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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-04-17 CorrespondenceCity of Iowa City -_ MEMORANDUM TO: City Council FROM: Eleanor M. Dilkes, City AttornJ JJ DATE: April 12, 2018 RE: Appeal from Historic Preservation Commission's Denial of a Certificate of Appropriateness to apply aluminum siding at 318 N. Gilbert Street in the Northside Historic District (4:00 p.m. Tuesday April 17, 2018) The purpose of this memorandum is to set forth the rules that govern your consideration of the above -referenced appeal. In deciding the appeal, you must first determine: 1. Whether the Commission exercised its powers and followed the guidelines established by the Historic Preservation provisions of the City Code? Section 14 -3B - 3C (1) of the City Code sets forth the approval criteria: C. Approval Criteria: Applications for historic review will be reviewed for compliance with the following guidelines and standards, which are published in the "Iowa City Historic Preservation Handbook", as amended: 1. Historic Districts And Landmarks: For properties located within a historic district or designated a historic landmark: a. "Secretary Of Interior's Standards For Rehabilitation", 1990 edition or subsequent revision thereof. b. "Iowa City Guidelines For Historic Preservation". c. Individual district guidelines: (1) "Longfellow Neighborhood District Guidelines". (2) "College Hill Neighborhood District Guidelines". (3) "Woodlawn District Guidelines". (4) "Northside Neighborhood District Guidelines". And, 2. Whether the Commission's action was patently arbitrary or capricious? A decision is "arbitrary" or "capricious" when it is made without regard to the law or the facts of the case. Arora v. Iowa Board of Medical Examiners, 564 N.W. 2d 4, 8 (Iowa 1997). The above -stated "standard of review" is a narrow one. Council is not entitled to substitute its judgment for that of the Commission. In other words, you may not reverse the Commission's decision merely because you disagree with it. Rather, if you find that the Commission exercised its powers and followed the guidelines established by law and that its decision was not patently arbitrary or capricious then you must affirm the Commission's decision. April 10, 2018 Page 2 If you find that the Commission did not exercise its powers and follow the guidelines established by law or did act arbitrarily or capriciously you may, in conformity with the provisions of the Historic Preservation regulations, reverse or modify, wholly or partly, the decision of the Commission to denythe application. You may make such decision as ought to have been made, and to that end you will have the powers of the Commission. In other words, you will stand in the shoes of the Commission and be bound by the same guidelines and rules that govern the Commission's decisions on applications for certificates of appropriateness. With respect to your deliberations in connection with the above, it is essential that you read the entire record of the proceedings before the Commission and all information submitted to you as part of the public hearing process. You are required to decide the appeal within a "reasonable time." If, at Tuesday afternoon's meeting, you need any additional information in order to make a decision you should continue the public hearing and defer a decision. The agenda is only intended to give notice that a motion to decide the appeal may be made. The substance of that motion is, of course, unknown at this point. If, on Tuesday night, you decide that you have all the information you need and no further time for deliberation is necessary you should close the public hearing and decide the appeal. The motion to decide the appeal will be in the form of a motion to affirm or reverse, wholly or partly, or modify the decision of the Historic Preservation Commission concerning the application. The reasons for your decision must be clearly articulated. I will be available to answer questions at your meeting on Tuesday. Cc: Julia Ella Leupold, Trustee of Julia Leupold Revocable Trust Jerod Leupold, Occupant/Tenant Geoff Fruin, City Manager Kellie Fruehling, City Clerk Tracy Hightshoe, Director of Neighborhood and Development Services Bob Miklo, Senior Planner Ib .— CITY OF IOWA CITY 1tt % MEMORANDUM Date: April 11, 2018 To: City Council From: Ginalie Swaim, Chair, Historic Preservation Commission and Jessica Bristow, Historic Preservation Planner Re: Appeal of Historic Preservation Commission Decision for 318 N. Gilbert Street Introduction: At our meeting November 9, 2017, the Historic Preservation Commission denied an application to install aluminum siding at 318 North Gilbert Street. The property is in the local Northside Historic District and the National Register listed Gilbert -Linn Street Historic District. The applicant, Julie Leupold, has appealed the Commission's decision. Guidelines: When considering replacement siding, the Commission follows the Secretary of the Interior's Standards. These standards are incorporated into the Iowa City Historic Preservation Handbook, the adopted guidelines the Commission uses to review applications (see attached Exhibit A, excerpts from the Iowa City Preservation Handbook). The guidelines recognize that "wood siding, along with the trim details ... combine to make one of the most important defining characteristics of historic districts" and therefore siding is protected by the design guidelines. "The primary threat to the traditional appearance of older neighborhoods has been the application of synthetic siding which has been installed in an effort to avoid periodic painting. While synthetic siding may last longer than an application of paint, it does deteriorate over time and does need to be replaced when it fades, cracks, dents, or deteriorates. The application of synthetic siding covers many architectural details of a building, damages the historic siding and trim, traps moisture within the walls, and in some cases, necessitates the removal of historic elements altogether. For these reasons the covering of original siding with synthetic siding is not allowed." Historic Status and Contributing Status: (1) At the time of the original survey for the Northside District (1998) the house, which was built in 1958, had not surpassed the 50 -year threshold for it to be considered historic. Therefore, in the district it was classified as non - historic. The guidelines also state that properties will be periodically re-evaluated to update their status. Now that the property is over 50 years old (59 years), its status would no longer be non - historic, but rather historic. (2) Historic properties are either contributing to their district or noncontributing. The period of significance for the Northside Historic District is 1860 to 1954 (the 50 -year cut-off for eligibility for listing on the National Register of Historic Places at the time of the neighborhood historic Survey). The Staff report mentioned an 1860 to 1930 period of significance but that date range was the construction period for the housing styles discussed in the Northside District description in the guidelines. Because the house was built after the period of significance, its current status would be noncontributing. (3) Nevertheless, noncontributing and non -historic "properties are not exempt from the guidelines." Replacement Siding: "Applying synthetic siding such as aluminum, vinyl, or false masonry siding" is disallowed by the guidelines. Generally, replacement siding, such as wood, is only considered when the historic siding is deteriorated beyond repair. An exception may be April 11, 2018 Page 2 considered only for properties that are non -historic in Historic Districts. An exception for 318 North Gilbert Street would require Commission approval. The guideline for an exception states that structures will be "evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine the architectural merit of the property under consideration. Some noncontributing and non -historic properties were classified according to an architectural style or construction period inconsistent with the district but nevertheless remain important properties and worthy of preservation." (emphasis added) This house has a high architectural integrity. It appears to have all of its original exterior elements. It is a good example of a Mid-century Modern Ranch House and is an example of the post-war infill that occurred in the District. Especially with the new interest in Mid-century Modern design and its preservation, the architectural integrity of this house makes it worthy of preservation. Contact with Staff: A phone call from the owner followed by a phone call from a siding salesperson were the initial contacts on this project in late September 2017. Staff was told the existing siding may be something like Masonite or hardboard siding which was a common replacement siding from the 1930's through the 1970's and deteriorates more rapidly than cedar or redwood siding. Given the fact that this type of siding does tend to have been used as a replacement siding in Iowa City, and it is usually deteriorated, staff discussed the possibility of replacement siding. The need for a site visit to investigate the siding type and evaluate its condition, the need for an application for historic review, and the need for a final written approval were also explained. The guidelines include an exception that could be considered for this property to allow synthetic siding if the existing siding was deteriorated, so in the initial conversations, staff discussed the possibility of this type of siding application over the phone with both the owner and the siding salesperson. However, staff repeatedly reminded them that the siding needed to be reviewed in person and an application needed to be submitted prior to written approval. Staff then conducted a site visit and reviewed the condition of the siding at the property and found that the siding was not replacement Masonite or hardboard that was deteriorated. Rather, staff found that it was cedar or redwood lap siding that was in good condition with the exception of some expected deterioration around the gutter in a few locations and only needs appropriate preparation and repainting. During this visit staff also noted that the property was a good representative of a Mid -Century Modern Ranch House. Findings: Based on the information submitted by the applicant, the staff report, including examination of the siding, and a discussion of the house's architectural integrity, the Commission found that the siding is not in deteriorated condition and should be properly painted. The Commission found the house also has architectural integrity as a representative of a modest Mid -Century Ranch House which warrants preservation, so an exception to the guidelines to allow aluminum siding is not warranted. Attachments: In addition to an excerpt of the Historic Preservation Guidelines, your packet includes the Denial of Certificate of Appropriateness, minutes of the November 9, 2017 meeting at which this application was discussed, the staff report, and material submitted by the applicant. 12-19-17 2f(8) To: Mayor and City Council Members Iowa City Hall 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240 December 7, 2017 Dear Mayor and City Council Members, We are writing concerning our application to the Historical Preservation Commission at their November 9, 2017 meeting regarding our property at 318 North Gilbert. A draft of the minutes of this meeting are included in your November 30, 2017 information packet. Bill Leupold, Julia Leupold, Jerod Leupold( son and occupant) and businessman Derek Perez all spoke in support of our application. The Commission unanimously voted it down on November 9 and again on November 14. We then sent a letter to City Clerk which was received in that office on November 22 stating that we are appealing the Historic Commission's decision. A copy of our appeal request is attached. This is not our formal appeal but only a notification that we wish to do so. Please advise as to timetable and procedures. This is an extremely busy time of year for you as Council members with end of year activities as well as appointments to make and budgets to set etc. My husband, Bill Leupold, is chair of Dickinson County Supervisors, Regional Mental Health, Early Childhood Iowa and member of numerous other governing boards. He is also very busy with many of the same duties as you are. We respectfully request that our Appeal be postponed until April, 2018. Thank you for your time and consideration of this postponement request. Sincerely, "I(F04 1 Julia and Bill Leupold 13515 253 Ave. Spirit Lake, IA 51360 wcleup@mchsi.com o - r <r- M m o � r _= 0 CA) %A TO: City Clerk Iowa City City Hall 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240 Via ordinary U. S. mail and certified mail November 20, 2017 Dear Clerk: This represents the written appeal of the owner of the property in the Northside Historic District located at 318 North Gilbert Street, Iowa City, and occupied by long time tenant and son, Jerod Leupold. This written appeal is being provided for the purpose of challenging the decisions(s) of the Historic Preservation Committee made on November 9 and then, apparently, again on November 14. A copy of the Denial of Certificate of Appropriateness is hereto attached and made a part of this appeal. This appeal then seeks approval to apply siding and make other improvements as set forth in the application submitted on October 20, 2017 to the property at 318 North Gilbert Street, Iowa City, Iowa. JULIA ELLA LEUPOLD REVOCABLE TRUST DATED JULY 16, 2012, OWNER . ,0 MIM. �"M N D �� N _ Iowa City i W —r- a Historic Preservation Commission City Hall, 410 E Washington Street, Iowa City. IA. 52240 DENIAL OF CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS 318Nortb Gilbert Street A meeting of the Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission was held at the City Hall on November 14, 2017. The following members were present: Thomas Agran, Esther Baker, Kevin Boyd, Zac Builta, Gosia Clore, Sharon DeGraw, GT Karr, Cecile Kum* Pamela Ivftchaud, and Frank Wagner. By a vote of 0-10, the Commission failed to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness which would have allowed an exception to the guidelines for a proposed alteration project at 318 North Gilbert Street in the Northside Historic District The proposal consists of the application aluminum siding and trim instead of painting the original siding and trim. The application was not approved by staff due to the following reason: According to the Historic Preservation Handbook, applying synthetic siding such as 40 aluminum, vinyl, or false masonry is disallowed. The existing siding is not deteriorat-HD beyond repair Z and only requires proper painting. � c-, The application then sought an exception from the Commission. The exception exists for no!>yn N N r historic properties in Historic Districts where the structure may be evaluated on a case -by - to determine the architectural mmt of the property and detemtine whether itis worthy of , The denied preservation. exception was due to the following reason: At the time of the original survey for the Northside Historic Distdct, the property was C:3 — classified as non -historic because it had not met the 50-ye2r threshold for historic classification. Now, the house would be considered Non-contributing to the District but would be considered historic because it is more than 50 years old. As a representative of mid-century modem homes, the property is intact and worthy of preservation. The existing material should be maintained. The decision may be appealed to the City Council, which will consider whether the Historic Preservation Commission has exercised its powers, and followed the guidelines established according to this Title (Title 14 of Iowa City Zoning Code), and whether the Commission's action was patently arbitrary or capricious (Iowa City Zoning Code, Article 14 -8F -2D). To appeal, a written letter requesting the appeal must be filed with the City Clerk no later than 10 business days after the date of the filing of this certificate. Esther1ta er, Vice -Chair re o Iowa City Historic PCommission Jessica nstow, Historic Press don Specialist Dept t of Development Services II I1,�2o17 Date Iowa City Historic Preservation Handbook Exhibit A- Excerpts from the Iowa City Historic Preservation Handbook 1.3 Districts and Landmarks Property classification in a district Historic and conservation districts, and historic landmarks, are designated by ordinance by the Iowa City City Council with recommendations from the Historic Preservation Commission, the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Planning and Zoning Commission. Recommendations for the historic designation of districts and properties are also received from professional architectural historians following an intensive survey and evaluation of a neighborhood's historic properties and resources. Historic Districts Historic districts are geographically cohesive areas with significant concentrations of buildings and other resources that possess a high degree of historic integrity. Historic districts are typically first nominated to and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and then designated as local historic districts. Designation as a local district provides the Historic Preservation Commission with the authority to review changes to properties that may affect the historic character of the property and the district. The overall character of a historic district must convey a distinct sense of time and place. Conservation Districts Conservation districts are neighborhoods that appear similar to historic districts in character. However, because they have fewer properties that retain a high degree of historic integrity or contribute to a distinct sense of time and place within the neighborhood, they do not qualify as historic districts based on State Code. Because they are still considered worthy of protection, City Council may designate these neighborhoods for historic conservation. Iowa City Historic Landmarks Historic landmarks are buildings that are individually significant for their architectural and/or cultural merits. Like historic districts, these properties are typically listed on the National Register of Historic Places, or are eligible for listing on the National Register. Properties in conservation and historic districts are classified based on their historic and architectural significance and integrity. Because neighborhoods change over time, these districts typically have some structures that are not historic or that have been severely altered. Buildings in historic or conservation districts may range from outstanding historic landmarks to architecturally incompatible, modern structures. Depending on the classification of a property, certain exceptions to the guidelines or financial incentives may be applicable. To determine the classification of a specific property in a historic or conservation district, refer to the Table of Contents to locate the appropriate district map that indicates the property's classification. To determine if a property has been designated a historic landmark, see section 13.0 Historic Landmarks. Contributing and Noncontributing Properties When districts are evaluated and nominated for preservation and conservation, individual properties are classified as either contributing or noncontributing to the historic character of the proposed district. Contributing Properties In historic districts, to be classified as a contributing property the primary building must (1) have an architectural style and character that is clearly evident and (2) have been constructed during the district's period of significance and relate to a significant historic context in the neighborhood's history. The period of significance and the historic context(s) for each district are determined by professional consultants prior to designation. Contributing properties in historic districts may be eligible for Federal and State tax incentives for substantial rehabilitation. Conservation districts tend to exhibit a greater variety of building styles from different time periods and are less architecturally cohesive, so their historic contexts are more loosely defined. The primary determining factors in classifying a property in a conservation district are (1) the historic integrity of the primary (Continued on page 3) classification continued Iowa City Historic Preservation Handbook building and (2) the age of the primary building, which typically must be at least 50 years old at the time a district is designated. Noncontributing and Non -historic Properties Properties that are not classified as contributing are classified as noncontributing. Noncontributing properties have a primary building that has been significantly altered or that is non -historic. Non - historic buildings are buildings constructed after a district's period of significance or were less than 50 years old at the time the district was designated. Refer to Section 14.0 for information on Iowa City's Historic and Conservation Districts. These properties are NOT exempt from historic preservation regulations, but exceptions to the guidelines are possible. The rehabilitation of noncontributing historic buildings is encouraged. The demolition of existing non -historic buildings and construction of new, more architecturally compatible buildings is allowed. During the process of preparing the survey and evaluation for each historic neighborhood and, for historic districts, the National Register of Historic Places nomination, each property is visually inspected and historically researched by a professional architectural historian. The Commission uses this information to determine the classification of each property. However, the Commission may vote to change the classification of a property under the following conditions: 1. Additional information is discovered that documents it has greater cultural significance than originally determined. 2. It is determined that the original research and inspection did not conclusively or accurately document the architectural or historic fabric of the property. 3. A property has been substantially altered since it was originally classified. 4. A property has reached the fifty-year threshold for determining historical significance. Periodic surveys will be conducted to re-evaluate the integrity of all the buildings that have changed and a report will be submitted for Commission consideration to reclassify such properties. An owner may also submit a letter to the Preservation Planner requesting re-evaluation, if he or she feels that their property has been incorrectly classified. The Preservation Planner will submit the request, along with a report and recommendation, to the Commission for a determination. Landmarks and Key Properties Landmarks are properties that are individually significant because of their architectural quality, integrity and historic or cultural significance. Iowa City has over 40 local historic landmarks that are subject to the historic preservation regulations. Properties classified as key are either landmarks or are eligible for designation as landmarks. Key properties are subject to the same historic preservation guidelines as contributing buildings in historic districts. Key properties and landmarks may be eligible for Federal and State tax incentives for substantial rehabilitation. See section 13.0 Historic Landmarks for a complete list of landmarks. Key properties are illustrated on the district maps in sections 15.0 through 19.0. For a list of properties located outside existing districts that are eligible for landmark designation, contact the Preservation Planner. 0 6 Iowa City Historic Preservation Handbook Exhibit A- Excerpts from the Iowa City Historic Preservation Handbook Wood siding is prevalent throughout the historic neighborhoods in Iowa City. Most often it is plain clapboard siding with an exposure between 3 and 5 inches; however, it is sometimes tongue and groove, shiplap, or wall shingle siding. Wood siding along with the trim details and a variety of paint colors combine to make one of the most important defining characteristics of historic districts. This display of detail and color is essential to the character of the older neighborhoods, and therefore siding is protected by the design guidelines. The primary threat to the traditional appearance of older neighborhoods has been the application of synthetic siding. This has been installed in an effort to avoid periodic painting. While synthetic siding may last longer than an application of paint, it does deteriorate over time and does need to be replaced when it fades, cracks, dents, or deteriorates. The application of synthetic siding covers many architectural details of a building, damages the historic siding and trim, traps moisture within the walls, and in some cases, necessitates the removal of historic elements altogether. For all of these reasons the covering of historic properties with synthetic siding is not allowed. Recommended: Historic Siding • Repairing historic wood siding and trim. • Replacing deteriorated sections of wood siding with new or salvaged wood siding that matches the historic wood siding. • Removing synthetic siding and repairing historic wood siding and trim. Synthetic Sidine • Replacing synthetic siding with siding to match the original siding of the structure. • Matching synthetic siding may be used to repair damage to small sections of existing synthetic siding. Wood Substitutes Substituting a material in place of wood siding only if the substitute material retains the appearance and function of the original wood. The substitute material must be durable, accept paint and be approved by the Historic Preservation Commission. In many applications, fiber cement board with a smooth finish is an approved wood substitute. Typical Siding Types found in Iowa City Clapboard siding 28 Disallowed: Historic Trim • Removing historic trim pieces such as door and window trim, skirt and frieze boards, and corner boards. • Covering historic trim such as door and window trim, skirt and frieze boards, and corner boards. Synthetic Siding • Applying synthetic siding such as aluminum, vinyl, or false masonry siding. (Cartlinued art page 29) Staggered edge shingle siding Iowa City Historic Preservation Handbook Exception Siding continued In order to provide flexibility for certain changes and certain properties, the Commission has documented a number of exceptions to the Iowa City Guidelines. Projects requiring the exceptions corresponding to the property type listed below may be approved by the Preservation Planner or Preservation Planner and Chair. Projects requiring exceptions to the guidelines that are not listed may be considered by the full Commission under major review. The Commission is afforded flexibility when reviewing applications in order to arrive at historically and architecturally appropriate solutions in cases where a proposed construction project does not significantly affect the architectural character of a historic structure. In deciding on a project requiring an exception to the guidelines, the Commission may find guidance in the additional guidelines, outlined in section 3.2. When approving a project requiring an exception, the Commission shall identify the guideline(s) for which the exception is being made, and the rationale for the exception. For more information on exceptions to the Iowa City Guidelines, please refer to section 3.2. Applies to Non -Historic Properties in Historic Districts Noncontributing and Non - Historic Properties in Conservation Districts Noncontributing and Non - Historic Outbuildings in Conservation Districts. Synthetic Siding May be Considered Provided the Following Conditions: • Noncontributing and non -historic structures be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine the architectural merit of the property under consideration. Some noncontributing and non -historic structures were classified according to an architectural style or construction period inconsistent with the district, but nevertheless remain important properties and worthy of preservation. • For structures already possessing synthetic siding, other factors besides the presence of synthetic siding should exist which prevents the structure from being considered a contributing structure to the district. Otherwise, alterations should be encouraged which will enable the property to become contributing to the district. Dutch lap (drop) siding • All sources of moisture that have caused damage to the structure are corrected and the damage repaired prior to the application of the siding. • Historic architectural features such as window trim, brackets, moldings, rafter tails, columns, balusters and similar details are not covered, removed, cut or otherwise damaged. Unless severely deteriorated, historic wood siding must not be removed. • To the extent possible, the synthetic siding appears similar to the original wood siding in exposure, texture and design. Trim boards extend in front of the face of the siding. • The synthetic siding does not have a simulated wood grain Shingle siding Fish scale siding 29 0 a 0 v Iowa City Historic Preservation Handbook Exhibit A- Excerpts from the Iowa City Historic Preservation Handbook 00 Most of the structures in Iowa City's historic neighborhoods are of wood frame construction and have wood siding. Many dwellings have wood elements such as trim, windows, doors, porches, cornices, decorative elements, and pediments. While most wood is relatively inexpensive, durable, and easy to work with, it must be maintained properly to have a long life. Recommended: Historic Wood • Repairing historic wood elements rather than replacing them. • Using epoxy products, such as Wood Epox and Liquid Wood by Abatron, to consolidate deteriorated wood components, and fill or reconstruct missing wood. • Duplicating and replacing historic wood elements when they cannot be repaired. • Replacing damaged wood components with new or salvaged wood components that match the historic ones. • Monitoring wood surfaces for signs of excessive water damage, rot, or pest infestation. Keeping all surfaces primed, painted and appropriately caulked in order to prevent wood deterioration. Eliminating excessive moisture problems such as leaky roofs, gutters, and downspouts. The improper venting of baths, kitchens, basements, and dryers may cause moisture problems. • Removing vegetation that is growing against the wood elements or siding. Wood Substitutes Substituting a material in place of wood only if the substitute material retains the appearance and function of the original wood. The substitute material must be durable, accept paint, and be approved by the Historic Preservation Commission. • For many applications, fiber cement board is an approved substitute for wood provided the fiber cement board is smooth faced with aint stripped from balusters and some decay is found 34 no simulated wood grain MiraTech and similar materials have been approved for above -grade applications on a case-by-case basis. • Polyethylene/sawdust composite materials, such as Trex, are appropriate on a case-by- case basis Deck and Porch Materials • Pressure treated lumber should be allowed to cure for a period of six months to one year prior to painting due to high moisture content. Disallowed: Historic Wood • Covering original wood siding, soffits and eave boards with another material such as vinyl or aluminum siding. Using destructive and dangerous paint removal methods such as sandblasting, water blasting, or burning with a propane or butane torch. • Removal of historic wood elements such as trim, porches, cornices, and decorative elements. Wood Substitutes • Substituting a material in place of wood that does not retain the appearance, function, and paintability of the original wood. Exception For more information on exceptions to the Iowa City Guidelines, please refer to section 3.2. �4 N► Small decay holes filled with epoxy, larger ones replaced with new wood Wood continued 'v t J Wom Paint. Wood in eood condition Iowa City Historic Preservation Handbook 35 v Exhibit A- Excerpts from the Iowa City Historic Preservation Hand boo pwa City Historic Preservation Handbook 10.0 The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation I <- The Secretory of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation (Standards) were originally written to determine the appropriateness of proposed project work on properties that were listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Standards are accompanied by instructions concerning methods, materials, historical character, and other considerations that relate to the historical significance of the particular property and its surroundings. The Standards have been widely accepted by state, county, and city governments. o F The Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission uses the Standards to determine the appropriateness of exterior changes to historic landmarks and properties located in historic and conservation districts. z The Iowa City Guidelines are based on and comply with the Standards, and were written to provide more specific guidance for owners, contractors and consultants in Iowa City as well as the Historic Preservation Commission. 9 C The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation (1990) are listed below. 1. A property shall be used for its historic purpose or be placed in a new use that requires minimal `s change to the defining characteristics of the building and its site and environment. E a 2. The historic character of a property shall be retained and preserved. The removal of historic materials or alteration of features and spaces that characterize a property shall be avoided. z 3. Each property shall be recognized as a physical record of its time, place, and use. Changes that v create a false sense of historical development, such as adding conjectural features or architectural elements from other buildings, shall not be undertaken. 4. Most properties change over time; those changes that have acquired historic significance in their o own right shall be retained and preserved. 5. Distinctive features, finishes, and construction techniques or examples of craftsmanship that characterize a property shall be preserved. 6. Deteriorated historic features shall be repaired rather than replaced. Where the severity of deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive feature, the new feature shall match the old in design, color, texture, and other visual qualities and, where possible, materials. Replacement of missing features shall be substantiated by documentary, physical, or pictorial evidence. 7. Chemical or physical treatments, such as sandblasting, that cause damage to historic materials shall not be used. The surface cleaning of structures, if appropriate, shall be undertaken using the gentlest means possible. 8. Significant archeological resources affected by a project shall be protected and preserved. If such resources must be disturbed, mitigation measures shall be undertaken. 9. New additions, exterior alterations, or related new construction shall not destroy historic materials that characterize the property. The new work shall be differentiated from the old and shall be compatible with the massing, size, scale, and architectural features to protect the historic integrity of the property and its environment. 10. New additions and adjacent or related new construction shall be undertaken in such a manner that if removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the historic property and its environment would be unimpaired. 59 1_4 ;' la .4 Iowa City F[i�caric Frese:vGtiar. CoraL*1scion City I-IaR, 410 E Washington St=; loon City. IA. 527A0 DENIAL OF CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS 318Norrb Gilbert Street A meeting of the Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission was held at the City Hall on November 14, Q 2017. The following members were present: Thomas Agran, Esther Baker, Kevin Boyd, Zac Builta, Gosia Clore, Sharon DeGraw, GT Karr, Cecile Kuenzli, Pamela Michaud, and Frank Wagner. By a vote of 0-10, the Commission failed to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness which would have allowed an exception to the guidelines for a proposed alteration project at 318 North Gilbert Street in the Northside Historic District The proposal consists of the application aluminum siding and trim instead of painting the original siding and trim. The application was not approved by staff due to the following reason: According to the Historic Preservation Handbook, applying synthetic siding such as aluminum, vinyl, or false masonry is disallowed. The existing siding is not deteriorated beyond repair and only requires proper painting. The application then sought an exception from the Commission. The exception exists for non - historic properties in Historic Districts where the structure may be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine the architectural merit of the property and determine whether it is worthy of preservation. The exception was denied due to the following reason: At the time of the original survey for the Northside Historic District, the property was classified as non -historic because it had not met the 50-ye2r threshold for historic classification. Now, the house would be considered Non-contributing to the District but would be considered historic because it is more than 50 years old. As a representative of mid-century modem homes, the property is intact and worthy of preservation. The existing material should be maintained. The derision may be appealed to the City Council, which will consider whether the Historic Preservation Commission has exercised its powers, and followed the guidelines established according to this Title (Title 14 of Iowa City Zoning Code), and whether the Commission's action was patently arbitrary or capricious (Iowa City Zoning Code, Article 14 -8E -2D). To appeal, a written letter requesting the appeal must be filed with the City Clerk no later than 10 business days after the date of the filing of this certificate. Esther er, Vice -Chan Iowa City Historic Prc#ry do Commission ssica nstow, Historic Preseivation Specialist Dep nt of Development Services 1 01 Date HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION November 9, 2017 Page 3 of 14 MOTION: Wagner moved to approve a certificate of appropriateness for the project at 817 Iowa Avenue as presented in the application. Clore seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 10-0 (Swaim absent). 318 Gilbert Street. Bristow stated that this property is on the southern end of the North Side Historic District. She said that at the time of the survey, this was categorized as a non -historic house. Bristow said the house was built in 1958, so that at this point, it would meet the 50 -year threshold to be considered historic. She said that if the district were to be re-evaluated, this house would be considered non-contributing to this district. Bristow said the application is to replace the siding, and staff assumes replacement of the soffits and fascia as well, with an aluminum smooth siding that would probably have the same wide plank, lapped look to it. She said that as the Commission starts to look at mid-century, modern houses, she does research on these types of houses. Bristow said this house is almost pristine on the outside as far as having its original materials. She said the house has original storm windows, original windows, a front stoop that matches the stone veneer at the entry, is shaped like an L, and has an entrance that is recessed into that L and actually recessed into the wall, which is very typical of this style of mid-century ranch home. Bristow stated that having shutters on just one face and the configuration of the picture window in the recess of the L are also typical features. As far as having its own historic integrity, Bristow said this house is very intact. Bristow said that at the same time, this house needs to be painted. She said that she has spoken to the applicants, who have done some touchup work over time. Bristow said that she visited the property in September, and it needs to be scraped and the rest of the paint needs to be removed. She said that except for a few areas up near the gutters, she did not see any big areas of rot or deteriorated siding. Bristow said the house is bound to have rot in a couple places, but what she saw in places on the west and south that she could get to is basically peeling paint. Bristow said it needs to be made sure that the wood is the right moisture level. She said that she does not know whether or not it needs to have linseed oil applied to it like any other wood lap siding. Bristow said that once the wood has the right moisture level, if the applicants use a high-quality oil-based primer and then paint the house, it should last for at least ten to 15 years. Bristow said the proper methods must be used. She said that when she visited more recently, it looked like someone had gone over this same wall in probably a primer or paint coat, which covered up the paint but is not the kind of job that needs to be done to make the paint really last. Because the siding is not heavily deteriorated and is original siding, Bristow said that at this point staff recommends that the owners paint the siding properly and not replace the siding. She said that if the Commission decides to disallow the replacement of the siding, it will need to form the motion in a positive but then vote it down. Bristow said the motion needs to be worded as a positive, and Commission members may vote yes or no based on their findings. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION November 9, 2017 Page 4 of 14 Wagner asked about the siding and whether it was wood or something like medium density fiberboard. Bristow confirmed that it is wood siding and she could see the grain in it. Karr asked Bristow about the status of the property and type of district. Bristow confirmed that this is a non-contributing property in an historic district not a conservation district. She said that if the district were to be reviewed again, it would still be classified as non-contributing. Bristow said that each district has a period of significance, and the current period of significance for this district does not extend up to 1958. Miklo stated that the property would be considered historic though, but it is from a different era. Kuenzli said that if the Commission were to approve replacing the siding with aluminum siding, people who were aware that this is in an historic district would say that they should be able to do the same thing. Bristow commented that every property is evaluated for siding individually anyway, whether it is historic or non -historic, contributing, or non-contributing. Bill Leupold said he wanted to give the Commission the history of how he wound up with a house in Iowa City. He said that in 1999, his son and daughter-in-law were living in an expensive apartment in Iowa City. Bill Leupold said his son and daughter-in-law planned to buy a house as a solution. He said he began house hunting, and eventually they bought the house on Gilbert Street. Bill Leupold said it became an issue as to whether this area should become an historic district. He said that he was not in favor of that, because he felt there would be problems in terms of maintaining this building as he wished. Bill Leupold said he received a call before the vote and was told that since the property was non-contributing, he would not have to worry and could do about anything he wants. Bill Leupold recently found out that the house needed to be painted, and he instructed his son to get it painted. They contacted three different painters. He said they could not find anyone to do the work, so he decided to try siding. Bill Leupold said the siding will last a long time, will satisfy the City, and will not require painters. Jerod Leupold said that he has lived at the house for the past 18 years. He said that he called the City several months ago and said he understood that the property is non -conforming/ noncontributing and asked if he needed to worry about anything as far as getting siding done. Jerod Leupold said he got a call back with a message saying that he was not part of that, this is non-contributing, go ahead and move along, and there were some suggestions, if he wanted to call back. Jerod Leupold said he did not need suggestions but just wanted to move forward and get this done. He said he went through a couple of different people for bids. Jerod Leupold said that when the contractor came to turn in the plans to City Hall was the first time he saw that there was any sort of issue and there may be a problem. Julia Leupold said that when it did not seem possible to paint this structure and there were all kinds of roadblocks and they had contact from the City Inspector, Miklo, and Stan Laverrman saying this doesn't look good, they understood that and knew that something needed to be done. She said that when they could not find a painter, she said they needed to do something and decided to do siding. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION November 9, 2017 Page 5 of 14 Julia Leupold said that at that point, Miklo referred her to Bristow, because Jerod Leupold had already sent for vinyl siding. Julia Leupold said they did not put the vinyl on, but it was Jerod Leupold's understanding that as a non-contributing and non -historic structure, the guidelines in the handbook did not have to be followed. Julia Leupold said that Jerod Leupold met with the Acri Siding Company several times and spent a lot of time selecting a vinyl siding. She said that Miklo then informed them that vinyl would not be a good thing, as it is a synthetic. Julia Leupold said she talked to Bristow over the phone, who told her that a siding that is aluminum with a smooth surface, if it had the same profile as the existing siding and is paintable, would be appropriate for this structure. Julia Leupold said she then called the Acri Company to tell them that they wanted to comply with this district. She said it is not their intent to not respect a historic place. Julia Leupold said that the Acri Company spent some time and did find what they felt would be appropriate 1950s siding. She discussed the history of aluminum siding and asked if aluminum would be considered synthetic, as aluminum is on the periodic table. Julia Leupold said the siding that the Acri Company found meets all the criteria that she was told would be acceptable. She said they had been told that the stonework should not be covered. Julia Leupoid said that was fine with them, as they loved the stonework. She said she was also told that the shutters should remain, and they were fine with that as well. Julia Leupold said they have tried very hard to meet the guidelines that they were given. She said previous discussion stated that the style encompassed by the North Side goes up to the 1930s. Julia Leupold said the handbook also references numerous housing styles and structures, and this little house does not fit. Julia Leupold said the handbook also really directs one to those historical architectures. She asked what the implications are and if the district will stay at that era or if other architectural styles may be added. Julia Leupold said that currently, little ranch houses are not part of that. Bristow agreed that ranch houses are not listed in the current styles for that district. Regarding whether they could be added, Bristow said she did not know but said that would be done as part of a re-evaluation of the district. Julia Leupold said that re-evaluation has not been done at that point in time, and Bristow said that is correct. Bristow said that is why this property is considered non-contributing. Julia Leupold said that is her understanding and is why they have moved forward the way that they have. Julia Leupold said that she is a teacher. She said that when one looks at a school system, it is actually very much like one of these historic districts. Julia Leupold said that through the handbook or the grading system, everyone is pretty much expected to tow that line. She said that as a teacher, however, her student body is not like that. Julia Leupold said she had all kinds of students, some more capable, some requiring more effort, more time, and more caring. She said this little house sits on the very fringe of this district. Julia Leupold said it is not contributing. Julia Leupold asked what they can do. She said she is not going to allow this little house to not be cared for, but she may need to do it in a different way than the guideline in the handbook. Julia Leupold said there are also clauses in the handbook that say that there are exceptions for non -historic and non-contributing properties. She said that she believes siding is one of them. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION November 9, 2017 Page 6 of 14 Miklo said there is a section regarding siding that he could quote from when Julia Leupold has finished her statement. Julia Leupold said they are just trying to be the best caretakers that they can be and know how to be to this home that they cherish. She said they have owned it and cared for it for 18 years. Julia Leupold said they are asking the Commission for an exception to be flexible to allow the use of a 1950s appropriate aluminum siding and meet all the criteria that they were given. She thanked the Commission for its consideration of this issue. Derek Perez said that he is a friend of Nick Acri, owner of Acri Siding Company, and also owns a couple of businesses in town. Perez said that some of the conversation made it sound like the Leupolds planned to replace the siding. He said that they plan to cover the siding, not replace it. Perez said that one of the specifications, either the appeal or the thing, is that one covers the siding and leaves the original in place, and this fits that mode. Perez said that if one looks at the house, one can see where it is painted well. He said that the house sits on the corner alley between the two buildings, and there is nothing there that can protect that south side. Perez said that no matter how many times it is painted or what kind of paint is used, the heat of the sun will hit it and the cool of the night will cool it down. He said that is why the side that looks so poor is the south side, and this will continue to happen. Perez said, with regard to historic homes, the Commission is trying to do the best that it can, and the Leupolds are trying to do the best that they can with the house that they have, and they want it to look right. Perez said that the 1950s aluminum siding is definitely within the historic parameters of that era. Perez said the moisture freezes in our climate and causes the paint to not stick. He said that the Acri Company has put siding on many historic homes in the Quad Cities, and the Historic Society in the Quad Cities has decided that the best way to protect the structures is to put siding on it. Perez said that although the owners wanted to put vinyl siding on the house, they changed to do something more historically accurate. Regarding non-contributing, Perez said that some of the people at the meeting live in the area. He said there are beautiful homes all the way throughout, but this isn't one of them. Perez said it is a nice house, but it does not have ornate details and there is nothing to it that is any different than a house over by Twain or over by his house on Brookside. He said it is not a foursquare; there are not dentil applications. Perez said he can see why the Commission does this; the houses on Summit Street look great, but this is not one of them. He said the definition of historic is "famous or important in history." Perez said that in Iowa City, this house is not famous or historic. Perez added that there will be a difference in price between having to paint the house, especially on the south side where it will have to be painted more often because it cannot be shaded. He said the boundary lines show that it makes no sense that this house is in that area. Perez said that at the corner of Bloomington and Linn, there is a beautiful house that is not in the district at all. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION November 9, 2017 Page 7 of 14 Perez said he was reading through the historic information, and as they progress from 1992 to 2007, it says that every five to ten years it is supposed to be resurveyed. He asked when the last time was that this district was resurveyed. Perez said if it has not been, the City is not following its own rules. Bristow said that if the district were resurveyed, this house would be found to be non- contributing. Perez said the house is non-contributing, but then somehow it became historic. Bristow said it is historic if it is over 50 years old; that is the definition that is used in historic preservation. Perez said he understands that 50 years is the margin, but if there is ever something that should be a reason for an exception, it is this house. Miklo stated that at the 50 -year mark is when properties are considered to be potentially historic. He said that characteristics are also looked at, such as the interest in mid-century, modern architecture, and that is where this property falls. Perez said that in the case of the North Side District, the idea is to protect houses from the 1930s era. Miklo said the plan is to protect a whole neighborhood. Perez stated that this house doesn't have anything to do with the 1930s; it was built in 1958. He said that if one would go through the course of the thing from when it was put into place in 2007, 50 years before that would be 1957. Miklo said that mid-century modern is now being recognized as an historic architectural design. Perez asked if this house is important architecturally. Bristow said it is, because it is very characteristic of its style and because it has its original materials. Bristow said that part of the overriding goal of historic preservation is to preserve the historic character of the property, whatever it is. She said that the historic character is usually defined by the materials that are used, as well as the forms, and this has both. Perez said the goal is to protect the historic materials, and by putting on something, to save the taxpayers the money of having to repaint it over and over again, what they could do is put something over it to protect it. He said that is part of it, and aluminum is not synthetic. Bristow said there are also goals in historic preservation to not cover historic materials with something that will then trap the moisture in and deteriorate them further. Perez said there was a house there before this one. He said that if that house had been saved, he could understand but said that this house was built in 1958. Perez said the Leupolds bought it in 1999. He said he did not understand how this house got included, and the house on the corner is not in a district. Perez said the owners want to do the right thing. He said there is no way to shade the one side of the house, and their best option is to cover it with aluminum siding. Perez said that if the Commission doesn't want to make them come back and repaint this all the time... He said this is just a little house that doesn't conform to the neighborhood. Perez said no one will be able to say to the Commission that this house was allowed to have aluminum siding, because there is no other house the same. Perez asked why the house on the corner is not in a district. He asked why all of those houses down across from Mercy Hospital are not in the district. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION November 9, 2017 Page 8 of 14 Miklo answered that those houses are in a commercial zone. He said there was a decision at the time not to include the commercial properties in the historic district. Agran asked if the image of the paint that is chipping off the side is from the south wall, the wall that is shared with the little brick wall. Bristow said it is right around the corner. She said that in first picture, the wall that has the deterioration is in the gable. Agran asked about the wall that is right by the entryway. Bristow said it did not show that level of deterioration. She pointed out all of the walls and the directions they face. Bristow said she did not include an overall shot of the south side because of the weeds and overgrowth that is along there and blocks the view of that side. Agran said that, as he recalled, the wall with the greatest deterioration had a ten- to 15 -foot privet hedge that was growing right up against it along that alley on the south -facing side of the building. He said it was cut back a couple of years ago. Jerod Leupold confirmed that the hedge was cut down about two years ago. Karr asked how many times the Leupolds have painted the house in the 18 years they have owned it. Bill Leupold responded that he painted it himself once about 15 years ago. Baker said the subject came up about one of the painters not wanting to paint the house if it had lead-based paint. She asked if the paint has been tested. Jerod Leupold said that a couple of painters did stop by, with one testing the paint. He said they were not 100% sure but had enough of a concern that there could be lead paint. Kuenzli asked if any other painters were contacted because there are many painters in town, not just three. Jerod Leupold said that after that, if someone asked how old the house was, he got the same kind of reaction. He said that after going through a handful of folks, he figured he would try a different option with siding. Wagner asked, if the house were owner -occupied, could the paint be let go. Miklo replied that the City cites owners as well as rental properties. He said the City does have a little more leverage with a rental property, because the rental permit can be denied until the defect is corrected. Regarding being a landlord, Bill Leupold said that he receives no rent for the property. He was shocked that he would be considered a landlord and need a rental permit when he doesn't get rent out of it. Regarding the paint job, Trimble said she sees paint deterioration. She said there is some gray wood, which was probably painted over initially, which means that it probably had UV exposure, and paint will not bind to that. Trimble said it does not look like there is an oil primer on there. She said those are two of the biggest issues. Trimble said that when painting a house, one has to make sure to use a very high solid content primer and paint. She said that most of them on the market today are not very high. Trimble said that those factors will make the paint fail much more quickly, and one needs to make sure to use at least two coats of paint, probably three in weather and sun -prone areas. Julia Leupold stated that the property to the north of this one is historic and happens to have vinyl on it. She said she was visiting with the owner of the property: Prime Rentals [actually Prestige Properties]. Julia Leupold said the owner agreed that the house had vinyl siding but HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION November 9, 2017 Page 9 of 14 said it was installed before this was an historic district. Julia Leupold said they discussed his other rental units and how often they need to be repainted. She said the neighbor told her that he has the properties on a seven-year rotation to paint, and every five years he feels like they need to go in and touch up the paint. Julia Leupold said he told her that he pays $40 per gallon for primer. She said the City is very fortunate to have a business owner who is doing that. DeGraw asked if there are painters in Iowa City who will work with lead paint. Bristow responded that the City has a list with at least ten painters who will work with lead paint. She agreed that when siding is grayed or has been exposed to UV rays, it has to be sanded and the wood has to be properly prepared. Bristow said that when the proper steps are taken, the paint job should last several years. Kuenzli said that there are two things that direct the Leupolds' wish to use aluminum siding. She said that it seems to have started with the difficulty of finding a painter who would do the job. Kuenzli said that then equally or maybe even more important, seems to be the point of view of the ease of maintenance, considering the distance away that the owners live. Kuenzli said that aluminum siding is not maintenance free. She said that when Bristow showed the pictures, she said the siding looks to be in pretty good condition, except around the gutters where there is some rot. Kuenzli said that with aluminum siding on it, one cannot see when it is rotting behind the siding. Kuenzli added that a friend of hers who has aluminum siding on her house has been plagued with wasps in the house and could not find the source. Kuenzli said that two companies looked for the source and finally, someone found a tiny hole in the second story of the house in the aluminum siding where wasps had gotten down. She said that between the aluminum siding and the exterior wall of the house, they removed a wasp nest that was five feet long and two feet wide. It is not completely maintenance free. Kuenzli said that with any siding, where there is any opening, anything can get in there whether it is moisture or insects and one cannot see it. MOTION: Wagner moved to approve a certificate of appropriateness for the siding replacement project at 318 North Gilbert Street as presented in the application. Builta seconded the motion. Agran said that from his own perspective and his own familiarity with this property, he does not believe that the siding is deteriorating because the paint just won't hold up. He said there are two south -facing walls here - one is in proximity to very overgrown vegetation and was for a long time. Agran said he is sure the deterioration is related a lot to that, especially since the other side does not have that issue. He said it could be due to the different size of the eaves, but he just does not quite believe that. Agran said he thinks that the wood seems to be in fine condition and just needs to be painted. He said a side of him feels that this is a relatively small house and that painting and maintaining this house is not really a big deal. Agran said it might be a big deal though, if the landlord lives a long way away. Agran said that if the property owner being referred to is Michael Olivera from Prestige Properties, he owns a lot of properties in the neighborhood. Agran agreed that he does a very good job of maintaining his properties, and part of that maintenance and responsibility to the property is touching up the paint and repainting. He said that like all things on a structure, they HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION November 9, 2017 Page 10 of 14 are not maintenance free, just like the gutters, which as shown in the picture are not properly attached. Agran said that side of the argument he does not really agree with. At the same time, He said that whether or not he personally agrees that this is the correct financial decision or the correct decision for the integrity of the house, the structure is listed as non-contributing. Agran said that whether or not it is historic now, it is surveyed currently as non-contributing. Miklo read the section from the exception in the guidelines that addresses that when considering whether replacement siding should be allowed: "Non-contributing and non -historic structures should be evaluated on a case by case basis to determine the architectural merit of the property under consideration. Some non-contributing and non -historic structures were classified according to an architectural style or construction period inconsistent with the district but nevertheless remain important properties and worthy of preservation." Miklo said the whole point of that paragraph is to say that perhaps this is not a Victorian house that fits into the character of the district. He said the question the Commission should ask and answer in making this decision is if this is a good example of mid-century modern buildings - ones that the Commission wants to preserve with a degree of historic materials. Miklo said he thinks that is the key point in the whole discussion. Agran said that if this were his property, this is not the choice he would make. He said that he does not think that the cited causes are actually the causes for the deterioration here. Agran said he thinks the owners make a compelling case that for whatever authenticity this property has that using the suggested material is one that would have been widely available at the time the building was constructed. He said that while he does not agree with that choice, he thinks it is a compelling argument. Boyd said he looks at the Commission's job of looking at these properties as part of a larger district as telling the story of that neighborhood. He said that should one do a reassessment that post-war infill and 50s homes that were added and mid -modern homes that were added are likely going to be part of that history of these neighborhoods and these districts. Boyd said that preserving them as they would have been and as they were seems to be part of what the Commission is trying to accomplish in terms of preserving the nature of these houses that are historic by definition now, at 50 years, and in a reassessment certainly could be contributing to a larger story of what the neighborhood and what the districts look like. Agran said this is not an enameled steel house like the one on Clark Street. He said that while that story is correct, that there may be five houses in the North Side that are part of that district, but if that story has not been established as part of a survey, to say if surveyed these would be part of that story is very different than if the survey had been done. Miklo said that is why the guidelines call for a case by case basis review of properties coming before the Commission. Agran said that any property over time, if contributing or non- contributing, is taken all individually as they are now, not as they were surveyed, and Miklo confirmed this. Bristow said that a recent example is a house on Brown Street that was listed as non-contributing and when the owner put in an application they discovered that through changes to previous alterations the house is now consider contributing to the district. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION November 9, 2017 Page 11 of 14 Karr said there was a very similar property on Summit Street. He said that about 15 years ago he was in the applicant's position. Karr said there was a duplex that he wanted to put siding on. He said it was ultimately decided that it would not be allowed, because of similar reasons, it was still in a condition to paint. Karr said the decision may have been different if the property had been in a conservation district. Miklo said there is a little more latitude in a conservation district. The motion failed to carry on a vote of 0-10 (Swaim absent). REPORTS ON CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY CHAIR AND STAFF: Certificate of No Material Effect - Chair and Staff Review. 523 Rundell Street. Bristow said this project involved the replacement of shingles, replacing flat shingles with architectural shingles. 701 Oakland Avenue. Bristow said the flat part of the roof on the addition must be redone. 519 North Gilbert Street. Bristow said the porch roof on this house is being reconstructed, and the owners may be redoing the roof material on the one-story addition on the back. 317 Fairchild Street. Bristow said this house has a new owner who is trying to get tax credits. Bristow said the internal gutters will be repaired, along with some soffit and fascia repair. Minor Review - Staff Review. 613 Grant Street. Bristow said this house has its original siding on the front, with some metal siding on the sides and the back. She said the owners are removing the metal siding on the back to make it match the front. Bristow said the sides will be done eventually. 613 Grant Street. Bristow said the owners are putting a small deck on the back of the house. 420 Ronalds Street. Bristow said that the owners are replacing a tiny, first floor casement window with a double hung window in the back on an addition. She said it does not appear to even originally be a casement window. Bristow added that the four little windows in the attic, which are inward - opening hopper windows, will be replaced with awning -type windows. Staff Report November 2, 2017 Historic Review for 318 North Gilbert Street District: Northside Historic District Classification: Non -historic at the time of the survey The applicant, Jerod Leupold, is requesting approval for a proposed alteration project at 318 N. Gilbert Street, a non -historic property, that has reached the 50 -year mark since it was classified, in the Northside I- storic District. The project consists of the removal of the original siding and its replacement with smooth aluminum siding. Applicable Regulations and Guidelines: 4.0 Iowa City Historic Preservation Guidelines £or Alterations 4.9 Paint and Color 4.11 Siding 4.14 Wood 8.0 Neighborhood District Guidelines 8.4 Northside Neighborhood Staff Comm ents This house, built in 1958 is a single -story Ranch House with an ell plan. Typical of the cross -gabled type, the low - pitch roof has wide, boxed eaves, an asymmetrical fagade, and a front -entry located off -center under the main roof. Wide wood clapboards clad the house which has two -over -two double -hung windows with original storms and typical applied shutters on the street fa$ade. As is common in the style, a different material, in this case stone veneer, clads the street -facing wall at the recessed entry and extends into the stone entry stoop. The main picture -window, also typical in Ranch -style homes is set in the stone -clad wall and consists of narrow multi -paned windows flanking a larger fixed -sash window. As a Mid-century Modern Ranch, this house is an intact representative of its historic type. The Northside neighborhood has experienced several waves of development that saw the area's large lots originally built with smaller dwellings divided and new houses built on site. In the case of this property, this house replaced an older smaller home on the lot and is an example of infill development following WWII. At the time of the survey the house had not -reached its 50 -year mark, which is used as the qualifying age for a historic property. Now that the 50 -year mark has passed, the property would be considered historic. Its condition maintains a high level of historic architectural integrity. The applicant is proposing to replace the existing, original wide -plank wood clapboard siding with a smooth aluminum siding and cover the existing, original sills with aluminum siding. Staff assumes that while the application does not mention soffits, trim, and fascia, they would also be replaced since the applicant's goal is to avoid painting. Staff is seeking confirmation of this from the applicant but this had not occurred by the time of the publication of the staff report. The guidelines recommend removing loose and peeling paint and cleaning the surfaces to be painted in accordance with State and Federal guidelines because of the possible existence of lead. Grayed surfaces of weathered wood should be removed by sanding. Dry wood should be treated with linseed oil and primed with an oil-based primer. All priming, caulking, and finishing should be done with high-quality products. As the guidelines state in section 4.11 Siding, wood siding along with the trim details combine to make one of the most important defining characteristics of historic districts and therefore siding is protected by the design guidelines. The primary threat to the traditional appearance of older neighborhoods has been the application of synthetic siding. This has been installed in an effort to avoid periodic painting. While synthetic siding may last longer than an application of paint, it does deteriorate over time and does need to be replaced when it fades, cracks, dents, or deteriorates. The application of synthetic siding covers many architectural details of a building, damages the historic siding and trim, traps moisture within the walls, and in some cases, necessitates the removal of historic elements altogether. For all of these reasons the covering of original siding with synthetic siding is not allowed. The guidelines also recommend repairing historic wood siding and trim if deteriorated and removing, not installing, synthetic siding. Deteriorated sections of wood siding should be replaced with new or salvaged wood siding that matches the historic siding. If the wood siding overall is deteriorated and needs replacement, the substitute material must be durable, accept paint, and be approved by the Historic Preservation Commission. Applying synthetic siding such as aluminum, vinyl, and false masonry siding is disallowed. An exception exists for non -historic properties in Historic Districts where synthetic siding may be considered on a case-by-case basis. To consider this exception, structures will be evaluated individually to determine the architectural merit of the property under consideration. Some noncontributing and non -historic structures were classified according to an architectural style or construction period inconsistent with the district, but nevertheless remain important properties and worthy of preservation. When this exception is applied, historic wood siding may not be removed but must be covered only. All other details including soffits, trim, and window sills must remain uncovered. The synthetic siding must also appear similar to the original siding and not have a fake wood -grain texture. As the applicants stated in the application, they seek siding replacement to relieve them of the cost of periodic repainting the house. They also state that the southern exposure on the alley provides a condition where the paint deteriorates significantly faster than the other sides. Staff review of the project led to a denial of approval for siding replacement and the applicant subsequently chose to bring the project before the Commission for review instead. To review this application, staff considered three different factors which are outlined here. While the property had not reached its fifty-year mark at the time of the survey of the property, this threshold has since been reached. As a Ranch House, this property maintains a high integrity of materials. Almost everything on the exterior appears to be original. At a review of the District maps and properties, staff would recommend the Commission consider the property historic. Currently the period of significance for the Northside Historic District is the 1860s through the 1930s. Because of this date range, at this time the property would be considered non-contributing, not non -historic. In order to fully replace the original siding on any historic property, the siding must be deteriorated. If only individual pieces are deteriorated, they must be replaced to match the existing or repaired. While staff agrees with the housing inspector who has cited the property that the house needs to be repainted, inspection of all sides of the house resulted in very little exterior deterioration. The siding appears to be relatively devoid of rot or similar damage. Exposed wood appears dry but usable. Staff would not recommend replacing the original siding even if the proposed product was a pre -approved material. The conditions of the exception for synthetic siding application only apply to non -historic properties in Historic Districts, which staff finds no longer applies to this property. In addition, the intact character and materiality of this property, staff would argue is worthy of preservation. Avoiding periodic maintenance at the expense of historic materials is not a consideration that justifies an exception to the guidelines. Research has shown that a professional paint job that includes scraping, application of boiled linseed oil if the wood is dried, verification of the correct moisture level, and application of an oil-based primer under quality paint can last a minimum of 10 to 15 years, and longer in many cases. Staff finds that the deterioration described by the applicant may be the result of unsatisfactory attention to any of these parts of the process. Deferred maintenance is not an excuse for lack of adherence to the guidelines. Recommended Motion (Motions must be made in the affirmative and then voted down if the application is being denied.) Move to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for the siding replacement project at 318 North Gilbert Street as presented in the application. � r �, �+! ,.,� : _ T _ � _ � ,-� r _t k � _ / . '� ': '- ..nh �. Y�1xt_. . �� - i ..�... \ :.�? )lw-sl-.:s-i. �� —_ 4 �7 f` - � �' �� �; :+-i i..ii-"� � l V ' .��� �... ', :. ��yy,,��.rc NA ;R'�� a � iY '� '�� � r,.rr yy `��� < J Application for Historic Review Application for alterations to the historic landmarks or properties located in a historic district or conservation district pursuant to Iowa City Code Section 144C. Guidelines for the Historic Review process, explanation of the process and regulations can be found in the Iowa City Historic Preservation Handbook which is available in the Neighborhood and Development Services office at City Hall or online at: www.iogov.org/historicpreservationresources. The HPC does comply with all building permit, For Staff Use: Date submitted: —ZO/ ZO / 7 ❑ Certificate of No material Effect ❑ Certificate of Appropriateness ❑ Major review ❑ Intermediate review ❑ Minor review tot review applications for compliance with building and zoning codes. Work must appropriate codes and be reviewed by the building division prior to the issuance of a Meeting Schedule: The HPC meets the second Thursday of each month. Applications are due in the office of Neighborhood and Development Services by noon on Wednesday three weeks prior to the meeting, See attached document for application deadlines and meeting dates. Property Owner/Applicant Information (Please check primmy contact person) ❑ Property Owner Name: eQQ_n a V QOL—n Email: Zhl G Ievpe– tiSr-r6 Phone Number: (3f1) 321 T71&% 61 Address: berg City: t State: 1 4N Zip Code: 52-2-1-4-511Q Contractor / Consultant Name: _ r }'C Q t CD .A p q,J1�( ' Email: 11 RqqC iZ l 4 LkC (Ci COwt VA K q Phone Number: (5c 32o ti 9 IS Address: ,�,,,�^t i1-2.4 City: r+'X6�t ul� M,t Ic, W State: Lw Zip'Code: 6 t ? �t Proposed Project Information Address: �1g t Gdbe2- tn� ©oA- Cd Use of Property: _ SInA I e n tT_ Date Constructed (if known): 1 ��J 00 Historic Designation (Maps are located in the Historic Preservation handbook) ❑ This Property is a local historic landmark. OR ❑ This Property is within a historic or conservation district (choose location) ❑ Brown Street Historic District ❑ Clark Street Conservation District ❑ College Green Historic District ❑ College Hill Conservation District ❑ East College Street Historic District ❑ Dearborn Street Conservation District ❑ Longfellow Historic District ❑ Goosetown / Horace Mann Conservation District ;K Northside Historic District ❑ Govemor-Lucas Street Conservation District ❑ Summit Street Historic District ❑ Woodlawn Historic District Within the district, this Property is classified as: - 0 Contributing `XI Noncontributing Nonhistoric Application Requirements Choose appropriate project type. In order to ensure application can be processed, please include all listed materials. Applications without necessary materials may be rejected. ❑ Addition (Typically projects entailing an addition to the building footprint such as a room, porch, deck, etc.) ❑ Building Elevations ❑ Floor Plans Photographs ❑ Product Information ❑ Site Plans Alteration (Typically projects entailing work such as siding and window replacement, skylights, window opening alterations, deck or porch replacementlemstruction, baluster repair, or similar. If the project is a minor alteration, photographs and drawings to describe the scope of the project are sufficient.) ❑ Building Elevations ❑ Photographs ❑ Product Information ❑ Construction of new building ❑ Building Elevations ❑ Floor Plans ❑ Photographs ❑ Product Information ❑ Site Plans ❑ Demolition (Projects entailing the demolition of a primary structure or outbuilding, or any portion of a building, such as porch, chimney, decorative nim, baluster, etc.) ❑ Photographs ❑ Proposal of Future Plans ❑ Repair or restoration of an existing structure that will not change its appearance. ❑ Photographs ❑ Product Information ❑ Other: Please contact the Preservation Planner at 356-5243 for materials which need to be included with application. Proposed Project Details Project Description: Materials to be Used: hispm/app for histoncreview.doc 614114 Download,d, FufI screc,,,j X Hde r,,cnail DP Derek Pere -7 Yesterday, 2:31 PM You v ATTOOOOI.td 356 bytes ATT00002.t)ct 356 bytes ATT00003.bct 356 bytes ATT00004.tct 375 bytes A 8 attachments (182 K13) Download all Save all to OneDrive - Personal M -rk- NCrI^ SOv �PaS� eCJ�. � � �3 �L �+� �•G1-• 1 � � IS oma. bu; vl 1159 KDI6s ro ►1l� 7�nZ In4r.� �f0 � ZOv,.I a�/'(i �I U s[„KI(J I)e allowed 4-0 rovcve eos� o� Cohn ,d'F� reP4�-.�, -ml-,5 rrorl. , i'it wand 5('Dlt , e�- ILA`S ern a3 A4 1, -L atd Nci�v+L_ eJ- +6 pb�� Ca%J rod- be ShaSe� oe,� ��,t '►.,� 1� itis bt�� r -P, p� la�� 1DF' olci pC,V% 5kOLj h,f-c ,ZahJ— U I I 0WOV- St�ervieA - c vv(h nLd ��P Off I rckh oa This house sits at the very Southeast edge of the Northside Historic District. It is on the alley between Bloomington and Davenport Streets. It is on the actual border. The house was built in 1958 and holds no historic merit to the zone and truly should be allowed a variance to relieve the owners of the cost of continually repainting the property. The product specified for use was specifically designed to mimic the siding of the 50s. Due to the position of th e house on the alley, it cannot be shaded to to relieve the damage caused by the sun and its effect on painted wood. The enclosed pictures detail the different sides of the house and with closer inspection the paint has been renewed quite a few times. The southern exposure, on the alley, shows significantly more damage. I have enclosed a price comparison of painting versus siding to reiterate how much more money it would cost to paint the house versus siding. DmvMoad ' Fuh screen X Hide erna;l 91 Dp Derek Perez Yesterday, 2:31 PM You d ATT00001.txt 356 bytes ATT00002.txt IV 356 bytes ATT00003.txt 356 bytes ATT00004.txt 375 bytes A8 attachments (182 KB) Download all Save all to OneDrive -Personal