HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-05-20 Public hearings'::�" .6
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will
be held by the City Council of Iowa City, Iowa, at
7:00 p.m. on the 20th day of May, 2014, in Emma
J. Harvat Hall, 410 E. Washington Street, Iowa
City, Iowa, or if said meeting is cancelled, at the
next meeting of the City Council thereafter as
posted by the City Clerk; at which hearing the
Council will consider:
1. A resolution approving an
amendment to the Comprehensive
Plan: Downtown and Riverfront
Crossings Plan to include a section
on affordable housing;
2. A rezoning ordinance to designate
the Goosetown /Horace Mann
Conservation District as a
Conservation District Overlay (OCD)
zone.
Copies of the proposed ordinances and
resolutions are on file for public examination in the
office of the City Clerk, City Hall, Iowa City, Iowa.
Persons wishing to make their views known for
Council consideration are encouraged to appear
at the above - mentioned time and place.
MARIAN K. KARR, CITY CLERK
l-
CITY OF IOWA CITY
MEMORANDUM
Date: April 17, 2014
To: Planning and Zoning Commission
From: Bailee McClellan, Planning Intern
RE: REZ14 -00004 Goosetown /Horace Mann Conservation District
Background
The Historic Preservation Commission has submitted an application requesting a rezoning
for a Conservation District Overlay (OCD) zone for the Goosetown /Horace Mann
Conservation District, the neighborhood surrounding Horace Mann Elementary School.
The purpose of the OCD zone is to:
1. Conserve the unique characteristics of older neighborhoods and resources, including
their architectural, historical and aesthetic qualities;
2. Provide for design review of new construction or alteration of existing resources to
assure compatibility with the existing character of older neighborhoods and preserve
the historic integrity of the resource;
3. Encourage the retention, rehabilitation and appropriate maintenance of existing
buildings, structures and sites in older neighborhoods;
4. Stabilize property values and encourage reinvestment in older neighborhoods; and
5. Protect the environmental setting of historic landmarks and historic districts through
the designation of conservation districts adjacent to historic landmarks and historic
districts.
Historic Preservation Commission Review
The Historic Preservation Commission has evaluated the historic significance of the
proposed district and reviewed the criteria for conservation district designation as described
above. On March 13, 2014 the Commission voted to recommend approval of the
designation of the Goosetown /Horace Mann Conservation District as an OCD zone. A copy
of the Goosetown /Horace Mann Conservation District Nomination Report that was the basis
of the Historic Preservation Commission's recommendation is attached.
If the Conservation District is approved, any significant alterations to the exterior of existing
buildings and any new construction within the district will require Historic Preservation
Commission approval.
Planning and Zoning Commission Review
Local conservation districts are created by zoning overlays and therefore require a
recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission to City Council. The role of the
Commission is to determine if the proposed Conservation District is compatible with the
City's Comprehensive Plan and any proposed public improvements and any other plans for
renewal of the area.
The Comprehensive Plan encourages the preservation of historic resources and
reinvestment in established neighborhoods to help "preserve the culture, history, and
April 11, 2014
Page 2
identity of Iowa City. It also encourages the preservation of the integrity of existing
neighborhoods and the historic nature of older neighborhoods. The Central District Plan
indicates that the Iowa City Historic Preservation Plan should be supported. Elements of the
Historic Preservation Plan include designating Goosetown as a local conservation district
and protecting and maintaining Iowa City's historic resources. The goals of the conservation
district would also be consistent with the Iowa City Strategic Plan priority of maintaining
healthy neighborhoods.
The existing zoning that applies to the area includes Medium Density Single Family
Residential (RS -8), Neighborhood Stabilization Residential (RNS -12), and Neighborhood
Stabilization Residential (RNS -20) (see attached location map). The proposed
Conservation District would further the goals for all three of the underlying zoning districts as
noted below.
The zoning code states: The purpose of the Medium Density Single- Family Residential
Zone (RS -8) is primarily to provide for the development of small lot single - family
dwellings. The regulations are intended to create, maintain, and promote livable
neighborhoods. The regulations allow for some flexibility of dwelling types to
provide housing opportunities for a variety of household types. Special attention
should be given to site design to ensure the development of quality neighborhoods.
Nonresidential uses and structures permitted in this zone should be planned and
designed to be compatible with the character, scale, and pattern of the residential
development.
The RNS -12 zone applies to approximately half of the area. The zoning code states: The
purpose of the Neighborhood Stabilization Residential Zone (RNS -12) is to stabilize
certain existing residential neighborhoods by preserving the predominantly single -
family residential character of these neighborhoods. Provisions in this zone prevent
the conversion or redevelopment of single family uses to multi - family uses. However,
existing conforming multi - family uses retain their conforming status when rezoned to
RNS -12.
The RNS -20 zone applies to seven properties located on the south side of Jefferson Street
on the southern edge of the proposed Conservation District. The zoning code states: The
purpose of the Neighborhood Stabilization Residential Zone (RNS -20) is to stabilize
and preserve the character of older neighborhoods that contain a mix of single family
housing, duplexes, single family structures that have been converted to multi - family
housing, and properties that have been redeveloped with multi - family housing.
Higher density multi - family uses that were conforming prior to rezoning to RNS -20
remain conforming when rezoned to RNS -20. Conversions and redevelopment may
occur up to the density allowed in this zone. Most of the properties in this area are at the
maximum density allowed by the RNS -20 zone. The application of the Conservation District
will help assure that any redevelopment is compatible with the neighborhood.
The Conservation District would complement the City's recent investment in North Market
Square Park and the Neighborhood Art Program that has provided the Goosetown and
Northside street markers. It would also demonstrate further support for the UniverCity
Neighborhood Partnership Program and the community's work with the school district to
maintain Horace Mann as a viable neighborhood school. Based on these factors, staff finds
April 11, 2014
Page 3
that the proposed Goosetown /Horace Mann Conservation District is in compliance with the
goals and policies of the Comprehensive Plan and the Strategic Plan.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends approval of REZ14- 00004, an application to designate the
Goosetown /Horace Mann Conservation District as a Conservation District Overlay (OCD)
zone.
Attachments
1. Location Map
2. Goosetown /Horace Mann Conservation District Nomination Report
3. Correspondence
Approved by:
Robert Miklo, Senior Planner,
Department of Neighborhood and Development Services
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Proposed
Goosetown-
Horace Mann
Conservation
District
Goosetown /Horace Mann Conservation District Nomination Report
Iowa City Historic Preservation March 2014
The Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission is considering the nomination of Iowa City's fifth
conservation district. The proposed district will be known as the Goosetown /Horace Mann Conservation
District and will consist of properties along the following streets: Davenport, North Dodge t, North
Lucas, Church, Ronalds, North Gilbert, North Johnson, Jefferson, Market, Bloomington, North Governor,
North Van Buren and Fairchild.
Proposed Goosetown /Horace Mann Conservation District
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Two historic and architectural surveys have been completed for the portions of the Northside
Neighborhood surrounding Horace Mann Elementary School to identify areas potentially eligible for
listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Jan Nash, ofTallgrass Historians, L.C.,
completed the Survey and Evaluation of a Portion of the Original Town Plat of Iowa City in April 1997,
which included the area bounded by Ronalds, Fairchild, Governor and Linn Streets. Marlys A. Svendsen,
of Svendsen Tyler Inc., completed the Survey and Evaluation of the Original Town Plat Phase 11 Area in
June 1999, which included the area bounded by Fairchild Street, Jefferson Street, Governor Street, and
Linn Street.
Original Town Plat Survey Phases I and 11
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These surveys resulted in the listing of the Northside and Jefferson Street Historic Districts and the
expansion of the Brown Street Historic District to include Ronalds Street between Van Buren and
Governor Streets. The surveys found that areas adjacent to these districts were also historically
significant, although not possessing the historic and architectural integrity required for a historic district.
The Northside Neighborhood Association has asked the Historic Preservation Commission to review the
portions of the Northside and Goosetown Neighborhoods surrounding Horace Mann School to
determine if the area qualifies as a conservation district under Iowa City s conservation district
ordinance.
Definition of a Conservation District: Conservation district designation is a tool available to the City to
help preserve the existing character of a neighborhood or streetscape. Because the conservation district
is applicable to different types of neighborhoods, there is a great deal of flexibility in how these districts
may be defined and regulated. To qualify for consideration as a conservation district, a majority of
buildings within a specified area must be at least 50 years old (the table below illustrates the ages of the
buildings within the proposed district). In addition, the district must represent the traditional character
of Iowa City neighborhoods through architectural characteristics and building patterns, exemplify
development patterns significant in Iowa City history or tradition, or represent unique or unusual
character that creates a distinctiveness. The degree to which a proposed district meets these criteria is
determined by the Historic Preservation Commission, the body responsible for nominating a district for
designation.
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Conservation districts are noted on the Zoning Map as Conservation District Overlays (OCD). The
purpose of this overlay zone is to:
1. Conserve the unique characteristics of older neighborhoods and resources, including their
architectural, historical and aesthetic qualities;
2. Provide for design review of new construction or alteration of existing resources to assure
compatibility with the existing character of older neighborhoods and preserve the historic
integrity of the resource;
3. Encourage the retention, rehabilitation and appropriate maintenance of existing buildings,
structures and sites in older neighborhoods;
4. Stabilize property values and encourage reinvestment in older neighborhoods; and
5. Protect the environmental setting of historic landmarks and historic districts through the
designation of conservation districts adjacent to historic landmarks and historic districts.
Conservation district designation can be an effective tool to help preserve the character and remaining
historic resources of the Northside and Goosetown Neighborhoods. Designation will also provide a
buffer for the Northside and Brown Street Historic Districts that are adjacent to the proposed
Goosetown /Horace Mann Conservation District. It is hoped that, once designated, this district will begin
to experience the same type of investment and improvement that has been occurring within other
designated conservation districts, such as the College Hill, Clark Street, and Dearborn Street
conservation districts. It is possible that as houses are improved over time, portions of the district may
become eligible for historic district status.
Study of the characteristics of the proposed Conservation District Overlay Zone, including
architectural characteristics, elements of the streetscape, physical conditions of buildings, age of
buildings, and property ownership patterns:
The following descriptions of the Northside and Goosetown Neighborhoods are excerpts from the Survey
and Evaluation of the Original Town Plat Phase I written by architectural historian Jan Nash for the City
Historic Preservation Commission in 1997. They pertain to the area of the proposed Goosetown /Horace
Mann Conservation District north of Fairchild Street.
The development of the North Side occurred over more than nine decades and resulted in series of
neighborhoods distinguished by visual appearance, historical associations, and principal periods of
development.... Residential development in this area was favored by proximity to Capitol Square
and the University. No railroad trackage or watercourse separated this area from these institutions
or the downtown. Modest terrain changes allowed north -south streets to be developed with gentle
slopes rising toward the north. These factors combined to make this area attractive to some of the
city's earliest merchants [and] professionals.
Though the entire survey area is within easy walking distance of both downtown and the university
campus, close proximity to these locations would have influenced the choice of residences of school
faculty and staff with the southern and western streets in the survey area preferred over addresses
more distant ... Early city directories (1850s- 1870s) reveal the mix of residents in the present
survey area included many people in the craftsmen trades — carpenters and stone cutters, for
example— residing alongside the families of salespeople and merchants who worked downtown.
Later city directories in the twentieth century confirm this mix of residents continued, with working
and middle class occupations represented at addresses throughout.
A long tradition of student housing exists in the neighborhood with many residences providing
quarters for a single roomer or a full house of boarders. [Proximity to campus appears to influence
the overall number of students housed within the survey area; the farther from campus, the fewer
students. This appears to have been especially true in the northeast corner of the survey area, in the
area approaching the traditional Goosetown neighborhood where there remain more single family
houses on original, full -sized lots.] The income from such arrangements accounted for many of the
expansions and alterations made to houses through the years. The growth of student enrollments
after 1900 also made the neighborhood a likely candidate for redevelopment – smaller, outdated
houses were razed or moved to make way for larger residences.
The Near North Side was home to a cross section of Iowa City's population including Germans and
Bohemians as well as native born Americans from eastern and Midwestern states. Both of these
immigrant groups had meeting halls in and near the neighborhood ... As was the fashion in the
nineteenth century, residents of the neighborhood combined business uses with their homes... The
churches envisioned by town planners when reservations were set aside [in the Original Town Plat]
for their construction along Church Street were never built. Another institutional building, the
Horace Mann Elementary School was constructed in the survey area, also along Dodge Street, in the
early twentieth century to replace the smaller ward school. Building a bigger school at this location
was a response to a growing neighborhood population and may have reflected the trend toward
school consolidations. Once built, however, its presence in the neighborhood likely facilitated more
growth.
4
Redevelopment in the late twentieth century differed from the slower, organic changes of the
nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Student housing needs soared in the 1960s and 1970s and
the same factors which had made the Near North Side a convenient residential choice for University
faculty and student boarders in 1900 made the area ideal for development of apartment houses.
This new housing took the form of four and six -unit buildings constructed of brick [veneer] with
mansard roofs. Construction of these "mansard plexes" had declined by the late 1980s following
passage of zoning changes making apartment construction more difficult in the North Side.
The eastern streets within the survey area — Governor, Lucas and Dodge, especially, and the
east /west connectors of Ronalds and Church between them —are traditionally included in the ethnic
neighborhood known as Goosetown. Goosetown has also been previously studied by a number of
researchers and a context is provided for it in "Historic Resources of Iowa City, Iowa."
The Bohemian community in Iowa City put great value on self- sufficiency, home ownership, family,
patriotism, and the culture of their homeland. These values are manifested in visual reminders still
evident in Goosetown. Self- sufficiency is evidenced in utilitarian landscape features such as rhubarb
patches, fruit trees, and grape arbors. To increase the prospects of home ownership, Bohemians
were willing to buy affordable, modest houses on small lots. Members of the same family would
often share quarters or build houses near one another out of a sense of familial closeness or
economic self - reliance.
In addition to the development pattern of Goosetown and the continued presence of important
ethnic institutions, a good many of individual residences built and occupied by multiple generations
of working class Bohemian families survive. Not prominent individually, the continued presence of
these modest, vernacular houses identify this neighborhood as distinct from other older housing
districts in Iowa City. The small scale of many of these buildings has accounted for many of the
subsequent additions and porch enclosures... despite these changes, portions of the neighborhood
retain much of the visual character and historical associations of early Goosetown.
The following descriptions of the Northside and Goosetown Neighborhoods are excerpts from the Survey
and Evaluation of the Original Town Plat Phase 11 written by architectural historian Marlys Svendsen for
the City Historic Preservation Commission in 1999. They pertain to the area of the proposed
Goosetown /Horace Mann Conservation District south of Davenport Street.
Between 1840 and 1900, the north central portion of the Original Town Plat underwent various
stages of commercial and industrial building, residential development, and institution building. At
times these land uses were clustered on adjoining lots and contiguous blocks. At others they were
sprinkled throughout the Phase II Area and along its borders. Two neighborhood names came to be
associated with this part of Iowa City. The "North Side" was a local term traditionally used to
describe both the commercial and residential areas north of downtown. " Goosetown" was the
name for the northeast section of Iowa City populated by Bohemian and German immigrants. The
settlement patterns associated with each of these developments are discussed below.
In general, residential buildings followed the styles, materials, and construction practices of national
trends with several local variations. For example, the continued presence of skilled stone masons
and cutters after completion of the Capitol (a total of 85 in 1856) encouraged a continuation of
stone construction. A commensurate number of skilled brick makers and bricklayers (a total of 80 in
1856) and a good source of local clay allowed for the continued use of bricks both for public and
5
private building projects. Surviving residential examples from the Territorial and Early Statehood Era
(1839 -1857) in the Phase II Area include the following:
James Templin House 729 East Market brick ca. 1850
Schindhelm -Drews House 410 North Lucas stone ca. 1855 NRHP
729 E. Market Street
410 N. Lucas Street
The decade of the 1870s brought renewed growth in population and house building to the Phase II
Area. Citywide population grew steadily throughout the decade from 5,914 in 1870 to 7,123in 1880.
At least 20 houses in the Phase II Area survive from this decade of homebuilding. A handful were
built for Bohemian residents in the Goosetown section of the Phase 11 Area. Some are examples for
unadorned vernacular house forms while others incorporated forms and decorative elements of
popular architectural styles of the day. A few continued the tradition of small house building while a
greater number were full 2 -story in scale. A number of the houses continued the tradition of using
brick as a construction medium. Approximately half of the houses dating from this decade survive
with their original appearances substantially intact.
The two decades preceding the turn of the century saw population grow at a more modest rate than
the decade of the 1870s. Citywide population actually declined slightly between 1880 and 1890
rising again to 7,987 by 1900. The decade of the 1880s saw several dozen new dwellings appear in
the Phase II Area with nearly two- thirds east of Dodge Street in Goosetown. This is not surprising
since 1885 represented the peak of first generation Bohemian population in Iowa City with census
records documenting 9.3% of the city as native Bohemians.
Approximately one -third of the houses in the Phase II Area from the 1880s survive with their original
appearances substantially intact. They range from modest, one -story Goosetown cottages such as
the Frank and Elizabeth Kohr House built in ca. 1885 at 812 East Davenport Street to larger 2 -story
side - gabled I- houses such as the James and Helen Vitosh House built in 1887 at 830 East
Bloomington Street or the Letvosky - Rohret House (NRHP) built in 1881 by a Bohemian newspaper
publisher and now located at 515 East Davenport Street ...
812 E. Davenport Street 830 E. Bloomington Street
515 E. Davenport Street
Approximately 40 houses built during the decades of the 1890s survive in the Phase II Area. As in the
previous decade, new houses appeared throughout the Phase II Area. More than half located east of
Johnson Street in the portion of the Goosetown neighborhood located within the survey area.
Construction of houses in the western sections of the Phase 11 Area brought increased density to the
neighborhood. Here, lots formerly occupied by a single house now saw two or more dwellings
erected, sometimes requiring the demolition of an earlier building or its removal to a smaller section
of the lot.
Of the new houses built during the decades of the 1890s, at least ten retain their original integrity.
They include several small houses in the Goosetown neighborhood. One is the 1 -story hipped
cottage built by Julia and Charles Boye at 119 N. Governor Street in ca. 1890 and another is the 1-
story side - gabled saltbox built at 329 N. Lucas Street in 1892 by the Tremmel family. Larger side -
gabled 1- houses continued to be built in the neighborhood including that built by the Otte family at
817 E. Davenport in 1890 and the John Peters House at 608 -610 E. Davenport in 1894.
119 N. Governor Street
329 N. Lucas Street
i,
817 E. Davenport Street
608 -610 E. Davenport Street
The gable -front and wing house form gained popularity during the decade with two houses built by
Joseph Cerny, a Bohemian bricklayer, the most important. One was erected at 718 E. Davenport
Street ca. 1890 ... Others located in the Goosetown section included the Hervert House occupied
by brothers Joseph and Frank Hervert beginning in ca. 1890 located at 716 Bloomington Street and
the Bittner family residence located at 816 -818 E. Market Street and constructed in ca. 1895.
718 E. Davenport Street 716 Bloomington Street
Citywide residential development trends in evidence as the century drew to a close were in
evidence in the Phase II Area. New houses were getting larger, building parcels smaller, and the
setbacks more uniform. An examination of building records and Sanborn maps depicting the Phase II
Area shows that of the more than 200 houses in place by 1900, approximately 90 survive a century
later. Since then the balance has been razed and replaced by over 200 newer houses, apartment
buildings, and commercial buildings.
At the dawn of the 20`h century, Iowa City's North Side comprised one of the city's most important
residential neighborhoods —a collection of houses described in a contemporary account as "well
designed and constructed.... [with] ample room, some of them being highly ornamental." The
houses had accrued over a 50 -year period representing virtually every architectural style and
vernacular house form popular in Iowa. The next century would see the North Side continue to
maintain its important role as a residential district while continuing to evolve in response to local
population growth, changes in student population, shifts in housing patterns, and changes in real
estate development practices.
Between 1910 and 1919 homebuilding appears to have dropped off slightly in the Phase II Area. This
was likely due to the disruption caused by World War I including the scarcity of building materials, as
well as the popularity of several new suburban neighborhoods including the Rundell Addition
(platted 1908), Manville Heights (platted 1909), Kirkwood and Kirkwood Place (platted 1910), and
Raphael Place (platted 1906).
Boundaries of the Proposed Conservation District Overlay Zone: The proposed boundaries for the
Goosetown /Horace Mann Conservation District are shown in the map on page 1 entitled "Proposed
Goosetown /Horace Mann Conservation District." The map entitled "Proposed Goosetown /Horace Mann
Conservation District Contributing Status" on page 11 identifies properties in the proposed district
boundaries that would contribute to a historic district, properties that contribute to a conservation
district, noncontributing properties, and key properties (see explanations in the following section).
Contributing, Noncontributing, and Key Buildings: Buildings within the proposed district have been
categorized as contributing to a historic district, contributing to a conservation district, noncontributing,
and key.
A building is considered to be contributing to a historic district if it is architecturally significant and /or
associated with a historic person or event. Generally a contributing structure in a historic district must
be more than 50 years old and retain a sense of its original appearance and site configuration. If there
are a sufficient number of properties that contribute to a historic district in an area, the area may qualify
for designation as a historic district. In the Goosetown /Horace Mann Conservation District, there are not
enough properties that contribute to a historic district to warrant designation as a historic district,
therefore a conservation district is recommended to preserve the historic character of these properties
and the neighborhood.
A building is considered to be contributing to a conservation district if it has characteristics of the
original period of construction. The architectural integrity of individual structures is important and can
add significantly to the neighborhood, but in a conservation district it is not crucial that each building
exist in its original, unaltered state. Rather, if the general form, architectural character and roofline of
the house remain relatively intact, even if the individual details have been altered, such as replacement
siding, replacement windows, or front porch alterations or enclosures, the building will be considered
contributing to a conservation district.
If major changes have been made, however, the building will be considered noncontributing. This may
include substantial changes to the roofline, unsympathetic alterations to the facade of the building, an
addition that overwhelms the original structure, or major site alterations that do not fit in the general
character of the district. New buildings or buildings with modern architecture will also be considered
noncontributing.
Key properties are those that have been listed or are individually eligible for listing in the National
Register of Historic Places. Four properties have been identified as key properties and are therefore
eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. These properties are:
• 728 Fairchild Street
• 508 Church Street
The Joseph Cerny House, 718 E. Davenport Street (pictured on page 8)
Lewis and Anna Jiroski (Yavorsky) House, 724 Bloomington Street
728 Fairchild Street
508 Church Street
611 N. Governor Street
Furthermore, three additional properties within the proposed conservation district have already been
listed on the NRHP. They are:
• Schindhelm -Drews House, 410 N. Lucas Street (picture on page 6) Local Landmark
• Letovsky - Rohret House, 515 E. Davenport Street (picture on page 7) Local Landmark
• Issac Wetherby House, 611 N. Governor Street (previously located on Market Street and
pictured above)
The Schindhelm -Drews House and the Letovsky - Rohret House and have been designated local
landmarks. As local historic landmarks, these properties are subject to the Iowa City Preservation
Ordinances and Guidelines and the Secretary of Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. The guidelines
for historic landmarks are more detailed than the guidelines for contributing properties in a
conservation district so as to provide additional protection from inappropriate alterations for these
significant structures.
10
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Of the 265 properties included in the Goosetown/ Horace Mann Conservation District, 192 (72.5
percent) are considered to be contributing: 105 (39.6 percent) to a conservation district and 87 (32.8
percent) to a historic district. Seven properties are identified as key: two of which have already been
designated as Iowa City landmarks and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places; one which is
on the National Resister (but not a local landmark); the other four properties have been identified as
eligible for listing in the NRHP and as Iowa City Historic Landmarks. Only 62 (23.4 percent) of the
properties within the proposed district are considered noncontributing. Additionally, four lots are vacant
or are parking lots and do not contribute to the conservation district.
Guidelines for Alterations and Levels of Review: The guidelines for alterations and construction in
conservation districts are similar to those required for historic districts but offer more flexibility.
Property owners in conservation districts who wish to alter the exterior of their property are subject to
approval by the Historic Preservation Commission and must undergo a minor, intermediate, or major
review depending on the extent of the alterations. Guidelines for the construction of new buildings, and
alterations and rehabilitation of existing buildings, as well as level of review requirements for alteration
permits, can be found in the Iowa City Historic Preservation Handbook, which is available from the
Department of Planning and Community Development and on the City's website at www.icgov.org.
Summary: After studying the proposed Goosetown /Horace Mann Conservation District, staff has
concluded that the designation of this area as a conservation district is warranted. The area retains its
traditional neighborhood character and a sense of time and place, and the vast majority of the
structures within the district contribute toward this character.
The Iowa City Comprehensive Plan and Central District Plan encourage the preservation of historic
resources and the integrity of existing neighborhoods, and reinvestment in older neighborhoods to
maintain the "culture, history, and identity of Iowa City." The City has made significant investments in
the stabilization of older neighborhoods to protect historic resources and promote diverse housing
options that are attractive to families, retirees, professionals, and students. The UniverCity
Neighborhood Partnership, for example, has enhanced the quality of these neighborhoods by
rehabilitating neglected rental properties and restoring them as affordable owner- occupied homes. The
City has also invested in public open spaces, like North Market Square Park, to provide the surrounding
community with valuable gathering and recreational spaces that further promote neighborhood vitality.
The Iowa City Community School District will be completing a historic renovation of Horace Mann
School, the focal point of the neighborhood.
The designation of the Goosetown /Horace Mann Conservation District would complement the existing
Northside and Brown Street Historic Districts and the adjacent College Hill Conservation District,
strengthening the City's commitment to the long -term viability of these traditional neighborhoods and
the preservation of the historic characteristics that make Iowa City unique.
Recommendation: Staff is of the opinion that the proposed Goosetown /Horace Mann Conservation
District meets the criteria for conservation district designation as defined under City Code 14 -36 -2
Conservation Overlay Zone (OCD), and recommends that the proposed Goosetown /Horace Mann
Conservation District be approved.
12
From: David Rust <headwave @aol.com>
Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2014 10:32 AM
To: PlanningZoning Public
Subject: Conservation District Overlay - Horace Mann Elementary School
Greetings;
We support the designation of the neighborhood around Horace Mann Elementary School as a
Conservation District Overlay zone.
We live at 915 Bloomington Street, and have lived in, or adjacent to, the district since 1984. We
think a Conservation District will provide benefits as follows:
It will strengthen the neighborhood,
It will help maintain housing stock,
It will encourage landlords who actively maintain their properties, and,
It will preserve the historic character and livability of the neighborhoods surrounding the
Northside Marketplace and Downtown Iowa City as they continue to revitalize.
We believe that expectations placed on property owners will not be onerous.
Thank you.
Joy Smith & David Rust
319 3517710
joysmi @aol.com
headwave @aol.com
From: Dave Tingwald <tingwald @avalon.net>
Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2014 8:43 AM
To: PlanningZoningPublic
Subject: Support for Horace Mann OCD Zone
Dear Members of the Historic Preservation Commission:
This email is to express support for creation of the proposed Goosetown / Horace Mann historic overlay zone.
I live in and own a key property of the Brown Street Historic District just north of the proposed new overlay zone. Each
day I walk through the proposed district on my way to and from my job at the University, and each day I marvel at the
diverse historic detail of the structures contained within it. This diverse historic detail is worthy of additional protection.
Please vote to establish the proposed overlay zone.
Sincerely,
Dave Tingwald
631 N Dodge St
Iowa City, IA 52245 -2009
tingwald @avalon.net
From: Barbara Smith <hawkhouse1 @hotmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 12:58 PM
To: PlanningZoningPublic
Subject: Attention Janet Dvorsky - Conservation District Proposal
This email is in reponse to your letter concerning the Goosetown/Horace Mann Conservation Distirct.
Our property is at 117 North Lucas St. We oppose the inclusion of this block in the Conservation District
because most of the houses have already been greatly altered. If you feel there are one or two houses in that
block that should be conserved I would agree with that. However, our property as well as others like 721
Market and 804 Jefferson are multiunit rentals remodeled very recently and would not be likely to be restored to
single family dwellings. We feel current zoning prevents these houses from expanding with additions to the
buildings and other alterations. We would like to seek exemption for our property.
Clark and Barbara Smith
From: Christina Welu- Reynolds <chriswelu @g mail. com>
Sent: Thursday, April 17, 2014 9:40 AM
To: PlanningZoningPublic; Bob Miklo
Subject: Goosetown /Horace Mann Conservation District
I am writing to support the proposed Goosetown/Horace Mann Conservation District which aims to preserve the
unique characteristics of our older neighborhoods. The Goosetown/Horace Mann Conservation District would
encourage reinvestment in our older neighborhoods and help to stabilize property values. The majority of the
properties in the proposed district were built between 1891 and 1900 and some go back as far as 1841 to
1850. These properties should be protected for the next 100+ years.
A concern I have heard about creating the conservation district is that a little more than half of the properties in
the proposed conservation district are rental properties. A rental property is not exempt from being a positive
contributor to a neighborhood. Owners of rental properties have the same responsibilities of upkeep and
stewardship as homeowners. Iowa Avenue is an excellent example of a high rental conservation district.
As a homeowner my home is my investment. What happens with the homes on my street and in the
surrounding neighborhood has a direct effect on the return of my investment. I improve my investment, which
improves the investment of my neighbors, when I make stylistic upgrades and repairs to my home, when I
support the local elementary school, when I support the local parks and when I am a patron to the local shops
and eateries. Investing in a property is not only an investment in the physical property itself, it is also an
investment in the neighborhood and the responsibilities that go along with that.
Those concerned about the proposed conservation district may also believe that owning a property in a
conservation district means expensive repairs and an overall increase of maintenance costs. As the owner of a
home in a historical district I have not found this to be the case. My husband and I are both public school
teachers in Iowa City and we have two children in elementary school so our finances are limited. When we
purchased our home it was a definite fixer- upper. We prioritized the repairs needed, utilized materials from the
Salvage Barn and local businesses, and made the repairs knowing that the home we were preserving would most
likely be around for another 100 years. Three years ago we decided to bump out our kitchen by 5 feet. We
realized that this project would require the approval of the Historical Preservation Commission. With the help
of our contractor a plan was created and we presented the information to the Commission. Our plan was
approved. We experienced no hassle or added expense to the plan we created simply because we lived in a
historical district. The kitchen addition we proposed kept with the character of the home and we found all
materials needed at the Salvage Barn or local businesses. There are many families like us in our
neighborhood. We would not be able to live in a historic neighborhood if there were high hidden costs. In fact,
we have found that preserving what has been here for the past 100 years is affordable and environmentally
friendly.
The designation of the Goosetown/Horace Mann Conservation District is warranted and highly overdue. It will
help to preserve the historic nature of our existing neighborhoods and encourage reinvestment in our older
neighborhoods. I support this proposal and hope that it becomes a reality.
Thank you,
Christina Welu- Reynolds 619 Brown Street
From: Klaus, Carl H <carl -klaus @uiowa.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2014 11:18 AM
To: Bob Miklo
Cc: Marybeth Slonneger; sclark52245 @gmail.com; mike.wright.1107 @ gmail.com
Subject: Goosetown /Horace Mann Conservation District
As I indicated in my March appearance at the City Council, I definitely favor the proposed Goosetown/Horace
Mann Conservation District, for it will unquestionably help to protect historic properties in the area and thereby
serve the well being of both neighborhoods. Having resided in Goosetown for 43 years, I have so often noted
the ill- treatment of such properties in the neighborhood that in 2009 I donated my 19th century brick home to
the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Thus I consider the proposed conservation district a very timely
and important contribution to planning and zoning in Iowa City.
Yours, Carl
carl klaus
http://www.carlklaus.com
From: Kent Ackerson <kent_ackerson @msn.com>
Sent: Thursday, April 17, 2014 10:45 AM
To: Bob Miklo
Cc: Ginalie Swaim
Subject: Proposed Goosetown /Horace Mann Historic District
IC�R
I will be unable to attend the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting this evening.
My wife and I support the proposed Goosetown/Horace Mann Historic District. We believe it will protect home
values and preserve the residential neighborhood qualities that we value in our home on Brown Street.
Best regards,
Kent and Kay Ackerson
617 Brown Street
Iowa City, IA
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION PRELIMINARY
APRIL 17 — 7:00 PM — FORMAL
EMMA J. HARVAT HALL, CITY HALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Carolyn Dyer, Charlie Eastham, Ann Freerks, Phoebe Martin,
Paula Swygard, Jodie Theobald, John Thomas
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Bob Miklo, Karen Howard, Sara Greenwood Hektoen
OTHERS PRESENT: Ginalie Swaim, Sarah Clark, Jake Biager, Alicia Trimble, Mary
Bennett, Deanna Mire, Mike Olivera, Bob Welch, Jason Harder,
Greg Zimmerman, Corinne Joslin, Sally Scott, Tracey Achenbach
RECOMMENDATIONS TO CITY COUNCIL:
The Commission voted 6 -0 (Thomas abstaining) to recommend approval of REZ14- 00004,
an application to designate the Goosetown /Horace Mann Conservation District as a
conservation overlay (OCD) zone.
The Commission voted 7 -0 to recommend approval of amending the Comprehensive
Plan, Downtown and Riverfront Crossings Master Plan with wording suggested by staff
regarding affordable housing and the language "within the District should be
considered" be changed to "within the District shall be considered ".
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA:
There was none.
Rezoning Item
REZ14 -00004
Discussion of an application submitted by the Historic Preservation Commission for a
rezoning to designate the Goosetown / Horace Mann Conservation District Overlay
(OCD) zone for properties generally located on Ronalds, Church, Fairchild and Davenport
Streets from east of Linn Street to Governor Street and properties generally located on
Bloomington, Market and Jefferson Streets between Dodge and Governor Streets.
Miklo said it was at the request of the Northside Neighborhood Association that the Historic
Preservation Commission examined this area. He read from the Zoning Code as to what the
purpose of a conservation district is. He showed where the boundaries of the proposed district
will be and said it will exclude for the most part non - residentially zoned properties around Dodge
Planning and Zoning Commission
April 17, 2014
Page 2 of 11
and Church Streets. He explained that properties within the district are classified into categories
by the Historic Preservation Commission and showed examples of each type:
1. Key Properties — because of history or architecture make the property eligible for being
independently listed on the National Register of Historic Places;
2. Contributing Properties — represent a high level of quality in terms of retention of their
historic character but aren't significant enough -to be listed on the National Register
independently but could be in a district;
3. Contributing Properties to a Conservation Distirct — are historic but have had some
remodeling done so they don't rise to the level of being National Register level either
independently of in a district, but are still worthy of preservation based on the
Conservation Guidelines.
4. Non - Contributing — are non - historic or have been remodeded to the extent that their
historic character is not recognizable.
Miklo said that roughly 23 -25% of the properties in the district are Non - Contributing, which
means there may be opportunities for infill development in the neighborhood and these
buildings may be considered for removal on a case by case basis and replaced with buildings
more in line with the character of the neighborhood.
Miklo said if the district is approved, the goals of stabilization of property values and
encouraging property owners to reinvest in their properties would be implemented by requiring
design review for any exterior remodeling that requires a building permit or any demolition or
new construction in the neighborhood. He said the Historic Preservation Commission has
guidelines they use to review each case and depending on the level of significance of the
change those changes can be approved within two or three days by staff or, for more extensive
or significant remodeling, will be reviewed by the Commission, which generally takes three
weeks from time of application. He explained that the standards don't prevent the alteration of
buildings but allow them to occur in a way sympathetic to the historic buildings and the
neighborhood. He said no property owner in a historic district is mandated to make changes, but
if they decide to make changes, they must be according to the guidelines.
Miklo said the Planning and Zoning Commission's role is to determine whether the proposed
conservation district complies with the Comprehensive Plan and is in compliance with other
plans the City has for this area. He said the Comprehensive Plan, the Central District Plan,
specifically mention the Goosetown neighborhood as a good candidate for a conservation
district. He said a conservation district would also support City Council's Strategic Plan to
promote healthy neighborhoods. He explained how the Residential Neighborhood Stabilization
Zones in this area have been adopted to help preserve this area. He said the proposed
Conservaton District would contribute to this effort. He said based on the goals of the
Comprehensive Plan staff finds that this proposed district supports those goals.
Freerks asked if this in any way affects the underlying zone. Miklo replied that it does not.
Freerks opened public discussion.
Ginalie Swaim, speaking as the Chair of the Historic Preservation Commission, said that the
Commission's unanimous vote at their last meeting to approve this rezoning is evidence that it
complies with the requirements for establishing a Conservation District. She gave a brief history
of the area and said that many of the qualities that characterize the neighborhood over 150
years are the same ones that they hope to protect and nurture today. She told how the house at
410 N. Lucas is an example of how change can happen to a house to meet current needs but
can still be preserved in ways to honor the past. She said the Comprehensive Plan promotes
Planning and Zoning Commission
April 17, 2014
Page 3 of 11
diverse housing options, and this neighborhood provides a history of ethnic, economic, and
housing stock diversity, as well as an opportunity for affordable housing. Swaim said the Plan
and conservation overlay are tools thoughtfully created and applied to protect the viability of
older neighborhoods into the future.
Sarah Clark said she is representing Mike Wright, Co- coordinator of the Northside
Neighborhood Association. She read a letter from him in strongly supporting the rezoning.
Jake Biager of 519 N. Johnson St. said she and her husband have been both renters and
homeowners in this neighborhood and they are excited by the City's efforts to secure its
character and design.
Alicia Trimble, Executive Director of Friends of Historic Preservation, said she echoed the
thoughts expressed by Ginalie Swaim and Sarah Clark. She said Goosetown is what our future
neighborhoods need to look like in that they are walkable to where you need to go.
Mary Bennett of 1167 Muscatine Avenue said it's important to keep this zone intact because it's
contiguous with Jefferson Street, Brown Street and the Northside Historic Districts. She urges
the Commission to approve this application but she hopes that someday it can be expanded to
include more of Goosetown.
Deanne Mirr of 3411 Ireland Drive said she has concerns about the cost of renovations if this
becomes a historic district and worries if run -down student rentals will be sitting side by side
with beautifully restored properties, with people fighting all the time because they live beside
crap or because they have the snooty neighbors.
Mike Olivera of 617 Ronalds Street and owner of Prestige Properties Prairie Sun Building
Services said he has been to all the meetings. He said they own about thirteen or fourteen
buildings in this area and he said his concerns are that the process invoking this district has
good intentions, but the property owners in this district have not been polled or asked if they
want to be a conservation district. He said 60% of the this district is rentals and rental property
owners have a different investment objective, and by putting this area into a conservation
district, there are many houses here that need to be torn down and rebuilt. He said some of the
costs of renovation are beyond many peoples' means. He said this proposed district is ill
conceived and the Commission needs to give serious thought to this, and maybe the property
owners should be polled to see if they really want this, because if the investors decide they are
going to do minimal work on their houses, that's not going to help the neighborhood. He said the
UniverCity Program is nice but they don't have the resources to buy the number of houses in
this area that would even make a dent. He said the area to the north that was made a historic
district last year is still in a fight between the renters, apartment owners, good and bad
landlords, and the property owners. He reiterated that before the Commission rushes into a
decision, maybe the property owners need to be polled, because it could backfire and landlords
could open up their housing to subsidized housing or continue renting to college students and
do minimum maintenance. He said this area is not going to be good for the community as it
goes down because that 60% is a huge factor for this neighborhood and it's not going to change
overnight.
Bob Welch said that Goosetown is a historic part of this community, and it would be a shame
not to preserve it.
Sarah Clark said she disagreed with Olivera about how neighborhoods change. She said three
of the five houses on the side of the block where she lives on Brown Street had been split into
Planning and Zoning Commission
April 17, 2014
Page 4 of 11
duplexes and they were purchased and converted back to single family. She said she was not
clear what the reference that Mirr made about neighbors fighting was about because she lives in
a very mixed neighborhood. She said a lot or people want to live in the central area and they
need something like this historic designation to keep it going so it can be open to everyone.
Ginalie Swaim said she wanted to respond to the concern about the cost of working on older
homes. She said the Historic Preservation Commission sees applications for quite modest
changes. She said salvaged materials and new techniques can make the cost of restoration
reasonable. She said the fear of the cost is often voiced, but it doesn't play out very often.
Alicia Trimble said the Historic Preservation Guidelines exist not just to make a home look nice,
but also because there are certain things you shouldn't do to older homes. She said she knows
of three houses that had to be torn down because vinyl siding had been installed and the
houses could not breathe through their outside walls, as older houses are meant to. She said
one - hundred year old windows can be repaired but vinyl windows last about ten years. She
added that the greenest house is the one that's already built.
Freerks closed public discussion.
Thomas recused himself saying that he lives within 300 feet of the proposed boundary
Eastham moved to recommend approval of REZ14- 00004, an application to designate the
Goosetown /Horace Mann Conservation District as a conservation overlay (OCD) zone.
Theobald seconded.
Greenwood Hektoen explained that the procedures for approving this require notice be sent to
every property owner in the proposed area, and that happens before the Historic Preservation
Commission starts to consider it and there is public hearing at the Council level.
Eastham received clarification from Greenwood Hektoen about what the Commission's role was
in this application. She said when applications come in to the Historic Preservation Commission
is when they get into the details of the renovations and materials, and that is not the purview of
the Planning and Zoning Commission.
Eastham said regarding a statement made during public discussion about the possibility that
property owners might open up their properties for subsidized housing if this area becomes a
conservation district that he views that as a positive prospect and hopes it's being done already.
He added that he thinks this proposal meets all the criteria that are established in terms of being
compatible with the Comprehensive Plan and he's particularly impressed that the School District
is improving the local elementary school, and this conservation district is very compatible with
that improvement and Council has recently adopted and reaffirmed neighborhood stabilization
and improvement in the Strategic Plan and this conservation district goes many steps in that
direction.
Martin said this fits well with the other plans the City has adopted. She said as an investor she
sees property owners as stewards and feels that when you are in these conservation districts it
adds to the ability to be a steward. She said designating this as a conservation districts
enhances the ability of maintaining the diversity of these neighborhoods. She said a
conservation district doesn't mean stopping progress, and she thinks this is a great thing.
Planning and Zoning Commission
April 17, 2014
Page 5 of 11
Theobald said this follows the Comprehensive Plan and meets the criteria. She spoke of a
neighborhood in Dubuque where many properties are taking on the historic flavor that had
existed, and she thinks it's very important to keep and this is a chance to do that.
Dyer said she supports this but is disappointed that the proposed conservation district doesn't
extend through more of Goosetown. She said it seems to fit in well with the recently upgraded
park and preserving Horace Mann School.
Swygard said she would agree with what the Commissioners have said. She said it definitely fits
in with the City's Comprehensive Plan and preserving this area.
Freerks said she agrees that it's in compliance with the Comprehensive Plan and she can think
of no good reason to deny the recommendation. She said she has lived in a conservation
district for quite some time and she has found it not to be a burden. She said she understands
peoples' concerns, and she's glad people have come and voiced different sides of this. She said
she lives in a very mixed area and the conservation district has only been a good thing. She
said nothing has to happen to these properties and when they do, she thinks the right thing
happens. She said it would be nice to extend further into Goosetown, and perhaps that's
something that could happen in the future. She said she thinks it would be nice to have Horace
Mann School as part of the designation and would like to see that happen in the future so a
good partnership can occur in the community with the School District. She said she is definitely
in favor of this and happy to see it happen.
A vote was taken and the motion carried 6 -0 (Thomas abstaining)
Annexation / Rezoning Item
ANN 14 -00001 /REZ14 -00002
Discussion of an application submitted by Build to Suit for an annexation of 39.6 -acres
and rezoning from County Residential (R) zone to Interim Development Single Family
Residential (ID -RS) zone located at 4701 Herbert Hoover Highway.
Miklo showed maps and images of the property and its location. He said this property is within
the city's growth area, it will help serve the city's future demand for housing, it will not create an
undue burden on the city, and it is in the interest of the city to control what happens on this
property, so it meets the three tests in determining if a property is suitable for annexation. He
said for these reasons staff does find that the proposed annexation complies with the policies of
the Comprehensive Plan in terms of annexation.
Miklo said in the future once the developer has an adequate plan to provide infrastructure the
City would look at a zoning pattern that would be in compliance with the Comprehensive Plan.
Miklo said for some time this property will only have street access from Herbert Hoover Highway
so staff is proposing as a condition that when development occurs that there be some
pedestrian link back to the city.
Freerks asked about the environmentally sensitive areas. Miklo said there are two drainage
ways or low points, one of which may contain a woodland. He said before the property is
developed, staff will have to investigate that. He said staff has seen a rough concept of how this
might be developed and those areas were shown as open space and storm water management.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
March 13, 2014
Page 2 of 6
PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED GOOSETOWN /HORACE MANN CONSERVATION
DISTRICT:
Swaim said this is a continuation of the public hearing from the past meeting.
Miklo said there was a meeting in February with representatives from both the Northside
Neighborhood Association and the Goosetown Neighborhood Association. He said that after
that meeting, it was agreed to change the name of the district to better reflect its geography.
Miklo said the proposal is now called the Goosetown /Horace Mann Conservation District. He
said the representatives from both neighborhoods indicated support for the change. Miklo said
the report and maps have been changed to reflect the name change.
Miklo said the Commission received an e-mail before the previous meeting, asking that the
property at 703 East Jefferson Street be removed from the district. He said it is on the edge of
the district, at the corner of Dodge and Jefferson Streets. Miklo said staff has determined that it
is a contributing property, because its general building form and design are very similar to when
it was built. He said it has been modified over the years with replacement vinyl siding and the
porch has been reconstructed, but it is in generally the same form and has a new metal roof.
Miklo said staff feels that although it is not a pure example of a historic building, it does
represent a lot of the buildings in the neighborhood and was therefore determined to be
contributing. He said that when staff worked with the neighborhood association on drafting the
boundaries, wherever there was a non - contributing property toward the edge, it was taken out to
avoid regulating something that did not necessarily need regulating and also to minimize the
number of people who might object to the district.
Miklo said it is up to the Commission to decide whether to include the property or not. He said
staff thinks it does contribute to the character of the district.
Public hearing open:
Wright said he is coordinator of the Northside Neighborhood Association. He said the two
neighborhoods got together the week following the last Historic Preservation Commission
meeting and discussed this. Wright said they worked this out and changed the name to reflect
the geography of the neighborhood and to highlight the school as well.
Wright said he believes it is important to leave 703 Jefferson within the boundaries of the
district. He said that was included intentionally. Wright said that is the one block in the district
that is probably more in jeopardy than others because of what the zoning there allows. He said
it is zoned RNS -20, which is higher density and would allow for demolition for apartment
buildings, for example.
Klaus said that he is a 44 -year resident of Goosetown. He said he wrote a letter with his
neighbor, Mary Beth Slonneger, concerned with this proposal, largely because it seemed to
annex a portion of Goosetown without recognizing the identity and name of Goosetown. Klaus
said that now that the name is to be the Goosetown /Horace Mann District, that is certainly
satisfactory with him and Slonneger and the current representatives of the neighborhood.
Public hearing closed.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
March 13, 2014
Page 3 of 6
Baldridge said the owner of this property is elderly, and he would suspect that the owner feels
this is somehow going to force her to do something that she cannot, doesn't want, or can't afford
to do. Baldridge said he does not know if it is possible to explain to her that that will not be the
case. He said he thinks it would be a loss to the district to not include the house. Baldridge
said that perhaps talking to the owner and /or her son might make a difference.
Durham asked if it is appropriate to contact a dissenting homeowner to answer any questions.
Miklo stated that he did have a conversation with the owner's son to explain the goals of a
conservation district and also directed him to the website and the guidelines. Miklo said the son
looked at the guidelines, and he stated in his email that is what caused him concern. Miklo said,
however, that if one looks at this building, almost everything that could be done to it has already
been done, in terms of siding and porch replacement and roofing.
Michaud asked if the owner understands that the interior of the building is not affected. Miklo
said he believes so. Michaud said it seems to be a two- entryway duplex on a corner. She said
the exterior guidelines do not affect that.
Miklo said the response of the owner's son was to send the e-mail to the Commission to ask
that the property be taken out of the district. He said there are other property owners who would
rather not be in the district, so that is not unusual. Miklo said it is up to the Commission to
decide if this property is worthy of conservation and should remain or, even if it is not worthy of
conservation, if what goes in its place should be reviewed.
Michaud said she thinks it is worthy of conservation and that any replacement should be
harmonious with the adjacent properties. She said this is a significant corner property that
should be included. Corcoran agreed and said it is like an anchor on the edge of the property.
MOTION: Corcoran moved that the Historic Preservation Commission approve the
inclusion of 703 East Jefferson Street in the proposed Goosetown /Horace Mann
Conservation District. Baker seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 9 -0-
1 (Wagner absent and Litton abstaining).
Baldridge said he did not recall the reason why 115 Governor and 830 Jefferson were left out.
Miklo said he believes those are more modern buildings. He said that both buildings date after
1970.
MOTION: McMahon moved that the Historic Preservation Commission approve the
proposed Goosetown /Horace Mann Conservation District. Durham seconded the motion.
The motion carried on a vote of 9 -0 -1 (Wagner absent and Litton abstaining).
Swaim said this will move on to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Miklo said a notice will
be sent to property owners, but he believes the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting will
be held in April.
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES FOR FEBRUARY 13,2014:
Swaim stated that on page nine of the public hearing minutes, in the fifth paragraph, "he" should
be changed to "she."
C
Julie Voparil
From: Marian Karr
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2014 4:11 PM
To: Bob Miklo; Julie Voparil
Subject: RE: Goosetown- Horace Mann Conservation District
Late handout Tuesday
Sent from Samsung Mobile.
-- - - - - -- Original message -- - - - - --
From: Bob Miklo <Bob -Miklo @iowa - city.org>
Date: 05/16/2014 4:07 PM (GMT- 06:00)
To: Marian Karr <Marian- Karr @iowa - city.org>
Subject: FW: Goosetown- Horace Mann Conservation District
- - - -- Original Message---- -
From: Susan Futrell [mailto:sfutrell@mchsi.com]
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2014 3:50 PM
To: Bob Miklo
Subject: Goosetown- Horace Mann Conservation District
To the Iowa City Council,
We are writing in support of the proposed Goosetown/Horace Mann Conservation District, and ask that you vote in favor.
As homeowners on the near Northside of Iowa City, we have worked hard for many years to encourage historic conservation in this part of
Iowa City. We have seen first -hand how the establishment of a conservation district in our immediate neighborhood several years ago has
helped to stabilize housing and encourage investment in upkeep and preservation. Our neighborhood remains a mixed rental and owner-
occupied area, much as it has always been, but with a solid base of homeowners who help to create a sense of community and pride in yards,
gardens and houses. It is walkable, family - friendly, affordable, and just the kind of neighborhood the city is working to establish in other,
newer parts of town. It only makes sense to maintain such a neighborhood where it is already in place.
The proposed district is contiguous with other historic neighborhoods that surround Horace Mann School. By protecting the integrity and
family - friendly nature of these neighborhoods, as well as the anchor provided by the school itself, you help to maintain one of Iowa City's
gateway areas, which many visitors pass through on the way into town. There are many many examples of small - scale, vernacular and
historic architecture and a well - preserved streetscape that recalls the early days of Iowa City while offering convenient, affordable, and
unique housing for current residents.
The Historic Preservation Commission and the Planning and Zoning Commission have unanimously recommended establishment of this
district. Please continue the strong support for historic conservation that blends well with modern life in Iowa City by voting in favor of the
Goosetown/Horace Mann Conservation District.
Sincerely,
Susan Futrell and Will Jennings
311 Fairchild St
Iowa City, IA
Julie Voparil
From: Marian Karr
Sent: Sunday, May 18, 2014 2:01 PM
To: Julie Voparil
Subject: Fwd: Support for the Conservation District Overlay zone for the Goosetown /Horace Mann
Conservation District
Late handout
Sent from Samsung Mobile.
-- - - - - -- Original message -- - - - - --
From: "Cole, Catherine A" <cathy -Cole @uiowa.edu>
Date: 05/18/2014 1:35 PM (GMT- 06:00)
To: Council < Council- @iowa- city.org>
Subject: Support for the Conservation District Overlay zone for the Goosetown/Horace Mann Conservation District
We wish to support the proposed Conservation District Overlay Zone for the Goosetown/Horace Mann Conservation
District. We live at a house on 603 Brown Street and appreciate the effort to stabilize the neighborhood surrounding
Horace Mann and to keep it desirable for families. We have raised four kids in this neighborhood and appreciate the
lovely parks, the convenient school and the proximity to downtown.
Cathy Cole and Mike Feiss
603 Brown Street.
Julie Voparil
From: Marian Karr
Sent: Monday, May 19, 2014 7:00 PM
To: Julie Voparil
Subject: Fwd: Goosetown /Horace Mann
Late handout
Sent from Samsung Mobile.
-- - - - - -- Original message -- - - - - --
From: Susan Shullaw <susan@susanshullaw.com>
Date: 05/19/2014 9:48 AM (GMT- 06:00)
To: Council < Council- @iowa- city.org>
Subject: Goosetown/Horace Mann
I am writing in support of the proposed Conservation District Overlay zone for the Goosetown/Horace Mann
Conservation District. It has been made clear in recent years that without such protection, the older and established
neighborhoods east and north of downtown will continue to fall prey to ravenous developers intent on replacing
existing homes with large, student - focused apartment complexes. This practice destabilizes our historic
neighborhoods and is particularly troubling for families living in (or hoping to relocate to) the Horace Mann School
district. As you know, the ICCSD recently approved a substantial renovation project for Horace Mann, and it seems
only fitting that the City should approve a similar form of recognition and protection for the school's surrounding
neighborhoods. I urge the Council to vote yes on the proposed Goosetown/Horace Mann Conservation District.
With thanks,
Susan Shullaw
718 North Johnson Street
Iowa City, IA 52245
Office: 319- 351 -2606
Cell: 319 -541 -4288
susan e,susanshullaw.com
Julie Voparil
From: Marian Karr
Sent: Monday, May 19, 2014 9:49 PM
To: Julie Voparil
Subject: Fwd: Support for Goosetown /Horace Mann Conservation District
Late handout
Sent from Samsung Mobile.
-- - - - - -- Original message -- - - - - --
From: "Hausknecht, Gina" <ghauskne @coe.edu>
Date: 05/19/2014 11:42 AM (GMT- 06:00)
To: Council < Council- @iowa- city.org>
Subject: Support for Goosetown/Horace Mann Conservation District
Dear City Council Members,
As a homeowner in the Northside Historic District living adjacent to the proposed Goosetown/Horace Mann
Conservation District, I write to express my strong and enthusiastic support for creation of the new Conservation
District.
The proposed zoning would support the goals of the two Historic Districts in which it is nestled, expanding the
availability and security of housing in a longer -term occupation- and homeowner- oriented neighborhood.
Such a neighborhood, with its proximity to downtown, anchored by an excellent, diverse, high - quality elementary
school, provides great value to the city. The housing and quality of life in this neighborhood draws residents to Iowa
City, attracts families, and helps the city maintain a vital balance between long - and short-term residents near
downtown, protecting and sustaining a thriving downtown that serves the city's entire population.
I hope the City Council will join with the Historic Preservation Commission and the Planning & Zoning Commission
in creating this district.
Sincerely,
Gina Hausknecht
420 Fairchild St.
Iowa City, IA
319 - 351 -2025
Julie Voparil
From: Marian Karr
Sent: Monday, May 19, 2014 9:52 PM
To: Julie Voparil
Subject: Fwd: Goosetown /Horace Mann Conservation District
Late handout
Sent from Samsung Mobile.
-- - - - - -- Original message -- - - - - --
From: James Ponto <japonto @gmail.com>
Date: 05/19/2014 1:00 PM (GMT- 06:00)
To: Council < Council- @iowa- city.org>
Subject: Goosetown/Horace Mann Conservation District
Dear Council Members,
I am supportative of the proposed Goosetown/Horace Mann Conservation District. As a 20 -year resident in the
Brown Street Historic District, I have seen the overwhelmingly positive results associated with historic district
designation. I feel strongly that the proposed conservartion district will stablize the emcompassed neighborhood, as
well as further enhancing the adjacent historic neighborhoods.
Hence, I urge you to vote in favor of creating the proposed Goosetown/Horace Mann Conservation District overlay
zone.
Sincerely,
Jim Ponto
618 Brown St.
Julie Voparil
From:
Marian Karr
Sent:
Tuesday, May 20, 2014 11:01 AM
To:
Julie Voparil
Subject:
Fwd: Goosetown -Mann Conservation District
Sent front Sainsung Mobile.
-- - - - - -- Original message -- - - - - --
From: Tim Weitzel <tweitzel.email @gmail.com>
Date: 05/20/2014 10:08 AM (GMT- 06:00)
To: Council < Council- @iowa- city.org>
Subject: Goosetown -Mann Conservation District
I am a historic preservation professional. I am recognized by the State Historic Preservation Office as an Architectural
Historian, Historian, and Archeologist. I strongly support a Goosetown -Mann conservation district.
The efforts of the City and the Historic Preservation Commission to conserve the historic nature of Iowa Avenue after
the April 13, 2006 tornado was greatly facilitated by the enacting of a conservation district covering the area.
Preserving our existing housing stock is one of the greatest forms of sustainability and protecting the character and
history of the city also enhances the tax base and livability of our community. Historic review has encouraged the
Iowa City Community School District to invest in Longfellow School and historic review prevents areas such as south
Johnson and south Van Buren Streets.
Tim Weitzel
Proposed Goosetown/Horace Mann Conservation District
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2014
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Notice is hereby given that the City Council
of Iowa City will hold a public hearing on the 20th
day of May, 2014, at 7:00 p.m. in the Emma J.
Harvat Hall of the Iowa City City Hall, 410 E.
Washington Street, Iowa City, Iowa, or if said
meeting is cancelled, at the next meeting of the
City Council thereafter as posted by the City
Clerk; at which hearing the Council will consider
a Resolution Authorizing Conveyance of 324
North Lucas Street, also described as the South
half of Lot 4, Block 7, Iowa City, Iowa, to an
income - eligible family.
Copies of the proposed resolution are on
file for public examination in the office of the City
Clerk, City Hall, Iowa City, Iowa. Persons wishing
to make their views known for Council
consideration are encouraged to appear at the
above - mentioned time and place.
MARIAN K. KARR, CITY CLERK
6
P� CITY OF IOWA CITY
: - n �-g M MEMORANDUM
%"&. - --- '. - -90 Q
DATE: May 12, 2014
TO: Tom Markus, City Manager
FROM: Kirk Lehmann, Neighborhood Services Intern
Steve Long, Neighborhood Services Coordinator
RE: May 201h City Council meeting agenda item: sale of UniverCity Neighborhood Partnership
home
Introduction
On May 201h, City Council will hold a public hearing and vote on a resolution authorizing the conveyance
of 324 N. Lucas St. as part of the UniverCity Neighborhood Partnership Program. Once this home is sold,
the program will have 37 completed homes.
324 North Lucas Street
Under the UniverCity Neighborhood Partnership, the City proposes to sell 324 N. Lucas St. for $152,000
plus carrying costs of $12,300. "Carrying costs" are all the costs incurred by the City to acquire, maintain
and sell the home, including abstracting and recording fees, interest on the loan to purchase the home,
mowing and snow removal, utilities, and real estate taxes along with any costs in excess of the $50,000
in rehabilitation expenses. City funds were used to rehabilitate and sell the home as a single - family
owner occupied home to an income - eligible buyer. Renovations included electrical work, plumbing,
newly refinished walls, new light fixtures, a completely rehabilitated bathroom, refinished wood floors,
and the installation of brand new appliances, cabinets and counters. The cost of renovations is not
included in the sale price and forgiven once the homeowner has lived there for five years. The home
must also be owner - occupied for 20 years. This turn -of- the - century home has 1,145 square feet of
finished living space, including three bedrooms and one bathroom. The buyer will receive down
payment assistance in the amount of $8,500.
Statement of Fiscal Impact
The assessed value of 324 N. Lucas St. at the time of purchase was $130,240 and the sale price is
approximately $164,300. There will be no impact on the General Fund for ongoing operating expenses.
Recommendation
This home is located on a street where there are many rentals and after the renovation it has become
an asset to the neighborhood and community. Staff recommends approval of the resolution to
authorize the conveyance of 324 N. Lucas St. as part of the UniverCity Neighborhood Partnership
program.
May 12, 2014
Page 2
324 N. Lucas St. — before renovations
324 N. Lucas St. — after renovations
7
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Notice is hereby given that the City Council
of Iowa City will hold a public hearing on the 20th
day of May, 2014, at 7:00 p.m. in the Emma J.
Harvat Hall of the Civic Center, 410 E.
Washington Street, Iowa City, Iowa, or if said
meeting is cancelled, at the next meeting of the
City Council thereafter as posted by the City
Clerk; at which hearing the Council will consider
a Resolution Authorizing Conveyance of 1821 B
Street, also described as Lot 6, Block 39, East
Iowa City, Iowa.
Copies of the proposed resolution are on
file for public examination in the office of the City
Clerk, Civic Center, Iowa City, Iowa. Persons
wishing to make their views known for Council
consideration are encouraged to appear at the
above - mentioned time and place.
MARIAN K. KARR, CITY CLERK