Minutes Historic Pres. Comm. 10 6 05
MINUTES
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WORK SESSION DRAFT
Thursday, October 6, 2005
5:00 p.m. \
Auditorium, Carnegie Stout Library . I
360 W. 11th Street, Dubuque, Iowa . ,
PRESENT:
Chairperson David Stuart; Commission Members Dr. John Whalen,
Christine Olson, Mike Coty, Mary Loney-Bichell, Mirdza Berzins, Chris
Wand and Jim Gibbs; Staff Members Wally Wernimont, Laura Carstens,
Bob Schiesl and Jane Smith..
ABSENT:
None.
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Stuart at 5:00 p.m.
Chairperson Stuart explained that there are two main items to be handled at this meeting.
One is the accessibility of brick sidewalks and the other is the relocation of three structures
into the W. 11th Street Historic Preservation District.
AFFIDAVIT OF COMPLIANCE: Staff presented an Affidavit of Compliance verifying the
meeting was being held in compliance with the Iowa Open Meetings Law.
WORK SESSION ON DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR HISTORIC DISTRICTS:
Review Streetscape/Landscape Desian Guidelines & Accessibility of Brick Sidewalks
Chairperson Stuart reviewed the information he had provided at the July ih Historic
Preservation Commission work session regarding accessibility of brick sidewalks. He
referenced the Downtown Neighborhood Council's construction standards meets all
ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and ADAAG (Americans with Disabilities Act
Accessibility Guidelines) and FHWA (Federal Highway Administration) standards. He
noted the University of Pittsburgh study and experience in Boston. He noted City
projects with brick and textured sidewalks have been tested for vibration and have
passed. He advocated greater precision in terminology, since all pavers are not brick.
Commissioner Olson discussed that masonry units are less impervious than concrete.
She said the issue is the performance and installation of the materials. She felt with
proper materials and proper installation for brick/masonry units, they can meet ADA
standards.
Commissioners discussed issues of permeability, water drainage, ice, pooling of water
and ways to address these.
Commissioner Loney-Bichell noted imprecise discussion in the citizen's letter. She
noted the letter does not state where this person had difficulty. She noted her
experience has been that the stamped texture of the Riverwalk has been more of an
issue than brick sidewalks in historic districts.
Minutes - Historic Preservation Commission Work Session
October 6,2005
Page 2
Commissioner Olson noted higher upfront costs to install brick sidewalks versus broom
finish concrete. She noted the long-term maintenance costs are lower.
Chairperson Stuart asked for staff input. Staff Member Schiesl expressed Engineering
staff's concerns regarding regulationslrequirements of various agencies that the City
works with that may mean brick sidewalks can't meet these standards in the future.
Chairperson Stuart noted that the proposed ADAAG provisions being considered won't
negate the brick sidewalks. Commissioner Wand noted that while ADA is a law and
changes to comply apply to everything existing and new, new ADAAG provisions may
be made effective for new improvements only.
Staff Member Carstens said the Planning Services Department seeks to maintain and
enhance character and sense of place of historic district, with brick sidewalks being one
way to do that, but does not want to set up the City, Historic Preservation Commission
or property owner for having to remove bricks to comply with new Federal standards.
She noted input from SHPO (State Historic Preservation Office) and balancing that with
the Human Rights Department addressing concerns of persons with disabilities. She
said the City Manager is looking for the Historic Preservation Commission's input before
making a recommendation to the City Council.
Chairperson Stuart discussed that brick sidewalks meet current ADA standards, that
brick paver industry reps indicate brick pavers will not be outlawed, and that even if a
new ADA vibration standard is adopted, brick sidewalks will meet the standards. He
referenced results of the University of Pittsburg study.
Staff Member Schiesl noted issues beyond the citizen's letter were raised after
Engineering and Legal staff attended ADA workshops. He noted alternates of colored
stamped parkways instead of brick sidewalks.
Commissioner Whalen discussed having standards for installation, inspection and
maintenance of brick sidewalks.
Commissioner Olson said the accessibility of brick sidewalks is an educational
opportunity to address perceptions.
Staff Member Schiesl reiterated staff's concern with laws that may be retroactive with
respect to brick sidewalks.
Commissioner Coty suggested that the HPC focus on what is known and what question
needs to be answered to provide a recommendation for the City Manager. He noted
the extensive research Chairperson Stuart has done. He then posed questions on the
timeframe for ADAAG's proposed guidelines. He felt HPC could be proactive in offering
recommendations to the City Council.
Minutes - Historic Preservation Commission Work Session
October 6,2005
Page 3
Commissioner Wand felt we need to ask the City to adopt standards that meet ADA
standards for the walking surface of a sidewalk regardless of whether it is broom-finish,
pavers, or textured surface. He felt new guidelines will not be any more restrictive than
proposed. He felt that the City should not prohibit pavers. He noted that joints in
broom-finish are worse than brick paver joints.
Chairperson Stuart said ADAAG proposed guidelines are not going to prevent use of
brick pavers. He left the meeting at 5:50 p.m.
Staff Member Smith reviewed the information she received at the ADA workshop and
design alternatives.
Commissioner Wand felt those are only IDOT (Iowa Department of Transportation)
alternatives, and not requirements. Staff Member Smith asked about the number and
timeline for the HDPIP (Historic District Public Improvement Program) projects, and
whether freeze/thaw cycle should be allowed for test period. She also noted that a
Portland concrete base be used. Staff Member Carstens noted one HDPIP brick
sidewalk has already gone through the freeze/thaw cycle. Commissioners noted
difficulty with concrete base. Commissioner Wand noted that the textured surface at
the River's Edge Plaza with large joints is more likely to deviate from the proposed
standards. He felt that the City having responsibility to ensure installations met
standards would reduce liability.
Commissioner Coty suggested being proactive, sharing current installations and
standards.
Motion by Wand, seconded by Whalen, to recommend to the City Manager and
Engineering Department that we do a review of sidewalk standards relative to surface
texture and vibration in relation to current ADA standards and proposed ADA standards
without regard to surface type. If this recommendation does not satisfy City Manager's
concerns, that any questions be referred back to the Historic Preservation Commission
for further review. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye - Whalen, Olson, Coty,
Loney-Bichell, Berzins, Wand and Gibbs; Nay - None.
DESIGN REVIEW\RELOCA TION OF THREE STRUCTURES - TWO TO THE 500
BLOCK OF ARLINGTON STREET AND ONE TO THE 1300 BLOCK OF WALNUT
STREET: Application of The Finley Hospital for design review to relocate structures
from 725 Stewart Street and 625 Stewart Street to the 500 Block of Arlington Street and
from 760 Stewart Street to the 1300 block of Walnut Street, all in the W. 11 th Street
Historic Preservation District.
Staff Member Carstens presented the staff report and two phases of the project:
approval for foundation permits for relocation at this meeting, and then approval for
rehab designs at the October 20th meeting. Bob Johnson, Mid-America Salvage,
Minutes - Historic Preservation Commission Work Session
October 6,2005
Page 4
provided an overview of why homes were being moved for The Finley Hospital and
Hartig Drug Store expansions. He explained Arlington Street was identified for infill
opportunities. He noted the homes are 50+ years old and would like to see them in a
historic district versus new construction. He explained that 17 structures are affected,
with three to be moved and the rest to be deconstructed and salvaged to divert
construction materials from the landfill.
Commissioner Whalen asked if the plan is to reconstruct relocated structures to
conform to the W. 11th Street Historic Preservation District. Bob Johnson and Bethany
Golembeski explained that a story would be added to each home, and full story
limestone foundations would be added so the first floor would be about 10 feet above
grade. Commissioner Olson viewed these as new construction using building stock
diverted from the landfill, and having infill sensitively done. She noted the 500 Block of
Arlington Street is in need of rehab and sensitive infill.
Commissioner Coty asked for an explanation of what the Commission is to review.
Staff Member Carstens explained a two-phase process of a foundation permit to
relocate the structure, and then a building permit for redesign of the structure at the
next meeting.
Staff Member Wernirnont explained the Planning Services Department desired approval
of a site plan for the footprint of the relocated structure/new foundation. He also asked
for a timeframe.
Mr. Johnson said the timeframe is to have 90% done in the next 6 months. He
distributed photos of sites and adjacent vernacular structures.
Commissioner Wand said he is happy to see homes being moved and saved, and filling
in "missing teeth" on Arlington Street. Commissioner Olson explained Four Mounds
has a contract that the three structures be relocated and saved, so she will abstain from
the vote.
Commissioner Wand asked if Commissioners had any guidance to offer for rehab.
Commissioner Olson said the precedent she is concerned about is dealing with phased
relocation and rehab of a structure in a historic district.
Commissioners discussed how to address precedent setting aspects of these cases.
Staff Member Wernimont noted these are an unusual circumstance due to the
timeframe.
Commissioner Loney-Bichell suggested specifying limestone foundation. Commissioner
Wand felt this was presented and described by the applicants.
Minutes - Historic Preservation Commission Work Session
October 6, 2005
Page 5
Motion by Loney-Bichell, seconded by Whalen, to approve the relocation of all three
structures, as submitted and described. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye-
Whalen, Loney-Bichell, Berzins, Wand and Gibbs; Nay - None; Abstain - Olson and
Coty.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION:
Downtown School -- ParkinQ
Commissioner Wand felt that the Historic Preservation Commission could give the
Dubuque Community School District some sense of where the Commission felt was the
most appropriate parking option for the new Downtown School, since all options involve
demolition. Commissioner Loney-Bichell asked if the School District had to meet parking
requirements. Staff Member Carstens explained options for Dubuque Community School
District to comply with parking requirements of the Zoning Ordinance.
Commissioner Wand felt the Kephart/Pet Med option was best. Commissioner Loney-
Bichell said the demolition of units on White Street was a loss of historic structures and
affordable housing units. Discussion continued regarding the Jaeger property as a second
option, with use of the current vacant lot and resale of structures.
Staff Member Wernimont reported that there is a potential historic district on Iowa Street,
but that the Pet Med building and the Kephart's building are both designated as
noncontributing to this potential district.
Motion by Loney-Bichell, seconded by Berzins, to recommend to City Council to submit a
letter to the Dubuque Community School District that they pursue option #2 Jaeger
property with the use of 3 vacant lots for parking and resale of 2 apartment buildings to
retain affordable housing units. If this option does not address parking needs, then pursue
options 3 and 4 to acquire and demolish Kephart and Pet Med buildings for parking. The
reason the Commission does not support option #1 is the loss of affordable housing units
and the loss of structures identified as contributing to potential Old Towne Historic District.
The Commission also recommends that the Dubuque Community School District and City
partner, perhaps with a third party, to construct a parking ramp with first floor retail and
second floor office in the area of the downtown school and to ask the Housing Commission
for support. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye - Whalen, Olson, Coty, Loney-
Bichell, Berzins, Wand and Gibbs; Nay - None.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager
Adopted