Minutes_Housing Code Appeals Board 5 20 08
MINUTES OF HOUSING CODE APPEALS BOARD
DATE:
20 May, 2008
TIME:
4:30 p.m.
PLACE:
Housing and Community Development Department
Acting Chairperson Tom Swift called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. following staff assurance
of compliance with Iowa Open Meeting Law.
Board Members Present: Bill Kinsella Jim Matheos Tom Swift
David Young
Staff Present: Robert Boge Roger Benz Tim Moler
Tami Ernster
Review and Certification of Minutes of 15 April 2008 Housing Code Appeals Board
Meeting
Bill Kinsella motioned to certify the minutes. David Young seconded. Motion passed.
Correspondence/Public Input
There was no public input.
Consent Agenda
The consent agenda items are considered to be routine and non-controversial and all consent
items will be normally voted upon in a single motion without any separate discussion on a
particular item.
There are no items on the consent agenda.
ALL DEFICIENCIES AND MOTIONS ARE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DUBUQUE
HOUSING CODE UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED. EXTENSIONS OF TIME ARE GRANTED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 26-9.(f)(1) AND VARIANCES ARE GRANTED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 26-9.(f)(2).
New Business
CASE #1
David Young, owner of 1592 Central Avenue #5 is requesting a variance for a center room to be
used as a bedroom. Unit has only four rooms – kitchen, dining room, tv room and front room.
Center room has a closet and has been used as a bedroom since the late 1800’s.
This is a S8 Referral.
It was noted for the record that Mr. Young is a member of this appeals board. A variance
had already been approved for a different unit in this building. After discussion Bill
Kinsella moved that due to practical difficulties and unnecessary hardship, he
recommended granting the variance. Jim Matheos seconded. Motion carried with David
Young abstaining.
Old Business
CASE #1
Julie Lott, owner of 448 Bluff Street, is requesting a variance for a staircase and banister.
Staircase is original to the building and is in the historic Cable Car Square. The guardrail
spacing is 7”. The Housing code minimum is 6”. The guardrail height is 30”. The Housing code
minimum is 42” for 3 or more apartments.
This is a S8 Initial Inspection.
Tim Moler stated that the height issue was actually passed with comment. The only
issue to discuss would be the guardrail spacing. It was noted that spindles had been
removed in the past and that this guardrail was no longer original to the building.
Because this is not an original guardrail, Jim Matheos moved to deny the appeal. Bill
Kinsella seconded. Motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT
David Young motioned to adjourn. Jim Matheos seconded. Motion passed 4-0. The meeting
was adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
Minutes prepared by:
Tami Ernster
Permit Clerk
Respectfully submitted:
Robert Boge
Housing Inspection Supervisor