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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLandmark Preservation Commission - Minutes - 09/24/2008LANDMARK PRESERVATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting September 24, 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 the Conceptual and Final Design Review of Roof, Crown Molding and Facia Repairs/Replacement, and Painting to the Montezuma Fuller House, 226 West Magnolia Street. The Commission approved the Landmark Designation for the Loomis-Jones House, 401 Smith Street and the Ricketts Farm, 2300 West Mulberry Street. The September 10, 2008 minutes were approved as submitted. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Commission called to order by Chairperson Russell with a quorum present at 4:30 p.m. at 281 N. College Ave., Fort Collins, Colorado. Earen Russell, Ian Shuff, John Albright, Sondra Carson, and Terence Hoaglund were present. Absent were Alan Ballou (excused) and Bud Frick (unexcused). Karen McWilliams, Preservation Planner, Alyson McGee, Preservation Planner, Timothy Wilder, Senior City Planner, and Josh Weinberg, Preservation Intern, represented City Staff.  GUESTS: Gary Hixon, Owner, 226 West Magnolia Street; Ralph and Patricia Tvede, Owners, 401 Smith Street; and Richard Ricketts and daughter Heather, Owners, 2300 West Mulberry Street. AGENDA REVIEW: Ms. McWilliams added to the agenda the presentation of the short DVD, “Making it Happen,” a summary of city planning development, to the agenda. STAFF REPORTS: Ms. McWilliams indicated that the Colorado Historical Society is offering commission member training on November 21, 2008, at the History Museum. Ms. McWilliams pointed out that most commission members attended the meeting last May but the November training is for new members or those not present at the May meeting. Ms. McGee announced she would be leaving the city, with her last day being October 17, 2008. COMMISSION MEMBER REPORTS: There were no reports from commission members. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  September 10, 2008 Minutes – Approved as submitted. PUBLIC INPUT: Chairperson Russell asked if anyone present wished to discuss any item not on the agenda. There was none. Landmark Preservation Commission September 24, 2008 Meeting - 2 – DESIGN REVIEW:  226 West Magnolia Street, Montezuma Fuller House – Conceptual and Final Design Review of Roof, Crown Molding and Fascia Repairs/Replacement, and Painting – Gary Hixon, Owner Background - Ms. McWilliams reported that the Montezuma Fuller House was designated as a Fort Collins Landmark by its owner, Gary Hixon, in 1977, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. An outstanding example of Victorian-era architecture, the building is also significant for its association with its designer and original occupant, architect Montezuma Fuller. Mr. Hixon recently was awarded a Commercial Rehabilitation Loan for repairs to his property. The proposed work consists of:  Removal of the existing 25 year old cedar shingle roof (except for the area over the back of the kitchen), and replacing it with U.L. Class B fire resistant cedar shingles, including skip sheeting, to match;  Removing the rolled roofing on the flat section of the front porch roof and replacing it with sheet rubber rolled roofing; and seal to veneer brick with rubberized sealant;  Repairing, when possible, or removing and replacing rotten fascia and crown molding with new fascia and molding, milled to match the historic material;  Cutting the nail ends currently protruding through the crown molding (the result of the previous roofing job); and,  Priming and painting all fascia and molding to match the existing paint colors. Commission discussion: Mr. Wilder indicated that this proposal was approved under a commercial loan, which was a special one-time program. Ms. McWilliams pointed out that when Mr. Hixon was approved, it was done by the Landmark Preservation Commission and included his intent to do masonry repair at a total cost of $2,400. Ms McWilliams stated it looks as if that work may not be included in the grant/loan at this time, or that Mr. Hixon may want to come in later for approval of masonry work. There were no concerns by the Commission regarding this topic. Mr. Shuff asked if the fascia work was included in the original proposal. Mr. Hixon replied that it was. Mr. Wilder added that this portion would not be a part of the project if the cost becomes excessive. Mr. Wilder noted it was not included in the original budget for the loan, but that it should be looked at as a replacement for the other work that may be deleted from the project. A bid for Item B was deleted from the scope or work. Mr. Shuff clarified that the Commission was approving work on the fascia. Mr. Wilder responded that it was; Mr. Hixon replied that the price was different but the work was the same. Public input: None. Mr. Albright made a motion to approve the staff recommendation that the Landmark Preservation Commission approve the proposed roof replacement and soffit and fascia repairs to the Montezuma Fuller House at 226 West Magnolia as presented, finding that the proposed work meets Sec. 14-48 of the Municipal Code and Standards #5 & #6 of the Landmark Preservation Commission September 24, 2008 Meeting - 3 – Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. Mr. Shuff seconded the motion. The motion carried (5-0). LANDMARK DESIGNATION:  401 Smith Street, Loomis-Jones House, Ralph and Patricia Tvede, Owners BACKGROUND. Mr. Weinberg presented the nomination of the Loomis-Jones House at 401 Smith Street for Local Landmark Designation. The property has significance to Fort Collins under Landmark Preservation Standards (1) (2) and (3). The residence is one of the oldest frame houses in Fort Collins, and embodies many distinctive characteristics of the Vernacular Architectural Style of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Additionally, the house at 401 Smith is significant for its association with Abner Loomis, an important and well-known citizen of Fort Collins during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Furthermore, the Loomis-Jones House is a rare surviving example of vernacular residential architecture, built within two decades after the establishment of the Fort Collins town site. It has been an integral part of the Eastside residential area since before 1894 and contributes to the historic architectural character and diversity of the area. According to an article in the Fort Collins Courier, in 1872 this home was originally constructed on Linden Street by Dr. McClannahan who subsequently sold the building and grounds to Abner Loomis sometime between 1872 and 1889. The same article in the Courier accredits Perry Herrington to moving the “old Loomis house” to a new location on Petersen Street. Consistent evidence from Evadene Swanson, in her book Fort Collins Yesterdays, states that the house was enlarged in 1879 and moved in 1889 to Petersen Street as commercial development spread on Linden Street. Swanson posits that “later it may have been moved to 401 Smith where with its modern siding it hardly appears old.” However the home found its way to the present location it was indeed extant on Smith Street in 1894. At that time, its footprint showed that the only portions of the building not yet built were the gabled rear wing behind the main, front gabled mass, and the shed-roofed rear porch affixed to the gabled rear wing. Since Sanborn map coverage is lacking for this part of Smith Street, it is impossible to ascertain when these rear additions were made. In April of 1942 a building permit was issued to “rebuild porch”; presumably this referred to the structure’s distinctive front porch. The front porch was reconstructed again after 1989 by its owner at that time, Tim Simmons. The porch roof was rebuilt again in 2005 to resemble the home’s original porch. Commission discussion: Mrs. Tvede commented that the historic evidence was circumstantial, but that it was strong. Ms. McWilliams commented that the property was one of the earliest extant dwellings in the Eastside neighborhood. Mr. Shuff asked for clarification as to whether the porch was reconstructed to the original appearance. Mr. Weinberg responded that there was evidence the porch was rebuilt at least two times, in the early 1990s and more recently. The Tvedes have early photos of different porch configurations. Mr. Shuff clarified that there is no photo evidence to substantiate the current appearance is the same as the original. Ms. McWilliams indicated that the current porch is a third variation, and while much closer to the original, it is not a restoration. Landmark Preservation Commission September 24, 2008 Meeting - 4 – Public input: None. Mr. Hoaglund made a motion to recommend to Council the request for Landmark Designation of the Loomis-Jones House, under Standards (1) and (3), for its probable association with Abner Loomis, its representation of the Vernacular architectural style of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and its status as one of the earliest extant dwellings in Fort Collins. Mr. Albright seconded the motion. The motion carried (5-0). LANDMARK DESIGNATION:  2300 West Mulberry Street, Ricketts Farm, Richard and Teresa Ricketts, Owners BACKGROUND - Mr. Weinberg reported that the Ricketts Farm at 2300 West Mulberry has significance to Fort Collins under Landmark Preservation Standards (2) and (3). As the home of prominent early members of Fort Collins, the Ricketts Farm is important to local history. The house embodies many distinctive characteristics of early twentieth-century Vernacular architecture. Its avocational design and construction and its relatively unaltered character make it a fine representation of the unusual construction techniques of the period, worthy of designation as a Fort Collins Landmark. Philander Ricketts, his wife, Julia Thomas, and their six children built the home beginning in 1894, and occupied the Ricketts Farm by 1898. An Indiana native, Philander was born in 1848. After receiving a diagnosis of consumption (tuberculosis) in 1878, Philander and Julia moved to Fort Collins the following year. The young family initially settled by what is now Overland Trail Road, but a fire destroyed their homestead in 1894, and Philander subsequently obtained a waver to the Homestead Act that allowed him to relocate to the West Mulberry property and begin anew. The Ricketts quickly established themselves as prominent citizens of Fort Collins. Philander was an active member of the local Masonic Lodge, a leader and charter member of the Empire Grange, a local school teacher, and an independent farmer. These roles placed him at the center of political and social forces in Fort Collins where he his respectability and fine leadership qualities became local axioms. His progeny continued his legacy of leadership in Fort Collins as his daughter, Joy, received her medical degree in the first decade of the twentieth century and one of his sons, Stanley, played varsity athletics for what is now Colorado State University. Stanley continued to live in Fort Collins until 1987, when, at the age of 91, he was the oldest surviving CSU varsity athlete and one of the last surviving aviators who prepped to fight in World War I. Stanley’s grandson, Rich Ricketts, and his wife Terri seek Landmark Designation. The couple intends to restore the Ricketts Farm House for their family’s future use. Although it possesses nearly all of its original features, the house nonetheless evinces some changes. Family testimony indicates that the addition on the back of the house was built soon after the home’s construction, while photographic evidence shows that the front façade’s left window was altered after 1949, from a three light window to its current single light form. A small screen porch also covered the front door in 1949, but no longer exists. These changes are the only apparent modifications to the house that Philander Ricketts built in the mid 1890s. Landmark Preservation Commission September 24, 2008 Meeting - 5 – Commission discussion: Ms. McWilliams commented that the photos included in the packet were taken in June 2008 and show the deterioration to the bricks. Since June, Mr. Ricketts has had qualified craftspeople repair the brick and stonework. In addition to the masonry repairs, Mr. Ricketts noted that he had replaced the non-original front fixed-pane window with new custom wood windows. He felt that the house couldn’t have survived another winter without this work, as it has been empty for four years. Mr. Ricketts described his excitement for the familial history of the property; Ms. McWilliams added that the property is special because it was hand built by the owner. Ms. Russell asked how large the lot was and if there were any other structures on the property; Mr. Ricketts said it was 9,500 square feet and used to have a barn and chicken house, neither of which still stands. Mr. Ricketts ended by saying that he would love to rebuild the screen porch in the future. Public input: None. Ms. Carson made a motion to approve the request for Landmark Designation of the Ricketts Farm property at 2300 West Mulberry Street, under Standards (2) and (3) for its connection to the lives of Philander Ricketts and his descendants and for its representation of early- twentieth-century Vernacular architecture. Mr. Hoaglund seconded the motion. The motion carried (5-0). OTHER BUSINESS:  Ms. McWilliams presented the 16-minute movie “Making it Happen” to group. Mr. Shuff commented that the video was well done. Public input: There was none. Meeting is adjourned at 5:30 P.M. Respectfully submitted by Lindsay Dickson, Secretary