Minutes_Historic Preservation Commission 11 19 20 Copyrighted
December 21, 2020
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 1.
City Council Meeting
ITEM TITLE: Minutes and Reports Submitted
SUMMARY: City Council Proceedings of 12/7, 12/11; Civil Service Commission of
11/9 and 12/10; Historic Preservation of 11/19; Proof of Publication for
City Council Proceedings of 11/16, 11/23.
SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
City Council Proceedings of 12/7/20 Supporting Documentation
City Council Proceedings of 12/11/20 Supporting Documentation
Civil Service Commission Minutes of 11/9/20 Supporting Documentation
Civil Service Commission Minutes of 12/10/20 Supporting Documentation
Historic Preservation Commission Minutes of 11/19/20 Supporting Documentation
Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings of Supporting Documentation
11/16/20
Proof of Publication for City Council Proceedings of Supporting Documentation
11/23/20
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MINUTES
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
5:30 p.m.
Thursday, November 19, 2020
Virtual Meeting
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and mandates for social distancing, this meeting was
conducted virtually.
Commissioners Present: Chairperson Bill Doyle; Commissioners Melissa Daykin
Cassill, David Klavitter, John McAndrews, Rick Stuter, and Joseph Rapp.
Commissioners Excused: Brandi Clark and Christina Monk
Commissioners Unexcused: None.
Staff Members Present: Wally Wernimont and Chris Happ Olson.
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Doyle at 5:30 p.m.
MINUTES: Motion by Daykin Cassill, seconded by Rick Stuter, to approve the minutes
of the October 15, 2020 meeting as submitted. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye
— Daykin Cassill, Klavitter, McAndrews, Stuter, Rapp, Reber and Doyle; Nay — none.
ACTION ITEMS:
Demolition Request
Application of the City of Dubuque Housing & Community Development Department for
the demolition of 574 Loras Boulevard located in the West 11 t" Street Historic District.
Staff member Happ Olson presented the staff report. She noted that she forwarded
additional information onto the Commission she received from Housing Inspector Shane
Hoeper on Monday, November 16, via email to all commissioners. She noted that there
are three staff from the Housing & Community Development Department present:
Director Alexis Steger, Housing Inspection Supervisor Ben Pothoff and Housing
Inspector Shane Hoeper.
Commissioner John McAndrews noted he would abstain from the discussion due to a
current bid he had submitted to the Housing & Community Development Department.
Staff member Happ Olson noted the Housing & Community Development Department is
requesting to demolish the building. She noted the property is contributing to the West
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November 19, 2020 Page 2
11t" Street local Historic District. She referred to the history of the property with regards
to historical surveys, indicating it is an unusual pre-Civil War structure. She described
the physical make-up of the structure, additions and materials. She referred to photos of
the property, Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, lithographs of the building and oblique
aerial images. She noted that the City acquired the property this fall after petitioning the
courts.
Inspector Hoeper said that following the Housing & Community Development's
ownership of the property, they assessed the structure for rehabilitation and found the
rear additions have significant damage. He referenced a severe leak along the chimney
and stated that the rear addition is concrete block and is caving in. He noted the rock
wall foundation is bowing into the basement. He noted issues with housing and building
code which include: the ceiling is less than the required celling height because they are
6'5 to 6'8 and the stairs are only 25 inches wide. He said they contacted a list of 10
potential developers, and that five groups of people opted to tour the property. He noted
Mr. McAndrews submitted offered to buy the property but did not include a plan of
action for rehabilitation, which was one of the requirements made aware to the
developers.
Chairperson Doyle asked Inspector Hoeper about other feedback from other
developers. He said developers noted that it is a small building and would need
substantial rehabilitation, especially demolition of the rear.
Staff member Happ Olson explained the role of the Commission. She noted in the past
the Commission reviewed demolition permits that came from the public, or private
owners. She noted the City of Dubuque is a governmental entity and has a separate
code section for demolition review. She noted that there are different financial questions
that relate to demolition of the property. She summarized that the set of standards for a
State or Political Subdivision of State, (i.e., the City) is more appropriate than an
argument for economic non-viability, which is written for private owners. She noted that
the first step is to determine whether the structure is architecturally or historically
significant. If the Commission finds that it is, then the it should deny the application. If it
isn't, the Commission should approve the application. If denied, then the Subsection G
of the code for State or Political Subdivisions of State is then utilized. She asked staff
member Wernimont for any clarification. Staff Member Wernimont added that following
any decision, the Commission would send a recommendation and the issue would be
reviewed by City Council.
Hearing no further questions or discussion from the Commission, Chairperson Doyle
invited John McAndrews to speak.
John McAndrews, 56 Bluff Street, noted the poor condition of the building after touring it
multiple times. He said the building could be an asset to the neighborhood. He noted
that he went to his lawyer, Brian Kane, to submit an offer to purchase to the Housing
and Community Department. He noted unfortunately that it was not sent to the Housing
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November 19, 2020 Page 3
& Community Development Department until early this week. Chairperson Doyle asked
Mr. McAndrews if he would be doing work on the building, to which he answered, yes,
he would be the general contractor. Mr. McAndrews expressed enthusiasm for the
potential of this structure. Chairperson Doyle noted that it could be a great asset for the
neighborhood and demolition of the building should be a last resort. Mr. McAndrews
expressed his desire to give back to the community this way.
Commissioner Daykin Cassill said that if there is someone available who wants to take
on the building for rehabilitation that they should be allowed.
Commissioner Reber said that he supports the City's recommendation, that it is not
sound, and he is in favor of demolition of the building.
Commissioner Klavitter noted the property has been identified as historical and
architectural by two surveys and is 160 years old. He said that it appears alterations to
the building are reversible. He said that he would deny the application due to
architectural or historical significance. He said once the building is gone, the decision is
final.
Mr. McAndrews noted the previous work he has done to restore buildings in Dubuque.
Commissioner Stuter stated he walked around the house and noted the poor condition.
He said the walls are not in good shape the walls are caving in. He warned Mr.
McAndrews of the risk, but also lent a word of encouragement.
Klavitter reminded Mr. McAndrews of the Historic Tax Credits to make the rehabilitation
feasible and noted that Mr. McAndrews is familiar using them. Chairperson Doyle noted
that he and Duane Hagerty of Heritage Works could assist with tax credits. Both
Commissioners reiterated that the structure has architectural significance.
Staff members Happ Olson and Wernimont reviewed the process for considering the
application at hand. Commissioner Klavitter said he would be voting no, based on the
significance of the structure as a contributing structure in the historic district and
because there are reversible features that could be restored.
Motion by Klavitter, seconded by Daykin Cassill, to approve the application based on
the property not having architectural or historical significance. Motion carried by the
following vote: Aye — none; Nay — Daykin Cassill, Klavitter, Stuter, Rapp, Reber and
Doyle.
Housing and Community Development Director Alexis Steger noted that she would like
to verify that they received an offer from Mr. McAndrews through Brian Kane with
regards to rehabilitating the property, received with earnest money. She said they need
to do their due diligence. She said that they are looking at their timeframe for work. She
said they have not received a plan with regards to rehabilitation, specifically with no
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November 19, 2020 Page 4
timeline. She expressed concern about the impact of winter on the structure, as well as
Mr. McAndrew's history of taking on projects and not completing them in a satisfactory
time period. She said that they are willing to work with Mr. McAndrews and still proceed
with permission for demolition of the building. She stressed that the City would not
move ahead without that timeline and plan in place.
Mr. McAndrews stressed that he would follow up with the Housing & Community
Development Department next week to determine what the requirements would be for
that plan and timeline.
Staff Member Happ Olson referred to the sections of the code for the Criteria for
application by State and Political Subdivision of State and referred to the applicant's
answers to that section of the code, included in the packet.
Commission Klavitter noted that they have interested buyer in the property, which
makes the structure economically viable.
Commissioner Reber noted that the onset of winter could have a negative impact on the
structure, expressing the need for someone to step forward with a plan and capital in
order to take on the rehabilitation.
Staff Member Wernimont restated that the Housing & Community Development
Department would like to both explore the possibility of working with Mr. McAndrews
toward rehabilitation but continuing with a request for demolition, so that if rehabilitation
is not a viable path, there are options for the structure as winter approaches. Housing &
Community Development Director Steger confirmed the statement.
Commissioner Daykin Cassill expressed support of working with Mr. McAndrews.
Housing & Community Development Director Steger again stressed the desire for the
item not to be tabled, and for the Commission to make a decision tonight.
Chairperson Doyle stated that having an option for rehabilitation does make the
structure economically viable. David Klavitter noted he would be voting no on the
application for the same reason.
Motion by Doyle, seconded by Klavitter, to approve the demolition permit application
based on the criteria for political subdivision of state. Motion carried by the following
vote: Aye — Reber; Nay — Daykin Cassill, Klavitter, Stuter, Rapp and Doyle.
ITEMS FROM PUBLIC: none.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION: none.
ITEMS FROM STAFF: none.
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November 19, 2020 Page 5
ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Doyle, seconded by Rapp to adjourn the November 19,
2020 Commission meeting. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye — Daykin Cassill,
Klavitter, McAndrews, Stuter, Rapp, Reber, and Doyle; Nay— none.
The meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Wally Wernimont, Planning Services Manager Adopted