Minutes Historic Pres 9 18 03
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MINUTES
REGULAR SESSION
Thursday, September 18, 2003
5:00 p.m.
Auditorium, Carnegie Stout Library
360 W. 11th Street, Dubuque, Iowa
DP FT
PRESENT:
ABSENT:
Chairperson Chds Wand; Commission Members Mike Coty, John Whalen and
Terry Mozena; Staff Members Laura Carstens and Wally Wemimont.
Commission Members Mary Loney Bichell and Christine OIson.
AFFIDAVIT OF COMPLIANCE: Staff presented an Affidavit of Compliance verifying the meeting
was being held in compliance with the Iowa Open Meetings Law.
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Wand at 5:03 p.m.
MINUTES: Motion by Whalen, seconded by Mozena, to approve the minutes of the August 21,
2003 meeting as submitted. Motion was approved by the following vote: Aye-Whalen, Mozena,
Coty and Wand; Nay - None.
BUILDING SERVICES REPORT ON ENFORCEMENT: Building Services Manager Rich Russell
reported on current enforcement issues.
1075 Melrose Terrace - Demolition by Neglect: Mr. Russell indicated that the property is
currently being cited for Demolition by Neglect because of some damage to the rafter tails of the
roof. He indicated he sent a letter to the property owner notifying him that he is in violation of
Demolition by Neglect. He noted that the properly owner has contacted him and has indicated
that they will be in the process of fixing the roof.
1163 Highland Place - Demolition by Neglect Mr. Russell indicted that he had spoken with the
property owner, who has brought a schedule of work to be completed on the front porch. He
indicated that the plan outlined that the repairs would be completed in early November. He also
noted that the property owner indicated that they may be selling the property.
342 Main Street - Demolition by Neglect: Mr. Russell indicated that he has spoken with the
property owner Steve Althoff. He indicated that Mr. Althoff has hired Jerry Anderson of Anderson
Design and Consulting, to develop a design for the building. He also indicated they were in the
process of discussing a deadline for the work to be completed.
643 Chestnut: Mr. Russell indicated that the property is currently in violation of a Certificate of
Appropriateness because of the front porch design. Chairperson Wand noted that at a previous
Histodc Preservation Commission meeting, the front porch was approved with the condition that it
be similar to the rear porch. They noted that the roof overhang on the rear porch has a curved hip
instead of the very simple straight hip roof that is found on the front porch.
1357 Main Street: Mr. Russell reported that the rear window on the rear addition has been
completely filled in with glass. The Commission discussed that the property owner was denied a
Minutes - Historic Preservation Commission
September 18, 2003
Page 2
Certificate of Appropriateness to reduce the size of the window. Mr. Russell noted that he has
not reduced the size of the window; however, they have filled in the entire opening size with glass.
The Commission discussed the past Historic Preservation approval of the project, and noted that
the window alteration occurred before the window policy was enacted. The Commission indicated
that they considered this case closed.
180 Main Street: Mr. Russell indicated that he sent a letter to John Finn, the property owner for
180 Main Street. He noted that the property is currently in violation of an approved Certificate of
Appropriateness because the windows are not what was approved in the submitted drawing.
Staff Member Wemimont indicated that Mr. Finn has contacted him and that he will be coming
before the Historic Preservation Commission for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the windows.
Corner of Alpine and Lan,qworthy: Mr. Russell indicated that he was notified by a Commissioner
about an alteration to a property at the corner of Alpine and Langworthy. He indicated that he will
investigate the property. The main concern was siding being replaced on the dormers of the
property.
DESIGN REVIEW: Application of Fred Bonnet/Main Street Hospitality for a Certificate of
Appropriateness/Fa(;ade Grant for property located at 210/214 W. 1 st Street to replace existing
storefronts.
Fred Bonnet reviewed his proposal for a storefront design to be composed of stone, wood facing
and windows with iron columns instead of a sliver of brick. Chris Wand, architect from Durrant
Architects, explained the rationale for the windows, door spacing and panels. He indicated that he
was contracted by Fred Bonnet to do the work. Mr. Bonnet noted the two different styles of
columns on 2101214 W. 1st Street.
The Commission and applicant discussed what type of window materials would be used and
where the stone would be located on the building. Mr. Bonnet provided a color photo of the
proposed color scheme for the building. He explained that the openings where the window air
conditioners were extended through the brick have been bricked over. He noted that the tenants
will have air conditioning units installed in the windows until such time as central air is installed.
He indicated that central air will be installed sometime in the future when the apartments are
remodeled. Mr. Bonnet indicated that the windows will be aluminum clad, and the stone will be
located where the concrete and building meet in order to help prevent decay and rot from salt.
Staff Member Wernimont reviewed the facade grant application requirements. He noted thatthe
applicant was approved to install dryvet on the west side of the building at a previous Historic
Preservation Commission meeting; however, the applicant took the initiative and installed brick
instead. The Commission thanked Mr. Bonnet for the use of brick instead of the dryvet.
Motion by Whalen, seconded lb~ Mozena to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness and
Fa(;ade Grant for 210/214 W. Street. Motion was approved by the fol ow ng vote: Aye -
Whalen, Mozena, Coty; Nay - None; Abstain - Wand.
DESIGN REVIEW: Application of Richard Hess for a Certificate of Appropriateness to side
house with vinyl siding and replace windows for property at 1267 Walnut Street located in the W.
11th Street Historic Preservation District.
Minutes - Historic Preservation Commission
September 18, 2003
Page 3
Richard Hess reviewed his proposal and the urgency for vinyl siding and replacing windows due
to deterioration and water~ damage. He indicated that he was not aware that the property was
located in an historic preservation district when he began work without a building permit.
Staff Member Wernimont reviewed the property history, including the 1996 Historic Preservation
Commission determination that Walnut Street property should remain in the Historic Preservation
District. He also indicted that the State Histodc Preservation Office concurred with their approval.
He reviewed the Kdviskey Survey evaluation of this property as being non-supportive. He
reviewed that the applicant began work on a weekend without obtaining a permit. He noted that
on the following Monday, when the applicant applied for a building permit, he was informed that
the property was located in a Historic Preservation District.
Mr. Hess explained that he had changed window sizes to save on energy costs and that is the
same reason for installing vinyl siding. He indicated that the windows were composed of two
aluminum storm windows - one on the exterior and one on the interior. He noted that underneath
the asphalt bdck siding, there is wood siding that is composed of both vertical and horizontal
boards. He indicated that his proposal is to install double five-inch sandstone colored vinyl siding.
Commissioner Mozena noted that he is generally against vinyl siding; however, if the vinyl siding
is approved by the Historic Preservation Commission, he will be open to using a smaller lap size
of three inches and keeping the odginal window size and porch overhang. Chairperson Wand
discussed the window sizes and advocated retaining the original window size. Commissioner
Coty agreed with Chairperson Wand and Commissioner Mozena. Commissioner Whalen
concurred with the discussion.
The Commission discussed that the applicant has already put up half of the vinyl siding without a
building permit, and if they approve this case, then it opens the opportunity for other property
owners to start work without obtaining a building permit. Commissioner Whalen noted that if the
applicant had followed the proper procedures, the owner and the Historic Preservation
Commission would have had a discussion pdor to the applicant taking on expense. Mr. Hess
acknowledged this point.
Commissioner Mozena advocated that the Commission needs to look at this case without
considering that the applicant has installed siding without permission, and view this as a clean
slate because the rules were not followed. Commissioner Coty stated his biggest concem was
with setting precedence. The Commission discussed the rationale for doing the work, appropriate
materials and following the process.
There was also discussion of the property on W. 3rd Street that recently removed asphalt brick
siding, restored the wood siding, and then won a Historic Preservation Award. The Commission
discussed that the property at 1267 Walnut Street is located in an area that was added to the
Histodc Preservation Distdct and several of the properties are already covered with synthetic
skins.
Motion by Mozena, seconded by Coty, to allow three-inch vinyl siding and two front windows to be
restored to original size, and restoration of porch overhang in compliance with the Secretary of
the Interior Guidelines, and the other windows can remain as modified. Motion was approved by
the following vote: Aye - Whaten, Mozena, Coty and Wand; Nay - None.
Minutes - Histodc Preservation Commission
September 18, 2003
Page 4
The Commission cladfied that this motion was based on the building's non-supportive rating, and
the owner's information that the siding is mixed vertically and horizontally. The Commission
discussed the possibility of using the Revolving Loan Fund to go back to the original wood. Mr.
Hess indicated that currently the wood siding underneath is of a larger lap than three-inch. The
Commission discussed whether to allow the five-inch vinyl siding, if that the size of the original
wood siding and not a secondary siding, especially on the front fa~de, then they will allow the
five-inch siding. (Note - see items from public)
ITEMS FROM PUBLIC:
561 Jefferson Street: Jeff Fitzgerald, property owner, described work on the property, and
requested the Commission's opinion on changing dormer windows from 49-inches by 52-inches,
with a large middle section, to two 24-inch windows. He indicated the windows would be wood on
the inside and clad on the outside. He indicated that he will have sketches next time for the
exterior staircase to be constructed in order to provide access to the third floor. Commissioners
Whalen and Mozena agreed to meet with the property owner on site.
1267 Walnut Street: Richard Hess addressed the Historic Preservation Commission again with
regard to his property at 1267 Walnut. He indicated that he just returned from the property and
the wood lap siding underneath is 4 3/8-inches. He indicated that the vinyl siding he is proposing
to install is 4 %-inches. The Commission discussed the request, and noted that Staff Member
Wernimont should investigate the property, and if it is indeed the correct width, that the applicant
will be okayed to use the five-inch double lap siding.
1598 Central Avenue: Terry Mozena discussed the deterioration of the catwalk on the property at
1598 Central He discussed removing the catwalk from the top of the metal stair landing to the
rear portion of the building where porches are located. He indicated that the stairs will remain and
they will be sandblasted and cleaned, and then a new landing will be installed for the side door
entrance. He indicated that currently the catwalk has been condemned by the Building Services
Department. He was bringing this to the attention of the Historic Preservation Commission as to
whether or not he would need to obtain a demolition permit. The Commission discussed that they
feel that although it is such a minor demolition, that it would still need to come before the Historic
Preservation Commission for the fact that they would want to review all minor demolitions. The
Commission discussed contacting the Building Services Department to have demolition permits
for fire escapes and railings come before the Commission.
970-972 Grove Terrace: John Whalen discussed that he has purchased the property at 970-972
Grove Terrace and described the history of the property. He indicated that he will be coming
before the Historic Preservation Commission to do major alterations to the building because it has
been altered several times over the past years.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION:
Histodc Preservation Commission Membership: The Commission discussed thatthe City Council
has approved the Commission to be expanded to add two additional at-large members. The
Commission discussed notifying owners, tenants, and residents of Fenelon Place and Broadway
neighborhoods and the Old Main Historic Preservation District of these vacancies.
Motion by Mozena, seconded by Wand, to direct staff to send a letter from the Commission to the
Old Main Historic District, Fenelon Place and Broadway neighborhood residents, property owners
Minutes - Historic Preservation Commission
September 18, 2003
Page 5
and tenants. Motion was approved by the following vote: Aye - Whalen, Mozena, Coty and
Wand; Nay - None.
Warehouse Demolition District: The Commission discussed that the City Council work session for
the Downtown Master Plan has been delayed and that the Commission was looking at having the
Warehouse Demolition Distdct go to the same City Council meeting. The Commission discussed
that they would like the Warehouse Demolition District to go to the City Council October 20th
meeting. They indicated that they would like to have staff send letters to property owners and
other people in support of the demolition district notifying them of the meeting date. They also
noted that in the information submitted to City Council that the Commission would ask that they
would have the opportunity to address the Council.
Four Mounds City Landmark Status: The Historic Preservation Commission discussed that the
City Council has set a public hearing to review the request for City Landmark Status for the Four
Mounds State Historic District at the November 17, 2003 meeting.
530 Wilbur Lane: The Commission discussed that the applicant received approval for a
conservatory on the rear of the property; however, that he has not come back to the Commission
to receive approval for the cladding materials on the exterior.
ITEMS FROM STAFF: Staff Member Carstens indicted that there was a call for nominations for
members to serve on the Board of the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions. The
Commission briefly discussed whom they should nominate from the Commission for the Board.
The Commission indicated that they would like more detail about the role and responsibility of the
NAPC Board members.
Staff Member Wemimont indicated that Jim Jacobsen would like to set up meetings with the
neighborhood associations to discuss the phase IV of the arohitectural/histodc survey and to
gather information from the properly owners about their properties. Commissioners were
supportive of this effort.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Wally Wernimont, Assistant Planner Adopted