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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