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Minutes Historic Pres 4 18 02MINUTES IeST01 IC REGULAR SESSION PRESENT: Thursday, Apd118, 2002 5:00 p.m. Auditorium, Carnegie Stout Library 360 W. 11th Street, Dubuque, Iowa Chairperson Terry Mozena; Commission Members Ken I~ingl~e~Jim~7 Gibbs, Chris Wand, Suzanne Guinn and Audrey Henson; Staff Members Laura Carstens, Wally Wernimont and Bill Baum. ABSENT: None. 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 Mozena at 5:05 p.m. MINUTES: Motion by Kringle, seconded by Henson, to approve the minutes of the March 21,2002 Historic Preservation Commission meeting as submitted. Motion was approved by the following vote: Aye- Kringle, Henson, and Mozena; Nay- None; Abstain: Guinn. NOTE: Commissioner Wand arrived at 5:06 p.m. Chairperson Mozena granted Bill Baum's request to move his agenda item to the beginning of the meeting because of a time scheduling conflict. ITEMS FROM STAFF: Proposed Policy for Tax Rebates for Downtown Historic Buildinqs: Economic Development Director Bill Baum presented a proposed policy for tax rebates for downtown historic buildings to the Commission. Mr. Baum discussed the City's history of helping property owners with rehabilitation of structures located in the downtown area He noted that the City has provided funding to the Grand Opera House, the Iowa Inn, the Cooper Wagon Works building, the Town Clock building and Pepper Sprouts through TIF financing, the Fagade Grant Program and the Downtown Rehab Loans. He explained that there is an additional cost to rehabbing an historic building than rehabbing a building that isn't quite as old. NOTE: Commissioner Gibbs arrived at 5:10 p.m. Mr. Baum noted that some of these buildings are using tax credits to help offset the additional cost. He noted that the buildings need to meet the Secretary of Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation, and then referred to the cost of the Bricktown Brewery and Minutes -Histodc Preservation Commission April 18, 2002 Page 2 the Town Clock buildings. He discussed the proposed initiatives to offset cost through tax rebates handled through the City instead of the County. He noted that all applications would need to have a letter from the State Historic Preservation Officer stating that it meets the Secretary of Interior Standards for Rehabilitation before being able to apply for these tax rebates. The Commission reviewed the requirements of the program and noted that the application should go to the Economic Development Department rather than the Planning Services Department. Mr. Baum stated that the Historic Preservation Commission would have the opportunity to review the applications prior to being approved for the tax rebate. Mr. Baum noted that he would like to see a letter of recommendation from the Historic Preservation Commission in favor of the City Council approving the program. Motion by Wand, seconded by Gibbs, to send a letter of recommendation to the City Council to approve the proposed policy for tax rebates for downtown historic buildings. Motion was approved by the following vote: Aye - Kringle, Gibbs, Wand, Guinn, Henson and Mozena; Nay - None. DESIGN REVIEW: Application of the Fischer Companies for a Certificate of Appropriateness and Far,~ade Grant to redesign fa(;ade and add landscaping for property located at 290 Main Street in the Old Main District. Lynn Quigley, representing the Fischer Companies, presented the application to the Commission. She stated that the redesigning of the fa(;ade was an attempt to mimic the exterior fa(;ade of the Chamber building located directly across the street. She reported they would place awnings on the front of the building and an awning on the side of the building above their entrance into the main office for the Fischer Companies. She also stated that the front of the building would be covered with a dryvet material. She noted that the fence located between the Fischer Companies building and the Julien Inn will be moved back 15-20 feet in order to provide landscaping along the sidewalk. She stated that the remaining three sides of the building would be painted a brick color tO match the dryvet. Staff Member Carstens presented the staff report, noting that a document entitled, "Historic Preservation Planning and Design Study for the Lower Main Street Historic District," that was created by Bruce Kriviskey, stated that one of the recommendations for the structure was to place fabric awnings on the building and possibly add a second story to the structure. Staff Member Carstens discussed that the color of the building would match the existing Cooper Wagon Works Building located across the street and the Chamber building. She also noted that dryvet was previously approved by the Historic Preservation Commission to be placed on the Cooper Wagon Works Building. She also noted in the document created by Kriviskey, it states that the building has no architectural or historical significance. She stated that the applicant is applying for a fa~;ade grant from the Economic DeveloPment Department in order to help fund the exterior changes to the building. Minutes - Historic Preservation Commission April 18, 2002 Page 3 Staff Member Wernimont noted that the awnings will be projecting into the right-of-way, and that the applicants have been working with the Engineering Department to get approval for that projection. Ms. Quigley said that they have met with the Main Street architect to discuss the building and the exterior changes. The Commission had some questions regarding the cornice. Ms. Quigley described the cornice in detail along the front of the building and stated that it will wrap around the corner and wilt extend six feet along the Third Street side of the building. Commissioner Guinn questioned if they had considered any other material besides dryvet. Ms. Quigley stated that they have looked into concrete brick pattern; however, that would not have been feasible. Chairperson Mozena asked Ron Helbing about the possibility of using brick as they had previously discussed. Mr. Helbing said that use of brick would be cost prohibitive. Chairperson Mozena noted. that the structure is a gateway building leading into the ice Harbor, and he would have liked to see a brick veneer on the front of this structure. Ms. Quigley stated that placing brick on the front of the structure would extend into the public right-of-way. Commissioner Gibbs asked what the applicants were going to do with the projecting sign. Ms. Quigley said that there would be a sign located on the side of the building; however, they have not decided on the design yet. Ms. Quigley said that the cornice would project six inches from the front of the building. Commissioner Guinn stated that she does not like the use of dryvet; however, dryvet works with this building because of the location of the property line and because the building has little or no architectural or historical significance. Motion by Guinn, seconded by Wand, to approve the application as submitted. Motion was approved by the following vote: Aye - Kringle, Gibbs, Wand, Guinn, and Henson; Nay - Mozena. DESIGN REVIEW: Application of Pixie Stix, Inc./Tim O'Brien/Blackacre Properties for a Certificate of Appropriateness to install a sign located at 425 Bluff Street inthe Cathedral District. Stacia Brannon presented the application to the Commission. She stated that she would like to install a sign on an existing post to help advertise her business to be located on the structure at 425 Bluff Street. The Commission reviewed the application and noted that the sign meets all the current sign regulations for this district. Motion by Kringle, seconded by Wand, to approve the sign design as submitted. Motion was approved by the following vote: Aye - Kringle, Gibbs, Wand, Guinn, Henson and Mozena; Nay- None. DESIGN REVIEW: Application of Kathleen Freeman for a Certificate of Appropriateness to construct steps and install hand railing for property located at 653- 655 Bluff Street in the Cathedral District. Minutes - Historic Preservation Commission April 18, 2002 Page 4 Kate Freeman presented her application to the Commission. She discussed the design of the steps and explained that she had previously received Historic Preservation Commission approval for the porch design. She stated that there will be eight steps from the sidewalk to the porch. She noted that the first six will be made of concrete, and then there will be a landing, which wilt provide access to the side yard, and then two wooden steps from the landing to the front porch. She stated that the hand railing will be similar to the one shown in the picture contained in the Commission's packet. She said the hand railing will be in the center of the steps and will extend from the sidewalk to the porch. Staff Member Carstens presented the staff reporting, noting that the applicant had received Historic Preservation Commission approval for the porch. The Commission questioned whether or not the returns on the retaining wall would remain concrete. Mrs. Freeman stated that the concrete sidewalls will be removed, and that the limestone wall will have a return on them to the steps. Motion by Guinn, seconded by Wand, to approve the application as presented with the condition that the wood railing mimic the existing porch poles and the side walls be made of limestone. Motion was approved by the following vote: Aye - Kringle, Gibbs, Wand, Guinn, Henson and Mozena; Nay- None. DESIGN REVIEW: Application of William Alfredo for a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace synthetic slate roof with asphalt roof located at 1155 Grove Terrace in the W. 11th Street District. William Alfredo presented his application to the Commission. He noted that currently the roof is covered with SupraDur shingles, which is a faulty synthetic slate product. He noted that the slate cracks with the heating and cooling process, and creates a hazard with sliding shingles. He presented a sample of the Carriage House shingle to the Commission as a replacement. Staff Member Carstens presented the staff report, noting that the Commission has approved the Carriage House shingle as a replacement to the SupraDur shingle in past design reviews. The Commission mentioned a property on Fremont Avenue that is currently using a synthetic slate shingle, and directed staff to seek information about the product. Motion by Wand, seconded by Guinn, to approve the application as presented. Motion was approved by the following vote: Aye - Kringle, Gibbs, Wand, Guinn, Henson and Mozena; Nay - None. DESIGN REVIEW: Application of Richard & Judith Henkel for a Certificate of Appropriateness and Revolving Loan to remove lead paint, repaint and replace roof with architectural shingle property located at 542 W. 11th Street in the W. 11t~ Street District. Minutes - Historic Preservation Commission April 18, 2002 Page 5 NOTE: Suzanne Guinn left at 6:04 p.m. The applicant was not in attendance at the meeting. The Commission decided to table the application to the May meeting. Motion by Gibbs, seconded by Kringle, to table the application to the May meeting. Motion was approved by the following vote: Aye - Kdngle, Gibbs, Wand, Henson and Mozena; Nay - None. ITEMS FROM STAFF: Histodc Preservation Revolving Loan Fund: Staff Member Carstens referred to a memo that was included in the Commission's packet regarding the Histodc Preservation Revolving Loan Fund. She requested the Commission's input regarding opening up the Historic Preservation Revolving Loan Fund to structures located in the Old Main Historic Preservation District. She noted because of the America's River project, a lot of redevelopment has been occurring in the Old Main District, and currently the other City funding sources have been depleted. She also discussed the possibility of opening the Historic Preservation Revolving Loan Fund to landscape treatments, specifically fencing and retaining walls. She also discussed the possibility of opening the Historic Preservation Revolving Loan Fund to City landmarks. She noted that the City landmarks are currently publicly owned. She discussed the possibility of designating the Old Stone Barn located behind 503 Southern Avenue as a City landmark. She stated that currently there is no funding available from the City that the property owner could secure to help restore the Old Stone Barn. The Commission discussed opening the funds to the Old Main Historic District. Commissioner Wand stated there are funds already available for properties located in the Old Main Historic District that are not available for any other historic district. He noted that a lot of the projects located in the Old Main Historic District are large- scale projects, and will probably use the full $25,000 and thus deplete the loan fund rapidly. He noted the intent of the Historic Preservation Revolving Loan Fund was to help private homeowners with restoration to their properties, not businesses. He stated that business owners have access to TIF funds and other funds that residential properties do not. The Commission discussed the possibility of opening funds to landscaping treatments, such as fences and retaining walls. It was the consensus of the Commission that since they are providing guidelines for streetscape and landscape improvements, they should have funding available for those treatments. They noted that the Historic Preservation Revolving Loan Fund should give preference to the historic structures first, then the retaining walls and fences second. Minutes - Historic Preservation Commission April 18, 2002 Page 6 The Commission discussed the possibility of opening the Histodc Preservation Revolving Loan Fund to City landmarks. The Commission felt they needed specific criteria or have a City landmark designated in addition to the regulations already stated in the Ordinance. They noted that listing on the National Register of Iowa's Most Endangered Properties, would be an additional criteria to consider. Historic District Public Improvement Pro,qram: Staff Member Carstens reportea on a revised draft of the Historic District Public Improvement Program. She reviewed the program item by item with the Commission. The Commission reviewed the memo regarding the Historic District Public Improvement Program and was ~n favor of supporting it. Motion by Wand, seconded by Gibbs, to send a letter of recommendation along with the memo concerning the Historic District Public Improvement Program to the City Manager. Motion was approved by the following vote: Aye - Kdngle, Gibbs, Wand, Henson and Mozena; Nay - None. Urban Revitalization Districts: Staff Member Carstens discussed the expansion of the Urban Revitalization Program. She referred to the memo in the packet and described the current process for the Urban Revitalization Programs. She described the four urban renewal districts currently in place and the differences between them. She noted that currently two of the Historic Preservation Districts are already urban revitalization areas. The Commission discussed having the urban revitalization only available for residential properties and not commercial properties located in the Old Main Historic District. The Commission reviewed the memo and was in favor of approving the expansion of the urban revitalization districts to include the Old Main, Cathedral and Langworthy Historic Districts. Motion by Henson, seconded by Wand, to recommend approval of the expansion of the urban revitalization districts and that the Urban Revitalization funds only be used for portions of properties that are 100% residential. Motion was approved by the following vote: Aye - Kringle, Gibbs, Wand, Henson and Mozena; Nay - None. Historic Preservation Week Activities: Staff asked the Commission what type of activities they would like hold during Historic Preservation Week. Staff Member Wemimont discussed the possibility of having a meeting between the Historic Preservation Commission and the Old House Enthusiasts to present a presentation on the Shot Tower created by IIW Surveyors and Engineers. Staff Member Wernimont reported that Old House Enthusiasts President Tammy Pfab asked her club if they would be willing to hold a joint session during Historic Preservation Week. She stated that she would be unable to have a meeting during this week because of the Old Home Tour. Staff Member Wernimont reported that the Old House Enthusiasts are willing to have a joint meeting in June. Minutes - Historic Preservation Commission April 18, 2002 Page 7 Commissioners Kringle and Wand stated that they would work with Staff Member Wernimont to develop some ideas for Historic Preservation Week. Commissioner Wand discussed the possibility of having the Commission's May meeting at the Masonic Lodge. Update on Desi.qn Guidelines and Desi.qn Review Trainin.q: Staff Member Carstens referred to a handout that was presented to the Commissioners at the beginning of the meeting. She stated that the handouts are the SHPO's comments about the architectural portion of the design review guidelines. She stated that staff, Durrant Group, and the SHPO had a conference carl to discuss the guidelines. Staff Member Wernimont reported there were some minor and major changes that the SHPO requested be made to the design review guidelines. He noted that the SHPO would like to see the guidelines in a portrait layout versus a landscape layout. The Commission discussed that they are happy with the landscape layout and decided they would like to leave the guidelines in this format. Staff Member Wernimont reported that there were several references to the use of synthetic materials throughout the document. He noted that the SHPO would like to have some of those alternatives removed, and not mention them at all. Commissioners agreed to remove the alternatives from the document. Staff Member Wernimont also noted that the SHPO would like to have the bullets located on the left hand side of some of the pages to be reordered in the hieramhy of the Secretary of Interior's Standards. The Commission discussed the reordering and decided that they would rather see the bullets reordered in the hierarchy. The Commission suggested that the SHPO be asked to reorder them. Staff Member Wernimont also noted that the SHPO would like to see the style section of the document changed. He noted that Chris Morris of Durrant felt that the changes were appropriate and it would not be a time consuming project to change. Motion by Kringle, seconded by Wand, to send a letter to the SHPO addressing the proposed changes to the Architectural Guidelines. Motion approved by the following vote: Aye - Kringle, Gibbs, Wand, Henson and Mozena; Nay - None ITEMS FROM COMMISSION: Chairperson Mozena commented on the first demolition by neglect case that has been presented to the Planning and Building Departments. Staff Member Wemimont noted that Building Services Manager Rich Russell is currently in the process of sending out a letter to the applicants notifying them ofthe violation. Staff Member Wernimont noted that he will include a copy of the letter in the Historic Preservation Commission's packets. Minutes - Historic Preservation Commission April 18, 2002 Page 8 Chairperson Mozena questioned whether there was a Zoning Ordinance or an ordinance in effect that prevents property owners from leaving buildings vacant. Staff replied stating that there is an ordinance for vacant and abandoned buildings; however, if the property is being maintained, there is no ordinance to prevent it from remaining vacant. ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Wand, seconded by Henson, to adjourn the meeting. Motion was carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:13 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Wally Wernimont, Assistant Planner Adopted