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MINUTES
CITY OF DUBUQUE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
5:30 p.m., Thursday, February 19, 2009
Room 223, Historic Federal Building
350 W. 6th Street, Dubuque IA 52001
Commissioners Present: Chairperson Christine Olson; Commissioners John Whalen,
Michael Knight, Mary Loney Bichell, Joseph Rapp, Chris Wand, Matthew Lundh and
Bob McDonell.
Commissioners Excused: Commissioner Eli Licht.
Staff Members Present: Laura Carstens and David Johnson.
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Olson at 5:35 p.m.
CERTIFICATION 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 Wand, seconded by Bichell, to approve the minutes of the
December 18, 2008 meeting as submitted. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye -
Whalen, Olson, Knight, Bichell, Rapp, Wand, Lundh and McDonell; Nay -None.
Chairperson Olson asked if any members of the Commission would need to abstain from
any items on the agenda. No Commissioners indicated a conflict with the agenda items.
Election of Officers: Chairperson Olson asked for nominations to elect a new Chairperson
and Vice Chairperson. Discussion and review of the Commission by-laws followed.
Motion by Wand, seconded by McDonell, to elect Matt Lundh as Chairperson and Mary
Loney Bichell as the first Vice Chairperson and Chris Wand as the second Vice
Chairperson. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye -Whalen, Olson, Knight, Rapp,
Wand, and McDonell; Nay -none; Abstain -Lundh and Bichell.
DESIGN REVIEW: Application of Gronen Restoration /Verizon Wireless for a Section
106 Review to install rooftop equipment on the former Roshek Building located at 700
Locust Street.
Steve Edwards, Verizon Wireless and John Gronen, Gronen Restoration, were present
for the project. Mr. Gronen explained the Section 106 review is required by the FCC
license for Verizon Wireless.
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February 19, 2009
Page 2
Staff Member Johnson reviewed the Section 106 process, the application, the revised
project due to preliminary State Historic Preservation Office review and the new plans.
He noted the antennas have been shortened and will be affixed to the penthouse.
John Gronen reviewed the project in greater detail and the rational for the State Historic
Preservation Office changes.
Steve Edwards stated there currently are three antennas on the building. He referred to
the photo simulation provided in the revised application. He noted the three antennas
are shown on Page 4. He explained Verizon Wireless wants to remove the antennas
and put new antennas more to the center of the building. The antennas are proposed
to be mounted against the penthouse, and will be painted to match the brown columns
on the east facade. He explained on the south facade, the antennas will be below the
parapet wall.
Motion by Wand, seconded by Whalen, to approve the application as presented.
Motion carried by the following vote: Aye -Whalen, Olson, Knight, Bichell, Rapp,
Wand, Lundh and McDonell; Nay -none.
DESIGN REVIEW: Application of Julie Lott for a Section 106 Review to install
aluminum clad windows for property located at 583/593 Arlington Street in the W. 11tH
Historic Preservation District.
Staff Member Johnson reviewed the staff report. He explained the applicant is
requesting Section 106 approval to install aluminum clad windows. He stated the
application explains the existing wrapped aluminum windows are in poor condition and
need replacement. He explained the building is considered supportive to the West 11tH
Street Historic District.
He noted that according to Chapter 25 of the City Code, replacement of aluminum clad
windows with in-kind windows would be considered to have a no material effect on the
exterior architectural appearance or features of the building. He added that according
to the HPC policy for window replacement and alteration in historic districts, staff can
approve the replacement or alteration of windows that are the same size, shape, style
and material as the original window without the property owner having to go before the
Historic Preservation Commission for design review.
For buildings that are not national or state significant, City Code and HPC current
window policy would allow the in-kind replacement of the windows; however, HUD
funds in the form of Lead Paint Hazard Reduction Program funds will finance the
project, and a Section 106 review is required. He explained Section 106 of the National
Historic Preservation Act requires federal agencies to take into account the affects of
the undertakings on historic properties. He said the City of Dubuque Programmatic
Agreement with the State Historic Preservation Office allows the City to conduct in-
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February 19, 2009
Page 3
house Section 106 reviews for HUD -funded projects. He explained the Planning
Services staff is deferring the Section 106 review for this particular project to the
Historic Preservation Commission. He noted when projects utilize a source of public
funding, the Commission generally holds the projects to a higher standard.
Julie Lott, 265 Alpine, requested that the Commission allow her to use aluminum clad
windows. She explained she has invested $100,000 into the building to date. She
explained the cost of the wood windows was prohibitive for this project.
The Commission discussed the project, and Ms. Lott explained the exterior changes in
greater detail.
Motion by Wand, seconded by McDonell, to approve the application as submitted
Motion carried by the following vote: Aye -Whalen, Olson, Knight, Bichell, Rapp,
Wand, Lundh and McDonell; Nay -none.
ITEMS FROM PUBLIC: None.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION:
Expand Downtown Neighborhood Conservation District: Staff Member Johnson explained
that Commissioner Joseph Rapp has requested the Historic Preservation Commission
discuss expanding the Downtown Neighborhood Conservation District to include the area
known historically as part of Little Dublin that lies south of Jones Street, west of Locust
Street, north of Dodge Street, and east of Bluff Street. He reviewed what a conservation
district is, and the process for its establishment. He reviewed the regulations for
conservation districts, their locations and the buildings contained in the area subject to
expansion. He noted the lack of information in the Phase 3 master list of surveyed
downtown properties. He explained it is either an omission on the consultant's behalf or
intentionally was not evaluated because the consultant did not find enough historic fabric to
warrant extending the conservation district down to Dodge Street. He explained the
Commission should make a determination whether the area subject to expansion has
sufficient historic or architectural significance to the Downtown Neighborhood Conservation
District and community. He stated that if the Commission believes the area does have
historic or architectural significance, the Commission can direct staff to start the process for
expanding the Downtown Neighborhood Conservation District.
Commissioner Rapp reviewed the history of the area, noting the uninterrupted history of
settlements since 1853. He noted the area is a gateway to Dubuque and acknowledged
the high traffic count and declining architecture of the area. He explained part of the area
known as Little Dublin is already located in the Downtown Neighborhood Conservation
District. He noted that after participating on the Downtown Design Guidelines Task Force,
he would like to see these guidelines applied to the subject area. He provided a photo of
the area along Locust Street from 1991. He reviewed the Historic American Buildings
Survey report for the properties in the subject area. He reviewed the buildings that have
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February 19, 2009
Page 4
historical significance as well as the area's strong association with the lives of people
significant in the past of the city of Dubuque as well as the area's importance in the initial
settlement of the city of Dubuque. He noted the area's connection to John S. Murphy,
editor of the newspaper, whose son was a United States Senator for whom Murphy Park
was named.
Commissioner Wand noted that no buildings in the area will be lost to the new bridge
alignment.
Commissioner Rapp again reiterated the area's importance as being one of the few
remaining uninterrupted areas of habitation in the city of Dubuque.
The Commission reviewed the historical significance of the buildings. Commissioner Wand
noted portions of the Bridge Restaurant would be considered contributing. Chairperson
Olson acknowledged that the area is important to Dubuque's history but may not have the
architectural and historic fabric to warrant expansion of a conservation district.
Commissioner Wand disagreed and identified historic structures that have architectural
significance in the area. The Commission identified the center portion of the Bridge
Restaurant; 36 Bluff Street, and the garage located behind 30 Bluff as the buildings in the
subject area that would not have architectural significance. Chairperson Olson commented
that Jim Jacobsen may not have evaluated the area because most of the historic fabric of
what was once there is now missing. The Commission identified eight buildings in the area
that should be surveyed. Commissioner Rapp noted that the area and immediate vicinity
at one time contained lead mining pits and shafts.
Motion by Wand, seconded by Bichell, to direct staff to contact Jim Jacobsen about
surveying the area and begin the process for expanding the Downtown Neighborhood
Conservation District to include the subject area. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye
- Whalen, Olson, Knight, Bichell, Wand, Lundh and McDonell; Nay -none; Abstain -
Rapp.
ITEMS FROM STAFF:
IHPA-2009 Preservation at its BestAwards Nominations: Staff Member Johnson explained
each year the Iowa Historic Preservation Alliance seeks to honor individuals, organizations
projects and programs that demonstrate a commitment to excellence in historic
preservation. He reviewed the categories for the awards. He explained that nominated
projects must have been completed within the last two years.
The Commission reviewed historic preservation projects completed in the last two years
that would arise to the level of an IHPA nomination. By consensus, the Commission
nominated the Silver Dollar for the Small Commercial Category, the Cottingham & Butler
building for the Large Commercial Category, the Washington Neighborhood Initiative for
the Community Effort Category, the Durrant Office Building for the Sustainability and
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February 19, 2009
Page 5
Preservation Category, and the recently rehabilitated properties along Emmett Street for
the Residential Category.
Ken Krinale Award Nominations: Staff Member Johnson explained the Ken Kringle
Historic Preservation Award was created by the Historic Preservation Commission. He
stated the award is given out annually during Historic Preservation Week to the best
rehabilitation projects located in the City of Dubuque. He reviewed the history of the
award as well as the criteria for nomination. By consensus, the Commission nominated
the Silver Dollar, Security Building, Washington Neighborhood Initiative, Durrant Office
Building, Emmett Street properties, 563 W. 11t" Street, and 1326 Elm Street for this
year's Ken Kringle Historic Preservation Awards.
Building Services Department -Status Report on Historic Preservation Enforcement: Staff
Member Johnson reviewed the updates to the enforcement report.
He noted that a meeting occurred between the attorney and property owner at 950 Spruce
Street and City staff. He explained that Mr. Brown continues to claim that salt is
responsible for the damage to the homes foundation. Mr. Brown stated that simply re-
pointing the foundation will not work because salt has infiltrated the limestone and mortar
will not stay, and the stone cannot be salvaged. He explained that Mr. Brown is seeking
additional professional evaluations from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, and will
consider refilling the claim against the City. Mr. Brown will also give further consideration
to the Historic Preservation Housing Grant.
Staff Member Johnson noted that the property at 1163 Highland has sold and Meg Wall-
Wild from the Dubuque County Historical Society has now purchased the property. He
explained that Planning Staff spoke with the new owner, and she was made aware of the
City's enforcement efforts on the soffit and porch stairs. He explained the new owners
hope to have the porch stairs and soffit fixed in the spring of 2009.
Staff Member Johnson explained that the Housing Department is in the process of
obtaining the necessary bids for the work that needs to be completed at 1017 Bluff.
He explained that the Legal Services Department is still proceeding with a public nuisance
case against the property owner of 1921 Madison Street.
Staff Member Johnson explained that enforcement will be stepped up on the demolition by
neglect for the properties at 3000 Jackson and 3040 Elm Street. He explained the City is
in the process of setting up a meeting with the property owner at 3040 Elm Street to review
in detail the required repairs.
Staff Member Johnson stated a joint inspection will be completed concurrent with the
annual Fire Department inspection at 1492 Locust Street.
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February 19, 2009
Page 6
Staff Member Johnson reported that liens and priorities are still being sorted out in the
courts for the property at 1439 Bluff Street. He stated drawings have been prepared for a
Certificate of Appropriateness application. He explained that application will be submitted
to the Historic Preservation Commission once a title holder to the property becomes clear.
He explained that the City has contacted banks involved in the process and they have
indicated that if they become title holders, the repairs will be made; otherwise, Housing
staff is prepared to intervene, reconstruct the porch and assess the property owner.
Planning Services staff indicated that the recent complaint against 1589-1591 Bluff Street
for missing and open windows will be added to the Housing Department's current
enforcement action for under the vacant and abandoned building ordinance.
The Commission requested that the property located 515 Arlington Street be added back
to the enforcement report until the property owner makes the necessary corrections to the
doors and transoms.
The Commission requested that the property at 1689 Main Street be added to the
enforcement report for non-compliance with a Certificate of Appropriateness and
Demolition by Neglect.
The Commission requested that the property at 510 W. 11th Street be added to the
enforcement report due to rotting wood detailing.
The Commission requested that the building at 1392 Main Street be added to the
enforcement report due to trim that is falling off and fascia and gutters that are in poor
condition.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager Adopted
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