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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLandmark Preservation Commission - Minutes - 09/25/2002LANDMARK PRESERVATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting September 25, 2002 Council Liaison: Eric Hamrick (225-2343) Staff Liaison: Joe Frank (221-6376) Commission Chairperson: Per Hogestad (416-7285) Summary: The LPC approved the re -roofing of the Norman towers at 328 Remington, the Historic First Baptist Church Building, approved the final plans for changing the south and east doors at the Museum, 200 Matthews Street, and also approved the fire escape design on 251 Linden Street. The LPC also determined that they will refrain from acting as a reviewing entity for State Tax Credit projects in 2003. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: The meeting was called to order at 5:34 p.m. at . 281 N. College Avenue, by Bud Frick. Commission members Carole Stansfield, Angie Aguilera, Myrne Watrous, Bud Frick, and Janet Ore were present. Per Hogestad was late. Agnes Dix had an excused absence. Carol Tunner represented staff. GUESTS: Mark Thornburn, University Designers and Builders for 328 Remington, Wendy Irving -Mills, City Operations Services for 200 Matthews Street. STAFF REPORTS: Ms. Tunner announced that the CPI conference is coming up and there is about $300 for LPC. Tuition is first come, first served. A short discussion followed, about the house remodeling at 730 W. Mountain. At this property, the $200 fee for the public process had been waived. There have been many complaints about how the addition to the property now looks. It is very tall compared to the nearby properties. The zoning administration would like LPC to comment on variance applications as they can take the historic nature of the property into consideration. Ms. Tunner also noted that the owner of the Woolworth building on College and Mountain Streets would like to rehabilitate the second floor, putting Class A offices up there. The windows on that floor will need to be replaced, and Commission members were asked to drive by to look at the windows, as it will becoming in for review. The owner wants to replace them because people are not willing to sit by drafty windows in an office. The owner is looking for ways to retain the historic character of the windows and also have them comfortable to work around. Interior storm windows were suggested as a possibility. COMMISSION MEMBERS' REPORTS: Ms. Watrous reported on her attendance at the DDA meeting. The DDA had a special meeting and then went into executive session to discuss plaza rule changes in Old Town. The DDA is proposing a rule that would close Old Town Square to the public from 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. Signs would be posted downtown to this effect. Landmark Preservation CommissiOT' • September 25, 2002 Meeting Minutes Page 2 Approval of July 10, 2002 minutes. On page 2, the 3rd paragraph should read "They will use the same holes as were used originally." Add the word "used" in the sentence. Ms. Watrous moved to accept the minutes as corrected. Seconded by Ms. Stansfield, and approved unanimously, 5-0. CONSENT AGENDA: 328 Remington, Historic First Baptist Church Building — Re- roofing the Norman towers, Conception/Final Review (Mark Thorburn, University Designers and Builders). This church building is in the middle of a State Historical Fund sponsored rehabilitation. There are two Norman towers, one on the west and one of the south facade. They are original to the 1903-04 core building of the church. Early photos show they were roofed with wood shingles, but the applicant is recommending Elk brand dimensional shingle in "Weathered Wood". The rest of the roof will need to be replaced in about 5 years, so they would like to use the material now that they plan to use in the future for the whole roof repair. This shingle style provides the shadowing similar to wood shingles, but is more durable and affordable than wood shingles. The current shingles are made of asbestos and wood. Public input: None. Ms. Aguilera moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Seconded by Ms. Ore, and approved unanimously, 5-0. CURRENT REVIEW: 1) 200 Mathews Street, Museum (Wendy Irving -Mills, Facilities Planner Architect for the City). The applicant has submitted final plans to the LPC for changing out the south (proposed new entrance) and east doors on the Fort Collins Museum building. Both of these entrance doors were installed in 1977 when the library became the museum. The LPC had suggested at conceptual review that spot lighting in the alcove above the south doors would be less obtrusive on the building. Now the applicant says that the roof of the alcove is a solid and thick masonry wall surmounted by a plaster ceiling on the bottom of the floor joists for the exhibit space on the main floor. Therefore, recessed lighting is not a possible solution. The LPC also had recommended that the east door (which was once a window) be more in keeping (lined up) with the window next to it. The applicant has revised her plan and submitted a scale drawing of the door and adjacent window opening to see the match dimensions, and to show that the door opening will have the same look as the window next to it. The door will be brought out flush with the building elevation. The security camera and vent on the east side will be removed. The east side door is now taller and uses the existing springline for the arch and arch top transom. Frame materials and dimensions of the doors are Landmark Preservation Commissialt" September 25, 2002 Meeting Minutes Page 3 now similar to those of the window. The proportions for the doors on the south side are now similar to those on the west side. Public input: None. Ms. Watrous moved that the LPC accept the proposed final plans for changing out the south and east doors at 200 Matthews street. Seconded by Ms. Aguilera, and approved unanimously, 5-0. Mr. Hogestad arrived. 2) 251 Linden Street, Robertson -Haynes Block — Conceptual/Final Review of Fire Escape on Rear of Building (Mark Thorburn, Contractor for University Designers and Builders). This building was rehabilitated about three years ago, but there was no tenant and the interior was never finished. Now that there is a tenant the building is undergoing tenant finish. Building Inspection is requiring a second exit for the second floor, so the applicant is proposing a simple black steel fire escape with counter balanced stair to extend across the rear of the building in the alley. This is what has been proposed if the second floor becomes office space. The fire escape will be the last thing to be added. If the owners cannot find a tenant for office space, they will come back to the LPC with alternative changes. The original fire escape was removed because it had become badly deteriorated. This one will be less intrusive, and does not really appear to be a fire escape unless you're looking for it. The ladder folds up to prevent access from the street. The end window will be converted back to a door for the fire escape. The fire escape comes to a landing and then drops down at an angle to another landing so that it will not block any of the existing windows. Mr. Frick asked about details on how it will be attached to the building and about the size of the support brackets. It was determined that these details can be approved administratively. Staff approval is needed before a building permit is granted. Ms. Ore commented that this looks a lot like a historic fire escape, and is different than just putting in a ladder. It is similar to the one on the Northern Hotel, which she believes was made by the same company. Public input: None. Motion: Ms. Aguilera moved, for conceptual and final review, that the fire escape on 251 Linden street be approved, with the condition that the Landmark Preservation Commiss • September 25, 2002 Meeting Minutes Page 4 mounting brackets and column details be brought back to LPC staff for administrative review, and any other changes be brought back to the Commission. Seconded by Ms. Ore, and approved unanimously, 5-0. Another conceptual issue was brought up by Mr. Thornburn. The First Baptist Church would like to add a pergola so wedding parties could have their pictures taken there. The pergola would not be attached to the building. It is in the public view of the building, visible from the right of way. He showed a picture of what it would look like, but the LPC said it is a craftsman style structure, and incompatible with the church. Ms. Ore said that she would like to see some kind of outdoor arbor that is more compatible with the church. Perhaps a simple, black iron structure, more delicate, that mimics the curved windows on the church. The proposed design is inappropriate for this Gothic Revival church. Staff will write a letter to the Church with some suggestions on what materials and design might be more appropriate. DISCUSSION ITEMS: State Tax Credit Resolution to Not act as the Reviewing Entity. Motion: Ms. Ore moved that the LPC refrain from acting as a reviewing entity for State Tax Credit projects. Seconded by Ms. Aguilera. Ms. Watrous said that it is too bad that the LPC does not have sufficient staff to do this, but as it stands there is no alternative. The LPC decided that there are actually three reasons; 1) not enough staff, 2) LPC members are not comfortable reviewing building interiors, and 3) the tax credit is given for anything built-in, including such things as dishwashers. There is a philosophical problem with giving a tax credit for a dishwasher, and it has been determined that the State will do the review anyway so it will still be available. Motion passed unanimously, 6-0. OTHER BUSINESS: Ms. Watrous mentioned that in that day's Coloradoan there is an article soliciting state citizens to suggest money saving ways to help with the state budget. Ms. Watrous suggested that she might send in a letter suggesting the State save money by not building the addition to the Ft. Collins High School. However, other LPC members said that the money that will be used has been donated and is not from State funds. Meeting adjourned: 6:37 p - Minutes submitted by Con c 4L