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Home My WebLink AboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 07/15/2014 - SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 094, 2014, ADOPTINAgenda Item 4 Item # 4 Page 1 AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY July 15, 2014 City Council STAFF Josh Weinberg, City Planner Karen McWilliams, Historic Preservation Planner SUBJECT Second Reading of Ordinance No. 094, 2014, Adopting Design Standards for the Old Town Historic District. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This Ordinance, unanimously adopted on First Reading on July 1, 2014, updates the Old Town Fort Collins Historic District (Old Town District) Design Standards. The Old Town Design Standards, originally adopted in 1981, require substantial revisions to address current historic preservation practices and development concerns related to infill and redevelopment within and around the Old Town District. The update to the design standards will define and illustrate characteristics for compatible future development within the Old Town District and in the adjacent area, and a means for incorporating modern sustainable building practices into historic preservation projects. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinance on Second Reading. ATTACHMENTS 1. First Reading Agenda Item Summary (w/o attachments) (PDF) 2. Ordinance No. 094, 2014 (PDF) Agenda Item 12 Item # 12 Page 1 AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY July 1, 2014 City Council STAFF Josh Weinberg, City Planner Karen McWilliams, Historic Preservation Planner SUBJECT First Reading of Ordinance No. 094, 2014, Adopting Design Standards for the Old Town Historic District. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The purpose of this item is to update the Old Town Fort Collins Historic District (Old Town District) Design Standards. The Old Town Design Standards, originally adopted in 1981, require substantial revisions to address current historic preservation practices and development concerns related to infill and redevelopment within and around the Old Town District. The update to the design standards will define and illustrate characteristics for compatible future development within the Old Town District and in the adjacent area, and a means for incorporating modern sustainable building practices into historic preservation projects. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends adoption of the Ordinance on First Reading. BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION In early 2013, Historic Preservation staff received a grant from the State Historical Fund to partially fund an update to the design standards document for Fort Collins' Old Town Historic Landmark District (Old Town District). Winter & Co. of Boulder, CO was chosen in May 2013 as the project consultant. Primary project goals are to provide clear guidance for LPC members, City staff, property owners, and developers in the review of projects within the District; incorporate elements of green building and sustainable design; and highlight successful preservation projects that have already occurred in the District. Historic Old Town Fort Collins is renowned as a highly successful example of how historic preservation, economic development and community planning have combined to create a dynamic sense of place essential to the community’s quality of life. In 2006, for example, Money Magazine named Fort Collins the best place to live in the United States, and cited Old Town as Fort Collins’ integral social and economic resource. Today, Historic Old Town stands as a link to the past, while serving as an engine for economic development for the community-at-large. Most of the structures within the Old Town District were built between 1878 and the early 1900s. The hub of Fort Collins’ commerce and industry, the District’s buildings underwent numerous alterations and modernizations, notably in the 1960s and the early 1970s. Revitalization began in the late 1970s with local, state, and national register designation, and a communitywide commitment to preservation. Throughout the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, nearly every historic building within the District was restored and/or rehabilitated. Highlighting these “success stories” is one of the project goals. This document utilizes an innovative and creative format to be user friendly. “Before and after" examples are used to illustrate the document and demonstrate the functionality of the preservation standards. The format makes use of charts and diagrams that help users plan projects efficiently and quickly determine which ATTACHMENT 1 Agenda Item 12 Item # 12 Page 2 sections of the document apply. The document also incorporates computer-generated models of alternative approaches for various design topics, including additions, rehabilitation and new construction. Additionally, information on sustainability and the use of substitute materials are interwoven through the document. FINANCIAL / ECONOMIC IMPACTS There are no direct financial or economic impacts associated with the adoption of the Design Standards. However, Design Standards for Historic Districts assist property owners to qualify for federal, state and local financial incentive programs available only to designated properties. Additionally, research conducted by Clarion Associates has shown that historically designated buildings and districts retain higher property values than those that are not designated. Clarion attributed this to the fact that future owners also qualify for the financial incentives; the perception that designated properties are better maintained; the appeal of owning a recognized historic landmark; and the assurance of predictability that design review offers. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS There are no direct environmental impacts associated with this project. However, preservation and rehabilitation of historic buildings supports the City’s sustainability goals. As with all historic preservation projects, use of existing materials and infrastructure is maximized, and reduces waste deposits in landfills from demolition. Additionally, historic buildings are traditionally designed to be energy efficient, with many sustainable features that respond to climate and site. When effectively restored and reused, these features bring about substantial energy savings. Such projects also preserve and highlight important and interesting aspects of Fort Collins social history. BOARD / COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION The Landmark Preservation Commission discussed this item at three work sessions: June 26, October 23, and December 11, 2013. The Commission unanimously recommended adoption of the Design Standards at its regular meeting on May 14, 2014. The Planning and Zoning Board discussed this item at its work session on January 3, 2014. The Board unanimously recommended adoption of the Design Standards at its regular meeting on June 12, 2014. Boards and Commission Outreach - Work Sessions with Landmark Preservation Commission (June 26, October 23, and December 11, 2013) - Work Session with Planning and Zoning Board (January 3, 2014) - Downtown Development Authority (February 13, 2014) - Parking Advisory Board (March 10, 2014) - Natural Resources Advisory Board (March 19, 2014) - Economic Advisory Commission (April 17, 2014) - Landmark Preservation Commission recommendation for adoption (May 14, 2014) - Planning and Zoning Board recommendation for adoption (June 12, 2014) PUBLIC OUTREACH Citizen Outreach - Tour of subject areas with consultant and stakeholder group (June 26, 2013) - Poudre River Project Open House, Lincoln Center (June 26, 2013) - Public Workshops (October 3 and November 13, 2013 and April 30, 2014) - Website: <http://www.fcgov.com/historicpreservation/otrd-design-standards-and-guidelines.php> (October 2013 - May 2014) Agenda Item 12 Item # 12 Page 3 - Poster and table at joint Planning and Transportation open house, Museum and Discovery Science Center (February 20, 2014) - Correspondence with representatives of Save the Poudre and Protect Our Old Town Homes (Ongoing) ATTACHMENTS 1. Old Town Historic District map (PDF) 2. Old Town Historic District Design Standards (PDF) 3. Work Session Summary, April 8, 2014 (PDF) 4. Planning and Zoning Board Minutes, June 12, 2014 (PDF) 5. Landmark Preservation Commission Minutes, May 14, 2014 (PDF) - 1 - ORDINANCE NO. 094, 2014 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS ADOPTING DESIGN STANDARDS FOR THE OLD TOWN HISTORIC DISTRICT WHEREAS, pursuant to City Code Section 14-2, the City Council has established a public policy encouraging the protection, enhancement and perpetuation of landmarks and landmark districts within the City; and WHEREAS, the Old Town Historic District was designated by Ordinance No. 170, 1979, of the City Council and subsequently amended by Ordinance No. 124, 1998; and WHEREAS, in 2013, the City received a grant from the State Historical Fund to partially fund an update to the Design Standards for the Old Town Historic District to incorporate elements of green building and sustainable design, and to highlight successful preservation projects that have occurred in the Old Town Historic District; and WHEREAS, the new Design Standards will serve to encourage public knowledge and appreciation of the architectural character of Old Town and the history of the City, and will serve as the regulatory document to be used by the City for review of projects within the Old Town Historic District; and WHEREAS, following substantial public outreach, and upon the favorable recommendation of the Landmark Preservation Commission and the Planning and Zoning Board, the City Council has determined that the new Design Standards for the Old Town Historic District are in the best interests of the City and should be adopted. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS as follows: Section 1. That the new Design Standards for the Old Town Historic District, a copy of which is on file in the office of the City Clerk, are hereby adopted to serve as a regulatory document to be used by the Landmark Preservation Commission and, if applicable, the Planning and Zoning Board in the review and approval of applicable projects located in the Old Town Historic District, which district is more particularly described on Exhibit “A”, attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference. Section 2. That the Design Standards for the Old Town Historic District originally adopted in 1981 are hereby repealed. - 2 - Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 1st day of July, A.D. 2014, and to be presented for final passage on the 15th day of July, A.D. 2014. __________________________________ Mayor ATTEST: _______________________________ City Clerk Passed and adopted on final reading on the 15th day of July, A.D. 2014. __________________________________ Mayor ATTEST: _______________________________ City Clerk OLD TOWN HISTORIC DISTRICT EXHIBIT A