Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutNIX FARM NATURAL AREA FACILITY - PDP/FDP - 10-01 - CORRESPONDENCE - HISTORIC PRESERVATIONLandmark Preservation Commir- -1 March 22, 2000 Meeting MinutE Page 4 retained. The enclosed porch will serve as a reception area. The aluminum storm windows will be replaced with wood ones. Improvements to the grade will be made for the building to be accessible for the handicapped. The plaster will be repaired and the house will be repainted white with green trim. The smaller house has an addition, but further investigation is necessary to determine if it is original. T1-11 siding exists on that part of the structure. They would like to replace it with historic siding material. The semi -enclosed porch on it is falling apart. In addition, they will repair the original windows. The proposed maintenance structures were discussed. A pre-engineered 5400 square foot structure is'proposed to be built. The use of different rooflines helps to break up the scale and massing of the structure. Stone and horizontal siding and a pre -finished metal roof is proposed. They showed pictures of the Colorado State University Agricultural Research Development and Education Center (ARDEC) on 1-25 as an example of a similar site .and design. Design features from the farmhouse, such as double hung windows will be used. The same roof is proposed for the barn. The Commission members commented on the design of the new structure. Ms. Milewski said that she would like to see a roofing design that looked more historic. Ms. Ore said that the old barn roof should reflect the character of the old barn, and not the character of the new structures. Mr. Lingle said that they were looking for a roof material that is more durable. Mr. Pouppirt liked the simplicity of the metal roof on the new machine shed, which was apparent at the ARDEC site. He added that the stone on the front is not necessary. Mr. Hogestad said that the scale of the structure made it automotive, not farm like. He recommended a steeper roof pitch. Mr. Lingle said that they did not want the height of the structure to overwhelm the historic buildings. Ms. Milewski said that in the site plan the buildings related to each other well. She commented that the newer buildings are clustered. The LPC discussed the treatment of the private drive. They suggested something that looked more like gravel. Ms. Milewski asked if there was any public comment, and there was none. Mr. Hogestad now acted as Chairperson. C & S Depot. 136 LaPorte Avenue — Final Review for Conversion to Intermodal Transportation Center (Jack Gianola Facilities Proiect Manager) Ms. Milewski declared a conflict of interest, because she is working on the landscape architecture of the site. Ms Tunner reported that James Stratis, Colorado State Historical Society, commented on the plans. He was concerned with the type of brick that they will use on the addition and that the addition would cover up the historic building. He suggested that the connector piece be designed more transparent with more glass. The bay window proposed for the west side is not appropriate for the building. He recommended that the original freight depot doors be saved on the interior. The original lantern will be re -installed on the top. A new doorway will be installed where the little window exists. Mr. Lingle, Architect, explained that he was concerned with using a lot of glass on the addition because of security issues. The plan for the Kiss and Ride was simplified and is more compatible with the building. He ' andmark Preservation Comm -;on March 22, 2000 Meeting Mini Page 3 was moved onto the site around 1915. The other house is a Craftsman style bungalow ' built circa 1920. The bank barn has a poured concrete floor and a pristine upper floor. At some point, stalls were installed at the lower level for a dairy operation. Ms. McWilliams reported that the house was wood frame and stucco and that early on the porch had been enclosed. The Natural Resources Department would like to locate their offices at the site and preserve the buildings. The smaller house would be used for a police dog training facility and the larger residence would house ranger and educational offices. The barn would be used for storage and an indoor workspace. Staff recommended that the LPC find the barn eligible as a local landmark. Per Hogestad arrived 5:58 p.m. Ms. Tunner explained how the land was built up to front of the the barn to create a bank. Ms. McWilliams believed that the barn had been built around 1920. Ms. Milewski asked if there was any public input and there was none. Ms. Ore moved that the Nix Farm be determined eligible for Local Landmark designation for its architectural significance. Ms. Dix seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. (6-0) The design consultant, Vaughn Furniss, gave a presentation on the National Resource Department's proposed plans for the site. Mr. Furniss displayed an aerial map of the area and explained that it was zoned commercial. He reviewed the conceptual plans. The large house would be remodeled on the inside to contain offices. There is potential to add -on to the rear of the house in the future. The small house would be used as a K- 9 training facility. The small house needs stabilization work. A private drive would be installed. The site would consolidate maintenance and park ranger staff. A new three - sided shed would be built to store vehicles. The water quality pond will remove sediments from run-off. Mr. Furniss added that the police dog training fields and facilities could be easily removed in the future. The fields also will blend in well with the natural areas. Mr. Sears added that they will maintain the feeling of a farm, and hay will continue to be produced. They plan to continue to irrigate at the nursery and sod farm to cultivate plants and grass for the natural areas that they manage. The Commission discussed the site's location. Mr. Furniss explained that the area is mostly industrial. Ms. Ore stated that they are using a site that is already a farm, instead of building a new site. She added that the site is not a natural area and if the land is restored, then the farm buildings will be the only reminders of the old farmstead. Dave Lingle, architect, explained that they propose clustering the new buildings like on a farmstead. He explained the proposed repairs for the house, which include a new wood shingle roof. The windows will be re -finished and the divided light sashes will be Landmark Preservation Commission 8 March 22, 2000 Meeting Minutes Page 2 the new construction downtown. Ms. Massey explained that it was not compatible with the historic structures. She specifically mentioned the new buildings at the corners of Meldrum and W. Mountain Avenue and LaPorte and College Avenue, and the new Justice Center Parking facility. Clark Mapes, City Planner had responded to Ms. Massey's letter of concern. COMMISSION MEMBERS' REPORTS: None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The February 9, 2000 LPC meeting minutes were accepted as submitted. DESIGNATIONS: 314 East Mountain Avenue Fort Collins National Guard Armo Ms. McWilliams provided a revised staff report. She explained that the building is significant for it's architectural and historical importance to Fort Collins. Fort Collins architect Arthur M. Garbutt, a protege of Montezuma Fuller, designed the building in 1907. It's a two-story brick structure with a crenellated parapet roofline with coping and an entablature of decorative brickwork. A large, round arched entryway is centrally located on the symmetrical facade. To the right of the entrance are two evenly spaced, one -over -one double hung windows. To the left of the entrance, replacing the original windows, is an inappropriate storefront alteration. The second story facade has a centrally located triple window with shared stone sill. On either side of the triple window are two evenly spaced double hung windows. Staff recommended that the LPC approve the applicant's request for designation of the old National Guard Armory at 314 East Mountain Avenue, for its architectural and historical significance. Ms. Aguilera asked if the Commission members should consider the conceptual plans for the building. Staff explained that for landmark designation, the Commission, needs to consider how the building appears now. She added that the new owner would like to restore the building, which will be reviewed by the LPC at a later date. Ms. Milewski asked if there was any public input, and there was none. Ms. Aguilera moved that the LPC recommend for designation the Fort Collins National Guard Armory located at 314 East Mountain Avenue. Ms. Ore seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. (4-0) CURRENT DESIGN REVIEW: Eligibility Determination of Nix Farm and Complimentary Review (Mark Sears Natural Resources Project Manager) The Nix Farm has a very high architectural significance to Fort Collins. The LPC needs to determine its eligibility for designation as a local landmark. The owner, the City of Fort Collins, is willing to designate it and pursue grants for rehabilitation. The bank barn is one of only two left within the City limits. There are two homes on the property as well. Ms. McWilliams explained that not much historical information has been compiled as of yet. One house was built circa 1900. Tom Nix believed that the smaller house a a All of these things should be coordinated with a technical representative of the State Historical Fund if Natural Resources intends to apply for a grant from them, and I understand they do. They may not fund or approve of some of this. These buildings are also eligible for the State and National Register, and as such, if the city is using state or federal funds to change them, they must go through a Section 106 review process that Karen McWilliams handles. The state does not like to fund things that break their own rules. The key is early and complete coordination. I am attaching a copy of the LPC conceptual review minutes of this project from March 22, 2000. cc: Mark Sears Karen McWilliams Commu,--.y Planning and Environmental . :vices Advance Planning Department City of Fort Collins We m o To: Cameron Gloss, Current Planning Director From: Carol Tunner, Historic Preservation Planner Date: March 26, 2001 Subject: Comments on Nix Farm Review Cameron, I have reviewed the 2/07/01 plans for the Nix Farm Natural Area PDP for Karen McWilliams, who is not in today. I have also compared the current plans with those submitted to the Landmark Preservation Commission for their complimentary review on March 22, 2000. I see a number of concerns: 1. The Craftsman style bungalow house, to be used for offices, is proposed to have a fiberglass shingle roof instead of historic wood shingles as existing. I also note that some windows are proposed to be replaced by wood windows with "decorative grid mullions." This will never be approved by historic preservation. This very broad specification implies a snap in grid instead of the true divided lites that make this house so unique. Energy efficiency should be achieved by replacing the glass only with double glazing, or interior or exterior storms. On the rear, a non - historic aluminum door is being removed and replaced with a new compatible door, an historic window is being removed to be replaced with a new door, and another historic door is being removed completely. Windows and doors are character defining features and removal of historic elements is discouraged. Of course, there is room for compromise for exiting on the rear, but it needs to be worked out. 2. The older farmhouse to be used for police dog training, is to lose its vestibule and shed addition off the back. The LPC will ask for justification for that. I'm fairly sure the front vestibule and rear screen porch are not significantly historic, but rear shed additions were very typical as "kitchen porches." Fiberglass roof shingles here again on a very historic building. I The Barn: Another metal roof was not recommended by the LPC. 4. There were also LPC complimentary suggestions on the design for the maintenance buildings, but the plans are the same. 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@ci.fort-collins.co.us