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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLandmark Preservation Commission - Minutes - 02/09/2000LANDMARK PRESERVATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting February 09, 2000 Minutes Council Liaison: Scott Mason (226 — 4824) Staff Liaison: Joe Frank (221-6376) Commission Chairperson: Per Hogestad (303-292-1875) SUMMARY OF MEETING: The LPC approved the request for an extension for the work at 311 Whedbee, the J. C. Beers Barn, for the State Tax Credit Program. The LPC approved the exterior rehabilitation of the Old Post Office, at 201 South College Avenue, with the condition that additional information on repair methods and materials are submitted. The LPC approved construction of the new bin structure at Ranch -Way Feeds, at 546 Willow Street. The house, garage, and chicken coop at 237 West Street were approved for Local Landmark designation. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Mr. Hogestad called the meeting to order at 5:34 p.m., at 281 North College Avenue. Commission members Angela Milewski, Angie Aguilera, Rande Pouppirt, Janet Ore, and Agnes Dix were present. Bud Frick was absent. Carol Tunner and Karen McWilliams represented staff. GUESTS: Dick Hill, architect for the Old Post Office project; Kim & Bonnie Szidon, owners, Ranch -Way Feeds at 540 Willow Street; John Litschert, owner, 237 West Street; Bill Stashak, architect, auditing the meeting. AGENDA REVIEW: None. STAFF REPORTS: Ms. Tunner reported that she presented the slide show "How Old Town Was Saved" to the Loveland City Council. Ms. McWilliams showed The Coloradoan newspaper article on the Local Landmark District designation of the Sheely Drive neighborhood. COMMISSION MEMBERS' REPORTS: Ms. Milewski and Ms. Dix reported on the February conference given by Colorado Preservation Inc. that they both attended. Ms. Milewski said that they receive support from State Legislators and that the conference had good workshops and information on grants. Ms. Dix passed out a handout to the Commission. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The November 22, 1999 LPC meeting minutes were accepted as submitted. The December 08, 1999 LPC meeting minutes were accepted as submitted. Landmark Preservation Commission February 9, 2000 Meeting Minutes Page 2 CONSENT AGENDA: 311 Whedbee, J. C. Beers Barn — State Tax Credit Extension Request (John Gless Ms. Milewski moved to approve the item on the consent agenda. Ms. Aguilera seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. (6-0) CURRENT DESIGN REVIEW: 201 South College, Old Post Office — Final Approval of Exterior Rehabilitation Mr. Hill explained that since 1997, this project has taken several different changes in direction. He reviewed the latest work items and specifications for the building that have been approved. The alternative for refurbishing the upper windows was to seal them closed. This item was reviewed by the Colorado State Historical Society. The tenants have requested that at least one window per office remain operable for ventilation. Mr. Hill explained that the heating and cooling system in the building needed to be replaced, which would not be completed at this time. He described the state of the windows on the south and west sides as eroded. The handrails around the back stairs have been replaced because they had been hit by cars. This item was already approved by the LPC. Mr. Hill also discussed a problem created by birds nesting on the building. Pest control procedures will be performed every month instead of expensive bird netting as indicated on submitted plans. A screening wall, made of heavy material, will be erected on the roof of the loading dock. The wall will be L- shaped and will mask the air conditioning equipment. They have not decided on the color and pattern for the screening wall. They would like to use a neutral polar white or light stone and a material with a horizontal ribbing. The wooden bumpers on the loading dock will be removed. They are frequently hit by cars and some have already been removed. The ornamental lighting will be repaired and softer whiter lamps will be installed. The missing rosettes between the brackets, which are mounted in the soffit of the front fagade, have been replaced by rosettes from the rear. New ones will be cast for the rear. Mr. Hill discussed the L-brackets on the windows that are covered with lead paint. These brackets will be replaced with identical ones. They concluded this would be less expensive than the abatement of the lead paint. They will use a galvanized steel material and counter sink the screw holes with a flush -headed screw. The Commission discussed alternatives to replacing the brackets, which included sandblasting the brackets or using a metal etching technique to remove the lead paint. The signage holes on the front of the building will be mortared over. Mr. Hill explained that the existing carved stone post office signage attracts people to come in looking for postal services. The building is no longer used as a post office. They would like to install the stored metal post office signage somewhere inside the building where it will be visible in a public space. Mr. Hill added that the north elevation also has holes. They will fill the holes with a color matched synthetic mortar. Ms. Tunner provided information on limestone mixtures for patching and repairing limestone. This building was constructed of Indiana limestone. Mr. Hill explained that the arched transom Landmark Preservation Commie • February 9, 2000 Meeting Minutes Page 3 windows on the west side were painted out because the ceiling had been dropped behind them, but the paint is peeling and insulation inside is visible. They plan to install quarter -inch fiberboard on the inside of the window and paint it matte black to improve the appearance. They also plan to re -point the chimney. Colorado State University conducted an analysis of the existing mortar. The front and side steps need to be re - caulked with joint sealer; a urethane caulking that can be poured. Mr. Hill explained that caulk, which can be poured, does not come in a wide variety of colors and it will be difficult to match the original. The Triad Company makes the product that he is interested in using. Mr. Hogestad asked if there was any public input. Ms. Bonnie Szidon, citizen, said that she has attended Junior League meetings there and she thought that it is a great building. Ms. Ore moved to approve the final review of the exterior rehabilitation for the Old Post Office, at 201 South College Avenue with the conditions that the color and profile of the loading dock rooftop screening, the color and type of fill for holes on the east side, the caulking color for the stairs, and the method used as pest control be submitted. Mr. Pouppirt seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. (6-0) Ms. Tunner reminded the applicant and Commission that there should be no sealant used on the stone building as once proposed. Mr. Hill agreed that they did not plan to do this. 540 Willow Street, Ranch -Way Feeds — Final Approval to Construct New in Structure (Kim & Bonnie Szidon) (An LPC field trip was held before the meeting.) Ms. Tunner explained that this project is phase one to build a 100-foot high packaging bin structure. This request is for final approval of the proposed structure. Conceptual approval was given by the LPC one year ago. Mr. Szidon explained as per the recommendations of the LPC, that they would like to sheet the entire new building with the same siding as the existing buildings, the adjacent building will not be torn down, and the original proposed structure has been shortened by four feet. Ms. Szidon added that this equipment will lessen the amount of heavy work being done by people and she was very pleased with the project. Ms. Tunner reported that staff recommended the project for final approval. Mr. Hogestad asked if there was any public input and there was none. Ms. Aguilera moved to recommend final approval of the phase one new packaging bin structure at 546 Willow Street. Ms. Dix seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. (6-0) Ms. Szidon presented the Commission with a painting by Jim Mefford that was found in the Fort Collins Museum archives. Mr. Mefford was the old miller at Ranch -Way and he painted the original mill from memory. On the back of the painting, Mr. Mefford wrote about the old mill. Landmark Preservation Commission February 9, 2060 Meeting Minutes Page 4 6:40 p.m. Five-minute break LOCAL LANDMARK DESIGNATION: 237 West Street — John Litschert, owner Ms. McWilliams reported that this structure is a rare example of Moderne residential architecture in Fort Collins. The house was built in 1946, replacing another house that had originally existed on the property. Mrs. Sondburg, the original owner, moved to Fort Collins from Kansas and is still alive. Ms. McWilliams explained that all but two of the original windows have been replaced and the concrete stoop in the front had been added. The original corner windows were made of wood, but the style looked like it would be made of steel. Mr. Litschert explained that the original owners bought storm windows in the 1950s. The rear of the building has two interesting drainpipes. The roof is built up and slopes to the back. Ms. Milewski commented that early photographs of the windows are from the assessor's records and are not that clear. The garage has one non -original door and one original door. It is also stucco and in the same architectural style with the same details of the house, including the drainpipe. The chicken coop is currently not included in the request for Local Landmark designation. The owner would like to keep the chicken coop, but it does not date back to the period of significance. It does date back to the original house on the property and contributes to the district. Ms. Ore commented that it also shows the evolution of the site. Ms. McWilliams reported on other structures with similar designs in Fort Collins, most of which are two-story structures. Very few structures are single -story residential structures. The Commission discussed the Art Moderne features of the house and the planned addition. The LPC Design Sub -Committee supported the design of the proposed addition. Ms. McWilliams reported that the applicant requested that the Local Landmark designation be approved with that proposed addition. The LPC reviewed the plans for the addition and discussed the conceptual design review. Mr. Hogestad explained that the design of the addition is in keeping with the architecture without mimicking the historic architecture. Ms. Milewski commented that it meets the LPC criteria, it is not visible from the front and it drops down from the side and back of the building. Ms. Ore was in favor of the addition and commented that it is a contemporary design. Ms. McWilliams added that a small bathroom window is the only original feature that will be obscured by the addition. Mr. Litschert added that the downspouts would go to the new roof for drainage. He requested a letter to the Zoning Board of Appeals in support of his request for a variance, so that the south sidewall of the proposed addition does not need to be parallel to the lot line. The LPC supported his plans and their opinion will be represented by staff at the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting. Mr. Hogestad asked if there was any public input. Bill Stashak, citizen, commented that there are similar houses in California, but painted in bright colors. Mr. Hogestad asked the applicant if he would like to include the chicken coop in the Local Landmark designation. Mr. Litschert answered yes. Mr. Pouppirt moved to approve the property at 237 West Street, as submitted, including the original building, the garage, and the chicken coop as a Local Landmark. Ms. Milewski seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. (6-0) Landmark Preservation Commis • February 9, 2000 Meeting Minutes Page 5 Mr. Hogestad and Mr. Litschert discussed the interior of the house. There is no trim and the openings around the windows and doors are curved. The interior has the original plaster, except in the bathroom, where there was some water damage. The windows have wood sills with curves that meet the plaster. DISCUSSION ITEMS: None. OTHER BUSINESS: None. The meeting adjourned 7:10 p.m. Submitted by Nicole Kaplan, Secretary