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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-10-12 Bd Comm minutesMINUTES IOWa CiTY BOARD OF APPEALS MONDAY, AUGUST 5, 1999, 4:30 PM IOWA CITY MAIN LOBBY CONFERENCE ROOM MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: STAFF PRESENT: OTHERS PRESENT: CALLTO ORDER: Anna Buss, Robert Carlson, Tim Fehr, Gary Haman, Tom Werderitsch Wayne Maas, John Roffman Tim Hennes, Andy Rocca (Fire Department), Jann Ream, Dennis Mitchell (Asst. City Attorney) Brian Arnold, Rick Tompson Chairperson Carlson called the meeting to order at 4:35 p.m. Minutes from the July 12, 1999, Board of Appeals meeting were reviewed. Motion to approve by Werderitsch, seconded by Buss. Approval of minutes by unanimous consent. REQUEST FOR MODIFICATION OF SECTIONS (Magowan Ave.): A. 1003.3.3.4 Exception headroom clearance at stairs B. 1003.3.3.3 Exception 1 rise and run of stairs C. 1003.3.3 Stairway width D. 1003.3.3.5 Landing width Hennes explained that in 1996 a bathroom was added and the existing laundry was updated. At that time the space was not considered habitable and therefore the stairs did not need to conform at that time. Tompson has then applied for a building permit to further finish the basement and upon inspection it was noted that the stairs should conform according to code. Hennes went on to explain that he looked at the property with Arnold and in order to get the headroom to conform one more riser would have to be added. This also means that some major work would have to be done on the upper level to increase the head height to 6'6" as currently required by code. Currently, the stair headroom is 6'-2" with riser heights from 8" to 9" and a landing that measures 34"x32". Buss inquired about the home's age and Arnold indicated that it was built in the 1920's. The home is owner-occupied and the woman has lived in the home for a number of years. Tompson explained that the space will be for a TV room. He also confirmed that there is a legal escape and rescue window being installed. Buss expressed her concern with these kinds of issues being brought to the Board of Appeals. She feels that these types of issues do not need to come before the Board. Carlson confirmed with Rocca that there would not be a problem for the fire department. Carlson made the motion to accept the existing conditions of the stairs being that they are original to the building and are not being changed by the current construction. Also the basement has been utilized over time for reasonable use and there are practical difficulties that Iowa Ci~ Board of Appeals Minutes August5,1999 Page 2 would make it unreasonable in that the changes do not lessen the fire protection requirements of the building and there is a safe egress from the building. Motion was seconded by Buss. Hennes confirmed that if the property would become rental property the stairs would then have to be constructed to a conforming status. Carlson commented that if the house is rented, requirements of the Housing Code would apply. The motion passed by unanimous consent. OTHER BUSINESS None ADJOURN Buss moved to adjourn. Werderitsch seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 4:55 PM. Approved: In- 4- i Robert Carlson, Board of Appeals'Chair Date Minutes submitted by Le Ann Dunne-Tyson hisblg/minrooa8-5-99.doc MINUTES HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MONDAY, AUGUST 2, 1999 CITY MANAGER'S CONFERENCE ROOM MEMBERS PRESENT: Lars Anderson, Richard Carlson, Sue Licht, Doris Malkmus, Pamela Michaud, Marc Mills, Linda Shope MEMBERS ABSENT: Frank Gersh, Mike Gunn, Michaelanne Widness STAFFPRESENT: Scott Kugler OTHERS PRESENT: Joni Kinsey CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Anderson called the meeting to order at 5:10 p.m. CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS REVIEW: 325 BROWN STREET: Kugler said this is basically a front porch project. He said the Commission has already issued a Certificate of No Material Effect to allow the replacement of the three columns up front. Kugler said there are a couple of engaged columns that remain on the house, and those were replicated for the replacement columns. He said he and Anderson thought that was something that could be handled through the Certificate of No Material Effect. Kugler said the rail and spindle design are something that the Commission should look at as there was no evidence of what was there originally, and it is something that really could not be approved through the Certificate of No Material Effect. He said that is the portion of the project the Commission is meeting to discuss - the rail and spindle design as shown in the drawing. Kugler said he discussed this with Licht to get her comments on the columns, to find out if she thought it was appropriate to handle the replacement of the columns through the Certificate of No Material Effect, and also to get her comments on the rail design. Kugler said Licht had some comments. He showed a site inventory form for 508 E. Church Street which was used by the applicant as a basis for the proposed design. Kugler said Licht's basic comment was that she thought that this was creating a mix of styles on the porch and that the rail was probably more appropriate on a more stylized Victorian house like 508 Church. She thought a more simple design would fit better with this home. Kugler said Licht also felt this may have been an add-on porch, given the changes in the roof pitch and the different character the porch has with the rest of the house. Malkmus asked Kinsey if she discussed Licht's comments with her. Kinsey said she had not but was perfectly willing to accommodate a simple design, as it would be easier to construct. Malkmus asked Kinsey to explain why she thought this might be an appropriate design. Kinsey replied that she was simply looking at the two houses she knew were built about the same time as hers; that was really the rationale. She said that the 508 Church Street house has more horizontal members. Kinsey said she just simplified it a bit. She said that with the other one that she had in mind, it no longer looks this way, but there is an old photograph of the house from 1911 that shows a rail that looks very much like that. Malkmus asked what that house looked like compared to Kinsey's - if it is very ornate or bigger. Kinsey said it is bigger and perhaps a little bit more ornate. She said hers is a simpler, smaller house, but not radically so. Kinsey said another thing that made her think of that house is that it Historic Preservation Commission Minutes August 2, 1999 Page 2 has the same interior trim. She said she did not know if the houses had the same builder, but she had never seen another house with the same interior trim. Michaud said her house has the same amount of detail, and the turned posts that go with that is the only difference. She said there is enough detail up in the porch pediment to justify an ornate spindle design; it is just whether or not the posts are ornate enough. Kinsey said they are more classical columns. Michaud said they have their own elegance to them. Kinsey said Licht suggested just plain, square uprights, just exactly like the house at 509 Brown Street has, and that would be perfectly fine with her as it would be simpler to construct. Anderson asked Kinsey if she preferred one over the other, and Kinsey said she really did not. Mills said his only comments on doing this like 509 Brown would be that it is then like the other house. He said maybe having something different would provide more variety. Malkmus asked if plain, round, turned spindles might be more appropriate with the delicacy of the original columns. She said the original column has a lot of gracefulness to it. Kinsey said there is a house on Van Buren Street between Church and Ronalds with columns like the new ones, and it has turned spindles. She said they are not just round. Michaud said they are more than cylinders but less than ornate. Kinsey said she did not think she would go that route, not necessarily because she disliked them at all, but because they are seen so often. Michaud said she would lean toward them because of the curves in the gable, rather than angular. Kinsey said she thought the turned kind would look nice. Malkmus asked Kinsey if she thought the porch originally went across the front of the house. Kinsey said she had wondered about that but with the current roo~ine, she did not think so. Michaud said it was similar to hers, and she knows hers is original because she has turn of the century photographs. Kinsey said she did not know where a roofline would have gone between the windows on the other side. Malkmus asked if it were possible to allow a homeowner to choose turned or square as her preference. Kugler said the Commission could do whatever it chooses in terms of conditions, as long as it is consistent with the guidelines. Michaud asked Kinsey if she had to worry about stair railings. Kinsey said she had not thought about it. She said it is just two steps. Kinsey asked if the Commission thought it should have a railing. Anderson asked Kugler's opinion. Kugler said he could not recall the standard for a single-family dwelling, but that it might not be required. Shope asked if the rail height variation will mean that Kinsey has to go to another group to get that. Kugler said no, because the porch is only 19 inches off the ground. Michaud asked about the height for the railing. Kinsey said it would be where shown on the existing column. She said there is definitely no danger. She said there has not been a rail on it that the neighbors can recall, and they have lived thero since 1952. Kinsey said a previous owner's son, who bought the property in the 1940s, said it did not have a rail on it then either. Michaud asked if the trim would be repainted. Kinsey said she plans to repaint the entire house, and she did not like the brown trim. She said she would like a medium-colored house with light trim and very dark windows. Kinsey said she would also be using a fourth color and maybe even a fifth in a very subtle way to just highlight the details. (Licht arrived at the meeting.) Kugler told Licht he had discussed her comments with the Commission. Malkmus said the Commission was suggesting square spindles for the porch railing or turned spindles. Kinsey Historic Preservation Commission Minutes August 2, 1999 Page 3 said, without the horizontals, which is fine with her because it would be easier to build. Licht said her only struggle with the horizontals was because it was like trying to mesh together two different time periods. She said if the columns had been turned, a smaller turn with a flat section and then the turned area and then the flat below, it would be more in keeping with this type of a rail plan - a little more high Victorian, as opposed to classic. Licht said the house is kind of an interesting mixture. She said she had wondered if the porch was original. Kinsey said she did not know, except that it would have been quite a deal to join, the way the roof comes down. Licht said that was true, but the porch is such a classic piece compared to the Victorian house, with all the fish scales. Anderson said the Commission had discussed approving a cedi~cate of appropriateness, not for the plan as shown, but for a porch rail using either turned or square spindles. Kinsey asked if they should be turned or square. Anderson said the Commission could leave that to her. Licht said she thought she should use square. Kugler said a recent project on College Street that was reviewed involved a discussion of spindle dimensions. He asked if the Commission wanted to raise that issue since it was raised in the past. Licht said she was less concerned about that here because the porch is so small; the only place there will be a rail is between the two sections. Kinsey said she had some 2-inch stock left over from another project that she would be using. Licht said she should definitely use that. Michaud asked Kinsey if she would walk off the side of the porch to access the garage. Kinsey said the garage is in the back. Licht asked Kinsey if she would take the rail around the corner and form an "L", and Kinsey confirmed this. Kinsey showed where it would have a rail. MOTION: Malkmus moved that the Historic Preservation Commission issue a Certificate of Appropriateness for 325 Brown Street for the design as submitted, with the condition that the spindles on the railing be vertical either turned or square, whichever is the owner's preference. Shope seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 7-0. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 5:25 p.m. ppdadm/min/hpc8-2-99.doc MINUTES IOWA CITY HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION TUESDAY, AUGUST 31, 1999, 5:30 PM CIVIC CENTER LOBBY CONFERENCE ROOM 'PRELIMINAR' Subject to Approval MEMBERS PRESENT: Lars Anderson, Frank Gersh, Richard Carlson, Michaelanne Widness, Sue licht, Mike Gunn MEMBERS ABSENT: Marc Mills, Linda Shope, Doris Malkmus STAFF PRESENT: Scott Kugler OTHERS PRESENT: Steve van'der Woude CALL TO ORDER: Anderson called the meeting to order at 5:40 p.m. CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS REVIEW: 731 North Van Buren Kugler explained that this residence recently sustained damage by a fire with a portion of the rear (SE corner) of the home being damaged. There is a bathroom upstairs that was destroyed. van der Woude would like to rebuild the bathroom; however the bathroom is non-conforming by not having the necessary ceiling height. In an attempt to rebuild it he would like to add a dormer to gain ceiling height. van der Woude said the dormer would very closely match an existing dormer on the west side of the house. The dormer will be built from 40-48" in size to match the other dormer. The other dormer is 40". All else will be built as originally constructed. Gunn inquired if the proposed window is double hung. van der Woude said he had not yet decided, but would if the Commission felt it was appropriate. MOTION: Widness moved to accept the certificate as proposed, with the condition that a double hung window be used in the new dormer. Licht seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of 6-0. WINDOW REPLACEMENT INQUIRY Kugler explained that a request has been received for sash replacements on a home. The window frame and trim would remain in place, but the sashes would be new. Kugler presented to the commission the issue of whether this needs to be reviewed by the full commission, or that it possibly could be handled as a certificate of no material effect. Licht commented she would like to these issues brought before the commission since there are numerous replacement window options. Until there are some standards to guide staff on this item specifically, she would rather have the commission review these requests. There was consensus among the commission that these items should go before the full commission for the time being. EMMA HARVAT NOMINATION Kugler discussed the addition of the Original Town Plat, Phase II multiple property document to the Emma Harvat national register nomination. He noted that it may result in increased costs of a few hundred dollars due to additional work needed to blend the two together. Historic Prese~ation Commission August31,1999 Page 2 The consensus of the commission was to have the addendum made to the nomination as long as funds were available without having to utilize funds earmarked for the brochure printing. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 P.M. Submitted by Le Ann Dunne-Tyson ppdadrrVmin/hpc8-31-99,doc IOWA CITY HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1999 - 5:30 P.M. CIVIC CENTER COUNCIL CHAMBERS PRELIMINAR' Subject to Approval MEMBERS PRESENT: Lars Anderson, Richard Carlson, Frank Gersh, Mike Gunn, Sue Licht, Doris Malkmus, Pam Michaud, Linda Shope, Michaelanne Widness MEMBERS ABSENT: Marc Mills STAFF PRESENT: Scott Kugler OTHERS PRESENT: John Roffman CALL TO ORDER: Anderson called the meeting to order at 5:34 p.m. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA: There were no items. CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS: 715 S. SUMMIT STREET: Kugler said that this was an application for replacing the sashes of windows. He said this was discussed previously at a special meeting where commissioners discussed the possibility of allowing this as a Certificate of No Material Effect. However, the commission was concerned about this idea because not all replacement packages would be appropriate, and some standards are needed to guide staff in making its decision. Kugler said that he had suggested that they set up some standards for the width of the sash so that they could approve this through a Certificate of No Material Effect. Anderson asked if the proposed replacement sash would be consistent with the existing windows. Kugler said that he visited the property but did not have all of the details of the existing windows. Anderson asked if, as part of the conditions of the Certificate, they could indicate that the sash width be comparable to the existing window. Gersh added that the sash should not be vinyl because vinyl is difficult to paint. Kugler said that the description noted aluminum or wood. He added that aluminum can be painted, and the applicant is planning to go with aluminum clad white sashes. Michaud asked if the Commission would want to recommend dark sashes, as this would be more historically accurate. Kugler responded that the problem is only half of the windows would be replaced and the rest are white. John Roffman arrived at the meeting with an example of the actual sash. He demonstrated how the window would look from the outside. Malkmus asked if the track for the upper sash could be seen from the outside. Roffman said that you could see it if you were looking closely; however, there will be a full screen on the outside that will help cover this. The screen is aluminum painted white. Motion: Malkmus moved to issue a certificate of appropriateness for the property at 715 South Summit Street to allow the sash replacements using the white, double-hung, aluminum-clad Marvin Tilt Pac sash replacement system. Carlson said that he questioned replacing so much original material and asked if anyone else thought that they were writing this off fairly quickly. Michaud questioned whether the house would have multiple panes. Roffman said that it would not have multiple panes except for the third floor. However, from the outside, the third-floor windows would look like double-hung Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission Minutes September 9, 1999 Page 2 windows. Michaud asked why the entire sashes were being replaced. Roffman said it was because they were rotten with single-strength glass and washing the windows had to done from the outside. Anderson pointed out that this was the property owner who brought in someone to talk at the City Council meeting where a change to the building code was being discussed to make this review possible in the first place. He said these types of windows were discussed at that meeting. Gunn said that he was present at the meeting and had commented that there were times when any alteration to the original windows would be unacceptable because of their historical significance. But in the case of a home with traditional double-hung windows that were replaced with sashes that looked the same from the outside, he thought the Commission would be inclined to accept them. Anderson said that he agreed with Gunn because homeowners would save energy. In addition, elderly homeowners may have a more difficult time cleaning the windows and a tiltable sash would definitely be convenient. Gersh asked why the homeowners would not want a wood sash. Roffman said because there would not be as much maintenance in terms of painting. The rest of the house had been covered with aluminum and is virtually "maintenance-free." Kugler said that the Secretary of the Interior's standards recommends using the original materials if possible. If that cannot be done, the standards recommend replacing with like materials or materials that give the same visual appearance as the original. Following the standards to the letter might be to look first toward rehabilitating the windows in some way. Kugler said that would be up to the Commission. Anderson said that he thought Council might regret giving the Commission this authority if they started to refuse people the right to replace windows. He added that this does not mean that they should not do this in certain instances. Widness said that she has been in this situation and realizes the choices are not good. She said . windows get so old and creaky and are very expensive to try to fix, so it is very attractive to have a window that is draft-free and easy to clean. She said that she would not say no to this type of improvement. Gersh said that this is similar to the economics argument that they have had with some other projects. This is a new invention and, in the long run, the windows may be less expensive. Malkmus said considering the price of the windows, she does not see how there would be any immediate economic benefit. Michaud said that you could, however, be fairly uncomfortable with windows that are drafty. Michaud said that she would assume that the owners are sufficiently discouraged with the current windows. Malkmus disagreed and said that the Commission should not assume this because some people think that replacing windows is simply part of maintenance. She said that she would like to see the Commission stand behind people who want to improve the existing windows, and educate the public that replacement not be a first choice. Gunn said that on future projects, they may want to recommend wood rather than aluminum- clad in order to maintain the paint scheme. He is concerned that people may be happy with the white sash and not try to paint it. Roffman pointed out that the sash could be painted. If at some point in the future the siding is pulled off and a more appropriate paint job is completed, the windows will not impede any changes in the color scheme. Gunn said that he is happier with the decision if the sash can be painted. Widness seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of 6-2. (Michaud and Carlson against) (Licht had not yet arrived at the meeting.) Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission Minutes September 9, 1999 Page 3 Anderson suggested that the Commission have a discussion about windows on a future agenda. Widness said that she thought they had discussed this and that it did not come as a surprise to her. Shope said that new information is coming out all of the time. Gersh said that the sashes also come in wood and the Commission can regulate whether wood or aluminum- clad windows can be used. Widness said that she was not aware of that and perhaps they should discuss it. Anderson said the issue is basically the material and is similar to the siding issue that they have never completely resolved. He said that he thought they had agreed so far to review the material on a district-by-district basis. For example, aluminum may be appropriate on one street but not another. Michaud said that she would be more concerned about the color of the windows. Anderson said although the Commission has a say in the materials, they cannot regulate the color. DISCUSSION OF PROCEDURES/ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS - APPEAL ISSUE: Kugler suggested that the Commission table this discussion until the minutes from the previous meeting were complete unless the commissioners could reconstruct the conversation for the members who were not in attendance at the previous meeting. Anderson explained that the Commission had been discussing the possibility of broadening the right to appeal a decision by the Commission. Currently, the property owner can appeal. If this were broadened, people other than the property owner (such as neighbors) would also have the right to appeal the Commission's decisions to Council. He asked if it would be helpful to just take a straw poll vote to see how many commissioners were in favor of moving forward with this. There would be another public hearing if they decided to go forward. Malkmus, Gersh, and Shope were in favor of discussing the possibility further. Michaud, Carlson, Widness, and Gunn were not in favor of moving forward with this. Anderson said that he would be leaning towards not moving forward with this. Widness said that if the amount of time that would be spent on attempting to shepherd this through were instead spent on getting decent procedures and guidelines in place, and going out to neighborhoods and educating the public, the Commission would be light-years ahead. Licht arrived at the meeting. She said that she would not be in favor of moving forward. Anderson asked those who wished to move forward if they would be comfortable with this decision. Malkmus asked if the City Council were looking to the Commission to incorporate a right to appeal on principal. If the Commission were not to move ahead, they should come up with a list of precedents for not having the right to appeal. She said that if they choose not to do this, the Commission would be hard-pressed because the National Trust frequently says to make sure to include a right to appeal in the Historic District guidelines. Anderson stated that Mills had a book from the National Trust that included national ordinances and many included a right to appeal. He added that, in principal, he believes this is a good idea. However, the amount of effort it would take seems more than it is worth. Licht commented that the Commission had been reviewing this for six months prior to her joining the Commission and had done the research on it, yet the group was still split on whether they should go forward with broadening the right to appeal. She asked if the Commission could write a memo on the pros and cons for the Council. If the Council then wants the Commission to re-address it, they could at that time. Malkmus expressed concern that they may be alienating the people who are interested in historic preservation if they do not move forward with this. Licht said that there will be people Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission Minutes September 9, 1999 Page 4 who are unhappy no matter what. Licht added that a lot of people she had talked to in the neighborhoods were not concerned in general about broadening the right to appeal. Gunn said that, as the Summit Street representative, he has heard nothing on the right to appeal. However, he would like to present the Commission's opinion. He noted that last year the Council initiated this. He said if the Council still has an interest, they can then tell us to go forward. Anderson and would discuss Commission's would be good Kugler agreed to draft a memo to Council prior to the next meeting. The memo what the Commission has done, what the various arguments are, and the opinions for not wanting to pursue this further. Commissioners agreed that it to let the Council know the process they went through in arriving at this decision. DISCUSSION OF MONTGOMERY-BUTLER HOUSE: Malkmus said that after the last meeting, Marlys Svendsen sent the Commission an application for a planning grant. However, the deadline for the grant was imminent so they decided not to pursue this particular grant. Malkmus then asked Joyce Barrett of the Iowa Historic Preservation Alliance if she would be interested in working on this. Barrett called Save Our Treasures but found that they are only interested in high profile, national, large-budget projects. Malkmus said that Barrett knows a lot about funding sources and believed the Preservation Service Fund (PSF) grant would be a more likely source for funding. Barrett also thought the TEA-21 funds would be a possibility. Malkmus asked Licht if she knew more about this grant. Licht said that the Department of Transportation has two teams divided up geographically. Engineering firms and professional consultants on the teams are available to assist people at different levels. Part of the teams' duties include overseeing the projects after they are funded to make sure that the Secretary of the Interior's Standards are met. The teams also meet with clients who are in the process of putting together an application and proposal. Kugler said that in order to have a link to transportation, the TEA-21 grant would depend on naming the house as part of the trail. Malkmus said that although the TEA-21 grant has been part of the discussion, she does not know how the house would fit in as part of a trailhead. Malkmus said the PSF grant application is due October 21 and the City would have to provide matching funds. The grant is $2,000 and the City would need to match this amount. If the Commission chooses to apply for the TEA-21, people from the HPC, trails, and the City would need to meet with the people who would be contracted to do this plan. Licht said that she thought the building may also be eligible for the Historic Sites Grants, which are also State funds. For this grant, the building does not have to be listed on the National Register, but the applicant does have to have equal matching funds. The lowest amount that could be asked for is $40,000 and the highest $100,000. This is the second year for the program through the State Historical Society. She said that it may be too late for this year but would be an excellent source of funding for next year. Once the planning phase for the house is complete, they could start working on the grant application. Licht said that she plans to contact Malkmus to get an idea of what it would take to pull this together for a PSF grant and whether $4,000 (the grant plus the City's matching funds) would be enough. Malkmus said the Commission has not yet discussed specifically what they would like to see happen with the building. Michaud suggested doing something similar to the Indian Creek Nature Trail nature center. The center has natural history exhibits, trails, tourist events, etc. Licht said that the Commission should find out if there is public support for using this type of facility. She added that she was Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission Minutes September 9, 1999 Page 5 concerned that there would not be another TEA grant for three years. Malkmus said that she did not see anything wrong with working on a plan over the next three years. Licht agreed that a review committee would be more likely to offer the grant if the Commission had a good sense of what the funds would be used for. She said that the Commission also might want to contact a consultant about whether they could apply for the planning funds now and the "bricks and mortar' funds for the building later. DISCUSSION OF SURVEY PROJECTS: 1. Downtown Survey 2. Original Town Plat, Phase III Survey Kugler said that these appear on the agenda to let everyone know that the projects are underway and that a neighborhood meeting for the Phase III area would be scheduled later in September. He said he would let everyone know of the date and time so that some commissioners could be present. A meeting will also be held with the Downtown Association and all downtown property owners. Widness asked what would happen at the Downtown Survey meeting. Kugler said that before a survey is conducted, the City typically lets all property owners know that the survey is going on, what they can do to help, and ask if there are any volunteers, etc. He wasn't sure what Svendsen had specifically planned. He said that Svendsen does want to find people willing to be on a committee to help out with collecting information. COMMISSION INFORMATION/DISCUSSION: 1. Commission Time. Gunn said that he looked at some plans for a garage on a property on East College Street that may come before the Commission soon. He said that he wanted to let commissioners know because this may be a vinyl siding issue. Commissioners informally discussed what their concerns are with vinyl siding in historic districts. 2. Dynamic Partnerships: Historic Preservation and Economic Development, Urban Design and Preservation Quarterly, August 1999 Widness said that she believed this article should be sent to City Council because the article discusses the economic benefits of historic preservation. She said there are hard facts in the article that may be persuasive to property owners for preserving buildings rather than covering them up. She said that in the meeting with the Downtown Association, the Commission needs to make it clear that there is a cause and effect relationship between economic boosts in downtown areas and restoration of historic properties, that the Commission does not just want to make things "quaint," and that there is a real purpose to the survey. Malkmus believes that the City should figure out what they want to do where and get a sense of the identity of downtown. She said that an architectural visual presence is important to the economic conditions of the downtown district; however, they should not limit this to historic. Iowa City is different and they should try to capitalize on the mixed architecture. Anderson commented that he did not see anything wrong with modern architecture. Widness said that she agreed because some buildings are not worth saving. But she also wanted to point out that on the other hand, they should not try to cover everything up with a new facade like other cities are doing. She said that Iowa City has history and authenticity. The real part of Iowa City needs to be exposed rather than some artificial thing that will make Iowa City a better competitor with the suburbs. Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission Minutes September 9, 1999 Page 6 Widness said that she would be willing to work with Svendsen as a representative of the Commission. Commissioners agreed that she would be effective in conveying that the survey is being conducted because the City needs to understand what it has as a resource. Malkmus said that she thought Widness would also be a good person to speak to Council about the survey. Widness said that she would be willing to speak before Council as well. Anderson said that this would go along with the Council's meetings about urban revitalization. 3. 1999 Governor's Conference on Volunteer Service Kugler said that this was an FYI. He also passed around a flyer for an Iowa Avenue Streetscape Improvement session meeting. ADJOURNMENT: MOTION: Widness moved to adjourn the meeting. Carlson seconded the motion. The motion was carried by a vote of 9-0. The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m. Minutes submitted by Wendy Larive. ppdadm/min/hpc9-9-99.doc