Minutes_Historic Preservation Commission 9 20 12Masterpiece on the Mississippi
Dubuque
1111'
2012
MINUTES
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
5:30 p.m.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
City Council Chamber, Historic Federal Building
B[rggia
Commissioners Present: Commissioners Chris Olson, John Whalen, Otto Krueger,
Mary Loney Bichell, Christina Monk and Julie Schlarman.
Commissioners Excused: Chairperson David Klavitter and Commissioners Joseph
Rapp and Bob McDonell.
Staff Members Present: Laura Carstens and David Johnson.
CALL TO ORDER: Commissioner Olson noted that Chairperson Klavitter and
Commissioner McDonell are unable to attend the meeting, so she will serve as
Chairperson Pro -Tem and called the meeting to order at 5:36 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: Motion by Whalen, seconded by Krueger, to approve the minutes of the
August 16, 2012 as submitted. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye — Olson,
Whalen, and Krueger; Nay — None; Abstain — Monk and Schlarman.
Commissioner Bichell entered the meeting at 5:38 p.m.
DESIGN REVIEW: Application of Timothy Greenfield, Greenfield Development, for a
Certificate of Appropriateness to install a new storefront located at 185 Main Street in
the Old Main Historic Preservation District.
Staff Member Johnson reviewed the staff report, noting the proposed alterations and
drawings for the project. He explained the applicant presented the concept for the new
storefront at the Commission's August 16, 2012 meeting for initial comment.
Timothy Greenfield, 801 Cedar Cross Road, was present. He noted he had nothing
additional to add to the staff report.
The Commission discussed the project, noting the changes in the plans appear to
reflect the discussion and comments provided at the August 16th meeting.
Minutes — Historic Preservation Commission
September 20, 2012
Page 2
Motion by Whalen, seconded by Bichell, to approve the request as submitted. Motion
carried by the following vote: Aye — Olson, Whalen, Krueger, Bichell, Monk and
Schlarman; Nay — None.
DESIGN REVIEW: Application of Jerry & Janel Maro for a Certificate of
Appropriateness to install vinyl fish scale siding located at 1075 Walnut Street in the W.
11 tn Street Historic District.
Staff Member Johnson explained the applicants Jerry and Janel Maro have submitted a
letter requesting the application be removed from the agenda. He explained the letter
states the applicants are pursuing other material alternatives other than vinyl.
Motion by Bichell, seconded by Whalen, to receive and file the request to withdraw the
application and remove the application from the docket at the applicants' written
request. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye — Olson, Whalen, Krueger, Bichell,
Monk and Schlarman; Nay — None.
DESIGN REVIEW: Application of Susan Klopfenstein for a Certificate of
Appropriateness to construct a detached garage located at 1134 Langworthy Street in
the Langworthy District.
Staff Member Johnson reviewed the staff report, noting the proposed construction
details and drawings provided by the applicant. He explained the new garage is
proposed in the same location as the existing garage, which appears to have been
constructed around the same time as the home. Staff Member Carstens clarified the
Certificate of Appropriateness would include approval to demolish the existing garage.
Staff Member Johnson reviewed the details of the proposed garage, noting many of the
features will be similar to the features seen on the home. He explained the garage is
proposed to be located one -foot from the east property line, and therefore the Zoning
Board of Adjustment will review and need to approve a Special Exception to allow the
setback. Staff Member Johnson instructed the Commission should they approve the
Certificate of Appropriateness for the garage, it should be contingent on the Zoning
Board of Adjustment approving a special exception to allow the garage one -foot from
the east property line.
Jeff Schmidt, Top Notch Construction, Inc., 2701 Rhomberg Ave., was present to
review the proposal. He responded to questions about the gable design, noting the
gable will use smooth cement board siding identical to the siding used on the home and
remainder of the garage. Mr. Schmidt clarified the cement board siding will have a
smooth texture for all aspects of the project.
The Commission discussed the proposal, noting the new garage will be much more
serviceable than the existing garage, which is in poor condition.
Minutes — Historic Preservation Commission
September 20, 2012
Page 3
Motion by Krueger, seconded by Whalen, to approve the application for a Certificate of
Appropriateness as submitted, with the condition that the Zoning Board of Adjustment
approves a special exception to allow the garage one -foot from the east property line.
Motion carried by the following vote: Aye — Olson, Whalen, Krueger, Bichell, Monk and
Schlarman; Nay — None.
UPDATE ON THE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAM: Staff
Member Carstens reviewed the minutes and discussion from the September 5th
Education Task Force meeting. She explained the minutes from the Task Force
meeting relate to another item on the agenda under the Education Task Force
regarding taking historic preservation to the next level.
She explained Planning Services Staff along with the Commission officers and City
Manager have begun investigating opportunities to take the City of Dubuque Historic
Preservation Program to a new level. She explained the initial vision is to have the
Historic Preservation Commission serve in a greater educational and outreach role for
the community rather than the regulatory role that consumes much of its time. She
explained the Historic Preservation Commission could serve in a similar fashion as the
Zoning Board of Adjustment where appeals to design review would be considered by
the Commission. Staff Member Carstens clarified the bulk of design review would be
handled by the Planning Services Staff. She explained the Historic Preservation
Program has experienced many successes over the last 10 years, including the
adoption of design guidelines and increased support from both the public and City
Council.
Staff Member Carstens reviewed challenges to the Historic Preservation Program and
explained opportunities to further the preservation program through greater outreach.
She explained the Commission's time is largely consumed by design review cases,
which ultimately reach very few people. She elaborated those persons' exposure to the
Historic Preservation Program and Commission is mostly regulatory and negative. She
explained the Commission has an opportunity to reach more people in a more positive
manner through education and outreach.
She noted many of the Certificate of Appropriateness applications can be handled by
City staff allowing more time for the Historic Preservation Commission to focus their
efforts on training opportunities, education, certification, programming and branding the
City of Dubuque Historic Preservation Program. She noted recent disappointing
projects that exemplified the need for greater education and training. She noted these
are issues that can have a substantial impact on historic preservation within the city.
She also explained energy efficiency and sustainability is coming to the forefront of
historic preservation in many communities and those are a couple of issues that
deserve greater time and consideration. She noted the design guidelines used in
historic districts and in the downtown are in need of consolidation and an update, which
would be another type of issue tackled by the Historic Preservation Commission.
Minutes — Historic Preservation Commission
September 20, 2012
Page 4
Staff and the Commission discussed how the new role of the Commission would be
funded. Staff Member Carstens explained existing Historic Preservation financial
incentives could be re- allocated toward funding the activities of the Commission. The
Commission and staff discussed existing preservation financial incentives and
opportunities for shifting funding. Staff and the Commission also discussed allocating
existing Historic Preservation funds toward a residential facade grant program to
improve the outward appearance of historic buildings and neighborhoods. Staff
Member Carstens reiterated an education and outreach role would allow the
Commission an opportunity to reach many more people and garner more support and
advocacy for the Historic Preservation Program, and it would also improve customer
service.
The Commission discussed a process to certify contractors in an effort to promote
quality construction. The Commission noted technical colleges as opportunities for
partnerships. The Commission discussed opportunities to advocate for increased
penalties for people who do work without permits or do not follow proper guidelines.
The Commission discussed using social media or the City of Dubuque website as a
vehicle of communication for promoting the Historic Preservation Program to get
information out to the public.
Staff and the Commission discussed other communities which handle historic
preservation in a similar fashion. Staff Member Carstens reviewed the National Alliance
of Preservation Commission's Commission Assistance and Mentoring Program (CAMP)
where a Commissioner from Raleigh, North Carolina explained they do very little design
review and focused much of their time on other issues. The Commission noted a
suggestion was made at that CAMP to establish committees, some of which conduct
design review and others focus on education and training.
The Commission discussed defining the new role of the Commission. Commissioners
acknowledged refocusing their efforts could be a more efficient and effective use of
their time. Staff and the Commission discussed a need for the Historic Preservation
Commission to take a more involved role in preservation programs and outreach. The
Commission further discussed how historic preservation funds could be better used
within the historic districts, and how those programs may be structured.
The Commission questioned the timeframe for discussing the restructure of Historic
Preservation Program funding. Staff clarified there is an opportunity to revise the
Capital Improvement Program requests for Fiscal Year 2013; however, the program
may remain the same and further discussions can be held in anticipation of Fiscal Year
2014.
By consensus, the Commission agreed to continue discussions regarding restructuring
the Historic Preservation Program.
Minutes — Historic Preservation Commission
September 20, 2012
Page 5
ITEMS FROM PUBLIC: None.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION: None.
ITEMS FROM STAFF:
Statewide Historic Preservation Plan Update: Staff explained the State Historic
Preservation Office is updating the Statewide Historic Preservation Plan and draft goals
and strategies are being presented to the Commission for comment.
The Commission discussed the draft goals and strategies.
Motion by Whalen, seconded by Krueger, to forward communication to the State
Historic Preservation Office expressing support of the draft goals and objectives of the
Statewide Historic Preservation Plan. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye —
Olson, Whalen, Krueger, Bichell, Monk and Schlarman; Nay — None.
Electronic Agenda Packets: Staff Member Johnson explained the Commission has
been considering electronic agenda packets in place of paper copies which have been
traditionally forwarded. He noted the past meetings' agenda packets have been
forwarded in both electronic and paper form in order to allow the Commission the
opportunity to determine its effectiveness. Staff Member Johnson requested a decision
from the Commission on the preferred means of forwarding agenda packets in the
future.
The Commission noted based on past discussion and this month's agenda packet,
Commissioners Klavitter, Olson, Krueger, Monk, Schlarman and McDonell prefer
electronic copies, and Commissioners Bichell, Rapp and Whalen prefer paper copies.
Preservation Awards in Dubuque: Staff Member Johnson explained the Planning
Services Department submitted four Preservation Iowa Preservation at its Best Awards
on behalf of the Historic Preservation Commission. He explained the call for
nominations were made after the August 16th Historic Preservation meeting and the
deadline for submittal was September 4th, which did not allow the Commission to
forward nominations as a group. He explained the Ken Kringle award recipients were
used as the nominations for the Preservation Iowa awards. Staff Member Carstens
explained an additional award was submitted to recognize Dubuque's commitment to
Historic Preservation, noting the Historic Preservation Program has now been in
existence for 35 years.
Staff explained the Preservation Iowa 2012 Preservation at its Best Awards Ceremony
will be held in Dubuque the evening of October 3rd. Staff requested the Commission
block out that time in their calendars to attend the ceremony since it will be held in
Dubuque this year. The Commission agreed.
Minutes — Historic Preservation Commission
September 20, 2012
Page 6
Staff Member Carstens requested the Commission provide support for the evening's
events. She noted Preservation Iowa is requesting a judge to help evaluate award
nominations as well as a co -chair to assist in planning the evening's events.
Commissioner Schlarman stated she would be interested in serving as a judge. By
consensus the Commission agreed Chairperson Klavitter would make an excellent co-
chair for the awards ceremony. Commissioner Bichell stated she would like to assist in
a supporting role.
Enforcement Report: Staff Member Johnson explained the updates to the Historic
Preservation Enforcement Report are shown in bold.
Historic Preservation CIP Projects: Staff Member Carstens explained the item has
been adequately addressed throughout the meeting.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager Adopted
f:\users'kmunson \wp\ boards- commissions\hpc\minutes\hpc minutes 2012\sep 20 2012.doc