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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLandmark Preservation Commission - Minutes - 01/10/1990LANDMARKS PRESERVATION COMMISSION JANUARY 10, 1990 The meeting began at approximate 5:30 p.m. at 200 West Mountain Avenue. Members present included Ruth Weatherford, Andy Mutz, Jim Tanner, Rheba Massey, and Sally Ketcham. Bud Frick and Prescott Handley were absent. Staff was represented by Kari VanMeter and Carol Tunner. Joyce Lewton acted as secretary. Guests were Councilmember Loren Maxey, Joe Frank (Assistant City Planning Director), Paul Eckman (Assistant City Attor- ney), and Rick Inglis of the Municipal Railway Society. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Ms. Massey requested clarification on the last paragraph of page 3 of the December 6, 1989 minutes regarding having the Denver Historical Society call the Mayor to request a statement of support pertaining to the Rhodes House. Ms. Weatherford stated and Ms. Ketcham later verified her intent as to the following: Ms. Ketcham suggested the Denver Historical Society call the mayor of Fort Collins and City Council members requesting a state- ment of support for the preservation of the Rhodes House. This state- ment would emphasize for local government that others in the state are aware of the historical significance of structures in Fort Collins. Mr. Tanner moved to approve the minutes with the clarification. Ms. Weatherford seconded the motion. Motion approved 4-0. CURRENT ITEMS _MML 1II:C7w3iT:i71J:rI410 Mr. Eckman, Assistant City Attorney, addressed various questions regard- ing LPC, its function and authority. Advisor vs. Decision -Makin Boards: The LPC is quasi-judicial in that it receives acts and ma es determinations based on those facts. The Code provides the LPC with the authority to designate sites and struc- ture and to review and approve alterations to existing structures. It does not specifically provide for the LPC to give policy advice to the Council. Mr. Maxey, the Council liaison to the LPC, stated however that the Council would consider such recommendations if they were prop- erly channeled first through a work session then, if necessary, put on the agenda for Council action. LPC Minutes January 10, 1990 Page 2 Polic Recommendations and the Plannin Department: The LPC can affect and use and panning activities and po icies through designations and design review of landmark structures and sites. The LPC can advise Council about budget allocations for the Historic Preservation Program, and that this should be done through the Council liaison. Financial Hardshi : Costs associated with the submittal of proposals or design review do not qualify as financial hardship, as described in the Landmarks Ordinance. To offset the cost to the applicant, the LPC can waive any submittal requirement if other sufficient data is avail- able on which to base a decision (for example, the substitution of a scaled drawing in place of the specification of exact dimensions). Ms. VanMeter stated in such cases the LPC should establish criteria in order to make any such waivers equitable. B -Laws Amendments: The LPC By -Laws can be amended by tacit approval of t e ounci Any amendment should be reviewed by the Council liaison, who would then circulate the proposed change to the rest of the Council. The Council may or may not take action. If no action is taken, the change has the tacit approval of Council. No adoption of a Resolution by Council is necessary. Landmarks Status of the Old Waterworks: The Waterworks was designated in 1971. The City is bound by the designation unless the Council rescinds it. In this case, the designation outside the City limits is permissible because the property is owned by the City. If the property is sold to a third party, the designation will become ineffective unless the third party agrees to a deed restriction. Conflict of Interest: A conflict of interest would be present if a com- missioner had a financial or personal interest in a matter, and then voted or participated in a Commission decision on that matter. The City Council Board of Ethics is available to advise Commissioners on con- flicts of interest. A royal of Submittals b Staff: The conceptual approval of submittals by t e LPC with fina approva resting with staff constitutes unlawful delegation of authority. If the Commission wishes to approve an appli- cation in concept, the approval must be specific as to its conditions and leave the staff with no discretionary decision making powers. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION: THE OLD TROLLEY BARN Mr. Rick Inglis from the Fort Collins Municipal Railway Society talked about the interest the Society holds in the original street car barn. Since the current use of the barn by the City is to be terminated, the 9 LPC Minutes January 10, 1990 Page 3 Society is concerned with possible demolition of the barn. Ms. VanMeter assured Mr. Inglis that the barn was not under immediate threat. Mr. Inglis submitted a letter from Ed Hanson, President of the Railway Society, stating the Society's willingness to cooperate in any way to save or convert the trolley barn. 1989 YEAR END REPORT TO COUNCIL Ms. VanMeter submitted the draft year end report on LPC activity for 1989. Any necessary changes should be submitted as soon as possible, as the draft must be presented to the City Clerk by the end of January. The Commissioners had no immediate suggestions for changes to the draft CRITICAL ISSUES FUND Ms. VanMeter reported that the Critical Issues Fund proposal to study the economics of preservation would probably not be funded by the National Trust because a similar study was already underway in Washing- ton, D.C. The LPC is on the National Trust mailing list, and will receive any information produced by the Washington study. In accordance with the adopted 1990 Work Program, the LPC and Historic Preservation staff will now focus on the assessment of the Certified Local Government program. AVERY CARRIAGE HOUSE Staff, in partnership with the Poudre Landmarks Foundation, is starting work toward local designation and National Register listing for the Car- riage House. The local designation application will be reviewed by the LPC on the March agenda, so that the designation Ordinance can be con- sidered by Council in time for Preservation Week. Two meetings of the Council will be required for designation to be complete. By mid -summer the Carriage House should also be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. HERITAGE ROUNDTABLE UPDATE Ms. Massey reported that County Commissioner Courtlyn Hotchkiss and City Development Services Director Mike Davis will be invited to speak to the Roundtable regarding historic preservation and land development. 0 LPC Minutes January 10, 1990 Page 4 Ms. Massey stated she had submitted her proposal for State Register Eli- gibility under Criteria A: representative of early settlement, 1873, and the only brick residence from the period; Criteria B: the house is associated with an important person, i.e. the Trimble family who held the property until 1920 and was an important early pioneer family; and Criteria C: the masonry with gable L is rare in Colorado. The State will concur on eligibility for the National Register within in 2-3 days from the time the survey form is submitted. A determination of eligibility does not obligate the landowner in any way. The permission of the landowner is necessary for the House to be listed on the National Register. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 7:00 p.m. Minutes submitted by Joyce Lewton.