Minutes_Historic Preservation Commission 2 20 20City of Dubuque
ITEM TITLE:
SUMMARY:
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION:
Copyrighted
March 16, 2020
Consent Items # 1.
Minutes and Reports Submitted
City Council Proceedings 2/27, 3/2, 3/9; Community
Development Advisory Commission of 2/19; Historic
Preservation Commission of 2/20; Housing Commission of
2/25/20; Library Board of Trustees of 1/23; Resilient
Community Advisory Commission of 3/5 with Attachments;
Zoning Advisory Commission of 3/4; Zoning Board of
Adjustment of 2/27; Proof of Publication for City Council
Proceedings of 2/10, 2/17, 2/24, 2/26, 2/27.
Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
City Council Proceedings of 2/27/20
City Council Proceedings of 3/2/20
Community Development Advisory Commission Minutes
of 2/19/20
Historic Preservation Commission Minutes of 2/20/20
Housing Commission Minutes of 2/25/20
Library Board of Trustees Minutes of 1/23/20
Resilient Community Advisory Commission Minutes of
3/5/20 with Attachments and Correspondence
Zoning Advisory Commission of 3/4/20
Zoning Board of Adjustment
Proof of Publication for City
2/10/20
Proof of Publication for City
2/17/20 Special Session
Proof of Publication for City
2/17/20 Regular Session
Proof of Publication for City
2/24/20
Proof of Publication for City
2/26/20
Proof of Publication for City
2/27/20
Minutes of 2/27/20
Council Proceedings of
Council Proceedings of
Council Proceedings of
Council Proceedings of
Council Proceedings of
Council Proceedings of
Type
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
Dubuque
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2017*2019
MINUTES
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
5:30 p.m.
Thursday, February 20, 2020
City Council Chambers, Historic Federal Building
Commissioners Present: Vice Chairperson Brandi Clark, Commissioners Melissa
Daykin Cassill, Christina Monk, David Klavitter, John McAndrews, Rick Stuter, Joseph
Rapp and Craig Reber.
Commissioners Excused: None.
Commissioners Unexcused: None.
Staff Members Present: Laura Carstens, Chris Happ Olson and Wally Wernimont.
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Vice -Chair Clark 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 Klavitter, seconded by Monk, to approve the minutes of the
February 6, 2020 meeting as submitted. Motion carried 8-0 by the following vote: Aye —
Daykin Cassill, Monk, Klavitter, McAndrews, Stuter, Rapp, Reber and Clark; Nay — none.
ACTION ITEMS:
Demolition Permit
Applicant: George Nauman, Jr.
Owner: Lower Main Development LLC
Address: 265 W. 1st Street
Project: Demolition of structure at 265 W. 1st Street
District: Downtown Neighborhood Conservation District
Staff Member Happ Olson reviewed the project, the staff report, and distributed copies of
additional information submitted by email she received on February 20, 2020 from
Commissioner Rapp. She noted that the structure was considered not significant in the
Kriviskey and Jacobsen Architectural Surveys. She noted the new information further
adds to the research already conducted, supporting that the original structures present in
the 1872 Bird's Eye map (included in the staff report) were removed and replaced
between 1884 and 1891, using the Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps as corroborating
documentation. She noted that the structure at 265 W. 1st Street is considered non-
contributing and not National Register eligible. It is non -supportive to the Conservation
Minutes — Historic Preservation Commission
February 20, 2020 Page 2
District. She noted the heavy alterations over time that resulted in those determinations.
Ms. Happ Olson reviewed the unusual situation where the 265 W. 1st Street structure is
on the same parcel as 245 W. 1st, but with a differnce that 245 W. 1st is in the Old Main
National Register Historic District, while 265 W. 1st is not. She referred to the three maps
on page 5 of the staff report, showing the gap between two historic districts where 245
W. 1st is located. Ms. Happ Olson reviewed the role of the Commission and the
standards for demolition review in regards to the requested action.
George Nauman II, 870 Robin Street, Dubuque, IA, stated he is now the owner of 245-
265 W. 1st Street as of February 19, 2020.
Commissioners discussed with staff the changes in the structures over time based on
the information in the staff report and the new information distributed at the meeting. The
photos clearly show the structures were replacement buildings. Staff Member Wernimont
reviewed the extent of the information that is provided to the consultants performing
research for the historic and architectural surveys and evaluations, which included
photos, Sanborn Maps, City water tap records, and various other resources.
Commissioners asked the applicant about the timeline for the project. Mr. Nauman
indicated they were waiting for the Commission's decision and didn't have a date in
mind. Ms. Happ Olson added that the project application has indicated completion by the
end of 2020. Mr. Nauman explained there is a sales contract for the Montana House
(245 W. 1st) and the buyer plans to renovate the structure for mixed use. Mr. Wernimont
noted there is a plat to split the parcel (245 from 265 W. 1st) on file at Planning Services.
He added there are design review requirements for any new construction on the Old
Town Neighborhood Overlay District.
Commissioners discussed the property has a lot of potential due to the location.
Commissioner Monk noted the building clearly does not contribute and has no
significance. Discussion followed by staff and commissioners about the hypothetical
removal of siding on 265 W. 1st, to reveal the structure and its effect on the application at
hand, which staff noted would result in the same findings.
Motion by Reber, seconded by Monk, to approve the application as presented. Motion
carried 8-0 by the following vote: Aye — Daykin Cassill, Monk, Klavitter, McAndrews,
Stuter, Rapp, Reber and Clark; Nay — none.
Design Review & Historic Preservation Revolving Loan Fund
Applicant: Christine Happ and Tim Olson
Address: 1090 Grove Terrace
Project: Rebuild addition and HPRLF Design Review
District: West 11th Street Historic District
Staff Member Happ Olson removed herself as staff to come forward as an applicant.
Staff Member Wernimont reviewed the staff report, describing the proposal, noting the
documentation in the application for the rehabilitation and the request for the Historic
Preservation Revolving Loan Fund. Staff distributed an updated design package from the
Minutes — Historic Preservation Commission
February 20, 2020 Page 3
applicant. Mr. Wernimont asked the applicant to review the history and development of
the property.
Christine Happ Olson, 1090 Grove Terrace, Dubuque, Iowa, reviewed the history of the
structure, its three different additions and the modifications over time. She noted some
structural concerns for the haphazard approach to additions and lack of HVAC
effectiveness in that part of the structure. Ms. Happ Olson reviewed the project, the
intention to follow the design of the historic structure documented in the report, and the
desire to create a more cohesive design for the structure and the neighborhood. She
noted the change from a 32' long addition from the application to a reduced size 30'
addition in the updated drawing. She says the change achieves smaller massing, larger
setbacks, more in -line window placement and roof pitch modeling the 1856 historic
design on the main structure.
Andrew McCready, project architect with 563 Design, explained the changes in the
addition increase the east setback an additional two feet, and is also intended to provide
space for the HVAC functions and better match the design of the main portion of the
house. Ms. Happ Olson mentioned that two options were submitted for either a hood or
canopy at the rear door in the new drawings.
Mr. Wernimont described the visibility of the site at the corner of the street. He reviewed
the proposal in comparison to the Architectural Guidelines and noted it is unusual to
have a public right of way on three sides, and that the chosen location is the least visible.
He explained that the applicants are requesting a $25,000 request from the Historic
Preservation Revolving Loan Fund, which has an $85,700 balance. Commissioners
asked staff to clarify what information is required for a loan application. Ms. Happ Olson
explained the loan would be used at the end of the project, when the exterior will be
completed. Staff explained the loan terms are up to $25,000 at 3% annually for 10 years,
and loans are handled by the Housing and Community Development Department.
Motion by Rapp, seconded by Stuter, to approve the application, including the Historic
Preservation Revolving Loan Fund for up to $25,000, as presented. Motion carried 8-0
by the following vote: Aye — Daykin Cassill, Monk, Klavitter, McAndrews, Stuter, Rapp,
Reber and Clark; Nay — none.
Advisory Design Review
Applicant: City of Dubuque
Address: Four Mounds Estate
Project: Parking and lane improvements
District: Four Mounds Estate National Register Historic District
Staff Member Happ Olson returned to the table to present the project. Ms. Happ Olson
explained the project and distributed plans for the work. She reminded the Commission
that this has been seen before by the Commission, but is an update getting ready the
development portion of the project for bid. She explained the planned improvements and
their compatibility with the historic landscape, the narrow lane width and historic
materials at the Four Mounds Estate. She explained the paved areas and the ADA
Minutes — Historic Preservation Commission
February 20, 2020 Page 4
accessibility for the one parking space, as well as the overflow, low -impact parking with
reinforced grass. She explained the additional site improvements to prevent runoff and
restore the site ecology. Staff Member Carstens noted the Commission serves to provide
advisory design review to City Council, because the City owns this Historic Landmark
Site. Staff Member Wernimont noted the project has been reviewed by the Development
Review Team and there has been compromise in the design to maintain the historic
character of the landscape.
Motion by Monk, seconded by Reber, to recommend approval to City Council of the
application as presented. Motion carried 8-0 by the following vote: Aye — Daykin Cassill,
Monk, Klavitter, McAndrews, Stuter, Rapp, Reber and Clark; Nay — none.
Advisory Design Review
Applicant: City of Dubuque
Address: Eagle Point Park
Project: Environmental Restoration Project — Phase 2
District: Eagle Point Park National Register Historic District
Staff Member Laura Carstens presented the application of the Eagle Point Park
Environmental Restoration Project in Phase 2 and distributed plans to Commissioners at
the meeting for review. She stated that Phase 1 of the project was not brought to the
Commission, as it was a project to only convert turf to native prairie plants and perform
soil quality restoration. Phase 2 addresses the area at the top of Eagle Point Park, along
the main road and its driving circle. The area is suffering from severe run-off that has
caused large ravines, eroding the soil. The project seeks to install bio-retention basins to
collect water at the source, at the top of the park, and reduce the volume and speed of
run-off. The native plantings help both to filter and absorb rainwater. As well, the project
seeks to remove some of the non-native trees and planting new more appropriate trees.
Ms. Carstens indicated that a tree survey was done prior to identify any potential legacy
trees (those of a certain age that would be present in the pre -history era and may be
significant to Native Americans) and did not find any in the project area. The new plan
will allow for the penetration of the sun to reach the ground, providing more opportunity
for grass and native plantings to grow, with deeper root structure to increase infiltration of
storm water. She explained that the project has been reviewed by the State Historic
Preservation Office, the National Park Service, the Iowa Department of Natural
Resources and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. An
archaeology survey was completed and an archaeologist will be on -hand to monitor the
project for security of potential resources. The goal is to balance history, appearance,
and nature through a comprehensive ecological restoration approach. Further discussion
followed regarding the history, project and native species.
Motion by Klavitter, seconded by Monk, to recommend approval to City Council of the
application as presented. Motion carried 8-0 by the following vote: Aye — Daykin Cassill,
Monk, Klavitter, McAndrews, Stuter, Rapp, Reber and Clark; Nay — none.
ITEMS FROM PUBLIC: none
Minutes — Historic Preservation Commission
February 20, 2020 Page 5
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION: none
ITEMS FROM STAFF: none
ELECTION OF OFFICERS: After discussion, consensus was to continue with Vice -
Chair Brandi Clark as Vice -Chair until elections are held again in July 2020 as per the
Commission by-laws.
KEN KRINGLE AWARDS: Staff Member Happ Olson distributed an updated staff report
of the recommended projects and reviewed the addition of 232-246 E. 14th Street,
submitted by Commissioner Rapp, as a possible residential project. She reviewed the
proposed projects and noted a maximum of six projects is preferred. Commissioners
discussed the recommended projects and considered adding 1038 Bluff Street and 1015
W. 3rd Street. Staff and Commission discussed the opportunity to eliminate duplicates
with the County Historic Preservation Commission's awards as a way to winnow down
the nominations to six maximum. Ms. Happ Olson agreed to review the projects to
ensure eligibility and work with the County to recommend up to six projects back to the
Commission via email following the meeting. Commission agreed by consensus on this
plan
PRESERVATION UPDATES: Staff Member Happ Olson referred to the collection of
updates from the State Historic Preservation Office and other partners, including an
excellent preservation primer from the American Planning Association. She indicated the
new report format to help consolidate these updates, and that time -sensitive updates will
be sent via email. Commissioners requested information about registration and volunteer
opportunities for the Preserve Iowa Summit 2020, and staff agreed to present that at the
next meeting or when it is available.
ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Klavitter, seconded by Rapp, to adjourn the February 20,
2020 Commission meeting. Motion carried 8-0 by the following vote: Aye — Daykin
Cassill, Monk, Klavitter, McAndrews, Stuter, Rapp, Reber and Clark; Nay — none.
The meeting adjourned at 7:08 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager Adopted