HomeMy WebLinkAboutLandmark Preservation Commission - Minutes - 08/27/2008LANDMARK PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
August 27, 2008 Minutes
Council Liaison: David Roy (407-7393)
Staff Liaison: Mr. Joe Frank (221-6376)
Commission Chairperson: Ms. Earen Russell
SUMMARY OF MEETING: The Commission approved Conceptual and Final Review
of repairs to the stone entry at the Antler’s Hotel, 222 Linden Street. The Commission
discussed future grant application projects with staff. The June 11, 2008 and June 25,
2008 minutes were approved as submitted.
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Commission called to order by Chairperson
Russell with a quorum present at 5:33 p.m. at 281 N. College Ave., Fort Collins, Colorado.
Earen Russell, John Albright, Terence Hoaglund, Alan Ballou, Ian Shuff, Sondra Carson and
Bud Frick were present. Karen McWilliams, Preservation Planner, represented City Staff.
GUESTS: Astrid, Owner of the Antler’s Hotel; Jeremy Kempter, Owner, Luscious Nectar,
Located in the Antler’s Hotel
AGENDA REVIEW: 515 Remington Street, Conceptual; and Final Design review of Barn
Roof has been rescheduled to the September 10th meeting.
STAFF REPORTS: Ms. McWilliams passed out copies of the Certified Local Government
Annual Report for fiscal year 2007-2008. She encouraged attendance at the DDA’s
Downtown Alley and Integrated Walkway Master Plan open house, at 5:30 on Wednesday,
Sept 3, 2008 at the Home State Bank.
COMMISSION MEMBER’S REPORTS: Mr. Albright reported that he had signed the
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the Public Service Company building as the LPC’s
representative. Ms. Russell thanked him for his assistance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
June 11, 2008 Minutes – Approved as submitted.
June 25, 2008 Minutes – Approved as submitted.
PUBLIC INPUT: Chairperson Russell asked if anyone present wished to discuss any item
not on the agenda. Astrid, owner of 222 Linden Street, the Antler’s Hotel, spoke. She is very
interested in and loves the history of Fort Collins. She got into real estate with the social aim
of housing people at very affordable rates and the business has grown because it is a needed
enterprise. Astrid owns the Antler’s Hotel. St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, under the leadership
of Father Francis LaJeunesse, was built in 1900. Fort Collins was experiencing a period of
economic depression, and, According to records she found in the church archives, Father
LaJeunesse made provisions with the contractor to keep the construction laborers on, and
arranged for them to build the Antler’s Hotel, which was finished in 1902. Then the 20
builders and workers built another 11 buildings into the 1920’s, under the church’s
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sponsorship. Astrid wondered which buildings these were, and thought this would be a great
story to find out. Ms. McWilliams said that the CSU interns working for the preservation
office might be able to help with that research. Other buildings Astrid owns includes the SE
corner of Mountain and Mason, which is the old Courier Express Newspaper building, built
in 1907. She also owns 124, 128, and 130 West Mountain, which served as the interim post
office from 1909 until 1912, and contains a safe from that era. Her property at 714
Remington Street was formerly a fraternity house. She converted it into affordable housing,
and operates it much like a pension in Europe. She also owns the Lovelander Hotel in
Loveland. Astrid expressed her excitement to have historic buildings come back to life, and
her pleasure that she can adaptive them for people needing serviceable, low income housing.
DESIGN REVIEW:
222 Linden Street, Antler’s Hotel – Conceptual and Final Design Review of
Repair to Stone Entry – Jeremy Kempter, Tenant
Ms. McWilliams reported that the Antlers Hotel at 222 Linden Street is a contributing
resource in the Old Town Historic District. The three-story, brick building was constructed in
1902. Entrances to the storefronts have buff sandstone entry steps that likely were quarried
from the former Stout Quarry, now under Horsetooth Reservoir. The tenant began to
demolish the stone entry without prior approval of the property owner or the Landmark
Preservation Commission. The property owner was able to stop the demolition, but not
before significant damage occurred. Preservation Planner Alyson McGee has met with the
tenant, property owner, and representatives from Empire Carpentry (the proposed contractor)
to discuss repairs, as described in the staff report. Ms. McWilliams explained that at this
time the two stones will not be pinned together, as they are likely to move independently and
the pinning might cause additional damage to the historic stone. The historic stone will be
very similar to but distinguishable from the new. Astrid asked if it is possible to get older
stone with a similar surface texture, as opposed to stone that will be ground flat, as proposed.
Ms. McWilliams replied that invariably the new block of stone will not be same height and
this is why it needs ground down. Because of the sanding and smoothing, it likely won’t
have the same spauled, rustic effect for the first 15-20 years. However, it will help to
differentiate between the repair and the historic fabric. Astrid prefers the appearance of the
historic stone, and asked if the top of new stone could be treated so it appears old. Mr.
Kempter replied that the contractor is looking for stone of the same vintage and appearance,
but stated Ms. McGee recommended against using chemicals that would degrade the stone,
to ensure it has maximum stability. Mr. Kempter also apologized for the unfortunate
miscommunication with his original contractor. His intent was to make his store
handicapped accessible, and now realizes that there are other historically appropriate means
to achieve that. Ms. McWilliams commented that there have been several changes in
occupancy in the Old Town District over the years, and to help prevent this type of accident
from happening again, staff will send out a letter reminding owners and tenants that their
buildings are part of the historic district. It will also help remind them of the financial
incentives they qualify for. Mr. Ballou asked if there were any joints in the original entry.
Ms. McWilliams replied that the entry was all one stone. The stone is also structural, and so
cannot be removed without a lot of work. Ms. Carson asked about apparent damage to the
kick plate. Mr. Kempter replied it’s not as rough as it looks in the photographic image. Ms.
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McWilliams commented that what she is seeing is predominately stone dust, rather than
actual damage. Mr. Shuff asked about getting accessibility to the building. Mr. Kempter said
he would try an impermanent structure like a wood ramp that can be easily removed. Mr.
Ballou asked how wide the sidewalk is. It is more than 7 feet wide. Mr. Ballou was disturbed
by the strength of a diagonal line joining the new and historic fabric, and suggested it be
circular. Ms. McWilliams stated that it would be very difficult to cut both stones to fit using a
circular cut. She commented that, historically, when stones were joined in an entryway, they
were joined with a straight line. Mr. Shuff wondered about a butt joint instead of an angle.
Ms. McWilliams replied that a straight line at the edge of the damage and not going beyond
will cause the least damage to the rest of stone. Astrid wondered about shaping it like a
baseball diamond, but then thought it might look more like original if it was to remain a
straight line. She also agreed that it was likely better to not treat the surface of the new stone
to mimic the historic, and watch the stone turn over a period of time to resemble the original.
Public input: None.
Mr. Shuff made a motion to approve the stone sill repair work at 222 Linden Street, Antler’s
Hotel, Luscious Nectar Juice Bar, tenant, based upon the proposed solution by Kevin Murray,
as subscribing to the criteria contained in Section 14-48 of the Municipal Code and
Standards 2, 5, 6 and 7 of the Secretary of the Interior’s standards for Rehabilitation. Mr.
Frick seconded the motion. The motion carried (7-0).
OTHER BUSINESS:
Potential State Historical Fund grant application
Ms. McWilliams reported that staff has identified several projects that could qualify for
Certified Local Government, Preserve America, and State Historic Fund grants. Projects
include possible surveys of the Eastside Neighborhood to the east of the Laurel School
District; a survey of City owned properties (this might also be able to be done in-house
depending upon how many city owned properties there are); and a survey of the Mason
Corridor Transit Overlay Zone, which would help the city get ahead of the curve and provide
predictability to developers. Other important projects include revising the 1981 Old Town
Guidelines. Mr. Albright felt that updating the Old Town Guidelines have a real and
immediate need. He remarked that Ms. Russell and Mr. Shuff had talked to Council about
the need for a buffer zone around the Old Town District. Mr. Ballou agreed. Ms. Russell
noted that for the most part, the Land Use Code regulations that are in effect now are
working. Regarding the 9-story hotel, the code allow for modifications of standards for equal
to or better, minimal or inconsequential, or strong community need. Staff is also currently
working with the Downtown Development Authority and property owner to explore a grant
for restoring the Coke sign on side of Coopersmith’s, and possibly other signs. Mr. Albright
asked if we have made the decision to restore the signs. Ms. McWilliams answered that no,
Ms. McGee would be presenting all of the various options for restoring the ghost signs for
discussion at the next meeting. Yet another project is alley guidelines for the alleys within
Old Town. This probably won’t require grant funds. It would involve coordination with the
DDA’s alley project, currently underway. Digital walking tours, that can be downloaded, is
yet another idea. Another grant possibility is to apply for a Historic Structure Assessment
and feasibility study of the creamery and police services buildings. Ms. McWilliams asked if
the Commission had additional ideas they wished to be considered. Mr. Albright asked about
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the status of the Post-WWII survey. Ms. McWilliams replied it would be underway in mid-
September. Mr. Shuff suggested publishing a pamphlet discussing appropriate additions/
alterations for historic homes, which could be available at the Development Review Center
and on the website. Ms. Russell agreed with Mr. Albright’s earlier comments that the Old
Town Guidelines are especially important to update now, since the last update was in 1981.
Mr. Frick stated it’s especially important now, with the pressure to develop in Old Town. Mr.
Shuff commented that the requests won’t get less but will instead increase in the near future.
Public input: Astrid stated she also owns the Lovelander Hotel on 3rd Street in Loveland
which has a ghost sign painting which is starting to fade. She asked about preserving and
maybe enhancing the original. Ms. McWilliams replied there are a variety of ways to treat
historic ghost signs depending on what the owner ultimately wants to achieve. She
recommended a publication from the National Park Service, and will send a copy to Astrid.
It was also suggested that she contact the Loveland Historic Preservation staff.
Meeting is adjourned at 6:17 P.M.
Respectfully submitted by
Diana Sanger, Secretary