HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 11/02/1999 - SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 157, 1999, AMENDIN AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY ITEM NUMBER: 10
DATE: November 2, 1999
FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL
STAFF: Karen McWilliams
SUBJECT:
Second Reading of Ordinance No. 157, 1999,Amending Ordinance No. 121, 1987,by Including in the
Landmark Designation of the Power Plant Building and Art Deco Fountain at 430-500 North College
Avenue the Landmark Designation of the Rock Garden. Waterway, Pool, and Historic Plantings
Known as the "Grotto'. Pursuant to Chapter 14 of the City Code.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinance on Second Reading. At a public hearing held on
September 22. 1999, the Landmark Preservation Commission unanimously recommended the local
landmark designation of the Grotto for its historical and architectural importance to the old Power Plant
site.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Ordinance No. 157, 1999, which was unanimously adopted on First Reading on October 19, 1999,
approved this request from the leasee of the property.Colorado State University.along with the owner
of the property, the City of Fort Collins, to amend Ordinance No. 121, 1987 to include the Rock
Garden, Waterway,Pool.and Historic Plantings known as the "Grotto'. The designation of the grotto
as a Local Landmark will allow Colorado State University to apply for State Historic Fund grants for
the stabilization and restoration of the feature.
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY ITEM NUMBER: 16
. FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL DATE: October 19, 1999STAFF•
Karen McWilliams
SUBJECT:
First Reading of Ordinance No. 157, 1999, Amending Ordinance No, 121, 1987, by Including in the
Landmark Designation of the Power Plant Building and Art Deco Fountain at 430-500 North College
Avenue the Landmark Designation of the Rock Garden, Waterway, Pool, and Historic Plantings
Known as the "Grotto", Pursuant to Chapter 14 of the City Code.
RECOMMENDATION:
z
Staff recommends adoption ofthe Ordinance on FirstReading.`At a public hearing held on September
22, 1999, the Landmark Preservation Commission unanimously recommended the local landmark
designation of the Grotto for its historical and architectural importance to the old Power Plant site.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The lessee of the property, Colorado State University, along with the owner of the property, the City
of Fort Collins, are initiating this request to amend Ordinance No. 121, 1987 to include the Rock
Garden,Waterway,Pool,and Historic Plantings kff&whas the"Grotto". The designation of the grotto
as a Local Landmark will allow,Colorado State University to apply for State Historic Fund grants for
the stabilization and restoration of the feature
BACKGROUND:
Located at the northwest comer of the City's old Power Plant facility,the grotto was constructed prior
to May 1936,as indicated in an historic photograph,and may have been built in the spring of that year,
as a component of a$90.000 "power plant generating station." The grotto consists of a stepped water
course constructed of stone in an elongated"S" shape. This water course is surrounded on all sides by
randomly placed stones and plantings. The water collected in a pool,and was then discharged into the
Poudre River via a stone spillway."Insubsequent years,thebank of the Poudre was reconfigured and
the water from the pool was re6irculatedback to the uilding.j'he waterway is no longer serviceable,
as the plumbing connections'inside the power plant have been removed. CSU is exploring the
possibility of restoring the waterway to make-it operable. y'