HPC Membership Temp District RepsPlanning Services Department
THE CITY OF
City Hall
50 West 13 Street ~ ~
Dubuque, IA 52001-4864 ~
(563) 589-4210 phone
(563) 589-4221 fax ~ G%~
~~~~
(563) 690-6678 TDD
planningQcityof dubuque.org
March 23, 2007
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
City of Dubuque
City Hall-50 W. 13th Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
RE: HPC Membership -- Temporary District Representatives
Dear Mayor and City Council Members:
Introduction
The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) has discussed a proposed amendment
to the Historic Preservation Ordinance which would allow property owners or business
owners to temporarily represent vacant historic district seats until such a time that a
resident volunteer can be appointed.
Background
The Historic Preservation Ordinance requires
one resident from each designated
historic preservation district and four at large members s
ordinance also sets forth that the HPC serves as a design
historic districts to determine compliance with established
Commission is required to act on applications for certificate
demolition permits within sixty days from the date of the
Failure to do so is deemed to constitute approval.
erve on the HPC. The
review body for work in
design guidelines. The
s of appropriateness and
filing of the application.
Discussion
The Commission discussed the difficulty in finding a Commission representative for
the Old Main District. The Commission identified the predominantly commercial nature
of the district as a perpetual obstacle in finding an Old Main District resident to serve
on the Commission. The Commission felt that allowing a property owner or business
owner to temporarily serve on the Commission would ensure the opportunity for the
Commission to carry out the powers and duties outlined in the HPC ordinance.
The Commission requested Planning Services Staff to draft an ordinance to amend
Historic Preservation Ordinance to allow property owners or business owners to
temporarily represent vacant districts seats until such a time a resident volunteer can
be appointed. City Legal Staff has reviewed the proposed draft ordinance.
HPC Membership -- Temporary District Representatives
Page 2
Requested Action
The proposed ordinance amendment should be reviewed by the State Historical
Society of Iowa (SHSI) before final action by the City Council. The City Council should
submit the proposed ordinance to the SHSI for review and comment at least 45 days
prior to the date of final action by the City Council.
Please review the enclosed draft ordinance, and then forward it to the SHSI for review
and comment. SHSI comments and the proposed draft ordinance will be placed on
May 21, 2007 City Council agenda for final consideration.
Respectfully submitted,
/~i
/ --'
tom- v'`~
Christine Olson, Chairperson
Historic Preservation Commission
Enclosure
cc Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Historic Preservation Commission
Prepared by: Laura Carstens. Citv Planner Address: Citv Hall, 50 W. 13th St. Telephone: 589-4210
Returned to: Jeanne Schneider, City Clerk Address: City Hall. 50 W. 13th St. Telephone: 589-4120
ORDINANCE NO. -07
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 25 (HISTORIC PRESERVATION) OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE CODE OF ORDINANCES BY ADDING A NEW SECTION 25-3(h) TO ALLOW
OWNERS OF REAL PROPERTY AND OWNERS OF BUSINESSES IN THE DISTRICT TO BE
TEMPORARILY APPOINTED TO VACANT DISTRICT SEATS UNTIL SUCH A TIME A
QUALIFIED RESIDENT CAN BE APPOINTED.
Whereas, the Historic Preservation Commission has experienced occasional vacancies
in membership due to the absence of qualified applicant for vacant seats on the Commission
which seats require that the appointee be a resident of the district: and
Whereas, the Historic Preservation Commission has found that such vacancies have in
some instances reduced the effectiveness of the Commission; and
Whereas, the Historic Preservation Commission has recommended an amendment to
Chapter 25 (Historic Preservation) of the City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances to allow owners
of real property and owners of businesses in the district to be temporarily appointed to vacant
district seats until such a time a qualified resident can be appointed; and
Whereas, the City Council concurs with the recommendation to allow owners of real
property and owners of businesses in the district to be temporarily appointed to vacant district
seats until such a time a qualified resident can be appointed;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. Section 25-3 of the City of Dubuque Code of Ordinances is hereby amended
by adding the following new paragraph (h):
Sec. 25-3. Historic Preservation Commission Established; Membership; Term of Office;
Vacancies in Office:
(h) In the event that a vacancy occurs in a seat which requires that the appointee be a
resident of the district and for which there is no application from a qualified resident, the City
Council may appoint a person who is an owner of real property in the district or an owner of a
business in the district to the vacant seat. This appointment shall be temporary and a resident of
the district may at any time apply to fill this seat. Upon appointment of a qualified resident to this
seat by the City Council, the temporary appointment shall terminate.
law.
Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon publication, as provided by
Passed, approved and adopted this day of ,2007.
Roy D. Buol, Mayor
Attest:
Jeanne F. Schneider, City Clerk