HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 10/19/1999 - FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 157, 1999, AMENDING AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY ITEM NUMBER: 1
DATE: October 19, 1999
• FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL STAFF: 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.
i
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinance on First 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:
The leasee 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 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.
BACKGROUND:
Located at the northwest corner 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. In subsequent years,the bank of the Poudre was reconfigured and
the water from the pool was recirculated back to the building. The 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.
•
ORDINANCE NO. 157, 1999
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
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 CODE OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
WHEREAS,pursuant to Section 14-2 of the City Code,the City Council has established a
public policy encouraging the protection,enhancement and perpetuation ofhistoric landmarks within
the City; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution dated September 22, 1999 the Landmark Preservation
Commission(the"Commission")has determined that the rock garden,waterway,pool,and historic
plantings adjacent to the old Power Plant at 430-500 North College Avenue,collectively known as
the "Grotto",have importance to the City for their historical and architectural importance to the old
Power Plant site; and
WHEREAS, the Commission has further determined that the Grotto meets the criteria of a
landmark as set forth in Section 14-5 of the Code and is eligible for designation as a local landmark,
. and the Commission has recommended to the City Council that the Grotto be designated by the City
Council as a local landmark; and
WHEREAS, the property owner, the City of Fort Collins, has consented in writing to the
proposed designation; and
WHEREAS, such landmark designation will preserve the Grotto's importance to the
community as integral part of the old Power Plant site; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed the recommendation of the Commission and
desires to approve such recommendation and designate the Grotto as a historic landmark.
NOW, THEREFORE,BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That the "Grotto",owned by the City of Fort Collins,and located within the
City of Fort Collins, Larimer County, Colorado, and described as follows, to wit:
(See Attachment "A")
be, and hereby is, designated as a historic landmark pursuant to Chapter 14 of the Code of the City
. of Fort Collins.
Section 2. That the Secretary ofthe Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines
for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings (U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service,
Revised 1983) shall serve as the standards by which alterations, additions and other changes to the
above described features shall be reviewed for compliance with Chapter 14,Article III,of the Code
of the City of Fort Collins.
Introduced and considered favorably on first reading and ordered published this 19th day of
October,A.D. 1999, and to be presented for final passage on the 2nd day of November,A.D. 1999.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading this 2nd day of November, A.D. 1999.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
. ATTACHMENT A
DESCRIPTION OF THE GROTTO HISTORIC SITE AT THE OLD CITY OF FORT COLLINS
POWER PLANT
A tract of land located in the Northwest Quarter of Section 12, Township 7 North, Range 69 West
of the Sixth Principal Meridian, City of Fort Collins, Larimer County, Colorado,the said tract is a
portion of tract J as shown on the Original Plat of the City of Fort Collins, more particularly
described as follows;
Commencing at the northwest comer of the said Section 12;
THENCE along the west line of the said northwest quarter, South 00 degrees 00 minutes 00
seconds East for a distance of 515.03 feet;
THENCE leaving the said west line, North 90 degrees 00 minutes 00 seconds East for a
distance of 73.35 feet to the east line of the additional right of way for College Avenue granted to
the Department of Transportation State of Colorado in a Warranty Deed dated May 3, 1994 and
recorded at Reception No. 94038222 records of the Clerk and Recorder of the said Larimer County,
and to the TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING of this description;
THENCE leaving the said east right of way, South 72 degrees 51 minutes 42 seconds East
for a distance of 72.65 feet;
THENCE South 02 degrees 01 minutes 41 seconds East for a distance of 41.98 feet;
THENCE South 89 degrees 27 minutes 10 seconds East for a distance of 39.81 feet;
THENCE South 00 degrees 19 minutes 04 seconds East for a distance of 69.01 feet;
THENCE North 69 degrees 23 minutes 45 seconds West for a distance of 74.84 feet;
THENCE North 48 degrees 56 minutes 43 seconds West for a distance of 54.72 feet to the
said east right of way of College Avenue;
THENCE along the said east right of way,North 00 degrees 10 minutes 30 seconds East for
a distance of 55.58 feet;
THENCE continuing along the said east right of way, North 00 degrees 12 minutes 21
seconds East for a distance of 14.90 feet to the point of beginning. Containing 8646 square feet
more less.
The above described tracts are subject to all easements and rights of ways now existing or of record.
I hereby state that the above description was prepared by me and is true and correct to the best of my
professional knowledge, belief and opinion. The description and areas are based upon previously
recorded plats and deeds and not upon a actual monumented field survey.
WALLACE C. MUSCOTT COLORADO P.L.S. 17497
P.O. BOX 580 FORT COLLINS, CO 80522
•
Community Planning and Environmental Services
Advance Planning Department
4ity of Fort Collins
RESOLUTION 5, 1999
OF THE
CITY OF FORT COLLINS, COLORADO
LANDMARK PRESERVATION COMMISSION
RECOMMENDING AN AMENDMENT TO ORDINANCE 121, 1987,
TO INCLUDE THE ROCK GARDEN,WATERWAY, POOL, AND HISTORIC
PLANTINGS KNOWN AS THE "GROTTO",450 - 500 NORTH COLLEGE AVENUE.
WHEREAS, it is a matter of public policy that the protection, enhancement and perpetuation of
sites, structures, and districts of historical, architectural or geographic significance, located within
the city, are a public necessity and are required in the interest of the prosperity, civic pride and
general welfare of the people; and
WHEREAS, it is the opinion of the City Council that the economic, cultural and aesthetic
standing of this city cannot be maintained or enhanced by disregarding the historical, architectural
and geographical heritage of the city and by ignoring the destruction or defacement of such cultural
assets; and
• WHEREAS, the rock garden, waterway,pool, and historic plantings, known as the "grotto," have
importance to the City, in that they are an integral part of the old Power Plant site, date to the period
of significance, and contribute to the property's historical and architectural importance;
WHEREAS, the Landmark Preservation Commission has determined that the "grotto" meets the
criteria of a landmark as set forth in Section 14-5 of the code and is eligible for designation as a local
landmark; and
WHEREAS, the City of Fort Collins, being the owner of the "grotto," has consented to such
landmark designation.
NOW, THEREFORE,be it resolved by the Landmark Preservation Commission of the City of
Fort Collins as follows:
Section 1. That the Landmark Preservation Commission recommends to the Council of the City
of Fort Collins that the rock garden, waterway, pool, and historic plantings known as the "grotto,"
located at 450-500 North College Avenue, in the City of Fort Collins, Latimer County, Colorado,
described as follows, to wit:
(See Attachment"A")
be designated as a Local Landmark in accordance with Chapter 14 of the Code of the City of Fort
Collins.
_S1 Xorth College A� enue • P.O. Box 580 • Fort Collins, CO 8032 2-0580 • (970) 221-b376
F-'A (9-0) 224-olll • TDD (970) __4-o002 • E-mail: aplanning6,ci.fort-collins.co.us
Landmark Preservation Commission
Resolution No. 5, 1999
Page 2
Section 2. That the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for
Rehabilitating Historic Buildings (U.S. Department of the Interior,National Park Service, Revised
1983) shall serve as the standards by which alterations, additions and other changes to the above
described structure and site shall be reviewed for compliance with Chapter 14, Article III, of the
Code of the City of Fort Collins.
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Landmark Preservation Commission of the City
of Fort Collins held this 22nd day of September, A.D. 1999.
Chainpefer Hogestad
ATTES .
Secretary/Staff
Community Planning and Environmental Services
Advance Planning Department
Citv of Fort Collins
LANDMARK PRESERVATION COMMISSION
September 22, 1999
STAFF REPORT
REQUEST: Local Landmark designation amending Ordinance 121, 1987, which designated the
Power Plant and Art Deco Fountain, 450-500 North College, to include the Grotto. The grotto
dates to the Power Plant property's period of significance, and contributes to the historical and
architectural importance of the Power Plant site.
STAFF CONTACT: Karen McWilliams, Preservation Planner
BACKGROUND: This designation would amend Ordinance 121, 1987, to include the rock
garden, waterway and pool commonly known as the Grotto. 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 grotto designation will allow Colorado
State University to apply for State Historic Fund grants for the stabilization and restoration of the
feature.
Located at the northwest corner 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 water from the
pool was discharged into the Poudre River via a stone spillway. In subsequent years, the bank of
the Poudre was reconfigured and the water from the pool was recirculated back to the building.
The 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.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approving this request to amend Ordinance 121,
1987 to include the grotto. The grotto dates to the Power Plant property's period of significance,
and contributes to the historical and architectural importance of the Power Plant site.
2ti1 dorm Colle,,e .Avenue • P.O. Box 580 • Fort Collins. CO 80522-0580 • (970) 2_1-n376
FAX ia701 _24_..111 • TDD (970) 224-n002 • E-mail: avlanning.,i ci.tort-collins.eo.u>
Community Planning and Environmental Services
Advance Planning Department
Historic Preservation Office
P.O. Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
City of Fort Collins (970) 221-6597
LOCAL HISTORIC LANDMARK DESIGNATION NOMINATION FORM
Date:Camp tetrnher 71 t 999
Pleasetype/print all entries
LOCATION PARCEL NUMBER:
Address:sNorthl CnIleop A ypmlle Fort Caing
Legal Description:
Property Name (Historic and/or common): Power Plant t,r tt
FORM PREPARED BY:
• Name/Title: Karen mrwilliams Historic Pregemnlion Pinnner - —
Address: f' , af Pan Calling 4kcivance Pl Dep2rimpnt --
Phone: (00) 774-6018 Relationship to Owner- Emplavee —
OWNER INFORMATION
Name: Cin, nf^nn n n' Inlin f7kchlinelt Elm Mnnager Phone: (970) 221-6505
Address: p n Rnx saner Collins Colnocia 80577 0580
BOUNDARIES/TYPE OF DESIGNATION
_Landmark(improvement only) X Landmark District(improvement + site/surrounding environment)
Further explanation of boundary determination: PIP tt t t Pgnj T)g,qrripijnn
d
1!
s
;' 4voi Nwimv Lum4nah,%.nnannn h.mm
Page i 2til `l-orth College Avenue • P.O. Sox 380 • Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 • (970)221-6376
FAA �a70i 224-o111 • TDD (970) 224-6002 • E-mail: aplanning@chfort-collins.co.us
CLASSIFICATION
Category: Ownership: Status: Present Use:
Building X Public —X- Occupied _Commercial — Entertainment
X Structure _ Private — Unoccupied —Educational Government
Site —Religious — Other:
Object —Residential
— District Existing Designation:
_ National Register
_ State Register
SIGNIFICANCE
Architectural:
Represents work of noteworthy architect
Possesses high artistic value
X Represents a type, period, or method of construction
Historical:
Associated with significant persons
Associated with significant event or historic trend
Contributes to the significance of an historic district
Geographical:
X Related to or part of distinctive area
Unique location
Further Comments: nn v-t t h 1 1QR7 the Pnwer Plant R 'ld' g ind An Ilona Fnnntain worn dPcignatPd as a
InrA Innfimgrk pwvinnt to QMinnnpp 111 1 QR7 Thig desisinatim Aunuirl qmpnd thp nrrfinanu to include tho rack-
garden water way,pool and historic plantings known as the Grotto.
(Add continuation sheet if needed)
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY
Date Determined "Eligible"
Ordinance#
Application within last 12 months? Yes No
Date Recorded
LrvJ Xiwn¢'Imlmuh I\'vmmnn Fm
Page 2
AGREEMENT
The undersigned owner(s)hereby agrees that the property described herein be considered for local
historic landmark designation, pursuant to the Fort Collins Landmark Preservation Ordinance, Chapter 14 of the
Code of the City of Fort Collins.
I understand that upon designation, I or my successors will be requested to notify the Secretary of the
Landmark Preservation Commission at the City of Fort Collins Historic Preservation Office prior to the
occurrence of any of the following:
1. Preparation of plans for reconstruction or alteration of the exterior of the improvements on the property, or;
2. Preparation of plans for construction of, addition to or demolition of improvements on the property.
3. I further understand that if I apply for a building permit for any one of the following:
a. Alteration or reconstruction of or addition to the exterior of any improvement which constitutes all or
part of a landmark structure or landmark district;
b. Demolition or relocation of any improvement which constitutes all or part of a landmark structure or
landmark district;
c. Construction or erection of or addition to any improvement upon any land included in a landmark
district;
d. Or if I proceed with any work not requiring a building permit as set forth in Section 14-47;
the Building Inspector and the Landmark Preservation Commission shall be under the time constraints and
other requirements as outlined in Chapter 14, Article III of the Code of the City of Fort Collins.
• DATED this A 2'-- day of �' e' ig 9-
City of Fort Collins, John Fischbach, City Manager
Owner Name
Signature
p "ed Form
State of ,.
/t?� )ss. y City Attomey
County of � l�L T )
Subscribed and sworn to before me this day off" r
19 by sLl f fG�G"t' GL J
Witness my hand and official seal. My,eo sien pires My Commission Expires Dec.30.2000
Notary' Pubh
•
LiW Nix,w tmMivk IAmpnim Fm
Page 3
September 22, 1999
Landmark Preservation Commission
Re uest:
A rock garden/waterway and pool (commonly called"the Grotto") is located at the
northwest comer of the City's old Power Plant,430 N. College Avenue.
Colorado State University requests that the City of Fort Collins include the grotto on the
local historic designation awarded to the Power Plant and its terra cotta fountain, on
September 1, 1997, by the action of City Council.
Justification:
We believe that the grotto is a contributing feature to the historic landscape of the Power
Plant site and is deserving of this recognition. We believe that the rustic grotto provides
a striking contrast to the power plant (Modeme style) and the other water feature on the
site, the fountain (classic style).
With this designation,restoration funding from the State Historical Fund and other
preservation advocates would be facilitated at a later date.
Description of the Grotto:
The grotto consists of a stepped water course constructed of stone, approximately 50'
long in an elongated "S" shape. It begins approximately 20' from the comer of the power
plant and drops a vertical distance of approximately 7' to an oval pool, also constructed
of stone. The pool is approximately 15' x 25' and 5' deep.
The watercourse is surrounded on all sides by randomly placed stones and planting. Flat
sandstone paving blocks line the south side of the water course from its beginning,
crossing over the water course at its mid point and surrounding the pool. A timber picnic
table and bench are located to the north of the water course at the midpoint. Numerous
evergreens and some deciduous trees adjoin this feature, with the most notable tree being
a 5' diameter willow at the midpoint of the water course on the north side. The City's
bike path along the Poudre River is approximately 40'north of this feature.
The waterway is no longer serviceable. The plumbing connections inside the power
plant have been removed. The plumbing is believed to have accessed a utility tunnel in
front of the building and from there entered the basement of the power plant, where it
was connected to the water source. We are not aware of the existence of plans which
detail the plumbing or detail the design or construction of the grotto or the composition
and layout of the associated planting.
•
It is not certain as to whether the grotto and it's water circulation served a function in the
generation of electrical energy, or whether it was only developed as an aesthetic element.
History of the Grotto:
The attached pictures of the grotto clearly indicate that the grotto was constructed prior to
May, 1936, based on the date of the photograph. The power plant was constructed in
1934. It is reasonably certain that the planting in the pictures reflect the immature trees
which have grown to maturity and presently exist. The pictures indicate that water from
the pool was discharged into the adjoining Poudre River via a stone spillway. In
subsequent years, the bank of the Poudre River was restructured and the spillways was
eliminated, at which time the water from the pool was recirculated back to the building.
It is likely that piping from the pool to the building was added, at this time.
Over the years, the power plant ceased to operate the water circulation system and
allowed the planting to grow to such a degree that it concealed the grotto from view of
the College Avenue, immediately to the west. The grotto eventually became home to an
indigent population, as the electrical energy generating operation moved to a different
site and the power plant building was vacated.
In 1994, Colorado State University's Mechanical Engineering Department entered into a
long term lease with the City for the property and the Engines and Energy Conversion
Lab occupied the power plant building and site. The University cleaned up the grotto,
removing weeds and trimming back excessive plant growth, so that the feature was more
visible and the indigent population was routed out. Trimroing of the planting continues
to this day.
FORT COLLINS, COLO.
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