Demolition District Ord. AmendCity Hall
(563) 5894210 office
(563) 5894221 fax
plarming~cityofdubuque.org
September 10, 2002
The Honorable Mayor and City Council
City of Dubuque
50 W. 13t~ Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
RE: Recommended Amendments to Demolition District Ordinance
Dear Mayor and City Council Members:
INTRODUCTION
The Historic Preservation Commission is requesting that the City Council approve
amendments to the Demolition District Ordinance. Maps and an ordinance are
attached for your consideration.
BACKGROUND
The demolition districts were the precursors to the Historic Preservation Ordinance and
the HPC. They include many older structures in the downtown and surrounding
neighborhoods that may have historical or architectural significance. The building
official cannot issue demolition permits in these areas without a review by the Historic
Preservation Commission and the City Council.
Portions of the eight demolition districts overlap the five historic districts. Under
Chapter 11(Building Regulations) of the City Code, the HPC reviews demolition
requests in demolition districts, then provides the City Council with a recommendation.
The review criteria to be applied by the HPC are the federal standards for review as set
forth in the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. Reviews by the HPC
must be completed within 60 days.
DISCUSSION
The HPC is recommending two major amendments to the Demolition District
Ordinance: (1) expansion of the downtown demolition district, and (2) establishment of
three new demolition districts.
Expansion of the Downtown Neighborhood Demolition District
The Historic Preservation Commission is requesting the expansion of the Downtown
Neighborhood Demolition District to include portions of the areas currently being surveyed
Service People Irt~grity Responsibility Innovation Teamwork
Recommended Amendments to Demolition District Ordinance
Page 2
in the Phase Ill Architectural/Historic Survey/Evaluation (see attached map). The existing
demolition district has approximately 178 structures. The expansion will bring the total
number of structures in this district to 187.
Establishment of the Couler Valley Neighborhood Demolition District
The Historic Preservation Commission is requesting the creation of the Couler Valley
Neighborhood Demolition District. The Commission is basing the boundaries of this
demolition district on the Phase I Architectural/Historic Survey/Evaluation. The Phase I
survey was an intensive survey and evaluation of properties located in the
Washington/Jackson/Elm Street area north of the central business district (see attached
map). This district has approximately 993 structures. The consultant has identified that 31
of these structures are eligible to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The consultant has also recommend further research for 23 properties. The consultant has
also identified 9 potential historic districts.
The creation of this demolition district will help protect those structures that have been
identified in the Phase I survey as being significant. Creation of this demolition distdct also
offers an opportunity to showcase the history and architecture of this neighborhood.
Establishment of the Eagle Point Neighborhood Demolition District
The Historic Preservation Commission is requesting the creation of the Eagle Point
Neighborhood Demolition District. The Commission is basing the boundaries of this
demolition district on the Phase II Architectural/Historic Survey/Evaluation. The Phase II
survey was an intensive survey and evaluation of properties located in the
Rhomberg/Eagle Point neighborhood which consists primarily of Garfield, Rhomberg and
Lincoln Avenues from Kniest Street to Eagle Point, and the Linwood district, which consists
of streets located on the hillside between 22® Street and Linwood Cemetery, from Queen
Street to Jefferson Middle School (see attached map). This district has approximately
2,092 structures. The consultant has identified that 29 of these structures are eligible to be
placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The creation of this demolition district will help protect those structures that have been
identified as being significant. Again, creation of this demolition district also offers an
opportunity to showcase the history and architecture of this neighborhood.
Establishment of the Warehouse Neighborhood Demolition District
The Historic Preservation Commission is requesting the creation of the Warehouse
Neighborhood Demolition District. The Commission is basing the boundaries for this
demolition district on the portions of the Phase III Architectural/Historic Survey/Evaluation
that lie outside of the existing demolition and historic districts (see attached map). This
district has approximately 336 structures with a large portion being brick warehouses.
Recommended Amendments to Demolition District Ordinance
Page 3
Creation of this demolition district will help protect the large-scale warehouses that
represent the industrial hedtage of Dubuque.
RECOMMENDATION
The Commission respectfully requests that the City Council adopt these amendments to
the Demolition District Ordinance.
Sincerely,
Christopher Wand, Chairperson
Historic Preservation Commission
Attachments
CC
Michael Van Milligen, City Manager
Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager
Rich Russell, Building Services Manager
wwernimo/cou nCiI/DEMODISTRICTORDINANCE.doc
DEMOLITION DISTRICT ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS
Affects of the proposed amendments on the existing language in Section 11-4(a),
with new language shown in bold, and language to be deleted crossed out. The
metes and bounds description of the Downtown Neighborhood Demolition District
is replaced with reference to an official map, as is done with zoning districts.
Section 11-4(a) (8) Downtown Neighborhood: As shown on the Official Map
on file in the office of the Planning Services Department, 50 West 13th
Street, Dubuque, Iowa. ='-'-;"";""
The three new districts will reference an official map as well, as shown below:
(9) Couler Valley Neighborhood: As shown on the Official Map on file in the
office of the Planning Services Department, 50 West 13th Street, Dubuque,
Iowa.
(10) Eagle Point Neighborhood: As shown on the Official Map on file in the
office of the Planning Services Department, 50 West 13th Street, Dubuque,
Iowa.
(11) Warehouse Neighborhood: As shown on the Official Map on file in the
office of the Planning Services Department, 50 West 13th Street, Dubuque,
Iowa.
wwernimo/council/Demo Ordinance Change.doc
PrepareE Laura Carstens, Planninq Services Manaqer Address: 50 W. 13th Street Telephone: 563-589-4210
ORDINANCE NO.
-02
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 11 (BUILDING REGULATIONS) OF THE
CITY OF DUBUQUE CODE OF ORDINANCES BY AMENDING SECTION 11-4(a) BY
EXPANDING THE DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD DISTRICT AND CREATING
THREE NEW DEMOLITION DISTRICTS.
Whereas, the Historic Preservation Commission has recommended amendments
to Chapter 11 (Building Regulations) of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Dubuque
regarding demolition districts; and
Whereas, the City Council finds that the recommended amendments to Chapter
11 (Building Regulations) are consistent with the goals and objectives of the City's
Comprehensive Plan and the purpose and intent of the City's Code of Ordinances.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. Chapter 11 (Building Regulations) of the City of Dubuque Code of
Ordinances is hereby amended by amending Section 11-4(a) (8) Downtown
Neighborhood to replace the metes and bounds description with reference to an official
map and to expand the Downtown Neighborhood Demolition District, as follows:
Section 11-4(a) (8) Downtown Neighborhood: As shown on the Official Map on file
in the office of the Planning Services Department, 50 West 13th Street, Dubuque,
Ordinance No. -02
Page 2
Section 2. Chapter 11 (Building Regulations) of the City of Dubuque Code of
Ordinances is hereby amended by amending Section 11-4(a) Application of Section to
to add additional demolition districts as follows:
Section 11-4(a) Application of Section: The provisions of this Section shall apply to all
buildings located in whole or in part within the following described demolition districts:
(9) Couler Valley Neighborhood: As shown on the Official Map on file in the office
of the Planning Services Department, 50 West 13th Street, Dubuque, Iowa.
(10) Eagle Point Neighborhood: As shown on the Official Map on file in the office
of the Planning Services Department, 50 West 13th Street, Dubuque, Iowa.
(11) Warehouse Neighborhood: As shown on the Official Map on file in the office
of the Planning Services Department, 50 West 13th Street, Dubuque, Iowa.
Section 3. That the foregoing amendment has heretofore been reviewed by the
Historic Preservation Commission of the City of Dubuque, Iowa.
Section 4. This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon publication.
Passed, approved and adopted this day of , .
Attest:
Terrance M. Duggan, Mayor
Jeanne F. Schneider, City Clerk
wwernimo/council/dernordinanceforrn.doc
DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD
DEMO DISTRICT 8
District
COULER VALLEY
DEMO DISTRICT 9
Demo Dis~ct g - Couler Valle
EAGLE POINT
DEMO DISTRICT 10
Demo
!le Point
WAREHOUSE NEIGHBORHOOD
DEMO DISTRICT 11
hborhood