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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLandmark Preservation Commission - Minutes - 08/12/1998n c LANDMARK PRESERVATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting August 12, 1998 Council Liaison: Scott Mason (226-4824) Staff Liaison: Joe Frank (221-6376) Acting -Chairperson: Per Hogestad (292-1875) SUMMARY OF MEETING: The Commission discussed whether the LeRoy and Zelpha Smith House at 124 N. McKinley should be designated as a local landmark. Commission members volunteered for sub -committee positions. The LPC also discussed the submittal of the Preston Farm plans. CALL MEETING TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Per Hogestad, acting -Chairperson called the meeting to order at 6:00, p.m., at 281 North College Avenue. Commission members Jim Tanner, Angela Milewski and Angie Aguilera were present. George Lyons, Janet Ore and Rande Pouppirt were absent. Carol Tunner, Karen McWilliams and Joe Frank represented Staff. GUESTS: Cody and Pam Yarborough, 124 North McKinley Avenue, owners. AGENDA REVIEW: Ms. Tunner explained that Staff would like to provide additional training opportunities to the Commission. Ms. McWilliams began by giving the members a quiz on local landmark designation and discussing some issues regarding designation. Ms. Tunner did not show the Secretary of the Interiors Slide show because all of the new Commission members were not present but instead proposed to show a slide show on "How Old Town Was Saved." Mr. Frank wanted to show a community survey slide show. The election of new Commission officers was postponed. Ms. McWilliams presented new architectural elevations for the Preston Farm project under other business. STAFF REPORTS: Ms. Tunner provided a new Boards and Commissions manual from the City Clerk's Office. COMMISSION MEMBER'S REPORTS: None. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: Ms. Milewski noted that on page two of the June 24, 1998 LPC meeting minutes that the location of the sign on Jefferson Street should be changed to read Linden Street. Ms. Milewski moved to approve the June 24, 1998 LPC meeting minutes as amended. Mr. Landmark Preservation Commission August 12,1998 Meeting Minutes Page 2 Tanner seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. (4-0) DESIGNATION: 124 N. McKinley. LeRoy and Zelnha Smith House, Local Landmark Designation (Cody and Pamela Yarborough. owners) Ms. McWilliams explained that the Yarboroughs would like the Commission to consider local landmark designation of their home at 124 North McKinley Avenue, for its architectural importance to Fort Collins. Built in 1927, the house is an example of bungalow construction. It was altered in 1959, when the front porch was enclosed. The windows on the current porch appear to be fixed pane (on the facade) and casements, with aluminum surrounds. Staff does not recommend approving the request for local landmark designation. Ms. McWilliams explained that while the house would certainly contribute to a local landmark district, it does not exhibit the higher degree of architectural integrity necessary for individual local landmark designation. Ms. McWilliams showed a photo from the 1948 Tax Assessor's card, showing the original clipped gable porch, which matched the side gables. The original porch had stone butresses. She noted that the house retains the original stone chimney, and that the rest of the home was relatively unaltered. Ms. McWilliams showed slides of other bungalow homes in the area. Ms. McWilliams explained that the Yarborough's primary reason for designation was for protection. Mr. Yarborough explained that the porch was enclosed in 1959 and that was very practical at the time. It was a place for visitors to enter and wipe their shoes. He said that it matched the style of the house, except for the front windows. He felt it was worthy of designation because it was significant to Fort Collins. It was built along the trolley line, during the expansion of the City during the 1920s, prior to the Depression. They were seeking protection because from 1976 to 1982 renters had deteriorated the property. They would like to ensure its protection after they sell it. Mr. Tanner asked if they had given any thought to restoring the porch. Mr. Yarborough explained that the enclosed porch adds significant value to the house. Removing it would take away liveable space and would actually devalue the house. Mr. Hogestad said it would be worth it to study the porch, because the house was still very intact. The Commission discussed that it would be interesting to see if the current gable was just added on top of the original, which could then be uncovered. Ms. Milewski and Mr. Hogestad stated that the Commission could only designate the house on its merits as it stands tonight and not based on future plans. Mr. Tanner explained to the applicants that they have designated building with additions, but they are usually on the side or the rear of the building. The applicants were willing to meet with the Design Review Sub -Committee to explore the idea of restoring the original porch. The Commission did appreciate the applicant's effort. Mr. Yarborough stated that they would withdraw the applications at this time. Ms. Tunner commended the owners' motives to designate. Landmark Preservation Commission August 12, 1998 Meeting Minutes Page 3 DISCUSSION ITEMS: Committee Assignments: Downtown Development Authority Liaison CSU Historic Buildings Review Board Liaison Design Review Sub -Committee Members Ms. Tunner said that the DDA meets once a month. Mr. Frick had served as liaison for the past two years. Ms. Milewski volunteered for the position. Ms. Carpenter had served as liaison to the CSU Historic Buildings Review Board. Mr. Hogestad will take over as liaison. Mr. Hogestad, Ms. Milewski, Ms. Ore, Mr. Pouppirt, and Ms. Aguilera are all willing to serve on the Design Review Sub -committee. Ms. Tunner said to keep in mind candidates for chairperson and vice -chairperson for the next meeting. OTHER BUSINESS: The Preston Farm Ms. McWilliams reported that at the last two meetings Mr. Whitaker, Western Property Advisors, formerly LGT, presented plans of the Preston Farm for review by the Commission. A letter from the LPC was drafted in strong support of the general concepts and plans which were presented. The letter also listed concerns regarding the alternate access road, the grading plans, and the character of the buildings. She went on to explain that Western Property Advisors had submitted new architectural elevations to the City, which the LPC had not seen. The original PUD included elevations that illustrated the architectural character of the buildings along with notes, which the LPC had wanted to be with the new submittal. Ms. McWilliams suggested that the Advance Planning Department make comments on the submittal, then the LPC can request to review the elevations. Ms. Milewski said that comments should be made by Advance Planning and then the applicant should come back to the LPC. Mr. Hogestad was concerned that they could build a barrier by requiring too much review. The Design Review Sub -Committee could be brought in before the applicants get too far into the process. Ms. McWilliams said they should see the actual submittal before they endorse or reject the plans. A concern was if the applicants bifurcated the process to get approval for the western portion of the PUD, then they could still go back to the original plan for the eastern side, which allowed them to move the granary. Staff suggested they address this issue in the form of a letter to Bob Blanchard for the Planning and Zoning Board. They also felt it was important to include that they have been working with the applicants on this. An approval for the east side as it was originally submitted could risk all of the work they have done. Ms. Milewski recommended that they put some criteria on the east property that would require the applicant to come through the review process again. Ms. Milewski moved that the LPC draft a letter to Bob Blanchard and the Planning Landmark Preservation Commission August 12,1998 Meeting Minutes Page 4 and Zoning Board addressing the issues which they have talked about, with two options: (1) Recommending to the P&Z Board that the western portion of the project be continued, and both portions proceed through the development process together, or (2) Approving the western portion with conditions to guarantee that the preliminary PUD for the eastern portion would be amended prior to final approval. Ms. Aguilera seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. (4-0) Ms. Aguilera moved to offer the Design Review Sub -Committee for assistance in elevation development for the east side, but will wait for Staff's comments and the applicant's response. Mr. Hogestad seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. (4-0) Commission Training - Mr. Frank led the LPC through the slide show for the Community Separators Project. Ms. Tunner presented the "How Old Town Was Saved" slide show. The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m. Submitted by Nicole Sneider, Secretary.