Minutes Historic Pres. Comm 1 19 06
MINUTES
tll~TORIC PRe~\?1i1l0N COJu\Ml~IO
REGULAR SESSION '!,\l-
~
Thursday, January 19, 2006 :;;
5:30 p.m. ~~
Auditorium, Carnegie Stout Library
360 W. 11 th Street, Dubuque, Iowa
PRESENT:
Chairperson David Stuart; Commission Members John Whalen, Chris
Olson, Mary Loney-Bichell, and Chris Wand; Staff Members Laura
Carstens, Wally Wernimont and David Johnson.
ABSENT:
Commission Members Mike Coty and Jim Gibbs.
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 5:34 p.m.
MINUTES: The minutes of the December 15, 2005 meeting were approved as submitted
by the following vote: Aye - Whalen, Olson, Bichell, Wand and Stuart; Nay - None.
ITEM FROM COMMISSION:
Historic Preservation Homeowner Grant Proaram: Suaaested Chanaes
Motion by Wand, seconded by Whalen to recommend approval of the changes to the
Historic Preservation Homeowner Grant program. Motion carried by the following vote:
Aye - Whalen, Olson, Bichell, Wand and Stuart; Nay - None.
PLANNING SESSION:
The Commission referenced the list of items outlined in the Historic Preservation Planning
Session Memorandum dated January 6, 2006.
The Commission began by discussing the historic designation of properties that do not
have landmark status. Chairperson Stuart proposed designating individual historic
properties or sites not contained within a historic district. The designation would consider
the Architectural and Historical Survey Reports and would have to qualify on the National
Register of Historic Places as a contributing structure. He proposed individual contributing
properties and structures would be eligible for the same benefits offered to properties
within a historic district. The Commission agreed the designation should be voluntary and
the petition must be initiated by the property owner. They stated the Historic Preservation
Commission should initiate petitions for City owned property. The Commission felt the
individual designations will help improve historic properties and neighborhoods and help
establish future historic districts. Motion by Wand, seconded by Whalen to approve
developing a historic designation for individual properties or sites which are not located in a
historic preservation district. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye - Whalen, Olson,
Bichell, Wand and Stuart; Nay - None.
Minutes - Historic Preservation Commission
January 19, 2006
Page 2
The Commission next discussed extending Demolition by Neglect to Conservation Districts.
Chairperson Stuart suggested incorporating Demolition by Neglect into the code for
conservation districts. Motion by Stuart, seconded by Wand to incorporate Demolition by
Neglect into the code for conservation districts. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye-
Whalen, Olson, Bichell, Wand and Stuart; Nay - None.
The Commission discussed changing City Code to require a building permit and Historic
Preservation Commission approval for any window replacement or alteration within a
historic district. The Commission discussed the existing policy which allows the
replacement or alteration of windows that are of the same size, shape and material.
Motion by Wand, seconded by Olson to change City Code to require a building permit and
Historic Preservation Commission approval for any window replacement or alteration within
a historic district. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye - Whalen, Olson, Bichell,
Wand and Stuart; Nay - None.
The Commission next discussed establishing a policy and ordinance which would not allow
boarded-up windows and doors in historic and conservation districts. The Commission
stated the ordinance should apply to residential and commercial structures. The
Commission indicated they would like to seek support from other organizations, particularly
Dubuque Main Street Ltd. Commissioner Wand suggested Staff attend a Dubuque Main
Street Ltd. Board Meeting to receive feedback on the proposed window policy. Motion by
Stuart, seconded by Whalen to draft an ordinance which prohibits boarded-up windows
and doors for residential and commercial structures located in historic and conservation
districts and seek support from interested organizations. Motion carried by the following
vote: Aye - Whalen, Olson, Bichell, Wand and Stuart; Nay - None.
The Commission next discussed what constitutes a character defining feature.
Commissioner Olson questioned at what point a building permit and Historic Preservation
Commission review is required for the removal or alteration of a character defining feature.
The Commission addressed a property owner's ability to remove, replace or cover up
portions of features without triggering a permit. Staff Member Wernimont suggested the
Building Department provide the Historic Preservation Commission with a list of alterations
as to what constitutes demolition. Commissioner Stuart suggested the Historic
Preservation Commission compile their own list. The Commission directed Staff to confer
with other cities to determine how they define a character defining feature and demolition.
Commissioner Olson specifically suggested Oak Park, Illinois. Motion by Wand, seconded
by Olson to work with Building Department Staff to determine what constitutes repair and
what requires a demolition permit or building permit, and look at other Cities' definitions for
character defining features and demolition. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye-
Whalen, Olson, Bichell, Wand and Stuart; Nay - None.
The Commission addressed the penalties for demolition without proper permits. The
Commission felt the existing penalties for demolition without a permit are not significant
enough to be an adequate deterrent. Motion by Wand, seconded by Bichell to forward a
Minutes - Historic Preservation Commission
January 19, 2006
Page 3
recommendation to the City Council asking City Council to request a change in Iowa Code
to allow penalties for demolition in Certified Local Governments to be as high as market
value. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye - Whalen, Olson, Sichell, Wand and
Stuart; Nay - None.
The Commission next suggested appeals of their decisions be directed to the District Court
instead of to the City Council. The Commission also recommended Historic Preservation
Commission membership be extended to owners of property in historic districts, with a
majority of districts represented. Staff Member Carstens explained both items are already
City Council legislative issues. Motion by Wand, seconded by Olson to forward a letter to
the City Council asking City Council to continue to pursue the requested legislative
changes. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye - Whalen, Olson, Sichell, Wand and
Stuart; Nay - None. Commissioner Whalen left after the vote.
The next item reviewed by the Commission was community outreach programs. The
Commission emphasized the importance of community outreach and education. The
Commission discussed education initiatives to strengthen preservation efforts in Dubuque.
Due to a scheduling conflict, the consensus of the Commission was to delay the
Architectural Student Program.
The Commission next discussed increasing their role in planning for public works projects
in historic districts. The Commission stated they would like to meet with City Engineering in
the spring and fall of each year to review the five year street improvement program.
Commissioners then could review Streetscape and Landscape Guidelines and identify
potential Historic District Public Improvement Program grant opportunities. The
Commission also felt it was important for City Engineering Staff to regularly receive training
on historic preservation districts and design guidelines. The Commission also requested
they work with public utilities when they excavate in the right of way. The Commission
requested they be notified once a permit to excavate in a right of way is applied for so they
can review for Streetscape and Landscape Guidelines. The Commission questioned
whether an ordinance change would be required. Motion by Wand, seconded by Sichell to
change the ordinance to require original materials be used in the repair or replacement of
streets and sidewalks. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye -Olson, Sichell, Wand
and Stuart; Nay - None.
The Commission discussed the creation of additional historic and conservation districts.
The Commission identified the Envision 2010 process as a strong catalyst for creating a
Warehouse Historic District. The Commission agreed the creation of the Warehouse
Historic District is the number one priority. The Commission also agreed they wish to
create the Central Avenue Historic District. The Commission discussed notifying property
owners in the Fenelon Place neighborhood of the proposed individual historic designations
and benefits to garner support for a future historic district. The Commission stated they
wish to establish a City Historic District designation, National Register Historic District and
Urban Revitalization District for the proposed Warehouse and Central Avenue Historic
Minutes - Historic Preservation Commission
January 19, 2006
Page 4
Districts. Motion by Bichell, seconded by Olson to establish a City Historic District
designation, National Register Historic District designation, and Urban Revitalization District
for the proposed Warehouse Historic District. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye-
Olson, Bichell, Wand and Stuart; Nay - None.
Motion by Bichell, seconded by Olson to establish a City Historic District designation,
National Register Historic District designation and Urban Revitalization District for the
proposed Central Avenue Historic District. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye-
Olson, Bichell, Wand and Stuart; Nay - None. The Commission asked Staff to notify
property owners and neighborhood associations of historic designation, and the benefits of
being in a local historic district and on the National Register.
ITEMS FROM PUBLIC: No members of the public were in attendance.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION:
DeterminationlDefinition of Bliaht
The Commission received and filed the Staff update regarding the
determination/discussion of blight.
Revised 2006 Meetina Schedule
The Commission received and filed the Staff update regarding the revised 2006
meeting schedule.
ITEMS FROM STAFF:
Buildina Services Deot. - Status Reoort on Historic Preservation Enforcement
The Commission reviewed the updated status report for historic preservation enforcement
cases. The Commission specifically addressed the property located at 1589 Bluff St. Staff
Member Johnson stated the letter to Rich Russell requesting the building be protected from
the elements was sent December 22, 2005. The Commission stated John Gronen did not,
and continues to not have an interest in the property. The Commission requested his
involvement be removed from the enforcement report.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 7:38 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
David Johnson, Assistant Planner
Adopted