HomeMy WebLinkAboutROMERO HOUSE (425 TENTH STREET) - PDP - 43-04 - REPORTS - HISTORIC PRESERVATIONConti City Planning and Environmenta ,rvices
Advance Planning Department
City of Fort Collins
November 17, 2004
Anne Aspen
City Planner, Current Planning Department
281 N. College Avenue
Fort Collins, CO 80524
Dear Anne:
Historic Preservation staff wishes to comment upon the project development plan for one of Fort
Collins' most outstanding historic properties, the Romero House at 425 Tenth Street. The City's
Landmark Preservation Commission and the historic preservation community are also very
supportive of this joint City/ Poudre Landmarks Foundation project, and believe the outcome will
be a sensitive and historically accurate restoration. Due to the project's unique characteristics,
staff strongly recommends that the Foundation be provided with the utmost in latitude when
evaluating the project's compliance with applicable Land Use and Municipal Code standards,
whenever these standards might negatively affect the building's or site's historic character.
Two development issues currently facing the project are sidewalks and landscaping. Because the
project is being "fast tracked," the applicant does not have fully developed plans for either the
sidewalks or landscaping, both important components that can profoundly affect historic
character. To best retain the historic nature of both the Romero House and the Andersonville
neighborhood, Preservation staff recommends that the sidewalk design and landscape plans be
thoughtfully developed following input from all affected parties, including the Landmark
Preservation Commission, City staff, the applicant, and the neighborhood, to arrive at an
appropriately sensitive solution that complies with the Secretary of the Interiors Standards for the
Treatment of Historic Properties, as well as with other City code requirements.
This outstanding project should be recognized as an exceptional situation, requiring flexibility on
all sides during the Development Review process, to ensure that the Museo de las Tres Colonias
becomes a reality.
Sincerely,
Karen McWilliams
Preservation Planner
281 North College Avenue • P.O. Box 580 • Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 • (970) 221-6376
FAX (970) 224-6111 • TDD (970) 224-6002 • E-mail: aplanning@fcgov.com