Minutes_Historic Preservation Commission 07.18.24City of Dubuque
City Council Meeting
ITEM TITLE:
SUMMARY:
SUGGESTED
DISPOSITION:
Copyrighted
September 3, 2024
Consent Items # 01.
Minutes and Reports Submitted
Historic Preservation Commission of July 18, 2024; Library Board of
Trustees Update of July 25, 2024; Park and Recreation Commission of
July 9, 2024; Resilient Community Advisory Commission of July 11,
2024; Zoning Advisory Commission Draft Minutes of August 7, 2024;
Zoning Board of Adjustment of July 25, 2024; Proof of Publication for
City Council Proceedings of July 29 and August 5, 2024.
Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
Library Board of Trustees Update
Park and Recreation Commission Minutes
Resilient Community Advisory Commission Minutes
Zoning Advisory Commission Draft Minutes
Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes
Proof_City Council Proceedings 7.29.24
Proof_City Council Proceedings 8.5.24
Type
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
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MINUTES
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
5:30 p.m.
Thursday, July 18, 2024
City Council Chambers, Historic Federal Building
Commissioners Present: Chairperson Thea Dement; Commissioners, Bill Doyle,
Janice Esser, Christina Monk, Heidi Pettitt and Rick Stuter
Commissioners Excused: Tim Gau, Melissa Daykin Cassill
Commissioners Unexcused: none
Staff Members Present: Wally Wernimont and Chris Happ Olson
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Thea Dement at
5:30 p.m.
MINUTES: Motion by Pettitt, seconded by Esser, to approve the minutes of the June
20, 2024 meeting as submitted. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye — Dement,
Esser, Monk, Pettitt, Stuter; Nay — none; Abstain - Doyle.
ACTION ITEMS:
DESIGN REVIEW
Applicant: Aaron Healey
Owner: White Picket Fences, LLC
Address: 567 Loras Blvd
Project: Rebuild failed side yard retaining wall
District: 11th Street Historic District
Commissioner Monk left the chambers, stating she had a conflict of interest on the
project due to her firm being hired for the work.
Staff Member Happ Olson presented the staff report noting the property's east
limestone retaining has failed. The subject property is non-contributing within the
historic district, but the wall contributes to the patterns and history of the district and still
comes under review. She referred to historical information including the 1978 building
permit and historic and contemporary photography included in the report. She pointed to
the existing west formed interlocking concrete block retaining wall that was replaced in
Minutes — Historic Preservation Commission - July 18, 2024 Page 2
the last decade or so, by the previous owner on agreement of the sale to the current
owner, as reported to her by the applicant. The previous owner did not pull a permit, but
Happ Olson noted that proposed material for the east wall is very similar in appearance
to the already existing west wall. Happ Olson referred to other existing wall types in the
staff report that are concrete, but mimic limestone, in and outside of the district. Some
are pre -formed blocks, while others are poured in place and stained. She noted the
applicant also owns properties to the east and west of 567 Loras, which makes
replacement less complicated for the applicant. She referred to the comparison with
architectural guidelines in the report.
Aaron Healey, 15192 Wood Wind Court, Peosta IA 52068, owner of the property, spoke
about the project. He noted he purchased the building because the wall was such a
problem with his other property. Discussion about the approach of the wall considered
other types of walls, appearance and the importance of the view from the public right of
way. The applicant expressed willingness to modify the design to meet guidelines and
also of his desire to demolish and rebuild the stoop and stair to the second floor along
the wall. As this information wasn't included in the application, the Commission
expressed a willingness to allow this and to let staff work with the applicant on the
details and design.
Motion by Doyle, seconded by Esser, to approve the application with the following
conditions:
1. East retaining wall to match the west retaining wall
2. End (street facing) treatment of wall to have limestone appearance
3. Pour a concrete stoop to be faced with limestone or poured and stained to
appear like limestone, similar to those examples provided in the staff report
4. All walls stained to a limestone color (east, west and front stoop)
5. Authority for staff to review and approved the handrail, stoop and stair design
Motion carried by the following vote: Aye — Dement, Doyle, Esser, Monk, Pettitt, Stuter;
Nay — none.
Commissioner Monk rejoined the meeting with the Commission.
ITEMS FROM PUBLIC: none
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION: none
ITEMS FROM STAFF:
Signage discussion at Bridge Community Church (attachment)
Staff Member Wernimont reviewed the situation at of existing and proposed signage at
395 W. 9th Street, Bridge Community Church. The congregation has been working with
planning staff for almost a year for a number of signs, some of which were installed
without permits. Staff expressed a lack of clarity about whether the signs were meant to
Minutes — Historic Preservation Commission - July 18, 2024 Page 3
be temporary or permanent and staff felt the situation was at a point at which the
Commission should decide whether the design should come before them.
After discussion, the consensus of the Commission was that if the signs proposed do
not meet architectural guidelines, they should come before the Commission in an
application. As well, the Commission did not believe that temporary vinyl banners or
signs would meet the guidelines. Wernimont expressed that he would take that back to
representatives of the church.
Repeal of Historic Building Code (verbal update)
Wernimont updated the Commission that after the previous meeting, the Commission's
letter supporting the repeal of the Historic Building Code was forwarded to City Council
and subsequently approved at the June 1 meeting.
Dubuque Brewing & Malting (attachment)
Wernimont referred to the memo and update on the status of the demolition for the
south section of the Dubuque Brewing & Malting structures.
ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Esser, seconded by Pettitt, to adjourn the July 18, 2024
Commission meeting. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye — Dement, Doyle,
Esser, Monk, Pettitt, Stuter; Nay — none.
The meeting adjourned at 7:09 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Chris Happ Olson, Assistant Planner Adopted