Minutes Historic Pres 1 16 03MINUTES
REGULAR SESSION
Thursday, January 16, 2003
5:00 p.m.
Auditorium, Carnegie Stout Library
360 W. 11th Street, Dubuque, Iowa
PRESENT:
ABSENT:
Chairperson Christopher Wand; Commission Members Terry Mozena,
Suzanne Guinn, Chris Scheopner and Jim Gibbs; Assistant City Attomey
Tim O'Brien; Staff Members Laura Carstens and Walty Werr)Jrnon~
Commission Member John Whalen. ~ .~--~~ ~
~-~ ~)
AFFIDAVIT OF COMPLIANCE: Staff presented an Affidavit of CompliancE~v~ifyin~:the~
meeting was being held in compliance with the Iowa Open Meetings Law. 7> ~x~ --
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Wand at 5:02 p.m.
MINUTES: Motion by Guinn, seconded by Mozena, to approve the minutes of the
December 19, 2002 meeting as submitted. Motion was approved by the following vote:
Aye - Guinn, Mozena, Scheopner and Wand; Nay - None.
Since no applicants were in attendance, Chairperson Wand moved the City's application
for a demolition permit for the property at 380 E. 4th Street to the beginning of the meeting.
DESIGN REVIEW: Application of City of Dubuque for a Demolition Permit to demolish
a metal warehouse located at 380 E. 4t~ Street in the Port of Dubuque/Demolition
District.
Planning Services Manager Laura Carstens represented the City and presented the
application to the Commission. She noted that the property is currently being used by
Mississippi Valley Trucking and the City is in the process of purchasing the building. She
indicated the structure has no architectural or historical significance, and was built in 1972.
She referred to the staff report, which indicated the structures need to be at least 50 years
old before they can be considered historical. She indicated that demolition of the metal
warehouse would facilitate improvements to the Port of Dubuque.
Motion by Guinn, seconded by Mozena, to recommend the City Council approve the
demolition permit based on the building having no historic or architectural significance to
the community. Motion was approved by the following vote: Aye - Guinn, Mozena,
Scheopner and Wand; Nay - None.
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January 16,2003
Page 2
DESIGN REVIEW: Application of Fred Brinke Jr. for a Certificate of Appropriateness to
redesign a front porch (W. 11th Street side) located at 694 W. 11th Street in the W. 11th
Street District.
The applicant was not in attendance.
Motion by Wand, seconded by Mozena, to table this request to the February 20, 2003
meeting. Motion was approved by the following vote: Aye - Guinn, Mozena, Scheopner
and Wand; Nay - None.
DESIGN REVIEW: Application of Ronnie McDonald for a Certificate of
Appropriateness to redesign rear addition located at 1004 Bluff Street in the Jackson
Park District.
Ronnie McDonald presented his application to the Commission. He indicated he would
be adding a window on the first floor, which faces the alley and will use a full gable on
the addition instead of a gable and an overhang. Mr. McDonald indicated that the
window would have a limestone lintel. The Commission discussed that they were very
familiar with the project and indicated that the full gable would look more appropriate
for the structure.
Motion by Guinn, seconded by Mozena, to approve the application as presented with
the condition that the pitch of the roof match the existing roof. Motion was approved by
the following vote: Aye - Guinn, Mozena, Scheopner and Wand; Nay - None.
DESIGN REVIEW: Application of Jeffrey Morton/Kevin & Mary Kane for a Certificate of
Appropriateness to install synthetic columns located at 555 W. 11t~ Street in the W. 11th
Street District.
Commissioner Guinn asked Assistant City Attorney Tim O'Brien if she should abstain
since Kevin Kane is her employer. Mr. O'Brien indicated that State law requires a
Commissioner to abstain if they have financial gain from the approval of the Certificate
of Appropriateness. Commission Guinn stated that she would not have financial gain,
and would not abstain.
Jeffrey Morton presented his apPlication to the Commission. He noted that he is
representing Kevin and Mary Kane. Mr. Morton stated that the applicants used
synthetic columns instead of wood columns as originally indicated in the approved
Certificate of Appropriateness athis recommendation. Mr, Morton presented photos of
the porch columns to the Commission and briefly described the details of the previously
approved application. Mr. Morton indicated that the columns are made of a synthetic
fiberglass material and modeled after a Tuscan-style column, which would have
typically been made out of concrete. Mr. Morton noted that the synthetic column was
far more durable and had a longer life than wood columns. Mr. Morton presented
photos of wood columns of a property located in the West 11th Street Historic District to
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January 16, 2003
Page 3
the Commission. He described how wood columns are constructed 6f wood staves. He
referred to standards No. 6 and No. 9 of the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for
Rehabilitation. He also referred to page A-49 of the Architectural Guidelines for
Historic Structures in Historic Districts of the City of Dubuque, Iowa. He noted that on
Page A-49, it states that substitute materials for porches are acceptable for repair or
new construction if they match size, design and detailing of the original.
Staff Member Carstens presented the staff report. She noted that the columns are
made of a synthetic-type material and referred to the sections of the Guidelines that
pertain to porches and new construction.
Commissioner Mozena noted that the addition is an excellent design, but that synthetic
columns would not have been approved at the Commission meeting when the
previously approved Certificate of Appropriateness was granted.
Commissioner Guinn agreed with Commissioner Mozena's comments and said she
would not have voted in favor of the synthetic columns at that time.
Commissioner Scheopner referred to setting a precedent for people coming back
retroactively and seeking approval for columns that would not have been previously
approved.
Chairperson Wand agreed with the comments made today and also noted that some
products designed today are more durable than the original materials. He indicated
that he is more willing to accept synthetic columns because this is new construction
and not the repair or reconstruction of an odginal porch.
NOTE: Commissioner Gibbs entered at 5:26 p.m.
Commissioner Mozena discussed that they need to review the application as if the
columns were not already installed. He indicated that the applicants placed a burden
upon themselves by not following the approved Certificate of Appropriateness.
Commissioner Gibbs noted that he has not heard the comments of any of the other
Commissioners. He stated that he does not have a problem with the use of synthetic
columns because this is new construction.
Motion by Wand, seconded by Guinn, to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for
the installation of the synthetic columns. Motion was approved by the following vote:
Aye - Guinn, Scheopner, Gibbs and Wand; Nay - Mozena.
DESIGN REVIEW: Application of Greg Orwoll/Colts Drum & Bugle Corps for a
Demolition Permit to demolish a residential structure to create a parking lot located at
1112-1114 Central Avenue in the Downtown Demolition District.
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January 16,2003
Page 4
Greg Orwoll, representing the Colts Drum & Bugle Corps, presented the application to
the Commission He indicated he was willing to accept an extension in order to supply
all the required information to the Commission. He noted that the information he sent
to the Planning Services Department prior to the meeting was not all the required
material. Mr. Orwoll stated he still feels it is not economically feasible to rehab the
property. He indicated that the Colts Drum & Bugles Corps is not ready to spend any
additional money on obtaining additional appraisals or obtaining bids, and stated that
he still feels it is not economically viable to make reuse of the property. Mr. Orwoll
referred to the numbers that were originally submitted for the cost of materials to be
replaced and indicated that the numbers were taken from the Old House Journal. He
indicated that the building is currently receiving funding from the Section 8 Housing
Program. He reiterated that he was willing to ask for an extension.
Staff Member Carstens presented the staff report. She referred to the letter that she
sent to Greg Orwoll requesting the~additional information. She asked Commissioners
to clarify if staff had not presented the Commission's request accurately.
Chairperson Wand indicated that the letter stated exactly what the Commission
requested at the previous Historic Preservation Commission meetings. Commissioners
concurred. He reiterated to Mr. Orwoll that they need all the information required by
City Ordinance to make a determination as to whether or not the property will have a
reasonable economic return. He said that until they receive that information, they
cannot make a decision. Chairperson Wand urged Mr. Orwoll to work with Planning
Services staff in order to obtain all the required information as indicated in the
Ordinance.
Mr. Orwoll indicated that the Colts Drum & Bugle Corps objective js to own the lot and
be able to control the property and to have the lot have a positive cash flow. He
verbally requested that the Historic Preservation Commission grant them an extension
to the February 20, 2003 Historic Preservation Commission meeting.
Motion by Wand, seconded by Scheopner, to accept the Colt's requested extension to
the February 20, 2003 Historic Preservation Commission meeting. Motion was
approved by the following vote: Aye - Guinn, Mozena, Scheopner, Gibbs and Wand;
Nay - None.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION:
Code Compliance for Pro.qram Applicants: Assistant City Attorney Tim O'Brien indicated
that he was in attendance in order to discuss the changing of the language for the Historic
Homeowner Grant and the Historic Preservation Revolving Loan Fund in order to have
criteria set to prevent property owners who do not follow the Historic Preservation
Ordinance or the Demolition District Ordinance from obtaining financial incentives from the
City. Mr. O'Brien suggested that when the review committee ranks the projects they could
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January 16,2003
Page 5
assign a lower rating for the applicant that failed to comply with the Historic Preservation
Ordinance or the Demolition District Ordinance.
The Commission briefly discussed what ordinances should they state that the applicant
needs to be compliance with. The Commission discussed that they would downgrade from
all City Ordinances to just the Historic Preservation Ordinance and the Demolition District
Ordinance.
Mr. O'Brien stated that language he felt should be included in the criteria was, "Projects
will receive a lower rating if the applicant has previously failed to secure Historic
Preservation Commission approval for work done when Historic Preservation Commission
approval is required by the City Code."
Staff Member Carstens indicated that sometimes the Commission only provide
recommendations and not approvals. The Commission discussed revising the language to
include HPC review instead of HPC approval.
Mr. O'Brien indicated that he will draft some new language and have it ready for the next
Historic Preservation Commission meeting.
Resignation; Commissioner Guinn indicated that she will be resigning from the Historic
Preservation Commission because her current job duties require her to be on the road
quite often and she will be unable to attend future Historic Preservation Commission
meetings. Commissioner Guinn indicated that she has contacted Mary Loney Bichell, who
was previously interested in serving on the Historic Preservation Commission. She asked
staff what she will need to do to resign from the Commission. Staff Member Wernimont
indicated that she needed to submit a letter of resignation to the City Clerk's Office.
ITEMS FROM STAFF:
Shot Tower National Register Amendment: Staff Member Carstens reported that Jim
Jacobsen of History Pays! was hired to revise the National Register listing for the Shot
· Tower from State significance to National significance, and also to prepare a National
Historic Landmark Nomination for the structure. She indicated that the City applied for a
Save America's Treasures grant in 2002 for rehabilitation work on the Shot Tower. She
noted that projects that have national significance receive a higher rating, and this is the
reason why they are seeking to revise the National Register Nomination to National
Significance. She indicated that the Commission is required to review the National
Register amendment, and then provide a recommendation to the City Council. She noted
the consultant has recommended listing with National significance based on Cdteda A and
C.
Staff Member Wernimont indicated that the National Register amendment indicates that
the Dubuque Shot Tower is the only remaining example of a Phase II type shot tower. He
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January 16,2003
Page 6
notedtheS~ Nominations ReviewCommittee willconsiderthe amended nomination on
February 14,2003.
Commissioners and staff discussed the amended nomination and Criteria A, B, C and D.
Motion by Guinn, seconded by Wand, to recommend the City Council approve the Shot
Tower to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places at a level of national
significance based on criteria A and C. Motion was approved by the following vote: Aye-
Guinn, Mozena, Scheopner, Gibbs and Wand; Nay - None.
Bell Block And Ziepprecht Block Buildings: Staff Member Wernimont indicated that the
Bell Block and Ziepprecht Block buildings have been listed on the National Register of
Historic Places. He asked the Historic Preservation Commission if they would like
Planning Services staff to send out a media release congratulating Dubuque Bank & Trust
on having the properties listed. The Commission discussed and by consensus directed
staff to send out a media release.
Update On Martin Gas Station Enforcement: Staff Member Wernimont referred to a memo
regarding the unauthorized demolition of the Martin Gas Station at 34 and Locust Streets.
He indicated that Building Services Manager Rich Russell has cited Drew Cook & Sons, as
the contractor who demolished the structure and the property owner, Paul Fahey, for
failure to obtain a demolition permit. He indicated that their court dates are set for January
23, 2003.
NatiOnal Alliance Of Preservation Commissions Forum 2004: Staff Member Carstens
stated that they have received an e-mail message from Kerry McGrath, State CLG
Coordinator, regarding the possibility of the City of Dubuque submitting a request to hold
the Forum 2004 National Alliance of Preservation Commissions Conference in Dubuque.
She indicated that Amy Link of the Convention and Visitors Bureau will be assistant with a
proposal for conference to be held in Dubuque.
Demolition Review Process: Staff Member Carstens indicated that the City Council
approved revising the demolition district review process time frame. She indicated that the
Commission would have 60 days to review the required information once they have
received a fully submitted application.
Funding For The Historic Preservation Homeowner Grant: Commissioners referred to a
letter that they received from City Manager Michael Van Milligen regarding the rediced
FY04 CDBG funding ofthe Historic Preservation Homeowner Grant. Staffwas not able to
respond to questions because they had not yet received the letter. Commissioner Wand
indicated that he would contact the City Manager in reference to the proposed decrease in
funding.
H & W Building: Commissioner Wand indicated that he received a phone call from John
Gronen who heard from a realtor that showed the property to Wayne Stewart that he is
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,Janua~ 16,2003
Page 7
interested in purchasing the H & W Building and tearing it down. Commissioner Mozena
indicated that he also received a phone call from John Gronen in reference to the H & W
Building. The Commission asked staffto consult with the Legal Services Department and
the Building Services Department about preparing a demolition district to help protect the
H & W Building, which was previously listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Commission also discussed the possibility of calling a special meeting in order to have
the City Council review and hear the proposed demolition district at the next available City
Council meeting.
Motion by Mozena, seconded by Guinn, to direct staff to discuss with the Building Services
and Legal Services Departments to establish a demolition district for the H & VV site.
Motion was approved by the following vote: Aye - Guinn, Mozena, Gibbs, Scheopner and
Wand; Nay - None.
210 E Ist Street/Jocille's Womens Store: The Commission discussed the current removal
of the synthetic siding on the Jocille's Building, located at 210 E. 1st Street. Staff indicated
that the building is not located in the Old Main Historic Preservation district; however, it is
located in the Downtown Demolition District. Staff indicated that the Building Services
Department stated that removing of the synthetic siding does not require a building permit.
Chairperson Wand indicated that he was contacted by Dan LoBianco, Dubuque Main
Street, about removal of the synthetic siding. He indicated that the property owners are
looking at removing the siding and having the Main Street Iowa architect draft proposals
for rehabilitation of the front facades of the structures.
Staff Member Wernimont indicated that he was notified by the property owner, Frank
Bonnet, about the proposed project prior to the synthetic siding being removed. He
indicated that the property owners will be applying for a fat;ade grant from the Economic
Development Department to do some of the rehab work and that the Historic Preservation
Commission will have an opportunity to review those plans.
Motion by Gibbs, seconded by Mozena, to adjourn the meeting at 7:01 P.m. Motion was
approved by the following vote: Aye - Guinn, Scheopner, Gibbs and Wand; Nay -
Mozena.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 7:01 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Wally Wernimont, Assistant Planner Adopted