Minutes Historic Pres. Comm. 7 7 05
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WORK SESSION
Thursday, July 7,2005
4:00 p.m.
Auditorium, Carnegie Stout Library
360 W. 11th Street, Dubuque, Iowa
MINUTES
PRESENT:
Chairperson Dave Stuart; Commission Members Mirdza Berzins and Chris
Olson; Staff Members Wally Wernimont and Laura Carstens, Planning Services
Department; Staff Members Bob Schiesl, Greg Doeden and Jon Dienst,
Engineering Department.
Commission Members John Whalen, Terry Mozena, Mike Coty, Mary Loney-
Bichell, Chris Wand and Jim Gibbs.
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 4: 1 0 p.m. without a
quorum being present.
WORK SESSION ON DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR HISTORIC DISTRICT:
Review Streetscape/Landscape Design Guidelines & Accessibility of Brick Sidewalks
Introductions were made. A brief overview of Historic Preservation Commission membership
was provided by Commissioners and Planning Services staff. Engineering staff reviewed their
responsibilities.
Chairperson Stuart reviewed the process used to develop Streetscape/Landscape Guidelines
and Architectural Guidelines for Historic Districts. Chairperson Stuart reviewed the
Streetscape/Landscape Guidelines using a PowerPoint presentation. He discussed what is
recommended and what is not recommended for: Setting and Site; Driveways, Parking,
Paving - Residential; Drives, Parking lots, Paving - Commercial; Sidewalks, Walkways and
Curbs.
There was discussion of sidewalk width and pavers that meet ADA (Americans with
Disabilities Act) standards now, and proposed ADA standards to no longer allow brick pavers.
Mr. Stuart reviewed highlights of his research on accessibility of brick sidewalks, and
discussed the lack of complaints at the Grand Opera House's brick paver sidewalk/plaza area.
Staff Member Bob Schiesl indicated that the future ADA regulations seem to go against brick
pavers. Chairperson Stuart argued that the proposals provide a performance standard for, not
prohibition of brick pavers.
Minutes - Historic Preservation Commission
July 7, 2005
Page 2
Chairperson Stuart reviewed what types of sidewalk and curb treatments are and are not
recommended. He then reviewed what is recommended and what is not recommended for:
Grade Changes and Retaining walls; Fences and Gates; Amenities - Residential and
Commercial; Signs and Graphics; and Street Ughting.
Chairperson Stuart asked Engineering staff to let neighborhoods know in advance of street
projects so they have an opportunity to apply for City grants and other funds to add historically
appropriate elements. Commissioner Olson explained the lead time that neighborhood groups
need to be involved in the planning of public works projects.
Chairperson Stuart reviewed timing issues his neighborhood group encountered with
replacement of stoplights.
Commissioners and Engineering staff discussed how to establish a dialogue with
neighborhood associations about upcoming public works projects during the planning/design
stage. Also discussed was the timing of the design and bid phases and grant program
deadlines, such as DRA and CDBG Large Neighborhood Grants. Discussion of Davis-Bacon
wage rates and concurrent City and neighborhood projects with separate funds, such as
replacement handrail (City) and landscaping (neighborhood associations).
Staff Member Wally Wernimont brought up coordinating with private utilities like Aquila for
street and sidewalk replacement in historic districts to insure design guidelines are used.
Discussion followed regarding what types of repairs must be made if original and/or historical
materials are present.
Commissioners and staff discussed how the Commission can assist Engineering staff with
input on project design and new specs for historic districts, such as repairs to brick pavers in
streets and sidewalks. Chairperson Stuart noted the positive changes he is seeing from
Engineering staff in accommodating historic features of historic districts.
Chairperson Stuart noted that with the amount of information he had collected regarding
accessibility of brick sidewalks, and because not all Historic Preservation Commission
members or Engineering staff were able to attend the work session, he would like to resume
this discussion at the August Historic Preservation Commission meeting.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager
Adopted