Minutes Historic Pres 01 12 10 MINUTES
SPECIAL SESSION
Monday, December 10, 2001
6:30 p.m.
Auditorium, Carnegie Stout Library
360 W. 11th Street, Dubuque, Iowa
PRESENT:
Chairperson Terry Mozena; Commission Members Ken Kringle, Jim
Gibbs, Para Bradford, Chris Wand, Suzanne Guinn and Audrey Henson;
Staff Members Laura Carstens and Wally Wernimont.
ABSENT: None.
AFFIDAVIT OF COMPLIANCE: Staff presented an Affidavit of Compliance verifying the
meeting was being held in compliance with the Iowa Open Meetings Law.
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Mozena at 6:30 p.m.
DESIGN REVIEW: Application of Sr. Inez Turnmeyer/St. Mark Community Center for a
Certificate of Appropriateness to replace synthetic slate roof with asphalt shingles at
1201 Locust Street located in the Jackson Park Historic Preservation District.
NOTE: Commissioner Bradford arrived at 6:32 p.m. Commissioner Guinn arrived at
6:33 p.m.
Sister Inez Turnmeyer presented her application to the Commission. She explained the
cost and type of material the existing roof is made of. She explained that the roof is
currently damaged and is leaking water. She said that the roof contractors and
insurance company have tried to locate the existing roof material in order to repair the
roof; however, she noted that the roofing material cannot be found anywhere.
Staff Member Wernimont distributed a sample of the existing roof material and
reviewed its defects. Sr. Inez and Staff Member Wernimont said that the previous roof
was a composition shingle with asbestos in a large diamond-shape, and had a similar
gray color that matches the existing roof. Staff Member Wernimont explained that the
slate roof suppliers are on the East Coast based on a search of the Internet.
Chairperson Mozena asked if slate had been priced. Sr. Inez said no. Commissioner
Gibbs discussed problems with the existing roof in relation to other buildings with the
same material. He felt that the proposed roof would look fine. Commissioner Wand felt
that with a gray roof color, the black band of the sample product would not be very
visible. He felt the proposed roof would be appropriate.
Motion by Wand, seconded by Gibbs, to accept the material as proposed for a Carriage
House Shangle from CertainTeed with a lifetime warranty. The first color choice of the
shangle is Victorian Blue and the second color choice is Colonial Slate. Motion carried
Minutes - Historic Preservation Commission
December 10, 2001
Page 2
by the following vote: Aye - Mozena, Kringle, Gibbs, Bradford, Wand, Guinn and
Henson; Nay - None.
NOTE: Commissioner Bradford left at 6:57 p.m.
DEMOLITION PERMIT: Application of Loras College for a Demolition Permit to
demolish the structure located at 550 May Place in the W. 11th Stre.et Neighborhood
Demolition District.
Jim Collins of Loras College presented the application. He presented a site plan of the
proposed Garden Apartments to the Commission, noting that the apartments will house
84 students. Mr. Collins noted that Loras College owns all of the homes that are being
proposed for demolition. He explained that the Garden Apartments are not adding
students to the college; they are just relocating students from existing buildings on
campus. Mr. Collins introduced John McDermott and Steven $chmail to the
Commission.
Mr. McDermott explained that City staff and Loras College have discussed the
possibility of vacating a portion of Henion Street. Mr. Collins showed the location of the
houses in relationship to the proposed parking lot.
The Commission questioned whether Loras College would be able to build a parking
ramp versus surface parking on their campus. Mr. Collins explained that they have
looked at the option to build a parking ramp on campus; however, it was very cost
prohibitive. He explained that Loras College is a land locked college, and if they were
to expand their campus, they will have to expand into the neighborhood.
Mr. Collins explained the construction timeline they are proposing for the Garden
Apartments. He stated that their proposed construction start date would be January 15,
2002, and that construction would be complete by the fall semester. Commissioner
Gibbs discussed the possibility of having the historic building materials removed from
the house before demolition. Loras College representatives said that it would be
possibility, and that they would look into it.
Staff Member Carstens noted that the properties are located in the West 11th Street
Neighborhood Demolition District. She explained that in a demolition district the
Commission needs to look at the architectural and historical significance of each
structure and whether or not the property owner can make a reasonable return on the
property in determining whether or not to recommend to the City Council approval or
denial of the demolition permit.
She noted that staff contacted the Dubuque County Historical Society and Historic
Preservation Consultant Jim Jacobsen about the historical and architectural
significance of the structure at 550 May Place. She noted that they were unable to
document historical or architectural significance.
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December 10, 2001
Page 3
Motion by Henson, seconded by Wand, to recommend the City Council approve the
demolition permit for 550 May Place because it has no historical or architectural
significance. Motion was approved by the following vote: Aye - Mozena, Kringle,
Gibbs, Wand, Guinn and Henson; Nay - None.
DEMOLITION PERMIT: Application of Loras College for a Demolition Permit to
demolish the structure located at 1504 Henion Street in the W. 11th Street
Neighborhood Demolition District.
Staff Member Carstens reviewed the staff report, noting that despite research and
consultation, no historical or architectural significance was found. Commissioner
Henson asked Loras representatives how many students the building could house. Mr.
McDermott explained that 1504 Henion Street, known on campus as Henion Manor,
can house up to 12 students. He also noted that the basement has structural problems,
with the concrete spalding. The Commission reiterated their recommendation that the
college salvage historical and architectural features prior to demolition. Loras College
representatives were agreeable to considering this recommendation.
Motion by Gibbs, seconded by Wand, to recommend the City Council approve the
demolition permit for 1504 Henion Street because it has no historical Or architectural
significance. Motion was approved by the following vote: Aye - Mozena, Kringle,
Gibbs, Wand, Guinn and Henson; Nay - None.
DEMOLITION PERMIT: Application of Loras College for a Demolition Permit to
demolish the structure located at 1490 Henion Street in the W. 11th Street
Neighborhood Demolition District.
Commissioner Guinn stated she does not like to see buildings being demolished for
parking lots. She stated that would like to see property owners explore the possibilities
of parking alternatives instead of demolishing buildings.
Staff Member Carstens explained that the structure at 1490 Henion Street is a gabled
bungalow. She explained that the structure has an architectural rating of neighborhood
or supporting, depending on the neighboring properties. The Commission discussed
the possibility of salvaging the structure's historic and architectural features. The
Commission questioned if the bungalow located at 1490 Henion Street could be moved
instead of being demolished. Mr. Collins said that they did not consider that option, but
they could look into it. Chairperson Mozena mentioned the vacant lot located on 16th
Street. Mr. Collins said they looked at the possibility of putting a parking lot on that
vacant lot; however, it has drainage problems. The representatives from Loras College
felt that if the lot had drainage problems for a parking lot, the lot would have drainage
problems for a structure. The Commission discussed the possibility of having Loras
College call movers to see if moving the structure is feasible.
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December 10, 2001
Page 4
Motion by Wand, seconded by Gibbs, to recommend the City Council approve the
demolition permit for 1490 Henion Street because although the structure has
amhitectural significance, it does not have historical significance. Motion was
approved by the following vote: Aye - Mozena, Kringle, Gibbs, Wand, and Guinn; Nay
- Henson.
DEMOLITION PERMIT: Application of Loras College for a Demolition Permit to
demolish the structure located at 1470 Henion Street in the W. 11th Street
Neighborhood Demolition District~
Staff Member Carstens explained that the property has been added on to numerous
times over the years. She noted research and consultation had yielded no findings of
historical or architectural significance. Commissioners agreed, and again asked the
college to salvage historic and architectural features prior to demolition. Loras
representatives indicated a willingness to do so.
Motion by Wand, seconded by Henson, to recommend the City Council approve the
demolition permit for 1470 Henion Street because the structure has no historical or
architectural significance. Motion was approved by the following vote: Aye - Mozena,
Kringle, Gibbs, Wand, Guinn and Henson; Nay -None.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION: Commissioner Wand reported on the Town Clock Plaza
project.
Chairperson Mozena said that the Community Development Advisory Commission is
recommending removal of $15,000 from the $20,000 Fiscal Year 2003 budget for the
Historic Preservation Homeowner Grant Program. Staff Member Carstens explained that
the Community Development Advisory Commission currently has $21,000 in contingency
funds. She suggested the possibility of taking $15,000 from the contingency fund to
restore the full $20,000 to the Historic Preservation Homeowner Grant Program.
Motion by Wand, seconded by Guinn, to send a letter to the City Manager to recommend
reallocating $15,000 from the contingency fund to the Historic Preservation Homeowner
Grant Program. Motion was approved by the following vote: Aye- Kringle, Gibbs, Wand,
Guinn, Henson and Mozena; Nay- None.
Chairperson Mozena explained to the Commission that the City Council has decided not to
appeal the District Court's decision on the Bechen/Wood case. Staff Member Wernimont
noted that this case will be on the Commission's next agenda for approval of the Certificate
of Economic Hardship as ordered by the Court.
Commissioner Guinn discussed the streetscape guidelines that are currently being
developed for the historic districts. She referred to the portion of the streetscape design
guidelines that refer to cement curbing versus limestone curbs. She noted that the
consultants and project steering committee have developed the following hieramhy as they
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December 10, 2001
Page 5
relate to limestone curbs: First priority should be given to preserving curbs; second
priority should be given to property owners who are willing to pay for limestone
replacements; and third priority should be given to colored concrete to mimic the
limestone. Commissioners concurred.
ITEMS FROM STAFF: Staff Member Wernimont referred to the draft of the streetscape
design guidelines distributed prior to the meeting. He stated that he would like the
Commissioners to review them and be ready for discussion at the January 17, 2002
Historic Preservation Commission meeting.
Staff Member Carstens said that Housing Rehabilitation Supervisor Joleen Patterson will
attend a Commission meeting to discuss the programs the Housing and Community
Development Department administers and the possibility of opening up the Historic
Preservation Homeowner Grant and Revolving Loan Fund Programs to help fund retaining
walls and fences.
ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Wand, seconded by Gibbs, to adjourn the meeting. Motion
was approved unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:57 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager Adopted