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significance associated with the building, "the house also provides a unique architectural flavour to the
block." The property was re -recorded in January 1998, as part of the Eastside Neighborhood Survey's re-
evaluation of the National Register district. Jason Marmor, principal of the professional historic
preservation consulting firm Retrospect, noted that this property had a "very unusual and attractive
vernacular house design combining symmetry and rustic qualities," and felt that the property was possibly
eligible for individual recognition on the National Register of Historic Places, as well as being clearly
eligible as a contributing structure to the Natioial Register district. LPC member Ron Sladek, a
professional historic preservationist, served as the LPC Chair's designee when the house was evaluated
for Fort Collins Landmark eligibility this past August. In his determination, Mr. Sladek stated that the
building is both an excellent and a rare example of the Craftsman Cottage style in Fort Collins.
The Demotition/Alteration Review Process:
Whenever a permit or development application is sought for a building or structure that is 50 years old or
older, the application is reviewed under Chapterl4, Article 4 of the Municipal Code, commonly called the
Demolition/Alteration Review Process. This process was designed to help prevent the loss of Fort
Collins' historic resources and to help preserve historic character.
The property is first reviewed for its eligibility as an individual Fort Collins Landmark, which as noted
above, has already occurred for these properties. If a property is determined to be eligible for individual
Fort Collins Landmark designation, and if the proposed work would adversely affect this eligibility, then
the application is referred to the Commission for consideration.
Commission Review:
The Landmark Preservation Commission's review occurs in two phases: a Preliminary Hearing, followed
by a Final Hearing. At the Preliminary Hearing the applicants meet with the Commission to explore all
means for substantially preserving the structure which would be affected by the required permit,
including, for example, the feasibility of modifying the plans, and alternative public or private use of the
structure which would substantially preserve the original character. If a solution is found that complies
with the criteria specified in Section 14-72(b)(1)(b) is agreed upon, then no further historic preservation
review is needed. If not, the application proceeds to a Final Hearing. The Commission will determine if a
solution is found or not.
Section 14-72(b)(1)(b): In determining the decision to be made concerning the issuance of a report of
acceptability, the Commission shall consider the following criteria:
(1) The effect of the proposed work upon the general historical and/or architectural character of the
structure and adjacent properties;
(2) The architectural style, design, construction, arrangement, texture and materials of existing and
proposed structures;
(3) The effects of the proposed work in creating, changing or destroying the exterior characteristics
of the structure upon which such work is to be done;
(4) The effect of the proposed work upon the protection, enhancement, perpetuation and use of the
structure;
(5) The extent to which the proposed work meets the standards. of the city and the United States
Secretary of the Interior. then in effect for the preservation, reconstruction, restoration or
rehabilitation of historic resources.
City
Of Advance Planning
281 North College Avenue
Fort Collins Fort Coll Po Box s�C080522
970.221.6376
970.224.6111 - fax
fcgov. com/advanceplanning
LANDMARK PRESERVATION COMMISSION
October 12, 2011
STAFF REPORT
PROJECT: Demolition/Alteration Review, the Button House, 711 Remington Street, Fort Collins
CONTACT: Karen McWilliams, Historic Preservation Planner
APPLICANT: Justin Larson, VFL Architects; Christian and Robin Bachelet, Owners
REQUEST: Preliminary Hearing, Pursuant to Section 14-72 of the Municipal Code, on the Proposed
Demolition of the Button House, 711 Remington Street
BACKGROUND: The Bachelets, owners of the subject property at 711 Remington Street, are proposing
to demolish the buildings and structures on three adjacent lots, at 705, 711, and 715 Remington Street, to
construct the Remington Street Multi -Family Housing project. Two of the properties -proposed for
demolition, at 705 and 711 Remington, contain buildings that are fifty years old or older, and therefore are
subject to Chapterl4, Article 4, of the Municipal Code, commonly called the Demolition/Alteration
Review Process. One property is less than fifty years old, and so does not go through this process.
Determination of Eligibility
The first of these properties, at 705 Remington Street, was reviewed under the Demolition/Alteration
Review Process in 2008, and was determined to not be eligible for individual Fort Collins Landmark
designation. The second property is located at 711 Remington Street. The eligibility of this property was
reviewed in August 2011. Steve Dush, the Director of CDNS, and the Chair of the Landmark
Preservation Commission's designee, Ron Sladek, both independently determined that this house would
qualify as an individual Fort Collins Landmark under Standard 3, Architecture. The house on the third
property, at 715 Remington, is not yet fifty years old, and so is not subject to the Demolition/Alteration
Review Process.
All three properties are located within the boundaries of the Laurel School National Register District,
established in 1980. At the time the District was established, two of the properties, at 705 and 715
Remington, were less than fifty years old (the minimum age for listing, without special consideration),
and were identified as intrusions to the District. The middle property, the Button House at 711
Remington Street, was found to contribute to the district, and was listed on the National Register as a
contributing element of the National Register District. Properties listed on the National Register of
Historic Places are also designated on the State Register of Historic Properties.
711 Remington Street
Larimer County Assessor's records show that the dwelling located at 711 Remington Street was
constructed in 1888. The house is a one-story dwelling, with a distinctive fagade consisting of a hipped
central mass with symmetrical projecting hipped end -wings, flanking an open central front porch. Other
notable features include a central bell -cast hipped dormer, containing an unusual 15-light window; the
front porch shed roof, with squared posts and notable curved braces; and the striking carved rafter tails
under the eaves. The front elevation contains large windows with very unusual 10 over 1 lights, in curved
surrounds. Circa 1980, student researchers noted that, while they felt that there was little historical