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Historic Pres. AccomplishmentsPlanning Services Department 50 West 13th Street Dubuque, Iowa 520014864 Phone (319) 589-4210 Fax (319) 5894221 March 23, 2001 The Honorable Mayor and City Council City of Dubuque 50 W. 13th Street Dubuque, IA 52001 RE: Historic Preservation Accomplishments Dear Mayor and City Council Members: The Historic Preservation Commission is very appreciative that the City Council has approved new historic preservation initiatives, incentives and ordinance amendments that promote pro-active assistance and educational efforts to encourage the rehabilitation of historic properties. These new programs will help to make historic preservation a stronger economic development tool for downtown revitalization and neighborhood reinvestment. Enclosed for your information is a summary of our historic preservation accomplishments. Thank you all for your support, your direction and your commitment to enhancing historic preservation programs in Dubuque. Sincerely, Terry Mozena, Chairperson Historic Preservation Commission enclosures Service People Integrity Responsibility Innovation Teamwork HISTORIC PRESERVATION ENHANCEMENTS March 23, 2001 The Historic Preservation Commission and Preservation Task Force are pleased to announce that in parlnership with community organizations and City government, we have accomplished the following enhancements to Dubuque's historic presewafion programs. On February 19, 200~, the City Council approved all of our recommended Historic Preservation Initiatives: 1. Expand the existing Urban Revitalization Program to include all historic districts. This property tax abatement program will encourage long-term maintenance of historic homes and buildings. 2. Ask the State Legislature to amend Section 303,34 of the Iowa Code pertaining to appeals of HPC actions to the City Council, to provide an alternative mechanism for appeals. 3. Direct the HPC to work with the Dubuque Area Board of Realtors to: · Provide information for potential purchasers of property within a historic district regarding historic preservation regulations and incentives, and · include information on the purchase agreement form, the abstract and the deed that the property is in a historic district. 4. Form a Historic Preservation Forum to fund or provide historic preservation services beyond the C~, through partnerships with local historic preservation organizations. In addition, the City Council also approved a contract with the Slate Historic Preservation Office for a $7,500 grant to estab~sh a Manual of Design Guidelines for the five historic districts. This manual will be a user-friendly resource to reduce the "red tape' that property ownem and contractors encounter when making exterior improvements to historic properties. On February 26, 2001, the City Council approved three of our four Historic Preservation Incentives. The enclosed chart summarizes these Historic Preservation Incentives. HISTORIC PRESERVATION ENHANCEMENTS (continued) On March 19, 2001, the City Council approved all the recommended amendme. L~ to the Historic Preservation Ordinance. The following is the list of amendments: Add a Preserva~on Alternatives step to the design review process, between the step for a CedJflcate of Appropriateness and the step for a Cerlfficate of Economic Hardship. This new step requires a propen'y owner to attempt to obtain financial incentives and Rename the Certiflca~ of Economic Hardship to Certificate of Economic Non-Viability, and replace the term 'economic hardship' with "economic non-viability' throughout the Ordinance. This change shifts the analysis from the owner to the propedy. Prohibit DemoliUon by Neglect, and to require that owners of historic prOperty keep their real e~bae in good repair. This is an imporlant oroactive measure to help coniml ~ or demolishing the structure. Substitute the Long-Range Planning Advismy Commission for the Zoning Adviso~ of landmarks and histmtc distriCtS. Allow the HPC to serve as an advismy design review for public works projects that occur within historic districts or for allerations of landmarks or landmark sites, arid that would result in a material change in appearance or be visible from the public way. Add definitions, City responsibilities and federal standards for prehistoric and historic archaeological sites, as recommended by the Sta~ Historic Presewation Of~eo Recommended Historic Preservation Incentives Historic Preservation Commission and Preservation Task Force Create a new Historic Prmmn~lon Revolving Loan Fund to provide Iow interest loans to property owners at any in~ome level for rehabilitation in the four residential hlatorlo dlstriote: West tI~ Street Jaakecn Park, Cathedral and Lengworthy. Create a $500,000 Historic DIsfrlot Public Impro~mer~/~=~t, ram to provide Inoentivoa for Improvements to publio pla~es and atreetenapea, baaed on a comprehensive design plan for all five hlstoris dlatriots. Insmaae the City's ~ time planner to a furl- t/ma H/stoNe Preserver/on P/anner to administer programs, ensure complianoe, o~genize and offer tralning/edecationat sessions, and provide teshnlcal esalatanoe. $100,000 annually for for 5 years $60,000 ~ $200,000 $100,000 ennuallyfor forSyears $0 $0 $200,000 Approve recommended funding, and direct HPC to seek additional private funding Approve recommended funding A,onateCityfunds, enddtrectHPCto eeekotherfonding ecuroes Approved Approved ' TO aonolder alternatives durl~lg annual goal.eettino HISTORIC PRESERVATION HOMEOWNER GRANT PROGRAM Purpose: Preservalion grants (in ~e form of a forgivable loan) are available on a compeUtive basis to income-qualifying owner-occupants in any local historic district for specific* rehabilitation projects ~ preserve the original building materials and character.~fining features of the home. These grants provide financial incentives to homeownem to maintain and improve their own naighbod'tood's historic building inventory. Applicant Eligibility ;r bfo Owner-occupant of Single-family, duplex or 3-unit property HUD income-eligible (80% of median family income -- see Participant InCome Verification Report). Located in Historic Preservation District and at least 50 years old. Amount Security Eligible Improvements Review and Approval Up to $5,000 forgivable loan; fully forgiven after 5 years if applicant remains in the home. At least a 2~ mortgage position and promisoo~ nc~e. Exterior work to repair or restore: porches, wood windows, wood doors, wood siding, character-defining features, and chimneys. Exterior painting and historic Colors paint projects. Work must rneat the Secretmy of the Interior's Standards for Rehab~dion. A grant review committee will rank eligible applications. The Historic Preservation Commission must approve all work fo be completed. All applicable City pennile and reviews must be completed; e.g. building mils. HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVOLVING LOAN FUND Purpose: Preservation loans are available on a competitive basis to property owners in the four primarily residential historic districts for exterior rehabilitation projects that meet the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. This loan fund provides positive incentives to property owners in lhese districts to maintain and improve the community's ~ml heritage. App~cant EJigiMlity Eligible Property Loan Amount Terms Bigible Improvements Review and Approval Must be at least 50 years old and located in Jackson Park, Cathedral, W.11t~ Street or Langworthy Historic Districts (see map of historic districts). up to $2s,o0o.0o 3% 10 years Monthly principal end interests payments begin after project completion. Umlt one loan per building. At least a 2~ mo~gage position and promissory nc~. Exterior work that results in property improvements that meet the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. Priority will be given to projects that result in saving, restoring or reconstructing original building elements, using original significance of the property. A loan review committee will rank eligible applications. The Historic Preservation Commission must approve all work to be completed. All applicable City permits and reviews must be Completed; e.g., building permits, rental license, housing inspection.