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REGULAR SESSION
Thursday, March 15, 2007
5:30 p.m.
Auditorium, Carnegie Stout Library
360 W. 11th Street, Dubuque, Iowa
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PRESENT: Chairperson Christine Olson (via teleconference); Commission Members
Keisha Wainwright, Mike Coty, Mary Loney Bichell, Matthew Lundh and
David Stuart; Staff Members David Johnson and Laura Carstens.
ABSENT: Commission Members John Whalen and Chris Wand.
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 Vice Chairperson Stuart at 5:40
p.m.
MINUTES: Motion by Bichell, seconded by Coty, to approve the minutes of the February
15, 2007 meeting as submitted. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye -Olson, Coty,
Bichell, Lundh and Stuart; Nay -None.
DESIGN REVIEW: Application of Douglas Schlarman for a Certificate of
Appropriateness to reconstruct a 30-foot section of the soffit/roof edge back to its
original design and specifications for the property located at 1020 Bluff Street in the
Jackson Park District.
Madeline Schlarman explained she was before the Commission on behalf of her son,
Douglas Schlarman. She explained that Douglas is the property owner at 1020 Bluff
Street. She explained that some time ago, the building had a fire and at that time, the
rear eave adjacent to the courtyard area behind 1020 Bluff was cut back and improperly
repaired. She explained that the cut back soffit is allowing water to run over the gutters
and damage the brick wall. She stated that Douglas is seeking a Cert~cate of
Appropriateness to reconstruct the 30-foot section of soffit back to its original design,
profile and specifications.
Staff Member Johnson reviewed the staff report, pictures and map.
The Commission discussed the request.
Motion by Bichell, seconded by Stuart, to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness as
presented with the condition that all exposed wood be painted. Motion carried by the
following vote: Aye -Olson, Coty, Bichell, Lundh and Stuart; Nay -None.
Minutes -Historic Preservation Commission
March 15, 2007
Page 2
DESIGN REVIEW: Application of James Hileman/McDonald's, USA, LLC for a
Demolition Permit for the McDonald's Restaurant building and construct new building
located at 620 Iowa Street in the Downtown Neighborhood Conservation District.
Jim Hileman, Area Construction Manager for McDonald's ,explained he is requesting
that the Commission recommend approval of a demolition permit for the McDonald's
Restaurant building. He noted that McDonald's is currently working on improving its
buildings in the Dubuque area. He noted the new buildings off Kennedy Road and the
Northwest Arterial as well as the remodeled Key West location. He stated he does not
believe the current building has any architectural significance, and stated they would
like to demolish the existing building and reconstruct a new building to reflect the design
and style of the newly constructed buildings off of Kennedy Road and the Northwest
Arterial. He noted the only exception to the Iowa Street building would be additional
brick that would be used on those facades where EFTS was used on the Kennedy Road
and Northwest Arterial locations. He explained the building will be situated in
approximately the same footprint; however, traffic flow will be improved by allowing
ingress and egress from Iowa Street and Central Avenue.
Staff Member Johnson reviewed the staff report, noting that the Jim Jacobsen Phase III
Architectural Survey indicated the structure is anon-contributing building. He explained
the McDonald's Restaurant is a modern building and was constructed in 1972. He
explained that City Code provides for the Historic Preservation Commission to review
the demolition request, and then to make a determination as to whether the building
has historic or architectural significance to the community and whether denial of the
proposed demolition would prevent the property owner from earning a reasonable
economic return. He stated if the Commission finds that one or the other of these
criteria is not met, then the Commission must recommend approval of the demolition
request. If the Commission finds that both of these criteria are met, then the
Commission must recommend denial of the demolition request. He stated the
Commission's recommendation then goes to City Council for final approval.
Commissioner Stuart noted that the Commission does not have review or design
authority on materials for the replacement of the McDonald's Restaurant. He explained
the building is located in a conservation district, and #herefore the Commission must
only determine whether the building has historical or architectural significance to the
community.
Motion by Stuart, seconded by Olson, to recommend approval of the Demolition Permit
to City Council based on the building having no historical or architectural significance.
Motion carried by the following vote: Aye -Olson, Coty, Bichell, Lundh and Stuart; Nay
- None.
At 5:46 p.m., Christine Olson left the meeting and Keisha Wainwright arrived.
Minutes -Historic Preservation Commission
March 15, 2007
Page 3
ITEMS FROM PUBLIC: None.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION:
May Historic Preservation Commission meeting and Ken Kringle Award Location: The
Commission discussed possible locations for the May HPC meeting and Ken Kringle
Award ceremony. Staff Member Johnson explained that this item will be on next month's
HPC agenda. The Commission discussed possibly holding the meeting at the Grand
Opera House and encouraged each other to continue thinking of possible locations for the
meeting and ceremony.
ITEMS FROM STAFF:
Proposed Amendment to HPC Ordinance: Commissioner Stuart reviewed the
proposed amendment and the Iowa Code provisions regarding representation. The
Commission discussed the difficulty in finding a Commission representative for the Old
Main District because of the predominantly commercial nature of the district.
Commissioner Stuart read the proposed ordinance amendment to allow properly
owners to temporarily represent vacant district seats until such time a resident volunteer
can be appointed. Commissioner Stuart suggested having legal staff review the
proposed ordinance amendment before sending it to the State Historical Society of
Iowa for comment. Commissioner Stuart wanted it noted that the Commission is
currently violating City and State law by its inability to appoint and maintain a resident
from the Old Main Historic Preservation District.
Staff Member Carstens noted that City Council will need to review the proposed
ordinance amendment and then submit it to the State Historic Preservation Office.
Commissioner Coty suggested the proposed amendment to the Ordinance also allow
the option of business owners to temporarily represent vacant district seats until such
time a resident volunteer can be appointed.
Motion by Stuart, seconded by Wainwright, requesting that City staff forward the
proposed ordinance amendment to City Legal staff for review and modification as
needed, noting that the Commission would also like the option of business owners to
temporarily represent vacant district seats, if determined appropriate, and request that
City Council forward the proposed ordinance amendment to the State Historic
Preservation Office for consideration. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye -
Wainwight, Coty, Bichell, Lundh and Stuart; Nay -None.
Historic Preservation Housing Grant: Commissioners Stuart and Wainwright reviewed
the City Council's hearing and vote on the Historic Preservation Housing Grant.
Commissioner Stuart explained that $5,000 of Community Development Block Grant
Funds were allocated to the Historic Preservation Housing Grant Program. The
Minutes -Historic Preservation Commission
March 15, 2007
Page 4
Commission reiterated the importance of the Housing Grant in providing funding to low
and moderate income homeowners as well as non-profit housing organizations. They
discussed the importance of the program to the success of historic preservation within
the city. Commissioner Stuart explained that the Commission will have to lobby harder
in the future to make sure that Historic Preservation Housing Grant Program is restored
with more money.
The Commission discussed how to track the level of interest in the Historic Preservation
Housing Grant Program. Staff Member Johnson recommended Planning staff monitor
the interest in the program and keep a record of property owners and contact
information should additional Housing Grant money become available in the future.
The Commission stated documenting individuals interested in the program will establish
a need in the future.
By consensus, the Commission agreed to direct staff to track those persons interested
in the Historic Preservation Housing Grant Program.
Building Services Dept. -Status Report on Historic Preservation Enforcement: Staff
Member Johnson reviewed the March Historic Preservation Enforcement Report
provided by Building Services Manager Rich Russell. Staff Member Johnson reviewed
those properties where the enforcement status changed.
1017 Bluff: The property owners have been located and the Notice of Demolition by
Neglect has been resent.
342 Main: Staff Member Johnson stated that Mr. Russell has contacted Guy Gard,
adjacent property owner to 342 Main Street, and has an appointment to investigate the
impact of the German Bank Building on neighboring properties.
1921 Madison: Staff Member Johnson explained property owner Vance DeLire
purchased a building permit for repairs to a quarter of the roof and to reline the gutters
on January 3, 2007. He explained Mr. DeLire's attorney contacted City Legal staff
about the fine and requested that the fine be reduced. City Legal staff has this under
consideration, pending receipt of a schedule of repairs. He explained that Legal staff
again followed up with Mr. DeLire's attorney, and no schedule has been submitted as of
March 14tH
1433 Main: Staff Member Johnson reported he spoke with Scott Hendren, property
owner, about the missing porch column. He stated Mr. Hendren explained he is aware
of the issue and has not had an opportunity to repair the column due to personal and
family issues. Staff Member Johnson stated Mr. Hendren did submit a schedule of
repairs via email and Mr. Hendren anticipated having an application filed for the April
Historic Preservation Commission meeting.
Minutes -Historic Preservation Commission
March 15, 2007
Page 5
1051 White: Staff Member Johnson explained he did receive an application from
Robert Smith, property owner, for the demolition of the building. He explained that the
application was incomplete and correspondence was sent to Mr. Smith stating the
additional criteria that need to be submitted in order to have a complete application to
be considered by the Commission.
Preservation Training: The Commission reviewed the National Trust for Historic
Preservation Leadership Training and National Preservation Conference information
provided to them in their packet. Staff Member Johnson explained that the Planning
Services Department has an education and travel budget for Historic Preservation
Commission Members, and if they are interested in attending one of these events, they
should let staff know shortly.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
David Johnson, Assistant Planner Adopted