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Development Review#

Why Do Some Proposed Projects Requires Historic Resources Review?#

A review of development applications by Historic Preservation staff and the Historic Preservation Commission ensures that, to the maximum extent feasible:

  • Historic resources are preserved and incorporated into the proposed development and any undertaking that may potentially alter the characteristics of the historic property is done in a way that does not adversely affect the integrity or significance of the historic property.
  • New construction is designed to respect the historic character of the site and any historic properties in the surrounding neighborhood.
  • The review process protects designated or individually eligible resources, whether on or adjacent to the development site. The code provisions regulating the development review process are contained in Section 3.4.7 of the Fort Collins Land Use Code.

Step 1: Identify historic resources on or near development site#

Identify any historic resources on the development site and within 200 feet in all directions.

  • Historic resources are local landmarks, properties listed on State or National Register of Historic Places, or properties determined to be eligible for designation by a third-party surveyor.
    Historic Preservation Division staff will provide the applicant with a list of known historic resources and those that may require survey due to lack of documentation.
  • Survey: Staff will order any necessary survey reports for undocumented properties, for which the applicant pays a fee (standard fee for properties with one primary structure and one or two outbuildings is $1250 [updated 1/1/2024]).

Step 2: Establish treatment plan for historic resources on site#

Work with Historic Preservation Division staff to understand the opportunities, available financial incentives, and code requirements for adaptive reuse of historic resources.

Treatment plans and design compatibility requirements apply to the following categories of historic resources:

  • Fort Collins Landmarks: All proposed exterior changes to designated must meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and receive a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) the Historic Preservation Commission, which is the decision maker.

  • Listed on the State or National Register of Historic Places: All proposed exterior changes are reviewed based on the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards. To the maximum extent feasible, the development plan and building design shall provide for the preservation and adaptive reuse of the historic resource. The Historic Preservation Commission will provide a recommendation to the decision maker to approve or deny the proposed work based on this requirement. A report summarizing compliance with this requirement is also sent to the State Historic Preservation Office (History Colorado).

  • Properties Eligible for Fort Collins Landmark designation: All proposed exterior changes are reviewed based on the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards. To the maximum extent feasible, the development plan and building design shall provide for the preservation and adaptive reuse of the historic resource. The Historic Preservation Commission will provide a recommendation to the decision maker to approve or deny the proposed work based on this requirement.

  • Maximum extent feasible shall mean that no feasible and prudent alternative exists, and all possible efforts to comply with the regulation or minimize potential harm or adverse impacts have been undertaken.

Step 3: Create design compatibility of new construction and proceed with Historic Review#

  • If the project includes new construction and/or site alterations, Land Use Code Section 3.4.7 – Historic and Cultural Resources (Table 1) provides the design compatibility requirements for new construction (massing, materials, façade details, and visibility of historic features).

  • New construction associated with projects that contain historic resources on the development site, abutting the site, or across a side alley must comply with all of the compatibility standards.

  • New construction associated with projects that only have historic resources within 200 feet of the development site must comply with at least two of the massing, materials, and face detail requirements and the visibility of historic features requirement.

  • Present plans for new construction to the Historic Preservation Commission, which provides a recommendation to the decision maker for the development project based on compliance with the Table 1 requirements.