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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-08-2015 Historic Preservation CommissionIowa City Historic preservation Comnssion 'J ,/' p J 4 11 Thursday January 8, 2015 5:30 p.m. n . 0 C• Gt c �• V `;�trlp n e Emma Harvat Hall r• City Hall V}; LK A �ju IOWA CITY HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Thursday, January 8, 2015 City Hall, 410 E. Washington Street Emma J. Harvat Hall 5:30 p.m. A) Call to Order R) Roll Call C) Public discussion of anything not on the agenda D) Certificate of Appropriateness 608 Grant Street (Longfellow Historic District) — addition to deck 2. 331 N. Gilbert/321 Davenport (Northside Historic District) —new garage E) Report on Certificates issued by Chair and Staff F) Discussion of Annual Awards Program G) Consideration of Minutes for December 11, 2014 H) Historic Preservation Information I) Adjournment Staff Report January 8, 2015 Historic Review for 608 Grant Street District: Longfellow Historic District Classification: Contributing In December 2013 the Commission approved the addition of a deck to the rear of 608 Grant Street, a contributing property in the Longfellow Historic District. The applicant, Michelle Provorse of Pro Home Solutions, is now requesting modification of the deck design to allow the stairway to be located to the north side of the deck where it would protrude past the north wall of the house into the side yard. The guidelines recommend that modern decks be set in from sidewalls at least 8 inches. Because with the proposed modifications, part of the deck would not adhere to this guideline, an exception to the guidelines is required to allow the stairs to be built to the north of the house. Applicable Regulations and Guidelines 3.2 Exceptions to the Iowa City Guidelines 4.0 Iowa City Historic Preservation Guidelines for Alterations 4.1 Balustrades and Handrails 5.0 Iowa City Historic Preservation Guidelines for Additions 5.2 Decks and Ramps Staff Comments The Site Inventory lists this house as c. 1925 -1930, It is a two story house that is representative of Mediterranean Revival. The very low pitched hip roof, the stucco cladding, the arched opening, and the use of wrought iron on the second floor balcony are identifying features of this style. While the house may not seem to fit well with the neighboring houses, the style was popular during the Twenties and Thirties and falls into the period of significant development in the Longfellow neighborhood. An addition was added to the east (back) side of the house before the property was included in a historic district, but the street side retains its original character. The attached house plan describes the original design. The previously approved deck met the guideline including the minimum 8 inch set in from the north wall of the house (see attached Drawing A), but because of the grade of the back yard and the position of the kitchen door, the applicant is requesting an exception to allow the stairway to be located to the north of the deck (see attached Drawing B). After the deck was built the contractor determined that a longer run of stairs than what is shown in Drawing A would be necessary due to the drop in grade of the back yard (the yard slopes from west to east). The applicant indicates that the longer stairs will make the rear yard less usable. The applicart also notes that the kitchen door is located on the north side of the house where there is a concrete patio. The applicant believes this area would be a more suitable location for a barbeque grill that would be accessible to the kitchen as well as the deck if the stairs are located to the north side. The portion of the yard located to the north of the house is elevated approximately 2'/2 feet above the yard to the east of the house. There are currently concrete steps that provide the transition from the north yard to the east yard. Section 3.2 of the Iowa City Historic Preservation Handbook, provides standards for when an exception to the guidelines is requested. That section states that during the course of historic review, it may be revealed that elements of the application warrant special consideration. When this occurs, alternative design solutions to the Iowa City Guidelines may be considered by the H storic Preservation Compassion. The intent in considering alternative designs is to allow architectural flexibility in exceptional circumstances such as non- compliant structures, irregular lots, and projects which satisfy the intent of the guidelines as interpreted by the Commission, When approving a project requiring an exception, die Commission shall identify the guideline for which the exception is being made, and the rationale for the exception. In Staff's opinion, the change in grade of this property may warrant special consideration for an alternative design solution, rather than requiring all aspects of the new deck to be set in from the back edge of the house. The intent of requiring the set in is to place modern elements such as decks so that they are not highly visible from the font and sides of the property. In this case the most visible element of the stairs will be the railing. The applicant is proposing to use a metal railing rather than the typical cedar. The metal will match or complement the historic meal railing found on the front balcony of the house. In staffs opinion a metal railing will be less noticeable then a wood railing. The applicant has not finalized the design for the railing, but has submitted the attached concept showing a black metal railing for consideration. Recommended Motion Move to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for the project at 608 Grant Street, including an exception to the guideline for an 8 inch set in from the sidewall due to the change in grade from the side yard to the rear yard, with the following conditions: The railing for the deck and stairs will be made of metal to match or complement the historic railing located on the balcony on the front of the house. Applicant to provide plan and details, for the railing. All of the above must be reviewed and approved by Chair and staff. >172(3 1332115 II ` N9 909 2 H K z z 0 3 c io V W c ---- --- L Y � t )TTTI w I I m I I y mx I I I I I o LJ_LIJ 0 I I w I I I I ---_-------_-- I I I I I I- LL J F A Y U Q r— O l6 .O O O LL Drawing A (previously approved) N73Q 122NIS LIM 70 1.0: P149X �'-U N � J H gp W f gill A 9ti Drawing B (proposed) J �Fu� •. 1 1.. r1 -. !{ ' v rr \ + Iv fills or .pr .w w II1� Ni -Aim ai LIN 8 T R U C T U R A L ReCaNng the Itarum Vina Ir"m decorative quality of thin jumse has been achieved not by adding maj..nt D" space. A dial akxm takes care of the AW06M of nff: saving b4t by the happy arrangement of P'ft Pamsm or mmeals' a in labor and use Of contrasting colors in wall, and what a dining ode would 'Rd the excellent design of the open- MCC ant"" "ting the kitchenj grude Mgm. it ise stair entry. and Bodes that will appear to advantage in any 6U to the front pw=ita living nakhborhoW of small diming sloove to overlook vng room and the garden at the Fora house; *of it, 86, imar, A "ested plot plan in shown. . . dom* large amit Provides OXORP-. The two bedrmm but this is doewe delightful 'rooms; Amu! planning to make the but use of to th"a dose wee me-opening upon all rear, f 50) C L- A Y T I L 4-1144 *a. +bnatHYpHa0. Application for Historic Review 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 Neighborhood and Development Services office at City Hall or online at: www.icgov.org/HPhandbook For Staff Use: Date submitted: /,9 1-114 ❑ Certificate of No material Effect J4 Certificate of Appropriateness ❑ Majorreview ❑ Intermediate review ❑ Minorreview 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 office of Neighborhood and Development Services by noon on Wednesday three weeks prior to the meeting. See attached document for application deadlines and meeting dates. Property rc Information tgsonl Property Owner Name: j_(u7— 7Mtt(L�Y[Afi.ww i en ` f '"( (jyyl p! Nd /1, -) 9"y, j' Email: p—/l �,&Mone Number: (�`� )tp3l I tla� 6 Address: ev G d A — ff ' City: 1%�-uIt . 'd q� v State: 44-- Zip Code:Saa`L D ❑ Contractor/ Consultant Name: Email Address: City: Address: Use of Property: I n4 Phone Number: ( State: Proposed Project Information Date Constructed (if known): Zip Code: Historic Designation (Maps arc located m the Hixtrnac hesmaaonnandbwk) ❑ This Property is a local historic landmark. OR ❑ This Property is within a historic or conservation district (choose location): ❑ Brown Street Historic District Clark Street Conservation District ❑ College C-neen Historic District C College Hill Conservation District ❑ East College Street Historic District ❑ Dearborn Street Conservation District dV Longfellow Historic District ❑ Goosetown / Horace Mann Conservation District ❑ Northside Historic District ❑ Govemor-Lucas Street Conservation District ❑ Summit Street Historic District ❑ Woodlawn Historic District Within the district, this Property is classified as: )!r Contributing ❑ Noncontributing 0 Nonhistoric Application Requirements Choose appropriate project type. In order to ensure application can be processed, please include all listed materials. Applications without necessary materials may be rejected. L Addition (Typically projects entailing an addition to the building footprint such as a mom, porch, deck, etc.) Building Elevations 0 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/constmcdon, 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 ❑ 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 ❑ Reoair 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. Proposed Project Details Project Description: Materials to be Used: Exterior Appearance Changes: .sr, WsprWapp_rnr_historicmview.dm 614114 Staff Report January 8, 2015 Historic Review for 331 N Gilbert Street (321 Davenport) District: Northside IEstoric District Classification: Key Contributing The applicant, Prestige Properties Development LLC, is requesting approval for a proposed new garage at 331 N. Gilbert Street a key property it the Northside Historic District. The project consists of building a new 3 stall garage with a second level storage space. The garage would be built at the former address of 321 Davenport Street. The house that was located there was destroyed by fire in 2009. The applicant has purchased that lot and according to the purchase agreement with the City he is required to join it to the lot at 331 N. Gilbert to create one larger lot. The garage would serve the house at 331. Applicable Regulations and Guidelines: 6.0 Iowa City Historic Preservation Guidelines for New Construction 6.2 New Outbuildings Staff Comments The house at 331 N. Gilbert Street was built in 1904 by Zaccheus Seeman, a bookbinder, and his wife, Mary. The house is Queen Anne style with bay windows on the north east and south sides, an asymmetrical fagade and decorative elements, including fish scale siding in the gables and garlands above the entry. The house was modified sometime after 1984. Vinyl siding was added over the original siding, the lower portion of the porch columns were encased within square paneled bases and the northern portion of the porch was enclosed. At the time of the porch enclosure the front parlor window, which includes a decorative lead glass panel, was moved to the front of the newly created room on the porch. Even with these modifications the house retains much of its original design and is considered a key property within the Northside Historic District. The applicant is proposing to build a three stall garage to the west and south of the house on the vacant lot where the house was destroyed by fire. For zoning purposes the two lots are considered as one property and the garage will be an accessory building to the house at 331 N. Gilbert. The guidelines recommend that new outbuildings be placed to the rear of the primary building. Garages should be clearly subordinate in size and ornamentation to the house, while reflecting the style of the house. Garage doors should be either simple smooth doors or Carriage -style doors in an appropriate style for the property. Windows should be relatively small and rectangular. Doors and windows should have trim. The attached plan illustrates the location and size of the proposed garage. In Staffs opinion, the proposed location of the garage is in compliance with the guidelines. Although it is not located directly behind the house at 331 N. Gilbert, it is located adjacent to the alley side of the lot and will allow space adjacent to Davenport Street for an ample yard. Staff met with the applicant to discuss revisions to the plan and requested product information regarding doors and windows. As a result the plans are being revised and should be available before the January 8 Historic Preservation Commission meeting. The following details will be addressed on the new plan: Width of siding: the guidelines suggest 3-5 inch reveal. 2. Dimensions, style and product information for windows. 4. Product information for the overhead doors and pedestrian doors. 3. Detaiis of the casing trim around the windows and doors. 5. Dimensions and details for the dormer. Reconarnended Untion Staff will provide a recomriendation after the revised plans are available for review. Application for Historic Review 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 Usc-: Date submitted: ❑ Certificate of No material Effect ;K Certifrcateof Appropriateness IvmJor rcvicw ❑ 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. App'.ications are due in the PCD office by noon. on Wednesday three weeks prior to the meeting. See attached document for application I eadlines an,d meeting dates. Property Owner/Applicant Information ❑ Property Owner Name: Email: M nh t(P_Yci & XP.S!`�ra�� yY\ Phone Number: {�1`�) >51 � --'J� ((, X. `� Address: .�i 2`j Cx+t9 A _';i -2 City: �'Z a to C-": u State: -TA Zip Code: 5 D 24 O ❑ Contractor/ Consultant Name: f4]idi'e 4�uy\ BUAlCtirsfz �CrUiCeS Email: _ M to i 0 o i V c, ( )T)V� `, [jqktqqe Number (,a` (`1) J 12 b (8 K 5 Address: -- ?a9 6 Q,u s+ Qe-2 City: Mw�OAA State: TA Zip Code: 5z2 o Proposed Project Information Address: 32t Use of Property: rrz6te 41VA Date Constructed (if known): Historic Designation (Maps are located in the Historic Preservation Handbook) ❑ This property is a local historic landmark. OR .Pl This Property is within a historic or conservation district (choose location) ❑ Brown Street Historic District ❑ College Green Historic District ❑ East College Street Historic District ❑ Longfellow Historic District ,-FT Northside Historic District ❑ Summit Street Historic District ❑ Woodiawn Historic District ❑ Clark Street Conservation District ❑ College Hill Conservation District ❑ Dearborn Street Conservation District ❑ Govemor-Lucas Street Conservation District Within the district, this property is classified as: 3 Contributing ❑ Noncontributing 0 Nonhistoric f?% Application Requirements 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 protects entailing am 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 replacementiconstruction, baluster repair, or similar. If the project is a minor alteration, photographs and drawings to describe the scope of the project are sufficient.) r� ❑ Building Elevations ❑ Photographs El Product 'nformation X3 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. Proposed Project Details Prooj/ject Description: Chu i J e 4 3 C u Materials to be Used: 7�9 rn'r' •P F'Yi S- ky r t, C %"/cP S Exterior Appearance Changes: 0��. �' G* O� % ppda&,Wastpreshpp_ for _hMs ,icw.doc 12/11 rJ 1 GARAGE PLAN ^� _ LOFT PLAN NEB Ub'=I'O' -- $GlE Ilb•. I'.p 3 NORTH ELEV. EAST ELEV. NF8'.IO•-- 4-WA�wv—.ro 1, SOUTH ELEV. 6 WEST ELEV. Y.PLE UB'= I'4 TH15 DRANIN6 %EET 15 GOtZEP UAL ONLY, AND NOT TO BE USED A5 GONSTRXTION DQ.:UMENTS, act Name: WI E MORT S7 AND hL Q{.EAT ST. L "0 1210 8. OILSENT ST. SUITE 100 ION'A CITY, IA 52M 319-338-0066 PHONE 319-351-0066 FAX •_---- Shoat Titia:� ANFBUnC PLAN AND ELEVATIONS m.,.� OPTION 30 w ai KEY PLAN -- aee®t Numtr A-1 8 5lAIF IIM'. FJ•�. IJJ'. r o —aw rR�l i .3 I1 y 3 r A'kS r� T.i TIAIN 0 .1^A � Nkc i naa C,;,, Historic Preservation Comn-lf ssion MEMORANDUM Date: January 8, 2015 To: Historic Preservation Commission From: Robert Miklo, Senior Planner Re: Certificates of No Material Effect, Minor Reviews and Intermediate Reviews The Historic Preservation Handbook requires a report to the Commission of any projects that have been approved administratively. Below are the projects approved since the November report. Certificate of No Material Effect — Chair and Staff review 914 S. Dubuque Street (Tate Arms) — Landmark — roof repair 214 E. Jefferson Street (United Methodist Church modern addition) — Jefferson Street Historic District — roof repair Minor Review — preapproved item — Staff review 624 Grant Street — Longfellow Historic District - replace front steps and railing. Intermediate Review — Chair and Staff review None MINUTES PRELIMINARY HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION DECEMBER 11, 2014 EMMA HARVAT HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Kent Ackerson, Thomas Agran, Esther Baker, Kate Corcoran, Frank Durham, Andrew Litton, Pam Michaud, Ben Sande!I, Ginalie Swaim MEMBERS ABSENT: Gosia Clore, Frank Wagner STAFF PRESENT: Bob Miklo OTHERS PRESENT: Carol Adderley, Eva Adderley, Jan Alan, Phil Beck, Nancy Carlson, Michael Chamberlan, Janice Frey, Susan Hultman, William R. Ingalls, Dick Kruse, Steven Marsden, Kelsev Pacha, Ted Pacha, Joseph Pettit, Alicia Trimble RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: By a vote of 9-0 (Clore and Wager absent) the Historic Preservation Commission recommends approval of the designation of 608, 610, and 614 South Dubuque Street as Iowa City historic landmarks. (become effective only after separate Council action) CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Swaim called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANYTHING NOT ON THE AGENDA: Carlson thanked everyone who put in time and effort to the cottages on South Dubuque Street. She said that at the City Council meeting on Tuesday morning, one of the issues raised was that they did not like that fact that this was an eleventh hour type of thing. Carlson said the City Council would have liked to have this move along in more normal channels. Carlson said she wanted to discuss the North Clinton/Dubuque Street District and the Civic District. She said the City has started plans for these two districts, and there was a meeting held on October 30 to discuss this. Carlson said the Unitarian Church is in the Civic District. She said they are asking questions about increasing the density and what should be done with these two areas. Carlson said her concern is that, given the fact that the City is looking for fifteen million dollars because of a shortfall of property taxes, they are looking for every place possible to increase density and increase funds for property taxes. Carlson said she did not know how many people are aware of the two potential districts and the older buildings that could be in there. She said that she copied off three of the maps and questionnaires to distribute to make people aware of the fact that unfortunately, although the Commission's plate is already full, there are other matters that could be coming up, and we could end up losing other buildings. Carlson asked how much of Iowa City, especially the older part, will be sacrificed to "save" Iowa City. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION December 11, 2014 Page 2 of 19 PUBLIC HEARING ON HISTORIC LANDMARK DESIGNATIONS FOR 608, 610 AND 614 SOUTH DUBUQUE STREET. Swaim said that there would first be a staff report by Miklo and then the applicant, Friends of Historic Preservation, represented by Executive Director Alicia Trimble, would speak. She said that the owner of the properties would speak after that, and then the hearing is open to any member of the public. Swaim said that once everyone who wants to has spoken, then everyone will be given a chance to speak again. Miklo said that the applicant is Friends of Historic Preservation, which has requested that the three buildings at 608, 610, and 614 South Dubuque Street be designated as Iowa City landmarks. Miklo said that designation of properties as landmarks will require Historic Preservation Commission approval of any significant changes to the exterior of the buildings. He said that landmark status also makes properties eligible for transfer of development rights according to the Riverfront Crossings Code and also for special exceptions that would allow waiver by the Board of Adjustment of certain zoning requirements. Miklo said that the Iowa Site Inventory form prepared by Friends of Historic Preservation in the Commission's packet has detail about the history of the buildings. He said that to qualify for designation as landmarks, the subject properties must meet criteria A and B as spelled out in the zoning code and one of the additional four criteria in the code. Miklo said the Commission must find that the buildings are: A. significant to American and/or Iowa City history, architecture, archaeology, and culture. He said the Commission must also find that B. the buildings possess integrity of location, design, setting, materials, and workmanship. Miklo said that if the Commission finds that the properties meet these two criteria, then it must find that they meet one of the other four remaining in the list. Miklo showed photographs of the buildings and said he would be available to answer any questions. Swaim said there are many aspects to this process, but the role of the Historic Preservation Commission is to decide whether the cottages are historically significant in that they meet the criteria as outlined. She said the Commission's role is therefore very precise. Trimble introduced herself as the Executive Director of Friends of Historic Preservation. She asked that 608, 610, and 614 South Dubuque Street receive local landmark presentation. Trimble said her presentation will be short, because the property owner needs to leave by 7 p.m., but she would be glad to come back for questions or to provide more details at any point. Trimble stated that the Historic Preservation Commission, along with Friends of Historic Preservation, has been working for several years to have the near North Side, now called Riverfrcnt Crossings, surveyed. She said the survey for that area finally starts next week. Trimble said the Commission's recommendations given for the Riverfront Crossings plan make saving the cottages, Tait Arms, and Sabin School goals for Iowa City. Trimble said that ideally, the landmark application for 608, 610, and 614 South Dubuque Street would have been submitted to the Commission probably more than a year from now after the survey's completion. She said, however, that extraordinary circumstances have made that impossible. Trimble stated that, having been on the Historic Preservation Commission herself, she knows that the Commission's job is to decide if these cottages meet the qualifications to be local HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION December 11, 2014 Page 3 of 19 historic landmarks, and they do. She said that as one can see by the slide, they meet the minimum criteria listed, and they may have more information to yield in the future, just as Plum Grove has through archaeology and more research. Trimble said the cottages are an intact story of our history and are associated with important pioneers, as well as many people who builf Iowa City on their backs and with their own sweat that are no less important but are less known. They are our story. Trimble showed an 1868 birds -eye map showing the block pulled out. She said we know from the bird's-eye map that a lot of the time the buildings are so tiny the details are not right, but it does show if a building is there, and that is known to be pretty accurate. Trimble said that on this block at that time one can see three buildings that are facing forward and a longer one. She said the longer one is probably where Racquet Master is now and was probably an 1850s store originally. Trimble said there are three buildings to the left of that on the map, and right now there are five buildings to the left. She said that could mean that the three cottages were there or that the two houses were there and 608, which is most likely the earliest cottage, or some combination in between, but it is known that these cottages are at least that old. Trimble said that unfortunately, because these cottages were built for working-class people, possibly as rentals, there is not a lot of data. Trimble said these cottages are most likely associated with Charles H. Berryhill. She said he came to Iowa City in 1838, a year before Chauncey Swan even plotted Iowa City. Trimble said Berryhill is credited with giving Iowa City its original shape, adding on to what Swan had plotted. She said that Berryhill was a merchant and owned the first dry goods store in Iowa City. Trimble said Berryhill was a merchant, farmer, land speculator, alderman, as well as being one of the most prominent members of Iowa City at that time. Trimble said that William and Catherine Watkins lived here in 1872. Trimble said that William Watkins was brought in as the pastor of the Welsh Congregational Church at Old Man's Creek, and there are a number of references to Catherine just being a loving and kind woman. She said that they had ten children. Although She said this shows the important roles the different families have played. Regarding the integrity of the cottages, Trimble said that in this case, the cottages are in their original location and have their important, original context near the historic railroad line. She said that a lot of the buildings in that area are from that time, although they have been altered. Trimble said the buildings also have integrity of materials. She said the cottages are composed of handmade brick and mortar. Trimble said the workmanship was obviously local with eclectic features and shows interesting features such as a potato shelf in 608 and kind of a crookedly built chimney in 614. She said that part of what makes these cottages so unicue is that a resident of our city did this work, Y✓hich really is a testament to the people who bu€it the city. Regarding important patterns of history, Trimble said this obviously is associated with the Iowa City Railroad District. She said that two things really made the city after the legislature left Iowa City: one was the University and the other was the railroad. Trimble said the railroad came in on December 31, 1855, and within a few years, Iowa City's population doubled. She said this was the end of the line, and as part of this, a neighborhood arose around the railroad tracks and continued to expand for the next couple of decades. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION December 11, 2014 Page 4 of 19 Trimble said the people who worked in this neighborhood were always working class, often immigrants, sometimes minorities and often poor. She said that most of these people would never have had the means or the right to live north of Burlington Street, and because of that, we tend to forget them in our history. Trimble said we have tended to raze their properties and not ,recognize the important contributions they have made to the city. With regard to modern history, Trimble stated that the middle cottage, 610, is associated with the Actuaiist Poetry Movement. She said there were poetry readings and brainstorming here, and the movement spread from coast to coast. Trimble said that having that movement start in Iowa City is one of the reasons it has a UNESCO City of Literature designation. Trimble said that the job of the Commission members is simple — to simply decide if 608, 610, and 614 Dubuque Street meet the criteria to be designated as local landmarks. She stated that those in the local preservation community know and have been working toward a survey here, specifically because of these Cottages and other buildings in this area. Ti r imbie Said she hoped the Commission would take that into consideration when voting. in response to a question, Trimble said that the OSA is expected to complete the survey of the area this next spring. Ted Pacha said he would abdicate his time to his son but said he was surprised to see the use of the term of architecturally significant on the board. He said that when the developer offered I o put the three facades of those buildings on three retail spaces in the proposed plan, he was told that they were not architecturally significant. Kelsey Pacha said he is the oldest son of Ted Pacha, the property owner. He said he wanted to offer a perspective that has not been heard regarding these old buildings on Dubuque Street. Pacha said he grew up in Iowa City and lived here as recently as 2012. He said he has seen many changes as a result of development and rezoning in Iowa City, not all of which he agreed with, and was at the meeting to comment on some of the claims made in the Friends of Historic Preservation application to declare these three buildings as historic landmarks and also to comment briefly on the process. Kelsey Pacha said that on page seven of the application, the author claims that the Actualist Poetry Movement is the only literary movement to have its roots in North America. Pacha said our own Prairie Lights Bookstore is named for San Francisco's City Lights Bookstore, which is where the first beatnik poetry was published, although the movement began in New York. He said this is an error that no one has questioned that was also in the original form of the petition that was disseminated to supporters of historic preservation. Kelsey Pacha said there are also multiple spelling and grammar errors, which he assumes were the result of hurried writing. He said he had a list of examples. Pacha said it is not his intention to nitpick but to bring attention to how haphazard the information being presented is. He said if such a sweeping, erroneous claim about the only literary movement with roots in North America can be made without question, what other claims by Friends of Historic Preservation are simply wrong, whether to inflate the buildings' importance or because these reports are being thrown together at the last minute. Kelsey Pacha said that much of the information about the earliest owners and apparent occupants is based on census material, which, as the applicant states, gives very little information about the purpose the buildings actually served. He added that in the case of Jacob Beard's wife, it gives contradictory information about her name. Pacha said that the information HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION December 11, 2014 Page 5of19 about property owner Charles Berryhill, who, it states, "...certainly did not live in the buildings...," does not seem relevant to those who did live there. Kelsey Pacha said that most of what is presented under the early settlers heading is speculative and tells us more about who owned the land and whatever buildings might have been there at the time, as the application acknowledges that there are no documents that explicitly state when these so-called cottages were erected. He said the report though states that the families who owned and lived in the buildings were some of the wealthiest in Iowa City at the time of the settlement but also states that they are "...some of the last remaining intact representations of working class Iowa Citians at the time of this early railroad district." He asked which then is it — weaithy families or working class citizens. Pacha said the infamous Mormon Trek is also mentioned, without any proof of a relationship to the Mormon Trek. Kelsey Pacha stated that he is not saying that these buildings are or are not historically significant; he is just saying that, as a reader, there are many holes. He said that because Trimble did not work with the property owner, she did not have access to the State plat book that the owner is in possession of, which could offer additional information or insight. Kelsey Pacha said that, as he understands it, it is highly unusual for someone who is not working with the property owner to apply for any kind of historic landmark status. He said it seems that an assumption was made that the owner would not have welcomed it, when in fact, he would have been glad to help any time in the past 18 years before he recently decided to sell the property. Kelsey Pacha said the owner has been a steward of these buildings to the best of his ability, but he has been told by a certified structural engineer that they are dangerous, which is another, rather important fact that is not even mentioned in the application. He referred to the integrity section on page five, which states that the integrity of the cottages is intact. Pacha said he understands that speaks to the historic integrity, but the structural integrity should also be a concern. He said the applicationn clearly does not take into account the information provided by VJ Engineering, which is vital to anyone who steps inside. Kelsey Pacha said that, speaking strictly as a citizen and a community organizer in his own right, he wanted to make a few comments on how this process, initiated by Friends of Historic Preservation, has happened. He said that no one had ever approached his father in the past 18 years with interest in collaborating on preservation of these buildings. Pacha said that is ultimately because this is not simply about these buildings. He said this whole fight is a repository for all the anger and resentment about other rezoning and development around Iowa City. Kelsey Pacha said that the story for these organizers was already written as soon as they saw this rezoning request, which was less than a month ago. He said, "Heartless landlord who doesn't care about history !ooks to get big money from large developer." Pacha said this is why they iumped on getting in touch with the media immediately, effectively controlling the conversation and why they jumped on creating online petitions that were later presented to the City Council. Kelsey Pacha said that he has been a community organizer and an advocate for people with disabilities and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community for about ter, years. He said that in that time, he has organized protests, gone to City Council meetings, and both written and signed petitions like the one Nialee Sylvan created on change.org. Pacha said that, HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION December 11, 2014 Page 6 of 19 speaking from the perspective of one who has witnessed the negative effects of gentrification in both the Chicago and San Francisco Bay areas, if he only had the information presented to him via the petition or the previous new articles, he undoubtedly would have signed it. He said that not only were there glaring inaccuracies, as mentioned before, but the title and language were changed shortly before it was sent to the City Council. Pacha said this is relevant in terms of the amount of public support that is perceived about the historic preservation process. Kelsey Pacha said that originally this petition's title was "Declare 608, 610, and 614 Dubuque Street Public Landmarks" as of 11 a.m. on December 2. He said that then, around 1:45 p.m. Nialle Sylvan wrote an update entitled, "What We Need to Ask for the City Council to Set a Public Hearing." Pacha said the update explained, probably because they got more information on the process than what the City Council needed to hear rather than just a desire to save the old buildings, was that people specifically wanted a public hearing to occur. Pacha said that she (Sylvan) states at the end of the update, "I am revising the petition accordingly." Kelsey Pacha said that with the internet, this is as easy as copy and pasting. He said that if this were a paper petition, the organizers could not simply cross out the original wording of what they were asking for and asking people to sign for and present those signatures to City Council, which were signed for a different purpose. Kelsey Pacha said that at least they could not do this in good faith. He said it is just one example among many of intentional manipulation by the organizing groups to foment public outcry against allowing the owner to do what he wishes with the property and to present an as of yet unverified version of the cottages' history in the body of the petition. Kelsey Pacha said that if he has learned anything from his organizing work, it is that it is always best to attempt to engage in dialogue with the person who you view as your adversary. He said it is very easy to create an us and them mentality before ever talking to a person and to have unfounded assumptions about their motivations and their character. Kelsey Pacha said that a question he has struggled with through this entire process has been, if Friends of Historic Preservation believes that the buildings are structurally sound and believes they are historically significant, why would they not go about the process the right way — the prescribed way. He asked why they would not jointly look at the buildings with the property owner, as was agreed upon in the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. Pacha asked why they would not collaborate and share information to apply for Preservation before the property owner wanted to sell. Kelsey Pacha said it is not as if Friends of Historic Preservation tried and failed to work with his father; they never even attempted it. He said that in their fervor to stop further development in Iowa City, which is something he understands, Friends of Historic Preservation has done only surface level research in barely three weeks' time and made dubious claims to the public about these buildings, both without collaborating with the owner and with no accountability for the outcome. Kelsey Pacha said that a vote for preservation is a vote for this last-minute process; it endorses it; it is a process without integrity. He asked if the Commission wants to reward that kind of divisiveness, especially when the claims being made are based on limited information. Pacha encouraged those who care about older buildings in Iowa City to do something while there is still time to do it respectfully with those owners and to not use such underhanded means to get what they want. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION December 11, 2014 Page 7 of 19 Ted Pacha thanked the Commission members for their time and said that he and his son had to leave the meeting for another commitment. Pettit said he has been a resident here for 23 years. He stated that Kelsey Pacha said that over the past 18 years, Friends of Historic Preservation or other groups did not make any effort to try to preserve the cottages. Pettit said he does not exactly know the circumstances, but he might be able to indicate why this is so last minute. Pettit said he first learned two years ago that these cottages had an historic place in the railroad district. He said he was told that they were stops for the pony express if his memory is correct. Pettit said now that the rezoning and demolition applications have arisen, it has struck home that these places were not as permanent as he thought they were, and they are now suddenly threatened, although he had no idea that this was coming. Pettit said that the Pachas mentioned that the structures are, according to VJ Engineering, in a state of disrepair and could be under threat of collapsing. Pettit asked, if the process for historic preservation designation were to continue, how would any repairs or bracing be carried out — if it would be on the part of the property owner, the current tenants, the City, or another entity. Swaim said it would be the property owner's responsibility. Pettit asked if the local landmark designation would mean that Ted Pacha would still be able to own these properties, although without the ability to demolish them. Swaim said that if they are landmarks he would need to apply for demolition permits which would then be reviewed by this Commission. She said the Commission's decision regarding whether to approve the demolition permit would be based on two things. Swaim said the first would be if the buildings could not be repaired - if they were deteriorated beyond repair. She said the second would be what kind of replacement buildings would be proposed, if they would be sympathetic to the buildings that had been torn down in terms of mass, setback, size, and such. Alan said she lives in Iowa City. She said she considers this district to be a shopping destination, as do many of her friends. Alan said the one thing that makes it cute are those little houses. Alan said that in her own community organization business, she saw other communities that were destroyed by the City and watched businesses flounder and people become homeless. She said it is awful to take away a whole community. Alan said that if these businesses go, the whole community will go, and she would hate to see that. Alan stated that the other point is that, especially with all the publicity, this area is increasing in price, and it will continue to increase in price. She said that if a developer wants to come in 20 years from now, the owner wil! get a lot more money for it. Marsden said he has been a visitor and shopper at Jim's Bookshop. He said he was also briefly an employee at the neighboring store, the current bookshop. Marsden said he wanted to express his appreciation for the presentation made by Friends of Historic Preservation. He said that, despite whatever shortcomings have been pointed out, it was a remarkable explanation that was put together in a very short time. Marsden said the Actualist Movement had many readings there and many events at Jim's Bookshop. He said that Jim's Bookstore was not the only bookstore that was there. Marsden HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION December 11, 2014 Page 8 of 19 said that it was preceded by Alan Doney's bookshop, which is somewhat continuous in terms of the cultural developments that led to the Actualist Movement. He said that Doney's bookshop was also an important cultural center in Iowa City. Marsden said that is not the only influence. He said it is a physical manifestation of its heritage, but it was also an important cultural center preceding, developing, and contributing to the movement that became the actualist movement. Marsden said there was another owner in between Jim Mulach and Ben Biber. Marsden said he did not know much about that, but Ben Biber had a bookshop there called the Free Culture Co-op. Marsden said the events there might not have been as important on a national scale as the Actualist Movement, but it was very significant historically in terms of the local literary and especially the local alternative music scene. Marsden said that the history of the area is not just about Jim's Bookshop, as important as it was, but there was a cultural continuum before and after Jim's proprietorship. Beck said he is a long-time resident of Iowa City. Regarding the issue of timing, he said that the last minute nature of this has been questioned. Beck said he is sure there are a lot of circumstances to explain why things are happening now instead of earlier, but his question is whether that is really relevant or pertinent. He asked if it really matters if it was done 18 years ago, 18 months ago, or 18 days ago. Beck said he is not really familiar with the process of applying for landmark status. He asked if the rules have been followed, however last minute they are. Beck asked if anything has not been done that should have been done that would render the process of application invalid. Beck said he has not heard or read anything about whether doing this late in the game invalidates the process. He said it is obviously unfortunate and is very apparent that the Pachas' feelings have been hurt. Beck said it is unfortunate but asked if again it is pertinent or relevant. Beck said it seems to him that the Commission's task is to try to separate out the emotional and the procedural things and decade upon the procedural. He said that if procedures have been followed, that is what is most relevant. Beck said he did not think the fact that Trimble had some grammatical mistakes and even some factual errors is all that pertinent. He said that as Trimble pointed out, the history of these cottages is not documented in great detail. Beck said there are gaps in the history. He said that anyone who has done any historical research knows that when one goes back to a pervious century, one deals with spotty records and things like that. Beck said he thinks that enough evidence has been presented showing that these cottages have historical import in the history of Iowa City. He said that whether or not some of the actual details or names were nailed down, these cottages are part of history and are associated with certain people. Swaim confirmed that all of the procedures have been properly followed. She said that the Comprehensive Plan (Near Southside Redevelopment Plan) of 1992 already spelled out that this area needed to be examined and that those three cottages needed to be looked at as sites to be protected. Swaim said those are things that should be done. She stated that what slows processes down are things like lack of staff, lack of money or funding, paying for consultants to do the work, lack of volunteers, etc. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION December 11, 2014 Page 9 of 19 Swaim said there is also the fact that the flood and its effect on the Music Building created this snowball effect on other buildings. She said that part of the overriding FEMA mitigation process involved the Commission's suggesting that a survey be done of that entire area. Swaim said that FEMA has a process. She said that also delayed the survey. Swaim said that as part of the process, a large survey of the area would occur and then individual properties are identified as worth more examination and perhaps protection. Swaim said that the surveys are a long process, funded in various ways. She said that preservation efforts are often eleventh hour, because demolition permits are learned about at the eleventh hour. Beck said that confirms his support for landmark status. Frey said she has been a resident of Iowa City for over 30 years. She said she is not very familiar with this process, but she thinks that the lack of public comment is really a shame for this. Frey said that what we're learning now by people coming forward and making comments has enriched the knowledge of what these cottages meant. Frey said she thinks there is something to be said by preventing the demolition of these buildings, because once they're gone, they're gone, and there is no issue any more. She said that opening it up and having a public meeting would perhaps bring forth many more stories about these buildings. Ingalls said he lives at 608 South Dubuque Street and pointed out the property on the map. He thanked everyone who had spoken, because there is so much valuable information to consider. Ingalls said that Swaim did a fine job of explaining that many times, when a pursuit of historical status is sought, it is because a demolition notice has been applied for. He said he has been the caretaker/property manager of the entire block since 1986, ten years before Ted Pacha owned the properties. He said that this has just come up as recently as three or four weeks ago. Ingalls said it was sort of a planned assault on the Building Inspection Service Department and everyone else involved. He said the military term for this is rapid dominance. Ingalls said they had been talking with some of the City Council members early on. He said he was told by Ted Pacha as recently as three weeks ago to go from property to property on the block and assure people that nothing was going to happen, there were no plans afoot to change anything, and that all leases would be honored until the end of the lease terms. Ingalls said he has tried to buy his place many times, and Ted Pacha told him he thought they had to be sold as a unit but to rest assured that if they come up for sale, Ingalls would get the property, because he had asked about it a million times. Ingalls said that Ted Pacha told him that he could not do anything with the properties if he wanted to, because they are designated to be preserved. Ingalls said that all of this came at the last minute, and the way Trimble was treated by the City Council, saying that the right process had not been followed, still bothers him. He said that Trimble's research and report have been exemplary. Ingalls said the report brings to light a lot of things he didn't know. Ingalls said he does know some things about all three of the buildings, because in 1986, Doug Boothroy was not sure that he should be living and working out of 608 South Dubuque Street HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION December 11, 2014 Page 10 of 19 because of commercial zoning. Ingalls said that he told Boothroy that people had been working and living there forever as far as he knew, and Boothroy told him he would have to prove that. Ingalls said that the property owner at that time was Freda Hieronymus. Ingalls said that Hleronym! is objected to being to!d what she could and could not do with the property, so between the two of them, they put together a roster of tenancy dating back to 1855 of all three cottages. Ingalls said that Trimble mentioned most of what he found out, because he does not have documentation. Ingalls said that what he does have is common knowledge from former postal carriers and older people in the neighborhood and people who would stop in and give him information. Ingalls said that the research shows that the cottages served briefly as that era's versions of bed and breakfasts. He said that railroad workers lived there, and they were stagecoach layover stations for a while. Ingalls stated that he has heard again and again that they were pony express depots. Ingalls said he would be happy to answer any questions the Commission might have about the properties. Chamberlan said he owns the Broken Spoke, which is located two properties to the left of Ingalls, right on the corner at 602 South Dubuque Street. He said he wanted to confirm what Ingalls had said about Ted Pacha's comments, telling people when the property was being rezoned for the form -based zoning that no one needed to worry about anything and that this is just to comply with the new standards of form -based zoning. Chamberlan said he has talked with other business owners on the same block who have also said that Ted Pacha had told them the same thing. Regarding the rushed process, Chamberlan said there is a little insight to how this could easily become rushed. He said that on the one hand, there is no implication that anything is going to happen for a while, especially if, the survey took place in the spring, there would be no reason to expect why it would have to happen soon, if everyone had leases and there was also consideration in the master plan for these cottages. Chamberlan said that of course when there is a demolition notice in place, then that speeds things up and sends things into emergency mode. Hultman said she owns Suzy's Antiques and Gifts at 610 South Dubuque Street. She said she was born in Iowa City and has throughout the years seen. multiple older structures, both homes and businesses, torn down in this town, and she thinks it is a travesty. Hultman said that these three cottages and actually the whole block are jewels in the Riverfront Crossings District. She said that if this block is torn out for more student high-rise buildings, the uniqueness of this railroad district here loses so much. Hultman said there are very few if any places left here in Iowa City like this block. She said it is very important to preserve these cottages. Eva Adderley said she is 24 and grew up in Iowa City and has lived here her entire life. She saki she remembers seeing the cottages when she was young and being captivated by them as beautiful diplomats of days gone by. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION December 11, 2014 Page 11 of 19 Eva Adderley said that it was later that she learned about their historic significance, and she thinks this is actually a more important part of our history than a lot of what gets preserved, because there are other buildings in Iowa City that are really beautiful buildings that have been preserved, as they should be, but it is mostly the buildings where the wealthiest and most prominent citizens have lived, and that is almost no one's history. Eva Adderley said the cottages are the places where the people who built Iowa City with their own hands, sweat, diligence, inspiration, and bravery lived and worked. She said that some of the first businesses owned by women were there. Adderley stated that when one talks about preservation, one cannot just talk about duty to the past, because a lot of it is about the duty to the future. She said it is a choice between preserving a really important part of our identity and letting a little bit of magic die. Carol Adderley, said that the Eva Adderley, the woman who just spoke is her daughter. She said she and her daughter are third and fourth generation Iowa City residents. Carol Adderley said that the first person in her family who came to Iowa City was Esther Anderson. She said Anderson came because she was from a poor family but she worked for a lawyer who told her she should be a lawyer. Adderley said that Anderson came here because it was one of the few places where a woman could even train with the hope of becoming a lawyer. Carol Adderley said that is part of Iowa City's history. She said that when Anderson was here, she did not stay in a fancy place. Adderley said this is an artifact that we can't get back if it goes. Carol Adderley said that if one walks inside these places, the cottages may be small but they feel so good. She said they are well built. Adderley said that she owns the old Shimek School and feels pleasure every time she walks in the building. Carol Adderley said she is on the board of her family's company and understands the issues involved in making decisions and the need for speed. She said that she knows, speaking from experience, how much one needs good information. Adderley said one needs good information and enough time to work through the process. She added that we cannot get this back if the buildings are torn down; they are not replaceable. Carol Adderley said this is so very much a part of so many more people who have built Iowa City and have made it what it has been. She said it is very forward looking. Adderley said one of the most well-known buildings in Iowa City is probably J. Schaeffer's tumbleweed, which has been featured as a small house in publications. She said that these cottages are a historic form of small houses. Ingalls said that he was at the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting a few weeks ago when he first heard Hodge Construction's engineer's inspection report about these buildings. He said that so much of what was being brought up was misrepresentation, exaggeration, and in some cases, not the truth. Regarding his home, Ingalls said the report stated that books should never have been allowed in there, because the floor is totally unsupported. He said the inspector missed a 40-foot beam that runs under the floor from front to back and is supported by seven jack posts. Ingalls added that the inspector also missed the two by ten pillars on the end of each floor joist that runs all the way to the foundation. Ingalls said that to say that the floor is unsupported is just an example of many of the misstatements made in the initial report. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION December 11, 2014 Page 12 of 19 Ingalls said that Trimble raised enough money for a second structural report that completely refuted the first one. He said that if structural issues are a consideration when the Commission makes its decision, he agrees that the buildings could use some tuck pointing in places. Ingalls said there is not much that needs to be done to the Suzy's Antiques building and not much needs to be done to the Kung Fu building. He said it would be a weekend's work to do most of the tuck pointing. Ingalls said there is a little bit of woodwork to be done structurally, and the rest is basically cosmetic. Swaim asked if anyone else would like to speak on this item. There was no one. Swaim closed the public hearing. Swaim reminded Commission members that, to determine the buildings are significant, they must meet criteria A and B as set out in the staff memo and one or more of criteria C through F. She said that although there are many aspects to this, the Commission's role is to look at this part of it. Baker asked Commission members if they feel that criteria A and B have been met. Corcoran said she feels it is important that the Commission members all give some sense of how they feel about this so that when the Commission votes, the context for the decision is evident. She said she is very persuaded by the application and would be in favor of moving this forward. Corcoran said that personally, she does not feel there is anything haphazard or last minute but thinks that all of what has happened was necessary because of the fact that the owner received a declaration of nuisance from the City, and to abate that nuisance, the resolution was to demolish the buildings. Corcoran said that is what has forced all of this to be on such a short timeline. She said she is very persuaded by the fact that 22 years ago, the Planning Committee and the City Council approved the Comprehensive Plan of 1992 that specifically called out these properties as important and meriting protection. This in not just a last minute recognition of the importance of these buildings to our community. Corcoran said she would vote to approve this. She said she feels that the three properties at 608, 610, and 614 South Dubuque Street meet the historic landmark requirements, namely: they are significant to American and Iowa City history, architecture, archaeology, and culture; and criterion B, they possess integrity of location, design, setting, materials and workmanship. The consensus of the Commission was that the properties meet criteria A and B. Corcoran said she feels the cottages meet criterion C, because they are associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history. She said that she grew up in Iowa City and remembers these buildings from when she was young and remembers riding the train and the little businesses that were there. Corcoran said this is a very interesting part of Iowa City, especially because it is old and so much of it has been taken down, especially on the other side (south) of the railroad tracks. She said she trusts that the historical research of Friends of Historic Preservation is true in that no one has presented evidence that these buildings do not date to the mid 19`'h century. Corcoran said they housed workers and people of different backgrounds and different trades. Corcoran said the buildings are very architecturally unusual. She said they are part of a whole area there where the railroad, pony express, etc. contributed to the communication that Iowa City was having with towns throughout the country. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION December 11. 2014 Page 13 of 19 Swaim said she thinks those contributions brought patterns, including the railroad and working class housing in that neighborhood and the city's growth in just a few years after the railroad came in, and the information about the Actualist Movement. She said she does not know if there is any documentation that the pony express had any connection with that, so until that is documented, she did not think it should be part of the public record. Swaim said she definitely agrees that the properties meet criterion C. Durham said he was persuaded about the inclusive definition of or persons significant in our past and information about the working class associated these buildings. Michaud said she has been in Iowa City for 42 years and remembers Jim's and Alan Doney's bookstores and was aware of very strong literary movements. Michaud said that she owned a used and rare bookstore and therefore had reason to deal with other bookstore owners. She said that before 1992 when Will Ingalls started operating his bookstore there, he made extensive fortifications and replaced almost all the joists and multiple jacks and things like that. Agran said the comments about significance are very relevant. He said that if there were many more of these buildings left in the city, then maybe the way this is written and phrased might encourage one to not save buildings like this. Agran said, however, that the fact that there are so few and maybe only these left, in terms of representing a whole portion of the makeup of the city in the past, makes these significant. He said he agrees that these meet criterion C and said that very good cases could also be made for D, E, and F; although only one of the C through F criteria needs to be met. Michaud recalled the sorrow over the loss of the Czech Village because of the flooding and all of the small houses that were basically worker cottages in Cedar Rapids. She said that one cannot control the weather, but we can control human intervention. Michaud said that to quibble about some deteriorating red brick is a sad way to attack these buildings. She stated that much more comprehensive documentation is done on their strengths than on their weaknesses. Corcoran said it sounds like we agree on the application of criteria A, B, C and D. She asked about E: embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction or represent the work of a master or possess high artistic values (she did not know about that...) or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction. Swaim said that she was not very convinced about that one and did not see it as one of the more convincing criteria. Regarding criterion F, Durham said we did not have the basis to find for criterion F. MOTION: Corcoran moved that the Historic Preservation Commission approve the Friends of Historic Preservation application for designation of 608, 610, and 614 South Dubuque Street as Iowa City historic landmarks for the following reasons: these three properties meet the historic landmark approval requirements, mainly criterion A — they are significant to American and/or Iowa City history, architecture, archaeology, culture and criterion B — they possess integrity of location, design, setting, materials, and workmanship; and they also meet two of the other approval criteria, specifically criterion C — the three properties are associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history and criterion D — they are associated with the lives of persons significant in our past. Linton seconded the motion. The HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION December 11, 2014 Page 14 of 19 Swaim said this application now goes on to the Planning and Zoning Commission for its consideration and then would go on to the City Council. CERTIFICATES OF APPROPRIATENESS Miklo said this property is an Iowa City historic landmark and is also located in the Jefferson Street Historic District. He showed its location at the intersection of Jefferson and Clinton Streets. Miklo showed the main building, the Congregation Church, which is the landmark building. He said that an addition was made to the church sometime in the 1950s, and that is the subject of the application. Miklo said the proposal is to replace all of the windows in the addition. He stated that the guidelines and the Secretary of the Interior Standards call for preservation of historic windows where possible. Miklo said that where windows are in deteriorated condition, then replacement with like windows is appropriate. Miklo said the guidelines do have exceptions for buildings that are under the Commission's jurisdiction but are not historic or are non-contributing. He said that even though this is attached to the historic building, he believes that is the case here. Miklo said that he inspected the windows with members of the church's building committee and found them to be in deteriorating condition. He showed a close-up example of one of the windows that, even when it was fully closed, had a gap of at least a quarter of an inch. Miklo said this condition was common to many of the windows. Miklo stated that if these were wooden sashes, that would be repairable. He said these windows have aluminum frames and replacement parts are probably no longer manufactured. Miklo said it would therefore be reasonable to replace these windows based on their poor condition. Miklo said the applicant is proposing to do a different pattern than what is shown. He said the original windows typically were three -pane in an awning format. Miklo said that even when they were new, they were probably not the best windows for this climate. Miklo said the proposal is to replace the configuration of windows. He said rather than three awning -type panels, these would either be single -pane, casement, or single -hung, meaning two panels with one that would operate. Miklo said the proposal is also to use a bronze finish that is similar to what is on the trim of the main church. Given that the addition is not the historic part of the building and the poor condition of the windows, Miklo stated that staff recommends approval of this modification. Corcoran asked if there are storm windows here. Miklo responded that the exterior windows are the main window, although storm windows were added to the interior at a later date due to the problems with the main windows. He said that all of that would be taken out, and the exterior windows would be replaced. Kruse said that he is a member of the church and on the building committee. He said they are charged with the task of maintaining this building. Kruse said it is at the point where heat is being lost, and they would like to get the windows in yet this winter. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION December 11. 2014 Page 15 of 19 Kruse said the windows on one side will be just an opening with a division at the center. He said the larger window will be a window that slides back and forth, and they will all be much tighter than the present windows. Kruse said that the darker aluminum will look better with the church and will probably be a readout rather than a standout. He said they are trying to minimize the impact of the new windows. It was the consensus of the Commission that the windows were on a non -historic element of the building and that they were in deteriorated condition. Therefore they met the guidelines for replacement. MOTION: Baker moved to approve a certificate of appropriateness for the window replacement project at 30 North Clinton Street as presented in the application. Agran seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 9-0 (Clore and Wanner absent). 304 Brown Street Miklo said this property is in the Brown Street Historic District at the corner of Linn and Brown Streets. He said this is a Craftsman -style structure, although it is quite large for Craftsman -style when compared to other houses of that style in Iowa City. Miklo added that it has some distinctive characteristics such as the support brackets under the eaves, open rafters, and shingle siding. Miklo said the historic windows are nine panes over one. He said it just happens that the attic windows are currently being restored, and that is why there are no divided lights shown in the photographs. Miklo said that most of the gable ends in this building already have windows. He said the applicant is proposing to add a window to the east gable end. Miklo said it would be positioned between the two brackets and sized such that there would be about three inches on each side of the brackets. Miklo said the window would be designed as an egress window — as a casement window that would open out, instead of a double hung. He said the guidelines do provide for exceptions for casement windows In lieu of a double hung when they are for egress. Miklo said there are some other casement windows on this building, but they are more of a French style in that they open in the middle. Miklo said staff finds this proposed additional window meets the criteria in the guidelines in terms of locating a window in such a fashion that it would not detract from the overall architecture of the building and would be consistent with historic window patterns. He said it is clear from the other gable end windows that this is consistent, and staff recommends approval. MOTION: Ackerson moved to approve a certificate of appropriateness for the project at 304 Brown Street as presented in the application. Baker seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 9-0 (Clore and Waaner absent). 435 Grant Street. Miklo said this property is in the Longfellow Historic District. He said it is an early 20th century house that may have been a catalog house in that it has many of those characteristics. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION December 11, 2014 Page 16 of 19 Miklo stated that this house is very symmetrical. He said there is a sun porch on the south side of the house that at one time was balanced with a pergola structure on the north side of the house. Miklo said that 435 Grant was once one property combined with a vacant lot between 435 and 423 Grant Street. He said the property line that is between 435 and the vacant lot is just five feet north of the house at 435. Miklo said that about ten years ago, the owner of 435 Grant sold the extra lot to her neighbor. He said that the pergola extended eight feet into the side yard or three feet across the property line. Miklo said there was an agreement that there would be an easement for a period of ten years to allow the pergola to remain in place. He stated that when the agreement expired, the new owner of the adjacent lot asked that it be moved. Miklo said the owner removed it without first seeking a demolition permit, which is required in a historic district. Miklo said that another neighbor notified the City, which then notified the owner of the situation. He said she applied for the demolition permit to remove the pergola after it vms done. Miklo said he spoke with her about the possibility of replacing the pergola with one that extended to the property line, which would be allowed by zoning as long as it is not attached to the house. He said the owner agreed to do that in an attempt to try to recreate as much as possible what was there. Miklo said the owner had retained most of the pieces of the pergola, so it could be constructed for the most part with original materials. He said that rather than approving the demolition permit, which staff would recommend be denied, the Commission would consider approval of replacement of the pergola on a smaller scale, which the owner has agreed to do. A Commissioner asked if the pergola was original to the house. Miklo said that, given the design of the house, the brackets on the sun porch are very similar to the ends of the pergola, which would indicate that it was part of the original design. He said the symmetry of the design also indicates that the pergola was original. Sandell asked what the distance is between the brick house and the neighbor. Miklo said it is at least 45 feet, because the vacant lot is 40 feet five feet wide. Michaud asked if the pergola would have the same detail as it had originally. Miklo confirmed this. He said it can only be five feet, because the neighbor will not consent to the pergola being back on his property. MOTION: Baker moved to deny the demolition of the pergola as a significant architectural detail. Litton seconded the motion. The motion to deny carried on a vote of 9-0 (Clore and Wagner absent). MOTION; Baker moved to approve a certificate of appropriateness for the reconstruction of a 5' by IS' freestanding pergola in place of the original, subject to the following conditions: 1) the original materiai to be used to the extent possible, 2) original material that is damaged should be replaced with new wood of the same dimension as the original, and 3) the final design of the freestanding pergola to be approved by staff and the Commission chair. Ackerson seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 9-0 (Clore and Wagner absent). HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION December 11. 2014 Page 17 of 19 203 North Linn Street. Miklo said this is a recently designated landmark. He said the proposal is to replace the awnings on the two street sides of the property with awnings similar to what is there in color, design, and material. He said that two of the new awnings would have the name of the restaurant on them. Miklo added that a projecting sign would be added to the corner. He said that it would be on a metal bracket and would be a wooden plate with copper letters with the name North Side Bistro on it. Miklo showed a computer mockup of what the sign and the awnings might look like. He said the applicant clarified that only two of the awnings would have signs; they would not put signs on all of them. Miklo said the guidelines do not have specific standards for signs. He said that in a case such as this, the Secretary of the Interior Standards would be used, and he ref€reed to details about how the Secretary of the Interior Standards address signs for historic buildings. Miklo said the awning signs were quite common historically, so there is no question that the awning signs are appropriate. He said that projecting signs were also an historic sign form, although weathered wood probably would not have been seen on a historic sign. Miklo said it may be a false sense of history to use weathered wood, but given the size and scale of this sign and the fact that signs like this are generally not permanent, he did not think there would be harm to approving this one. But he said he would also recommend that the Commission approve an alternative, which would be on a plain metal or wood or fiberglass panel should the applicant choose to do something simpler. MOTION: Agran moved to approve a certificate of appropriateness for the project at 203 Linn Street as presented in the application with the following conditions: 1) signs will be placed on the two awnings located to the west and north of the corner entrance; and 2) in addition to the weathered wood background, the projecting sign may consist of alternative materials including metal, smooth painted wood or a fiberglass panel painted to look like wood. Baker seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 9-9 (Clore and y"roaciner absent). 608 Grant Street. Miklo said this application was submitted the day before the packet went out, and staff was not able to get it on the agenda for this meeting. REPORT ON CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY CHAIR AND STAFF: Miklo said that several have been approved, but there was not time to get them on the agenda. He said he would prepare a list for the January meeting. DISCUSSION OF ANNUAL AWARDS PROGRAM: Miklo said that the subcommittee met and selected a number of nominees for the awards program, which will be held January 291h. He said it is customary for the full Commission to approve the subcommittee's work. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION December 11, 2014 Page 18 of 19 Miklo reviewed the nominees with the Commission. He asked if any Commission members had objections or suggestions for additions. Michaud asked that the subcommittee also consider an award for the Unitarian Church at 10 South Gilbert Street. Sandell asked about the property in the Summit Street Historic District. Swaim asked if the foundation would be painted like this. Miklo said it would typically not be painted the same color as the house. He said if there are qualms about putting a property on the list as an example of something the Commission would like to see, he would recommend taking it off the list. The consensus of the Commission was to take the house off the list. Miklo said that if there are other properties to be nominated, the information should be provided to the subcommittee right away. Swaim asked about the Nowysz award, and Miklo said that could still be discussed at the Commission's January meeting. MOTION: Corcoran moved to approve the list of nominated properties, as presented by the subcommittee and amended by the consensus of the Commission, to be recipients of the historic preservation awards. Ackerson seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 9-0 (Clore and Wagner absent). HISTORIC PRESERVATION INFORMATION. Miklo said he has received an informal request about the demolition of a property in the Brawn Street Historic District. He said there are some possible extenuating circumstances with the property. Miklo said it has not been inhabited by people for a number of years, although it was used as a cat sanctuary. Miklo said it has recently changed hands, and the owner has indicated that there was a considerable amount of damage done by the cats so that it may be very difficult to salvage the house. He asked that a subcommittee of two or three Commission members visit the property with him and give the owner some feedback as to whether a demolition permit would be issued. Miklo said that before a demolition permit could be issued, a replacement structure would have to be approved. Ackerson, Agran and Michaud volunteered to visit the property with Miklo. Swaim said that, given some of the absolutely necessary but last minute efforts the community has been making to save historic buildings, the Commission needs to pay attention to its work plan. She said that there was an indication that more historic buildings should be listed before they are threatened with demolition. Michaud said that it is difficult to do the research necessary to designate properties when staff has been cut. Swaim said that early next year the Commission should review the Preservation Plan discuss how to approach the issue. CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES FOR NOVEMBER 13 2014: MOTION: Litton moved to approve the minutes of the Historic Preservation Commission's November 13, 2014 meeting. Ackerson seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 9-G (Clore and Waoner absent). ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION ATTENDANCE RECORD 2014-2015 NAME EXP 10/10 11114 12112 30p 00p 3113 4110 518 6/12 8/14 9111 10/9 11113 12/11 ACKERSON, KENT 3/29/16 X O/E X X X X X O/E X X X X X X AGRAN, THOMAS 3/29/17 X x X x O/E X X O/E x X O/E x BAKER, ESTHER 3/29/15 X X x X x X X X X X X X O/E X CLORE, GOSIA 3/29/17 — — O/E X X O/E X X X O/E CORCORAN, KATE 3/29/16 X X X X X x X X X O/E X X X X DURHAM, FRANK 3/29/16 X X X X X X X X O/E O/E X X X X LITTON, ANDREW 3/29/17 x X O/E X O/E X O/E X O/E X X X X X MICHAUD, PAM 3/29/15 O/E X X X X X x X O/E X X x X x SANDELL, BEN 3/29/17 — — X x X X X X x X SWAIM, GINALIE 3/29/15 X X O/E X X X X X X X O/E O/E X x WAGNER, FRANK 3/29/15 X X O/E X X O/E X O/F X O/E X O/E X O/E KEY: X = Present 0 = Absent O/E = Absent/Excused -- = Not a Member