HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 02/15/2022 - SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 011, 2022, DESIGNA Agenda Item 6
Item # 6 Page 1
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY February 15, 2022
City Council
STAFF
Jim Bertolini, Historic Preservation Planner
Claire Havelda, Legal
SUBJECT
Second Reading of Ordinance No. 011, 2022, Designating the Maxwell Rock House, 1433 South Overla nd
Trail, Fort Collins, Colorado, as a Fort Collins Landmark Pursuant to Chapter 14 of the Code of the City of Fort
Collins.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This item will be moved to discussion.
This item is a quasi-judicial matter and if it is considered on the dis cussion agenda, it will be considered in
accordance with Section 1(f) of the Council’s Rules of Meeting Procedures adopted in Resolution 2021 -093.
This Ordinance, unanimously adopted on First Reading on January 18, 2022, requests City landmark designation
for the property at 1433 South Overland Trail. In cooperation with the property owner, the Ponds at Overland Trail
HOA, City staff and the Historic Preservation Commission (the “Commission”) have determined the property to be
eligible for designation under Standards 2, Persons/Groups for association with Paul and Emerald Maxwell,
important figures in the social history of what is now west Fort Collins, and under Standard 3, Design/Construction
for the property's significance as a rare surviving example of a stone masonry farmhouse in the Fort Collins area.
The HOA owner is requesting designation, which will provide protection of the property's exterior and immediate
grounds, and access to financial incentives for preservation.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinance on Second Reading.
ATTACHMENTS
1. First Reading Agenda Item Summary, January 18, 2022 (w/o attachments) (PDF)
2. Ordinance No. 011, 2022 (PDF)
Agenda Item 11
Item # 11 Page 1
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY January 18, 2022
City Council
STAFF
Jim Bertolini, Historic Preservation Planner
Claire Havelda, Legal
SUBJECT
First Reading of Ordinance No. 011, 2022, Designating the Maxwell Rock House, 1433 South Overland Trail,
Fort Collins, Colorado, as a Fort Collins Landmark Pursuant to Chapter 14 of the Code of the City of Fort
Collins.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This item is a quasi-judicial matter and if it is considered on the discussion agenda, it will be considered in
accordance with Section 1(f) of the Council’s Rules of Meeting Procedures adopted in Resolution 2021-093.
The purpose of this item is to request City landmark designation for the property at 1433 South Overland Trail. In
cooperation with the property owner, the Ponds at Overland Trail HOA, City staff and the Historic Preservation
Commission (the “Commission”) have determined the property to be eligible for designation under Standards 2,
Persons/Groups for association with Paul and Emerald Maxwell, important figures in the social history of what is
now west Fort Collins, and under Standard 3, Design/Construction for the property's significance as a rare surviving
example of a stone masonry farmhouse in the Fort Collins area. The HOA owner is requesting designation, which
will provide protection of the property's exterior and immediate grounds, and access to financial incentives for
preservation.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinance on First Reading.
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
The Maxwell Rock House at 1433 South Overland Trail is significant under Standards 2, Persons/Groups for
association with Paul & Emerald Maxwell, important figures in the social history of what is now west Fort Collins,
and under Standard 3, Design/Construction for the property's significance as a rare surviving example of a stone
masonry farmhouse in the Fort Collins area.
The Maxwell Rock House is significant as the home from 1940-1972 of Paul & Emerald Maxwell, two
distinguished figures in the agricultural, social, and economic development of what is now west Fort Collins
during the early and mid-1900s. Both Paul and Emerald (Hawley) grew up on farms in the area previously called
North Fossil Creek or District No. 10 (after the school district formed for this area in the early 1900s and housed
at the No. 10/Laporte Avenue School at 2540 Laporte Avenue). As young adults, both were active in the Empire
Grange, co-founded by their parents, where they met, married in 1914 and moved to Idaho. Upon their return to
Fort Collins in the 1920s, both resumed leadership roles in the Empire Grange. Emerald was a socialite among
the farming families along Maxwell Road, now Overland Trail, regularly organizing gatherings for the Empire
Grange and South Side Club. Paul Maxwell became a prolific leader in both social and political circles. In the
1930s and 1940s, he frequently served as the “master” (president) of the Empire Grange, including providing
leadership and guidance to area farmers during the Second World War. He chaired the No. 10 School District
board during its construction of the Laporte Avenue school in 1938, including securing Works Progress
ATTACHMENT 1
COPY
Agenda Item 11
Item # 11 Page 2
Administration funding for its construction. He also served in various other local and state level positions including
elected office. Besides this, the Maxwells owned significant farm land in what is now west Fort Collins, although
most has been redeveloped into housing developments or City Natural Areas.
The Maxwell Rock House is also significant under Standard 3, Design/Construction for its reflection of rare, uncut
local stone construction built from stones gathered on the Maxwell farm properties over the late 1930s. While
stone construction for building foundations and even entire buildings, such as the Masonic/Oddfellow’s Lodge at
149 West Mountain Avenue, or the Avery House at 328 West Mountain, these are typically cut, dressed, and
coursed stone from local quarries. Less common were uncut, uncoursed stone buildings. During the City’s 1997
survey of agricultural resources, only two such farmhouses existed in the study area, the Watrous House at 1337
West Vine Drive, and this property at 1433 South Overland Trail, both of which survive. Such construction reflects
a form of vernacular architecture that reflects how farmers frequently adapted traditional building types with
locally-available materials such as local stone and timber.
The house also reflects a transitional vernacular style of home construction, that incorporated traditional stone-
and-lumber construction with newer mid-20th century styles, likely indicating an interest in building a “modern”
house on the new farm complex. The side-gabled dwelling with two parallel projecting gables on the east façade
exhibits elements of Tudor Revival, Cape Cod, and Minimal Traditional stylistic elements without strongly
characterizing any one style.
The property retains strong integrity under all seven aspects related to its period of significance, defined as 1937-
1972, corresponding with the property’s first construction and closing with the Maxwell family’s sale of the
property in 1972.
CITY FINANCIAL IMPACTS
Designation as a Fort Collins Landmark qualifies property owners for certain financial incentives funded by the
City, including a 0% interest revolving loan program and Design Assistance mini-grant program. Private property
owners may also leverage State tax incentives for repairs and modifications that meet national preservation
standards. This includes non-profit entities such as HOAs and Greek Life organizations that can transfer the
state tax incentive to another, taxable entity.
BOARD / COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
After a hearing held at its December 15, 2021, regular meeting, the Commission adopted a motion on a vote of
6-0 (2 vacancies, 1 recusal) to recommend Council designate the Maxwell Rock House as a Fort Collins
Landmark in accordance with City Code Chapter 14, based on the property’s significance under Standards 2,
Persons/Groups, and 3 Design/Construction, and its historic integrity under all seven aspects as confirmed in
Commission Resolution 5, 2021.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
Specific to this nomination request, public outreach involved interaction with the property owner and the public
hearing on December 15, 2021.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Nomination Information (PDF)
2. Location Map (PDF)
3. Historic Preservation Commission Resolution (PDF) COPY
-1-
ORDINANCE NO. 011, 2022
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
DESIGNATING THE MAXWELL ROCK HOUSE, 1433 SOUTH OVERLAND TRAIL,
FORT COLLINS, COLORADO, AS A FORT COLLINS LANDMARK PURSUANT TO
CHAPTER 14 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
WHEREAS, pursuant to City Code Section 14-1, the City Council has established a
public policy encouraging the protection, enhancement and perpetuation of historic landmarks
within the City; and
WHEREAS, by adoption of Resolution 5-2021 after a hearing held at its meeting on
December 15, 2021, the Historic Preservation Commission (the “Commission”) determined that
the Maxwell Rock House, 1433 South Overland Trail, in Fort Collins, as more specifically
described in the legal description below (the “Property”), is eligible for landmark designation
pursuant to City Code Chapter 14, Article II, for the Property’s significance to Fort Collins
under Standard of Significance 2, Persons/Groups as a reflection of the significant contributions
of Paul and Emerald Maxwell to the social and agricultural history of what is now west Fort
Collins, and under Standard of Significance 3, Design/Construction as a significant and rare
surviving example of a stone masonry farm house in the Fort Collins area, contained in City
Code Section 14-22(a)(1) and 14-22(a)(3) and strong integrity under all seven standards of
integrity under City Code Section 14-22(b)(1-7); and
WHEREAS, the Commission further determined that designation of the Property will
advance the policies and purposes set forth in City Code Sections 14-1 and 14-2 in a manner
and extent sufficient to justify designation; and
WHEREAS, the Historic Preservation Commission (the “Commission”) recommends
that the City Council designate the Property as a Fort Collins landmark; and
WHEREAS, the owner of the Property has consented to such landmark designation and
desires to protect the Property; and
WHEREAS, such landmark designation will preserve the Property’s significance to the
community; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed the recommendation of the Commission and
desires to follow such recommendation and designate the Property as a landmark; and
WHEREAS, designation of the Property as a landmark is necessary for the prosperity,
civic pride, and welfare of the public.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That the City Council hereby makes and adopts the determinations and
findings contained in the recitals set forth above.
-2-
Section 2. That the Property located in the City of Fort Collins, Larimer County,
Colorado, described as follows, to wit:
THAT PORTION OF TRACT A, THE PONDS AT OVERLAND TRAIL, FIRST FILING, LARIMER COUNTY
PARCEL #9717406001 THAT IS DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:
A TRACT OF LAND LOCATED IN THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 17, TOWNSHIP 7 NORTH,
RANGE 69 WEST OF THE SIXTH PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, CITY OF FORT COLLINS, LARIMER
COUNTY, COLORADO, THE SAID TRACT IS ALSO LOCATED IN TRACT A OF THE PLAT OF THE
PONDS AT OVERLAND TRAIL FIRST FILING, A PLAT OF RECORD WITH THE CLERK AND
RECORDER OF LARIMER COUNTY, MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:
CONSIDERING THE EAST LINE OF THE SAID SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 17 AS BEARING
NORTH 00 DEGREES 34 MINUTES 11 SECONDS EAST BETWEEN A 2. 5 11 ALUMINUM CAP
MONUMENT AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF SECTION 17 AND A 2. 5 11 ALUMINUM CAP
MONUMENT AT THE EAST QUARTER CORNER SECTION 17, BASED UPON GPS OBSERVATION
AND THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS COORDINATE BASE, AND WITH ALL BEARINGS CONTAINED
HEREIN RELATIVE THERETO;
COMMENCING AT THE SAID SOUTHEAST CORNER OF SECTION 17; THENCE ALONG THE EAST
LINE OF THE SAID SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 17, NORTH 00 DEGREES 34 MINUTES 11
SECONDS EAST FOR A DISTANCE OF 387.61 FEET; THENCE LEAVING THE SAID EAST LINE,
NORTH 89 DEGREES 25 MINUTES 49 SECONDS WEST FOR A DISTANCE OF 261.83 FEET TO THE
TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING OF THIS DESCRIPTION; THENCE NORTH 44 DEGREES 18 MINUTES
42 SECONDS EAST FOR A DISTANCE OF 42.68 FEET; THENCE NORTH 03 DEGREES 22 MINUTES
00 SECONDS WEST FOR A DISTANCE OF 52.36 FEET; THENCE NORTH 40 DEGREES 53 MINUTES
22 SECONDS WEST FOR A DISTANCE OF 23.51 FEET; THENCE NORTH 75 DEGREES 44 MINUTES
37 SECONDS WEST FOR A DISTANCE OF 29.87 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 77 DEGREES 15 MINUTES
42 SECONDS WEST FOR A DISTANCE OF 33.29 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 07 DEGREES 26 MINUTES
21 SECONDS WEST FOR A DISTANCE OF 31.58 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 03 DEGREES 28 MINUTES
19 SECONDS EAST FOR A DISTANCE OF 53.37 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 81 DEGREES 40 MINUTES
27 SECONDS EAST FOR A DISTANCE OF 24.83 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 64 DEGREES 46 MINUTES
53 SECONDS EAST FOR A DISTANCE OF 29.15 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. CONTAINING
7232 SQUARE FEET MORE OR LESS
be designated as a Fort Collins Landmark in accordance with City Code Chapter 14.
Section 3. That alterations, additions and other changes to the buildings and
structures located upon the Property will be reviewed for compliance with City Code Chapter 14,
Article IV, as currently enacted or hereafter amended.
Section 4. That in compliance with Section 14-36 of the City Code, the City shall,
within fifteen days of the effective date of this Ordinance, record among the real estate records of
the County Clerk and Recorder a certified copy of this Ordinance designating the property.
-3-
Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 18th day of
January, A.D. 2022, and to be presented for final passage on the 15th of February, A.D. 2022.
__________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading on the 15th of February, A.D. 2022.
__________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
City Clerk