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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLandmark Preservation Commission - Minutes - 03/20/1991LANDMARK PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES March 20, 1991 The March 20, 1991 worksession was called to order at 5:41 p.m. at 281 North College Avenue. Roll was called. Members present were: Jennifer Carpenter, Rheba Massey, Jim Tanner, Ruth Weatherford, and Prescott Handley. Members absent were: Bud Frick and Rae Ann Todd. Staff was represented by Joe Frank and Carol Turner. Joyce Lewton acted as secretary. Mr. Loren Maxey, City Council member, was a guest of the Commission. HISTORIC RESOURCES PRESERVATION PROGRAM CONSULTANT UPDATE Mr. Frank informed the Commission that a consulting firm, Community Services Collaborative in Boulder, has been chosen. Though the contract has not been signed and the scope of the survey needs to be narrowed and clarified, the Commission should anticipate signing the contract for work to begin almost immediately. A meeting is scheduled with the consultant on March 21. A preliminary survey has been done by Ms. Tunner in order to expedite the anticipated contract and its scope. The survey covered the following areas: Central Business District The Central Business District which consists of the downtown area and the structures on College Avenue to Stuart Street. This district has approximately 321 structures with 139 that are over 50 years of age with historical significance and integrity. East Side Residential District This area is from the Laurel School Historic District east to Riverside Avenue south, to Prospect, and from Prospect to Stuart Street (College to Stover). These areas have 852 structures, 177 with contributing historic. Agricultural District There are approximately 17 sites in the UGA. These sites will be covered by a survey to be undertaken with the CLG grant monies. Ms. Massey proposed the survey be conducted as follows: 1. The most significant and threatened area is in the Central Business District. The 139 structures over 50 years of age within the district should be surveyed intensively and the consulting firm should write a context for that area. 2. The East Side residential is so large and resources so scattered that it would be better to have the consultant identify any potential districts (like E. Elizabeth), and survey most significant and threatened properties. The time frame is to have some specific and detailed recommendation to City Council by July 1,1991. CLG GRANT Staff applied for $13,000 in grant money in order to survey the agricultural sites and received $10,000, the largest grant allocated in the state. Ms. Weatherford made a motion to commend Ms. Tunner for the fine work done in attaining the grant. Ms. Handley seconded the motion. The motion was approved 5-0. Ayes: Weatherford, Handley, Carpenter, 'Massey, and Tanner. Nays: None. HISTORICAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION PROGRAM - Old Town Discussion In a continuation of the discussion from the February. worksession, Ms. Massey addressed the issues of threats to individual buildings and protection measures which could be implemented. 1. Linden Hotel Mr. Tanner stated that as a Commission, the LPC should send a resolution of support to the new owners of the hotel and begin educating them as to the need for and use of the Commission as a resource. The Commission should take a pro -active approach to involvement. One of the threats to the Linden Hotel is the lack of financing. A protection measures would be to inform the new owners as to: 1) Tax Increment Financing, and; 2) LDC loans; 3) the new acquisition and development dollars being made by the Federal government as pass through dollars to Historic Preservation projects. Other protection measures would be: 1) Sales tax rebate of construction materials, and; 2) lower development fees. Another threat to the Linden Hotel is the parking issue. Sensitive parking needs to be provided and one option is.an extension of the Old Town Mail. Another option would be to extend the trolley and have outlying parking. MINER SMT-TM Threats to the Northern Hotel are insensitive rehabilitation (exterior and interior), neglect and vandalism, lack of capital for development, lack of major tenants, parking, and strategic planning. The protection measures as suggested regarding the Linden Hotel are appropriate for the Northern Hotel. 3. Union Pacific Deoot The threat to the depot is insensitivie rehabilitation. The Union Pacific Depot is on the National Register but has not been locally designated. When the neon was added to the building, it was attached with fasteners which were driven into the brick. The only remedy among the Old Town District tenants and owners is for the Commission to make itself not only more visible, as with a letter to landlords regarding their obligations in an historic district, but also more available as a resource to those landlords in how to deal with problems arising in those historic structures. Ms. Weatherford asked if the LPC had discussed sending a letter. Ms. Tunner replied that staff time was limited and other work plan obligations took precedence. E OTHER BUSINESS The Preservation Week theme, "Celebrate Your Heritage" is currently in the planning stages. Ms. Tunner informed the Commission of the events. There will be an archeological dig at the Waterworks and the Church of Latter Day Saints will sponsor a genealogical night. The workshops are as follows: MONDAY -May 13 -New state tax incentives and how it relates to renovation. WEDNESDAY - May 15 - "The Color People" will make a presentation on choosing colors for historic buildings. FRIDAY -May 17 -The Friends of Preservation Award will be presented at the Mixer. Ms. Carpenter and Ms. Handley volunteered to be part of the nominating committee for the Friends of Preservation Award. THE LAVAUX EYE CLINIC -609 E. Harmony Road The property has been zoned rh conditional as professional office and while a veterinarian would like to buy the building, the reuse of the structure in that manner would involve a rezoning. THE BROWN FARM A prospective buyer is interested in this property to renovate the house as a residence and also have small commercial meeting rooms. That would necessitate being approved through a PUD process. NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA Mr. Maxey addressed the Commission regarding the bike trail to the Waterworks. The original diversion between Fort Collins and Greeley was along the Poudre River and should be located. It and the sluiceway one-half mile east of Lemay Avenue should be marked as historical. Mr. Maxey also informed the Commission there was apparent evidence the Shlagel Farm house predates the Trimble House, thus being the oldest brick house in Fort Collins. The worksession adjourned at 7:50 p.m. Minutes submitted by Joyce Lewton.