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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLandmark Preservation Commission - Minutes - 01/09/2002• • LANDMARK PRESERVATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting January 9, 2002 Minutes Council Liaison: Eric Hamrick (225-2343) Staff Liaison: Joe Frank (221-6376) Commission Chairperson: Per Hogestad (416-7285) SUMMARY OF MEETING: The Scott Apartment Building and Associated Garage at 900 S. College Avenue were approved for designation as a Fort Collins Landmark. The LPC approved cobblestone masonry as presented for use on the new building at the Nix Farm, 1745 Hoffman Mill Road, and discussed signage guidelines and signage design at 4509 County Road 9, Preston Farm. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Commission called to order at 5:34 p.m. at 281 N. College Avenue, Ft. Collins, Colorado. Angie Aguilera, Agnes Dix, W.J. "Bud" Frick, Per Hogestad, Janet Ore, Carole Stansfield, and Myrne Watrous were present. Karen McWilliams, Carol Tunner, and Joe Frank represented staff. GUESTS: Steve Levinger, owners' representative and equitable owner/contract purchaser, 900 S. College Avenue; Steve White, construction project manager for 1745 Hoffman Mill Road; and David Lawser, owner, for 4509 County Road 9. AGENDA REVIEW: No changes STAFF REPORTS: Ms. Tunner introduced the new commission member, Carole Stansfield. Ms. Tunner also reminded the Commission that during the next meeting, the LPC will discuss officers for the next year. Conference information and articles on historic preservation were passed around. Ms. McWilliams announced that the plans for the development of Young's pasture will be presented for complimentary review at the LPC at the Jan. 23, 2002 meeting. She also announced that a consultant for the Buckingham, Alta Vista & Andersonville survey and contexts has been selected, SWCA, with Bill Martin as the principal. COMMISSION MEMBER REPORTS: none APPROVAL OF MINUTES: November 14, 2001 minutes approved with no changes. DESIGNATION: 1) Designation of 900 S. College Ave., Scott Apartments and Associated Garage. Steve Levinger (equitable owner/contract purchaser) presenting as the representative of the current owners who were unable to attend. Staff finds that these apartments and their associated garage are significant for their architecture, as a representative of Early Twentieth Century Apartment architecture, and for their historical significance, as an apartment building Landmark Preservation Commission January 9, 2002 Meeting Minutes Page 2 associated with historical development of Fort Collins and CSU. Staff recommends approving this request. This building has been altered very little since it was built. The new owner, Steve Levinger, plans to keep it much as it is, but may want to take off the fire escape that was added after a fire broke out in one of the apartments. Ms. Watrous commented that she is pleased that these buildings are coming up for designation. Regarding the front fire escape, could the LPC designate the building without including the fire escape? Ms. McWilliams replied that they should designate it based upon its existing characteristics, but that the owner can come before the LPC in the future, if he or she wants to remove the fire escape. Public input: none. Ms. Ore moved that the LPC accept for designation the Scott Apartment Building at 900 South College Avenue, with the Associated Garage. Mr. Frick seconded the motion, which was approved unanimously, 7-0. CURRENT REVIEW: 1) 1745 Hoffman Mill Road, Nix Farm, presented by Steve White, Project Manager for Operation Services for Nix Farm. The applicant wishes the LPC to reconsider the materials that will be used for the stone masonry on the new maintenance building. In a previous meeting, the LPC approved the synthetic stone, but recommended that they use a coursed stone look. The applicant is returning, asking the LPC to reconsider the use of synthetic cobbled river rock in the wainscoting of the maintenance building as well as for a trash container and entrance columns. The last time this came to the commission, the LPC approved the use of a synthetic stone, but wanted to see samples. Natural color mortar would be used along with the synthetic stone. Public input: none. Ms. Aguilera moved that the LPC approve the stone masonry as presented in the sample for the new maintenance building at 1745 Hoffman Mill Road, Nix Farm and all locations as proposed. Seconded by Ms. Dix. A friendly amendment was added by Per Hogestad that the mortar be a natural gray mortar. Approved unanimously, 7-0. Ms. Tunner added that, in talking to Mark Sears, Program Manager for Natural Resources, they had discussed the placement of a temporary roof on the smaller, older farmhouse, in order to curtail damage that was occurring from raccoons getting into the building. When the temporary roofing was put Landmark Preservation commist, January 9, 2002 Meeting Minutes Page 3 on, the entryway air lock vestibule Hogestad requested that Mr. Sears matter. • to the building was removed. Mr. come before the LPC to explain the Steve White, also asked the LPC about completely replacing the stucco on the large Craftsman style historic house on the property because it is in bad condition. The LPC needed more information about this. Ms. Ore asked why this has to be done, because there needs to be a good rationale for removing historic material. Mr. Hogestad suggested that if it is not all in bad condition, the contractor might go to logical termination points rather than wholesale removal of the historic siding. Ms. Tunner said that this question could better be answered if Mr. White could return to the Commission with a detailed assessment and pictures of the condition of the stucco on each side. The LPC asked if it was possible to have a field trip to the site, and Ms. Tunner said this could be done at 4:00 p.m. on the day of the LPC meeting when the stucco issue returns to them, possibly the next meeting, January 23. 2) 4509 Country Road 9 (Ziegler Rd.) Preston Farm —presented by David Lawser, property owner. The new uncompleted sign in front of the property does not have LPC approval, and the design of the sign is now being brought before the Commission. It is a steel, post sign, with a raised, lighted white box, with 'Preston Farm printed on it. Ms. Tunner examined the sign guidelines, which recommend illuminated signs only when just the letters of the sign are lighted. Mr. Lawser had talked to the Building Inspection Department about the sign, and in doing so, had not been informed that there were any guidelines for signage of historic properties, nor was he informed that he would have to present his design to the LPC. The sign is currently unfinished, and he has plans that it will have a stone base made of materials that resemble the granary architecture and materials of the stone rear elevation on the farm house. Mr. Frick asked for the dimensions of the current sign. Mr. Lawser replied that it is about 9 or 10 ft. tall and the box of the sign is 5 ft by 10 or 12 ft. The sign will have a light inside, and Mr. Lawser is willing to backlight the words on the sign so only the letters will show. Mr. Lawser is still looking for a design for the sign, and was informed that the Design Assistance Program may be able to help with this. Mr. Lawser indicated that he would like to work with Mr. Frick on the design, if this is possible. Mr. Frick drew up a quick sign design, as a first visual, for consideration. Mr. Hogestad asked the Commission if they feel comfortable with the existing sign, as an interior lit box. The owner added that the current, unfinished sign helps to light the property, as he has had a deal of trouble with thefts on the property and with kids breaking into the building. He would very much like to Landmark Preservation Commission January 9, 2002 Meeting Minutes Page 4 finish up the project and get tenants in there. Mr. Frick responded that he understands that there is a problem with the lighting of the area around the building; being so dark around there leads to security issues. However, the sign should not be serving this purpose. In two weeks, Mr. Lawser can come back before the LPC with plans for the sign. Security/landscape lighting for the area will also have to come before the Commission. Mr. Hogestad asked the Commission again if the lit box, as presented, is an acceptable sign design. Mr. Ore responded that if the LPC stretches the guidelines this time, they will have difficulty enforcing them in the future. Ms. Tunner pointed out that the design guidelines say that lit interior signs are permissible, as long as only the letters are visible. Ms. Ore said that if they put rock on the bottom, keeping the existing sign, the design is rather inconsistent. Furthermore, signs with rock on the bottom are usually associated with a kind of lodge building, not with a Victorian house like this one. Mr. Hogestad added that the sign is very stark now, and doesn't fit in at all with the building. The design must be in the spirit of the guidelines. Mr. Frank restated the issues regarding this sign that the Commission is looking at: The Commission would like the owner to design the display part of the box so only the letters are illuminated. Further, the LPC would like to see the design for the base, to determine that it is compatible with the building, and this may be done by using materials consistent with the texture of the building (stone and wood). Ms. Tunner brought up two other concerns regarding the building. The handicapped ramp had been designed and built to match the balcony on another part of the building. Unfortunately, the National Park Service made the owner cut off all embellishments, (since this is a federal tax act project). Secondly, large, shiny, ventilation pipes on the roof are showing. It is not clear if anything can be done about these pipes, but it may be possible to angle them, so they go out the roof on the back side of the building, or paint them dark. Mr. Ray Kramer, supervisory architect on the project, will look into this issue and tell the Commission what he thinks. Ms. Tunner will keep the LPC apprised of the situation. OTHER BUSINESS: None Meeting adjourned at 6:48 p.m. Minutes prepared by Connie Merrill, Secretary.