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Minutes Historic Preservation Commission 5 15 08 MINUTES REGULAR SESSION Thursday, May 15, 2008 5:30 p.m. City Council Chamber, Historic Federal Building 350 W. 6th Street, Dubuque, Iowa PRESENT: Chairperson Christine Olson; Commission Members John Whalen, Mary Loney Bichell, Joseph Rapp, Chris Wand, Matthew Lundh and Bob McDonell; Staff Members Laura Carstens and David Johnson. ABSENT: Commission Member Keisha Wainwright. 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 Olson at 5:32 p.m. MINUTES: The minutes of the April 17, 2008 meeting were reviewed. Motion by McDonell, seconded by Wand, to approve the minutes as submitted. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye – Olson, Whalen, Bichell, Rapp, Wand, and McDonell; Nay – None. DESIGN REVIEW: Application of Jeffrey Kloppenstein/Jeff Schmidt, Top Notch Construction for a Certificate of Appropriateness to install new Cemplank siding, windows, fascia, soffit and crown molding for property located at 1134 Langworthy in the Langworthy Historic District. Jeff Schmidt, Top Notch Construction, distributed catalogs and samples of the products proposed for the project. Crown moldings, beadboard soffits, and fascia samples (smooth side out) were reviewed by the Commission. Mr. Schmidt noted the proposed window is the “hybrid exterior” in the Lincoln Products guide. Mr. Schmidt explained the features of the proposed window. He explained the existing windows are wood, one-over-one, double-hung windows. Sue Kloppenstein, 1134 Langworthy, stated the attic is used as a children’s playroom, and the existing windows do not open. Mr. Schmidt asked if a simpler alternative to the diamond panes could be Minutes – Historic Preservation Commission May 15, 2008 Page 2 approved for the attic windows. Mr. Schmidt reviewed the proposed siding. He explained they are requesting Cemplank siding with the smooth side exposed. Mr. Schmidt reviewed how the siding would be installed and the siding will have a 5” exposure. The cedar siding beneath the asbestos siding has an approximate 3” exposure. Chairperson Olson discussed maintaining a similar exposure for the Cemplank siding. Commissioner Whalen noted the long-standing use of asbestos and the unsalvageable condition of the siding underneath would support the use of Cemplank siding on this particular building. Staff Member Johnson noted the new asphalt shingle for the roof had been approved by staff as no material change in effect and has already been installed. Commissioner Lundh entered the meeting at 5:45 pm. The Commission discussed how to proceed with the porch, and where appropriate examples might be referenced. The Commission suggested the applicant reference four-square homes in the Washington Neighborhood. Mr. Schmidt said the porch will be a separate proposal for a later date. Motion by Whalen, seconded by Wand, to approve the request to install Azek fascia, soffits, crown molding and bead board, and Cemplank siding and windows as presented, with the smooth side exposed for all applications of Cemplank and Azek, and 3.5 inch or less exposure on siding; the crown molding needs to mimic the original in size and profile, and maintain the diamond pattern in the attic windows. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye – Olson, Whalen, Bichell, Rapp, Wand, and McDonell; Nay – None; Abstain - Lundh. DESIGN REVIEW: Application of Chris & Tim Olson for a Certificate of Appropriateness and Historic Preservation Housing Grant to replace the roof and obsolescent door for th the property located at 1090 Grove Terrace in the W. 11 Street Historic District. Christine Olson, 1090 Grove Terrace, excused herself from the table to present the application. Vice Chairperson Lundh presided. Ms. Olson explained the proposal for the replacement of the roof and obsolescent door, and also a Historic Preservation Housing Grant. She explained the condition of the roof. She showed the Commission a sample of the replacement shingles from the Certainteed Landmark Series to mimic a smooth cedar shake. She explained the roofing work to be done and roof problems she hopes to correct. She noted one problem area is a low slope roof with a rubber roof on it now. Minutes – Historic Preservation Commission May 15, 2008 Page 3 She then explained the proposal for replacement of a second floor door with clapboard siding. A window in this opening is an option she is willing to consider. She noted future work planned for restoration of the home, including painting the house, windows and storms, and a new front porch. Staff Member Johnson reviewed the staff report. He noted the Historic Preservation Housing Grant review committee has reviewed the request and recommended funding the project. He reviewed the terms of the grant program. Vice Chairperson Lundh discussed the proposed shingles and options for the low slope rubber roof with the applicant. Standing seam roofs were discussed as an option that might provide a lower cost alternative for this flat roof area. Motion by Wand, seconded by Whalen, to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness and $5,000 in Historic Preservation Housing Grant funds to replace the roof with Certain Teed driftwood landmark shingles, remove the obsolescent door and replace it with clapboard siding to match the existing siding, tie in the second floor addition roof to the main roof, and extend the roof on the second story shed roof no more than 6" to provide better drainage. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye – Whalen, Bichell, Rapp, Wand, Lundh, and McDonell; Nay – None; Abstain – Olson. ITEMS FROM COMMISSION : Four Mounds Archeological Survey: Chairperson Olson asked about the status of Four Mounds Archeological Survey. Staff Member Johnson reported that State is reviewing staff and Commission’s comments, and is aware of the delay in receiving the consultant’s report. ITEMS FROM STAFF : Shot Tower Archeological and Geomorphological Investigation: Staff Member Johnson noted that this report is being provided for the Commission’s review and comment. He noted the state and federal funding for the rehabilitation of the Shot Tower. He noted the project received a grant funding from the National Park Service and State Historical Society of Iowa for the stabilization and rehabilitation of the Shot Tower. He stated the City received a State grant to conduct the archeological investigation required by the National Park Service. He explained the archeological and geomorphological investigation is the first step in the rehabilitation process. He explained the investigation revealed the well is in excellent condition and also revealed that the depth of Shot Tower is greater than what is depicted in the 1934 HABS drawing. Commissioner Rapp noted John Vachon’s name was spelled incorrectly, specifically referencing figure 2.7 on page 38 of the report. Motion by Wand, seconded by McDonell, that the Historic Preservation Commission has reviewed and recommends submittal to the State, with the correction as noted. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye – Whalen, Bichell, Rapp, Wand, Olson, and Minutes – Historic Preservation Commission May 15, 2008 Page 4 Lundh; Nay – None. Building Services Dept. – Status Report on Historic Preservation Enforcement: Staff Member Johnson reviewed the updates to the Historic Preservation Enforcement Report. Commissioner Loney Bichell reported 1175 Bluff Street has possible violations. Commissioners and staff discussed the need for applicants to provide detailed drawings. The Commission and Staff also discussed the need for the Commission to table or deny design review items where the Commission wants something very different from what the applicant is proposing. Major deviations from an applicant’s proposal should be reviewed at subsequent HPC meetings to assure that the Commission’s expectations for the project are clearly understood and executed by the applicant. Commissioner Wand discussed establishing a program for local architecture interns to provide drawings to applicants who cannot afford an architect to do these drawings. Commissioners agreed their goal is for the property value to increase with improvements approved by the Historic Preservation Commission. Proposed Revisions to Historic Preservation Ordinance: Staff Member Carstens explained a second draft of proposed revisions to the Historic Preservation Ordinance has been submitted to the Commission based on comments from the 11/29/07 HPC meeting. She reviewed the Commissions recommended changes and referenced the Iowa City Historic Preservation Handbook. The Commission discussed the proposed changes. Staff Member Carstens stated the Commission needs to draft a definition of non-contributing buildings, and she reviewed sample definitions. Chairperson Olson questioned (g)(2) on Page 13, reduction from 45 day to 30 day review period. Staff Member Carstens explained it is not a requirement in the State Code and the State Historical Society of Iowa has agreed to reduce the review time. Chairperson Olson expressed concern over Section 25-7(c). The Commission felt a licensed architect or engineer should be consulted in determining whether a building or structure can be reasonably repaired or restored. The Commission also requested the word “stabilized” be inserted after the word, “repaired” in this section. Staff Member Carstens recommended Dubuque get a copy of the Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission’s Disaster Response Plan for historic buildings. Commissioners agreed to review this plan. Chairperson Olson questioned (3) and (4) on Page 21. She felt they can be combined. Minutes – Historic Preservation Commission May 15, 2008 Page 5 Commissioner Wand recommended #4 be changed, “so work shall physically commence within 60 days from the date of the Certificate of Appropriateness, and be completed in such ….” The Commission recommended the National Park Service definition for non- contributing buildings. Commissioner Wand suggested adding one more bullet point which states, “…or has been identified as contributing in a historical, architectural or archeological survey investigation.” Commissioner Loney Bichell left at 7:53 p.m. The Commission discussed initiating an inventory and survey of the City’s public resources. The Commission discussed conservation districts and having stronger standards to prohibit the removal of significant features. The Commission requested staff bring examples of conservation district design review standards which focus on front façades. Historic Preservation Revolving Loan Fund – Retaining Walls: Staff Member Carstens reviewed the request to expand the Historic Preservation Revolving Loan Fund to include retaining walls that are an integral, structural part of the property. The Commission reviewed memos and photos. Commissioner Wand explained if a slope can be regraded to a 3:1 slope, then it is not structural. The Commission agreed that should be the test in determining if a retaining wall is an integral, structural part of the property. Motion by Wand, seconded by McDonell, to recommend City Council extend Historic Preservation Revolving Loan Funds to include retaining walls that are an integral, structural part of the property in cases where, if the wall did not exist, the property could not be re-graded such that a 3:1 slope can be achieved from the property line back to the structure without effecting grade at the structure. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye – Olson, Whalen, Bichell, Rapp, Wand, Lundh, McDonell; Nay – None. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ____________________________ _________________________ Minutes – Historic Preservation Commission May 15, 2008 Page 6 Laura Carstens, City Planner Adopted F:\USERS\Kmunson\WP\Boards-Commissions\HPC\Minutes\HPC Minutes 2008\Hpcmin 05_15_08.doc