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Historic Preservation Commission Minutes 06 03 99 ... . . . MINUTES HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION Thursday, June 3, 1999 5:00 p.m. Conference Room B, City Hall 50 W. 13th Street, Dubuque, Iowa PRESENT: Chairperson Ken Kringle; Commission Members Duaine Greenfield, Pam Bradford, Terry Mozena and Jim Gibbs; Staff Members Mark Noble and Laura Carstens. ABSENT: None. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 5:07 p.m. AFFIDAVIT OF COMPLIANCE: Staff presented an Affidavit of Compliance verifying the meeting was being held in compliance with the Iowa Open Meetings Law. MINUTES: The minutes of the May 20,1999 meeting were approved as submitted. DESIGN REVIEW/623-627 ARLlNGTONIWOOD W. 11TH STREET DISTRICT: Application of Tim Wood to install vinyl siding at 623-627 Arlington Street in the W. 11 th Street Historic Preservation District (tabled from previous meeting). Applicant Tim Wood reviewed the issues from the previous meeting, at which time he was asked to provide additional estimates for scraping, painting and replacing existing rotted wood. Mr. Wood explained he would need to remove the tenants when he scrapes the exterior wood and would lose revenue. In addition, he would lose $10,000 worth of grant money from the Housing Department, as they want the exterior completely covered, wholly stripped and removed or replaced in full. He explained that if he has to scrape or strip completely, that it would prove to be too expensive. He stated that there are a large number of guidelines for contractors to follow which makes it difficult to hire someone who can do this work. His concern also was that his insurance agent recommended that he follow the guidelines completely to insure as little liability as possible. Mr. Woods indicated that in order to qualify for Housing grant money of $5,000 per unit, he needs to remove all lead paint from the inside as well as the outside of the structure. Based on his past experience, he is anticipating $6-7,000 per unit on the inside alone which does not include relocation of tenants. He said the units rent for approximately $350 per unit plus clean-up costs, which he estimates at approximately $800. The Commission asked how long he has owned this property, to which he replied he has owned it for approximately six or seven years. He stated he did some spot-paint work about two years ago. He said the area where there is some tin covering the existing wood was on the house before he bought it. The Commission asked if he was aware that he was in a historic district when he bought the home, and he replied that he was informed. Minutes -Historic Preservation Commission June 3, 1999 Page 2 Commissioner Greenfield noted that he does not think that vinyl siding is appropriate material for this project. He inquired that if siding were to be placed over the existing building, would it be feasible to go back later and remove the siding and expose the wood again. Commissioner Gibbs stated that by covering the wood siding, they are not really solving the problem, rather just doing a quick fix of the real issue. Mr. Wood stated that it would be foolish to strip the wood siding, and indicated it should be removed and replaced with new because a large percentage of it is in bad shape. The Commission and applicant discussed one bid of $26,000 to replace the wood, plus another $14,000 for the inside work. The applicant stated this would add a great cost to this property which he originally bought for $23,000. Commissioner Mozena expressed his belief that maintaining the home over the past seven years would have helped reduce the number of issues that the applicant is presently facing on this property and would have alleviated some of those financial concerns. The applicant said he believes that the problems were there before he bought the property, and that to spend $30-40,000 on this property is not economically feasible. The applicant and Commission discussed different design options and costs to renovate according to those designs. The Commission expressed their concern with the lack of maintenance over the past several years. Motion by Greenfield, seconded by Bradford, to approve the request for a Certificate of Appropriateness as presented. The motion was denied by the following vote: Aye - None; Nay: Bradford, Greenfield, Mozena, Kringle and Gibbs. Commissioners then indicated that they would consider an application for a Certificate of Economic Hardship, and asked Mr. Wood to contact staff for the application requirements. ITEMS FROM PUBLIC: Mary Beth Wigginton, 195 Alpine, asked to speak with the Commission. She said she is a neighbor of the Comptons, and stated they bought their house in 1994 or 1995. She stated she believes the Historic Preservation Commission is doing a disservice to the community. She believes the Commission needs to address the issue on lead paint quickly as there is concern to her children and the Comptons' children as well as numerous other people in the City. Mrs. Wigginton stated they are approximately 12 feet from the Comptons' house, and she believes there is no feasible way to tent that residence and contain the lead dust during the removal of the lead paint. The Commission and Mrs. Wigginton discussed this issue and ways to properly remove lead paint. Mrs. Wigginton stated more information should be presented to the property owner up front so that they know what they are facing when they buy a home in a historic preservation district. She suggested they provide regulations to the property owners through a Realtor or provide information to the property owners at the public library. The Commission stated that their directive is to preserve history and retain the beauty of the city. The Commission and Mrs. Wigginton discussed putting together a manual to help new homeowners understand the processes they .; . . . Minutes -Historic Preservation Commission June 3, 1999 Page 3 need to follow, both for removing lead based paint and also with regulations they must follow when they live in a historic preservation district. She said the manual could also provide information on funding that is available to help fix buildings in these instances. DESIGN REVIEW/195 ALPINE/KARLE WIGGINTON/LANGWORTHY DISTRICT: Application of Karle Wigginton to install seamless steel soffit at 195 Alpine Street in the Langworthy Historic Preservation District. Karle and Mary Beth Wigginton reviewed their proposal to install aluminum soffit and fascia, stating that presently there exists a plywood soffit which is covered on the end by a 1 x 4. They said that the house was stuccoed in the early 1980s; previous to that, it was wood sided. They said they would like to remove or cover the plywood, as there is considerable rot and the wood does not provide vents. Their concern with removing the plywood is the cost, which is approximately $4,800. By removing the wood, they felt some of the existing stucco work would be destroyed, with an additional cost to replace it. If they were to place wood right over the existing wood, they felt they would be adding a considerable amount of weight to that part of the structure, which is already sagging. They said they would like to install aluminum soffit and have received a bid from ABC Seamless for approximately $1,600. They said that price is about a third of the price of wood, and also would not add additional weight to the structure. They stated that since this is not a decorative soffit, it is not a very important design element to match exactly. They said they would attempt to match the color, but their concern is its present deteriorated condition. Commissioner Gibbs commended the Wiggintons for their past work and renovations. He asked if they had consulted with contractors, which Wiggingtons replied they had and that wood is three times the cost. Commissioner Mozena stated he didn't see any value in the existing wood, as it is basically plywood. Both Commissioners Gibbs and Mozena asked if they looked at other design options with an architect. The applicants stated they are concerned that the work will be delayed and will not be completed this year if they research options with an architect. Commissioner Mozena explained that it seems appropriate that the Commission be given some time to review this request and look at the options, as this is the first time they have seen this project. The applicant and Commission discussed the cost to do this project. The applicants stated they cannot justify the additional cost of wood. The Commission asked that they consult again with architects who could give them different design suggestions. The Commission and applicants also discussed the sample aluminum soffit that the applicants had brought to the meeting. They discussed researching 3" wide metal panels, as that would be more in line with what probably existed originally on this property. Commissioners indicated that if they could not find a comparably priced 3" panel, then the Commission would reconsider the proposed panel at their next meeting. Minutes -Historic Preservation Commission June 3, 1999 Page 4 Motion by Kringle, seconded by Bradford, to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for 3" wide metal panel soffit. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye - Kringle, Bradford, Greenfield and Mozena; Nay - Gibbs. DESIGN REVIEW/432 BLUFF/KYLE COONEY/CATHEDRAL DISTRICT: Application of Kyle Cooney to install a permanent sign at 432 Bluff Street in the Cathedral Historic Preservation District. The applicant reviewed the proposed sign request, noting where the sign will be placed. He stated that the sign will project off the front of the building, will be approximately 4' x 1 ~' in area and will have a bracket that will be fastened to the building. The Commission and the applicant reviewed the location of the proposed sign noting that it will be located on the southern portion of the building, as the building owner is going to be installing a porch on the north half of the building in the near future. Motion by Kringle, seconded by Greenfield to approve the request. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye - Kringle, Greenfield, Mozena, Gibbs and Bradford; Nay - None. DESIGN REVIEW/475 LORAS BOULEVARD/HEARTLAND HOUSING INITIATIVEITIM CRABBIW. 11TH STREET DISTRICT: Application of Heartland Housing Initiative, represented by Tim Crabb, to install vinyl siding and soffit at 475 Loras Boulevard in the W. 11th Street Historic Preservation District. The applicant reviewed the proposal stating they are having difficulty finding someone who can repair the slate and may have to locate non-asbestos slate siding replace it with. He noted that the existing siding is slate that contains both asbestos and lead paint. The applicant stated that this material is not original to the property and that they believe the original structure and several additions used clap board, stucco, brick, and asphalt shingles under the existing slate siding. They are looking into the Lead Paint Abatement Program, which would give them some money to repair this work; however, they are looking at a cost of approximately $48,000 to remove and make improvements inside and outside this property, excluding the removal of the slate siding. NOTE: Commissioner Bradford left at 6:45 p.m. The Commission talked about the historical significance of the structure and inquired about what material would be appropriate. The Commission discussed meeting with the applicant at the site to look at the layers that are underneath the slate siding, and arrangements were made for meetings on Tuesday, June 8, at 5:15 p.m. and on Thursday June 10, at 5:00 p.m. at the site to review what other materials are under the existing slate siding. Motion by Kringle, seconded by Mozena, to table this item to the June 17th meeting. The motion was approved by the following vote: Aye - Kringle, Mozena, Gibbs and Greenfield; Nay - none. Minutes -Historic Preservation Commission June 3, 1999 . Page 5 PROCESS FOR REVIEW/UPDA TE OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION ORDINANCE: Staff Member Carstens discussed the process suggested by staff for review and update of the Historic Preservation Ordinance, as referred by the City Council to the Commission. She said the ordinance is being reviewed by the Community and Economic Development Department, Legal and Planning Services staff. Staff Member Carstens reviewed the process and options available to the Commission. Based on input from City Council, City staff and citizens, she said staff believe that the Commission should consider the following issues: 1) revision of the appeal process, 2) options that should be available to applicants, 3) a clearer definition of economic hardship, 4) the issue of economic hardship for single family home ownership, 5) addressing problems with the existing ordinance which are causing conflicts, and 6) what limitations are placed on the Ordinance by the State Code. . The Commission discussed the process and steps that could be followed to address these issues. Staff Member Carstens noted that City staff have begun problem-solving steps by reviewing historic preservation ordinances from other cities as well as incentives used by other cities. She noted that staff are looking at ways to streamline the current ordinance, reviewing court cases for definitions of economic hardship and reviewing the Iowa Code pertaining to historic preservation. Staff suggested meeting with City Council in a work session to test the process and get direction, clarify problems/opportunities and discuss goals for historic preservation. After meeting with the City Council, she suggested that a task force be created which could include existing Commissioners, property owners in historic districts, contractors who work on district properties, a representative from the Dubuque County Historical Society and a representative from Dubuque Main Street Ltd. Staff Member Carstens noted that non-voting members on the task force could be Laura Carstens, Mark Noble, Pam Myhre and Tim O'Brien, with a facilitator of this process. She said duties or goals of this task force would be to review data, conduct focus group meetings, develop recommendations for revisions and incentives, meet with the commission to share the information, test proposals and then meet with the Council. She said staff also felt focus groups should be formed which represent neighborhood organizations, residents and property owners in historic districts, contractors and building supply businesses. She said additional steps would be to survey design review applicants and past and current Historic Preservation Commission members to identify perceptions and problems and to review and respond to new changes and incentives. She also recommends a survey of City staff in various departments, and obtaining input assistance from the State Historic Preservation Office. After compiling all this information and conducting these meetings, then modification and ordinance amendment could be brought to the City Council for discussion at a work session and later, adoption. The Commission felt that this was an appropriate process, and that a work session with City Council needs to be scheduled. Staff will prepare a letter to the City Council from the Commission requesting a work session and confirmation of the process. . Minutes -Historic Preservation Commission June 3, 1999 Page 6 ITEMS FROM COMMISSION: The Commission asked how other City commissions operate. Staff Member Carstens explained the Zoning Board of Adjustment is similar to this commission, in terms of their applicants. She noted that the Board is different with respect to appeals of Board decisions, which must be made to District Court. She also explained the Zoning Advisory Commission is an advisory body that makes recommendations to the City Council. She recommended that commissioners attend meetings of the Board and Commission to see how a formal meeting is run. ITEMS FROM STAFF: Staff Member Carstens suggested that the Commission limit design reviews to their second meeting of each month (on the third Thursday), and use their first meeting of each month (on the first Thursday) as work sessions to focus on the review and update of the Historic Preservation Ordinance. The Commission agreed with this schedule, to begin in July. Staff Member Noble noted that training on historic preservation rehabilitation standards is scheduled for Tuesday, June 22, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Library. Staff reviewed the presenters, and asked for input on potential issues to be addressed. Commissioners Mozena, Gibbs, and Kringle stated they will attend that meeting. Commissioner Greenfield , who was unable to attend, asked if it would be possible to have this training session videotaped or audiotaped for his review at a later date or if the materials could be provided for his review. Staff Member Noble will contact Commissioner Bradford as to her availability for the training. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Mark J. Noble, Assistant Planner Adopted VI !8'lfJn'......'o I t. 1 i._~ I ! e8!HO S )Y?:J 1\1!0 60 :21 Hd j! Nnr 66 03/\1:3 0:3 t:J