Minutes Historic Pres 7 19 03MINUTES
flleST01 lC (,0 I014
REGULAR SESSION
Thursday, June 19, 2003
5:00 p.m.
Auditorium, Carnegie Stout Library
360 W. 11th Street, Dubuque, iowa
PRESENT:
Chairperson Chris Wand; Commission Members John Whalen, Jim
Gibbs, Terry Mozena, Mary Loney Bichell, and Mike Coty; Staff Members
Laura Carstens and Watly Wernimont; Building Services Manager Rich
Russell.
ABSENT: None.
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Wand at 5:02 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.
REVIEW OF MINUTES: Motion by Mozena, seconded Whalen, to approve the minutes of
the May 15, 2003 Historic Preservation Commission meeting as submitted. Motion was
approved by the following vote: Aye - Whalen, Gibbs, Mozena, Loney Bichell, and Wand;
Nay - None. Abstain: Coty.
DESIGN REVIEW: Application of Mark and Rhonda Wemimont for a Certificate of
Appropriateness and Historic Preservation Homeowner Grant to replace wood siding on
front, install wood windows and paint entire structure at 1059 Spruce Street located in the
West 11t~ Street Historic Preservation District.
Mark Wernimont reviewed his application and the condition of the home. The project
includes historically appropriate windows and siding on the west (front) side of home. The
completion time may be longer due to family health problems. He indicated that work
would be done by himself and his family and friends.
Staff Member Wemimont reviewed the project components and grant application outlined
in the staff report. He noted all grant requirements were met and the grant review
committee recommends that the Historic Preservation Commission approve the grant
application.
Commissioners discussed the request, Mark Wemimont indicated that his preference is to
use salvaged materials where possible on the structure. He indicated that one side of the
house is completed with salvaged siding. He noted that he has many years of experience
in stripping and finishing wood products,
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June 19, 2003
Page 2 of 9
Commissioner Mozena suggested that Mr. Wernimont contact staff to review the design
guidelines in relationship to the historic color scheme. Mr. Weroimont indicated he would
do so.
Motion by Wand, seconded by Mozena, to approve the application as submitted and a
$5,000 Historic Preservation Homeowner Grant with the condition that an historic color
scheme be explored. Motion was approved by the following vote: Aye - Whalen, Gibbs,
Mozena, Loney Bichetl, Coty and Wand; Nay - None.
DESIGN REVIEW: Application of Anne Murphy for a Certificate of Appropriateness and a
Historic Preservation Homeowner Grant to repair and restore the front and rear pomhes at
116 Alpine Street located in the Langworthy Historic Preservation District.
Anne Murphy presented her application to the Board. She reviewed the proposal
indicating deterioration of the front and rear porches, and the fact that squirrels and bats
have been entedng the home through the roEed porches. She indicated that she is
applying for funding to help repair these areas.
Staff Member Wemimont reviewed the staff report, project components and grant
application. He indicated that the grant review committee recommends that the Historic
Preservation Commission approve the grant application. There was no Commission
discussion.
Motion by Whalen, seconded by Wand, to approve the application as submitted and to
approve a $5,000 Historic Preservation Homeowner Grant as requested. Motion was
approved by the following vote: Aye - Whalen, Gibbs, Mozena, Loney Bichell Coty and
Wand; Nay - None.
DESIGN REVIEW: Application of the Downtown Neighborhood Council/Doug
Stillings/Dave Stewart for the Historic District Public Improvement Program to install trash
receptacles, planters and benches in Jackson Park and in public right-of-way located in
the Jackson Park Historic Preservation District.
Dave Stewart presented the proposal and the reasons for the project components. He
indicated the trash receptacles would be used to reduce liEer and improve the overall
appearance of the downtown neighborhood. He reviewed the individual project
components and the existing conditions. He explained the rationale for a variety of
planters being proposed to reflect the distinct architectural features within the district. He
proposed that the planters be under the ownership of the City's Leisure Services
Department, with abutting property owners' written agreement to maintain planters in the
public ~ht-of-way. He also mentioned structural supports for planters and street trees.
Staff Member Wemimont reviewed the staff report and the application. He noted the
Operations and Maintenance Department's agreement for the trash receptacles approved
at the May Historic Preservation Commission meeting. He distributed comments from the
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June 19, 2003
Page 3 of, 9
City's Engineering Department and recommended Historic Preservation Commission
approval be contingent on addressing issues raised by the City Engineering Department.
He noted the thoroughness of the application.
The Commissioners directed questions and comments on the application to Mr. Stewart.
The Commission clarified that street trees are eligible projects for the Historic District
Public Improvement Program. The Commission also discussed that two trash receptacles
are located outside the historic district and those are not eligible to receive the funding.
Mr. Stewart indicated that they have enough money to purchase the trash receptacles and
those receptacles will be relocated and installed in the Jackson Park Historic District
boundaries. Mr. Stewart clarified that all the trash receptacles are covered with a dome lid
to keep out rain. Mr. Stewart discussed consolidating all the orders of the planters with the
City to receive a cost savings. He clarified that the planters are not two-piece planters like
the ones on Bluff Street. He noted that they will be anchored to a concrete pad.
The Commission then discussed the transferring of ownership to the Leisure Services
Department in Coordination with the City Engineer for the City Manager's approval.
Motion by Wand, seconded by Mozena, to approve the grant request as submitted by the
Downtown Neighborhood Council with the conditions that: (1) they work with the City
Engineering Department to resolve issues described in the June 17t~ memo, (2) local
match to be obtained within six months, and (3) the Historic Preservation Commission to
be given authority to authorize an additional six months, if needed. Motion was approved
by the following vote: Aye, Whalen, Gibbs, Mozena, Loney Bichell, Coty and Wand; Nay
- None.
DESIGN REVIEW: Application of the Downtown Neighborhood Council/Doug
Stillings/Dave Stewart for the Historic District Public Improvement Program to install brick
paver sidewalks in the public right-of-way at 1105, 1470, 1472 and 1492 Locust Street
located in the Jackson Park Historic Preservation District.
Dave Stewart reviewed the project components and the lack of City standards and
specifications for the installation of brick sidewalks. He reviewed that historically, patterns
of sidewalks varied from property to property. He discussed the standards that were
created by the Downtown Neighborhood Council and noted the history of the brick
sidewalks. He indicated that the four properties mentioned at 1105, 1470, 1472 and 1492
Locust Street would be used as test cases. He noted that the majority of the property
owners in the district wanted to observe the maintenance of the sidewalks prior to
committing to purchasing brick sidewalks for their own properties. Mr. Stewart discussed
the various sidewalks located throughout the district and indicated that at his property,
there is a rather large wide sidewalk that they would like to reduce to four feet wide in
order to increase the green space area. He noted that several properties do not need that
wide of a sidewalk anymore because of Central High School being demolished and
removed. He went on to indicate that historically, sidewalks were not as wide as four feet
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June 19, 2003
Page 4 of 9
in some cases. He indicated that he is well aware the sidewalk will need to be in
accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act standards. He noted that the City
Engineering Department does not have written standards for sidewalk width beyond the
four-foot minimum width.
Staff Member Carstens presented the staff report. She noted that this would be a pilot
project for the Downtown Neighborhood Council. She noted that the brick sidewalks will
need to have a standard established and there will be a meeting with the City Engineering
Department to address this. She noted that the proposed widths of the sidewalks are in
compliance with the Streetscape and Landscape Design Guidelines and noted that a
minimum three-foot planting lawn is required for street trees to be installed. She also
noted that the City is promoting wider widths of four to five feet for planting lawns to
accommodate more species of street trees. She referred to a photo of the brick sidewalks
located in the Streetscape and Landscape Design Guidelines, and noted that the
Herringbone pattern is the most common type of style.
Dave Stewart noted that throughout the district, there will be possibly a vadety of different
sidewalks. He indicated that the homeowner is still responsible to pay for the cost of the
Portland cement sidewalks and that the grant will only match 75% of the improved costs
beyond that initial cost.
The Commission discussed the amount of voluntary hours that would be used in the
project. Mr. Stewart indicated that the majodty of the volunteer hours were used for
developing standards in order to present a application to a contractor to receive a bid for
the cost.
Commissioner Whalen indicated that Iowa City currently has brick sidewalks located
throughout their city, and possibly contacting them for their standards. The Commission
discussed the cost breakdown of the bricks, cuts, edging, etc. for the sidewalks.
Chairperson Wand indicated that he was concerned with the limited number of properties
that would be installing sidewalks at the time. Mr. Stewart noted that the property owners
were notified of the possibility of installing sidewalks and that the majority of them
indicated that they would like to see the maintenance prior to absorbing the cost.
Chairperson Wand noted that in the future, there may not be any additional funding
available with the HDPIP application to help install sidewalks for the other property
owners. The Commission discussed that they are approving this application as a pilot
project by consensus.
Motion by Whalen, seconded by Wand to recommend the City Council approve the pro~ect
and the use of narrower sidewalks in the Jackson Park Historic District based on
accordance with the Design Review Guidelines, with the conditions that: (1) they resolve
City Engineering issues, (2) local match be obtained within six months, and (3) the Histodc
Preservation Commission be given authority to authorize an additional six month
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June 19, 2003
Page 5 of 9
extension, if needed. Motion was approved by the following vote: Aye - Whalen, Gibbs,
Mozena, Loney Bichell, Coty and Wand; Nay - None.
DESIGN REVIEW/HISTORIC DISTRICT PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.',
Application of Historic Bluffs Neighborhood AssociationlCarleen Schroeder/Dave Cox
for Historic District Public improvement Program to install historic street lighting for
property located in Public Right-of-Way on Loras Boulevard from Bluff Street to Prairie
Street located in the W. 11th Street Historic Preservation District.
Treasurer David Cox and President Carlene Schroeder of the Historic Bluffs
Neighborhood Association, and Jerry Anderson, Anderson Design & Consulting, were
present. Mr. Cox presented the history of the pro.iect design and the HDPIP
application. Mr. Cox noted that the high level of neighborhood support and the City's
investment in the area. He noted the different light standard from their original
proposal last tall. He said that the neighborhood association prepared this design due
to greater lighting level and costs. He noted that with the taller lights, they could
reduce the number of lights and have a savings per block.
Staff Member Wernimont reviewed the staff report. He noted that the new light
standard was suggested by the City Engineering Department. He added that the
project architect has worked with Alliant Energy and City Engineering Department. He
noted that this is the initial phase of the more extensive lighting project for the
neighborhood. He recommended that the approval be contingent on coordination with
the City Engineering Department because the project must be bid out as a public
project similar to the Cable Car Square Historic Lighting Project.
Commissioners discussed the base and style of the pole and luminaries. Mr. Anderson
discussed the lighting advantages of these poles and their similarity to the City poles
on Main Street. He noted the number of lights. Commissioners discussed the inclusion
of lanyards on the pole to hold flags.
Motion by Wand, seconded by Whalen, to recommend City Council approve the
application as submitted with the conditions that: (1) the design and location be
coordinated with the City Engineering Department, (2) the local match be obtained
within six months, and (3) the Historic Preservation Commission be given authority to
authorize an additional six months, if needed. Motion was approved by the following
vote: Aye - Whalen, Gibbs, Mozena, Loney Bichell, Coty and Wand; Nay - None
DESIGN REVIEW: Application of the Langworthy Neighborhood Association for the
Historic District Public Improvement Program to install planters in the public right-of-
way in the Langworthy Historic District.
Dave Kessler, President of the Langworthy Neighborhood Association presented the
application for 80 planters. He reviewed their installation and style. Commissioners
discussed the need to anchor the planters to discourage vandalism and theft. Mr.
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June 19, 2003
Page 6 of 9
Kessler agreed to look into this. Commissioners discussed the extent the planters are
distributed and issues raised by the City Engineering Department.
Staff Member Wemimont reviewed the staff report and the project. Staff Member
Carstens noted they are confident the City Engineering issues can be resolved.
Motion by Wand, seconded by Whalen, to recommend the City Council approve the
application to install planters in the public right-of-way, pending resolution of the City
Engineering issues, exploring options of anchoring the planters, and with local match to
be obtained within six months and the Historic Preservation Commission to be given
authority to authorize an additional six months, if needed. Motion was approved by the
following vote: Aye- Whalen, Gibbs, Mozena~ Loney Bichell, Coty and Wand; Nay-
None.
DESIGN REVIEW: Application of the City of Dubuque for the Historic District Public
Improvement Program to install historic district entry s~gns in the public right-of-way
throughout the city's five histodc districts.
Staff Member Carstens reviewed the proposal, which was initiated by the Historic
Preservation Commission last year. She noted that the City Council authorized graphic
design services for these signs to be provided by the budget for the Wayfinding Sign
Program. She added that the cost of production and installation would be funded by
HDPIP, noting its linkage to the Wayfinding Sign Project.
The Commission discussed the rounded top, the use of a simple icon and the
characteristic style (less cartoony) and the use of a font that is old fashioned. The
Commission discussed the possibility of using artwork from some of the previous
architectural surveys that are included in the documents. The Commission discussed
that the icon needs to help symbolize the old history of Dubuque. They discussed the
possibility of a fleur de lis style or design of a generic window that is seen in most
historic districts. They discussed the use of muted colors that would be historically
appropriate, such as brick red or limestone and potentially on the same poles as the
street names.
Motion by Wand, seconded by Mozena, to recommend the City Council approve the
application in the amount of $19,500 for the Historic District Entry Signs, subject to
Histodc Preservation Commission review of the designs. Motion was approved by the
following vote: Aye - Whalen, Gibbs, Mozena, Loney Bichell, Coty and Wand; Nay -
None.
The Commission also discussed that the remaining amount of the HDPIP fund'should
be set aside to help offset City Engineering expenses from the Historic District Public
Improvement Program applications that were recommended for approval.
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June 19, 2003
Page 7 of 9
Motion by Whalen, seconded by Wand, to allocate $4,345.77 to the City Engineering
Department, to offset expenses for the Historic District Public Improvement Program.
Motion was approved by the following vote: Aye - Whalen, Gibbs, Mozena, Loney
Bichell, Coty and Wand; Nay - None.
ITEMS FROM PUBLIC:
Phase I11 Final Report from Jim Jacobsen. The Commission received and filed the Phase
Ill Architectural Historic Survey Evaluation Report on Downtown Dubuque. Jim Jacobsen
reviewed the final report, noting differences from the draft report presented at the May
meeting. He called attention to the tables and lists documenting the buildings surveyed in
Phase III as well as the master survey map of the potential districts. Chairperson Wand
suggest staff prepare overlays of the master survey map, the 2020 District Plan of
Dubuque Main Street, Ltd., and the Downtown Master Plan to see how they correlate and
may need to be modified for district names, areas, etc. The Commission thanked Jim
Jacobsen for his report and congratulated him on receiving the contract for Phase IV, the
National Register Amendment and Registration Project.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION:
Warehouse Demolition District: The Commission discussed that theydid not have quorum
at the June 5, 2003 special session to discuss the proposed warehouse demolition distdct
with the property owners.
Motion by Mozena, seconded by Loney Bichell, to approve the minutes of the June 5~
special session as submitted. Motion was approved by the following vote: Aye - Gibbs,
Mozena, and Loney Bichell, Nay - None. Abstain: Whalen, Coty and Wand.
The Commission and staff discussed how they should proceed with the Warehouse
Demolition District nomination. The Commission discussed that they did not have too
many property owners attend the last meeting and they did not have a quorum, so they
would like to hold another session prior to sending a recommendation on to the City
Council. Commission consensus was to hold a work session at 7:30 p.m. at the next
meeting inviting properbj owners and their local representatives as well as representatives
from the Dubuque County Historical Society, Dubuque Main Street, Ltd., the Long Range
Planning Advisory Commission, the Center for Local History and John Gronen.
ITEMS FROM,STAFF:
Building Services Department Update on Enforcement. Building Services Manager Rich
Russell requested further direction on the Histodc Preservation Commission's expectations
with regard to enforcement.
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June 19, 2003
Page 8 of 9
Commissioners discussed that they would like to have an opportunity to discuss and have
dialogue with the Building Services staff since they enforce the Historic Preservation
Ordinance.
Rich Russell suggested that the Historic Preservation Commission generate a list at each
meeting for the Building Department to report on at the subsequent meeting. The
Commission agreed to do this.
Commissioners discussed their expectations for more viable progress in enfomement.
Rich Russell indicated that his philosophy is to work with the people rather than issue civil
citations. The Commission asked him to go to a civil citation after a specific pedod of time
rather than just letting the property owner drag it out. The Commission and Mr. Russell
agreed on asking the owner to give the Building Services Department a reasonable time
frame for correcting the violation and then using a civil citation when the deadline is
missed. The Commission discussed getting some basic deadlines for making progress.
For example, 90 days for getting a contractor, ordering materials, beginning the
improvements, and applying for funding. They also discussed that safety, security and
simple repairs would need a much shorter timeframe.
They had specific discussions about the properties at 1183 Highland Place, Silver Dollar
Cantina, 970 Olive Street, 1075 Melrose Terrace. 970 Grove Terrace and 637 Arlington
Street.
The consensus was to have Mr. Russell report monthly at the beginning of each Historic
Preservation Commission meeting. Mr. Russell agreed.
Report on Changes in Window and Door Sizes: Planning Services staff distributed
handouts on window and door replacement policy. Chairperson Wand noted that he met
with ~,~sociate Planner Pam Myhre, Building Services Manager Rich Russell, Planning
Services Manager Laura Carstens and Assistant Planner Wally Wernimont to discuss the
current building permit process for windows and doors. The meeting resulted in the
proposed handout. Chairperson Wand discussed that the meeting was requested due to
inappropriate window treatments for properties located on Main Street. Commissioners
thanked staff for the information, and then indicated their support for the policy and the
handout.
Fiscal Year 2005 CLG Grant Application: The Commission discussed the possibility of
getting Fenelon Place and the Broadway neighborhoods listed on the National Register of
Historic Places. They also discussed the possibility of using the funding for a Historic
Preservation Seminar. Commission consensus was to apply for both services.
Discussion of Vacancy Tax Proposal: The Commission discussed the information from
Corporation Counsel Barry Lindahl about the vacancy tax proposal.
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June 19, 2003
Page 9 of 9
Motion by Mozena, seconded by Wand. to ask Corporation Counsel Barry Lindahl to
explore ways that the City of Dubuque can accomplish the same goal without having to
change the Iowa Code (within the confines of the Iowa Code). Motion was approved by
the following vote: Aye- Whalen, Gibbs, Mozena, Loney Bichell, Coty and Wand; Nay -
None.
Membership: Chairperson Wand welcomed new Commission Members Michael Coty and
Chds Olson. The Commission thanked Jim Gibbs for his service on the Histodc
Preservation Commission.
Staff also discussed the possibility of enlarging the Commission to add two additional at-
large members due to the year-long vacancy of the Old Main representative. The
Commission directed staff to explore two additional at-large members with Corporation
Counsel Barry Lindahl.
Julien's Journal: Chairperson Wand asked the Commission for any ideas to be placed in
an article for the Julien's Journal. The Commission members gave several ideas of what
the article could be about.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Wally Wernimont, Assistant Planner
Adopted