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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLandmark Preservation Commission - Minutes - 04/13/2005LANDMARK PRESERVATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting April 13, 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 approved plans for an addition at 124 N. Sherwood, Remington House, and plans for window repair and repainting at 1109 W. Oak, Vandewark House. LPC also accepted the Franz Smith Cabin restoration in the Courtyard of the Fort Collins Museum as built, and heard plans for administrative approval for a small change of materials on the porch at 601 W. Mountain. Final selections for the 2005 Friend of Preservation Award were made and the 2006-07 budget was discussed. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Commission called to order with a quorum present by Chairman Bud Frick at 5:33 p.m. at 281 N. College Ave.,. Fort Collins, Colorado, Agnes Dix, Heather Donahue, Alyson McGee, and Ian Shuff were present. Angie Aguilera and Janet Ore were excused. Carol Tunner and Joe Frank represented City staff. No City Council members were present. GUESTS: Mark and Liz Knapp, owners, for 124 N. Sherwood; Cheryl Donaldson, Fort Collins Museum, for the Franz Smith Cabin, 200 Mathews St.; Tony Westcott, owner, for 1109 W. Oak; Kevin Murray for Franz Smith Cabin and 1109 W. Oak; David Datsko, Kyle Bemis, Bill Black, Casey Kennedy, Sarah Bush, Ken O. Perilla and Katie Ward, CSU Tourism Planning class student observers. AGENDA REVIEW: Carol Tanner added administrative approval of small changes to 601 W. Mountain to Other Business. 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. Mr. Frick welcomed the many student observers. MINUTES: Minutes from February 23, 2005, were unanimously approved as presented. STAFF REPORTS: Carol Tunner shared the book to be presented to Per Hogestad in recognition of his retirement from the Commission, and information about the National Preservation Conference to be held in Portland Sept. 27-Oct. 2. She reminded Commission members of the CSU and the Architectural Preservation Society workshop June 20-24, 2005, on historic wood structures. Ms. Tunner also reported on the sugar beet flume that crosses the Poudre River near Vine and Lemay, north of the Nix Farm. This limestone slurry sluiceway is possibly the only one of its kind in the state; it operated from 1904 to the 1960s and was determined to be eligible for landmark status in 1996. The Fort Collins Natural Areas department wants to clean up the area along the bike trail and Poudre River, so Ms. Tunner and Ms. McWilliams worked with them and with Parks & Recreation folk's help to salvage artifacts. COMMISSION MEMBER REPORTS: Alyson McGee reported on the Archeology and Historic Preservation training she attended with Bud Frick and Carol Tunner last week. She recommended other Commission members attend one of the sessions held regularly by Dan Corson of the Colorado Historical Society. Landmark Preservation Commission April 13, 2005, Meeting Minutes Page 2 Bud Frick reported on the Downtown Development Authority meeting he attended on April 4. DDA approved funding for the east elevation of the Alpert Building renovation, but not at the level requested. DDA also discussed the relocation of the Discovery Science Center, to be renamed the Science and Heritage Center, to a site on Lemay near Vine. Mr. Frick said plans call for the Rocky Mountain Raptor Center to relocate to the site, although it was unclear if the Rule Farmhouse would be moved there. He said that Crossroads Safehouse seemed more interested in the structure than the Raptor Center. The possibility of the DDA taking possession of the Rule house and storing it was also discussed. CURRENT REVIEW 1. 124 N. Sherwood, Remington House — presented by Mark and Elizabeth Knapp, owners; introduced by Carol Tunner. At the last LPC meeting, March 23, this property was designated with the understanding that a proposed addition was acceptable, but a few items needed more discussion. The two-story, 1 0-by-1 2-foot addition on the rear northeast corner of the house will contain a new kitchen. The issues are the type of siding and the type and placement of windows to be compatible with the house. The applicants have four siding options: stucco; 1x6-inch #105 wood drop siding; 1/2x6-inch bevel lap siding with 4-inch exposure; or 4-inch on center fir T1-11 siding, which the applicants prefer. This latter option is more reasonable, and avoids using stucco that can be hard to match to original. The foundation will continue the poured concrete of the existing building. Windows heights are planned to line up with existing ones and to be a compatible style. The one window on the north elevation and the east rear elevation kitchen window is changed to three vertical panes. Staff recommended the addition as planned with the fir siding preferred by the applicants as a further delineation of the addition as new. The change in roof direction and vertical corner board at the end of the original house will also delineate the addition. Staff recommends that the rear elevation first floor window be double -hung instead of the proposed three vertical panes. The applicants said they would also prefer a double -hung window, but thought the LPC would prefer the three -pane style. Liz Knapp explained that there will be no window in the basement entry as shown on the drawings provided, and the lattice detail shown will actually be a bracket; one will be original, saved from the roof, and the other replicated from it to match. Bud Frick stressed the importance of keeping the addition differentiated from the existing structure. Alyson McGee felt that use of the T1-11 siding will do that; Ian Shuff agreed that use of contemporary materials on the addition is a good way to differentiate it. Public input: None. Alyson McGee moved that the LPC approve the plans for the addition at 124 N. Sherwood, as presented, with fir T1-11 siding, a double -hung window in the kitchen and no window in the basement entry. Ian Shuff seconded, and the motion carried unanimously, 5-0. Landmark Preservation Commission April 13, 2005, Meeting Minutes Page 3 Liz Knapp said they still need a variance due to a property line dispute with a neighbor; they will be meeting with Planning and Zoning in the morning. 2. Franz Smith Cabin, Museum Courtyard, 200 Mathews St. — Restoration, Final Review of Completed Project — presented by Kevin Murray, Empire Carpentry, and Cheryl Donaldson, museum director; introduced by Carol Tunner. Alyson McGee recused herself from the discussion because of her responsibilities with the State Historical Fund. Kevin Murray presented a PowerPoint slide show documenting the work done on this project, which was funded by a State Historical Fund grant. Due to an oversight when the building permit was issued, the project was not reviewed by the LPC prior to the work being done, but it was reviewed throughout by the SHF. The cabin was brought into the museum courtyard from S. Shields St. (with a detour to Livermore) because it was in the way of a new subdivision, Clarendon Hills. The restoration period was selected by the museum on the basis of the only early photo of the building, which was taken in the 1930s. The cabin had a corrugated metal roof at that time. The logs have been rechinked and the rotted sill logs replaced. The museum proposed to set it on a new concrete foundation, but the foundation was designed too large by about 6 inches all around. They decided, in conjunction with the SHF, that the best solution was to build a cobblestone apron around the building, using Poudre River rock. Staff recommended the project as completed. Much work went into meeting the applicable restoration standards. There are good preservation and existing condition construction reasons for the metal roof and cobblestone apron, and the cabin does offer a log residence of a different, later period than those already in the museum courtyard. Cheryl Donaldson explained that the cabin had been brought to the courtyard in 2000 after standing in Livermore for 13 years without a roof, during which time the elements had not been kind to the original log structure. Mr. Murray explained the various construction and reconstruction techniques used to meet the challenges presented by the building during the five -month project. Ms. Donaldson added that with Mr. Murray's crew using authentic tools such as the broadax to shape the logs, the project also provided an interesting living -history lesson while it was underway in the courtyard. Public input: None. Ian Shuff moved that the LPC approve the as -built condition of the Franz Smith Cabin in the Fort Collins Museum Courtyard, as presented, with final architectural plans to be corrected and submitted. Agnes Dix seconded, and the motion carried unanimously, 4-0. Mr. Murray said he will redline the drawings and bring them back to Ms. Tunner for the property file. 3. 1109 W. Oak, Vandewark House — Conceptual/Final Review to Repair/Reproduce Shutters, Repair Windows, Add Exterior Storm/Screen Combinations, and Repaint Landmark Preservation Commission April 13, 2005, Meeting Minutes Page 4 for the 2006 No -Interest Loan Program — presented by Kevin Murray and Tony Westcott; introduced by Carol Tunner. This residence has no storm windows and the existing windows are in various stages of disrepair; the applicants would like to repair and restore the upstairs windows to make them more insulated. The windows show various stages of paint failure; some are painted shut and inoperable but in general they are sound. There is some rot and sash glazing compound deterioration in about one-third of the sashes. The owners propose to scrape and clean the windows, replace glazing compound, apply epoxy fillers and sealers to repair rotten wood pockets, replace rotted wood as needed and install storm/screen combinations over the upstairs windows. They will also paint the body of the house as well as the windows and trim in a historic and compatible color scheme — Opal Essence 680 for the body, Garrison Red HC-66 for accent, and Monterey White CH-27 for the trim. They will replace or repair false shutters on the house; at least one is missing and will be reconstructed from existing examples. Staff recommended the proposed work. Kevin Murray explained that the storm/screen combos will have wooden frames and the screen will slide up so the entire unit does not have to be removed to switch between the two. Weather-stripping will be added for greater energy efficiency. He plans to repair rotted bare wood sills with epoxy except for one or two that are so deteriorated they must be replaced. The entire house will be scraped before being painted. Public input: None. Ian Shuff moved that the LPC approve the work to repair/reproduce shutters, repair windows, add exterior storm/screen combinations and repaint 1109 W. Oak, Vandewark House, as part of the 2005 No -Interest Loan Program, as presented. Alyson McGee seconded, and the motion carried unanimously, 5-0. DISCUSSION AGENDA LPC 2006-07 Budget — introduced by Carol Tunner and Joe Frank. Joe Frank felt that it was important for the LPC to maintain the resources already in place for programs such as the No -Interest Loan Program, and continued funding should be recommended. Other budget priorities should be surveys and money to support grant requests. Alyson McGee said that the No -Interest Loan Program funding should be increased to at least keep pace with inflation, about 5 percent each year, since property owners can't do as much as they used to with the same amount of loan money. Bud Frick added that funding a context survey of post -World War II structures would keep the City ahead of the game as those structures begin to move past the 50-year mark. Carol Tunner thought that a good case could be made for funding historic preservation programs as part of the City's economic development goals, as it provides jobs in construction and improves neighborhoods. Landmark Preservation Commission April 13, 2005, Meeting Minutes Page 5 Ms. McGee also suggested having the Commission's legal advisor attend a meeting to clarify the rules surrounding the prohibition against members of the Commission advocating for specific issues, which seems to be in conflict with the LPC's mandate to support historic preservation through public education. What activities are permitted as part of that public outreach? Mr. Frick would also like to hear about regulations concerning membership in other groups that may overlap with the concerns of the Commission. Ian Shuff also thought getting clarification on how single -person design firms should handle clients and projects required to come before the LPC when the designer sits on the Commission would be helpful. Carol Tunner will research times available for the LPC to hold a retreat or meeting with a representative of the City Attorney's office to address these and other legal issues. 2. Friend of Preservation Awards — Final Selections — presented by Carol Tunner By consensus, the Commission selected the following as 2005 Friends of Preservation: Poudre School District, for the Laurel School Addition and its participating in a survey of all its historic school buildings. Adam Thomas, for his work on surveys of the Poudre School District, local Quonset huts, and the Sugarbeet Industry/Neighborhoods. Cameron Gloss for his work in developing standards for alley houses in Old Town Fort Collins. Karen McWilliams for her accumulative work including revisions of the Land Use and Municipal Code sections pertaining to historic preservation. OTHER BUSINESS 601 W. Mountain — presented by Carol Tunner. Bud Frick recused himself from the discussion and left the meeting. Carol Tunner shared photos of the home, and said that the applicant had applied for a building permit last week to tear off the concrete and overdoor where the porch will be reconstructed. The applicant would prefer to use piers and skirting under the porch instead of the previously approved modern concrete split block foundation. After reviewing the examples provided in the packet, the Commission agreed, as long as the porch is a reconstruction, not an addition. Since there is no indication that there ever was an original full foundation in place and the design meets the appropriate standards, it is not the LPC's policy to require owners to use a more expensive option. Ms. Tunner will handle the change administratively. Meeting adjourned at 7:23 p.m Respectfully submitted by Kate Jeracki, Recorder May 26, 2005