Minutes Hist Pres Comm 10 21 04MINUTES
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
Thursday, October 21, 2004 0, FT
5:00 p.m. .
Auditorium, Carnegie Stout Library .
360W.11th Street, Dubuque, Iowa
PRESENT:
Chairperson Dave Stuart, Commission Members Chris Olson (via
conference call), Chris Wand, Jim Gibbs and Terry Mozena; Staff
Member Wally Wernimont.
ABSENT:
Commission Members John Whalen, Mary Loney Bichell and Mike Coty.
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 Stuart at 5:25 p.m.
MINUTES: Motion by Mozena, seconded by Olson, to approve the minutes of the
September 16, 2004 meeting as submitted. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye-
Wand, Gibbs, Mozena, Olson and Stuart; Nay - None.
DESIGN REVIEW: Application of William & Ginger Morrison for a Certificate of
Appropriateness! Historic Preservation Revolving Loan Fund to install a new retaining
wall for property located at 1175 Langworthy Street in the Langworthy Historic
Preservation District.
Ginger Morrison presented the application to the Commission. She noted that there is
an existing two-tier limestone retaining wall that is deteriorated. She indicated the new
limestone wall will run the length of the property. She noted that there are existing
concrete steps that will be removed and new limestone steps will be installed. She
indicated that the existing handrail will be refurbished and reinstalled on the new stairs.
Staff Member Wernimont presented the staff report. He noted that the Building
Services Department indicated that the steps and handrail will require a building permit
for the work. He also noted that the Historic Preservation Revolving Loan Fund
Committee reviewed the application and has recommended that the project be funded.
The Commission noted that the applicant should request a more detailed bid that
specifies how the retaining wall will be backfilled and anchored into the hill. The
Commission noted that the limestone should match the home and other limestone
retaining wall in the neighborhood. The applicant noted that the retaining wall will be
either Dubuque or Anamosa limestone and consist of 13" by 13" by 2' limestone block.
Motion by Wand, seconded by Mozena, to approve the application as submitted and a
$11,130 Revolving Loan Fund with the condition that the stone be in keeping with the
Minutes - Historic Preservation Commission
October 21, 2004
Page 2 of 4
style of the home and neighborhood and to work with the contractor to verify backfill of
the retaining wall. Motion was approved by the following vote: Aye -Mozena, Olson,
Wand, Gibbs and Stuart; Nay - None.
DESIGN REVIEW: Application of the City of Dubuque for a Demolition Permit to allow
demolition of Adams Company industrial building to allow development in support of the
Port of Dubuque Master Plan for property located at 100 E. 4th Street in the Port of
Dubuque Planned Unit Development.
Economic Development Director Bill Baum presented the application to the
Commission. Mr. Baum noted that the City has been working with the Adams Company
for relocation of the business out of the Port of Dubuque. He indicated the City has
applied and received approval for a $2 million dollar economic grant for the relocation
and demolition of facility. He noted that the State Historic Preservation Office has
indicated that demolition of the building will have no adverse affect on historic
properties. He indicated that the Architectural Survey noted that the building was not
architecturally or historically significant. He noted that the Dubuque County Historical
Society Executive Director Jerry Enzler has expressed interest in the possible re-use of
the building for a museum expansion.
The Commission discussed the letter from the State Historic Preservation Office and
noted that it indicated the building has no significance. Commissioner Mozena
indicated that further investigation of the site should be looked into after removal of the
metal skin from the building. Commissioner Olson noted that in reviewing the letter, it
documented that the State Historic Preservation Office finds that changes to the
building are irreversible, and that a majority of the former factory has been removed.
She noted that is the reason why the State Historic Preservation Office probably made
their conclusions. The Commission discussed that the City should work with the
Dubuque County Historical Society on the possible re-use of this structure.
Staff Member Wernimont presented the staff report. He noted that if the Commission
finds that the building is not of architectural or historical significance, that the Historic
Preservation Commission should provide a recommendation to the City Council for
approval of the demolition permit.
Motion by Wand, seconded by Mozena, to recommend the City Council approve the
demolition permit based on the State Historic Preservation Office's determination of no
historic properties affected and to work with the National Mississippi River Museum for
possible re-use of the structure. They also noted that if demolition were to take place,
that architecturally and historically significant materials should be salvaged, if possible.
Motion was approved by the following vote: Aye -Mozena, Olson, Wand, Gibbs and
Stuart; Nay - None.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION:
Minutes - Historic Preservation Commission
October 21, 2004
Page 3 of 4
Restore-O-Rama Restoration Workshop: Staff Member Wernimont referred to a memo
that was included in the packets regarding the Restore-O-Rama Workshop. He indicated
that the City has been solicited by the National Trust for Historic Preservation about the
possibility of holding a Restore-O-Rama Workshop in the city of Dubuque. He indicated
that City Planning staff would like to receive the support of the Historic Preservation
Commission and to set a date for the Restore-O-Rama Restoration Workshop. He
indicated that Planning staff has contacted the Convention and Visitors Bureau and noted
that the dates during Dubuque Fest from May 20-22nd seemed advisable.
Chairperson Stuart noted that the Old House Enthusiasts hold their walking tours of their
historic buildings on May 21st and 22nd. The Commission decided that May 20-22 would
work the best, and would also provide additional incentives for attendees to attend the
workshop because of other activities going on as well.
The Commission also discussed an alternative date as May 13-14.
Motion by Wand, seconded by Olson, to prepare a plan for the Restore-O-Rama
conference with May 20-22nd as the dates for the workshop and May 13-14 as alternate
dates. Motion was approved by the following vote: Aye -Mozena, Olson, Wand, Gibbs
and Stuart; Nay - None.
Historic District Entry Sians: Staff Member Wernimont referred to a letter from
Commissioner Mike Coty regarding different historic district entry sign designs. The
Commission reviewed the letter and the sign designs and noted that most of the detail was
involved with the pole structure. The Commission discussed investigating different pole
structures that could hold the signs. Chairperson Stuart noted that the Downtown
Neighborhood Council agreed on the use of the Ryan House for the logo for Jackson Park.
The Commission also discussed the use of the West 11th Street arch for the West 11th
Street Historic District, the use ofthe Octagon House for the Langworthy District, the use of
a street light for the Old Main District, and the use of the Cathedral for the Cathedral
District.
The Commission noted that there should be an ornamental sign pole and bracket. They
asked City Planning staff to work with Gary Olsen on redesigning the signs and the
investigating options for the ornamental bracket, and to resubmit these back to the
Commission for review and approval.
154 Alpine Street: Staff Member Wernimont noted that Ruth Chevalier, owner of 154
Alpine, would like to receive funding from the Historic Preservation Homeowner Grant for
the front porch that was approved at the September 16th Historic Preservation Commission
meeting. Staff Member Wemimont noted that the front porch has been constructed
already. Commissioners requested a photograph of the site. Staff Member Wernimont
presented photographs of the front porch to the Commission.
. .
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October 21, 2004
Page 4 of 4
Commissioners reviewed the style of the front porch and compared it to what was
approved at the September 16 meeting as described in the minutes. The Commissioners
noted that the pitch of the roof should be similar to the pitch of the existing house.
Staff Member Wernimont emphasized that the owner may have felt the pitch of the roof of
the front porch is similar to the pitch of the roof on the house because both are gables.
Commissioners asked staff to review the tape recording of the September 16th meeting to
see exactly what was discussed regarding the pitch of the roof.
Commissioner Gibbs noted that the front porch posts should be recessed inside at least
12-inches and that a fascia board should be placed underneath the overhang in order to
keep it more in style for a historically appropriate porch. He noted that a front porch should
not be placed on the house at this location. Staff Member Wernimont noted that when you
review the minutes that there was not much detail provided with the motion. He noted that
the applicant was only requesting approval for a deck, so no drawing plans were submitted
for the roof overhang structure.
The Commission discussed checking with the Building Service Department and to follow-
up with the Building Services Department on enforcement if the front porch does not meet
the Certificate of Appropriateness.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Wally Wernimont, Assistant Planner
Adopted
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