Minutes_Historic Preservation Commission 6 19 14THE CITY OF
Dubuque
Itzetzl
DUB E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
MINUTES
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
5:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 19, 2014
City Council Chamber, Historic Federal Building
REIM
Commissioners Present: Chairperson Bob McDonell; Commissioners Julie
Schlarman, David Klavitter, Mary Loney-Bichell, Christina Monk, Chris Olson, Joseph
Rapp, and John Whalen.
Commissioners Excused: Commissioner Otto Krueger.
Staff Members Present: David Johnson and Eric Van Buskirk
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Chairperson McDonell at 5:30
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 Klavitter, to approve the minutes of the
May 15, 2014 meeting as submitted. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye:
McDonell, Schlarman, Klavitter, Loney-Bichell, Monk, Olson, Rapp, and Whalen; Nay -
none; Abstain — none.
DESIGN REVIEW: Application of Jeffrey J. Jaeger for an Application for Demolition in
a Conservation District for 1055, 1069, 1071, and 1073 White Street, located in the
Downtown Neighborhood Conservation District.
Staff Member Johnson provided an overview of the project to the Commission. He
reviewed the damage to the buildings as the result of a fire which occurred February
20, 2014. He reviewed the physical characteristics of the building noting they are
treated separately since they do not share a common wall. Staff reviewed the
modifications and alterations to the buildings, noting the addition of vinyl windows,
aluminum casings, soffit and fascia, porch alterations and vinyl siding. He explained the
buildings and neighborhood were evaluated as part of the Phase!!! Architectural and
Historical Survey in 2003. He explained the report found the buildings were not eligible
for listing on the National Register of Historic Places either individually or as a
contributing properties to a potential district. Staff Member Johnson clarified the
neighborhood has been significantly altered and a potential district was not identified in
2003. He noted no changes have occurred since the time of the survey to support
eligibility.
Minutes — Historic Preservation Commission
June 19, 2014
Page 2
Staff Member Johnson reviewed the standards for demolition review. He stated the City
of Dubuque's historic property inventory and subsequent architectural/historical
surveys/evaluations and nominations to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP)
are guidelines for review. He added that the Commission may also consider a
determination from the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) as to the potential
eligibility for listing of the building proposed for demolition on the NRHP. He stated the
Commission may also consider an application for a demolition permit in accordance
with the standards for review set forth in the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and
Guidelines for Identification and Evaluation. He reviewed identification and evaluation
activities and eligibility. He noted the Phase 111 Architectural and Historical Survey
Report identifies the buildings as having local interest meriting consideration under the
demolition ordinance; however, the report indicates neither property is eligible for listing
on the NRHP either individually or as a contributing property to a potential district. He
explained a determination of local interest does not mean a building is significant or
worthy of preservation; rather, it simply means further investigation is merited. Staff
Member Johnson explained Planning Services Staff thoroughly researched and
documented each property in an Iowa Site Inventory Form provided for the
Commission's consideration and sent to the SHPO for their review and comment. He
noted the SHPO reviewed the information and concurred with the findings in the Site
Inventory Form that the properties do not have sufficient integrity for NRHP eligibility.
Jeffrey Jaeger, 2725 Oak Crest Drive, was present to represent the application. The
Commission discussed the application, noting that the buildings were not eligible for the
National Register. The Commission indicated that neighboring property owners had
contacted Commissioners regarding the demolition. The Commission discussed the
standards for review.
Motion by Olson, seconded by Schlarman, to approve the Application for Demolition in
a Conservation District as submitted. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye:
McDonell, Schlarman, Klavitter, Loney-Bichell, Monk, Olson, Rapp, and Whalen; Nay -
none; Abstain — none.
DESIGN REVIEW: Application of Michael Belmont and Mary Pregler-Belmont for a
Certificate of Appropriateness for Historic Revolving Loan Funds for 1394 Locust
Street, located in the Jackson Park Historic District.
Staff Member Johnson stated the applicant has withdrawn the application. He noted the
sole reason for the application was the request for Historic Preservation Revolving Loan
Funds. He stated the financing is no longer needed, none of the work will result in a
material change in effect, and the project is in compliance with the City of Dubuque
Architectural Guidelines. He explained the project is simply repairing and replacing
existing materials in-kind and Planning Services Staff will approve the building permit.
ITEMS FROM PUBLIC: There were no items from the public.
Minutes — Historic Preservation Commission
June 19, 2014
Page 3
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION:
Work Plan Update: Commissioner Monk did not have any update on the Survey and
Registration Project goal. Staff Member Johnson indicated City Council had approved
the request for proposals for the Phase VI Intensivce Survey and Evaluation as well as
the Registration Program. He noted Jim Jacobsen was awarded the contract to
prepare the Old Town Neighborhood National Register of Historic Places nomination
project.
Commissioner Schlarman did not have an update on the Public Spaces in Historic
Neighborhoods goal and the Ordinance Adoption and Enforcement goal.
Commissioner Whalen did not have an update on the Comparative Analysis of Historic
Districts goal. Staff indicated a detailed Land Use Analysis was completed for the City,
providing information on land use, number of dwelling units for residential structures,
and number of employees in commercial buildings. Staff related that maps would be
distributed to Commissioners at the next meeting so they could verify the information by
walking their neighborhoods and providing comments on the analysis. Staff also
indicated that information on historic property values could be provided by the City
Assessor's Office.
Commissioner Klavitter provided an overview of the Education Plan goal to the
Commission, noting that he met with Planning Services Staff to discuss the items
included in the report.
ITEMS FROM STAFF:
Building Department Historic Preservation Enforcement Update: Staff Member Johnson
provided an overview of updates to the Enforcement Report, informing the Commission
that a notice of violation was issued to the listing agent of 1163 Highland, and that a
hearing was scheduled for 1921 Madison Street on July 11.
The Commission discussed the effectiveness of the Demolition by Neglect ordinance,
and potential ways to achieve better compliance with property maintenance. Staff
indicated that parts of the Commission's work plan on Ordinance Adoption and
Enforcement included a meeting with Legal and Building Services to discuss specific
enforcement issues.
The Commission and Staff discussed the current role of the Commission in
enforcement issues. Staff noted that most complaints are handled by the Building and
Housing Departments and that Planning is not notified of every violation within Historic
Districts. Staff Member Johnson noted the Commission and Planning Services Staff do
not refer enforcement cases. The Commission and Staff reviewed past events and
consensus that the Commission is not to refer enforcement concerns; instead, they are
Minutes — Historic Preservation Commission
June 19, 2014
Page 4
to refer concerns individually to the appropriate department or use the Citizen Support
Center on the City's website similar to any other resident. The Commission discussed
reviewing active enforcement cases in Historic Districts. Staff noted doing so will not
result in any greater compliance or level of maintenance.
National Park Service Annual Reports: Planning Staff noted that this item is an annual
report used to collect information on local historic preservation activities and that no
action by the Commission is necessary.
Notices of Decision: Planning Services Staff notified the Commission that Notices of
Decision were no longer being recorded with the Recorders Office due to the cost and
the lack of benefits of filing the notice. Staff reviewed the costs associated with
recording documents. Staff and the Commission questioned the original intent of filing
notices with Dubuque County Recorder and whether the administrative and financial
costs outweighed the desired effect. The Commission discussed the costs and benefits
of recording notices. Staff reviewed current mechanisms which alert property owners of
historic districts including entry signs, the City Assessor's website and real estate
disclosure statements.
The Commission expressed concern that property owners, or prospective property
owners may not know, or claim to have not known, that a property is in a historic district
after a Certificate of Appropriateness is issued or alterations are made after the fact.
Planning Services Staff reviewed the City's permit's system, noting that all properties in
historic districts are flagged and exterior permits are not issued without first obtaining
approval from the Historic Preservation Commission or Planning Services Department.
Staff noted if the Commission wanted to continue recording Notices of Decisions they
will need to justify the need in a budget request for Fiscal Year 2016. Staff Member
Johnson explained the Commission budget items are presented to them annually.
Planning Services Staff indicated that they would continue to provide Notices of
Decision to the property owner and to the Building Department following the issuance of
a Certificate of Appropriateness or Demolition Review.
The Commission discussed the reasons for recording Notices of Decision and whether
to bring the issue up when the Commission reviews new budget requests.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 7:07 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
David Johnson, Assistant Planner Adopted