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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 06/05/2001 - SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 94, 2001, DESIGNAT AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY ITEM NUMBER: 8 FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL DATE: June 5, 2001 FROM: Karen McWilliams SUBJECT: Second Reading of Ordinance No. 94, 2001,Designating the Nix Farm, 1745 Hoffman Mill Road, as a Local Landmark Pursuant to Chapter 14 of the City Code. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinance on Second Reading. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The owner of the property, the City of Fort Collins, is initiating this request for local landmark designation for the Nix Farm. The property contains two residences, a ramp barn, and an equipment/animal shed. These buildings and structures have architectural significance to Fort Collins, as excellent examples of both Craftsman and vernacular, farm-related architecture. The ramp barn in particular is highly significant as a rare example of this specialized barn construction technique. Additionally,the Nix Farm buildings and site have historical significance to Fort Collins, for their representation of and association with the agricultural development of Fort Collins. Ordinance No. 94, 2001, was unanimously adopted on First Reading on May 15, 2001. AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY ITEM NUMBER: 16 FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL DATE: May 15, 2001 FROM: Karen McWilliams SUBJECT: First Reading of Ordinance No. 94, 2001, Designating the Nix Farm, 1745 Hoffman Mill Road, as a Local Landmark Pursuant to Chapter 14 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinance on First Reading. 4hearirn� eld onApril 19, 2001, the Landmark Preservation Commission unanimo ation of this property as a landmark for its architectural and historical importance to EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The owner of the property, the City of Fort Col nitia ' this request for local landmark designation for the Nix Farm. The property con residences, a ramp barn, and an equipment/animal shed. These b ' d structur architectural significance to Fort Collins, as excellent example and ve farm-related architecture. The ramp barn in particular is hi significant xample ialized bam construction technique. Additionally,t ix Farm buildings have hist significance to Fort Collins, for their representation o d association with the ultural elopment of Fort Collins. History -Acco ding to T d Patsy Nix,the Nix F land was originally owned by F.R.Baker, in the early 18 Frede Baker arrived in Fo ollins in 1873, and took up a homestead patent on d in this property. a spring of 1895, Baker was elected mayor of Fort lins, and served for One o notable accomplishments while in office was in p g the 1896 Prohibition sale of alcohol was banned in Fort Collins until 196 hen the ordinance was finally repealed. Baker was also responsible for the establishment of Park. Eventually, the Biker farm was sold, and in the late 1950's Tom and Patsy Nix put d nearly 200 acres from azles Evans. The Nix's moved their dairy operation to the farm from revious location in H. son, Colorado. The dairy operation initially supported a herd of 50 dal but this number increased in 1973 to about 120. This same year,the Nix's sold 119 acr and to a company,and five acres to Bath Landscape. The Nix's owned the remaining ears,before selling the 27.5 acre Nix Farm to the City of Fort Collins in 1996. The Na esources Department intends to utilize the buildings and land for staff offices and a maintenance facility. The property contains two residences, a ramp barn, and an equipment/animal shed. The primary residence is a beautiful Craftsman style home, with good architectural integrity. The only exterior alteration of note was the circa 1995 enclosure of the front porch with windows. The kitchen area DATE: May 15, 2001 I 2 ITEM NUMBER: 16 was remodeled in the mid 1960s, and non-historic doors and windows were added to the rear elevation. The interior was remodeled, in 1962, 1965 and in 1973, but still retains many of the home's original features, including a large gravity operating water tank in the attic. The ramp barn is a very raze example of this style of barn construction in the Fort Collins area. The barn was built to take advantage of the sloping terrain, allowing for the lower level horse stalls. A large quantity of dirt was then used to create a wide "ramp" to the primary barn doors on the main level. The structure is also unusual for its size and height. This barn contains a full third story sed primarily for hay storage. The secondary residence was used primary for housing for the S. manager or hired help.The small,L-shaped frame dwelling appears to date to the turn of t tury. It may not be original to the Nix Farm site,and was possibly moved onto the property in the a 1950s by then property owner Charles Evans. Anecdotal information suggests that it could have one time been a part of Evan's property at the intersection of Mountain and College venues. Ad 'onal research will need to be conducted on the history of this building. The thrAftLed equipme animal shed is constructed of concrete and sheet metal. The sheet metal ro r poles. The shed is a significant component of the site, both for its vernacular nd for its contribution to the farm's sense of place and history.