Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutLandmark Preservation Commission - Minutes - 04/11/2001LANDMARK PRESERVATION COMMISSION Field Trip and Meeting April 11, 2001 Minutes Council Liaison: Scott Mason (226-4824) Staff Liaison: Joe Frank (221-6376) Commission Chairperson: Per Hogestad (416-7285) SUMMARY OF MEETING: The LPC met downtown for a field trip to review the proposed plans for the Walnut Streetscape Repaving Project. The LPC approved the repaving plans but added that the doorway at 242 Walnut Street be made ADA accessible. The LPC decided that the cast iron cover from the west side of the Avery building should be replaced. The corner repaving at College/Walnut and College/Mountain was also approved. FIELD TRIP OF DOWNTOWN STREETSCAPE REPAVING PROJECTS: The LPC met in front of the Silver Grill, 218 Walnut Street to observe the areas in question and discuss the repaving project with Virgil Taylor, Project Director, and Dean Klingner, Project Engineer for the City. Mr. Klingner walked the area with the commission members, pointing out the planned streetscape changes. On Walnut Street, the sidewalks will be replaced, metal tree grates installed and the gray concrete will have more scoring than at present. The owner of 242 Walnut, Bill Wright, stopped to ask if it is possible to raise the pavement in front of that door to provide handicapped access. Mr. Klingner replied that the plans do not show handicapped accessibility being put into place, but that a concrete ramp could be put there, up to the top of the sandstone. The sandstone would, then, still be exposed on the other side (interior) of the door. Ms. Tunner mentioned that in the past, Old Town buildings have been exempt from handicapped accessibility, because there is an accessible entrance in the back, but Ms. Tunner said they had an obligation to provide ADA access where possible. A safety concern was also raised, regarding the tripping danger of such a ramp. Mr. Klingner said that the ADA rules specify the dimensions of safe ramps, and these specifications could be followed to make sure the ramp is safe for pedestrians. The curbs will stay the same (not raised) but the bricks around the trees will be removed. The entrance to 236/238 Walnut Street will also stay the same, as will the entrance to the Silver Grill. A commemorative plaque will be put in front of the Silver Grill in the sidewalk. There are, at present, two old concrete stamps in the sidewalk along Walnut Street that will be removed. The Commission can recommend that these be given to the museum. There are plans for a planter bed at the comer of Walnut and College streets. This will be similar to the planter at the other comer. Landmark Preservation Commission April 11, 2001 Meeting Minutes Page 2 Contrary to the plans, a metal cover, possibly from a freight elevator or coal chute, had been removed from the sidewalk on College Street and Mountain Avenue (near Beau Jo's). This cover was viewed by the LPC. Mr. Frick pointed out that, by the wear on the decorative stars on the top of the cover, it can be determined which side had been located closest to the building. The commission members returned to 281 N. College Avenue for the regular LPC meeting. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Mr. Bud Frick called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m., at 281 North College Avenue. Myrne Watrous, Bud Frick, Janet Ore, Angela Aguilera, Per Hogestad, and Agnes Dix were present. Ms. Angela Milewski was absent, excused due to a conflict of interest on the Walnut Streetscaping Project. Carol Tunner, Karen McWilliams and Joe Frank represented staff. GUESTS: Virgil Taylor, Project Manager, Old Town Fort Collins Historic District Street re -paving and Walnut Streetscape; Dean Klingner, Civil Engineer. AGENDA REVIEW: No changes STAFF REPORTS: Ms. Tunner passed out a new list with the LPC members' contact information. COMMISSION MEMBERS' REPORTS: None. CURRENT REVIEW: Old Town Fort Collins Historic District North College Avenue Street Corners Re -paving and Walnut Streetscape (North Side) Re -paving Project. The LPC discussed the removal of two concrete stamps from the sidewalk. These can be removed and given to the museum. The coal chute (or possibly a freight elevator) cover removed from the sidewalk on the west side of the Avery Building is historically important and should be replaced. Mr. Klingner said that the owner of the building was concerned that water was coming around the cover, causing further damage to the building. Their engineer filled in the hole underneath, but the cover wasn't replaced. When they took off the cover, the engineer found remnants of two stairways going down underneath the building, but the LPC was not notified of this discovery. Several people have reported to members of the LPC that they remember there being an entrance at that location. At other places along the block there are examples of similar covers, with knobs on top and stars framing the perimeter. Because of the difficulty of replacing the cover, it may be replaced, but not in exactly the same location. Ms. Watrous asked if the drainage problem has been solved. Mr. Taylor replied that they think so. There are also other local drainage problems, including holes in the Landmark Preservation Comm* April 11, 2001 Meeting Minutes Page 3 • basement. Regional problems also exist. In the past (before the cover was removed and the hole filled) the owners had gotten water in the basement with every rain. Mr. Hogestad voiced his concern, and asked how it happened that the engineer removed the cover, and was allowed to finish the work without replacing it. Mr. Taylor replied that they usually don't have jobs like this and they assumed it would be o.k. Mr. Hogestad added that he remembers the discussion of this project and the cover is on the plans. Ms. Tunner said that they had come before the LPC on 10/99 for a conceptual review. There had never been a final review. Mr. Frick asked if the LPC needs a drawing of exactly where the cast iron cover will be replaced? Ms. Milewski moved that the LPC approves the street repaving on Walnut Street and the comers of Walnut and College, and College and Mountain streets, with the modification that the doorway at 242 Walnut street be made ADA accessible (as smoothly as possible to prevent tripping danger), and that the cast iron cover be replaced in approximately the same location, but centered on the lintel on the west side of the Avery Building, and that the old concrete stamps be donated to the museum. Motion seconded by Ms. Dix and approved unanimously, 6-0. Other Business: No other business. Meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m. Minutes submitted by Connie Merrill