Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Demolition Notifications topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission acknowledges three single-unit demolition notifications; one site had unauthorized work halted
Summary
The Historic Preservation Commission received notifications for proposed demolitions at 712 Scenic Drive, 125 West Trilby Road and 616 West Olive Street. Commission members took no further action on the first two; work at 616 West Olive had been halted by the city for lack of a demolition permit.
The Historic Preservation Commission reviewed three single-unit dwelling demolition notifications on April 16 and acknowledged the notices, taking no further action that would delay demolition permits in the ordinary course.
712 Scenic Drive: Staff said the residence was constructed in 1975 and an associated barn in 1979; earlier owners included John and June Havocost, who lived there about 15 years. The property was sold in 2024; building-permit records show reroofing work in 2014 and 2018 and a rear-deck replacement. No public testimony was offered and the commission did not initiate designation procedures.
125 West Trilby Road: Staff described a single-story frame house constructed circa 1963 with a 1990 shed on the parcel. The longest-known residents were George and Genevieve Modi, who lived on the site for about 13 years. Some deconstruction was already underway when staff presented photographs. No public testimony was offered and the commission did not initiate designation procedures.
616 West Olive Street: Staff reported this property was constructed in 1923 and appears on the 1925 Sanborn map. The house has a connected garage built in 1961 and earlier residents included Arthur and Margaret Shealy. Staff said the structure is in relatively poor condition, that demolition or deconstruction activity had begun without an approved demolition permit, and that Building Services had issued a stop-work order to halt unauthorized work while permitting and notification are completed. Staff said the current owner is in a memory-care unit and ownership/management circumstances are unclear. The commission acknowledged the notification and did not take further action.
Process note: Fort Collins requires notification to the Historic Preservation Commission for single-unit dwellings older than 50 years that are not otherwise protected; the notification is intended to inform neighbors and allow the commission or the public to initiate designation procedures. Staff explained that if no eligible parties initiate designation and all other permit reviews are complete, a demolition permit could theoretically be approved as soon as the day after notification is considered complete.
Why it matters: 616 West Olive’s unauthorized work and the resulting stop-work order underscore the administrative steps required before demolition and the potential safety and preservation concerns that can arise when work proceeds without permits.
Ending: No members of the public spoke on the three notifications at the meeting; the commission did not initiate landmark designation procedures for any of the three properties.
