Minutes_Historic Preservation Commission 7 21 16 BT29
rxernvor
DUB E IIII.
Mastergieee on the Missiuippi w. ..,j
MINUTES
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
REGULAR SESSION
5:30 p.m.
Thursday, July 21, 2016
City Council Chamber, Historic Federal Building
Commissioners Present: Chairperson Christina Monk; Commissioners Emily
Hilgendorf, Al Kopcyzk, David Klavitter, Bob McDonell, Leslie Terry and Joseph Rapp.
Commissioners Excused: Commissioner John McAndrews.
Commissioners Unexcused: None.
Staff Members Present: Todd Carr, Laura Carstens and David Johnson.
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Monk at 5:31 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 Hilgendort, seconded by Rapp, to approve the minutes of May
19, 2016 meeting as submitted. Motion carried 6-0 by the following vote: Aye -
McDonell, Rapp, Hilgendort, Kopcyzk, Terry, and Monk; Nay — None.
INTRODUCTIONS: The Commission welcomed new Commission Member Leslie Terry.
Commissioner Klavitter entered the meeting at 5:32 P.M.
Commissioner Nieto entered the meeting at 5:33 P.M.
DESIGN REVIEW. Application of Joe Mulgrew to remove the rear dormer, construct a
stairwell tower and a walk-out deck on the rear of the building located at 1358 Locust
Street located in the Jackson Park Historic District.
Staff Member Johnson reviewed the application and the staff report. He reviewed the
project in relation to the City's Architectural Guidelines.
Property owner/applicant Dot Hodder of Wilmington, North Carolina, and contractor Joe
Mulgrew of Dubuque, Iowa, introduced themselves. Ms. Hodder said she and her
husband have purchased the building and will be restoring it for them to live in. The
Commission questioned the dormer. Mr. Mulgrew noted the dormer was installed in the
1970's and removed. The roof form will be restored to original. The parapet walls will
not be impacted by the project.
Minutes — Historic Preservation Commission Page 2
July 21 , 2016
The Commission and applicant discussed structural and design components of the
projects. The Commission questioned the location of the mutins. The applicant stated
the windows will have simulated divided light with the narrow profile to be applied to the
exterior. The Commission supported the simulated divided light windows.
The applicant clarified the deck will be treated lumber and the stairwell will be made of
framed walls and smooth, painted cement-board siding. The Commission asked about
the door type and design on the rear addition. Mr. Mulgrew noted the front doors have
been salvaged, and the rear doors will be similar to the front with architectural detail.
Motion by Nieto, seconded by Hilgendorf, to approve the application as submitted with
simulated divided lights as discussed and architectural detail on the rear door. Motion
carried by the following vote: Aye - Kopczyk, Nieto, Terry, McDonell, Rapp, Klavitter,
Hilgendorf, and Monk; Nay - None.
ITEMS FROM PUBLIC: None.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION:
Work Plan Update: Staff Member Carstens gave the Work Plan Update. She reviewed
goals for the Economic Impact Study and National Register of Historic Places (NRNP)
Entry Signs have made little progress. Commissioner Klavitter noted Heritage Works is
willing to help facilitate a fundraising drive for the signs, and has an interest in assisting
with the economic impact study. Commissioner Kopczyk noted Alliant Energy will not be
funding the sign project. It was agreed that staff will schedule a meeting with Heritage
Works to discuss these potential partnerships. The Commission requested to review
the suggested sign names for the districts. Staff agreed to provide the names at a
future meeting.
Staff Member Carstens reported progress has been made on the Architectural/Historic
Survey/Evaluation goals. She noted Planning Services Staff met with goal champions
Chairperson Monk and Commissioner Rapp to discuss future survey areas, with the
consensus to focus on areas within the Bee Branch Watershed and also fill in any gaps
in the areas already surveyed. She reviewed recommended priority areas. Chairperson
Monk requested a map of suggested areas be provided to the Commission at a future
meeting. Staff agreed to provide a map of these areas.
Staff Member Carstens reported on National Registration goals. She noted Planning
Services Staff is continuing to work the State Historic Preservation Office on nominating
Eagle Point Park. She reviewed other nomination opportunities and partnerships
including Iowa State University's new Historic Preservation Certificate Program. Staff
offered to provide a map of these sites at a future meeting as well.
Chairperson Monk encouraged Commissioners who are not yet goal champions to
consider supporting one or more of the work plan goals.
Minutes — Historic Preservation Commission Page 3
July 21 , 2016
The Commission and Staff discussed submitting a Certified Local Government (CLG)
grant request for survey and/or registration projects. They noted an estimated budget
has yet to be developed and the timeline is very short. Staff agreed to look into the
possibility of submitting an application.
Preserve Iowa Summit: Chairperson Monk brought the 2016 Preserve Iowa Summit to
the attention of the Commission. Staff Member Carstens noted the travel prohibition
has been lifted so Commissioners may be able to attend training opportunities. She
stated she will forward information.
ITEMS FROM STAFF
Building Services Department Manager Introduction — Todd Carr: Staff Member
Carstens introduced Building Services Department Manager Todd Carr. She reviewed
the Building Services Department's relationship with the Planning Services Department
and the Historic Preservation Commission with respect to the permitting, design review,
and enforcement process for properties in local historic districts.
Staff Member Carr introduced himself and reviewed his professional background and
city projects he has been involved in. He further reviewed the permitting and inspection
process for properties in local historic districts. He reviewed the 2015 International
Existing Building Code for existing or historic buildings. He noted the scoring for historic
projects give designers, contractors, and property owners flexibility to preserve
important historic features while meeting essential life safety requirements. He noted
the 2015 International Existing Building Code is almost identical to the previous
Dubuque Historic Building Code.
The Commission asked what has been landlords' response to the 2015 International
Property Maintenance Code. Staff Member Carr stated this new code is easier to
understand, and with its firmer regulations it will help make enforcement simpler and
easier.
Commissioner Kopczyk questioned how the electrical code impacts historic projects. He
stated some property owners don't update historic electrical (knob and tube) systems
because of significant costs. Staff Member Carr explained once the work extends
beyond repair people are required to upgrade for safety reasons, and agreed this can
be a significant expense.
The Commission asked about porch railings, noting how important they are to defining
the character of buildings. The Commission noted new railings on historic buildings are
being built too high above the window sill in order to meet modern code. Staff Member
Carr explained the Building Services Department will allow some flexibility depending
on how high the porch is off the ground. He noted another option to meet code can
include slightly lowering the porch on rehabilitation projects to under 30 inches, if it is
Minutes — Historic Preservation Commission Page 4
July 21 , 2016
not noticeable, to eliminate the code requirement for higher railings. The Commission
discussed other alternatives to meet code and preserve the appearance.
Election of Officers: Staff Member Johnson reviewed the by-laws and eligibility of
Commissioners for the offices of Chairperson and Vice Chairperson. Commissioner
Klavitter discussed the importance of having more than one year in elected positions
and asked other Commissioners to think about running in the future.
Motion by McDonell, seconded by Rapp to nominate Commissioner Monk as
Chairperson. Motion carried by the following vote: Aye - Kopczyk, Nieto, Terry,
McDonell, Rapp, Monk, Klavitter, and Hilgendorf, Nay - None.
Motion by McDonell, seconded by Hilgendorf to nominate Commissioner Rapp as Vice
Chairperson. Commissioner Rapp declined, and the motion was withdrawn.
Motion by Rapp, seconded by Klavitter to nominate Commissioner Hilgendorf as Vice-
Chairperson. Commissioner Hilgendorf indicated she would prefer more time before
taking a leadership position. The Commission discussed the role of Vice-Chairperson.
Commissioner Hilgendorf accepted the nomination. Motion carried by the following
vote: Aye- Kopczyk, Nieto, Terry, McDonell, Rapp, Monk, Klavitter, and Hilgendorf, Nay
- None.
Building Services Historic Preservation Enforcement Report: Staff Member Johnson
reviewed the history of the enforcement report and recent updates. He noted that the
City's Legal Department no longer wants the Commission as a whole to refer potential
enforcement cases to staff; but rather to individually contact the Building Services
Department or use the City website's citizen support center or My DBQ app to submit
any specific concerns.
Staff Approvals: Staff Member Johnson provided a review of the Staff review process
and projects that staff will sign-off on. He reviewed all demolition projects, new
construction, additions and projects that do not clearly adhere to the City's Architectural
Guidelines are sent to the Commission for their review. He added that projects which
meet the Architectural Guidelines or normal maintenance or repairs staff will approve.
The Commission discussed the building code requirements regarding timeframes for
starting a project and concluding a project.
ADJOURNMENT: Motion by McDonell, seconded by Rapp to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried by the following vote: Aye - Kopczyk, Nieto, Terry, McDonell, Rapp,
Monk, Klavitter, and Hilgendorf; Nay — None. The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager Adopted