with a picket top to match the existing fence around the south courtyard. Fencing will continue along a red sandstone cap to the side walls of the upper staircase of the historic main entrance. Staff's only concern is that the attachment anchors do not damage the red sandstone building. Anchors are recommended to be into the mortar joins; the gate should be run outside the stone cap and the north -south fence section into the ground along the outside of the stone cap. Commission members were also concerned with drilling into stone to accommodate the proposed 3-inch poles. Mr. Shuff questioned including a horizontal bar in the design of the fence. While Mr. Martinez explained that the purpose was to give crucial stability, Mr. Shuff thought it would act as a step up and over the fence. He would rather see the fence outside the stairwell, perhaps set in concert ground piers. Mrs. Dix, who has worked as a volunteer at the Museum, understands the problem being addressed, but also said drilling into the historic fabric of the building was a big concern. Landmark Preservation Commission January 26, 2005, Meeting Minutes Page 3 Public input: None. Ian Shuff summarized the Commission's direction: The fence should be outside the stairwell area, not anchored in the building, and the horizontal bar should be eliminated. The gate area can be approved administratively. Mr. Martinez said he would work on the redesign and bring it to Ms. Tunner for review. She will contact Mr. Frick if there are any questions. DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY 730 W. Prospect St. — Jonathan Irvin, The Group, and contracted purchaser's representative; introduced by Karen McWilliams. This residence and the associated garage are more than 50 years old. The contracted purchaser asked for a determination of eligibility; the Chairman of the LPC and the Director of Advance Planning agreed that it is individually eligible under Standard 3, architectural significance, and it was brought forward for consideration by the full Commission. The LPC reviewed current and historical photos of the property. Staff visited the site in December 2004 to evaluate the property, and Ms. McWilliams pointed out a historic addition not readily visible in the photographs and storm windows as the only changes to the home. Janet Ore pointed out a skylight that would also be a modification. Public input: None. Ian Shuff moved that the LPC find the property at 730 W Prospect St. individually eligible for Fort Collins Landmark designation under Standard 3 for its architectural significance. Janet Ore seconded and the motion carried unanimously, 7-0. DISCUSSION AGENDA 1. Fort Collins Downtown Alleys, Trimble and Tenney Courts — Revitalization — Brad Smith and Earen Russell, EDAW Landscaping; Chip Steiner, Executive Director, Downtown Development Authority, and Kathleen Benedict, City of Fort Collins Senior Parks Planning Manager; introduced by Carol Tunner. Brad Smith presented updated drawings made to incorporate comments made by the LPC at the January 12 meeting. Kathleen Benedict apologized for any confusion about the process that may have arisen during the last meeting. Landmark Preservation Commission January 26, 2005, Meeting Minutes Page 4 Mr. Smith pointed out that the brackets and planting baskets in Tenney Court have been simplified; the baskets have also been reduced in Trimble Court, where the light posts are now standard; at the College Avenue entrance, the posts and bollards have been scaled down, and at the Remington Street entrance the post heights have been reduced to match the existing ones. The metal work is still black, but there is not as much of it as in the previous plan. Alyson McGee asked about the proposed new trees and their impact on the visibility of the historic Old Town buildings. Mr. Smith explained the new trees will be honey locusts, which provide the lightest canopy of all the trees available. Ms. Benedict added that by taking out a large spruce, which has outgrown its space on the north end of the plaza and is creating a visual barrier, and replacing it with the lighter canopy trees, the impact will be mitigated. Mr. Smith said the City Forester had reviewed the tree selection and was comfortable with the plan. Ian Shuff felt that the use of plants in general throughout the plan was good, as was the overall design. Janet Ore liked the more simplified approach to the enhancements because the buildings themselves are simple. She also felt the design opens up the alleys and makes them more inviting to pedestrians. Agnes Dix said the consultants had done a wonderful job incorporating the LPC's suggestions into the revised drawings. Earen Russell presented historic photos of string lights in use in Old Town in the early 1940s, and discussed her research into the Trimble Arch. The reason it had not been included in their plans was possible interference with a window on the Trimble Block would require it to be elevated about 20 feet, which would make it no longer functional as a visual element. Ms. McGee expressed concern over attaching the planter baskets through the stucco on the building in Tenney Court, and the possibility of overwatering dripping into the masonry and causing damage. Mr. Smith explained they would try to anchor into mortar joints, and the drip irrigation system would ensure less overwatering. Ms. McGee felt that this new design respected the fact that the buildings are the most important part of Old Town. Public input: Mike McCormick, owner of the Trimble Block, spoke in favor of the design, adding that he didn't mind a directory of shops at the entrance. Diane Findley of the Trimble Court Artisans Co -Op said she was thrilled with the proposed improvements, and thanked the consultants and the LPC for working on them. She urged them to continue considering bringing back the arch; it was one of her favorite elements. Chip Steiner said that if there was a way to attach it, they'd see what could be done. Earen Russell said EDAW would keep working with the architect to get it in. Mr. McCormick said the original holes where still there. Janet Ore moved the LPC approve for final review the proposals for revitalization of Trimble and Tenney Courts and Old Town Plaza as presented. Ian Shuff seconded and the motion carried unanimously, 7-0. Landmark Preservation Commission January 26, 2005, Meeting Minutes Page 5 Mr. Steiner said that the DDA, which is providing trash pickup in the alleys, is considering bids for consolidation of the service before the summer season. He also pointed out that if the grocery tax is repealed on April 5, there will be no money available for City maintenance of the alleys. 2. Timberline Road Improvements — Matt Baker, City Engineer; introduced by Carol Tunner. Matt Baker provided an overview of the status of the next big construction project for the City. Design work is 80-90 percent completed; roadwork is set to begin in spring of 2006 and be completed in one season. The terrain of Timberline Road as well as various encroachments presented a number of engineering design challenges. The need for improvements are critical, but there are no federal funds available and funding for the full project is dependent upon the outcome of the November referendum on the Building on Basics tax, so the Engineering Department has been designing with various funding options in mind. The interim design will upgrade the stretch of Timberline between Drake Road and Prospect Street to a level of service D, comparable to older arterials in the City. Of particular interest to the LPC, the road must be shifted to avoid encroachment on a major gas metering station near Drake. This shift also saves most of the old cottonwood trees and land associated with the historically significant Jessup Farm. When completed, the distance from the curbline to the farmhouse will be 58 feet, with a bike lane and sidewalk slightly closer. Mr. Baker said the cottonwoods will receive special treatment to preserve the roots within a 32-foot dripline. The ultimate design calls for a parkway through this area, and removal of the nearby modern metal silos. He added that his department has been working with Storm Water to moderate and eliminate the existing floodway. Karen McWilliams said staff had looked at the plans and felt that Mr. Baker and his staff had done a great job addressing the concerns expressed by the Commission over previous designs. Mr. Baker added that the new design may have a greater financial impact on industrial property in the area, but it works out better as a roadway as well as reducing the impact on the Jessup Farm. 3. Design Assistance Program Application for the Pre -Qualified Consultants List — Anne Perry, RA; introduced by Carol Tunner. Anne Perry, RA, gave a Power Point presentation highlighting her experience with historic building projects in Juneau and Buffalo. The LPC reviewed her resume and interviewed her on her knowledge and experience working with standards and guidelines for historic preservation. Public input: None. Landmark Preservation Commission January 26, 2005, Meeting Minutes Page 6 Janet Ore moved that the LPC add Anne Perry, RA, to the Design Assistance Program list of Pre -Qualified Consultants. Agnes Dix seconded and the motion carried unanimously, 7-0. Dr. Ore commented on the importance of having consultants available who know the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and respect them. OTHER BUSINESS 1. Land Use and Municipal Code Changes — Karen McWilliams. Of the comments received from the more than 50 attendees at the January 25 public open house to discuss the proposed code changes, only one supported doing away with all historic preservation regulations, according to Karen McWilliams. The rest supported retaining the existing revised codes. Staff presented the revised codes to the Planning and Zoning board at a January 14 work session and asked for a recommendation to City Council in support of Option 1; a formal recommendation from P&Z is expected on February 17. The issue returns to the LPC for a formal recommendation on February 23, and Council is expected to vote on a first reading March 1. Opportunities for public comment to Council before then include the reception following the Preserve America commendation ceremony on February 1 and at the February 15 Council meeting, as well as through email, letters and voicemail messages to the City manager as well as Council members. Janet Ore commended Ms. McWilliams on the staff presentation at the open house, especially the timeline of local preservation. 2. Election of 2005 LPC Officers Janet Ore nominated W.J. "Bud" Frick Jr. for Chair of the Fort Collins Landmark Preservation Commission for 2005. Agnes Dix seconded. Alyson McGee offered a friendly amendment to include nomination of Angie Aguilera as Vice Chair to form a slate. The amendment was accepted by Ms. Dix and the slate was elected unanimously, 7-0. Meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Kate Jeracki, Recorder February 19, 2005 G t