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Minutes Historic Pres 11 17 05 . MINUTES DRAFT tlle)TQRIC PRee)eR.\'t1TIOli (A)MMI~ION REGULAR SESSION Thursday, November 17, 2005 5:00 p.m. Auditorium, Carnegie Stout Library 360 W. 11th Street, Dubuque, Iowa PRESENT: Chairperson David Stuart; Commission Members John Whalen, Mary Loney-Bichell, Jim Gibbs, and Chris Wand (via teleconference); Staff Members Laura Carstens, Wally Wernimont, and David Johnson. ABSENT: Commission Member Chris Olson. 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 5:15 p.m. MINUTES: Motion by Whalen, seconded by Gibbs, to approve the minutes ofthe October 20, 2005 meeting as submitted. Motion was approved by the following vote: Aye- Whalen, Loney-Bichell, Wand, Gibbs, and Stuart; Nay - None. DESIGN REVIEW: Application of Mary Ransdell for a Certificate of Appropriateness to construct and redesign a rear porch for property located at 646 Jefferson Street and located in the W. 11th Street Historic Preservation District. Ms. Ransdell explained the rear porch at the property located at 646 Jefferson Street was destroyed by fire. She explained she wished to rebuild the rear porch; however, did not wish to rebuild the shed roof. She explained the shed roof would significantly reduce the amount of natural light allowed to enter the building. She stated the rear porch would otherwise conform to the previous structure. Staff Member Wernimont referenced photographs and explained the new handrail is designed to mimic the handrail on the front porch. He explained the application states the new porch will be constructed of wolmanized lumber and incorporate a double hand rail system. Mr. Wernimont stated the architectural survey for the property indicated the shed roof portion of the porch was not original to the structure. Ms. Ransdell also explained some of the brick must be replaced and cleaned because of the fire. Chairperson Stuart cautioned the applicant about replacing and cleaning brick. He strongly encouraged the applicant to reference the National Park Service Technical Preservation Briefs prior to repair and cleaning. Minutes - Historic Preservation Commission November 17, 2005 Page 2 Chairperson Stuart also suggested the rear porch be painted. Ms. Ransdell expressed reluctance due to maintenance issues with paint. Upon suggestion from Chairperson Stuart, she agreed to use a pigment stain. Chairperson Stuart explained painting or staining the deck will help it blend in with the surrounding character and will make the deck last longer. Motion by Whalen, seconded by Stuart to approve the application with the following conditions: 1) to replace and repair the brick; 2) no shed roof replacement; and 3) porch will be pigment stained. Motion approved by the following vote: Aye - Whalen, Loney- Bichell, Wand, Gibbs, and Stuart; Nay - None. DESIGN REVIEW: Application of City of Dubuque/Four Mounds Foundation for a Historic District Public Improvement Program Application to install signage for property located at 4900 Peru Road in the Four Mounds Estate Historic District (City Landmark Site). Jay Potter represented the Four Mounds Foundation. Mr. Potter addressed the size and location of the proposed sign. He explained the sign will be spot lighted and located along the rock wall at the entrance to Four Mounds. Staff Member Johnson gave a brief overview of the property and explained the applicants had been previously approved for $6,000 from the Historic Public Improvement Program for the purchase and installation of directional signs and a kiosk sign. Four Mounds is now requesting an additional $2,094 to install a 15 foot wide commemorative sign installed along the limestone wall located at the main entrance. Mr. Johnson added the Historic Public Improvement Program currently has a balance of nearly $45,000 available. Motion by Gibbs, seconded by Whalen to approve the design of the commemorative sign and additional Historic District Public Improvement Program funds. Motion approved by the. following vote: Aye - Whalen, Loney-Bichell, Wand, Gibbs, and Stuart; Nay - None. ITEMS FROM PUBLIC: St. Mark's Community Center: Staff Member Wernimont explained representatives from St. Mark's Community Center were before the Commission to obtain feedback with regard to work started at the Community Center. He stated the Community Center has begun to wrap the wood elements around the windows of the building. He further explained the representatives wanted feedback about the potential to wrap the rafter tails of the building and replace them with soffit and fascia. Mike Sisler, member of the Buildings and Grounds Committee for St. Mark's explained they were unaware building permits were required for windows in Historic Districts and Minutes - Historic Preservation Commission November 17, 2005 Page 3 therefore did not obtain one. He further explained they were unaware their building was a historic building. Staff Member Carstens stated the building is located within a Historic District and is identified as a contributing structure. Staff Member Wernimont noted that he and a staff member from the Building Services Department had met with Mr. Sisler and others from the Building and Grounds Committee for St. Mark's. He noted that wrapping windows in aluminum was not mentioned by the St. Mark's representatives, only window replacement. Commissioners Whalen and Gibbs both agreed the request was not an exception the Commission has approved in the past or would anticipate doing so in the future. The Commission Members comments were unfavorable towards the existing and proposed work on the structure. Staff Member Carstens explained considerations for a Certificate of Appropriateness are made on a case by case basis. Staff Member Wernimont explained the St. Mark's Community Center was entitled to submit an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to allow the proposed work. Creation of Brewery Neiqhborhood Conservation District: Staff Member Carstens explained she was contacted by John Gronen, a developer who specializes in adaptive reuse structures, about the process of establishing a Conservation District for threatened buildings located at the intersection of Jackson Street and East 30th Street. Mr. Gronen requested a letter of support for the creation of a Conservation District from the Historic Preservation Commission. Chairperson Stuart and Commissioner Wand stated they toured the H & W building Saturday, November 12th. Chairperson Stuart said he was asked by a City Council member if a conservation district of this size is "spot zoning", and asked that City staff clarify this issue with Legal staff by the time of the City Council meeting. Chairperson Stuart explained the property is already eligible for nomination on the National Register of Historic Places because it was previously on the National Register. He stated the only reason it is not at this time is because a previous owner had it removed from the list. The Commission recognized the strong historical importance of the structures to the City of Dubuque and North End Neighborhood. The Commission recommended a letter be drafted supporting the creation of the Brewery Neighborhood Conservation District. Motion by Whalen, seconded by Wand to forward a letter to the City Council supporting the creation of the Brewery Neighborhood Conservation District and forwarding an Ordinance approving the creation of the Brewery Neighborhood Conservation District. Motion approved by the following vote: Aye - Whalen, Loney-Bichell, Wand, Gibbs, and Stuart; Nay - None. ITEMS FROM STAFF: Minutes - Historic Preservation Commission November 17, 2005 Page 4 Buildinq Services Dept. - Status Report on Historic Preservation Enforcement: Staff Member Wernimont stated the property owner of 1349 Prairie Street had applied stucco in an attempt to repair the structure and rectify the violation, but the stucco has since fallen off. He explained the Building Services Manager, Rich Russell, is adhering to the deadline date of December 15, 2005 for the repairs to be done. Staff Member Wernimont informed the Commission that a concerned neighbor had called about construction at 970 Olive Street. Staff Member Wernimont explained it appeared the property owner installed double-hung windows and applied stucco. He stated he sent a letter to the property owner and they are aware they need to apply for a Certificate of Appropriateness. Staff Member Wernimont explained the property owner at 1145 Locust Street has been notified of the concern with the design of the rear addition. . He stated the property owner has contacted Planning Services staff and is aware a new deadline will be set to apply for a Certificate of Appropriateness per the Historic Preservation Commissions request. Staff Member Wernimont stated the property at 1358 Locust Street still does not comply with the 2 inch by 2 inch spindles as was required by the Historic Preservation Commission. He said Building Services Manager Rich Russell will send notice of a new deadline for the installation of the approved handrail. Staff Member Wernimont informed the Commission there was still discussion between Gronen Property Management and the property owner with regard to purchasing and selling the property respectively. The property owner was instructed to notify Rich Russell with a closing date on the property. Staff Member Wemimont stated if the property is not going to be sold; the property owner was instructed to send a letter to Rich Russell with explaining when the required repairs will be made. Historic Preservation Plannino Session: The Commission discussed holding a public planning session in February 2006. They stated they wished to discuss issues they have been working on. Some issues include how the Historic Planning Commission can become more involved in the early stages of neighborhood planning, preservation partnerships, and Architectural and Historical Surveys. The Commission discussed methods to help raise awareness for the importance of historic preservation in Dubuque. They also asked Staff to explore changes in State Legislation that would allow owners of property not residing on the property to serve on the Historic Preservation Commission The Commission discussed enforcement difficulties related to poorly defined blight. The Commission stated the Demolition by Neglect section of the Historic Preservation Ordinance could more effectively be enforced if blight was clearly defined. The Commission asked Staff to look into developing a definition for blight. Minutes - Historic Preservation Commission November 17, 2005 Page 5 Motion by Stuart, seconded by Whalen to have City Staff investigate the definition of blight. Motion approved by the following vote: Aye - Whalen, Loney-Bichell, Wand, Gibbs, and Stuart; Nay - None. Historic Preservation Homeowner Grant Proqram: Staff Member Wemimont explained the Housing and Community Development Director David Harris suggested the Historic Preservation Homeowner Grant Program be expanded to include non-profit organizations providing residential facilities to HUD income-eligible tenants. Staff Member Wernimont stated there are a number of non-profit organizations within Historic Districts that do not meet the requirements of the Historic Preservation Homeowner Grant that could utilize the money. The Commission determined the Historic Preservation Homeowner Grant funds are CDBG funds and therefore would be in favor of it. Staff Member Carstens explained an advantage of expanding the Historic Preservation Homeowner Grant to non-profits is that the grant money will remain in the historic districts. Motion by Whalen, seconded by Loney- Bichell to recommend changes to the Historic Preservation Homeowner Grant Program to include non-profit organizations providing residential facilities to HUD income-eligible tenants. Motion approved by the following vote: Aye - Whalen, Loney-Bichell, Wand, Gibbs, and Stuart; Nay - None. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 7:39 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager Adopted