Minutes_Historic Preservation Commission 4 20 17 Copyrighted
May 1, 2017
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 1.
ITEM TITLE: Minutes and Reports Submitted
SUMMARY: City Council proceedings of 4/17, 4/24; Community
Development Advisory Commission of 3/21 ; Historic
Preservation Commission of 4/20; Transit Advisory Board
of 4/13; Proof of Publication for City Council proceedings
of 4/3, 4/10
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
City Council Proceedings of 4/17/17 Supporting Documentation
City Council Proceedings of 4/24/17 Supporting Documentation
Community Development Advisory Commission Minutes Supporting Documentation
of 3/21/17
Historic Preservation Commmission Minutes of 4/20/17 Supporting Documentation
Transit Advisory Board Minutes of 4/13/17 Supporting Documentation
Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings of Supporting Documentation
4/3/17
Proof of Publicaton for City Council Proceedings of Supporting Documentation
4/10/17
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MINUTES
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
5:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 20, 2017
City Council Chamber, Historic Federal Building
Commissioners Present: Chairperson Christina Monk; Commissioners Emily
Hilgendorf, Leslie Terry, Juan Nieto, Al Kopcyzk, David Klavitter, Bob McDonell, and
Joseph Rapp.
Commissioners Excused: John McAndrews.
Commissioners Unexcused: None.
Staff Members Present: Laura Carstens and Ose Akinlotan.
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Monk at 5:31 p.m.
AFFIDAVIT OF COMPLIANCE: Staff presented an Affidavit of Compliance verifying the
meeting was being held in compliance with the Iowa Open Meetings Law.
MINUTES: Motion by McDonell, seconded by Hilgendort, to approve the minutes of the
March 16, 2017 meeting, as submitted. Motion carded by the following vote: Aye — Rapp,
McDonell, Klavitter, Kopcyzk, Nieto, Terry, Hilgendort, and Monk; Nay— none.
DESIGN REVIEW: Application of Dubuque County for property located at 720 Central
Avenue (Dubuque County Court House) to replace the roof with synthetic and/or solar
panel shingles.
Chairperson Monk and Vice Chairperson Hilgendort excused themselves from the table
due to a conflict of interest. Commissioner McDonell acted as Chairperson pro tem.
Chris Soeder, Facilities Supervisor for Dubuque County, representing the applicant,
spoke in favor of the request. He noted the base bid for the project will be an asphalt
shingle to match and like-for-like replace the existing condition. He said the County
would prefer an alternative shingle option such as a synthetic (plastic) slate or a photo-
voltaic roofing system. He noted the photo-voltaic shingles would reduce electrical
energy cost and resemble the appearance ofthe original slate shingles with no exposed
wiring. He said the National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form lists slate as
the original roofing material. He explained the proposed synthetic slate would closely
match the original condition while not adding significantly to the roof weight. He added
that any color of alternative shingles would be selected to closely match the existing
Minutes — Historic Preservation Commission Page 2
April 20, 2017
color. He noted sheets, photos, and renderings have been included for review and
reference. He said the roof expanse is large, but only small portions are visible from the
street level.
Staff Member Carstens reviewed the staff report, noting Dubuque County is requesting
to re-roof the Dubuque County Courthouse. She noted the original slate shingles were
previously removed and replaced with asphalt. She said the County is proposing the
following three options:
1 . Replace with asphalt shingles that match the existing shingles (staff sign-off).
2. Replace with a synthetic (plastic) slate shingles (Commission review).
3. Replace with a photo-voltaic roofing system (Commission review).
She explained the property is a City Landmark and therefore subject to advisory design
review by the Historic Preservation Commission. She noted the Architectural
Guidelines provide several recommendations on roofing material and solar collectors.
She provided a general review of applicable guidelines:
➢ Because the project involves replacing only the roofing material, the original roof
of the structure will not change and will follow the guidelines.
➢ The original roofing material (slate) has been removed. The use of a synthetic
(plastic) slate shingle will provide a more appropriate representation of the
original material (slate) than asphalt or fiberglass shingles. Also, because of the
height of the rooflines from the ground, it will be difficult to tell if the shingles are
made of slate or plastic.
➢ The applicant's note in their application that color of alternative shingles would
be selected to closely match the existing color.
➢ The proposed solar roofing system is a shingle-type that lays flat and is
incorporated into the weave of shingles. The use of solar shingles will not
damage significant features, can be removed, and will not threaten the structural
integrity of the building.
➢ Because the building has three street frontages, it would be difficult not to place
solar shingles on a primary fagade. However, due to the roof form, height of the
building and site location, the solar shingles will not be highly visible from the
adjoining public right-of-way.
➢ The roof will be more visible from a distance (i.e., bluffs, freeway, etc.) but due to
the distance, the roofing material will look more closely like the original.
The Commission asked for clarification of the request. Staff Member Carstens clarified
the Commission can either approve or deny the materials requested, although they are
mixing materials.
Minutes — Historic Preservation Commission Page 3
April 20, 2017
The Commission asked for an example of the solar panel. Mr. Soeder noted an
example was not available. The Commission asked about the color match between the
materials. Mr. Soeder noted they will match the color of the existing roofing as closely
as possible.
The Commission asked about color in the rendering. Mr. Soeder acknowledged it is an
example of aesthetic, not their color choice.
Staff Member Carstens reviewed the Architectural Guidelines step-by-step to
demonstrate project compliance.
The Commission inquired about height inconsistencies between the solar panels and
slate materials to conceal wiring. Staff Member Carstens said it aligns with the
Architectural Guidelines for visibility aligning with Guideline 1 .28: Minimize the visual
impacts of skylights and other rooftop devices.
The Commission discussed the pedestrian level is the main concern, but there were
some concerns about the historic integrity of the building.
The Commission questioned the percent of roof surface that will be solar. Mr. Soeder
said estimated 50%, because the installer must stair-step panels.
The Commission questioned if the solar is not approved, will they only do slate and
what are the life cycle costs? Mr. Soeder stated use of solar depends on overall costs,
and the life of asphalt is 20 years, with 40-50 years for slate and photo voltaic.
The Commission asked about the sand layer, stating it wears off over time. Mr. Soeder
said they may run into extra cost with materials because they are not able to be cut, so
must offset for roof vents and gutters.
The Commission stated a preference that the colors are close as possible to match.
Commissioner Rapp asked if it was the same manufacturer for slate and solar shingles.
Mr. Soeder confirmed that they would be produced by separate manufacturers.
Motion by Nieto, seconded by Terry, to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness to
replace the roof with synthetic and/or solar panel shingles as submitted, with the
condition that the color of the roofing material and solar shingles be as close a match
as possible. Motion was approved by the following vote: Aye — Klavitter, McDonell,
Rapp, Terry, Nieto, and Kopcyzk; Nay — None; Abstain - Hilgendorf and Monk.
NATIONAL REGISTER NOMINATION REVIEW: Application of the City of Dubuque to
nominate Eagle Point Park, 2601 Shiras Avenue, to the National Register of Historic
Places.
Minutes — Historic Preservation Commission Page 4
April 20, 2017
Staff Member Carstens presented the National Register Nomination to the Commission,
and reviewed the significance of the nomination. She announced the State Nominations
Review Committee will review the nomination on June 9m
The Commission offered thanks to all contributors, acknowledging Heritage Works
contributions and work with Eagle Point Park, and suggesting a letter of thanks be sent to
Dr. Schlarman.
Motion by Klavitter, seconded by McDonell, to approve the Eagle Point Park National
Register Nomination as submitted. Motion was approved by the following vote: Aye —
Klavitter, McDonell, Rapp, Terry, Nieto, Kopcyzk, Hilgendorf and Monk, Nay — None.
Commissioner Rapp asked about correction to dates in the nomination. Staff member
Carstens asked that those corrections be submitted to staff after the meeting.
ITEMS FROM PUBLIC: Duane Haggerty, Heritage Works, 1100 Main Street, thanked the
Commission and staff for their time and effort to have Eagle Point Park added to the
National Register of Historic Places. Mr. Haggerty also suggested collaboration with
Heritage Works to come up with funding for future work to nominate the park as a National
Landmark.
Commissioner Klavitter, 1090 W. 3rd Street, left the table to address the Commission. He
noted the success was due to people and tax credits, which are under fire in the House.
Mr. Klavitter encouraged everyone to exercise their rights and ask for support to stop
House File 652, which will reduce from 25% to 15% for the State Historic Tax Credit.
Commissioner Rapp, 27 Locust Street, left the table to address the Commission. He
asked if the Historic Preservation Commission as a body can send a request to the
legislators. Staff Member Carstens clarified that the Historic Preservation Commission
cannot make this request, but as private citizens, the members can exercise this right.
Duane Haggerty, 1100 Main Street, reported that House File 652 will go to the floor in the
next few days, but there is still time to contact the legislature. He noted next year is crucial,
suggesting we need to show importance and start thinking about federal level tax reform.
Mr. Haggerty reported that Senator Blum is a big supporter of State Historic Tax Credits.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION
Work Plan Update: Staff Member Carstens presented the update, noting she has
contacted Iowa State University about students to work on Upper Couler Historic District
and Jackson Street Gable Front Frame Houses, and will have a further update at next
meeting.
Commissioner Klavitter reported that a coalition will complete a state level economic
impact study and there is a possibility of local level analysis. He said an update will be
provided in the coming months.
Minutes — Historic Preservation Commission Page 5
April 20, 2017
Historic Preservation Month: Staff Member Carstens reported the Proclamation will be
presented at the May 1 sc City Council meeting. Staff Member Akinlotan reported that
staff are working on a Fact-A-Day for the month of May. She noted the Mathias Ham
House was not available for sponsoring a day for the community to tour the house, so
staff will look at a similar sponsorship for Eagle Point Park. Chairperson Monk
requested staff assistant with notes for presenting the Proclamation, including a short
description about the Fact-A-Day in the Month of May. Staff agreed.
ITEMS FROM STAFF
Building Services Historic Preservation Enforcement Report: Staff Member Carstens
reviewed the report.
Preserve Iowa Summit: Chairperson Monk and Staff Member Carstens encouraged
Commissioners to attend, noting this Summit will help with education and training
requirements as a Certified Local Government.
Staff Approvals: Staff Member Carstens noted an update will be provided next month.
ADJOURNMENT: Motion by McDonell, seconded by Hilgendorf, to adjourn the April 20,
2017 Historic Preservation Commission meeting. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye
— Klavitter, McDonell, Rapp, Terry, Nieto, Kopczyk, Hilgendorf and Monk, Nay — None.
The meeting adjourned at 6:48 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager Adopted