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Minutes Historic Pres. Comm. 10 6 05 MINUTES t11~TomC JYRe~eR\7tinOli OOfa\1i\I~IOli 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