Minutes_Historic Preservation Commission 1 21 16 Dubuque
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MINUTES
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
5:30 p.m.
Thursday, January 21, 2016
City Council Chamber, Historic Federal Building
Commissioners Present: Chairperson Christina Monk; Commissioners Emily
Hilgendorf, David Klavitter, Bob McDonell, John McAndrews and Joseph Rapp.
Commissioners Excused: None.
Commissioners Unexcused: None.
Staff Members Present: Laura Carstens and David Johnson.
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Monk at 5:33 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 McDonell, seconded by Hilgendorf, to approve the minutes of the
November 19, 2015 meeting as submitted. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye —
McDonell, Monk, McAndrews, Rapp and Hilgendorf; Nay— None; Abstain — Klavitter.
DESIGN REVIEW: Application of Chris Soeder/Dubuque County for a design review to
install a freestanding sign located at 36 East 8th Street for a City Landmark.
Commissioners Monk and Hilgendorf explained their architectural firm is assisting with
the project and they have a conflict of interest, and therefore, excused themselves from
discussion and the table.
Staff presented the staff report. Staff Member Johnson explained Dubuque County is
requesting to install one freestanding sign with an electronic message component. He
explained the Old Jail building is a City Landmark and a National Historic Landmark.
He reviewed the existing freestanding sign is located parallel to the road and will be
removed and replaced with a new freestanding sign which will be installed
perpendicular to the road. He stated the new freestanding sign will measures
approximately nine feet wide and five feet high, and the electronic message component
will be 4'3" wide by 1'5" high. He stated the sign will incorporate the jail door used in
the existing sign and the remaining portions of the sign will be a random sized
limestone veneer. He stated the sign lettering will be a bronzed metal.
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January 21, 2016
He stated Veterans Affairs will be occupying the building. He reviewed Dubuque
County's need for the electronic message component of the sign. He noted the
electronic message component will announce changes to Veteran regulations and
programs as well as announce upcoming events and activities specific to veterans and
their families. He noted Dubuque County did consider a completely static sign however
it would not adequately inform veterans of current changes in programming.
Staff Member Johnson reviewed the purpose of the architectural guidelines in the
application and noted staff has provided a point-by-point analysis of all relevant
guidelines for the project in the staff report for the Commission's consideration. He
noted the guidelines do not recommend animated message board and internally
illuminated signs. He stated the guidelines suggest external illumination and traditional
and historic materials in character with the details of the building.
Staff Member Johnson said the Commission needs to consider the building and areas
overall context and use as well as the degree of flexibility in order to accommodate
adapting and improving the building. Staff Member Johnson in general the electronic
message component of the sign may not be considered consistent with the City of
Dubuque Architectural Guidelines however all other components of the sign can be
considered consistent with the guidelines. Staff Member Johnson stated the role of the
Commission in reviewing public projects is to serve as an advisory design review board
to City Council. He stated the Commission is asked to review all considerations for the
Dubuque County Veterans Affairs sign and make a recommendation to City Council.
He explained the Commission's recommendation will be forwarded to Council for their
consideration where City Council will review the recommendation and weight that
against the County's need for the sign and its components in order to perform its
governmental function.
Chris Soeder, Dubuque County Facility Supervisor, 720 Central Avenue, reviewed the
project description. He discussed re-use of the Old Jail building for the veterans Affairs
Department and the need for extensive information sharing for the public and veterans.
He explained the sign will be used to not only promote the Veterans Affairs activities
and programs, but also times for the public to access the historic jail. He noted
Dubuque County still wants to allow the public an opportunity to enjoy the building's
history.
Mr. Soeder reviewed re-use of the existing sign materials as well as new materials for
the sign. He noted the building's limestone veneer will complement where the sign's
limestone veneer will complement the building's limestone and the bronze lettering will
also complement the building. Mr. Soeder stated the jail door used on the previous
sign will be utilized as part of the new sign.
The Commission and Mr. Soeder discussed the compatibility of the proposed sign as
well as the electronic message center component. Commissioners discussed removing
the old jail door from the proposed sign to reduce the sign's visual impact and potential
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January 21, 2016
distraction from the building. The Commission noted that the jail door does not visually
obscure much and therefore would not have too great a visual impact in terms of the
building or the sign's size and scale in relationship to the building.
The Commission discussed the electronic message center component. The applicant
explained the electronic message component of the sign is the smallest possible size
allowed.
The Commission discussed the illumination of the sign. Staff Member Johnson noted if
the Commission is concerned about light pollution, the Commission has required in
previous design reviews for digital signs that the background use darker colors, no
flashing or animation, and maintain static messages whenever possible in order to
minimize light pollution.
The Commission discussed alternative sign designs with different sizes and placement
of lettering as well as the electronic message center configuration. The Commission
discussed alternatives for the amount of limestone as well as removal of the old jail
door and how the static lettering can be best illuminated.
The Commission reviewed the height of the sign as well as the placement of the sign in
relationship to the building and street. Mr. Soeder clarified the freestanding sign is
proposed as close to the street as possible so as to not detract from the historic
building.
The Commission reviewed the location of the electronic message component. Staff
Member Johnson stated the electronic message component is likely designed higher in
the sign due to on-street parking frequently used along Central Avenue. The
Commission noted if the sign is located close enough to the intersection, parking along
Central Avenue should not have that great of an impact on visibility of the sign since
Central Avenue is a one-way street.
The Commission discussed using a warm white background instead of vibrant colors
such as red light sources. The Commission also noted the electronic message
component should be subordinate to the lettering and also suggested illuminating the
lettering from the ground.
Mr. Soeder reviewed the existing signage as well as the proposed location for the new
sign. He clarified the existing sign has been removed, and the previously used jail door
will be relocated and incorporated into the new sign. He reviewed photos as well as the
site plan provided by Dubuque County. He clarified the electronic message center
component will be two-sided for pedestrian traffic as well as vehicular traffic, will be full
color, and medium density lighting.
The Commission stated electronic message signs are not in keeping with historic
districts or national historic landmarks, but they understood what the Veterans Affairs
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January 21, 2016
Department is attempting to accomplish in conveying information to veterans. The
Commission discussed re-using or removing the old jail door. The Commission stated
they were in support of the materials and scale of the sign; however, their preference is
that the sign not have an electronic message center component. The Commission
stated if City Council feels the electronic message center component is necessary, they
would recommend a monochrome, soft white light and that the electronic message
center component be located beneath the static letter of the sign.
Motion by Klavitter, seconded by McDonell, to recommend City Council approve the
materials of the monument sign as presented to be in accordance with the City of
Dubuque Architectural Guidelines without an electronic message center component.
However, if City Council feels the electronic message center component is needed, the
Commission recommends the electronic message center component not be animated
or flash, have a monochrome, warm white illumination, be subordinate and below the
static lettering for the sign and the static lettering be illuminated externally also using a
warm white light.
Motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Klavitter, McDonell, McAndrews and Rapp;
Nay - None; Abstain — Monk and Hilgendorf.
ITEMS FROM PUBLIC: None.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION:
Work Plan Update: Staff Member Johnson reviewed the updated format and progress on
the work plan. He discussed the economic impact study, noting a new work plan sheet has
been prepared aligning the process and anticipated steps. He referred the Commission to
the media release for the National Register of Historic Places Districts that was created.
He noted he was interviewed by KATH locally as well as NPR out of the Quad Cities in
response to the story.
National Register Listings: The Commission questioned the status of the identification
signs for the National Register Districts. Staff Member Carstens report that the
Commission's request has been submitted as a budget improvement request for Council's
consideration. She stated more information should be available in February.
The Commission reviewed the importance of property owners being aware of the financial
incentives of being located in National Register districts and discussed correspondence
with recently listed property owners. Staff Member Johnson noted property owners are not
provided individual notification after the nomination process is complete. However, every
property owner within a proposed district is provided notice and an opportunity to comment
during the process. The Commission discussed sending property owners' post cards
notifying them of the formal listing on the National Register as well as a link to information
outlining the financial benefits of the National Register.