HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-08-09 Info PacketIMM
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'P2 Power point from 8/7 Formal Meeting [Item2d(9)]: Housing Trust Fund of Johnson
County
IP3 Copy of letter from Mayor Throgmorton to Iowa DOT: Widening 1-380
IP5 Memorandum f4m Assistant Transportation Planner: Establishing a Quiet Zone or.
the Iowa Interstate Railroad through Iowa City
IP6 Copy of News Release: Come to the next City Council Listening Post- — August 16
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CITY OF IOWA CITY
Date
City Council Tentative Meeting Schedule
Subject to change
Time
Meeting
August 9, 2018
Location
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
4:00 PM
Special formal/Executive Session
Emma J.
Harvat Hall
Work Session
7:00 PM
Formal Meeting
Tuesday, September 4, 2018
5:00 PM
Work Session
Emma J.
Harvat Hall
7:00 PM
Formal Meeting
Tuesday, September 18, 2018
5:00 PM
Work Session - Joint Mtg. -
Emma J.
Harvat Hall
Johnson County Bd. of Supervisors
7:00 PM
Formal Meeting
Emma J.
Harvat Hall
Tuesday, October 2, 2018
5:00 PM
Work Session
Emma J. Harvat Hall
7:00 PM
Formal Meeting
Monday, October 15 2018
4:00 PM
Reception
Emma J.
Harvat Hall
4:30 PM
Joint Meeting
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
5:00 PM
Work Session
Emma J.
Harvat Hall
7:00 PM
Formal Meeting
Tuesday, November 6, 2018
5:00 PM
Work Session
Emma J.
Harvat Hall
7:00 PM
Formal Meeting
Tuesday, November 20, 2018
5:00 PM
Work Session
Emma J.
Harvat Hall
7:00 PM
Formal Meeting
Tuesday, December 4, 2018
5:00 PM
Work Session
Emma J.
Harvat Hall
7:00 PM
Formal Meeting
Tuesday, December 18, 2018
5:00 PM
Work Session
Emma J.
Harvat Hall
7:00 PM
Formal Meeting
08 -09=i$ -
I P2
Housing Trust Fund of
Johnson County
FISCAL YEARS 2017-2018 CITY OF IOWA CITY CONTRIBUTION
Affordable Housing Fund Distribution
September 20, 2016 City Council direction:
Iowa City HTFJC Contributions
Process of distributing dollars as FY17 $ 500,000
recommended by the Housing and Community FY18 $ 325,000
Development Commission (HCDC)
$ 825,000
50% to the Housing Trust Fund of Johnson County
(HTFJC)
Projects must be within Iowa City and adhere to the Affordable
Housing Location Model
25% held in reserve for land banking
20% for Low Income Housing Tax Credit support as
recommended by HCDC
5% for emergent situations — reverts to land banking
if not used
HTFJ C Grants
Fiscal Year 2017 and 2018 Housing Trust Fund Grants
$825,000 of City contributions were combined with an additional
$1.3 million in HTF dollars (State, County funds)
Loan repayments fund future affordable housing projects
• Low Income Housing Tax Credit Match — HTFJC loan of $800,000 leveraged outside funds for a $6.8 million project
• 72 of 91 units assisted (79%) serve families with a maximum income of 60% of the area median
• Families served frequently fall well below the maximum AMI percentage (e.g. Healthy Homes initiative, Prelude)
5 of the projects targeted at 80% AMI are homeownership programs; 30 are Invest Health homes
Income
(max %
Iowa City
Units
of AMI)
Contribution
19
80%
$136,665
24
60%
$125,345
5
40%
$27,586
43
30%
$535,404
TOTAL 91
$825,000
$825,000 of City contributions were combined with an additional
$1.3 million in HTF dollars (State, County funds)
Loan repayments fund future affordable housing projects
• Low Income Housing Tax Credit Match — HTFJC loan of $800,000 leveraged outside funds for a $6.8 million project
• 72 of 91 units assisted (79%) serve families with a maximum income of 60% of the area median
• Families served frequently fall well below the maximum AMI percentage (e.g. Healthy Homes initiative, Prelude)
5 of the projects targeted at 80% AMI are homeownership programs; 30 are Invest Health homes
-o8-6s=�s—
IP3
August 8, 2018
Mark Lowe, Director
Iowa Department of Transportation
800 Lincoln Way
Ames, IA 50010
Dear Director Lowe,
I write on behalf of the City Council of Iowa City to express our views concerning the proposed
widening of I-380 from just north of Forevergreen Road to U. S. Highway 30.
In brief, we praise and strongly support the Iowa DOT's forthcoming actions concerning
vanpooling/carpooling, express bus service between Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, and vigorous
promotion/marketing of those initiatives, and we appreciate the DOT's support for studying the
feasibility of passenger rail service between Iowa City and North Liberty. However, for reasons
delineated below, we have several concerns about the proposed widening. Looking beyond this
specific proposal, we strongly encourage you to facilitate and support careful analysis and
evaluation of alternative land development / transportation scenarios for the corridor stretching
from Cedar Rapids to Iowa City prior to widening I-380 again or undertaking any other major
highway projects in the corridor.
What the Iowa DOT Is Considering
Let me begin by restating the situation as we understand it.
The Iowa DOT is conducting a planning study of I-380 from U.S. 30 in Cedar Rapids to north of
1-80 in an effort to increase mobility across the interstate system. This study will include a series
of technical reports that identify the existing condition of I-380, the way the system is
performing, short and long-term issues, and strategies to improve the route. The study follows a
Planninnp Environmental Linkages (PEL) model, which will evaluate safety, capacity,
infrastructure, and other topics regarding I-380, and will thereby enable the State DOT to make
system -level decisions that will help shape individual projects throughout the corridor as they are
developed and constructed over time.
An Iowa DOT memo on alternate modes describes the rationale for adding capacity to I-380 and
generally concludes that "development of I-380 improvements are necessary in the short-term
horizon and future alternative transportation implementation should be considered a
supplemental long-term option" (p. ES -ii).
The Iowa DOT has developed some very rough programming estimates for a 6 -lane expansion of
two segments of I-380 from 1.25 miles north of the new Forevergreen Road interchange to U.S.
Highway 30. While recognizing that final decisions have not been made, we understand that the
scope, approximate costs, and preliminary construction schedules for the two segments are as
follows:
Segment 1: From 1.25 miles north of Forevergreen Road to South of County Road F12 =
$150 M. This includes a new interchange at Penn Street and raising the interstate near
the Iowa River, which was closed due to flooding in 2008. These dollars are inflated to
year of construction: 2025-2027.
Segment 2: From South of County Road F12 to U.S. 30 = $250 M. This includes new !
modified interchanges at F-12 and Wright Brothers but not at U.S. 30. These dollars are
inflated to year of construction starting in 2027 +.
We also understand that the Iowa DOT seeks to mitigate adverse traffic effects associated with
the rebuild of the I-80/380 interchange. To mitigate those adverse effects the DOT has partnered
with ECICOG on a series of alternative modes of transportation. These include: (1) employee -
driven van pools; (2) establishment of park-and-ride lots at Kirkwood College; (3) and planned
express bus service from downtown Cedar Rapids to downtown Iowa City starting in the fall of
2018. The State DOT will also promote telecommuting, off-peak commuting and ridesharing,
whereas ECICOG will manage the transit programs ("CorridorRides") and has recently hired a
local marketing firm to promote all their efforts. The Iowa DOT has committed to being funding
partners for these efforts if they prove effective during construction time period - 2019-2024.
Last, we are aware that the Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County (MPOJC)
has, in collaboration with the Iowa DOT and the CRANDIC Railroad, been studying the
feasibility of establishing passenger rail service in the corridor between Iowa City and Cedar
Rapids. In January 2018, the MPOJC's Policy Board instructed its staff to move forward with a
Phase III study of possible service between Gilbert Street in Iowa City and Forevergreen Road in
North Liberty. This study would focus on ridership and revenue forecasts, financial strategies,
economic benefits to the community, and conceptual station design. The scope and fee of the
Phase III study has yet to be determined. As part of its planning study of I-380, the Iowa DOT
also examined the long-term potential for commuter rail and/or automated bus transit as a
component of an enhanced multimodal transportation network in the Iowa City - Cedar Rapids
Corridor. This study yielded favorable ridership estimates for passenger rail service between
Iowa City and North Liberty.
Iowa City's Assessment of the Proposed Plan
As indicated above, we strongly support the Iowa DOT's forthcoming actions concerning
vanpooling/carpooling, express bus service between Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, and vigorous
promotion/marketing of those initiatives. These actions are greatly needed and have considerable
long-term potential. Council member John Thomas, City Manager Geoff Fruin, and I met with
Jim Schnoebelen, Catherine Cutler, and one other Iowa DOT official on January 26, and we
came away persuaded that the DOT has good ideas about how to make these actions succeed.
We also greatly appreciate Iowa DOT's support for studying the feasibility of passenger rail
service between Iowa City and North Liberty.
However, we have many concerns about the proposed widening of I-380 from 4 to 6 lanes. Our
concerns include the following:
Exorbitant Cost
To begin with, the widening of these two segments will cost $400 million. This is in addition
to the costs of rebuilding the I-80/380 interchange and any further widening of I-80 within
Johnson County.' But this construction cost is just the tip of the iceberg. The widened
interstate will have to be maintained, repaired, resurfaced, and possibly widened again at
some time in the future, all at a time when there seems not to be enough money to resurface
and/or reconstruct existing streets in our cities and counties. A substantial body of research
indicates that the current and future costs related to the projects such as the widening of I-380
are not affordable and that more economically -efficient mobility alternatives are available.
Questionable Assumptions about Future Trqffle Volumes
Is the widening a reasonable and necessary expense? In part, the answer initially depends on
current and projected traffic volumes. We understand that traffic counts at the Johnson/Linn
County line increased by about 50 percent between 1998 (38,200) and 2014 (55,600), and at
times drivers can feet trapped in congested traffic. If one simply extrapolates past trends into
the future, then the widening would be necessary. But this presumes that several key
variables affecting optimal use—modal split, average vehicle occupancy, peak use during
commuting hours, and current land development patterns — will not change significantly.
Modal Split. The need for widening presumes, for example, that the modal split for
travelers in the corridor between Iowa City and Cedar Rapids will not change; that is,
routine local travel between the two cities will consist overwhelmingly of people driving
traditional passenger vehicles. We ask, however, how might the modal split and projected
traffic volumes change if a high-quality commuter rail or light-rail line was established
on the CRANDIC right of way, especially if local public transit systems and bicycle
paths were deftly linked to the nodes of that light rail line?
Average Vehicle Occupancy. The widening also presumes that the average motor vehicle
occupancy will remain very low, even during peak commuting hours. But this begs the
question, how might the projected volumes change if those occupancy rates were
increased significantly through the development and incentivized use of a high-quality
carpool/vanpool system? And might it not be vastly cheaper to create and use such a
system rather than to widen the interstate?
Induced Demand Moreover, the widening presumes that projected increases in demand
necessitate the widening. We suggest, rather, that much of the projected increase in traffic
volumes will actually be induced by the widening. To press the point, we think that the
continual widening of the interstate segments in the Iowa City / Cedar Rapids region will
only induce greater demand and make it far less likely that a commuter rail or light rail
line, or even an Amtrak line between the Quad Cities and Omaha, will be built. Likewise,
' These projects era related to a $3.2 billion project to rebuild and widen I-80 to six lanes across the state. see
William Petroski. 2018. "Iowa DOT report 1-80 tolls are 'feasible option'". Des Moines Register (March 26), p. lk
we anticipate that the continual widening of these interstate segments and highways
connected to them will produce land development projects that leave people with no
choice but to drive their vehicles at very low occupancy rates.
Questionable Assumptions about Tragic Safety
The proposal to widen I-380 also presumes that adding lanes will improve traffic safety by
reducing congestion. Our understanding is that widening the interstate might, in fact, increase
the risk of high-speed traffic accidents by encouraging yet more drivers to drive faster and to
weave between lanes more aggressively.
Disregard for Carbon Emissions and Climate Change
We are concerned as well that the proposed widening pays insufficient attention to the carbon
emissions associated with motor vehicle traffic and the use of highway construction materials
and equipment. In our judgment, we in the Iowa City / Cedar Rapids region should be
helping to alleviate the magnitude and consequences of climate change by reducing, not
increasing, carbon emissions.
Future Role of Autonomous Vehicles
Plans for the widening also seem to pay insufficient attention to potential effects of
autonomous vehicles on Vehicle -Miles -Traveled (VMT). I have heard a noted transportation
planning scholar in Europe say that researchers cannot project with confidence whether the
influx of autonomous vehicles will cause VMT to double or be cut in half. If such vehicles
cause traffic volumes and/or traffic congestion to be cut in half, the primary justification for
widening I-380 would disappear. Widespread use of autonomous vehicles could help bring a
bright new future for the region, but it might also produce an auto -centric dystopia. Decisions
the Iowa DOT make today will largely determine what kind of future we will be producing.
Iowa City's Recommendation
The situation calls for innovative thinking and action, as is appropriate for a creative corridor
such as ours. A major step in this direction would be for the Iowa DOT to think outside the box
of "transportation planning," and instead collaborate with local governments and other interested
parties to develop and evaluate alternative land development / transportation scenarios for the
Cedar Rapids / Iowa City corridor.
Several alternative scenarios should be assessed. One would presume continuation of present
patterns and trends. A second important scenario could be called a Sustainable Region. Other
scenarios can be imagined, including syntheses of the first two.
As we envision it, a Sustainable Region scenario would enable people to travel quickly and
safely between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City while also helping to build healthy, walkable, and
economically productive development patterns within those and related cities. This scenario
would rely heavily on electric -powered buses and a well-planned regional system of
interconnected public transit routes. At the beart of this regional system would be: (1) a
commuter or light rail line that serves as a major "passenger artery" connecting Iowa City with
Cedar Rapids, and (2) aesthetically appealing and sufficiently dense developments located
around the rail line's stations. The last element is crucial, for economical operation of a
commuter or light rail line requires the kind of ridership provided by "transit-oriented
developments" at each of the line's stations. The use of Transportation Network Companies such
as Ly8 and Uber for specific activities could — especially when using electric-powered
autonomous vehicles -- also play a major role in this scenario.
We are fully aware that local governments cherish their ability to control land development
patterns in their jurisdictions. This is the main reason why we would be eager to collaborate with
the Iowa DOT and other local governments and interested parties to develop and evaluate
alternative land development / transportation scenarios for the region_ In fact, officials from Iowa
City and Comlville officials recently met to discuss our common interests pertaining to public
transit, the CRANDIC right-of-way, bicycle trails and lanes, and other related matters.
In brief, and for the reasons stipulated above, we strongly encourage you to facilitate and support
careful analysis and evaluation of alternative transportation / land development scenarios for the
corridor stretching from Cedar Rapids to Iowa City prior to widening I-380 again or undertaking
any other major highway projects in the corridor.
We would be eager to discuss this with you, your staff, and other interested parties.
Best re ds,
JiThro2 orton
Mayor of Iowa City
Cc: Urbanized Area Policy Board of the Johnson County Metropolitan Planning Organization
City Manager and Council of Iowa City
Mayor and Council of Cedar Rapids
Mayor and Council of Coralville
Mayor and Council of North Liberty
Mayor and Council of Shueyville
Mayor and Council of Swisher
Mayor and Council of Tiffin
Johnson County Board of Supervisors
Cathy Cutler, District 6, Iowa Department of Transportation
Jim Schnoebelen, District 6, Iowa Department of Transportation
uu-09 -18-
IN
CITY OF IOWA CITY
"'P� MEMORANDUM
Date: August 8, 2018
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Kellie Fruehling, City Clerk
Re: KXIC Radio Show
At your August 7 work session, Council Members agreed to the following schedule for the Wednesday
8:20 AM radio show.
Wednesday
August 8 - Mims
August 15 - Salih
August 22 - Taylor
August 29 - Throgmorton
September 5 - Cole
September 12 - Mims
September 19 - Salih
September 26 - Throgmorton
October 3 - Thomas
October 10 - Cole
October 17 - Taylor
October 24 - Mims
October 31 -Thomas
Please remember that KXIC is very flexible with taping the sessions ahead of the show.
&M/Council KXIC Radio Schedule/radioshowasking.doc
CITY O F IOWA CITY
MEMORANDUM
Date: August 8, 2018
To: Geoff Fruin, City Manger
From: Brad Neumann, Assistant Transportation Planner
Re: Establishing a Quiet Zone on the Iowa Interstate Railroad through Iowa City
Over the years, there has been an increase in the number of complaints regarding noise from
the Iowa Interstate Railroad, specifically the engine horn sounding as it crosses highway -rail
grade crossings. As development occurs near the Iowa Interstate's tracks, especially in the
Riverfront Crossings District, we anticipate that these complaints will continue to increase. Iowa
Interstate Railroad has also recently increased their speed through Iowa City after eliminating
the need to stop at their rail yard location. As a result, I have investigated the process involved
in establishing a quiet zone through Iowa City.
Federal regulations require that locomotives horns begin sounding 15-20 seconds before
entering public highway -rail grade crossings, no more than one-quarter mile in advance. The
City of Iowa City, as the governmental entity responsible for traffic control or law enforcement at
the crossings, is permitted to pursue the creation of a quiet zone.
A quiet zone is a section of rail line at least one-half mile in length that contains one or more
consecutive public highway -rail grade crossings. The prohibition on routine use of train horns at
quiet zones only applies to trains when approaching and entering crossings and does not
include train horn use within passenger stations or rail yards. Train horns may also be sounded
in emergency situations, other safety reasons at the conductor's discretion, or to comply with
other railroad or Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) rules even within a quiet zone. In
addition, quiet zone regulations also do not eliminate the use of locomotive bells at crossings.
If a quiet zone is established, there are requirements to mitigate additional risk. At a minimum,
each public highway -rail crossing within a quiet zone must be equipped with active warning
devices, including flashing lights, gates, constant warning time devices and power out
indicators. The installation of Supplemental Safety Measures (SSMs) can also reduce risks and
enhance safety in a quiet zone. SSMs are pre -approved risk reduction engineering treatments
and include medians or channelization devices, one-way streets with gates, four quadrant gate
systems, and temporary or permanent crossing closures.
Certain conditions must be met to establish a quiet zone. FRA strongly recommends that all
crossings in a proposed quiet zone be reviewed by a diagnostic team. This team typically
consists of a representative from the public authority, railroad, the State agency responsible for
crossing safety, and FRA grade crossing managers.
The steps typically used in establishing a quiet zone are:
1. Determine which public crossings will be included in the proposed quiet zone.
2. Update the U.S. DOT Crossing Inventory Form to reflect current physical and operating
conditions.
3. Provide a Notice of Intent (NOI) to the railroad and the State's highway safety and
crossing safety agencies.
4. Determine the proposed methods used to establish the quiet zone.
August 8, 2018
Page 2
5. Complete the installation of required improvements.
6. Finalize the quiet zone by providing a Notice of Quiet Zone Establishment to all required
parties.
Iowa Interstate Railroad indicated that they do not presently have any quiet zones on their
railroad. In reviewing quiet zones in other Iowa communities, I discovered the costs can range
considerably depending on the situation. The design cost for a quiet zone can range from
$20,000430,000. Construction costs can vary widely based on necessary improvements,
however it is not uncommon for cities to face costs of $250,000-$500,000 per crossing.
In Iowa City, there are four highway -rail grade crossings (Scott Boulevard, Dubuque Street,
Clinton Street, and Greenwood Drive) that would likely be included in the establishment of a
quiet zone. Improvements to the Taft Avenue crossing may not be necessary at this time and
the rail crossing at Finkbine Commuter Drive belongs to the University of Iowa.
Staff recommends assembling a diagnostic team to review the current conditions of each
highway -rail crossing in Iowa City and provide recommendations on the feasibility and cost of
implementing a quiet zone. The City of Coralville has also indicated that they are interested in
evaluating a quiet zone through Coralville and are willing to work with Iowa City in the initial
evaluation. If the diagnostic team deems a quiet zone to be feasible, the City may wish to then
budget funds for subsequent design and construction costs necessary to implement a quiet
zone.
Kellie Fruehling
-MT- T- -
IP6
From: City of Iowa City<CityoflowaCity@public.govdelivery.com>
Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2018 10:02 AM
To: Kellie Fruehling
Subject: Come to the next City Council Listening Post
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 08/02/2018
Contact: Kellie Fruehling, City Clerk
Phone: 319-356-5041
Come to the next City Council Listening Post
Willow Creek Party in the Park
1117 Teg Drive
I
Join Iowa City Council members at their next community listening post from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on
Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, at the Willow Creek Party in the Park event, 1117 Tog Dr. Council
listening posts provide opportunities for the community to engage With City leaders on topics that
are important to them in an informal setting.
Two members attend each event and report back to the entire Council on what they have heard
from the community during their discussion. All residents are encouraged to stop by to discuss any
issue. No formal agenda or presentation is planned.
RSVP to the Council Listening Post event on Facebook for updates and reminders.
For additional information, questions, or suggestions on future locations for listening posts, contact
City Clerk Kellie Fruehling at kellie-fruehlingtc7.iowa-citv.org or 319-356-5041.
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City of Iowa City
2018 Building Statistics
Value/Type of Construction
January
February
March
April
May
June
July I August
September October November December TOTAL
NON-TAXABLE
Single Family -$
1,940,000
1,094,952
5,066,123
2,439,690
1,903,500
2,722,849
1,114,190
16,281,304
Number of Permits
6
4
20
9
6
10
4
59
Duplex-$
650,000
1,219,917
1,869,917
Number of Permits
2
2
4
Sororities 8 Fraternities- $
Number of Permits
Multiple Units
1,500,000
3,800,000
7,345,000
12,645,000
$3,000,000
Number of Permits
1
2
1
4
Number of Buildings
1
2
1
4
Number of Duelling Units
18
30
55
103
Mu- COmmercia9Residential
645,000 25,677,956
4,000,000
4,020,830
34,343,788
Number of Permits
I&1(founda
I
l(founda8o
1
5
Number of Buildings
1
1
1
3
Number of Dwelling units
3
130
36
168
Motels, Hotels -$
Number of Permits
Churches -$
Number of Permits
Industrial -$
450,000
156,500
606,500
Number of Permits
1
1
2
Service Stations - $
Number of Permits
Hospitals B lnstftugws- $
Number of Permits
Offices, Banks, Prof. - $
24,000
24,000
Number of Permits
1
1
Public Works d Utilities- $
1,188,084
1,188,084
1,188,084
Number of Permits
1
1
Schools -$
Number of Permits
Stores 8 Customer Svc -$
915,000
1 915,000
Numberof Permits
1
1
Misc. StructuresrFences - S
63,000
87,733
16,790
8,000
1 175,523
Number of Permits
2
3
3
1
9
Remodel, Residential -5
590,260
398,993
824,201
970,961
761,082
1,535,247
987,344
6,068,088
Number of Permits
17
15
30
27
23
33
36
181
Remodel, Commercial - S
6.721,600
916,600
2,865,083
9,398,786
485.952 13.047,842
2,017,202
35,453,065
19,088,509
Number of Permits
7
12
11
13
9
14
10
76
Remodel, Public Works -$
183,000
68,140
20,000
460,000
256,900
988,040
988,040
Number of Permits
1
1
1
1
1
5
Accessory Structures
35,OOD
45,000
70,000
89,000
15,000
212,800
466,800
Number of Permits
1
2
1
3
1
3
11
Cando Conversion- No Value
TOTALVALUE
12,064,860
28,156,641
17,493,907 i
17,008,000
3,716,324
20,908,839
11,676,536
111,025,107
24,264,633
TOTAL PERMITS
38
33
72
55
45
64
54
359
Demolition: Residential units lost
2
2
4
MINUTES
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
JUNE 13, 2018 — 5:15 PM
EMMA J. HARVAT HALL, CITY HALL
PRELIMINARY
MEMBERS PRESENT: Gene Chrischilles, Connie Goeb, Ryan Hall, Bryce Parker, Tim
Weitzel
MEMBERS ABSENT: NONE
STAFF PRESENT: Susan Dulek, Sarah Walz
OTHERS PRESENT: Barik Kuku, Brian Skay
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 5:15 PM.
ROLL CALL:
A brief opening statement was read by Chrischilles outlining the role and purpose of the Board
and the procedures that would be followed the meeting.
CONSIDER THE MAY 9, 2018 MINUTES:
Goeb moved to approve the minutes of May 9, 2018, with correction. Parker seconded the
motion.
A vote was taken and the motion carried 5-0.
SPECIAL EXCEPTION ITEM EXC18-00006:
Discussion of an application submitted by Sudanese Community Center to locate a General
Community Service use in the Intensive Commercial (CI -1) zone at 536 Southgate Avenue.
Walz began the staff report showing an aerial view of the commercial neighborhood, noting the
major streets around the area are Keokuk and Boyrum Streets and Southgate Drive. Walz
noted there is no parking allowed on any of those streets. The area on Keokuk does transition to
more of a general commercial zone, the same is true along Highway 6, but the surrounding
properties of the subject property are CI -1 (Intensive Commercial) properties. The Sudanese
Community Center is seeking to locate in the Intensive Commercial (CI -1) zone and Community
Service uses are allowed in the CI -1 zone by special exception, this community center falls
under a classification of general community service use, there is also another community
service use of community service shelter (i.e. Shelter House). The general community service
use includes community centers; neighborhood centers; youth club facilities; some social
service facilities; vocational training facilities for the physically or mentally disabled; etc. The
zoning code notes that this use is distinct from religious institutions and private clubs and lodges
(i.e. Elks, VFW), which are classified as religious/private group assembly uses. The building
Board of Adjustment
June 13, 2018
Page 2 of 7
was previously used as an office, the applicant is proposing to use the space as the main center
for their organization, which provides language classes, citizenship, and cultural classes (such
as music and stories), a library, and general assistance and counseling for new immigrants and
refugees settling in the Iowa City area. Most activities for the organization take place in the
evening or on weekends.
The purpose of the Intensive Commercial (CI -1) zone is to provide areas for those sales and
service functions and businesses whose operations are typically not high traffic generating and
have a need for outdoor storage such as repair and sales of large equipment or motor vehicles.
Properties that surround the proposed site include vehicle repair and contractor storage and
back office uses related to building trades. To allow for the Community Service Use there is
only one specific standard which is: The proposed use will not significantly alterthe overall
character of the zone and will not inhibit future development of uses forwhich the zone is primarily
intended. The Board will consider such factors assize and scale of the development, projected
traffic generation, and whether adequate transportation,transit, and pedestrian facilities exist to
supportthe proposed use.
Based on the applicant's statement Staff had recommended approval as the principal use of the
property will be for classes and community outreach to assist new immigrants and refugees with
settlement in the area. Large events and general assembly were not proposed as a regular
function of the use, although the applicant did note on occasion they may wish to hold some
gatherings at the site. The property meets the minimum parking requirement of 7 spaces for the
community service use based on the square footage of the building: 1 space per 300 square
feet of building area. Two additional spaces could be stacked along the drive east of the
building. This amount of parking should be sufficient for most small group uses—those
requested on the applicant's statement.
The property does not have adequate off-street parking for large group events. Parking is
prohibited on Southgate Avenue and Boyrum Street and is not allowed on adjacent private
properties. Given the limited amount of off-street parking on the site and the restrictions on on -
street parking on Southgate Avenue, Boyrum Street, and Olympic Court, staff recommends that
the applicant provide a plan for communicating to its members alternatives (e.g. bus or
carpooling to events) as well as where off-site parking may be found in the neighborhood.
Walz stated the applicant is currently occupying the property with a temporary use permit. In
the few weeks they have been on site there have been a few large events that have caused
some concern for the neighbors in terms of the need for overflow parking, so for that reason
Staff is recommending deferral of this application for one month to explore parking options for
larger events and also get clarification from the applicant on their proposed use of the property.
While staff agrees the site is appropriate for the smaller events described in the application,
larger events at this site should be limited due to the size of the property and the real limitation
on parking in the area.
Walz added staff did feel since the surrounding businesses uses have a lot of outdoor storage
there were some security issues for this area. She noted the outdoor area to the rear of the
building is fenced on two sides, providing separation and security for outdoor storage areas on
the adjacent sites. Fencing around the perimeter of this area (north, east, and west sides) is
needed to separate incompatible uses and to discourage trespass on to adjacent CI -1
properties where outdoor storage of materials and vehicles are a common use. Staff also feels a
fence will ensure only the correct driveways are used for the Center and surrounding
businesses.
Staff recommends deferral of EXC18-00006, an application for a General Community Service
Board of Adjustment
June 13, 2018
Page 3 of 7
Use in the Intensive Commercial (CI -1) zone at 536 Southgate Avenue until the next meeting
Parker asked if the temporary permit will expire before the Board meets again. Walz assured
the Board that the permit would not expire.
Chrischilles asked what was happening at 1925 Boyrum Street, a building with a large parking
lot. Walz said it is owned by Plumb Supply and they have fenced in the area to store outdoor
supplies.
Parker asked what business was at 525 Olympic Court. Walz replied that one of those building
was the GymNest, an indoor recreational use classification.
Hall asked if the deferral was for -staff to have more time to explore the parking issues. Walz
confirmed that was the case, and the overall application became a bit more complicated than
they originally thought. Staff felt additional time would allow the applicant and staff a better
understanding of how the property can be used to make sure they are making the right
recommendation.
Weitzel asked if there would be any residential aspect of this building and Walz stated there
would not be any residential component.
Chrischilles asked about the larger gatherings and what was the concern from those gatherings.
Walz explained there was concern was the impact on neighbors regarding parking in their lots,
which needs to be discouraged, and that the principal use of the property as proposed in the
application was smaller uses such as classroom uses, etc. Larger assemblies should be
irregular occurrences.
Weitzel noted if there was to be occasional large group events, it is recommended the applicant
seek a temporary use permit. Walz stated with a temporary use permit it would allow staff to
work with the community center to create a plan for overflow parking and communication, as
well as dealing with litter and trash, especially if outdoor events. Walz noted it is not uncommon
to have other community service uses in CIA zones and using temporary use permits and
management plans to avoid conflicts. Weitzel asked about the temporary use permit process.
Walz said it only takes a few days, especially if a management plan is in place, but temporary
use permits should be occasional in nature—not frequent.
Hall is concerned about several of the neighbors' comments and noted he has been to a
number of Sudanese events and they are quite large so he is concerned about them finding
another location outside of the community center to hold the events. Walz said for regular large
events, this would not be an appropriate site, for occasional large events if may be okay. Staff
reviewed this application looking at the site for the small classroom use needs of the applicant,
not the large events, if they will have regular large events then staff doesn't feel the site is
appropriate. It is up to the Board to decide if the use fits into this zone, the responsibility is to
the zone and what the intended uses in the zone are.
Parker asked if there was a way to permit street parking. Walz stated that is something staff
can discuss over the next month and see if appropriate use of a temporary use permit. The City
has allowed temporary use permits for street parking (such as for churches and use during
funerals). She noted Southgate Drive is listed in the Bicycle Master Plan as a bicycle route so
staff would need to see if it would be appropriate to accommodate on street parking in that area.
Hall asked what the building capacity for this subject property is. Walz said the occupancy is 40
(1 person per 50 square foot).
Board of Adjustment
June 13, 2018
Page 4 of 7
Chrischilles asked if there has ever been a situation where the City has put a limitation on the
number of temporary use permits a business or organization can have. Dulek said staff can
research that and provide that information at the next meeting.
Chrischilles opened the public hearing and invited the applicant to come forward.
Badrik Kuku came forward on behalf of the Sudanese Community Center. He stated they
have only been residents of Iowa City for six or seven years but want to integrate more into the
Iowa City Community. He understands parking is the issue, he noted some of the community
are not familiar with the area and can end up in areas where they are not supposed to go and
he said they are working with people to orient them to the area and the rules. In response to a
question from the Board, the applicant said the Sudanese community in Iowa City is around
5,000 to 6,000 but he understands their facility only has the occupancy of 40 to 50 and they are
working hard to address attendance at events.
Hall asked if there are other venues the Sudanese community could use for larger events. The
applicant stated they do use Kirkwood Community College spaces or the Rec Center and also
the public parks. He noted they do not have budgets to rent spaces like hotels or conference
centers.
Weitzel asked if the Sudanese Community Center requires a membership. The applicant said
when they moved from South Dubuque Street to Southgate Drive they had about 450 members
but not all are active, they have created a steering committee to organize better.
Chrischilles asked if they have religious services at their facilities. The applicant said they
normally do not practice religious services, as Muslim believers they practice the five times
prayers daily.
Chrischilles asked what they use the Center for, just language classes and citizenship classes.
The applicant added he is a certified coach and coaches the children in soccer as most cannot
afford other avenues to play and learn soccer.
Brian Skay (1936 Boyrum Street) is the owner of Skay Auto Services, he started his business
almost 20 years ago, and bought the property and then six years ago bought an adjoining
property and expanded his business services. When he was looking to expand his business six
years ago the City told him he would not have adequate parking to do so they had to remove
part of an existing building to increase the parking. Additionally, to meet the Code, they had to
do some buffer strips, add external lighting over the parking lot, add trees and shrubbery,
enclose the dumpsters, to which they complied. Currently it is a fully functioning auto repair
shop and for the past almost 20 years there has not had any problems with neighboring
activities. He has kept track for the past month or so of activities at the Sudanese Community
Center. On May 12 there was a large party in the backyard with a large white tent and lots
of chairs. The next day he had to come to work and clean up trash in his parking lot and
around his building. He has surveillance cameras around his property and witnessed many
trespassers walking across his lot and parking in his lot. Skay spoke to someone from the
Sudanese Community Center on May 17 and explained his issues with the trespassing,
parking and trash issues. On May 20, Skay came to work to see that the Sudanese
Community Center had mowed their back yard and blew the grass onto his driveway, which
can be a problem because they are pulling cars into their climate control shop to perform
computer diagnosis, and it also tracks into the customer cars. Again he spoke to someone
at the Center (different than the previous individual) and shared the concern about the
grass and shared a flyer from the City regarding grass clippings. On June 2 the
Board of Adjustment
June 13, 2018
Page 5 of 7
surveillance cameras showed someone looking into the windows of his shop, which was
actually the Center mowing the yard at 10:30pm and the lights from the mowers were
reflecting into his shop. There was also a party with more trespassing, including little kids
in his parking lot, and Skay is concerned about the customer cars. He stated cars can be
dropped off anytime day or night so therefore he cannot put up a fence around his property,
he also said while they are mainly open 8-5:00 there are technicians that work late or on
weekends to complete jobs. On June 3 he spoke again to a Center representative about
the grass clippings and on June 4 he emailed Walz about the issues. On June 9 there was
another party at the Center, cars were again parked in his lot and left litter. Skay wants to
be a nice neighbor and continues to talk with folks from the Center and have what he feels
are productive dialogues, but nothing changes. On June 10 the Center began to install a
fence, while doing so they trespassed on his property and spray painted his concrete to
mark poles and come to find out they did not get a permit for the fence. Skay agrees
putting up a fence would help with the pedestrian traffic, but currently there is a volleyball
net set up in the back yard and the fence will not keep the ball inside the yard, it could
bounce over. Skay is concerned about people climbing over the fences to retrieve the
balls, not only on his property but also the ImOn Communications property on the other
side of the Center. Skay has pictures of the area he can share with the Board, he
reiterated after talking with representatives from the Center and also Walz these are his
main concerns. He added he has spoken with three different people from the Center who
say they are "in charge' so he isn't sure who is the correct person to speak with there.
Skay said he has signs posted on his property that vehicles will be towed if trespassing on
the property and the police have been alerted. Skay wanted to communicate that he feels
the Sudanese Community Center has a great vision and needed in the community however
he doesn't feel the zoning is appropriate for that vision in this area. Allowing this
application to move forward will only add to problems to his business and the overall vision
of the zone.
Badrik Kuku stated he did have a good conversation with Skay and therefore feels it shows this
is a good neighborhood for the Center with good neighbors. He understands the concerns of
Skay but feels it is too early to judge the Sudanese Community Center for things that have
happened and would like an opportunity to work with the community to understand make all
folks of the Sudanese Community Center follow correct guidelines.
Chrischilles asked if there was more than one person in charge of the Center. The
applicant stated he is the one in charge, the other two gentlemen Skay talked to did bring
the issues to him and they sat as a committee and discussed it.
Goeb asked when the Sudanese Community Center moved to this location. The applicant
replied it was May 1, 2018.
Weitzel moved to defer EXC18-00006 until the next meeting. Goeb seconded the motion.
Weitzel stated deferral is the right thing to do as there are a number more issues staff needs to
follow up with and it is too soon to make a decision tonight. Chrischilles agreed, more
information is needed and look for other options for parking.
A vote was taken and the motion carried 5-0.
Chrischilles noted the public hearing for this item is still open for the next meeting
Board of Adjustment
June 13, 2018
Page 6 of 7
BOARD DISCUSSION:
Update on TSB Holdings, LLC, and 911 North Governor, LLC, vs. Board of Adjustment City of
Iowa City. Walz provided the decision form the Iowa Supreme Court, it is complex (as was the
case the Board considered), and is being provided to the Board as a point of information, it is
not a time for discussion. Dulek noted this case could come back before the Board in some
iteration or aspect and that is why no discussion of the case should happen. She said there
were actually two lawsuits, one challenging the City's rezoning which the Supreme Court proved
(stating it was legal) and the other was an appeal of the Board of Adjustment's denial of a site
plan which was remanded back to the District Court.
ADJOURNMENT:
Goeb moved to adjourn this meeting.
Parker seconded.
A vote was taken and the motion passed 5-0
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
ATTENDANCE RECORD
2017-2018
NAME
TERM EXP.
4/12
5/10
6114
7/12
10/11
12/11
2/14
5/09
6/13
CHRISCHILLES, T. GENE
1/1/2019
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
GOEB, CONNIE
1/1/2020
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
O/E
X
X
HALL, RYAN
1/1/2023
--
-
X
X
X
PARKER, BRYCE
1/1/2022
O/E
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
SOGLIN, BECKY
1/1/2018
X
X
X
X
X
X
--
-
WEITZEL, TIM
1/1/2021
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
KEY: X = Present
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
--- = Not a Member
—Mr Ts—
IP9
MINUTES PRELIMINARY
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
EMMA J. HARVAT HALL
JULY 12, 2018
MEMBERS PRESENT: Kevin Boyd, Zach Builta, Helen Burford, Gosia Clore, Sharon
DeGraw, Quentin Pitzen, Lee Shope
MEMBERS ABSENT: Thomas Agran, G. T. Karr, Cecile Kuenzli
STAFF PRESENT: Jessica Bristow
OTHERS PRESENT:
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: (become effective only after separate Council action)
CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Boyd called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. He welcomed
the three new members to the Commission.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANYTHING NOT ON THE AGENDA:
There was none.
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS:
1025 Burlington Street.
Bristow said this property has been reviewed by the Commission in the past. She said the
house was recently rehabbed by the University Partnership, which opened up the porch, put the
windows back to their original size, and did a lot of other great work on the house.
Bristow stated that this application concerns the garage. She said that the existing garage is in
the back, southeast corner of the property. Bristow said the applicant would like to replace it
with a functional garage that would be just slightly bigger. She said that the new garage would
be 25 feet from front to back and 30 feet from side to side.
Bristow said that the existing garage is a stucco garage with a sliding door and a metal roof.
She showed where a hole has been patched where a chimney was removed at one time,
Bristow said that part of the deterioration of the garage is due to that chimney. She said that
before this belonged to University Partnership, part of the chimney had fallen in on the floor and
caused some damage.
Bristow showed a photograph of the base of the wall right next to the opening, showing that the
stucco coating is falling away and the bricks behind don't seem to have any mortar holding them
together. She said that inside the slab it is just completely busted up. Bristow said that part of
the problem with this garage is that the slab is heaved, and the driveway has not extended to
the garage for a very long time. She said that currently, the garage sits just a little lower than
the rest of the driveway, so if a new driveway were put in, it would slope down toward the
garage, which is not the best situation.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
July 12, 2018
Page 2 of 9
Bristow said that the garage does sit on the busted -up slab. She said that some of the tile
construction wall is also breaking apart, although it does have a really nice bead board ceiling.
Bristow showed the interior of the west wall on the other side of the garage. She said the
concrete is breaking up there, and the tile is separating as well. Bristow showed the other
corner of the opening. She said that the slab doesn't really have any relationship to the garage
any more.
Regarding the exterior, Bristow said that there have been some cracks that have been patched.
She showed where the structure is separating a little bit - enough that the stucco has busted
away, and the door frame is separating away. Bristow showed the side where the roof itself is
pretty well rusted. She said there may be a way to sand it down and recoat it, but this is just not
really a very functional garage. Bristow said the slab doesn't work at all anymore, and there is
no overhead door.
Bristow said this really is deteriorated. She said that long ago, when staff knew about this
project, there was some hope that this garage could be saved. Bristow said that at this point,
staff believes that it is time to move on to a new garage in this case.
Bristow said that the drawings for the new garage are a little minimal right now. She said that it
would be of wood frame construction so would not go back to stucco and concrete block or
anything like that. Bristow said it would match the house and would have lap siding, corner
board, and similar trim to match the house.
Bristow showed the sketch of the new garage. She said it shows really a minimal overhang.
Bristow said that the original garage had a nice two -foot overhang, and this should at least go
about 12 to 18 inches to have some overhang on this garage.
Regarding overhead doors, Bristow said that nothing has been selected yet, but there are a
couple of options. She said the applicant is interested in having some windows in the garage
door, and she showed one option with a simple carriage -style type of door with windows in it.
Bristow showed another door that does not have windows - a steel -paneled door with separate
composite overlay panels for the trim. She said staff finds that either of these two types of doors
would be appropriate for this garage.
Bristow showed more sketches of the south, rear elevation and the two side elevations. She
said she would recommend a more appropriate overhang here. Bristow added that the
proportions of the windows would probably be a little bit thinner so that they look more
rectangular instead of approaching square as in the sketches.
Bristow referred to the recommended motion. She said the Commission will want to discuss
whether or not the garage could be taken down. Bristow said that if the Commission feels they
are leaning toward approving the demolition, it will want to go on and discuss the new design
and whether it should be approved. She said that if the Commission approves of the design, it
will want to put forth a motion that covers both. Regarding staffs proposed motion, Bristow said
she would recommend adding a condition that the design be revised with an appropriate
overhang.
DeGraw asked if there is a typical lifespan for the ceramic tiles on the interior. Bristow replied
that there is not really. She said she has seen quite a few schools built out of this tile
construction. Bristow said that it can last a long time if it is maintained. She said a lot of the
problem with this particular garage is that it had this chimney in it that collapsed. Bristow said
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
July 12, 2018
Page 3 of 9
that caused some failure of the slab, which helped pull the walls apart a little bit, along with a
little deferred maintenance, since this had not been used as a garage in a long time.
The consensus of the Commission was that there was no problem with demolishing the garage.
Shope asked if, with regard to the overhang, it would be appropriate to use basically the same
overhang as on the house. Bristow said the overhang on the house is probably about 18 inches
or so.
MOTION: DeGraw moved to approve a certificate of appropriateness for the project at
1025 Burlington Street as presented in the application with the following conditions: the
overhead door, passage door, and window product information to be approved by staff;
the garage is to have corner boards and window and door trim similar to the house; a
revised design with an overhang of at least 18 inches; and demolition of the current
garage. Clore seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 7-0 (Agran, Karr,
and Kuenzli absent).
821 North Johnson Street.
Bristow said this house is in the Brown Street Historic District. She said that at the time of the
survey, this house was non -historic. Bristow said the house is now historic, but assuming that it
is outside the period of significance for the district, it would be non-contributing. Bristow said it
is a ranch house with a mid-century modern kind of style to it.
Bristow said the house is owned by Successful Living, which will be getting some home grant
money for the project. She said that a lot of interior work will be done but also some exterior
work for the Commission to review as well as some exterior work that does not require review.
Bristow showed the front step. She said it is pulling away from the brick and is actually being
washed away underneath. Bristow said it is starting to really fail - sinking, falling away from the
house, and pulling at the retaining walls, so they are going to pour a new set of stairs.
Bristow said staff has been working with the owners to make sure the retaining walls are
maintained at this point. She said there is not a plan to rebuild them, but they are damaged.
Bristow said that currently, they are just going to stay that way. She said that the brick is
apparently a full four inches by ten inches, so it would be difficult to match such an odd -sized
brick.
Bristow said that the retaining walls are really an integral part of the design of the front of this
house. She said that is why at this point, this is not proceeding with anything that deals with the
retaining walls, because it is outside the scope of this project.
Bristow said that the owners will try to reuse the black metal rail. She said if that does not work
out, they will have a new rail approved.
Bristow said the owners are also removing the awning that covers the front patio, which will
require a little bit of patching of the roof shingles. She said there was some tree damage to the
roof shingle area in the past year.
Bristow said the owners are going to change the stair and rail and will be adding a concrete
patio. She showed where, because of how the house is used, they want to add an additional
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
July 12, 2018
Page 4 of 9
door. Bristow said they would like to separate the area for the people who live in the house
from the office area of those who work to help those who live in the house. She said that having
two separate doors is kind of integral to the way the house functions.
Bristow said they have been working on how they might add a second exterior door. She
showed where the original plan was to actually have an exterior door and have the stairs come
off adjacent to the new stairs. Bristow said that the new stairs at the existing back door will turn
90 degrees to land on the new patio. She said that having the new entry stairs run adjacent to
that would create a little bit of an awkwardness with the two stairs parallel but with different runs.
Bristow said it would not be possible to have the one set of stairs meet the landing and then
have a single stairs down. She said it can't go down that direction, because there is nowhere to
have the run of the stairs.
Bristow showed the first option of trying to separate the stairs and have it work. She said that
because the property slopes down in this area and the stairs would be running along in the
same direction, it results in a conundrum where the stairs and the grade never really meet very
well, because they keep sloping down in the same direction.
Bristow said option two was created, and it would still have the existing stairs coming off at a 90
degree angle from where they currently are, along with a new door and landing that is separated
from the other stair by a small area. She said they have to be able to get under the stoop to
reach a hose bib that is on the back of the house.
Bristow said that putting porch skirting around the back entry as the Commission normally likes
to see would make that a little bit difficult. She said that if they separate the one landing and
stairs from the adjacent one by enough room to pass through and get to the hose spigot, they
might not have to put skirting there. Bristow said that if needed, they can store things in that
little spot to help keep the site cleaned up.
Bristow said staff feels that having the stair landing extended by a couple of extra feet so that
the stairs can come down and be separated from the other ones would be the way to go on that
part of the project. She stated that staff recommends approval of this but would need to
approve the rear entry door, which staff has discussed already with the applicant.
Shope asked if staff has any recommendations regarding the type of railing to be used. Bristow
responded that, since this is a modern house, a very simple, square spindle design with some
newel post to break it up, as discussed in the guidelines, would be the way to go with that.
Shope asked if the same type of wrought iron as is used in the front would be acceptable here.
Bristow said it could potentially be, but at the same time, it might be harder to get it to fit in right
and look right where there will be wood construction. She said staff feels that wrought iron
works better with concrete.
Pitzen asked if there would be risers on the stairs. Bristow replied that it would have to have
closed risers. Pitzen asked if the owners have priced having the hose bib moved. Bristow did
not know. Pitzen said that perhaps they could bring the higher landing out farther with the
stairs doubled back and go down on the lower one and then have a common stair. Bristow said
she did not know if that would add to the cost, because then there would be a longer raised
area. Pitzen said it would mostly be the cost of extra materials.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
July 12, 2018
Page 5 of 9
DeGraw asked if staff would share Pitzen's idea with the homeowner. Bristow said that the
applicant's representative was in attendance at the meeting.
Burford asked if the owners have to have anything associated with the house be ADA
compliant. Bristow said she did not know. She said that at this point she would assume not,
because there is no ADA compliant entry. Bristow said the only way that could be done is from
the garage, and then there would have to be a lift of some sort.
MOTION: Clore moved to approve a certificate of appropriateness for the project at 821
North Johnson Street as presented in the application with the following conditions: the
new stair and landing is revised according to option two, and materials such as new front
railing (if needed) and new door product be approved by staff. Builta seconded the
motion. The motion carried on a vote of 7-0 (Agran, Karr, and Kuenzli absent).
REPORT ON CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY CHAIR AND STAFF:
Certificate of No Material Effect - Chair and Staff Review.
1012 Burlington Street.
Bristow said this house is in the College Hill Conservation District. She said that the owners
replaced all of the shingles on the mansard and the upper roof.
701 Oakland Avenue.
Bristow said the owners had already replaced the membrane roof on the dormer and are now
replacing the shingles on the main roof.
Minor Review - Staff Review.
1206 Court Street.
Bristow said this house was originally a bungalow. She said that in the 1970s, the homeowner
decided to add a floor. Bristow said that everything about the upper floor is completely
inappropriate.
Bristow said that the house now has new owners, who opened the front porch and replaced the
pre -cast concrete steps. She said the railing was not done appropriately, and there was no
skirting on the sides. Bristow said the owners know that, and they will be modifying the railing to
be nice, simple, square spindles.
727 North Lucas Street.
Bristow said this is a University home that is being remodeled. She said it needed to have the
inappropriate stairs repaired.
1118 East Court Street.
Bristow said this project came up last fall, and the owners only recently decided to do it. She
showed the addition, a two-story with sleeping porch. Bristow said the owners have
incorporated this area into the kitchen. She said that at some point in time, most of the windows
- the two ends and on both sides - were all replaced with double hungs.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
July 12, 2018
Page 6 of 9
Bristow said that the two central windows were casements. She said that initially, the owners
were going to keep and repair them, but they are having big issues with water getting in.
Bristow said that now the owners will replace them to match the others but with better quality
windows than the others.
420 North Linn Street.
Bristow said the house at 420 North Linn is having the porch skirting reconstructed.
513 Summit Street.
Bristow said this house recently changed hands. She showed the area where the radon
mitigation system is being installed near the air conditioning units.
528 North Gilbert Street.
Bristow said that the house at 528 North Gilbert Street will have a piece of bead board soffit
replaced. She said the rear porch stairs will be replaced with wood stairs. Bristow said the
owners may keep the simple metal railing or might put in the appropriate railing with just square
spindles.
Intermediate Review- Chair and Staff Review.
1111 East Burlington Street.
Bristow said this house at 1111 East Burlington Street is receiving historic preservation funds for
multiple projects including, but not limited to: repairing the internal gutter, repairing the soffit,
reconstruction of the rotted porch floor including retaining the columns and redoing the skirting.
Bristow showed where there used to be a side porch. She said that it was sort of enclosed long
ago. Bristow said it has some studs in there, and the metal siding just kind of goes over it. She
said the owners will take that section and actually put in a real wall with insulation.
Bristow said the owners can tell what the siding is under all of the rest of the siding on the
house. She said they will be using a siding to match the lap that is underneath everything,
because they eventually plan to remove the aluminum siding on the house.
Bristow said there is one window that does not have a jamb extension so that there is a gap
between the original siding and the aluminum siding that lets water in the wall, and it has been
that way for a long time. She said they will put the jamb extension in to close that up. Bristow
said there are some other issues, but the historic preservation fund will help this house move
forward at least one step.
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES FOR JUNE 14,2018:
MOTION: DeGraw moved to approve the minutes of the Historic Preservation Commission's
June 14, 2018 meeting, as written. Clore seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote
of 7-0 (Agran. Karr, and Kuenzli absent).
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
July 12, 2018
Page 7 of 9
COMMISSION INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION
Clinton Street and Railroad Depot Historic District to Citv Council
Bristow said this potential new district will go before City Council, although it is still a little bit up
in the air. She said Commission members who are in town at that time are encouraged to
attend the meeting, and staff hopes to have a full City Council at that time.
Bristow said that making certain there are Commission members at the City Council meeting
who are willing to speak will be a big plus. She said she will let the Commission know when the
meeting will take place.
Boyd thanked DeGraw for speaking and Builta for attending the Planning and Zoning
Commission meeting. He said the motion came out of the Planning and Zoning Commission
meeting unanimously.
Shope asked exactly what is contained in that district. Bristow responded that the depot is at
the south side of the district. She said it goes up Clinton Street and includes the next block - the
hotel; the two houses in the middle of the block; the big, angled house on the end of the block;
and 530 Clinton, the big, brick house across Prentiss Street.
Bristow said the Commission has a certified local government grant to put that district on the
National Register. She said that will be done, regardless of the City Council vote.
Bristow said that the whole transfer of development rights that came up before City Council with
regard to local landmarks is also relevant to this area. She said this area already has that
potential written into the zoning code, so that is one benefit for the property owner, in that he
could potentially transfer rights from some of the properties he owns in the district to properties
he owns that are right next door and not included in the district or could potentially sell them to
someone else who might use them in the Riverfront Crossings area.
Shope asked about the status of the properties. Bristow replied that they are all rental
properties.
Update on Historic Preservation Fund
Bristow said that the City Council and the City Manager gave the Commission $40,000 each
fiscal year to work with for matching grants and loans for the Historic Preservation Fund. She
said that the maximum per project is $5,000, which means there is a potential for eight or more
applicants each year.
Bristow stated that a soft rollout was done last year to let people know, as they were putting in
applications for other work, that this funding is available. She added that by December, there
had only been two applicants, so a press release was put out and it was put in the annual
newsletter to homeowners. Bristow said that resulted in a barrage of calls. She said the goal is
to help with anything that would retain original, historic materials or would put an historic
element back on a house. Bristow said between $30,0000 to $35,000 will probably end up
being used from last year. She added that the unused money does not carry over to the next
year. July 1 began the next fiscal year and
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
July 12, 2018
Page 8 of 9
Bristow said that a homeowner can apply more than once, even more than once a year. She
said she does not know how long the funding will last, but it will have to be renewed by the City
Council as it holds its budget talks for the next fiscal year.
Bristow said that for owner -occupied homes with owners below a certain income limit, the
money is a grant. She said that for those above that limit and for rental property owners, the
money is a no interest loan with a five-year term.
Bristow said that she and Boyd will both be at this year's Preserve Iowa Summit. She said it is
also the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions Annual Meeting. Bristow said the
national group is holding its annual meeting in Des Moines, so SHPO decided to combine them
into one meeting.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 6:07 p.m.
Minutes submitted by Anne Schulte
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
ATTENDANCE RECORD
2018
NAME
TERM
EXP.
1/11
2/8
3/8
4/12
5/10
6/14
7/12
8/9
9/13
10/11
11/8
12/13
AGRAN, THOMAS
6/30/20
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
BAKER, ESTHER
6/30/18
X
X
X
X
X
X
BOYD, KEVIN
6/30/20
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
BUILTA, ZACH
6/30/19
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
BURFORD, HELEN
6/30/21
X
CLORE, GOSIA
6/30/20
O/E
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
DEGRAW, SHARON
6/30/19
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
KARR, G. T.
6/30/20
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
KUENZLI, CECILE
6/30/19
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
PITZEN, QUENTIN
6/30/21
—
—
—
X
SHOPE, LEE
6/30/21
X
KEY: X = Present
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
--- = Not a Member
PRELIMINARY -
Iowa City Telecommunications Commission IP1O
0612512018 Meeting Minutes
Page 1 of 3
Minutes
Iowa City Telecommunications Commission
June 25, 2018 — 5:30 P.M.
City of Iowa City Cable TV Office, 10 S. Linn St. - Tower Place, Level 3A
Call to Order: Meeting called to order at 5:30 P.M.
Members Present: Laura Bergus, Matthew Brenton, James Pierce
Members Absent: Paul Gowder, Derek Johnk
Staff Present: Ty Coleman
Others Present: Gerardo Sandoval, Bond Drager
Recommendations to Council: None
Approval of Minutes:
Brenton moved and Pierce seconded a motion to approve the May 21, 2018 minutes as presented. The
motion passed unanimously.
Announcements of Commissioners:
Bergus thanked the City for the opportunity to serve on the Telecommunications Commission for a
number of years.
Short Public Announcements:
None.
Community Internet Proiect:
Coleman said he had not heard anything from the group working on the project. Pierce reported he had
been in touch with the new University of Iowa Student Government President and Vice President. He
said that the UISG liaison and vice liaison to City Council were interested in the topic of municipal
broadband. Pierce said he hoped to work with them to learn what they might want to pursue.
Consumer Issues:
Coleman noted the two issues presented in the meeting packet that had been resolved.
Mediacom Report:
Coleman reported that he had not received any information from Mediacom.
Local Access Reports:
Sandoval reported that one of Public Access Television's (PATV) producers recently had a documentary
premiere and said it was a good example of quality work that can be produced through PAW Bergus
said the event reminded her that PAN provides a great service and that the documentary was
well -produced. She said that local legislators and a wide variety of others from the community attended
and that there was standing room only. Pierce added that he had seen the event promoted via social
media.
Drager said it was a busy time of year at the Library. She reported that she has been experimenting with
live streaming to YouTube. Drager said the Library's marketing staff had begun to create Facebook
events for Library events and that she is able to put the link to the live stream in the event page after the
W.IgArliU/Jr-,IG4I
Iowa City Telecommunications Commission
0612512018 Meeting Minutes
Page 2 of 3
program begins
City Cable TV Office Reoort:
Coleman mentioned that Jack Brooks, a producer with the City's Cable TV Office, had recently been
awarded a bronze Telly Award for his story on the local prison dog training program. Coleman noted that
Telly awards cover a broader scope than just government or community video, but extend to all kinds of
media producers across the country. Coleman said the Cable TV Office had also submitted to the annual
awards contest put on by the National Association of Television Officers and Administrators (NATOA) and
was awaiting the results.
Coleman mentioned one project being worked on, which was to highlight the success of the UniverCity
program and some support from a local organization that has benefitted it. The program purchases
houses, performs renovations and other improvements, and sells them as single-family homes in an effort
to benefit the neighborhoods.
Coleman noted the summer concert season and mentioned the Cable TV Office had recently recorded
three of this year's MusiclC performances, which features a series of chamber music concerts.
Bergus asked how the City's live streaming of public meetings on Facebook was going. Coleman said he
thought there has been up to somewhere around thirty people viewing the live stream at any given time
while the meeting is taking place and that it is reaching a location where more people might be likely to
watch. Coleman said that questions are not moderated during the stream, but that the questions are
directed to appropriate staff for follow-up at a later time.
Adjournment:
Brenton moved and Pierce seconded a motion to adjourn. The motion passed unanimously.
Adjournment was at 5:45 p.m.
PRELIMINARY
Iowa City Telecommunications Commission
0612512018 Meeting Minutes
Page 3 of 3
TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
12 -MONTH ATTENDANCE RECORD
(x) = Present
(o) = Absent
(o/c) = Absent/Called (Excused)
Gowder
Bergus
Johnk
07/24/2017
Meeting not held
due to lack of
quorum.
Brenton
08/28/2017
x
x
x
x
vacant
09/25/2017
x
x
x
x
vacant
10/23/2017
x
o/c
x
x
vacant
11/27/2017
x
x
x
x
vacant
11/30/2017
Special meeting
x
o/c
x
x
vacant
01/22/2018
Meeting not held
due to lack of
quorum.
02/26/2018
x
x
x
x
vacant
03/26/2018
x
x
x
x
vacant
Pierce
04/23/2018
x
x
x
x
x
05/21/2018
x
o/c
x
x
x
06/25/2018
o/c
x
x
o/c
x
(x) = Present
(o) = Absent
(o/c) = Absent/Called (Excused)