Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutLandmark Preservation Commission - Minutes - 11/12/2008LANDMARK PRESERVATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting November 12, 2008 Minutes Council Liaison: Mr. David Roy (407-7393) Staff Liaison: Mr. Joe Frank (221-6376) Commission Chairperson: Ms. Earen Russell SUMMARY OF MEETING: The Commission heard an update on work proposed for the Waterworks Building, 2005 N. Overland Trail; discussed the LPC annual work program; discussed the local review of State Tax Credit rehabilitation projects, and passed a motion supporting continuation of local review for the credit; held a Preliminary Hearing on proposed alterations for 280 Circle Drive, the Perry House; held the Final Hearing for the demolition of 530 S. Whitcomb Street; and held conceptual and final design review and review for the rehabilitation loan program for the Hottel/Hoffman House at 426 E. Oak Street and approved the work as presented. The October 22, 2008 minutes were approved as submitted. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Commission called to order by Vice Chairperson Shuff with a quorum present at 4:36 p.m. at 281 N. College Ave., Fort Collins, Colorado. Earen Russell (excused absence); Ian Shuff, Acting Chair, and members John Albright, Alan Ballou, Sondra Carson, Bud Frick, and Terence Hoaglund were present. Joe Frank, Director of Advance Planning, and Karen McWilliams, Preservation Planner, represented City Staff. GUESTS: Susan Hoskinson, Poudre Landmarks Foundation; Randy Shortridge, Owner of 280 Circle Drive; Chris Ray, Owner of 530 S. Whitcomb Street; Char Gerber and Luke Manno, Owners of 516 S. Whitcomb; Jim Norman, Owner of 424 W. Myrtle; Katherine Acott, Owner of 426 E. Oak Street; Dick Anderson, Owner of 422 E. Oak Street; and Haruna Fukui, CSU Student AGENDA REVIEW: Add Conceptual and Final Design Review and Approval of Work for Rehabilitation Loan, Hottel/Hoffman House, 426 E. Oak Street, Phillip and Katherine Acott. STAFF REPORTS: Ms. McWilliams presented a list of Award Winning Historic Preservation Projects in Fort Collins. The invitation to the holiday party, to be hosted by Earen and Craig Russell, was passed out. Ms. McWilliams also passed around an invitation from the Northern Colorado Chapter of the Colorado Archaeological Society to attend its November 19 meeting. Ms. McWilliams updated the commission on the Old Town Design Guidelines project. Due to time and budgetary constraints, this project will need to be funded through a State Historic Fund grant. Staff anticipates submitting an application in the April 2009 grant round. Mr. Albright asked if the grant proposal for ghost signs had been turned in. Ms. McWilliams replied it had been submitted October 1. COMMISSION MEMBER’S REPORTS: None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  October 22 2008 Minutes – Approved as submitted. Landmark Preservation Commission November 12, 2008 Meeting - 2 - PUBLIC INPUT: Mr. Shuff asked if anyone present wished to discuss any item not on the agenda. There were none. DESIGN REVIEW:  Update on Work Proposed for the Waterworks Building, 2005 N. Overland Trail – Susan Hoskinson, Poudre Landmarks Foundation Ms. McWilliams introduced Susan Hoskinson, Chairperson of Poudre Landmark Foundation’s Friends of the Water Works. Ms. Hoskinson presented an update of the restoration of the water history museum being refurbished with SHF grants. The project is now in Phase 2. Ms. Hoskinson will return at a later date for conceptual and final review of the proposed work, once plans are prepared. There were no public comments. LPC members thanked Ms. Hoskinson for coming. DISCUSSION:  LPC Annual Work Program Ms. McWilliams presented a memo from Joe Frank, Director, Advance Planning Department, regarding the draft of the 2009 Work Program. There was a discussion about more emphasis on additional district nominations. Ms. Carson handed out an article that profiled a neighborhood in Bloomington, Indiana, as a suggestion for opportunities in Fort Collins. LPC members decided to develop a pamphlet featuring the predominant home styles in Fort Collins, for distribution during the initial permit process and provided to real estate and title companies. Each member will research a style. Also added to the work program is re- establishing the Design Review Subcommittee. Mr. Shuff solicited public input. There was none. Ms. McWilliams will finalize the 2009 Work Plan and submit it to the Clerk’s Office.  Certified Local Government State Tax Credit Resolution Ms. McWilliams reported that this will be the last year in which Council is required to adopt an annual resolution stating their decision whether to review rehabilitation projects locally for State Tax Credits. Beginning in 2009, the Council may change its decision regarding review at any time. The Commission recommends that Council adopt a resolution to serve as the reviewing entity for all commercial, non-profit and income-producing properties in Fort Collins. There was a discussion about the need for consistency from year to year in the types of properties reviewed, to minimize confusion. The trend is that residential properties use the tax credit the most. There was no public input. Mr. Frick made a motion to review commercial properties as we have done in the last year, which includes all commercial buildings and income producing properties, both landmarked and non-landmarked, in the City limits that meet the qualifications for the Certified Local Government State Tax Credit. Mr. Albright seconded the motion. The motion carried (6-0). DEMOLITION/ALTERATION REVIEW:  280 Circle Drive, Perry House, Preliminary Hearing on Proposed Alterations – Randy Shortridge, Owner Landmark Preservation Commission November 12, 2008 Meeting - 3 - Ms. McWilliams summarized the Demolition/Alteration Review Process. The process requires a Preliminary Hearing to discuss the alteration or demolition of historic resources that are individually eligible for designation as Fort Collins Landmarks. The Perry House, located at 280 Circle Drive, was recently reviewed under Section 14-28 of the Municipal Code, and was found to be individually eligible for Landmark designation for its architectural and historical significance to Fort Collins under Standards 1 and 3. The applicant is proposing to significantly alter the dwelling. Constructed in 1952, the home is a nearly intact example of Ranch-style post-WWII architecture in Fort Collins, a simplified variant of the Prairie architectural style. Notable features include the flat roof with broad eaves; overall asymmetry; horizontal siding; low wainscot and planters composed of horizontally laid, elongated “Miami” brick; and horizontal windows, including an exceptional 12 foot long horizontal ribbon glass window in the south (garage) elevation. The only notable alteration is the recent addition of vinyl siding over the original horizontal lapped siding. The property is also significant as a contributing element of the Circle Drive neighborhood, a potential Fort Collins Landmark District, notable as Fort Collins’ first development to break from the traditional grid street pattern, and the first to utilize bump-outs, a precursor to the later cul- de-sac. The district as a whole evidences a very high level of integrity. Mr. Shortridge, the owner of the property, reported that he purchased the home in September 2008 as a starter home for his family. He grew up in Fort Collins, and wants to live in the heart of the city. Mr. Shortridge, an architect, explained that the exterior of the home is only a small part of the equation. He described the home as having a hearth-centered plan, which revolves around the center of the home, usually a fireplace. The lot is larger than the typical lot in this neighborhood, with 25’ setbacks on both sides of the home. Mr. Shortridge felt that this would help minimize the impact of the additions. He proposes to add a second story to the one-story home, as well as additional floor space on the first level. The Commission discussed alternatives to the second story addition, and the proposed shed roof versus a nearly flat or hip roof. There was consensus among LPC members that, while Mr. Shortridge’s design was well executed, it did not retaining much of the historic original character of the home. Mr. Shortridge noted that three residences in the neighborhood have two story additions: one in the back, one on the side street, and one is a two-story garage addition. Mr. Shortridge said he will proceed to the Final Hearing. There was no public input. LPC members thanked him for coming.  530 S. Whitcomb Street, Lee House, Final Hearing on Proposed Demolition – Chris Ray, Owner Ms. McWilliams reported that a Preliminary Hearing for demolition of this property was conducted on May 14, 2008. The Paul Lee House is architecturally significant to Fort Collins for its excellent representation of the locally rare Dutch Gambrel architectural style. The owner is proposing to demolish this dwelling and its associated garage, and replace them with another single family home with attached garage. The owner, Chris Ray, has complied with the provisions of the Demolition/Alteration Review Process described in Section 14-72 of the Fort Collins Code. Ms. McWilliams stated that she received two comments as a result of public notification, and read them into the record. Both expressed concern that the size and architectural style of the new home fit in with the existing neighborhood. The Commission offered a few suggestions to Mr. Ray that would help the new house be more Landmark Preservation Commission November 12, 2008 Meeting - 4 - consistent with the neighborhood. Mr. Albright asked that staff ensure that the property is well documented through photographs before its demolition. Public input: Char Gerber, owner of 516 S. Whitcomb Street, stated she was in favor of the house being demolished and rebuilt; that it would be nice to see brick, and have the style of the home fit into the neighborhood. Luke Manno, owner of 516 S. Whitcomb Street, agreed with Ms. Gerber, and thought a new home would help bring the neighborhood up. Jim Norman, owner of 424 W. Myrtle Street, stated that he grew up in that neighborhood and had been in the house. He felt that it’s always been unsightly and, therefore, is very much in favor of it being rebuilt; although the new design doesn’t fit some of the other houses in the neighborhood, it does fit in with some other homes north of Mulberry. Mr. Frick made a motion to approve the Final Hearing for the Proposed Demolition finding that it is in compliance with the provisions of the Demolition/Alteration Review Process described in Section 14-72 of the Fort Collins Code, for demolition of 530 S. Whitcomb Street. Mr. Hoaglund seconded the motion. The motion carried (6-0). DESIGN REVIEW:  Conceptual and Final Design Review, and Approval of Work for Rehabilitation Loan Funds - 426 E. Oak Street, Hottel/Hoffman House, Phillip and Katherine Acott, Owners Katherine Acott, owner of 426 E. Oak Street, stated the home was rundown when her husband purchased it in 1997. They have received approval of a zero-interest loan in this calendar year for matching funds of $5,000.00, which requires the owners to do $5,175.00 of work, for a total of $10,175.00. They have bids from Empire Carpentry and from Aspen Construction. Empire Carpentry’s bid is for $15,715.00 to do the following: trims, corbel moldings and siding - secure loose trims and moldings to tighten up gaps if possible; repair or replace broken and missing trims and moldings as needed, replacement trims will be milled to the exact size and shape of existing trims and moldings; epoxy harden and fill deteriorated trims to preserve historic fabric; replace deteriorated 1x6 tongue & groove eyebrow decking, reattach and epoxy harden loose decking as needed, rebuild northwest eyebrow; repair soffit on the north and east side of the house; replace approx. 98 linear feet of deteriorated lap siding (installing end wall to roof flashing where this work is taking place in conjunction with roof replacement only); and manufacturing a full arch top window trim and installing it on the north wall window. Mr. Shuff commented that everything covered in the loan application is contained in Empire’s bid. LPC members stated they were thrilled to see the work being done and wished the Acotts good luck on their project. There was no public input. Mr. Frick made a motion to approve the Conceptual and Final Design review of 426 E. Oak Street, and approval of zero-interest loan, as the proposed work meets the Standards of Section 14-28 in the Municipal Cod, the work to encompass the tasks spelled out in the Empire Carpentry bid and the applicant to match the $5,000.00 zero-interest loan. Mr. Albright seconded the motion. The motion carried (6-0). Meeting adjourned at 6:15 PM. Respectfully submitted by Diana Sanger, Secretary