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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLandmark Preservation Commission - Minutes - 02/09/2005LANDMARK PRESERVATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting February 9, 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 reviewed and approved requests for the 2005 Landmark Rehabilitation 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 Ave., Fort Collins, Colorado. Agnes Dix, Heather Donohue, Alyson McGee, Janet Ore and Ian Shuff were present. Angie Aguilera was excused. Carol Tunner and Timothy Wilder represented City staff. No City Council members were present. GUESTS: Anne Stewart and Bill Worley for 1006 W. Mountain Ave.; Tony Westcott for 1109 W. Oak St.; Sue Walker for 601 W. Mountain Ave. AGENDA REVIEW: No changes. PUBLIC COMMENT: Chairman Bud Frick asked if anyone present wished to address items within the purview of the Commission, whether or not the item appeared on the agenda. There were no comments. STAFF REPORTS: None COMMISSION MEMBER REPORTS: Angie Aguilera attended the DDA meeting, and Carol Tunner presented her report. Plans for redevelopment of the site of the Perkins restaurant at College Ave. and Olive St. call for a new, modern 5-story building on the corner with residential -only parking underneath, while the old building is retained deeper on the lot. Ms. Tunner added that the Armstrong Hotel folks on the opposite corner, are concerned about the effects of street shutdowns for construction on business. The DDA also heard a presentation from EDAW on the Old Town Alley Revitalization project. Ms. Aguilera experienced some negative comments made about the LPL's involvement in the development of the plans for the project. Ms. Tunner urged other Commission members to reach out to the DDA's constituency. Both Janet Ore and Alyson McGee disagreed, pointing out that any hard feelings over the alley enhancement project stemmed from the applicants not respecting the process and coming before the Commission late. The Commission agreed that the plans are now better for the LPC's input. Ms. Aguilera would like to become the Commission's permanent liaison to the DDA with an occasional substitution if she cannot make a meeting. Landmark Preservation Commission February 9, 2005, Meeting Minutes Page 2 NO -INTEREST LANDMARK LOAN PROGRAM Landmark Loan Program 2005 Allocations — Timothy Wilder, City Planner Bud Frick recused himself from the discussions and voting because of a conflict of interest with his involvement with two of the projects. He remained in the room as an applicant to answer any questions from the LPC during deliberations, but did not participate in the discussions. In the absence of Vice Chair Angie Aguilera, Janet Ore conducted the meeting. She reminded Commission members that the projects were to be Considered solely on their merits and appropriateness, not on any design considerations. Carol Tunner added that Commission members should look at each project carefully to be sure they are not approving work that is not eligible under the program. Timothy Wilder presented an overview of all the projects, then deliberations were taken on each in turn. He added that if the Commission has concerns about the workability of a proposed project or whether the work will be done in accordance with proper preservation techniques, funding can be granted with conditions to be addressed during the Design Review phase of the project. The funding available -- $23,310 -- was sufficient to fully fund all six requests this year. All but one of the requests were for residential projects. Mr. Wilder explained that if all the funds are not allocated, any leftover funds do not necessarily carry over to the next year's loan program. There is a possibility of rolling unused funds back into the Design Assistance Program, which has provided some funding. 140-142 S. College Ave., Alpert Building, owner Walter J. Frick Trust — This is the one commercial request, for $5,000 with a $69,979 match provided, to restore storefront and other elements. In response to a question from Ms. Tunner, Bud Frick explained that the existing signs over the transoms will remain in place until the current tenants change, the transoms will be replaced with the same type of window used on the Armstrong Hotel. Alyson asked if sanding could be an alternative to stripping the paint as proposed. Mr. Frick said they are taking the surfaces back to the original wood using a soy -based stripper that is much less harsh than traditional products. He also addressed concerns about masonry and terracotta tiles. The skylight in the floor has been an ongoing challenge, since it currently leaks into the massage studio underneath and Mr. Frick has not been able to find matching replacements for the damaged prism glass tiles. The plan is to take the whole piece, including the damaged concrete around it, off, reset the 36 good tiles in place and replace the 30 broken tiles with thick industrial glass, since the cost to have custom tiles cast is prohibitive. Funding approved without conditions. 601 W. Mountain Ave., Kitchel House, owner Susan Walker - Request $5,000 with $20,347 match provided, to rebuild the front porch. Alyson McGee asked if there were any comparable porches still existing in Fort Collins to provide a comparison to support the historic evidence provided by the Sanborn maps and foundation footprint. Janet Ore Landmark Preservation Commission February 9, 2005, Meeting Minutes Page 3 agreed it would be important to see some evidence for the detailing, but at this point the Commission is considering the project, not the design. Mr. Frick, who is working as the architect on this project, said there were two similar corner porches in the area. Ms. McGee said she would like to see more substantiation of an appropriate design for this porch, if no historic photos are available. Ms. Tunner suggested working with Dale Heckendorf at the State Historical Fund to find a match somewhere in the state. Funding approved with the condition that evidence of comparable porches from the same period can be presented. 1006 W. Mountain Ave., Judge Coffin House, owner Anne T. Stewart — Request $2,725, with $2,725 match provided, to rebuild porch. Anne Stewart explained that she had taken out an ugly circa 1960s landing and steps about three years ago, but the current porch is worse. She proposes to return the porch to its appearance in a 1927 photograph, with a simpler entry, not screened in, and the composite siding on the front replaced with redwood. However, railings are now required on the steps by current building safety codes. Alyson McGee asked why there was such a disparity between the two bids submitted with the request. Ms. Stewart explained that the lower bid came from a consultant on the Design Assistance Program list whom she felt more comfortable working with as well. Mr. Wilder felt the submission, showing a match for the lower bid, was appropriate. Janet Ore agreed with Ms. McGee that stabilizing the foundation under the porch was really important; Ms. Stewart confirmed that that work was built into the bid. Funding approved without conditions. 426 E. Oak St., Hottel/Hoffman House, owners Phillip and Katherine Acott — Request $405, with $405 match provided, to replace porch roof. After discussion, the Commission determined that the project proposed would not address the underlying issues that need to be resolved to properly stabilize and maintain this house, a much bigger issue than just the asbestos shingles on the porch. In addition, Mr. Wilder pointed out that the type of work proposed is not eligible for funding through this program, and he apologized for bringing it forward to the Commission. Funding denied. 1109 W. Oak St., Vandewark House and Garage, owner Tony and Jane Westcott — Request $5,000 with $11,451 match provided, to replace 14 windows and reinstall salvaged trip around windows; replace decorative shutters on exterior. Tony Westcott said the wood around the windows, dating from 1919, is all rotten. He has been working with Empire Carpentry to assess their condition. The Commission members were concerned that replacing the windows could change the profile of the house, since windows are such an important characteristic of the house. Alyson McGee would rather see as many windows as possible repaired or refurbished rather than replaced, and suggested the Design Assistance Program could provide the funds for a window -by - window survey by an independent party. Ian Shuff pointed out that the shutters and trim are obviously in bad shape and he had no problem funding their replacement, but he would like to see more documentation on the condition of the windows themselves. Janet ore added that she was uncomfortable with the proposed power -washing of the building prior to painting. She said this is an unusual house for Fort Collins, and when this project comes forward for design review, she would like to see more photos of the Landmark Preservation Commission February 9, 2005, Meeting Minutes Page 4 entire building, not just details. She also suggested it would be appropriate for LPC members to go out and take a look at the building itself. Mr. Shuff disagreed, saying that was outside the purview of the Commission; Ms. McGee agreed with him, adding that they should be able to trust a third -party consultant's assessment. Funding conditionally approved pending resolution of window issues; owner will work with Carol Tunner and Design Assistance Program consultants. 501 Stover St., Dukes/Dunlap House, owner Mona F. Frayer — Request $5,000 with $16,300 match provided to restore two porches, paint trim, update wiring and plumbing, remove asbestos siding, restore windows and gutters. The recently discussed handicapped access ramp is not included in this loan request. No applicant was present, and the application seemed to contradict itself as to what work was to be done with the loan money and many listed elements would be ineligible. After discussion, the Commission felt perhaps the applicant had included her state tax credit request with this request by mistake. Janet Ore requested a clarification of exactly what the applicant was asking for to clear up the confusion. Timothy Wilder will contact the applicant for clarification. Funding approved pending final list of proposed work. Public input: None. Alyson McGee moved that the LPC approve funding for all eligible projects under the Landmark Rehabilitation Loan Program with conditions as discussed by the LPC. Heather Donohue seconded, and the motion carried unanimously, 5-0, with Bud Frick recused. Meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Kate Jeracki, Recorder February 21, 2005