Minutes Historic Pres 7 19 01MINUTES
REGULAR SESSION
Thursday, July 19, 2001
5:00 p.m.
Auditorium, Carnegie Stout Library
360 W. 11th Street, Dubuque, Iowa
DP, AFT
PRESENT:
ABSENT:
Chairperson Terry Mozena; Commission Members Ken Kringle, Suzanne
Guinn, Jim Gibbs, Chris Wand and Audrey Henson; Staff Members Laura
Carstens, Wally Wemimont and Assistant City Attorney Tim O'Brien.
Commission Member Pam Bradford.
AFFIDAVIT OF COMPLIANCE: Staff presented an Affidavit of Compliance verifying the
meeting was bein§ held in compliance with the Iowa Open Meetings Law.
CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Terry Mozena called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
.MINUTES: Motion by Henson, seconded by Kringle, to approve the minutes of the June
21,2001 meeting as written. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye - Kringle, Mozena,
Wand and Henson; Nay - None; Abstain - Guinn and Gibbs.
Motion by Gibbs, seconded by Henson, to approve the minutes of the July 2, 2001 work
session. Motion carried by the following vote: - Aye - Kringle, Gibbs, Henson and
Mozena; Nay - None; Abstain - Wand and Guinn.
DESIGN REVIEW: Application of Marlyn Langevin for a Certificate of Appropriateness
(tabled) to replace asphalt siding with vinyl siding and to enlarge a porch at the rear of
the structure located at 421 W. Third Street in the Cathedral Historic Preservation
District.
Jack Stackis, Stackis Construction, stated that he is the contractor for the projecL He
also stated he represents Marlyn Langevin. Mr. Stackis stated that at the last Historic
Preservation Commission meeting on June 21, 2001, the Commission suggested that
he remove a portion of the asphalt siding to determine the condition of the wood
underneath. Mr. Stackis said after removing some of the asphalt siding, the best case
scenario would be to remove all the asphalt siding and to repaint the wood. The
Commission asked Mr. Stackis and Ms. Langevin if she had any problems with
repainting the siding. Mr. Stackis said that it would be feasible. Ms. Langevin she had
no problem.
The Commission then discussed with City staff the process to change the request from
replacement of the asphalt siding to removal of the asphalt siding and repainting the
existing wood siding. City staff advised that the applicant withdraw the request for
replacement vinyl siding. Ms. Langevin verbally withdrew her vinyl siding request.
Minutes - Historic Preservation Commission
July 19, 2001
Page 2
The Commission also discussed the design of the proposed porch that would be
located at the rear of the structure. Mr. Stackis said that the porch would be made out
of green treated wood and the porch would have spindles located on it. Mr. Stackis
referred to a picture of a porch that would have similar porch design and roof pitch.
Commissioner Guinn stated she would like to see more detail on the porch design.
Motion by Wand, seconded by Guinn, to table the request for a Certificate of
Appropriateness in order for the applicant to provide further detail on the design of the
proposed porch. Motion was approved by the following vote: Aye - Kringle, Gibbs,
Wand, Guinn, Henson and Mozena; Nay - None.
DESIGN REVIEW: Application of Fischer, Inc. for a Demolition Permit (tabled) to
demolish a building located at 957 Main Street (formerly Vi's Nutrition) in the Downtown
Demolition District.
The applicant was not in attendance. Chairperson Mozena asked for any public input
on the request.
Dave Stewart, 1492 Locust, stated that he is in opposition to the demolition. Mr.
Stewart stated that (based on his observations) there is enough parking in the
downtown area.
Mary Lou Baal, Cottingham & Butler, stated that she feels the buildings do not need to
be destroyed. She stated that she is working with Fischer Companies and John
Gronen on a plan to reuse the buildings.
The Commission discussed the findings of Architectural Historian James Jacobsen.
Commissioner Guinn stated that Mr. Jacobsen did an excellent job on the report of the
architectural and historical significance of the buildings. The Commission concurred.
Motion by Wand, seconded by Guinn, to recommend to the City Council to deny the
demolition permit because of the historic and architectural significance of the building
and lack of documentation from the applicant as to the owner's inability to earn a
reasonable economic return. Motion was approved by the following vote: Aye -
Kringle, Gibbs, Wand, Guinn, Henson and Mozena; Nay - None.
DESIGN REVIEW: Application of Fischer, Inc. for a Demolition Permit (tabled) to
demolish a building located at 965 Main Street (formerly Betty Jane's Candies) in the
Downtown Demolition District.
The applicant was not in attendance. Chairperson Mozena asked for public input.
There was none. He then referred to the letter of findings submitted by Architectural
Historian James Jacobsen. The Commission discussed the findings.
Minutes - Historic Preservation Commission
July 19, 2001
Page 3
Motion by Wand, seconded by Guinn, to recommend to the City Council to deny the
demolition permit based on neighborhood architectural significance, historical
significance, and a lack of documentation form the applicant as to the owner's inability
to earn a reasonable economic return. Motion was approved by the following vote:
Aye - Kringle, Gibbs, Wand, Guinn, Henson and Mozena; Nay - None.
DESIGN REVIEW: Application of Richard & Nancy Wallace for a Certificate of
Appropriateness to remove crumbling chimney from the building located at 729 Bluff
Street in the Cathedral Historic Preservation District.
Richard Wallace presented his application to the Commission. He stated that he had
tuck pointers on the roof to look at the chimney. He said that the chimney requires
significant work in order to make it structurally sound. Mr. Wallace felt that this
chimney does not have any historic or architectural significance to the building, since it
is the only one. He said he would like to remove the chimney because of structural
problems. Chairperson Mozena asked how the long the Wallace's' have owned the
structure. Mr. Wallace stated three months.
Staff Member Carstens presented the staff report, stating that a building permit is not
required to remove a chimney; however, the chimney may meet the criteria for
demolition by neglect.
Commissioner Wand questioned if bricks are missing. Mr. Wallace said that the tuck
pointer can literally put his hand through the chimney because it is so deteriorated.
Commissioner Henson asked if he owned the entire building and if the hole where the
chimney would be removed would be reroofed. Mr. Wallace said that he owned only
half of the building and that the hole would be reroofed with the same material that is
on the roof.
The Commission noted that there was not a corresponding chimney on the other side of
the building. They discussed that a single chimney was less significant to the building
than if both chimneys were present.
Motion by Wand, seconded by Gibbs, to approve the application for a Certificate of
Appropriateness as submitted. Motion was approved by the following vote: Aye -
Gibbs, Wand, Guinn, Henson and Mozena; Nay - Kringle.
DESIGN REVIEW: Application of Greg & Peggy Stover for a Certificate of
Appropriateness to demolish a garage located at 1145 Locust Street in the Jackson
Park Historic Preservation District.
Greg Stover presented his application. Mr. Stover presented pictures to the
Commission for their review. He explained that the garage is approximately 72 years
old. He noted the main house and the caretaker's house are much older, and of
Minutes - Historic Preservation Commission
July 19, 2001
Page 4
different style and materials from the garage. Mr. Stover described the size of the
garage and the materials it is made of. He explained that he wants to demolish the
garage to bring back a grass and/or garden area to the property. Mr. Stover referred to
members of the Historic Preservation Commission who visited the site to review the
garage and the home. Mr. Stover stated that he has no plans to build a new garage.
He went on to explain that he has a parking lot located across the street. Chairperson
Mozena questioned if the brick on the garage would be recycled. Mr. Stover indicated
he would like to recycle the brick and place it in storage for preservation projects. The
Commission noted the disparity in era, materials and architectural style of the home
and the garage.
Motion by Kringle, seconded by Guinn, to approve the application for a Certificate of
Appropriateness to demolish the garage as submitted. Motion was approved by the
following vote: Aye - Kringle, Gibbs, Wand, Guinn, Henson and Mozena; Nay - None.
DESIGN REVIEW: Application of David Cox/Paul Acton for a Certificate of
Appropriateness to enlarge an HPC approved sign from 32" by 52" to 48' by 81'
located at 514 Loras Boulevard in the W. 11th Street Historic Preservation District.
The applicant was not in attendance. Staff Member Wernimont reviewed the staff
report, stating that the applicant appeared before the Historic Preservation Commission
on March 15, 2001. The applicant received HPC approval for the design of a sign.
The applicant's representative at that meeting said the sign would be 32" by 52". The
applicant is now requesting HPC approval for the sign to be enlarged to 48" by 81'.
The Commission questioned ifthe proposed sign still met sign regulations. Staff stated
that the enlarged sign would meet the zoning regulations.
Motion by Gibbs, seconded by Wand, to approve the application for a Certificate of
Appropriateness as requested. Motion was approved by the following vote: Aye -
Kdngle, Gibbs, Wand, Guinn, Henson and Mozena; Nay - None.
DESIGN REVIEW: Application of Dubuque County for a Demolition Permit to clear the
site for expansion of Law Enforcement Center located at 805 Central Avenue in the
Downtown Demolition District.
Staff Member Carstens stated that the application for demolition permit can be
withdrawn from the agenda because the City Council has amended the demolition
districts ordinance to exclude this address.
ITEMS FROM PUBLIC: Staff Member Carstens stated that Charlie Glab of Morrison Bros.
Co. has offered to give the Commission and City staff a tour of the Stackis Woodworking
shop. She explained that Stackis Woodworking is a new division of Morrison Bros. She
said Mr. Glab would like to make the HPC and staff aware of their capabilities for historic
Minutes - Historic Preservation Commission
July 19, 2001
Page 5
preservation projects. The Commission discussed the possibility of scheduling a tour
during the lunch hour.
David Stewart, 1492 Locust Street, discussed the idea of allowing owners of
establishments that are being used both as residential and commercial, to do mechanical
plumbing and electrical work on their own structure. The Commission suggested that he
submit something they can review at the next Historic Preservation Commission meeting,
at which time the opinions of the Building Services and Legal Departments can be
reviewed.
ITEMS FROM STAFF: Staff Member Carstens discussed proposed guidelines for the
Historic Preservation Homeowner Grant Program that were prepared with input form other
City departments. The Commission asked questions about basis of appraisals, 100%
loan-to-value, repayment if the applicant moved, number and type of bids received, and
who would make up the review committee for the program.
Motion by Wand, seconded by Guinn, to approve the recommended proposed changes
to the Historic Preservation Homeowner Grant Program as presented by City staff with
further detail about appraised value, repayment if the applicant moves, and types of
bids received. Motion was approved by the following vote: Aye - Kringle, Gibbs,
Wand, Guinn, Henson and Mozena; Nay - None.
Staff Member Carstens then explained the proposed guidelines for the Historic
Preservation Revolving Loan Fund developed with input from other departments. The
Commission had similar questions as for the grant pregram; The Commission
discussed the appraised value, number and types of bids received, role of the loan
committee and allowing more than one loan
Motion by Wand, seconded Guinn, to approve the recommended changes except for
the loan amount to remain at $25,000 and the term to remain at 10 years, and with
additional changes: to allow one loan outstanding per building, to give a project a
lower rating if the borrower was a previous program participant, for the loan review
committee to recommend the loan amounts, and for staff to provide further detail on the
appraised value and types of bids received. Motion was approved by the following
vote: Aye- Kringle, Gibbs, Wand, Guinn, Henson and Mozena; Nay - None.
Staff Member Wernimont reported on the National Historic Preservation Alliance
Conference that was held in Sioux City on July 12, 2001.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION: The Commission discussed whether or not a fence or
vegetation or other temporary removable objects should be taken into consideration
when determining if a structure can be viewed from the public right-of-way. The
Commission consensus was for staff to now consider such temporary objects as not
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July 19, 2001
Page 6
obscuring a project from public view. The Commission asked staff to research this
issue in other ordinances and case law.
Election of Officers: Motion by Guinn, seconded by Gibbs to re-elect Terry Mozena as
chairperson. Motion was approved by the following vote: Aye - Kringle, Gibbs, Wand,
Henson and Guinn; Nay- None; Abstain - Mozena.
Motion by Kringle, seconded by Mozena, to elect Suzanne Guinn as vice chairperson.
Motion was approved by the following vote: Aye - Kringle, Gibbs, Wand, Henson and
Mozena; Nay - None; Abstain - Guinn.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m.
Respectfully subrrfitted,
Wally Wernimont, Assistant Planner Adopted