Minutes_Historic Preservation Commission 12 20 18 Copyrighted
January 7, 2019
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 1.
ITEM TITLE: Minutes and Reports Submitted
SUMMARY: Catfish Creek Watershed ManagementAuthorityof 12/21 ; City
Council Proceedings of 12/17; Five Flags Civic Center
Commission of 12/20; Historic Preservation Commission of
12/20; Park and Recreation Commission of 12/11; Zoning Board
of Adjustments of 12/20; Proof of publication for City Council
Proceedings of 11/26; Proof of publication for City Council
Proceeding of 12/3; Proof of publication List of Claims and
Revenues for Month Ending 11/30.
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Caffish Creek Watershed ManagementAuthority Minutes of Supporting Documentation
12/5/18
City Council Proceedings of 12/17/18 Supporting Documentation
Five Flags Civic Center Commission Minutes of 12/14/18 Supporting Documentation
Historic Preservation Commission Minutes of 12/20/18 Supporting Documentation
Park and Recreation Commission Minutes of 12/11/18 Supporting Documentation
Zoning Board of Adjustrnents Minutes of 12/20/18 Supporting Documentation
Proof of publication for City Council Proceedings of Supporting Documentation
11/26/18
Proof of publication for City Council Proceedings of Supporting Documentation
12/3/18
Proof of publication for List of Claims and Revenues for ME Supporting Documentation
11/30/18
Dubuque //�7�I
THE CITY OF�� ;� D��r �,�
(°�I u
DLTB E III�
zam �orz
Masterpiece an the Missi�sippi Zo,,.Zei,
MINUTES
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
5:30 p.m.
Thursday, December 20, 2018
Auditorium, Carnegie Stout Public Library
Commissioners Present: Chairperson Emily Hilgendorf, Commissioners David
Klavitter, John McAndrews, Rick Stuter and Joseph Rapp
Commissioners Excused: Christy Monk, AI Kopcyzk, Brandi Clark, Melissa Daykin-
Cassill
Commissioners Unexcused: None
Staff Members Present: Laura Carstens and Chris Happ Olson
CALL TO ORDER: Meeting was called to order by Chairperson Hilgendorf at 5:30 pm.
AFFIDAVIT OF COMPLIANCE: Staff presented an Affidavit of Compliance verifying
the meeting was being held in compliance with the lowa Open Meetings Law.
MINUTES: Motion by Rapp, second by Stuter, to approve the minutes of the November
15, 2018 meeting as submitted. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye — Rapp,
McAndrews, Stuter and Hilgendorf; Nay — None; Abstain—Klavitter.
�����`ITI��� D`DMIT• A�r'��i�.uilvii vf viv{ii.i i ��suiii�utivli� iiii.. u$ agen; iv 'a�clii�i�jii
the building located at 2035 Washington Street in the Washington Street Neighborhood
Conservation District.
Staff Member Olson reviewed and outlined the staff report. She noted the location of the
said property at the rear of the lot that contains both 2035 and 2033 Washington Street.
The ownership of the structure is in a trust with no heirs and the bank has allowed the
True North organization to be the applicant for the demolition permit. Olson reviewed
that the structure was surveyed by both Kriviskey as non-supportive and Jacobsen as
contributing. She reviewed the property's age as pre-1872 due to supportive
documentation and outlined the changes in appearance over time. She stated the Fire
in January 2018 caused extensive structural damage, along with the complications of
ownership delaying action, resulting in a property has been open to the elements for
most of 2018. She explained that Dubuque's True North has permission to rehab the
Minutes — Historic Preservation Commission
December 20, 2018
Page 2
structure at 2033 Washington, which is an adjacent brick structure and reviewed the
role of the Commission, in light of the conflicting evaluations by consultants.
Emmett Clair, representing Gronen Restoration at 900 Jackson Street, spoke noting the
property is severely damaged and they have been unable to access the structure due to
the condemnation by the Fire Department, physical boarding of windows and the
padlocking and screwing shut of doors. Due to the interior condition, they are requesting
to demolish the building. Clair explained the group was working with the bank and
Drake Law Firm to find an eligible house for Dubuque's True North organization, and
they settled on restoring/rehabilitating 2033 Washington and deconstructing 2035
Washington. Clair noted EMSI is on contract to remove the asbestos and further said
that the Fire Department has condemned the property so the structure is secured
against squatters, for safety.
Commissioners discussed the lack of action due to the issues with the property
ownership, Fire safety and exposure to the elements for almost a year. Several
Commissioners said they felt damage is extensive and should be condemned and
demolished.
Ed Raber, 2090 Hale Street, working at 900 Jackson Street for Greater Dubuque
Development Corporation, spoke. He stated that a potential buyer is the Dubuque's
True North, collaborating with the City to purchase dilapidated housing, rehabilitate to
City standards, and then sell to a low-moderate income household for homeownership.
He noted retaining and rehabilitating 2035 Washington would pose an economic
hardship for Dubuque's True North and would have to likely back out of the purchase of
2033 Washington.
Bill Doyle, 1791 Central in Dubuque, stated that he feels an argument can be made that
this is a contributing structure to this district and that it suffered from demolition by
negiecf.
Commissioners continued to discuss the conditions and circumstances of the property.
Commissioner Klavitter noted that he felt the structure was historically or architecturally
significant and that he wished there was more information from the last people that had
been in the property.
Motion by Rapp, second by Stuter, to approve the applicanYs request for demolition
permit based on its lack of historical and architectural significance. Motion carried by the
following vote: Motion approved by the following vote: Aye—Stuter, Rapp, McAndrews,
and Hilgendorf; Nay—Klavitter; Abstain—None.
DESIGN REVIEW: Application of George Murphy, Murphy Construction Group, for a
Certificate of Appropriateness for 315-321 Bluff Street in the Cathedral Historic District.
Minutes — Historic Preservation Commission
December 20, 2018
Page 3
Staff Member Olson reviewed the project noting that the application was for both sides
of the structure. She reviewed the structure's age, dating to approximately 1872-73, the
physical characteristics and past and present use. She noted it is a twin to its neighbor
to the north which is dated the same time and that overall the structure is largely intact.
It has had a number of changes over time, including the initial building and rebuilding of
its front porch, which currently dates to 2003. She reviewed the two-part request to 1)
replace the decking on the front porch and the stair treads with a synthetic decking, and
2) the replacement of porch railings and posts (not columns) from wood to metal. She
noted that both requests replace wood with non-original or historic materials.
Staff Member Olson referred the Commission to the guidelines and noted that although
the proposal touches on many guidelines it doesn't fit neatly within any one particular
guideline. She noted that even though the porch and design is non-original, if the
applicant had wanted to simply repair or replace in-kind, then they could request a staff
sign-off, but because new materials and design elements are introduced, the request
comes to the Commission. The guidelines referenced in the staff report include: using
alternative materials, rehabilitation of historic porches, and repair of a porch. The
Commission agreed to split the project into two reviews for the decking and treads, and
the railing and posts.
Julie Berstler, 315 Bluff Street, has been a tenant in the property for over a decade and
is now the property owner. She seen many repairs to the porch over the years. She
expressed her desire to have a low-maintenance porch that is still attractive.
George Murphy, 4970 Northrange Court, is the contractor and spoke that he would like
to use the composite decking for stair treads, but not risers. He noted they would
fabricate the metal posts and railings, powder-coated black. He confirmed the porch
columns would stay and newel posts would be similar to those submitted in the
photographs he supplied, included in the staff report. The handrail detail would be
J.__..:.__. 1__ L.__'LL_J . _ 1 _ 1'l. 'IJ'.��. 1'1�.��1. .�l L_l . .
II�1�ClWEQ, dGGUlUllil-�. lU LIIC UldWill(J. IIC JUUIIIILIGU IIVIII IIIC DUIIUIIIIJ. UC�.1clIUIICIIL, llldl WdJ
included in the staff report. The decking sample was distributed for viewing by staff.
Commissioners questioned whether the ends of the rails will be goose-necked, and that
the railing is being entirely replaced in this proposal at the porch, down the stairs, and in
the yard. Murphy confirmed that the rail would terminate at the posts and that the
proposal is for all the railings. Murphy stated that the stairs were rotted, as was the
porch floor, hence the replacement request.
Decking Discussion: Commissioners and staff discussed the use of alternative materials
for porch decking and recalled examples of cement board and other materials being
approved in the past, particularly in moist areas and up high on details like soffits. The
Commission confirmed with the contractor that the stringers would remain as wood, with
no risers, and stair treads would be the composite material proposed, maintaining the
vertical profile of the porch. Commissioners discussed they would be open to allowing
this as an option on this property and the desire to monitor how the exception performs.
Minutes — Historic Preservation Commission
December 20, 2018
Page 4
Reasoning for allowing this was because it was a small portion of the porch affected
and that staff and Commission would be able to see the pertormance after a
freeze/thaw cycle. Also discussed was using the texture side facing up in this case.
Motion by Klavitter, second by Stuter, to approve use of Paramont PVC Decking (color
Sandstone on decking and stair treads. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye—
Stuter, Rapp, Kalvitter, McAndrews and Hilgendorf; Nay—None; Abstain—None.
Railing Discussion: Commissioners discussed the proposed new railing and posts, in
reference to the guidelines and non-original porch which is based on designs of other
traditional porches or similar architectural style. Staff Member Olson confirmed that the
yard railings (not on the house or porch) and the color of materials is outside the
Commissioners' purview. Commissioners confirmed with the contractor that the porch
railing was rotted, and the need for replacement verses repair.
Motion by Klavitter, second by Rapp, to approve the replacement of wood railings/posts
with metal as proposed. Motion failed by the following vote: Aye—McAndrews; Nay—
Stuter, Rapp, Klavitter, and Hilgendorf; Abstain—None.
ITEMS FROM PUBLIC: Discussion of events in HPC 2019 Events & Actives packet
enclosure:
A. Historic Preservation Month: general agreement to maintain the staff-supported
activities #1-4, with HPC Chair to promote with City Council and push via social
media. Start 1-2 months prior to May. Activity #5 to be coordinated by Chair, with
staff supporting to take photos or have subjects provide selfies.
B. Preservation Fair: Committee to set up event, including Commissioners
Hilgendorf, Rapp and Klavitter with staff support. Staff to request of those
Cu�r��rissiu��ers ��oi p�eseri as io wheir��r iliey woulu like io joir�. Cornrnissioners
asked whether we have a list of Ken Kringle award winners and staff reported we
have them listed on the website, but not a contact database for inviting them to
our event. Kickoff meeting in January for outreach and planning.
C. Partners/Promo Existing Events: Staff Members Carstens and Olson, with
members of HPC to all work to cross promote events that are generated by HPC
or our partners.
D. Possible Large Scale Events in Future: No discussion.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION:
A followup discussion from arose on desire from Commissioner Klavitter to be provided
more accurate existing condition information after a Fire or similar major change which
triggers a condemnation, with reference to a report from the appropriate Department.
Staff agreed to make this available.
Minutes — Historic Preservation Commission
December 20, 2018
Page 5
Commissioners had a followup discussion on monitoring the performance of alternate
materials 1-2 years after installation to track performance. Commissioners requested
that staff look back at those examples and provide list to observe performance, along
with tracking the new materials at 315-321 Bluff Street. Staff agreed to compile this
information.
ITEMS FROM STAFF: Staff briefly reported on and referred to three grant contracts
for:
• CLG Grant for Four Mounds Park
• CLG Grant for 2020 Preserve lowa Summit
. REAP Grant for Four Mounds Park
Staff also reported that although the City has not yet received a contract, the lowa Great
Places awarded a grant to the Ham House.
STAFF APPROVALS: Staff Member Carstens reported that the City does not yet have
a staff signoff report due to a change in the permit system in July 2018. The City's
Information Services Department is still working on developing a way to populate
reports forjust historic properties. The anticipation is that it will be available sometime in
the nearfuture.
ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Klavitter, seconded by Rapp, to adjourn the December
20, 2018 Commission meeting. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye — Klavitter,
Stuter, McAndrews, Rapp and Hilgendort; Nay — None.
The meeting adjourned at 7:20 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager Adopted