Minutes Historic Pres Com 3 17 05
MINUTES
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REGULAR SESSION D' h r T
Thursday, March 17, 2005 '. , ~,' i~"..
5:00 p.m. .
Audijorium, Carnegie Stout Library ,. r
360 W. 11th Street, Dubuque, Iowa
PRESENT:
Chairperson David Stuart; Commission Members Chris Olson, Terry Mozena,
Mary Loney Bichell, and Mirdza Berzins. Staff Members Laura Carstens and
Wally Wernimont.
Commission Members John Whalen, Mike Coty, Jim Gibbs and Chris Wand.
ABSENT:
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 5:02 p.m.
MINUTES: Motion by Mozena, seconded by Loney Bichell, to approve the minutes of the
February 17, 2005 meeting as submitted. Motion was approved by the following vote: Aye-
Olson, Mozena, Loney Bichell, Berzins and Stuart; Nay - None.
DESIGN REVIEW: Application of Charles Peterson for a Certificate of Appropriateness to
demolish an outbuilding at 648 Chestnut Street located in the W. 11th Street Historic
Preservation District.
Charles Peterson presented his request to the Commission. He noted that he would like to
remove a dilapidated outbuilding located at the rear of his property along the alley. He noted
that the outbuilding is in poor condition and has no roof. He noted that he is proposing to
remove the structure and replace it with a paved parking pad. He indicated some work
would be done to the existing retaining wall due to the grade of the parking area.
The Commissioners discussed the request and noted that the structure is very deteriorated.
They also noted the structure has no architectural or historical significance.
Motion by Stuart, seconded by Berzins, to approve the demolition of the out building
because the structure has no historical or architectural significance. Motion was approved
by the following vote: Aye - Olson, Mozena, Loney Bichell, Berzins and Stuart; Nay - None.
DESIGN REVIEW: Application of Greg & Peggy Stover for a Certificate of Appropriateness
to build an attached garage/addition at 1145 Locust Street located in the Jackson Park
Historic Preservation District.
Greg Stover presented his application to the Commission. Mr. Stover noted the location and
size of the previous garage located on the property. He noted that he received Historic
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March 17,2005
Page 2
Preservation Commission approval to have it removed, and that at that time, he was not
proposing to place a garage back on the lot. He indicated that his lot is being used as a
walkway from Locust Street to Bluff Street. He indicated that he would like to wall-off the lot
to prevent people from cutting across his property. He indicated that he would like to build a
24' by 30' attached garage. He noted that the garage would have a poured concrete
foundation with framed walls and a hip roof. The structure will also have Marvin wood
windows installed and wood clapboard siding on the exterior. He indicated that copper
flashing will be used. He noted that at this time, he mayor may not put the turret from the
Odd Fellows Hall onto the garage. He noted that he will use salvage iron gates and fencing
that he purchased from Mid-American Salvage.
Clyde Overturf, 1105 Locust Street, spoke in opposition to the request. He referred to the
Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. Mr. Overturf felt that the proposed
attached garage/addition does not meet the Secretary of Interior's Standards for
Rehabilitation. Mr. Overturf presented photos of the site to the Commission. He referred to
sight visibility for vehicles pulling out of the proposed garage. He noted he does not use his
attached garage for vehicles due to the public safety issue.
Debbie Overturf spoke in opposition to the proposed two-story addition. She noted that the
proposed garage/addition would obscure the view of the rear fayade of the Queen Anne
. Structure at 1145 Locust Street.
Staff Member Wernimont presented the staff report. He noted additional information Mr.
Stover had brought to the meeting. He reported Mr. Stover was approved for a Certificate of
Appropriateness to remove a garage on the property. He then reviewed the proposal to
construct a new garage as discussed in the staff report. He then referenced the City's
design guidelines for new additions relative to size, scale, mass, and materials. He noted
the Building Code and requirements for a fire wall along the south property line. He also
noted that an application for a special exception for the setbacks will be considered by the
Zoning Board of Adjustment, and asked that any approval be contingent on Zoning Board of
Adjustment approval.
Mr. Stover noted that a portion of the structure will be bricked with bricks that were removed
from a north wall of the property in 1932. He acknowledged the Overturfs' concerns about
blocking the view of the rear of the structure. He said he wanted to screen his rear yard, and
that the previous garage blocked the rear view because it was 17 feet high, and that having
a garage is important to the value of the property. He noted that the Overturfs are using
recycled materials on their property just like he is proposing. He noted that the 2nd story
walkway connection is important to the use of the property which is zoned DC Office
Commercial. Mr. Stover said that parking in this space is difficult now with the existing
structures, including the Overturfs' garage. He said they back onto their parking pad now for
this reason. He noted that City Code allows construction of a six-foot high fence on the
property line. He indicated that he and his wife have a need for privacy. He also noted that
the proposed garage is similar to the new carriage house located at 1207 Grove Terrace, but
it is taller because his residence is taller than the residence at 1207 Grove Terrace. He said
he was not trying to create a false historic structure. He said the 2nd story walkway
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March 17, 2005
Page 3
connection between the gatekeeper's house and the proposed garage will be made of wood.
He noted the 2nd story walkway would facilitate connection of the office space. Mr. Stover
discussed that he and his wife aren't sure that the Odd Fellows Hall turret will work. He
reviewed the importance of the garage to the property value. He said he'd be happy to
provide more detailed plans. His inclination now is to leave off the turret.
Chairperson Stuart turned over the meeting to Vice Chairperson Chris Olson due to a
conflict of interest. Vice Chairperson Olson noted that being respectful of the existing
carriage house is important, and the proposed structure does not seem to do this. She
suggested a one and a half-story versus two story garage would be more appropriate. She
also said using recycled materials can be done if they are in keeping with the architecture.
For the turret, the scale should be smaller on the garage. She acknowledged the need for
privacy and thought creating a courtyard is a way to do that using visual barriers
appropriately. She noted that the size of the structure and 2nd story walkway are
overpowering. She felt that the safety issue is under the Zoning Board of Adjustment's
review.
Mr. Stover clarified that the existing structure is a gatekeeper's house, not a carriage house.
He noted that he looked into the feasibility of converting the gatekeepers house into a
carriage house.
Commissioner Mozena agreed with Vice-Chairperson Olson. He commended Mr. Stover on
all of his work on the property. He felt the walkway would rob the structure of its beauty and
the garage is overpowering. He encouraged Mr. Stover to find another way to get between
the structures.
Mr. Stover noted he has put a considerable amount of money into this property. He noted
that he has not completely followed his previously approved Certificate of Appropriateness
for his addition.
Commissioner Mozena noted that Mr. Stover should follow the previously approved
Certificate of Appropriateness. Commissioner Mozena noted that if he wanted to deviate
from what was approved, he needed to come back to the HPC to received approval for those
changes.
Motion by Mozena, seconded by Olson, to approve the application as submitted. Motion was
denied by the following vote: Aye - None; Nay - Olson, Mozena, Loney Bichell and Berzins;
Abstain - Stuart.
DESIGN REVIEW: Application of Downtown Neighborhood Council/Dave Stuart for a
Historic District Public Improvement Program (HDPIP) grant to install historic traffic lights
along Loras Boulevard, Bluff Street, Locust Street, Main Street and Iowa Street in the
Jackson Park Historic Preservation District.
Chairperson Stuart removed himself from the table to present the application as a
representative of the Downtown Neighborhood Council. Vice-Chairperson Olson presided;
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March 17, 2005
Page 4
Mr. Stuart explained that this application is very similar to the previous HDPIP grant for
historic traffic lights that the Commission reviewed at their February 17, 2005 meeting. He
noted that the City Council denied that proposed project. He indicated that he is asking for
$40,000 of the remaining HDPIP funds and that this be designated as a Historic
Preservation Commission pilot project due to its uniqueness. He noted that he has worked
with the City Engineering Department. He asked for flexibility in getting the $40,000 match
for the $80,000 project cost. He discussed the priority of replacing the street traffic lights as:
1) The intersection of Bluff Street and Loras Boulevard (1st priority)
2) The intersection of Locust Street and Loras Boulevard (2nd priority)
3) The intersection of Main Street and Loras Boulevard (3ro priority)
4) The intersection of Iowa and Loras Boulevard (4th priority)
He noted that the $40,000 HDPIP grant alone could fund two of the intersections.
Vice-Chairperson Olson said that the Historic Bluffs Neighborhood Association is in favor of
this project because it carries on their Loras Boulevard Lighting Project.
Commissioner Mozena asked about the precedent for no local match. Vice-Chairperson
Olson asked about the definition for a pilot project and precedence for this. Mr. Stuart
discussed limitations of the Downtown Neighborhood Council to raise the $40,000 match.
He noted that Loras Boulevard is a city asset, and the project crosses neighborhood
association boundaries.
The Commission discussed using the capital improvement program funds as a match. The
Commission discussed having the project as a pilot project, and have it come from the
Historic Preservation Commission as a pilot project, which requires no match.
Motion by Mozena, seconded by Loney Bichell, to table the application and bring it back for
consideration as a Historic Preservation Commission Pilot Project at the next meeting.
Motion was approved by the following vote: Aye - Olson, Mozena, Loney Bichell and
Berzins; Nay - None; Abstain - Stuart.
ITEMS FROM PUBLIC:
6th and 7th Streets and Washinaton Park Improvement Plans: City Engineer Gus Psihoyos and
Civil Engineer Bob Schiesl presented a proposed plan for 6th and 7th Streets and Washington
Park improvements. They noted that 6th and 7th Streets between Bluff and Locust Streets will be
reconstructed. They indicated that new sidewalks will be installed around the perimeter of the
park and through the interior of the park. They explained that new historical street lighting will
be placed throughout the park and stop lights will be installed at the intersection along Locust
Street. They explained that electrical pedestals will be placed in the park and a trench will be
placed underneath the sidewalk so cables for vendors will not be trip hazards. They explained
that paved pads will be placed where park benches will be installed. Mr. Psihoyos asked the
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March 17, 2005
Page 5
Commission if they could hold a special meeting in order to get the 6th and 7th Streets and
Washington Park Improvement Plans approved so they can go to City Council and out to bid.
The Commission agreed by consensus to hold a special meeting on Tuesday, March 22nd at
noon.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION:
Restore-O-Rama: Staff Member Carstens explained that the Iowa Historic Preservation Alliance
will hold a reception and membership drive on Friday, May 20th. She noted that the funds will
help establish an emergency fund that will be available to the City and County of Dubuque. She
noted that the Dubuque County Historical Society could be the holder of the emergency fund.
Four Mounds Foundation: Vice Chairperson Olson noted that in FY2007, the City has created a
capital improvement budget for the upkeep and maintenance of Four Mounds Foundation.
Aaendas: Commissioner Mozena discussed the possibility of having the Historic Preservation
Commission agenda emailed to people who request it. He noted that he receives the City
Council agenda via email.
ITEMS FROM STAFF:
Dozen Distinctive Desianations: Staff Member Wernimont noted that the City of Dubuque has
been selected as one of the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Dozen Distinctive
Destinations.
Street Sians: Staff Member Wernimont noted that renderings of the street signs were included
in the packet and that he still waiting for the redesign for the Langworthy Historic Preservation
District.
Community Development Block Grant Funds: The Commission reviewed several emails
regarding the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. The Commission noted that
a letter from the City Council has been sent to Senators Harkin and Grassley and Congressman
Nussle voicing the City's concerns and expressing our continued need for the CDBG funding.
The Commission discussed the importance of the CDBG program to historic preservation and
neighborhood revitalization. By consensus, the Commission agreed to send a letter to the City
Council applauding their efforts to retain the CDBG program, and also to thank the City Council
for funding the full-time planner for historic preservation.
Lanaworthv Vacancy: Commissioner Mozena noted that his term will expire in June and he will
not be reapplying. He noted that the Commission should direct staff to send out notices to
property owners in the Langworthy Historic District notifying them of the vacancy.
Motion by Mozena, seconded by Berzins, to direct staff to mail a notice to property owners in the
Langworthy Historic District that the Langworthy representative chair will be open effective July
1 st. Motion was approved by the following vote: Aye - Olson, Mozena, Loney Bichell, Berzins
and Stuart; Nay - None.
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March 17, 2005
Page 6
Enforcement Reports: The Commission discussed the current reports on enforcement. The
Commission discussed that they have not been receiving letters from Building Services
Manager Rich Russell regarding enforcement. The Commission discussed sending a letter to
the City Manager asking for a status report from Rich Russell to be submitted monthly.
Motion by Mozena, seconded by Olson, to ask the City Manager to direct auilding Services
Manager Rich Russell to submit a monthly enforcement status report to the Historic
Preservation Commission. Motion was approved by the following vote: Aye - Olson, Mozena,
Loney Bichell, Berzins and Stuart; Nay - None.
City Enoineerino Worksession: The Commission discussed the possibility of having a work
session with the Engineering Department regarding the design review guidelines.
Motion by Mozena, seconded by Olson, to ask the City Manager if the Historic Preservation
Commission can hold a work session with the City Engineering Department. Motion was
approved by the following vote: Aye - Olson, Mozena, Loney Bichell, Berzins and Stuart; Nay-
None.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 8:42 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Wally Wernimont, Assistant Planner
Adopted