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12-08-2011 Historic Preservation Commission
IOWA CITY HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Thursday, December 8, 2011 City Hall, 410 E. Washington Street Emma J Harvat Hall 5:15 P.M. A) Call to Order B) Public discussion of anything not on the agenda C) Certificate of Appropriateness 915 E. Washington Street (new duplex) D) Report on Certificates issued by Chair and Staff E) Discuss City Park Log Cabins Joyce Carroll, Iowa City Parks & Recreation Department, will present information on efforts to preserve the City Park Log Cabins F) Consideration of Minutes for November 10, 2011 G) Adjournment Staff Report December 2, 2011 Historic Review for 915 E. Washington Street District: College Hill Conservation District Classification: Non -historic The applicant, Matthew Roffman, is requesting approval for new construction at 915 E. Washington Street, currently a vacant lot, in the College Hill Conservation District. The project consists of an up/down duplex, with full basement. An Application for Historic Review for the foundation plan was approved at the November meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission. Applicable Regulations and Guidelines 6.0 Iowa City Historic Preservation Guidelines for New Construction 6.1 New Primary Structures 8.0 Neighborhood District Guidelines 8.2 College Hill Neighborhood Staff Comments This property is located on the south side of East Washington Street. The lot is empty. The original historic house was lost in a fire. This was a large two story Four Square with pyramid roof, large dormers, wood clapboard siding, and one -over -one double hung windows. There was a two story rear addition. The house was wood frame construction, concrete block foundation, and the roofing was a composition shingle. The house had a full front porch with side entry, thick 3/4 posts, and siding instead of railing. There was a detached garage in back, accessible from the alley. This was a single family residence that had been converted to a five -unit multi -family residence. The College Hill neighborhood includes a mix of single-family and multi -family residential buildings dating from the late 19th through the early 20th century. The neighborhood traditionally had a strong association with the University, housing students in rooming houses, in scattered fraternity and sorority houses, and more recently, in apartment buildings. Private residences housed University faculty and staff as well as many business and civic leaders. Construction of apartment complexes and the unsympathetic renovations of other buildings have diminished the appearance of some of the streetscapes. The applicant is proposing to build a new up/down duplex on this lot. As approved at the November meeting, this new duplex will have a full basement that measures 32' 2" x 54' 3" overall, with 8 inch thick concrete walls. It has been confirmed that the height of the foundation walls above finished grade will be 24 inches at the front fagade. Because this will be a duplex, the basement will be divided into two separate spaces, with separate stairways and entrances to each space. The current foundation plan shows windows in the basement on the east and west sides. This is a change from the foundation plan presented to the Commission in November. The design of this duplex includes a full width front porch and a shared front entry. There will also be rear entrances to each of the two units, and parking spaces off the alley. The current site plan shows the parking, walkways and some landscaping. As they pertain to this project, the guidelines for New Primary Structures, (6.1), recommend the following: Setbacks: Should be consistent with other principal buildings along the same frontage. The applicant's design for 915 E. Washington Street appears to be compliant. (Note that setback guidelines are enforced by the Building Inspector.) Building Height and Mass: In the College Hill Neighborhood, new houses and duplexes are restricted to no more than two stories. The design for this duplex is compliant. Building Fagade: In the College Hill Neighborhood, the surface area for the street -facing facade is restricted to no more than 1,200 square feet. The design for this duplex is compliant. Design: A new primary structure in a historic or conservation district should be designed in a similar style to the architectural styles prevalent in the district. The applicant has selected the Queen Anne style, which is one of the accepted styles in the College Hill Neighborhood. The design for this duplex has characteristics of the Queen Anne style, although the current drawings have significant inaccuracies, missing elements, and unresolved details. Porches: The porch should be consistent with the architectural style of the building. Queen Anne porches are large, gracious, and ornate, often wrapping around the house. In plan, the wrap -around front porch for this duplex meets the description of a Queen Anne porch and is a good start. However, the floor plan, roof plan and elevation drawings for this porch are conflicting and have errors that make constructability questionable. There are also problems with the proportions and detailing of the porch components. Most significantly, the columns should support some form of entablature; and design of the column piers and porch skirting should be addressed. More complete drawings, with dimensions, would make it easier to confirm the appropriateness of the porch design. The drawings for the porches at the rear of this duplex have the same problems with conflicting/erroneous information. Proportions and detailing are also problematic. Dormers: The cross gable roofs shown on the east and west sides of this building help modulate the scale of these long facades. This modulation might be more effective if the area of exterior wall defined by the gable were to actually project out and form a shallow bay. Another alternative would be the elimination of the cross gables, and more attention to material and trim detail at the wall and around these windows. Note that while these are long facades, they do not face the public way. Windows and Doors: More specific information is needed before a review of this design can be completed. The guidelines recommend specifying window type, proportion, shape, profile, divided light pattern, and placement based on the architectural style of the building. Divided lights must be true divided or created with muntins adhered to both sides of the glass. Trim at windows should be three to four inches wide for a building sided with wood. The sill should be visible. Traditionally styled doors, consistent with the architectural style, are recommended. Siding: The use of wood shingle and clapboard siding is appropriate for this building, and smooth -finished fiber cement siding is an acceptable substitute for wood, although more information is needed about the proposed shingle siding. The trim boards are indicated as Ex-Cel Exterior PVC Trim, which is not a listed substitute in the guidelines. Also, the placement of trim, and lack of trim, is another problem with the design for this duplex. Specifically, the proportions created by the horizontal trim bands; and the lack of trim under the eaves at gable ends. Wood and Wood Substitutes: Regarding wood substitutes, the substitute material must be durable, and accept paint. It must retain the appearance and function of wood. Paint and Color: Note that the Commission may include provisions regarding paint and color for certain projects that require a permit and historic review. The color scheme for this project should be consistent with the architectural style of the building. Typically, this includes one color for the body of the building, one or two colors for the trim, and black or dark green for the storm sashes. If horizontal trim delineates the upper floor of the building, a second color may be used for the upper floor walls. The guidelines for the College Hill Neighborhood, (8.2), concern Building Height and Mass, Building Facade, and Architectural Style, all cross-referenced in the guidelines for new construction. In Staffs opinion, the design presented in this application for a new duplex at 915 E. Washington Street is not complete or accurate enough to meet the guidelines for appropriateness. Staff has met with the applicant and shared these concerns, and a revised set of drawings is anticipated. The applicant has also been asked to provide more specific product information for windows, doors, siding, trim, columns and railings. Recommended Motion For the new duplex at 915 E. Washington Street, as presented in this application, move to defer a Certificate of Appropriateness until revised drawings and sufficient product information has been provided. { ~r v ` ifi f � h - aY Md"'I"l-I E Application for alterations to the historic landmarks or properties located in a historic district or conservation district pursuant to Iowa City Code Section 144C. Guidelines for the Historic Review process, explanation of the process and regulations can be found in the Iowa City Historic Preservation Handbook, which is available in the PCD office at City Hall or online at: www.icgov.org/HPhandbook For Staff Use: Date submitted: lO l JO / lI ❑ Certificate of No material Effect (� Certificate of Appropriateness ❑ Major review ❑ Intermediate review ❑ Minor review The HPC does not review applications for compliance with building and zoning codes. Work must comply with all appropriate codes and be reviewed by the building division prior to the issuance of a building permit. Meeting Schedule: The HPC meets the second Thursday of each month. Applications are due in the PCD office by noon on Thursday three weeks prior to the meeting. See attached document for application deadlines and meeting dates. ❑ Property Owner Name: IAA J:JJ4 E W __RQF'EMAQ Email: No Lt iff Phone Number: (319 10 CCLL-� Address: c24180 %,W fl / L City: 16WA A i T y State: r Q Zip Code: �jaa'4 O Contractor / Consultant Name: ` ` �F (=11 I Q Email: !COWMCLYZ� - �i•L'�M Phone Number: (3/1) 631 - 1808 iC-L-'LL Address: City: �Ok 1) A, 0, k`T ! State: Zip Code: as P AA Address: 9 1`J E , V)ASi41 Nr. 7-6N J 6i.e.3A ►'t 1 A Use of Property: WPLF_Y_ Date Constructed (if known): 7O Q)C CnA) %'1P_ ? EO ❑ This property is a local historic landmark. OR ❑ This Property is within a historic or conservation district (Cho se location): ❑ Brown Street Historic District 0 College Green Historic District ❑ East College Street Historic District ❑ Longfellow Historic District ❑ Northside Historic District ❑ Summit Street Historic District Woodlawn Historic District ❑ Clark Street Conservation District 00 College Hill Conservation District ❑ Dearborn Street Conservation District Governor -Lucas Street Conservation District Within the district, this property is classsif/ied as: 0 Contributing aJd Noncontributing V u /I Nonhistoric U FI Choose appropriate project type. In order to ensure application can be processed, please include all listed materials. Applications without necessary materials may be rejected. ❑ Addition (Typically projects entailing an addition to the building footprint such as a room, porch, deck, etc.) ❑ Building Elevations ❑ Floor Plans ❑ Photographs ❑ Product Information ❑ Site Plans ❑ Alteration (Typically projects entailing work such as siding and window replacement, skylights, window opening alterations, deck or porch replacement/construction, baluster repair, or similar. If the project is a minor alteration, photographs and drawings to describe the scope of the project are sufficient.) ❑ Building Elevations ❑ Photographs ❑ Product Information GCJ Construction of new building ❑ Building Elevations ❑ Floor Plans ❑ Photographs ❑ Product Information ❑ Site Plans ❑ Demolition (Projects entailing the demolition of a primary structure or outbuilding, or any portion of a building, such as porch, chimney, decorative trim, baluster, etc.) ❑ Photographs ❑ Proposal of Future Plans ❑ Repair or restoration of an existing structure that will not change its appearance. ❑ Photographs ❑ Product Information ❑ Other: Please contact the Preservation Planner at 356-5243 for materials which need to be included with application. 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G I -- L�L Q Q `x OUJ E V N v o .; L„ W X V4 Cfl L o X o-0 mQo o oio, W LU Q C �ti• _ > v z. y tZ —0 M.v 0° `a) Xo o ti Q W 3 _0 0- W 10 0 E • Extruded rigid PVC frame and sash members have fusion -welded comers and are of a multi- chambered design which offers superior strength and thermal efficiency. • The 4800's slimline beveled frame profile gives the window a stylish look inside and out. • Our Comfort Series Double Hung has a 3-1/4" frame depth. • Our patented candy cane jamb design allows for a full jamb to jamb interlock. There are no notches to leak air or water. • Both sashes tilt in for easy cleaning and both sashes operate vertically by an easy glide block and tackle balance system. The color matched lower sash locking mechanism locks into a stiffened upper sash which affords extra strength and security. • Anti spread pivot bars on the sashes make it very difficult for installers to spread the jambs during installation. • Our double hung utilizes a one piece fully sloped sill that provides excellent water drainage and air infiltration performance. Our weepless all welded sill eliminates the possibility of plugging the frame weeps with dirt and debris during the installation process. • All Comfort Series Double Hungs come standard with 3/4" warm edge technology insulated glass and 18xl4 mesh full window fiberglass screens. A popular glass option is argon filled Comfort E high performance insulated glass which greatly enhances the efficiency of the window. Muntins are an option offered internally encased in the dead air space of the insulated glass. • Our double hung sashes each have equal lite glass which offers the much sought after true traditional look. • The double hung is triple weatherstripped on all four sides of both sash frames and at the interlock which affords us a unique high performance weatherseal. • The 4800 double hung has an enclosed one piece header for improved interior aesthetics. • Comfort Series windows have standard interior and exterior which receive a variety of accessories to trim, mill, stack, an( our products with ease. Integral nailing fins with pre -punch( nailing holes are also standard on the 4800 enabling easy installation. Fins can also be removed for replacement appli( Double Hung Window he Comfort Series 4800 double hung window offers a new level of performance and a traditional look for new construction and replacement markets. Our beveled frame profile offers stylish appearance, energy efficient maintenance free durability, and 21st century design you've come to expect from Comfort Series vinyl windows. The fully welded frame and sash along with the newly designed patented jambs have allowed us to manufacture a double hung window with a superior structural design and high water and air tightness performance affording excellent thermal efficiency. Top quality weatherstripping and hardware allow this double hung to operate with ease. Double tilting sashes make this window a breeze to clean so you'll have a clear view for years to come. lm a 01T Historic Preservation Commission (:m ( hfl, -110 1% shr'1, hml 1 I Ito. I \. 522 10 MEMORANDUM Date: December 2, 2011 To: Historic Preservation Commission From: Cheryl Peterson, Preservation Consultant Re: Certificates of No Material Effect, Intermediate Reviews, and Minor Reviews The Historic Preservation Handbook requires a report to the HPC at each meeting of any projects that have been approved administratively. Below are the projects approved since the November report. Certificates of No Material Effect — Chair and Staff review 1. 827 Maggard Street — replace existing concrete steps from sidewalk to house 2. 608 Ronalds Street — replace existing wood stairway at rear of house 3. 436 Grant Street — replacement railing at front porch 4. 603 Brown Street — replacement railing at front porch and side walkway Intermediate Review — Chair and Staff review 1. 528 E. College Street — add cellar door over open basement stairs 2. 529 Iowa Avenue — replace four exterior doors Minor Review — Pre -approved items — Staff review 1. none _._ . MO. W4� +-w ;air �1 ~� R' Y.. `. �,, y . .. _�.. � _.' :..i.�� •� \ DRAFT History of the City Park Log Cabins The story of the city park log cabins begins in 1889, at the annual reunion of the Old Settlers of Johnson County (1). The Old Settlers first met in 1840, and were officially organized in 1866. At that time, membership was limited to those who had lived in Johnson County prior to May 1, 1843, and was thereafter opened up to anyone who had lived in the county for at least 20 years (15). The Old Settlers erected two cabins in the fall of 1889, as a tribute to the cabins that they had erected for their own families half a century earlier (1). As documented in a 1939 article, this event was one of two semi -centennials, commemorating the county organization in 1839 (12). The single cabin was to represent dwellings of "earlier times," and was built using "unhewed" logs (1). The double cabin was to be a replica of the John Gilbert trading post in the former county seat of Napoleon (now Iowa City's Napoleon park) (12, 5). According to local historian Irving Weber, Gilbert played an important role in the early history of Johnson County, with his 1837 trading post being the point of much activity in early years (15). Iowa City's Gilbert Street is named in his honor (15). The cabins were "chinked and plastered" the next year, at the 1890 reunion (2). The Old Settlers continued to hold their reunions at the site of the cabins until 1912, when the fair grounds were sold (4, 5). In response to the sale, the parks commission offered land in City Park for the relocation of the log cabins and the future site of Old Settlers meetings (5). At their annual meeting, the Settlers voted to move the cabins to City Park by a margin of 108 to 18. However, as the time for relocation drew near, opposition developed from the "old settlers who had taken part in the erection of the log cabins" (5). In a follow up meeting, the Old Settlers Secretary stated that "investigation showed that the log cabins at the fair grounds were decayed to such an extent as to necessitate the substitution of many new logs in case of removal" (5). The group changed their earlier decision, declaring it was impractical to move the old cabins, and that it would be "more satisfactory" to build new cabins (5). On May 31St, 1913, the Old Settlers began cabin construction in City Park (5). The cabins were to be "20x16 feet with a 10 foot space between and all under one roof." (5). These "cabins" are the double cabin that still stands today. The double cabin was to be constructed "to be as nearly as practicable a replica of the old trading house formerly standing at Napoleon, the old county seat" (5). A June 1913 article in the Iowa City Daily Press claimed that the cabin was a "monument" to the pioneers, and that even the "anti -removals" were now pleased with the change from the fairgrounds to the new site (6). Many Old Settlers donated logs to the cause, and were given the option to have bronze letters placed on the interior side of the log, to show in whose memory it was laid (6). According to local historian Irving Weber and a 1985 Press Citizen article, the construction of the cabin began with a "knotching contest" between two noted axe men, Peter Rohret and Emory Westcott, though there is no formal documentation of this in the Old Settlers record (15, 17). Construction was completed in August 30, 1913 (5, 7). In 1918, the Old Settlers decided that the single cabin, erected in 1889 on the fairgrounds, was in good enough condition to be moved to City Park (9). It was placed next to the 1913 double cabin (9). The Old Settlers continued to hold their reunions at the city park cabins until at least 1921, though historian Irving Weber places the end date of the organization somewhere in the 1930s (10, 15). From the 1930s to the 1960s, the log cabins were used for class field trips (11) and Girl Scout camps and cookouts (13, 14). Articles in the press citizen in the 40s refer to them as the "scout cabins" and historian Irving Weber says that the Girl Scouts used the cabins from the early 40s through the mid 60s (13, 14, 15). During this time, according to Weber, an anonymous giver covered the cost of screens curtains, cots, and repair (15). Weber also writes in a 1976 article that the cabins had previously housed a museum with "spinning wheels, acythes, wool carding devices, cradles, and many other items of pioneer life" (15). A 1938 Press Citizen article seems to confirm this (11). After about 10 years of standing empty, the city restored the cabins and leased them to the Iowa City Friends of the Children's Museum in 1977 (16). Friends, an organization formed in 1975 with the goal of establishing a Children's Museum, used the log cabins for a summer -long project called "Pioneer Life in Iowa" (16). From 1977-1987, children could see how pioneer families survived with limited resources, and be able to "spin the spinning wheel, mash make-believe potatoes with a pair of hand -carved wooden potato mashers, dress up in pioneer clothing, sit on stools constructed of logs split in half and see what it is like to lie on a bed with a mattress stuffed with straw" (16, 16a). The Iowa City Parks and Recreation department, according to their internal records, ran their own summer folk arts and nature programming at the cabins from 1985 -1987. The cabins were not opened for the summer season of 1988, due to budget constraints, but were reopened in 1989, at which point their contents were recorded and purchased by a local antique dealer (Parks and Rec records). Later, the cabins hosted Girl Scout and recreation special events, and the Johnson County Historical Society's Time Machine Summer Camps (Parks and Rec records). In June of 2000, the Gazette reported that the city was making plans to renovate the cabins the following year. At this point, the history of the cabins had been somewhat obscured, and the article contains several inaccuracies (18). However, these renovations never took place and the cabins remain in ill repair. These cabins, one from 1889 and one from 1910, are a monument to the first settlers of Johnson County. As spoken by Elizabeth Irish in her address to the Old Settlers in 1914, the cabins commemorate our early settlers' "brave and noble deeds ... their virtues, their high ideals, and their pioneer struggles," and form "a link in the chain of our development" (7). These cabins are also a monument to the Johnson County Old Settlers organization, which provided an important link to our community's history for nearly 100 years. Over the years, many other groups used the cabins to rediscover pioneer days. The proposed restoration of these cabins would allow the community to once again access a tangible link to our collective past. Sources: Old Settlers of Johnson County, Reunion Proceed: 1889 • Documents the building of two log cabins at the fairgrounds. One double cabin and one single • "A half century had flown since they had sawed and hewed as if for life, to erect a shelter for the dear ones, ere the wintry blasts shrieking over the prairie and through the leafless timber" 2. The Iowa State Press — August 20, 1890 • Old Settlers' Pic-Nic proceedings • At the annual festivities of the Johnson county pioneers, "the hewed log house which followed the log cabin which was in its time a very pretentious dwelling, had to be finished and made ready for the Saturday pic-nic. A number of workmen (old settlers) answered the call and with hoe and hammer, shovel and trowel, the house was chinked and plastered within and without" • [It seems probable that this is the cabin that was supposed to have been built in 1889, and they simply needed to put on the finishing touches] 3. Photograph in PA 69. V 1. p.109: Patterson Collection • Caption reads "The Old Settlers' cabins on the fair grounds, where the annual pic- nics are held." Two cabins can be seen. It is hard to make out, but neither appear to be a double cabin. There is no date. 4. ICPC - August 16, 1909 • "The annual meeting of the old settlers of Johnson county will be held around the log cabins on the fairgrounds..." 5. Old Settlers of Johnson County, Reunion Proceed: 1911-1921 1912/1913 Record: • "...the time approached for the removal of the log cabins from the grounds of the Agricultural Society to city park" • There was some opposition and a meeting was called at City Hall to consider "removal or the building of other log cabins" • "investigation showed that the log cabins at the fair grounds were decayed to such an extent as to necessitate the substitution of many new logs in case of removal" • It was decided that "it was not practical to remove the old log cabins but that it would be more satisfactory to build log cabins out of new unhewed oak logs" • Two log cabins would be built "upon the high ground upon the upper part of the park, the same to be 20x 16 feet with a 10 foot space between and all under one roof. The same to be so constructed as to be as nearly as practicable a replica of the old trading house formerly standing at Napoleon, the old county seat" • The old settlers began construction of the cabins in city park on May 31 St, 1913 and continued through August 30, 1913, when they put on the roof and did "chinking" 6. IC Daily Press — Monday, June 2, 1913 • Article announcing the "Log Cabins Are Nearly Finished" • "...the log cabins in the city park now stand as monuments to the pioneers..." • The cabins were constructed the previous Saturday (2 days prior to article) • "the finishing touches will be put on the cabins next Saturday..." • One of the buildings is 9 logs high, the other is 5 logs high. Each will be 10 logs high when completed. • "...each log, if a donor so desires, will have bronze letters placed on it, in the interior of the cabin, to show in whose memory the log is laid..." • "...the look so well now even the `anti -removals' are praising the association in numerous instances for making the change from the old fair grounds to the new site." 7. Iowa City Daily Press - September 4, 1914 • Speach given by Miss Elizabeth Irish at the Johnson County Older Settlers' association annual reunion in the City park: "Another year ... has come and gone since we ... met on the banks of this beautiful Iowa, to dedicate these cabins ... in this lovely natural park beneath the shade of its beautiful trees and beside the stream..." • Regarding the early settlers of Johnson County: "...to commemorate their virtues, their high ideals, and their pioneer struggles, we have, their descendents builded these cabins which we today hold ornamenting the landscape before us, and forming a link in the chain of our development which as gone steadily forward..." • The building of these cabins has "not yet done enough to perpetuate the memory of our earliest settlers and their brave and noble deeds..." 8. Photograph from Iowa Historical Library — April 9, 1916 • Photo shows the double cabin in city park. The single cabin which stands there now is not present in the photograph. 9. Old Settlers of Johnson County, Reunion Proceed: 1918 • Documents the moving of the single cabin (built in 1889) from the fairgrounds to city park 10. ICPC — September 1, 1921 • Headline reads in part: "Noble Men and Women Who Helped Make Iowa Great and Strong are Holding Annual Reunion This Afternoon / In Their Log Cabins / Johnson County Old Settlers Meet in and Near Structures of Ancient Type, at City Park" The festivities are "within hailing distance of, the two antique, and yet modern, log cabins..." 11. ICPC — November 2, 1938 0 Third graders took "a trip to the City park to see the log cabin" • Inside the cabin were "spinning wheels, the grain cradle, the pots and spoons at the fireplace, and the names of the old pioneers." 12. ICPC - July 1, 1939 • There were two semi -centennials, one in 1886 and one in 1889 • At the October 1889 centennial, the Old Settlers Association "Commemorated the county organization in 1839, and featured the raising of a log cabin memorial in City Park" • In October 1889, "took place the `raising' of the replica of John Gilbert's trading post, the log cabin which still stands in City park. This event took place during the county fair..." o "The structure was 16 by 20 feet with one 10 foot story" o "Next year the cabin was `chinked' " • Azarial Pinney gave two oak logs. Frank Hutchinson furnished the stone. George Botland hauled it. John Jayne directed the work. Wray, Dennis and others "scored the logs". 13. ICPC — Tuesday, April 20, 194? • The Girl Scouts held a cookout at "the scout cabins in the City Park." 14. ICPC — June 13, 1946 • The Girl Scout day camp was held at the "cabins in the City park" • They are references as "The Scout cabins" 15. Iowa City Press Citizen, February 23, 1976 (Irving Weber) • Gilbert Trading Post (double cabin): Same John Gilbert for which Gilbert street is named o "John Gilbert had played an important roll [sic] in the early history of Johson County and his Indian Trading Post, built in 1837, was the focal point of much activity in the early years. He was respected and trusted by both the Indians and the white men" o The Old Settlers wished to "commemorate his memory" with the cabin • Two noted "axe men," Peter Rohret and Emory Westcott, competed in notching the logs for the cabin. Rohret won, with Westcott conceding he had been living in town too long. • Confirms that single cabin was moved from the fair grounds (west of the present City High School location) in 1918, and was built on September 26, 1889. The Old Settlers held their annual meeting at the cabins • Points out that the cabins were erected by the same "pioneers who had of necessity erected log cabins... fifty years earlier" • The cabins previously housed a museum "including spinning wheels, acythes, wool carding devices, cradles, and many other items of pioneer life. Vandals carried off most of the items." • The Cardinal Council of the Girls Scouts used the cabins for 25 years. Used for overnight camps and day camps. Estimated they stopped using cabins around 1965. • During that time, an anonymous giver covered cost of screens, curtains, cots, repair • History of the JC Old Settlers: o First meeting in 1840 on Capitol Square o Officially organized in 1866. Annual dues .25 o Membership was limited to those who had lived in Johnson County prior to May 1, 1843. "Thereafter a person who had lived in the county for 20 years was eligible for membership" o Organization believed to have continued meeting until the 1930s (there is documentation for their meetings until 1921) 16. Des Monies Register — June 3, 1977 • "Two authentic log cabins that have stood in the park for years...will come to life again Saturday when the Iowa City Friends of the Children's Museum begins a summer -long project called `Pioneer Life in Iowa.' " • "Children will be able to spin the spinning wheel, mash make-believe potatoes with a pair of hand -carved wooden potato mashers, dress up in pioneer clothing, sit on stools constructed of logs split in half and see what it is like to lie on a bed with a mattress stuffed with straw" 16a. Pamphlet, Friends of the Children's Museum. Special Project: Pioneer Life in Iowa States that the city restored the structure and leased it to them 17. IC Press Citizen — March 9, 1985 • "Work on the double log cabin started at the 1914 Old Settlers' picnic with a `log knotching contest' between the two top ax men in the county..." • The logs for the double cabin were donated by John Fountain from his farm in the historic Poweshiek Indian Village area. 18. Gazette — June 20, 2000 • "In a corner of Upper City Park ... Two log cabins, one from the 1880s and the other the 1910s..." • the city plans to renovate the cabins next fall..." • They give the history as follows: o The smaller cabin was built on September 28 1889 by members of the Johnson County Older Settlers' Association o The double cabin, is "thought" to have been built in 1914, "the result of a contest by two axmen who each built one room." [This note about the contest is not completely true. The Old Settlers' record says it was a group effort and not a contest, though historian Irving Weber says that the logs were "notched" the axe men and then built by the Old Settlers. The cabin was built in 1913, not 1914.] o One cabin was originally in what is now Napoleon Park and no one knows where the other was. They were both moved to Upper City Park in 1918. [This is not accurate. The 1913 cabin was built in upper city park, a replica of a replica of John Gilbert's trading post. The 1889 cabin was c 9 built on the fairgrounds, which were previously in the area that is now City High. The 1889 cabin was moved in 1918.1 "Eventually, after use by several organizations, the cabins became city property — not because the city wanted them, but because no one else did" Inaccuracies: the double cabin was built entirely by a contest between two axmen (the Old Settlers record contradicts this), it was built in 1914 (instead of 1913), both cabins had been moved to city park in 1918 (only one was moved), one cabin originally stood in Napoleon Park and "no one knows" where the other was (neither had stood in Napoleon Park and one cabin was built on site) (18). MINUTES HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION NOVEMBER 10, 2011 EMMA HARVAT HALL PRELIMINARY MEMBERS PRESENT: Kent Ackerson, Esther Baker, Thomas Baldridge, William Downing, Andrew Litton, David McMahon, Ginalie Swaim, Dana Thomann, Alicia Trimble, Frank Wagner MEMBERS ABSENT: Pam Michaud STAFF PRESENT: Bob Miklo, Chery Peterson OTHERS PRESENT: Tuyet Dorau, Doug Jones, Donna Pearcy, Matt Roffman, Ann Schmid, Teri Toye, Eric Wieland RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: (become effective only after separate Council action) None. CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Trimble called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANYTHING NOT ON THE AGENDA; There was none. CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS: 915 E. Washington Street. Peterson said this is an empty lot located in the College Hill Conservation District, so the property would be considered non -historic. She showed the property on a map and a photograph of the properties on either side. Peterson said the house to the east is single-family, and the building to the west is divided into apartments. Peterson showed a photograph from a 1994 site inventory form of the house that was on the lot, before the house was destroyed in a fire. She said the previous house was a foursquare that was divided into apartments. Peterson said this application is for a basement permit only. She said that the building would be a duplex design, but at this point, the owner just needs a foundation permit to have the groundwork done. Peterson showed a site plan view. She said the concept is for an up -down duplex with a shared front door. Peterson said there would be a full basement that would be divided for the two tenants. She showed the foundation plan. Peterson said the porches are not shown, because they would be post -foundation. She referred to the duplex plans that were included so members could get an idea of the living spaces. Regarding the guidelines, Peterson said the plan meets the guidelines. Peterson said one thing she found lacking was that she could not tell from the drawings how high the basement would be up out of the ground — how much foundation would be exposed. She said that would be an easy thing to determine and add to the plans. Peterson said another thing she found missing was a plan for sidewalks and pathways. She said that is cited in the guidelines, but the plans need to show them. Peterson said the last thing she found lacking is that she has looked at different ways of getting the stairs worked out on the back of the building. She referred to a most recent design showing what is a lot closer to what is needed. Peterson said her recommendation would be to have this go through one more version, but basically, this meets the requirements. Miklo said the reason this is before the Commission as just a foundation is to allow construction to start before the weather gets bad, before the details of the building itself are worked out. He said the building plans will be seen at a future meeting. Historic Preservation Commission November 10, 2011 Page 2 Roffman, the applicant, said that two feet of the foundation would stick out of the ground, and it would be turned back to zero grade at the rear for handicapped accessibility. Peterson said the houses on either side have a similar situation. Swaim asked, regarding the setback of the house from the street back to the alley, how it would compare to the house on the right. Roffman said that it would be similar but maybe not as deep. He said there is another porch beyond that of the house on the right, but it wouldn't be that far. Swaim asked how the setback would compare with the neighboring properties. Roffman said he took measurements of the neighboring properties and tried to keep it within the average. Peterson said that would be enforced by Building Inspection when the permit is issued. Miklo said the guidelines stipulate that the structure should not set back much farther or much closer, so it falls somewhere between the two houses on either side. Swaim said that by approving a basement plan, the Commission is really locking into a lot of design features of the house itself. Miklo said the Commission is under no obligation to approve this proposal. He said staff is confident that with this placement a building can be designed to meet the guidelines. Downing said that several commercial projects he has worked on were submitted for a foundation in advance of the rest of the building, so he feels this is normal in the construction industry. Miklo said there is also a risk on the applicant's part, that should the final plan differ, the applicant might have to change the foundation. MOTION: Swaim moved to approve a certificate of appropriateness for the application for a foundation for 915 E. Washington Street. McMahon seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 10-0 (Michaud absent). REPORT ON CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY STAFF AND CHAIR: Peterson stated that this information is available in the packet and asked if anyone had additional comments DISCUSS FEMA MOA: FEMA representative will be present to discuss progress on the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) regarding the permanent relocation of The University of Iowa Art Building. FEMA representative will also discuss current developments regarding the permanent relocation of Hancher Auditorium, Voxman School of Music and Clapp Recital Hall. Schmid, an historic preservation specialist with FEMA, said that FEMA made a presentation at the Commission's August I Vh meeting regarding the FEMA-funded relocation projects for The University of Iowa for the Art Building and Hancher/Voxman/Clapp (HVC). Schmid introduced Teri Toye, another historic preservation specialist with FEMA; Eric Wieland, the environmental planning and historic preservation branch director; Doug Jones, the review and compliance program manager from the State Historic Preservation Office; and Ralph Christian, the architectural historian and reviewer for the Historic Preservation Office. Toye introduced Donna Pearcy, The University of Iowa Chief Risk Officer. Schmid said that at that meeting, there were two projects presented: the first of which is the permanent relocation of the Art Building, which will be located at the 109 River Street property address just west of Art Building West along River Street. She said that FEMA had suggested some mitigation measures and received comments from the Commission. Schmid said that a first draft for review has gone out for that, so she would like to answer any questions there might be about that. Schmid stated the second project to be discussed is the relocation of Hancher/Voxman/Clapp and the potential demolition of the Sabin School that was presented in August. Schmid said the Art Building complex at The University of Iowa met what FEMA calls the 50% rule, where the building was so substantially damaged that it qualified for permanent relocation. She stated that the relocation site is west of the existing Art Building west along River Street within the previously evaluated west side fraternity historic district adjacent to the Manville Heights Historic District. Schmid showed some photographs of 109 River Street, a former fraternity house that has been owned by the University and occupied as student painting studios. She said that FEMA presented at the Commission's August Historic Preservation Commission November 10, 2011 Page 3 11'h meeting regarding the demolition of 109 River Street. Schmid said between August 11 and September 11, there was an open comment period to provide suggested mitigation measures. She said she did receive formal comments from both the Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission and Friends of Historic Preservation. Schmid said the comments suggested a salvage symposium discussing the significance and relevance of salvage as demolition of historic properties is faced and the actual salvage of historic elements. She said those two comments both came from Friends of Historic Preservation. Schmid said that the Commission submitted comments for a reuse marketing study for the former St. Thomas Moore Rectory and Parish and research to identify National Register eligible properties within Iowa City. She said that from the receipt of those recommendations, FEMA moved forward to negotiate and develop the MOA. Schmid said FEMA selected mitigation measures it felt provided a tangible benefit to historic preservation and the public and were commensurate with the level of adverse effect. Schmid said that in losing 109 River Street, FEMA worked with the State Historic Preservation Office to identify those and decided that the salvage symposium and the salvage of the architectural features and elements of 109 River Street were two really great mitigation measures that came out of the suggestions, and they moved forward with developing that draft. She said that draft was sent out for review on October 31", and she assumed it had been distributed to the Commission. Schmid stated that the comment period will be open until November 30'h for that draft. She said she would answer any questions. Schmid said they hope to move through this process relatively quickly and think this is a well - developed draft. She said if there are any concerns, they would like to address them now so that there are not too many delays. Swaim asked if this only has to do with the demolition of 109 River Street and not with the old Art Building. Schmid confirmed this. Regarding the salvage symposium, Trimble asked if the Commission would like to participate. Schmid said the document refers to the Commission as an interested party. She said she understands that these are Iowa City resources that are being affected, so they hope to have the Commission sign as a concurring party to this process. Swaim said that being part of this would give the Commission more visibility in what role it plays in preservation. The consensus of the Commission was to sign as a concurring party. Trimble said the salvage of the architectural elements would go to the Salvage Barn. Schmid said that is how it is currently stipulated in the draft. She said these are two activities that FEMA would fund through its funding mechanism of going to the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division and then going to the University as the applicant of the FEMA-funded grant. Schmid said the University would coordinate with Friends of Historic Preservation and the Historic Preservation Commission to ensure the successful completion of both of these mitigation measures. She said the salvage work would ultimately be the responsibility of the University's demolition contractor, who would coordinate the salvage of these materials and their delivery to the Salvage Barn. Swaim asked if, in the estimates that Friends of Historic Preservation put together, the large pallet was included. Schmid confirmed that it was in the draft as part of the salvae of the clay tile. She said that although the Commission has a chance to comment up until November 30 , FEMA wanted to answer any questions and specifically highlight any changes that the Commission might request. Wieland said it is FEMA's hope to be able to submit a hard copy of the signatures rather than have another draft review period. Regarding Hancher/Voxman/Clapp (HVC), Schmid said that as presented at the August 1 Ph meeting, HVC also met the 50% rule for permanent relocation. She said the facility will be split into two sites, with Hancher Auditorium being located north/northwest of the existing facility and Voxman School of Music and Clapp Recital Hall to be constructed at a downtown location currently occupied by two mid to late 20'h century bank buildings. Schmid said that as part of an option agreement as presented at the August meeting, the University is in the process of purchasing the Henry Sabin Elementary School, which was formerly occupied by the Iowa City Community School District Administrative Offices. She said that since this was presented in August, FEMA has found that the option identifies the Sabin School as a potential relocation property for one of the banks, although the bank will have a five-year period to act on that option. Historic Preservation Commission November 10, 2011 Page 4 Schmid said she wanted to review the process that FEMA has come to regarding this undertaking. She said the original presentation was at the August 11t' meeting. Schmid said FEMA's original finding was a finding of adverse effects to the school resulting from the foreseeable demolition. She said that at that time, FEMA was under the impression that the University would be purchasing the school in the near future and proceeding with demolition. Schmid stated that FEMA therefore requested comments for mitigation measures to be incorporated into an MOA. She said that the salvage symposium had been presented by Friends of Historic Preservation for either of the MOAs, so she included it here as a note. Schmid said the salvage of architectural elements from the Sabin School was suggested. Schmid stated that the Historic Preservation Commission suggested elevator additions to Horace Mann and Longfellow Schools, a facilities study for Horace Mann and Longfellow, and National Register nomination for Horace Mann. She said FEMA went through its same negotiation and development process. Schmid said they developed a draft that was sent out for first draft review on September 27t', and that included an energy study. Schmid said FEMA took into account all the suggestions that had been received, and the additions to the building were far more costly than what would be considered commensurate with the level of adverse effect, so FEMA actually did coordinate briefly with the Iowa City Community School District's Director of Physical Plant to what the needs would be for those buildings. Schmid said he suggested an energy study to look at the air conditioning potential and to figure out ways to make the buildings more energy efficient, while making the climate control up to date. Wieland said FEMA considered funding a study to install elevators in the buildings, but the School District had already completed that. Schmid said that based on their mandate, and budget numbers, FEMA selected the energy study as the best mitigation measure. She said they also discussed an expanded Iowa site inventory form for the Sabin School, the National Register nomination for Horace Mann as suggested by the Historic Preservation Commission, and for the University to salvage the limestone features if and when demolition occurred. Schmid said that first draft went out for review September 27`h through October 27`h. She stated that she knows the Commission's review and comments of that were tabled at the last meeting, primarily based on some of the comments received. Schmid said she would review that in the interest of transparency for everyone to know how FEMA came to the conclusion it is at today. Schmid said that on October 4`h, FEMA received comments from Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division, primarily grammatical in nature and clarifying scope but nothing too substantive. She said that on October 6`h, FEMA heard from the Northside Neighborhood Coordinator, enthusiastically supporting the energy studies for both facilities. Schmid said that on the 12`s, FEMA received comments from Friends of Historic Preservation in support of the document but asking for some clarification that if the large limestone features from the Sabin School were salvaged that they would be used for a City project and that perhaps the City could provide a storage location for those resources. Schmid said that on October 13`h, FEMA participated in a conference call with representatives from The University of Iowa and an attorney representing the Iowa City Community School District in which the University and the attorney requested that the Iowa City Community School District be removed from the document. Schmid said there was some confusion in that FEMA had worked with the Director of the Physical Plant, but he had not informed the President of the School Board or whoever it was who had raised this concern, and they just did not feel it was something the School District would like to participate in. Schmid said that FEMA received formal notice from the School District specifically stating that it would like to be removed. She stated that FEMA cannot force an unwilling party in a negotiation process but has to go back to the drawing board and find a new mitigation measure. Schmid said FEMA responded to the School District formally, acknowledging its request. Schmid said that, moving forward, FEMA worked with the University to obtain more information to clarify the disposition of Sabin School. She stated that one option that had come up after the School District did not want to participate, was to perhaps do an adaptive reuse feasibility with the Sabin School, and this led to some interesting internal conversations at FEMA, because it is hard for them to justify spending money on a mitigation measure for an adaptive reuse for the same resource it was mitigating the loss of. Historic Preservation Commission November 10, 2011 Page 5 Schmid said FEMA was forced to look hard at how imminent that adverse effect was. She said they were able to review the purchase agreement and the real estate option and were able to identify the fact that the bank does have essentially a first right of refusal option to move to that site, but nothing in that requires that the building be demolished. Schmid said they can option a portion of the lot, they can occupy the building as it stands, they can occupy the whole lot, or they can request that the buildings be removed from the lot, but all of that is going to come out in this option period. She said the bank has three years to make that decision with another two single year extensions, essentially making it a five-year period. Schmid said the relocation for HVC is a FEMA-funded undertaking that is anticipated to be open beyond that five- year period. She said that essentially what FEMA has done is, working with the State Historic Preservation Office, revised its finding to at this time be a no adverse effect finding, as the demolition of the Sabin School is not imminent and will not be occurring in the foreseeable future. Schmid stated that FEMA has therefore developed a revised finding of no adverse effect and in working with the SHPO, has identified this as a letter of agreement that the University is willing to sign and has signed, FEMA has signed, Iowa Homeland Security will sign, and SHPO will sign. She said it will be a document that basically outlines the condition of monitoring, so that if, at any time in the next five years, the bank selects this site and the demolition occurs as a result of that selection, FEMA will then reopen negotiations. Schmid said FEMA will then reopen consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office and make a determination of adverse effect. Schmid said the draft of the document as it was presented is for the Commission's records. She said FEMA just wanted to be very clear with its interested parties — those who have been helping negotiate the resolution of the adverse effect — to see that at this time FEMA is moving forward with approving the project with a no adverse effect finding. Schmid said that FEMA will, if an action in the future facilitates the demolition of the facility as a connected action to the relocation of HVC, go forward with this process again. Schmid confirmed that FEMA is not moving forward with the MOA at this time. Downing asked if the bank could take control of the property and then sell the property. Schmid said it could not. She said it is part of the purchase agreement that the property cannot just be held by the bank and then later sold; it has to be used for banking purposes if the bank takes that parcel. Schmid said the University is in the process of owning the parcel. Swaim asked if the bank, in its right of first refusal, could buy the property and then another buyer could buy it. Schmid responded that at that point it would be outside of FEMA's area of potential effects. She said that the National Historic Preservation Act and the implementing regulations in the code of federal regulations 36 part 800 require that FEMA take into consideration its area of potential. Toye said at this point, if the bank does not choose that property, then it is not within FEMA's area of potential effects, and so what would happen with the school building would not be connected to FEMA's undertaking. Toye said the University is in the process of acquiring the building, and she believed they were closing on that purchase within the next week. Toye said the bank then has five years to exercise that option to take the property. She said that if the bank does not take the property, it will be up to the University as to what it would like to do with the property. Toye said that FEMA will be notified through the State of Iowa of any action taken on the property within the five- year period. She said that would result in FEMA reopening consultation with the State of Iowa Historic Preservation Office. Toye said at this time it is still within FEMA's area of potential effects. She said the University is aware of that. Toye said she had every confidence that the University will continue to maintain the building and evaluate all of the options. Downing asked if the University does something to the building and demolishes it, then it will need to consult with FEMA. Schmid confirmed this and said it is written into the agreement. Downing said that if the bank did the same, it would need to consult with FEMA, but he asked if there would be no such requirement if the University sold the property to a third party. Historic Preservation Commission November 10, 2011 Page 6 Toye said the University cannot sell the property to a third party within the five-year period of the option for the bank, unless the bank declines the option first. Schmid said that if the bank declines the option, that takes it out of FEMA's area of potential effect so that FEMA will no longer have a role and responsibility to monitor that building. Regarding the School District wanting to be an unwilling party, Swaim asked what the reasons for that were. Toye said she was not really certain. She said the University has not closed on the property purchase yet, so the School District still owns it. Toye said she did not want to speculate, but thought it might be they just did not want anything to encumber the sale of the building, and they were concerned there may be a contingency placed on the sale. Schmid said that FEMA did, both over the phone and in writing, assure them that it was not that scenario, but the School District did not provide much information beyond the statement that it was unwilling to participate in the process. The School Board representative, Tuyet Dorau, was asked if she had anything to add. Dorau said that they were actually not made aware of this until very late. She said that when discussions occurred between FEMA and the School District's physical plant director, neither the School Board nor anyone else in the Central Administrative Office was made aware that FEMA was looking at using any of its buildings as mitigation for the Voxman/Clapp relocation or any part of this relocation. Dorau said the School Board has not discussed the issue, but some of its members were a bit hesitant to have any of its buildings tied to this project, because of the fact that, in the district's ebb and flow environment, the School Board is not quite sure what its five- and ten-year plans are in terms of facilities. She said given the Durant Study done several years ago, the School Board knows there are large costs associated with some of the proposed plans for both of those facilities. Trimble said that those changes have not been made to those facilities because of the tight budget constraints. Toye said that FEMA apologizes for not having included the School Board as a party to the consultation from the beginning. She said that is probably because the building was no longer functioning as a School Building, and the School District was selling the building. Toye said that what FEMA was proposing under the terms of the agreement was to provide funds to The University of Iowa through Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division to work with the School District to hire consultants to do this project. She said it was thought that providing an energy study would benefit the schools, and benefit preservation. Toye said FEMA would have provided funds for the study, but there would have been no requirement to adopt or implement the findings of the study. Regarding Horace Mann School, Toye stated that FEMA was proposing to provide funds to hire a consultant to nominate the building to the National Register of Historic Places. She said that unless a construction or demolition project uses federal funds, there are no restrictions on the owner of a building listed on the National Register. Toye said, however, at this point, the adverse effects are not reasonably foreseeable for the Sabin School building. She said that FEMA would not be moving forward with an MOA. Toye apologized for the lack of communication and concern. Schmid said they realized that there was a communication gap there and that just speaking with the physical plant director was not informing the Central Administrative Office as it should have been. She said as they move forward, at this time there are no adverse effects to historic properties, but should the bank act on the option it has on the table and should the Sabin School be demolished, a lot of significant groundwork has been covered throughout this process. Schmid said FEMA has heard the comments the Historic Preservation Commission has regarding this and perhaps with much more advance notice and much more communication, the School District may want to participate in an MOA process, should that happen in the future. Schmid said she did not want to speculate on the outcome and did not want to assume that the Sabin School building will be adversely affected. She said the ideal situation is that the building would remain on site and find a new use. For now there is the process of monitoring to make sure that whatever does happen with the Sabin School building, as it is related to the relocation of Voxman/Clapp, will come to FEMA for review. Schmid said that perhaps the School District may be open to participating in the process in the future, and if not, she thought there would be other ways to successfully mitigate that loss if it should come to be. Historic Preservation Commission November 10, 2011 Page 7 Toye said that after the University closes on the purchase of that building and if in fact FEMA is notified that it will be demolished and that the bank would take that parcel, FEMA would at that point reopen consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office and invite all of the interested parties again to participate in consultation. At that point, even though the School District would no longer own that building, she would bet that the School District would want to participate in the consultation process, and that similar or same mitigation measures might be negotiated. Swaim asked about the five-year period, and the consultation process during that time, and Schmid said the process would start over. Swaim said she just wanted to make sure, and she appreciated FEMA sending the e-mail about this meeting. She just wanted to make sure the rest of the Commission is aware that this could still be an issue within the next five years. Wieland said the basic premise here is that we are affecting a school resource, so the consensus among all the interested parties was to benefit another school resource through the process. He said that when FEMA says there is a possibility that a school facility may be involved, it is because FEMA is looking to benefit a similar resource to the one that could possibly be affected. Schmid said this is a unique situation where the resource that has the potential to be adversely affected through this undertaking happens to have two other very similar resources designed by the same architect and the same planning and development process of the City of Iowa City. She said it is unusual to have three truly architecturally rich resources with similar integrity, so they felt that if they were adversely affecting one through its demolition, that to benefit the other two made perfect sense. Schmid said she understands that the School District needs to be critically involved in this decision -making process and, as she said, there is more than one way to mitigate the potential loss; there are other options. She stated that if in five years the bank acts on its option and we go down this path and the school district again chooses not to participate, they cannot be forced to do so. Schmid said she hopes that through the process of being open and transparent and inviting interested parties and the public to participate, that it reaches a final endpoint to satisfy everyone involved and provides a tangible benefit to historic preservation. Baldridge asked if anyone has been in contact with the bank to ascertain its plans. Schmid said FEMA had not, and it was really not their place in the process. She said the option agreement is between the University and the bank, and working with the University as the applicant — it is the University receiving the federal grant for this relocation of HVC - FEMA is assured through the letter of agreement that has been signed that the University will notify FEMA when the bank has made a decision. Schmid said it is in the University's best interest to keep FEMA posted as early on in the decision -making process as possible so that there are not any delays resulting from the reviews - that all reviews go simultaneously with their decision -making process. Swaim said it seems that the upside of this is that a lot of attention has been drawn to the fact that there are three schools that are historically significant. She said she would encourage all entities in the community to be open to opportunities like this kind of feasibility study of energy and such and to accept it, especially when it is free money. Swaim said there is a lot riding on maintaining these properties, whether it is a school or a building that can be used for something else. She said there are some things to learn here and pay attention to. Schmid stated that as with any negotiation process, new information that comes to light changes the outcome of the process. She said that is exactly what happened here. Schmid said she does not want to minimize in any way what has happened leading up to this point, because it has taken it to this point with an agreement of monitoring signed by all the entities at this point. She added that should the adverse effect occur, the door will open again to all the interested parties that have been involved in the process. Schmid asked if anyone had any questions. She said the Commission should be assured that from start to finish, this process would occur again should the adverse effect be identified in relation to the relocation of the Voxman/Clapp facilities. Schmid said they just wanted to make everyone aware of the situation. She said that if the Art Building relocation with the salvage symposium and the salvage of those features goes forward as defined, everyone can feel good about the role played in negotiation of the MOAs, and we will see what happens with the future. Historic Preservation Commission November 10, 2011 Page 8 Swaim asked for an update regarding the old Art Building. Schmid said there was a public hearing held at the Public Library on November 1 and a second one held at MacBride Hall, where the window of comments was opened, presenting the undertakings for, as currently proposed, the demolition of the Art Building and the demolition of HVC and then receiving comments back regarding potential mitigation measures that will be developed into an MOA. She said those will both be two separate documents similar to the relocations. Schmid stated that for HVC, some of the mitigation measures that FEMA had presented were things like a film to document the architectural significance of the building and the important events that occurred at Hancher and the look at the development of The University of Iowa River Valley Historic District in some sort of documentation, be it film, book, or any resource that could be viewed or available to the public. For the Art Building, Schmid said that the overwhelming comments that have come in have been to provide funds to mothball the original 1936 building designed by George Homer and to keep that building on the campus. She said this is something that, as comments have come in, she has vetted through FEMA to make sure that could be something that could proceed as a project. Schmid said at this point she has confidence that it can be moved forward. Schmid said therefore as proposed, the demolition would include the additions that were done starting in the 60s up through the 80s of the printmaking studio, which is significant for its association with Lasansky and some of the other artists who have come through there. She said the proposal would be essentially to remove all of those additions around it to have just the central building and the loges to the sides that would be mothballed. Schmid said FEMA cannot provide funds for any sort of rehabilitation of that building. She said that FEMA can provide funds for mothballing and any sort of climate control that could be associated with it, and perhaps even an adaptive reuse study that would help the University face the challenges it will have with mitigation. Schmid said that the University has in place through this disaster response effort a flood level that it hopes to have all its buildings mitigated to — the 500-year flood plus two — to protect its resources. She said this includes things like demountable flood walls, other hazard mitigation, abandoning basement facilities, elevating utilities and other things that have been incorporated into some of the other FEMA-funded recovery projects. Schmid said they can't do that physical work at this building, because the function is being relocated elsewhere, but FEMA can perhaps help the University through an adaptive reuse study, to identify ways it can do that. Schmid said that while this is still in that first 30-day window of receiving mitigation measures as suggestions, that responses are overwhelmingly positive for saving the original Art Building. Schmid said she could send a link to the powerpoint presentation posted on the University website that shows what was presented at those meetings. Schmid said FEMA is looking for the same thing it asked of the Commission before - mitigation suggestions. She said that this has not been developed a long way yet, but when FEMA initially met with Miklo to talk about historic preservation's role going through the processes, FEMA clearly identified 109 River Street and Sabin School as being Iowa City resources, so it was very important to insure that the Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission was involved as a concurring party to those. Schmid said that, moving forward with the only other adverse effect associated with the University, the mitigation for the Iowa Memorial Union and the two demolitions that will be coming but for which documents have not been developed, FEMA did not identify the HPC as a concurring party simply out of the geographic separation of the University and City resources. She said if the HPC would like to be involved in reviewing the documents and to concur, moving forward, FEMA is always open to that. Trimble said there is a general consensus that the Commission would like to be part of that process. Schmid asked if this referred to the demolition of the Art Building and HVC. Trimble confirmed this. Wieland said that if the Commission has recommendations for mitigation measures to be included in a draft MOA, they appreciate those suggestions. He said that when they receive public comments during the comment period, FEMA will prepare a draft and send it out for review to receive comments again on the draft. Historic Preservation Commission November 10, 2011 Page 9 Swaim asked if that period is until November 30`h. Schmid responded that November 30 is the comment period for the Art Building relocation. She said that for the draft that is already out for the Commission's review, the demolition of the Art Building and demolition of HVC, FEMA is receiving comments until December I'`. Schmid confirmed that the first drafts of those two documents will be out the first of June. Jones said that in addition to what he and Schmid do, which is review FEMA undertakings for compliance, especially the 106 National Historic Preservation Act, the branch under Wieland's direction reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act and a number of laws and executive orders. He said the relocation projects require an environmental assessment for each of the constructions. Wieland said the environmental assessments evaluate the process under a number of laws and executive orders. He said those environmental assessments are currently posted on FEMA's website, and a public notice directing people to that website to review those draft documents was published in the Iowa City Press -Citizen on Tuesday. Wieland encouraged Commission members to review those documents as well. Schmid said those were for the relocation - the one MOA that turned into a letter of agreement and the one MOA the Commission will be commenting on. Weiland said there are three environmental assessments: one for the Art Building relocation, one for the Hancher relocation north to northeast of its current facility and one for the Voxman/Clapp relocation at the site of those two banks DISCUSS HISTORIC PRESERVATION AWARDS. Trimble said the awards would be held on November 18'' at 5:30 at the Public Library. She said she would be a presenter as she is the Chair of HPC and the President of Friends of Historic Preservation, and she would appreciate help from anyone else who would like to be a presenter. Wagner and Litton volunteered to help. Trimble said that Christina Kuecker would be receiving the Margaret Nowysz Award. CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES FOR OCTOBER 13 2011 AND OCTOBER 17 2011: MOTION: McMahon moved to approve the minutes of the Historic Preservation Commission's October 13, 2011 and October 17, 2011 meetings, as written. Ackerson seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 10-0 (Michaud absent). ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 6:10 p.m. Minutes submitted by Anne Schulte s/pcd/mins/hpc/2011/hpcll-10-1Ldoc Z O N N O U z O Q W Cl) W w a U 7X O U) G O U W w W T UT zQ Q N G z W H a X X X X X X X X X X T X X X X X X X X X o O O T X X X X X X X o O O O O T X X X X X X X X oo O O O X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 0 X 0 X X 0 X X 0 X 0 N X X X X X X X X T- O O O X X X X X X 0 X X X X O X X X X X X X X X M 0 X X X X X X X N O O O M T— X X X X X X X T a x CM �t N CM v � N N 't (M N W T T e- N N CV N N N N N N N N cM cM M M M CM cM cM M cM m W H CQ G Q Q Y = J Q Q J Q U Q � o O z W F- a z a LL p w Q t9 � Z Z L Z = Q J W Z Q m Z Q U Q Q E D 0 -p 0 N O Z N X � E C C N � a)D E m -M<zo aQu Ilz II II W M II xoaz w Y