Minutes Historic Preservation 9 20 07f ~1
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MINUTES
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REGULAR SESSION
Thursday, September 20, 2007
5:30 p.m.
Auditorium, Carnegie Stout Library
360 W. 11th Street, Dubuque, Iowa
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PRESENT: Chairperson Christine Olson; Commission Members John Whalen,
Keisha Wainwright, Mary Loney Bichell, Chris Wand, Matthew Lundh and
Bob McDonnell; Staff Members David Johnson, Laura Carstens and Jon
Dienst.
ABSENT: Commission Member Mike Coty.
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 Olson at 5:36 p.m.
MINUTES: Motion by Bichell, seconded by McDonnell to approve the minutes of the
August 16, 2007, meeting as submitted. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye -
Olson, Wainwright, Bichell, and McDonnell; Nay -None.
DESIGN REVIEW: Application of William & Renee Souto for a Certificate of
Appropriateness to install laminated asphalt "Carriage House" shingles on the mansard
roof located at 1655 Main Street in the Jackson Park Historic District.
NOTE: Commissioners Wand and Whalen arrived at 5:38 p.m.
William and Renee Souto, 1655 Main Street, were present to review their application.
Mr. Souto explained after purchasing the property in 2005, the roof leaked badly during
the winter causing the second and third floor ceilings to be replaced. He stated they
replaced the flat portion of the roof with a rubber membrane, and the following winter
the mansard roof leaked once again, requiring the second floor ceiling to be replaced.
He explained they are requesting a Certificate of Appropriateness to allow a laminated
asphalt carriage house-style shingle on the mansard roof to address those issues. He
explained they hired Eastern Iowa Construction (EIC) and Roofing to replace the
asphalt and slate shingles on the mansard roof. He explained contrary to their
contractual agreement, EIC Roofing failed to acquire the necessary permits and
Commission approval prior to installation of the inappropriate and poorly installed
laminated asphalt shingles. He stated they would like have the mansard roof repaired
and replaced in accordance with City Code.
Staff Member Johnson reviewed the staff report. He explained the architectural
guidelines for historic structures slate materials selected for roofing can have a dramatic
Minutes -Historic Preservation Commission
September 20, 2007
Page 2
impact on the appearance of buildings. He stated slate was a very popular material on
the larger, high style homes, and original materials should be retained and repaired
whenever possible. He explained the guidelines state these materials can be
prohibitively expensive, however, and substitute materials may be acceptable, if
installed properly. He explained the guidelines suggest that if the original materials are
no longer present, a severely deteriorated, or prohibitively expensive, substitute
material, such as fiberglass, metal, or architectural asphalt shingles are acceptable.
New materials should attempt to match the original in color, size and shape. He stated
new asphalt or fiberglass material should be appropriate in color, such as black, gray,
or dark brown. Dark red, blue/gray, and dark green are also appropriate if replacing
slate or tile.
The Commission questioned the percentage of roof that was slate. Mrs. Souto stated
approximately 50% of the material on the mansard roof was slate prior to EIC Roofing
removing the material. The Commission discussed the color and style of the shingles
on 1655 Main Street and similar homes. Mr. Souto explained they would like to install
laminated asphalt carriage house-style shingles on the mansard roof like those on the
Ryan House, except in gray. Mr. Souto distributed photographs of mansard roofs found
in Dubuque with the carriage house-style shingle that they want to install on 1655 Main
Street.
Motion by Wand, seconded by Bichell, to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness to
install the laminated asphalt carriage house-style shingles as presented and gray in
color. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye -Whalen, Olson, Wainwright, Bichell,
Wand, Lundh and McDonnell; Nay -None.
ADVISORY DESIGN REVIEW: Request by City of Dubuque for Advisory Design
Review of the project to repair and reconstruct the W. 11th Street Elevator/Stairs
located at W. 11 t" Street in the W. 11 t" Street Historic District.
Jon Dienst, City Engineering Department, reviewed the project. He described the
project involves partial reconstruction and repair of the stairs and repair of the railing at
the top of the West 11t" Street stairs. He explained the project will involve the removal
of the street pavement on Grove Terrace around the upper portion of the 11t" Street
stairs, excavating above the existing arch, installation of a reinforced concrete bridge
with ties to hold the existing arch in place, reshaping of the existing roadway subgrade
to correct drainage deficiencies, installation of new curb and gutter and limestone
barrier wall, installation of new concrete pavement and installation of new decorative
fencing. The existing retaining walls along the 11t" Street stairs will be repaired and
replaced where needed using native Dubuque limestone and proper tuckpointing. He
explained the existing materials will be used to the greatest extent possible with new
materials to match the existing materials in size, color and material type. He explained
a historic pedestrian light is proposed to be placed along the sidewalk below the arch to
provide illumination for the lower portion of the stairs as well as illuminate under the
arch itself. He explained the City would like to begin this project in the spring of 2008
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September 20, 2007
Page 3
with an estimated completion date in the summer of 2008. He explained by removing
the street above the arch and installing a concrete bridge to support the street over the
arch, the arch will no longer support the weight of the street, consequently
strengthening the arch. He explained that decorative hoop railings with limestone
pillars will be installed at the top of the stairs. He explained the limestone pillars would
be a bid alternate. He explained Engineering is also proposing a decorative pedestrian
light on the limestone pillar to illuminate the arch and stairs.
Commissioners discussed how the storm water will be handled. Commissioners
reviewed which walls will be repaired and replaced. Staff Member Dienst explained
how drain the will be installed and how the entrance at Grove Terrace will be changed.
He noted the current stair entrance on Grove Terrace will be moved 90 degrees, and a
vehicle barrier will be added. In response to the question by the Commission, Staff
Member Dienst noted the course work will be horizontal and the plans are incorrect in
this respect. He noted the project will take about two months and will block the
entrance to one property.
The Commission requested a trash can be added at the base of the arch.
Staff Member Dienst explained that the existing rail would be sandblasted, painted and
re-used where possible. The Commission requested that a more decorative hand rail
or re-use of the existing rail with the hoop rail behind it. Staff Member Dienst explained
that Engineering will evaluate how far the railing will be repaired and replaced, and a
decorative railing may be a bid alternate. The Commission suggested using the
decorative hoop railing proposed on the top of the stair entrance as the decorative rail
to be used along to the stairs.
Staff Member Dienst confirmed the existing arch supports will be cleaned and painted.
The Commission discussed the proposed lighting at the base of the arch. The
Commission recommended the historic pedestrian light fixture proposed at the stair
landing at the base of the arch be relocated and fixed atop another of the proposed
stone pillars. The Commission recommended discretely located and historically
appropriate light fixtures to up-light and illuminate the under side of the arch as an
alternative to the pedestrian light fixture. The Commission explained that would be a
preferred lighting alternative since a pedestrian light fixture near the stair landing at the
base of the arch would create an interruption in the sight line and distance as you look
up or down through the arch. The Commission emphasized the lighting would have to
be evenly distributed under the arch.
The Commission discussed moving the switch back of the stairs under the arch. The
Commission discussed the previous location of the West 11th Street elevator in relation
to the stairs. Staff Member Dienst confirmed the stairs will follow the current alignment
and be built to City Code. The Commission discussed whether the stairs could be
rebuilt with a straight run without the dog leg by removing fill under the arch. The
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September 20, 2007
Page 4
Commission discussed the added cost of excavation and removal of the north facing
stairs.
By consensus, the Commission tabled the Advisory Design Review for the repair and
reconstruction of the West 11th Street stairs to a future meeting and requested
Engineering evaluate the following options to be presented to the Commission at a later
date:
1) Excavate the fill under the arch, remove the north facing stair, and consider a
straight run of stairs.
2) Limestone coursework to run horizontal.
3) Up-light the arch instead of the pedestrian light fixture at the stair landing at the
base of the arch.
4) Combine the proposed decorative hoop railing with the existing style of handrail
on the stair.
5) A trash container be located at the bottom of the stairs.
ITEMS FROM PUBLIC:
Envision 2010 Rail Committee: The Commission discussed the memorandum from the
Envision 2010 Rail Committee requesting support in bringing passenger rail service back to
Dubuque.
Motion by Bichell, seconded by McDonnell, to direct staff to write a letter of support to
bring passenger rail service between Dubuque and Chicago. Motion carried by the
following vote: Aye -Whalen, Olson, Wainwright, Bichell, Lundh, Wand and
McDonnell; Nay -None.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION:
Elect Vice Chairperson: The Commission discussed electing a new vice chairperson.
Commissioner Wand stated the new vice chairperson should be someone who has not
served as vice-chairperson or the chairperson of the Commission. He explained the vice
chairperson position should be filled by a commissioner who would like to eventually
become chairperson.
Motion by Wainwight, seconded by Bichell, to nominate Commissioner Lundh to be vice
chairperson for the Historic Preservation Commission. Motion carried by the following
vote: Aye -Whalen, Olson, Wainwright, Bichell, Lundh, Wand and McDonnell; Nay -
None.
HPC Meeting Location: The Commission discussed where future Historic Preservation
Commission meetings will be located, given the recent renovation to the Historic Federal
Building. The Commission noted that the old City Council Chambers in the Carnegie Stout
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September 20, 2007
Page 5
Public Library where the Commission currently meets will soon be under reconstruction as
well.
Motion by Wand, seconded by Olson, to direct staff to look into the possibility of the
Historic Preservation Commission regularly meeting at the Historic Federal Building
beginning in 2008. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye -Whalen, Olson,
Wainwright, Bichell, Lundh, Wand and McDonnell; Nay -None.
Electronic Meetings: Commissioner Wainwright noted with the City's recent efforts
towards becoming a Green City and more sustainable, the Commission should consider
sending agendas electronically and having laptops at meetings. The Commission
discussed possible ways to review the electronic agendas. The Commission agreed
that agenda packets could be loaded on laptops, which could be provided to each
member at meetings, and agendas could be mailed out in advance in the form of an
email or a CD. The Commission directed staff to look into what needs to be done to
transition to an electronic meeting format.
ITEMS FROM STAFF:
Building Services Dept. -Status Report on Historic Preservation Enforcement: Staff
Member Johnson reviewed the report and noted where progress has been made. He
noted a number of places where the report has not been updated, and a full report cannot
be made.
The Commission expressed concern that the property owner at 1017 Bluff Street was
operating a construction business out of the home, and storing construction and other
types of debris in the yard. The Commission requested staff have the Building Services
Department provide a report on outstanding Code violations and debris in the yard at 1017
Bluff.
Staff Member Johnson stated he did forward the Commission's request to have the
Building Services Department check into the unsafe porch for the building next to Central
School in the 1500 block of West Locust; however, no indication of that happening is
provided in the current Building Services Department Enforcement Report.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 7:03 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
David Johnson, Assistant Planner
Adopted