HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-01-22 OrdinanceItem Number: 8.a.
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January 22, 2019
Motion setting a public hearing for February 5 on an ordinance conditionally
rezoning approximately 18.03 acres from Interim Development Multi -family
Residential (ID -RM) zone to Planned Development Overlay/Low Density
Single -Family Residential (OPD/RS-5) zone (5.8 acres), Planned
Development Overlay/Low Density Multi -Family Residential (OPD/RM-12)
zone (9.7 acres) and Neighborhood Public (P-1) zone (2.26 acres) located
east of S. Gilbert Street and west of Sandusky Drive. (REZ18-00024)
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Staff Report
To: Planning and Zoning Commission
Item: REZ18-00024/SUB18-00017
Cherry Creek Subdivision
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Applicants:
Contact:
STAFF REPORT
Prepared by: Ray Heitner
Date: January 3, 2019
Bedrock, LLC
3500 Dolphin Drive
Iowa City, IA 52240
City of Iowa City, IA
410 E. Washington Street
Iowa City, IA 52240
Kelly Beckler
MMS Consultants
1917 S. Gilbert Street
Iowa City, IA 52240
Requested Action: Rezoning from ID -RM to OPD/RS-5, OPD/RM-12
and OPD/P-1 preliminary sensitive areas
development plan, and preliminary plat approval.
Purpose:
Location:
Location Map:
Size:
To allow development of (17) single family lots, (21)
townhouse style multifamily dwellings, (1) 36 -unit
multifamily buildings, and (1) new City Fire station.
East of S. Gilbert Street and South of Waterfront Dr.
18.03 acres
Existing Land Use and Zoning: Undeveloped
Surrounding Land Use and Zoning
Comprehensive Plan:
Neighborhood Open Space District
File Date:
45 Day Limitation Period:
2
North: residential and agricultural - ID -RM
South: residential — RS-5/OHD
East: residential — RS -5
West: Napoleon Park — P1
South District Plan — residential 2- 8 dwelling units
per acre
S1- Wetherby
November 29, 2018
January 13, 2019
APPLICATION BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
An earlier version of this application was first presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission on
June 7t" of 2018. The Commission voted to defer, at the applicant's request, consideration of the
application until June 21st, 2018. During the June 21st meeting, the Commission voted 6-1 to
recommend the application to the City Council, with the following conditions:
1. That the City Forester would review and approve the tree replacement and protection plan
prior to issuance of the final plat.
2. At the time of final platting, the development agreement will specify that roof drains and
gutters for Lots 5-16 will be required to drain towards the storm sewer drains on Toby Circle.
3. That the applicant will contact with an archaeologist approved by the state to complete a
study or excavation plan prior to any additional grading on the property.
At the City Council's second hearing for the application on September 4t", 2018, the motion
recommending approval of the application failed due to a 3-3 vote from the Council. Council
members provided various reasons for approval and disapproval of the original application. Those
in favor of approving the application cited the desire to have high quality homes in this area of town,
and praised the application's incorporation of varied dwelling units and densities. Dissenting
opinions included concerns about increased traffic and density to this neighborhood, and a general
lack of social infrastructure in the development.
The current iteration of the application includes a preliminary plat and sensitive areas development
plan, in addition to the request to rezone the land. The current application has made a few notable
changes. The second 36 dwelling -unit multi -family building, formerly located on Lot 1, has been
removed from this application. The City of Iowa City is a co -applicant on the rezoning application
for Lot 1 to be rezoned to Neighborhood Public (P-1). The current application has also removed all
structures from the Lot 1 area to make way for a grading plan that will make the lot relatively flat
and ready for future development.
The City has entered into a purchase agreement with Bedrock L.L.0 to purchase Lot 1 from the
developer, with the intention of building a future fire station for the city on the lot. The City anticipates
obtaining possession of this lot on November 30, 2019. While the City plans on using this lot for a
future fire station, actual construction of the station will likely be several years from now. The
agreement is contingent upon the seller (Bedrock) satisfying several conditions, including
subdividing and rezoning the property for use as a fire station. All public infrastructure, including
streets, sanitary sewer, and water will be installed by the seller prior to City possession. The seller
will also be responsible for performing all site grading and seeding, and the lot will be transferred to
the City as greenspace.
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Additional minor changes to this application include illustration of designated private open space
with playground equipment and picnic tables highlighted on the plat. Some preliminary landscaping
details have been shown on the plat as well.
LAND BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
This property was annexed into the city between 1960 and 1966. Since 1983 it has been zoned
Intern Development — Multifamily (ID -RM). The applicant has requested that the property be
rezoned to Planned Development Overlay/Low Density Single Family Residential (RS -5) for 5.80
acres and Planned Development Overlay/Low Density Multifamily Residential (RM -12) for 9.70
acres. As co -applicant, the City of Iowa City is requesting a rezone for 2.53 acres in the southwest
portion of the subdivision to Planned Development Overlay/Neighborhood Public (P-1). The City
intends to use this land to build a future Fire Station.
A Planned Development Overlay zone is required due to the presence of multiple sensitive features
such as removal of existing woodlands and proposed disturbance of protected slopes to
accommodate stormwater management. More details on these features will be presented in the
Sensitive Areas section of the staff report.
The applicant conducted a second Good Neighbor Meeting on November 27th, 2018 to discuss
these revisions to the plan. The meeting was attended by 15 neighbors who are adjacent to the
proposed development. Some meeting attendees expressed similar concerns to concepts
presented in the original application including, a lack of usable open space, general density
concerns, and safety concerns with the pedestrian crossing at Gilbert St. Other meeting attendees
were supportive of the project. In addition to presenting updates to the plan, the developer gave a
general time frame for completing different phases of the development, emphasizing construction
of the Cherry Avenue townhomes and Toby Circle single family homes before construction of the
36-plex multi -family building on Lot 2.
ANALYSIS:
Current Zoning: The purpose of the Interim Development Zone (ID) is to provide for areas of
managed growth in which agricultural and other non -urban uses of land may continue until such
time as the City is able to provide City services and urban development can occur. Upon provision
of City services, the City or the property owner may initiate rezoning to zones consistent with the
Comprehensive Plan, as amended.
General Planned Development Approval Criteria:
Applications for Planned Development Rezonings are reviewed for compliance with the following
standards according to Article 14-3A of the Iowa City Zoning Ordinance.
The density and design of the Planned Development will be compatible with and/or
complementary to adjacent development in terms of land use, building mass and scale, relative
amount of open space, traffic circulation and general layout.
Density — RS -5: The applicant has requested that 5.80 acres located on the south and east side
of the development be rezoned from ID to Low Density Single Family with a Planned Development
Overlay for sensitive areas (OPD/RS-5). The Low Density Single -Family Residential Zone (RS -
5) is primarily intended to provide housing opportunities for individual households. The minimum
lot size in the RS -5 zone is 8,000 square feet with a minimum lot width of 60 feet. The proposed
lots range in size from 8,164 square feet to 17,242 square feet. All lots meet the minimum 60 -
foot lot width. Staff finds the proposed OPD/RS-5 plan is compatible with the adjacent
development to the east, and provides for a transition to the higher density multifamily
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development proposed to the west.
RM -12: The applicant is proposing Low Density Multifamily with a Planned Development
Overlay for sensitive areas (OPD/RM-12) on 9.7 acres within the project's northern area. The
purpose of the Low Density Multi -Family Residential Zone (RM -12) is to provide for the
development of high density, single-family housing and low density, multi -family housing. This
zone is intended to provide a diverse variety of housing options in neighborhoods throughout
the City. Careful attention to site and building design is important to ensure that the various
housing types in any one location are compatible with one another. The 17 dwelling units on Lot
3 would be placed on a 2.93 acre lot, resulting in a density of 5.8 units per acre. The 40 dwelling
units on Lot 2 would be placed on a 6.05 -acre lot, resulting in a density of 6.6 units per acre.
The collective average of these areas would result in 6.2 units per acre, well within the
prescribed density range of 2-8 units per acre that is articulated in the comprehensive plan.
Within the proposed OPD/RM-12 zone, the applicant is proposing one 36 -unit multifamily
building to the east of Gilbert Street, with driveway access to the proposed extension of Cherry
Avenue. An additional 21 townhouse -style multifamily dwellings are proposed to be located on
Cherry Avenue. The proposed townhouse style dwellings provide a transition between the
single-family neighborhood and the proposed apartment building adjacent to Gilbert Street.
After removing street right-of-way, the overall density of the proposed RM -12 area is 6.2 units
per acre. When combined with the RS -5 area the overall density of the proposed development
is 6.1 units per acre and is within the 2-8 dwelling units per acre shown on the Comprehensive
Plan for this area. As discussed below, the South District Plan element of the Comprehensive
Plan encourages the clustering of development on this property.
P-1: The proposed City fire station that would be located on Lot 1 would be placed on a 2.26
acre plot of land. Building design, dimension, and placement details for the station are unknown
at this time. Fire Department officials indicated at the Good Neighbor meeting in November that
department vehicles would primarily look to use S. Gilbert St. as a point of access to and from
the station, though there might be occasions where use of Cherry Avenue would be necessary.
Fire Department officials also noted that once the City was ready to proceed with the
development of a fire station, additional community meetings would be held.
Land uses proposed and general layout - The planned development process encourages a mix
of housing types and allows the flexibility to locate those housing types in a manner that fits the
site. The land uses proposed are single-family units, townhouse style multifamily buildings with 3
to 5 dwellings per building, and one 36 -unit multifamily building with a combination of surface level
and lower level parking. The layout of the streets and buildings have been designed to provide a
transition from the existing single-family homes in the Pepperwood Addition and the larger
apartment building proposed near Gilbert Street. Woodlands and slopes provide a buffer between
this and the adjacent properties to the north and south.
Mass and Scale - The proposed single family lots are subject to the same RS -5 standards
regarding setbacks, lot coverage, and building height as the existing lots in the Pepperwood
Addition. The townhouse buildings include 3 design options with a variety of building materials
and roof lines to prevent a monotonous streetscape.
The larger multifamily building has been designed to generally comply with the multifamily design
standards, including fagade articulation and variation of the roof line. The stone veneer and wood
siding are intended to complement the natural environment.
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Open space - Lots 2 and 3 will contain over 2 acres of protected open space. However, most of
that area contains steep slopes and woodlands and will have limited use for active recreation.
The applicant has shown a private open space area adjacent to the 36 -unit building on Lot 1 for
residents' use. Staff recommends that the final plan provide details regarding the square footage
of those areas, and any amenities, such as outdoor dining space and playground equipment. The
developer has agreed to pay fees in lieu of providing accessible public open space.
Traffic circulation - Cherry Avenue will provide street access for the property to Gilbert Street, an
arterial street with sufficient capacity for the projected traffic. Based on the Institute of Traffic
Engineers Trip Generation Handbook (91" Edition), the development (as proposed with 76 dwelling
units) will generate between 500 and 550 vehicle trips per weekday. In 2014, Gilbert Street had
an average daily traffic count of approximately 6,700 vehicles per day (Iowa DOT). Given that the
capacity of a four -lane minor arterial street is more than 30,000 trips per day, the additional traffic
generated by the development alone will not over -burden Gilbert Street.
While some of the traffic generated may choose to use Sandusky Drive for access, it is anticipated
that a majority of the traffic will access Cherry Avenue via Gilbert Street. Additionally, the
connection of Cherry Avenue from Sandusky Drive to Gilbert Street will provide an alternative
street access for the Pepperwood subdivisions and will improve access for emergency and
service vehicles.
As discussed below under #4. traffic calming features are being included on Cherry Avenue.
Based on this information, and given the removal of the second 36-plex building from the original
plan, staff finds the density and design of the Planned Development will be compatible with and
complementary to adjacent development in terms of land use, building mass and scale, relative
amount of open space, traffic circulation and general layout.
2. The development will not overburden existing streets and utilities.
City sewer and water is available to this property. Capacity is adequate to accommodate
development of these additional dwelling units. Onsite stormwater management is required.
The applicant is proposing to build two stormwater basins in the ravine located along the north
property line. Preliminary storm water calculations reviewed by the City Engineer indicate that
the capacity of the proposed storm water basins are adequate to handle the projected run-off
from the site.
The ravine in which the stormwater facilities is proposed, contains protected slopes. Currently
the ravine is subject to severe erosion. Construction of the stormwater facilities will be designed
to correct current erosion and prevent future erosion. As noted below, the sensitive areas
provisions of the zoning code allow essential utilities, including stormwater facilities, to be
constructed within protected areas if they are designed to protect against erosion, pollution and
habitat disturbance, and result in minimal amounts of excavation and filling. After installation of
the facilities, the sensitive protected areas and associated buffers must be restored by the
developer. Because part of the stormwater facilities will be located on the adjacent property to
the north, an off-site easement will be necessary at time of final plat approval.
Gilbert Street has capacity to serve the proposed development and Cherry Avenue will improve
traffic connectivity for the area. Based on this information, it is staff's finds that the development
will not overburden existing streets and utilities.
3. The development will not adversely affect views, light and air, property values and privacy of
neighboring properties any more than would a conventional development.
M
While the proposed development will be a significant change to what has been appreciated for
many years by surrounding neighbors as open space, staff finds that the proposed development
is not a significant departure from what would be allowed for a conventional development with
regard to views, light and air, property values, and privacy of neighboring properties. The
proposed RS -5 lots (lots 4-16) will provide a transition from the existing single-family homes
within the Pepperwood Addition to the townhouse style buildings and the larger apartment
buildings to the west. The apartment building will be built down slope from the existing
neighborhood and this should help lessen the visual effect of these larger buildings.
The property to the south is the historic McCollister Farm, which contains a historic house and
a recently constructed single-family dwelling. These two properties contain a significant amount
of open space and woodlands that screen them from the proposed development. Because the
McCollister Farm is a designated historic landmark, further development is not anticipated.
Grading plans for Lot 1 will remove some trees from the southern property line. Staff has
requested that the developer dedicate an additional landscape easement along the southwest
boundary of Lot 1 to provide vegetation screening for neighbors to the south. A mixture of
evergreen, oak, and white pine trees have been recommended by City Parks and Recreation
staff as suitable replacement trees for the developer to plant in this area.
The property to the north contains Friendly Farm, an organic agricultural use. The ravine on the
north side of this property continues onto the Friendly Farm property. The portion of the ravine
on this property contains protected slopes and will be within a conservation easement
preventing further development. This will provide a wooded buffer between the proposed
Cherry Creek Subdivision and the Friendly Farm property.
Based on this information, staff finds the development will not adversely affect views, light and
air, property values, and privacy of neighboring properties any more than would a conventional
development
4. The combination of land uses and building types and any variation from the underlying zoning
requirements or from City street standards will be in the public interest, in harmony with the
purposes of this Title, and with other building regulations of the City.
All planned developments must comply with all the applicable requirements and standards of
the underlying zoning district and the subdivision regulations, unless specifically waived or
modified through the planned development process. Variations to the dimensional requirements
of the underlying base zone and subdivision regulations are allowed:
• to facilitate the provision of desired neighborhood amenities or open space;
• to preserve or protect natural, historic, or cultural features;
• to achieve compatibility with surrounding development; or
• to create a distinctive or innovative neighborhood environment for area residents.
The initial application included a request for reduction of the standard collector street width of
31 feet down to 28 feet on Cherry Avenue. The applicant will request a waiver from this reduction
in street width, as the current application shows streets designed with this width in mind. In its
review of the previous application, staff recommended this reduction to provide traffic calming
for Cherry Avenue, which will carry traffic from Sandusky Drive to Gilbert Street. Traffic circles
are also proposed on Cherry Avenue in two locations where it will intersect with Toby Circle.
The intent is to allow Cherry Avenue to provide neighborhood street connectivity, but to
discourage its use as a cut through, and to calm speeds of vehicles using the street. Staff finds
that the proposal to reduce the pavement width from 31 feet to 28 feet is reasonable given the
goal of traffic calming for this street.
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Pedestrian Facilities: Planned developments must include pedestrian facilities to ensure that
residents and visitors have access to public streets and sidewalks, building entrances, parking
areas, shared open spaces, natural areas, and other amenities. In addition, providing street trees
and a variety of building facades that address the street with visible doors and windows make for
a more comfortable environment along the street for pedestrians. Staff finds that the sidewalks,
building designs, and street trees proposed will meet the standard described above.
However, staff is also recommending that the applicant install a 5' wide sidewalk along the entire
Gilbert Street frontage along the east side of S. Gilbert St. Staff is also requesting that the
developer install curb ramps for an uncontrolled crosswalk across S. Gilbert St. The City will be
responsible for striping and signage of this cross walk. This location has been reviewed by City
traffic planning staff, and has been designated as a safe location for this cross walk.
Public Open Space Requirement: Based on the 5.8 acres proposed for Low Density Single -Family
Residential zone and the 9.7 acres proposed for Low Density Multifamily Residential zone, the
applicant would be required to dedicate .80 acres of land or pay fees in lieu of land. Given the
steep topography of this area, it is unlikely that there is land that is suitable for a public park. As
stated before, the applicant has indicated that they will pay fees in lieu of providing the required
amount of public open space. The fee will be equal to the fair market value of the land that
otherwise would have been required for dedication. The fee must be paid in full by the developer
prior to the issuance of the first building permit for any lot within the development.
Private Shared Open Space: Large portions of lots 2 and 3 contain protected slopes and
woodlands. A smaller area of woodland is contained on the north portion of lot 4. These areas are
labeled as conservation easements. At the time of final plat approval, the applicant must submit
a legally binding instrument setting forth the procedures and financing structure to be followed for
maintaining the stormwater facilities and the surrounding conservation easement. The developer
has indicated that a homeowner's association will be established to maintain the common areas.
The details of this arrangement will need to be addressed in the legal papers submitted when the
final planned development plan is submitted.
As shown in the revised plat, the developer has identified 0.08 acres of private open space for
neighborhood residents on Lots 2 and 3, to the west of the 36-plex multi -family housing building.
This area will contain some open recreational space, along with playground equipment and a
picnic table area with a pergola cover and grills.
Compliance with Comprehensive Plan: The South District Plan encourages development of
neighborhoods with a mix of housing types to allow for housing options. Although the predominant
land use in the area will remain detached single-family housing, new neighborhoods should
provide opportunities for townhouses, duplexes as well as multifamily buildings to serve residents
throughout their lifetimes. The South District Plan contemplated locations where opportunities for
higher density housing and clustered density should be allowed, noting: "West of the Pepperwood
Subdivision, wooded slopes make traditional development impractical. In this area, the 2 to 8
dwelling units per acre envisioned on the land use map on page 53 could be clustered through
an overlay planned development. Such development would rely on an extension of Cherry Street,
which will provide improved connectivity and circulation for the single-family neighborhood to the
east by allowing residents more direct street access to South Gilbert Street."
The South District Plan indicates that property along the east side of Gilbert Street, south of the
railroad, may be appropriate for town -home or other small lot or duplex development. Additional
density may be considered for projects that add a unique housing element or that enhance
housing diversity for the South District or that otherwise contribute to the connectivity of
neighborhoods or enhance visibility and street access to public parks and other open space. The
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extension of Cherry Avenue will provide an important east -west connection allowing neighbors
more direct access to Gilbert Street and the parks and trails located to the west of Gilbert Street.
Subdivision Design: The proposed subdivision will connect Cherry Avenue with the S. Gilbert
St. A new street, Toby Circle, will be built with two points of access off of Cherry Avenue. Toby
Circle will provide frontage for Lots 5-16, all of which are planned to be single-family homes. An
additional single-family home will be built on Lot 4, along the eastern portion of the subdivision
on Cherry Ave. Lots 19 and 20, fronting Cherry Avenue along the street's south side, will each
contain a duplex. The north side of Cherry Avenue will contain multi -family housing consisting of
one 3-plex building, two 4-plex buildings, and two 5-plex buildings. An alley that will provide
driveway access to these multi -family buildings will connect with Cherry Avenue and intersect
the two points of access from Toby Circle. A traffic calming circle will be placed in each
intersection to slow down through traffic on Cherry Avenue.
A 36-plex multi -family building will be located on Lot 2, at the northeast corner of Cherry Avenue
and S. Gilbert St. This building will feature private open space for Cherry Creek residents,
equipped with playground equipment, picnic tables, and an open field. Parking will be situated
beneath the building and behind the building, screened from view on Cherry Avenue and S.
Gilbert St.
The southeast corner of Cherry Avenue and S. Gilbert St. will contain a future fire station for
Iowa City.
Cherry Avenue and Toby Circle will be equipped with sidewalks on both sides of the streets. A
5' sidewalk will be built along the east side of the property's western frontage along S. Gilbert
St.
The Gilbert Street corridor was reviewed in 2017 to identify improvements for traffic safety and to
increase the bikeability and walkability of the area, while supporting the development visions
articulated in the Riverfront Crossings and Downtown Master Plans. As part of the review, a 4 -
lane to 3 -lane conversion was studied. This type of conversion would allow for a potential
pedestrian refuge island and southbound left -turn lane on Gilbert Street near the Cherry Creek
development, though this project has not yet been approved by the Iowa City, City Council.
A mid -block uncontrolled pedestrian crossing on Gilbert Street near the Cherry Creek
Development could include a painted crosswalk, pedestrian crossing signs and advance
pedestrian crossing signs. This crossing is planned to be located across from the northern
parking area for Napoleon Park.
Sensitive Areas Review: The applicant has applied for approval of a Sensitive Areas
Development, a type of planned development. The purpose of the Sensitive Areas Ordinance is
to permit and define the reasonable use of properties that contain sensitive environmental
features and natural resources, and allowing reasonable development while protecting these
resources from damage. The following paragraphs describe the impact this development will have
on the sensitive features of this site.
Steep, Critical, and Protected Slopes - The purpose of regulating development on and near steep
slopes is to:
1. Promote safety in the design and construction of developments;
2. Minimize flooding, landslides and mudslides;
3. Minimize soil instability, erosion and downstream siltation; and
4. Preserve the scenic character of hillside areas, particularly wooded hillsides.
The applicant is proposing to grade protected slopes to allow installation of stormwater
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management facilities and to grade areas that appear to be humanly altered protected slopes.
Disturbance of protected slopes and or protected slope buffers trigger the requirement of this Level
II Sensitive Areas Review with Planning and Zoning Commission review and City Council approval
required.
Development activity is not allowed on protected slopes or in the 50 -foot buffer required around
protected slopes, unless the slopes were previously humanly altered. In addition, disturbance of
altered protected slopes or a reduction of a protected slope buffer may only be approved if a
geologist or professional engineer demonstrates to the satisfaction of the City that the proposed
development activity can and will be designed to eliminate hazards and will not undermine the
stability of the slope or the buffer area.
The applicant has indicated that the protected slopes adjacent to Gilbert Street have been humanly
altered and is requesting permission to encroach into protected slope and buffer areas. There is
evidence that this assessment is correct. When Gilbert Street was reconstructed several years ago,
it appears that grading was done for the street and to provide fill material. Staff from the City
Engineer's office visited the property and based on the angle of the slope and the pattern of trees
(younger volunteer trees being present on the previously disturbed areas) concurs with this
assessment.
The applicant is also proposing to remove trees and grade portions of protected slope and buffer
areas located within the ravine on the north side of this property and on the adjacent property to
allow for the installation of stormwater management facilities. As noted above under #2 the ravine
is currently subject to severe erosion. Construction of the stormwater facilities will be designed to
correct current erosion and prevent future erosion. The sensitive areas provisions of the zoning
code allow essential utilities including stormwater facilities to be constructed within with protected
areas, if they are designed to protect against erosion, pollution and habitat disturbance, and result
in minimal amounts of excavation and filling. After installation of the facilities, the sensitive protected
areas and associated buffers must be restored by the developer. Because part of the stormwater
facilities will be located on the adjacent property to the north, an off-site easement will be necessary
at time of final plat approval.
Staff has recommended that healthy, mature trees be in or near the ravine be preserved and
protected from construction activity to the extent possible. A tree protection plan should be
submitted and approved at the time of the final OPD plan. Provided all conditions are satisfied to
prevent erosion, ensure long term stability of the slopes, and the structural integrity of the proposed
buildings, staff finds that the proposed encroachment into what appear to be previously altered
slopes is reasonable.
Woodlands: The property contains approximately 13.17 acres of woodland (8.68 acres in the area
proposed for RM -12, 2.15 acres in the area proposed for RS -5, and 2.34 acres in the area proposed
for P-1). The ordinance requires that if more than 50% of a woodland in an RS -5 zone is removed,
replacement trees must be planted at a ratio of 1 tree per every 200 feet of woodland disturbance.
For properties zoned RM -12, 20% of the woodlands must be retained or replacement trees must
be planted. Not including areas that are located within the 50' woodland buffer, approximately 85%
or 1.83 acres of woodlands in the area to be rezoned to RS -5 will be removed. The developer has
agreed to meet the required replacement tree quota stated in the Woodland Retention
Requirements section of the code and plant replacement trees at a rate of 1 tree for every 200
square feet of woodland removed from the 50% retention area. This will result in 234 replacement
trees being planted in the RS -5 area. The area to be rezoned to RM -12 will see approximately 44%
or 3.78 acres of woodland areas removed. Not counting areas within the 50' woodland buffer, the
development will preserve 21% or 1.86 acres of existing woodlands. This proposed preservation
figure meets the minimum retention area requirement for an RM -12 zone of 20%, therefore no
replacement trees will need to be planted in this zone. There is no woodland retention area
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requirement for a P-1 zone. The City Forester will review and approve the final version of the tree
replacement plan prior to final plat approval.
Archeological sites: The Sensitive Areas section of the zoning code considers the preservation
archaeological sites as well as natural features. The applicant has already initiated some
development activity on the site. Meanwhile, the Office of the State Archaeologist has indicated
that four archaeological sites have been reported within 100 meters of the development site. Due
to the potential density of known archaeological sites in the surrounding area, staff recommended
during the initial application that as a condition of approval, the applicant hire an archaeologist
approved by the state to complete a study or excavation plan approved by the State. Since the
initial application, the applicant worked with Impact 7G (a firm approved by the state
archaeologist) to conduct a supervised excavation of the site. The applicant has since received
written correspondence from Impact 7G stating that no indications of human burials were
observed during observed excavations, and that no additional archaeological work is
recommended for the Cherry Creek subdivision. The state archaeologist has confirmed Impact
7G's findings as well.
Sanitary Sewer Service: The proposed development is situated to the west of existing
development, and has the capacity to connect to existing utilities. Proposed sanitary sewer lines
and manholes are featured on the preliminary plat. One sanitary main will run along the northeast
portion of the Cherry Avenue extension and turn south, running along the inner portion of Toby
Circle. A separate main will continue to run along the north side of Cherry Ave. and along the east
side of S. Gilbert St. The proposed sanitary sewer design has been reviewed by Public Works
staff.
Infrastructure Fees: The City requires developers to pay a $456.75 per acre fee for water
service. The project site is not located in one of the City's sanitary sewer districts, and therefore,
the City collects no sanitary sewer tap on fees. The developer will be responsible for costs
associated with the water and sanitary sewer improvements needed to serve the project site.
NEXT STEPS:
Upon approval of the proposed rezoning, preliminary plat and sensitive areas development plan,
the applicant will be required to submit a final plat for City Council's review and approval, and a final
sensitive areas development plan (SADP) for review and approval by City staff. The final SADP will
include the tree replacement and protection plan to be reviewed and approved by the City Forester.
Because the application is proposing construction of more than 12 residential units, a major site
plan review by City staff is required to verify consistency with the OPD and conditions of the
rezoning. The site plan review stage will also ensure compliance with other zoning code
requirements, such as landscaping, building elevations, exterior lighting, parking requirements, etc.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of REZ18-00024/SUB18-00017, an
application submitted by Bedrock LLC fora rezoning from ID -RM to OPD/RS-5, OPD/RM-12, and
OPD/P-1 and a Preliminary Plat and Sensitive Areas Development Plan for Cherry Creek
Subdivision, a 20 -lot, 18.03 -acre residential subdivision located east of Gilbert Street subject to
the following conditions:
1. The development be built as proposed in the preliminary plat, with one 36-plex building
located on Lot 2, 21 townhouse -style units built between Lots 2 and 3, and 15 detached
single family and two attached single-family housing units be built on Lots 4 — 20.
2. The final plat include details regarding the square footage and description of amenities for
designated private open space on Lot 2.
3. That the City Forester would review and approve the tree replacement and protection plan
prior to issuance of the final plat. This plan shall cover both plans to plant replacement trees
11
throughout the development and plans to protect and preserve healthy and mature trees in
or near the ravine from construction activity (to the greatest possible extent).
4. At the time of final platting, the development agreement will specify that roof drains and
gutters for Lots 5-16 will be required to drain towards the storm sewer drains on Toby Circle.
5. Construction of a 5' sidewalk along the western frontage (east side of S. Gilbert
St.) of the development prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
6. Installation of curb ramps at the area where City Transportation Planning staff has
designated as appropriate to accommodate an uncontrolled crosswalk prior to
issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
7. Dedication of a landscape easement, with proposed tree plantings to be approved
by the City Forester, along the southern property boundary in Lot 1 at the time of
final platting.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Location Map
2. Preliminary Plat and Sensitive Areas Development Plan (Including most recent Landscape
Plan)
3. Zoning Exhibit
4. Building Elevation Drawings
Approved by:
Danielle Sitzman, Coordinator, Development Services
Department of Neighborhood and Development Services
ppdad min\stfrep\docu ment2
Item Number: 8.b.
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CITY Ok IOWA CITY
www.icgov.org
January 22, 2019
Motion setting a public hearing for February 5 on an ordinance conditionally
rezoning approximately 3.2 acres of property located at the northwest corner
of Moss Ridge Road and Highway 1 from Interim Development -Research
Park (ID -RP) to Highway Commercial (CH -1). (REZ18-00022)
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
PZ Staff Report
To: Planning and Zoning Commission
Item: REZ18-00022
GENERAL INFORMATION:
STAFF REPORT
Prepared by: Anne Russett, Senior Planner
Date: January 3, 2019
Applicant: Allen Development c/o Jesse Allen
P.O. Box 3474
Iowa City, Iowa 52244
319/ 530-8238
allenhomesinc@gmail.com
Property Owner: Sladek Land #2 LLC c/o Jim Sladek
4670 Taft Avenue SE
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
319/ 330-3380
Jim.sladek@jcsFamilyFarms.com
Contact: Jesse Allen or John Yapp
P.O. Box 3474
Iowa City, Iowa 52244
319/ 530-8238 or 319/ 325-1228
John.yapp.allenhomes@gmaiI.com
Requested Action:
Purpose:
Location:
Location Map:
Rezoning from Interim Development -Research
Park (ID -RP) to Highway Commercial (CH -1)
To allow commercial development
Northwest corner of Moss Ridge Road and
Highway 1
Size:
Existing Land Use and Zoning
Surrounding Land Use and Zoning
Comprehensive Plan:
District Plan:
Neighborhood Open Space District:
Public Meeting Notification:
File Date:
45 Day Limitation Period:
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
3.2 acres
Undeveloped, Interim Development -Research
Park (ID -RP)
North: Interim Development -Research Park (ID -
RP) and County Agricultural (A)
South: Highway Commercial (CH -1)
East: Interim Development -Research Park (ID -
RP)
West: Interim Development -Research Park (ID -
RP) and Research Development Park
(RDP)
Office Research Development Centers
N/A
N/A
Property owners located within 300' of the
proposed rezoning received notification of the
Planning and Zoning Commission public
meeting
November 15, 2018
December 31, 2018 (The applicant deferred this
application to the January 3, 2019 meeting)
The applicant, Allen Development, has requested a rezoning from the Interim
Development -Research Park Zone (ID -RP) to the Highway Commercial Zone (CH -1). The
total project site, approximately 3.2 acres, is located at the northwest corner of Moss Ridge
Road and Highway 1.
The applicant has decided not to use the Good Neighbor Policy.
ANALYSIS:
Current Zoning: The property is currently zoned Interim Development -Research Park (ID -
RP). The ID -RP zone district applies to undeveloped properties without access to City
services and allows for nonurban uses of land, such as crop -related agricultural uses.
Based on conservations with Public Works staff, water service is available to the site. There
is not existing sanitary sewer adjacent to the site, but there is a public lift station located
about 300 feet south of the property. The lift station was not designed to include the
subject property; however, it has remaining capacity. Staff will need projected design
3
flows at the platting stage, but staff has no concerns with future development on this site
utilizing the lift station.
Proposed Zoning: The applicant has proposed rezoning approximately 3.2 acres to
Commercial Highway (CH -1) Zone. The intent of the CH -1 zone is to allow the development
of commercial uses along or near expressways and arterials. The CH -1 allows a variety of
commercial uses, including office uses, eating and drinking establishments, hotels,
convenience stores, and quick vehicle servicing uses, such as car washes.
In terms of development standards, the CH -1 zone has no maximum or minimum height
limits, but does limit the floor to area ratio (FAR) to 1.0. FAR is calculated by dividing the
floor area of a building(s) on a lot by the area of the lot.
Compliance with Comprehensive Plan: The Future Land Use Map of the Comprehensive
Plan identifies this area as Office Research Development Center. This area is located
within the North Corridor Planning District; however, this district plan has not yet been
developed.
The background section of the Comprehensive Plan provides an overview of the area
surrounding the subject property. The area is envisioned for office park uses based on its
close proximity to Interstate 80. Currently, the area is home to a number of the City's
major employers, including numerous medical and professional firms located in
Northgate Corporate Park, as well as ACT and Pearsons, which are education -based
research and service firms that employ thousands of people. The proposed rezoning is
consistent with this vision in that it would provide commercial support services in close
proximity to major employers.
Compatibility with Neighborhood: The proposed zoning is compatible with the
surrounding neighborhood. Directly to the south of the property is an existing
commercial development that includes a gas station and convenience store. Further
south is Pearsons. To the east, across Highway 1, are more commercial and office uses,
including the Northgate Corporate Park.
Environmentally Sensitive Areas: According to FEMA data, this area is located in the 100 -
year and 500 -year floodplain; however, in 2015 the property owner obtained permits from
the City to fill in the site and raise it above the 500 -year floodplain. The applicant will need
to confirm the existing elevation is above the 500 -year floodplain at the site plan review
stage. If the existing elevation remains located in the floodplain, staff will require
compliance with the City's floodplain management standards during the review of the site
plan. In addition, the site is located near Rapid Creek and a floodway; however, the project
site is located outside of the floodway.
Traffic Implications, Access, and Street Design: The site can be accessed via Moss Ridge
Road. Staff proposes that as a condition of the rezoning that the applicant close the
access from Highway 1. Access to the site would only be allowed via Moss Ridge Road.
The area is served by the North Dodge bus route. The closest stop is less than'/4 mile
P5 -minute walk) from the project site. The stop is accessible via the existing wide
sidewalk on the west side of Highway 1. There are no bicycle facilities and none proposed
per the City's Bicycle Master Plan. The subdivision ordinance requires sidewalks on both
IR
sides of public and private streets, so additional sidewalks along Moss Ridge Road and
Highway 1 will be required at the time of platting. Staff proposes that as a condition of
the rezoning the applicant install a 10 -foot wide sidewalk along Highway 1, as well as a
pedestrian crossing across Moss Ridge Road and pedestrian ramps on the northern and
southern portions of Moss Ridge Road. The City will be responsible for installing
pedestrian signal improvements.
Neighborhood Open Space: The City's neighborhood open space requirement applies to
residential subdivisions, commercial subdivisions containing residential uses, and planned
developments. The proposed zone district, CH -1, does not allow residential uses, therefore,
the neighborhood open space fee does not apply.
Storm Water Management: Storm water management will need to be provided on-site and
the applicant's concept plan identifies a location for storm water detention. City staff will
review storm water management plans at platting and at the site plan review phase. Based
on conversations with Public Works staff, with the proximity of the creek there is no
concern with the ability to properly discharge storm water.
Infrastructure fees: The City requires developers to pay a $456.75 per acre fee for water
service. The project site is not located in one of the City's sanitary sewer districts, and
therefore, the City collects no sanitary sewer tap on fees. The developer will be responsible
for costs associated with the water and sanitary sewer improvements needed to serve the
project site.
SUMMARY:
Based on the analysis, staff finds that the proposed rezoning with the identified conditions is
both in compliance with the Comprehensive Plan and compatible with the existing
neighborhood. The Comprehensive Plan identifies this area as appropriate for office uses
based on its proximity to 1-80. The proposed rezoning would allow for commercial
development, including offices, that could provide necessary support services to the existing
major employers and employees.
NEXT STEPS:
Upon approval of the proposed rezoning, the applicant will be required to submit
applications for preliminary and final plats to subdivide the land into lots that follow the
proposed zoning boundary. The preliminary plat would be reviewed by the Planning and
Zoning Commission. The preliminary and final plats would be reviewed and approved by the
City Council. After the subdivision stage, the applicant would be able to submit a site plan
for staff review and approval prior to the issuance of building permits. During the site plan
review stage, staff will review landscaping plans.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of REZ18-00022, an application submitted by Allen
Development, for a rezoning from ID -RP to CH -1 for approximately 3.2 acres of property
located at the northwest corner of Moss Ridge Road and Highway 1 subject to the following
conditions:
1. Prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy, closure and removal of the access
road off of Highway 1.
5
2. No building permit shall be issued for the subject property until the City Council
approves a final plat that conforms to the proposed zoning boundaries.
3. General conformance with the concept plan only in that a principal building must
occupy the corner of Moss Ridge Road and Highway 1.
4. Prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy, installation of a 10 -foot wide
sidewalk along Highway 1, as well as a pedestrian crossing across Moss Ridge Road
and pedestrian ramps on the northern and southern portions of Moss Ridge Road.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Location Map /Aerial Photograph
2. Zoning Exhibit
3. Concept Plan
Approved by: I
:)
Danielle Sitzman, AICP, Development Services Coordinator
Department of Neighborhood and Development Services
REZONING EXHIBIT
A PORTION OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF THE NORTHWEST QUARTER OF
SECTION 36, TOWNSHIP 80 NORTH, RANGE 6 WEST, OF THE FIFTH P.M.
IOWA CITY, JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
PLAT PREPARED BY: OWNER: APPLICANT:
MMS CONSULTANTS INC. SLADEK LAND 42 LLC ALLEN HOMES INC
1917 S. GILBERT STREET 4670 TAFT AVENUE SE PO BOX 3474
IOWA CITY, IA 52240 IOWA CITY, IOWA, 52240 IOWA CITY, IOWA, 52244
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DESCRIPTION — REZONING (FROM ID—RP TO CHI)
Commencing et the Center of Section 36, Township 80 North, Range 6 West, of the Fifth Principal Meridien; Thence S88'36'18 W. along the South Line of
the Southeast Quarter of the Nodhvrest Quarter of Said Section 38, a distance of 892.20 feet, to a Point on the Westerly RigMaf-Way Line of Highvrey p1;
Th— .21'3240"E. along said Westerly Right -of -Way Nne, 63.03 feet: Th—, 434.21.28"E, .long said Westerly Right -of -Why Ll- 90.55 feet m Its
with the Northerly RigM-of--Way Line of Moss Ridge Road, end the Point of BeginningThence Northwesterly 248.11 feet along said Northerly
Right---,Vay Line on a 384.00 foot radius curve, concave S-th—,ly, whose 241.92 fact—h bears 479.32'45'W; Thence S82°0535"1,V, slang said
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feet Thence 467.52'14-E, 245.11 feet' Th-- N63 -19'25"E, 186.81 feet, Thence S52 -19'41"E. 74.24 feet, to a Paint on the Westedy Right -of -Way of said
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CIVIL ENGINEERS
LAND PLANNERS
LAND SURVEYORS
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS
IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240
(319) 351-8282
www. m msco n sulta nts. net
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REZONING
EXHIBIT
A PORTION OF THE SOUTHEAST
QUART ER OF THE NORTHWEST
QUARTER OF SECTION 36,
TOWNSHIP 86 NORTH, RANGE 6
WEST, OF THE FIFTH P.M.
IOWA CITY
JOHNSON COUNTY
IOWA
MMS CONSULTANTS, INC.
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Project No:
IC 7586-102 of: 1
Item Number: 11.a.
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CITY Ok 10WA CITY
www.icgov.org
January 22, 2019
Ordinance rezoning property located at 416 Reno Street from Medium
Density Single -Family Residential Zone (RS -8) to RS -8 with a Historic
District Overlay ((RS-8/OHD). (REZ18-00021)
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
PZ Staff Deport
PZ Minutes
Ordinance
r
��,.,_.�, CITY OF IOWA CITY
]MEMORANDUM
Date: December 14, 2018
To: Planning and Zoning Commission
From: Jessica Bristow, Historic Preservation Planner
Re: Designation of 416 Reno Street as a Historic Landmark (REZ18-00021)
Background: In 2015, the Historic Preservation Commission, began a study of Historic
Properties that had been identified as possibly eligible for listing on the National Register of
Historic Places but were not yet protected by zoning designations. The house at 416 Reno
Street was identified as one of these key historic properties. Designation for this property was
not pursued along with the recent group of Local Landmarks because the property had been
entrusted to the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The National Trust, in conjunction with
owner Carl Klaus, has subsequently initiated the National Register Nomination process and the
Local Landmark designation process prior to formally transferring ownership of the property to
the National Trust. They will sell the property once these processes are complete and the
revenue will support their continued work in Historic Preservation.
The enclosed National Register Nomination provides a discussion of the building's history and
architecture. 416 Reno Street is a two-story brick house, built in 1898 in the Queen Anne Style.
The house was owned by Albert Borts whose father was David Borts, a prominent Iowa City
builder responsible for several Iowa City university and public buildings, including the Old
Science Building (now known as Calvin Hall). David Borts may have been the builder of the
house.
Historic Preservation Commission Review: The Historic Preservation Commission met
December 13, 2018 and conducted a public hearing at which they reviewed and evaluated the
historic significance of 416 Reno Street. The Commission determined that the property meets
the requirements for a landmark and voted to recommend approval of the designation of 416
Reno Street as an Iowa City Historic Landmark. The building is significant both because of its
architecture and historic integrity and for its association with prominent figures in Iowa City's
history.
Landmark designation for 416 Reno Street, a property in a Medium Density Single Family
Residential (RS -8) zone, will require Historic Preservation Commission approval of any
significant changes to the exterior of the building. Landmark status will also make the property
eligible for special exceptions (Section 14-213-8 of the zoning code) that allow the Board of
Adjustment to waive or modify certain zoning requirements to help support the continued use of
historic buildings. Landmark designation will also make it possible for financial incentives such
as tax credits and the Iowa City Historic Preservation Fund to be available.
Planning and Zoning Commission Review: Landmark Designation is a zoning overlay and
therefore requires a recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission to the City
Council. The Commission's role is to review the proposed designation based on its relation to
the Comprehensive Plan and proposed public improvements and plans for renewal of the area
involved.
There are two specific areas of the Comprehensive Plan that apply to this proposal: 1). the
Central District Plan and 2). the Historic Preservation Plan.
December 14, 2018
Page 2
The subject property is located within Subarea B of the Central District. The Central District Plan
encourages the maintenance, rehabilitation, and continued investment in older housing stock.
Ongoing support of neighborhood association activities, historic preservation, and partnerships
with local schools will help keep these neighborhoods healthy (Central District Plan pg 16-17).
The designation of 416 Reno Street as a local historic landmark would contribute to this goal,
along with the broader Comprehensive Plan goal of preserving historic resources and
reinvesting in older neighborhoods (Central District Plan pg 2).
The Historic Preservation element of the Comprehensive Plan contains two specific goals
relating to this proposal: Goal 1: Identify historic resources significant to Iowa City's Past. Under
this goal the Commission is charged with continuing to research and evaluate properties and to
pursue local landmark designation when appropriate. The original determination of eligibility for
landmark overlay zoning for the property at 416 Reno Street is a direct result of the Historic
Preservation Commission working toward Goal 1.
Goal 10: Adopt strategies to preserve historic neighborhoods which reflect their organic
development, historical roles and traditions, modern needs, and economic health and stability.
In the Goosetown neighborhood the goal was to implement a Conservation District that was
completed in 2014 and did not include the local neighborhood in which 416 Reno Street is
located. Objective 3 of the Other Planning Districts section, when appropriate, the HPC should
encourage owners to complete National Register of Historic Places Nomination and local
landmark designation, provides direction for properties such as this, on the border of a planning
district and outside local historic district or conservation district designation. The designation of
416 Reno accomplishes this objective by providing protection for important outlying historic
resources.
The landmark designation sought by the applicant conforms with the goals of the
Comprehensive Plan — providing incentives to maintain and improve older housing stock and
identifying historic resources that are not currently protected by landmark designation.
The preservation of 416 Reno Street would not be in conflict with future redevelopment in the
area but would actively promote the preservation of historic resources and neighborhood
continuity.
Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of REZ18-00021, an application to
designate 416 Reno Street as an Iowa City Historic Landmark and rezone from Medium Density
Single -Family Residential (RS -8) to RS -8 with a Historic Preservation Overlay (RS-8/OHP).
Attachments:
1. Location Map
2. Zoning Map
3. Historic Preservation Commission Memo, 12/13/2018, including the Site Inventory Form
Approved by:
Danielle Sitzman, AICP, Development Services Coordinator
Department of Neighborhood and Development Services
CITY OF IOWA CITY
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Iowa City
Historic Preservation Commission
City Hall, 410 E Washington Street, Iowa City. IA. 52240
Memorandum
Date: December 3, 2018
To: Historic Preservation Commission
From: Jessica Bristow, Historic Preservation Planner
Re: 416 Reno Street — Albert J. and Alice E. Borts House — Local Landmark Designation
The applicant, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, in conjunction with property owner
Carl Klaus, has requested that the property at 416 Reno Street be designated as an Iowa City
Historic Landmark. Designation of the property as an Iowa City Historic Landmark will require
Commission approval of any significant changes to the exterior of the building. Landmark status
will also make the property eligible for special exceptions that would allow the Board of
Adjustment to waive or modify certain zoning requirements and for State Tax Credit funding of
rehabilitation work. In addition, the house is being Nominated for Listing in the National Register
for Historic Places.
As described in the attached National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, the Albert
J. and Alice E. Borts house was built in 1898 in the Queen Anne Style exhibiting free classic
detailing along with patterned masonry found in one of the earliest Queen Anne substyles. The
Borts family included David Borts, prominent Iowa City mason and Albert's father.
Documentation shows that David Borts built the house. In addition, the Borts family influence on
Nineteenth Century brick architecture in Iowa City and in this near northeast neighborhood is
extensive. The Borts house is Nominated for Listing in the National Register of Historic Places
under Criterion C, Design/Construction. The house exhibits a high level of historic architectural
integrity.
The Commission should determine if the property meets criterion a. and b. and at least one of
the criteria c., d., e., or f. for local designation listed below:
a. Significant to American and/or Iowa City history, architecture, archaeology and culture;
b. Possesses integrity of location, design, setting, materials and workmanship;
c. Associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns
of our history;
d. Associated with the lives of persons significant in our past;
e. Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction;
or represents the work of a master; or possesses high artistic values; or represents a
significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual
distinction;
Iowa City
ll 1111 VAV� w Historic Preservation Commission
s
City Hall, 410 E Washington Street, Iowa City. IA. 52240
f. Has yielded or may likely yield information important in prehistory or history.
The house at 416 Reno Street is located on the eastern edge of the Goosetown Neighborhood
in Iowa City and is part a neighborhood with high historic integrity. With its high individual
integrity and as a somewhat rare example of Iowa City masonry construction in the Queen Anne
Style, this house meets criteria A and B for local landmark designation.
The house is significant and individually eligible for the National Register for its architecture and
therefore meets local designation criterion E. In addition, at the local level the house can be
considered associated with the lives of the Borts family who were involved extensively in the
development of the neighborhood surrounding the house and through David Borts in the
construction of other significant buildings in Iowa City. Locally, the house also meets criterion D
in this association with the Borts family.
Based on the information provided in the National Register of Historic Places Registration Form,
staff finds that the property meets criteria a, b, d, and e and therefore qualifies as an Iowa City
Historic Landmark.
Recommended Motion:
Move to approve the designation of 416 Reno Street (Albert J. and Alice E. Borts House) as an
Iowa City Historic Landmark based on the following criteria for local designation: criteria a, b, d,
and e.
NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service
National Register of Historic Places
Registration Form
This form is for use in nominating or requesting determinations for individual properties and districts. See instructions in National Register Bulletin, How
to Complete the National Register of Historic Places Registration Form. If any item does not apply to the property being documented, enter "N/A" for
"not applicable." For functions, architectural classification, materials, and areas of significance, enter only categories and subcategories from the
instructions. Place additional certification comments, entries, and narrative items on continuation sheets if needed (NPS Form 10-900a).
1. Name of Pro
historic name Borts, Albert J. and Alice E., House
other names/site number Klaus, Carl H. and Kate F., House
Name of Multiple Property Listing N/A
(Enter "N/A" if property is not part of a multiple property listing)
2. Location
street & number 416 Reno Street
city or town Iowa
state Iowa
county 103
3. State/Federal Agency Certification
zip code 52245
❑ not for publication
❑ vicinity
As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended,
I hereby certify that this X nomination _ request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards
for registering properties in the National Register of Historic Places and meets the procedural and professional
requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60.
In my opinion, the property X meets —does not meet the National Register Criteria. I recommend that this property
be considered significant at the following level(s) of significance: _ national _ statewide X local
Applicable National Register Criteria: _ A _ B X C _ D
Signature of certifying official/Title: Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer Date
State Historical Society of Iowa
State or Federal agency/bureau or Tribal Government
In my opinion, the property _ meets _ does not meet the National Register criteria.
Signature of commenting official Date
Title State or Federal agency/bureau or Tribal Government
4. National Park Service Certification
I hereby certify that this property is:
entered in the National Register _ determined eligible for the National Register
determined not eligible for the National Register _ removed from the National Register
other (explain:)
Signature of the Keeper Date of Action
Sections 1 — 4 page 1
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018
Borts, Albert J., and Alice E., House Johnson County, Iowa
Name of Property County and State
5. Classification
Ownership of Property Category of Property Number of Resources within Property
(Check as many boxes as apply.) (Check only one box.) (Do not include previously listed resources in the count.)
Contributing Noncontributing
x private x building(s) 1 buildings
public - Local district site
public - State site 1 structure
public - Federal structure object
object 1 1 Total
Number of contributing resources previously listed in the National Register: N/A
6. Function or Use
Historic Functions Current Functions
(Enter categories from instructions.) (Enter categories from instructions.)
DOMESTIC/single dwelli
DOMESTIC/single dwelling
DOMESTIC/secondary structure
7. Description
Architectural Classification Materials
(Enter categories from instructions.) (Enter categories from instructions.)
LATE VICTORIAN/Queen Anne
Section 7 page 2
foundation: STONE/Limestone
walls: BRICK
roof: ASPHALT
other:
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018
Borts, Albert J. and Alice E., House
Johnson, Iowa
Name of Property County and State
Narrative Description
Summary Paragraph (Briefly describe the current, general characteristics of the property, such as its location, type, style, method of
construction, setting, size, and significant features. Indicate whether the property has historic integrity.)
SUMMARY PARAGRAPH
The two-story brick Albert J. and Alice E. Borts House (Borts House), built in 1898 in the Queen Anne style
(free classic and patterned masonry substyles), is located in northeastern Iowa City, in Johnson County, Iowa,
on portions of lots 7 and 8 of Frederick Irish's 1862 extension of William Wood's 1855 addition to the original
town. The lot is slightly elevated on a rise above the sidewalk and Reno Street, a rise that gently continues to
slope upward from the house to the end of the long narrow parcel on the east. An asphalt driveway cuts deeply
through the earthen bank in front and leads to a graveled parking area behind and off the north side of the
house. There is no garage, but a modern open-air gazebo sits beyond the gravel, and a slightly sunken concrete
and stone patio is adjacent to the house's east rear wall. Two large garden areas are found in the backyard. Out
front, along Reno Street, a windrow of century -old Norway spruce shades this west -facing house. Additional
deciduous and evergreen bushes fill the corners of the property's front yard, making good photographic views
somewhat difficult. To the south along Reno Street are nineteenth-century frame residences; to the immediate
north are two Civil War -era brick houses and beyond those a small neighborhood park. Across the street are
smaller, nineteenth century wood -frame houses. Borts House was built with two types of red brick, one
common, one decorative, and a blue -gray limestone stone foundation. Its wood trim is classical in form and
found on all four elevations. The building's historic integrity is very good.
Narrative Description (Describe the historic and current physical appearance and condition of the property. Describe contributing and
noncontributing resources if applicable.)
GENERALLY (shared features)
Borts House (Fig. 1) has solid red -brick walls finished with wood trim painted a creamy yellow. Its foundation
is of a bluish -gray limestone, cut in rusticated or chipped -face blocks. The blocks are laid in a regular pattern
and bonded with decorative beaded pointing. The large blocks seen on the exterior change to smaller,
rubblestone blocks to form the interior basement walls. The brick walls have an American or common bond
pattern with thin joints of gray mortar except in the small single -story rear addition, which has running brick
stretchers and slightly wider, gray mortar joints.
Windows are tall and primarily one -over -one, double -
hung sashes throughout and probably original. A shorter
pair on the north wall are replacements to allow for a
kitchen counter inside. Sills are painted wood; headers
are either of soldier bricks or formed as a part of a
beltcourse. The overall building form is shaped like a T,
with the long upright running west/east (front to back),
and the cross bar forming slightly protruding bays on the
north and south sides. These side bays have open -
pediment gable roofs, while the main roof is a steep
pyramid pierced by another smaller front gable. All roof
Figure 1 West front, facing southeast. All current photos by Jan Olive Full,
May 2018.
Section 7 page 3
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018
Borts, Albert J. and Alice E., House
Johnson, Iowa
Name of Property County and State
surfaces are clad with dark red asphalt shingles. Atop the main roof, just behind the peak, is a brick crown
chimney.
WEST FRONT ELEVATION (faVade)
The west front features a full width porch with a flat roof, and smooth Tuscan columns sitting on newer yellow
limestone piers. The interstitial space between the stone piers is filled with a skirting of traditional (900 joints)
wood lattice panels. The porch columns support a wide architrave (the first flat surface above the column
capital in classical forms). Most of it is obscured by the rain gutter, but above the architrave is a molded
cornice. Above the porch roof, trim on the main roof and side gables is similar. There are pediment returns on
the front attic gable where these classical references are most exposed and apparent.
Wide and steep wooden porch steps lead directly to the front door. A balustrade of turned balusters and newel
posts with ball finials edge the porch and stairs. Next to the front door is a large window with a painted wood
sill. The segmental -arch headers over these two openings are of rusticated soldier bricks, but their color is
significantly darker than the brick walls. A belt course of these rusticated dark bricks is found at the header
level of these openings. This feature is also found and more obvious on the south and north elevations as well.
The east rear lacks this detail. Fenestration on the second story echoes the first in position and size. Above the
door is a single second -story window about the width of the front door; above the wide porch window is an
equally wide second -story window. At the gable, a band of the dark rusticated bricks runs between the cornice
returns, perhaps to suggest a classical tympanum (or the triangular space created by a gable's two slopes plus
its base). In the peak of the attic gable is a smaller window with a rounded header of the darker bricks.
SOUTH SIDE ELEVATION (Figure 2)
Rounding the corner from the west front, one encounters a side door in the protruding cross -gable bay, reached
by similar steps and balustrade as on the front porch. This door leads into the dining room. The shed roof over
the side door is tied into the building wall on one side
and supported on the other side by a wooden truss
bracket reminiscent of the Stick style (one of several
modest details suggesting this style). Fenestration on
this south side is vertically balanced but
asymmetrically located. Windows have painted sills
here too. The first -floor headers are formed as a part
of the running beltcourse of rusticated dark bricks.
The first floor also features a squared bay with a flat
roof that further juts out from the two-story cross -
gable bay (behind the evergreen bushes on the right
in Figure 2). This small window bay is too shallow to
have side windows, but there are paired windows on
its wide south side. There also is a large basement
window with a segmental -arched header, ample in
size because of the slightly raised foundation. The
same classical details of pediment returns, architrave,
and cornice molding are found on this side as well.
Figure 2 West front and south side, facing northeast. May 2018
Section 7 page 4
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018
Borts, Albert J. and Alice E., House
Johnson, Iowa
Name of Property County and State
EAST REAR ELEVATION
The wall of this elevation (Figs. 3-5) extends down from the sloped common roofline of the cross gables. The
wall lacks the beltcourse seen on other walls and the ground -floor window header is segmental -arched and
formed by two courses of common bricks. The roof here sports a large wood -frame gable (added in 1975) with
pediment returns and clad in fishscale shingles. The attic study inside is lit by a three-part, Palladian inspired,
window. The ground floor features a c. 1910, 6' by 7' brick addition (probably veneered) on the north corner
and an open shed -roofed porch supported by a turned upright post on one end and tied into the addition on the
other. The addition contains a small bathroom and was likely added when the outdoor privy was abandoned
(date and location unknown). On the second floor above the porch is a small wood -frame screened sitting
porch with a shed roof also. This sitting porch only extends across part of the rear wall and has dimensions of
6' by 10'. The sitting porch has half -walls made of vertical boards, divided decoratively by applied narrow
trim pieces that cross at the center. This stickwork treatment is another modest suggestive of the Shingle style.
The ground floor entrance door leading into the kitchen is centered on the porch, there is a single window to
the left (south) of the porch, and smaller double windows on the small brick addition. The second floor sitting
porch is accessed through the northeast corner bedroom. There is no indication the sitting porch is anything but
original, but if it is not, it is a very early addition to the house.
In the back yard just east of the patio, the classically -inspired gazebo—the noncontributing structure in this
nomination—was constructed in 1988. The gazebo is 10' by 15' and sits on a concrete pad. Smooth columns
support a pyramidal roof. Lattice screens are located between the columns on each side. The columns were
salvaged from the wrap-around porch of a nearby house being demolished. They are of dense solid hardwood.
Figure 3 View of the south side and the east rear walls. Note the patio
and the basement storm door near the south corner of this east elevation,
both from the 1970s (see Alterations section). May 2018
Section 7 page 5
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018
Borts, Albert J. and Alice E., House Johnson, Iowa
Name of Property County and State
NORTH SIDE ELEVATION
Figure 4 Another view of the east rear wall, with the open-
air modern gazebo at the right edge in the photograph. May
2018
Figure S The classically -inspired gazebo was constructed in
1988. May 2018
The gentle slope of the lot from east down to the west (left
to right in Fig. 6), and the resulting decreasing exposure of
the stone foundation, is easiest seen on this side. The north
wall has the other large open -gable projecting bay. Unlike
the south side bay however, this one has double windows.
A single second -floor window is toward the front corner
(or at least slightly west of the elevation's center axis),
and the gable peak window is identical to the south and
west sides. The prominent dark brick beltcourse seen on
Figure 6 The north side looking south. Note the ground level double
window is a reduced replacement. See Figure 7 for a detail view of the
juncture of the house and the small addition. May 2018
the fagade and south side is present here also, as is the
beltcourse that stretches between the gable's pediment
returns
Section 7 page 6
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018
Borts, Albert J. and Alice E., House
Johnson, Iowa
Name of Property County and State
LANDSCAPE (backyard)
Figure 7 The northeast corner of the house is seen here, with the small east side brick
addition to the left. The dark vertical that separates the addition from the house is a tar -like
sealant. The foundation appears to be a different stone or masonry type than the body of the
house. The bricks have a smoother more finished surface over the earlier red clay bricks of
the main house. The latter bricks show press marks. This small addition, c. 1910, houses an
interior bathroom and has only a crawlspace underneath. May 2018
The concrete and stone patio and retaining walls (197 1) are shown in Figure 8, with the gazebo and large
garden area beyond. Near the farthest property line to the east is another smaller garden area. It is thought a
privy, cistern, and unknown number of outbuildings were once in the yard. The cistern was where the patio is
now (filled in), and a small outbuilding formerly occupied the gazebo site. No archaeology has been
undertaken or is currently contemplated at this private residence.
Figure 8 View of the backyard patio, gazebo, and fenced garden area (between gazebo and the flowering redbud tree), looking north, northeast.
May 2018
Section 7 page 7
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018
Borts, Albert J. and Alice E., House
Johnson, Iowa
Name of Property County and State
INTERIOR FEATURES
At the ground floor level, one passes through the front entrance into the living room, with the staircase to the
second floor on the left. (The basement stairs are accessed through a door under this staircase and lead to three
basement rooms, one of which is the laundry room.) An open double doorway at the southeast corner of the
living room leads into the dining room with its southside projecting bay. A smaller pass doorway next to the
staircase leads from the living room directly into the kitchen with its small bathroom off the northeast corner of
the house. Upstairs on the second floor, the gateleg staircase empties onto a small irregular central hallway
with the three bedrooms, a larger bathroom, and the stairway door to the attic radiating off from it. The east
sitting porch is reached by going through the northeast corner bedroom. Refer to the floor plans on pages 35-
36.
Woodwork throughout appears to be yellow pine and fir, except the newer oak floor in the attic study.
Floorboards are narrow on the first floor and wider on the second. Trim includes cornice molding across the
tops of windows and doorways, molded door casings that terminate in tall base blocks, wide molded
baseboards, and corner guards on the walls to protect the plaster. Door knobs, face plates, and hinges are quite
ornate with raised decorative patterns that include acanthus leaves, a feather -like motif, and beaded borders.
The gateleg staircase is paneled on the first floor and has thin balusters and robust but simple newels. All of
this original woodwork and hardware were likely ordered from a millwork catalogue such as the M.A. Disbrow
Co., which had warehouses or shops in both nearby Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Lyons, Iowa on the Mississippi.
Multiple coats of paint on all the moldings and trim were removed in the 1970s.
A bulky, square masonry mass separates the front parlor or living room from the dining room on the ground
floor and originally may have been an open fireplace. This stacked masonry feature is in more or less the
center of the house and found on all floors, from basement to the narrower chimney stack exposed in the attic
that extends through the roof to form the crown chimney. Evidence of round stovepipe openings can be seen
on this mass suggesting the house was heated originally by coal stoves. At some point, a boiler and radiators
replaced this heating system.
Shortly after they moved to this house in 1970, the owners removed a non-loadbearing wall that separated the
front parlor/living room from the staircase to the second floor, eliminating the narrow hallway it created in the
process. They also renovated the kitchen and bathrooms, and added the rear attic dormer on the east roof slope.
Other than these specified changes, the interior and its floor plan are largely original (refer to sketch floor plans
on pages 35-36).
NEIGHBORHOOD
The Borts house is in an old and historic neighborhood near the eastern edge of "Goosetown" an enclave of
Bohemian immigrants and Bohemian -Americans with settlements that extend from northern Iowa City north
through small towns like Solon and Ely, to the southern area of Cedar Rapids, some 25 miles to the north. In
1994, a group of local Iowa City citizens worked with the state's Department of Natural Resources to
document the heritage trees in Goosetown. The following is the description, written for a walking tour
pamphlet, issued as apart of the project:
Section 7 page 8
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018
Borts, Albert J. and Alice E., House Johnson, Iowa
Name of Property County and State
In about 1855. Bohemians, ancestors of today's Czechs and
Slovaks, as well as some Gerrnaris, began settling what was to
become Goosetown, a semi -autonomous, spread -out ethnic
village within the city limits, just east across Dodge from St.
Wenceslaus Church. Farmers, artisans, and shopkeepers, early
Goosetowners cieare� the land of native trees for planting
orchards, windbreaks., grape arbors, vegetable gardens, and
flower beds to surrpound their clustered cottage homes. Daily,
their children drove the geese out from their backyard poultry
coops to graze in what is now North Market Square Park, then a
patch of prairie. Seasonally, Goosetowners headed east to the
Irish. Estate farms to buy orchard fruits, eggs, butter, and milk,
and to forage the woods for mushrooms, hickory nuts, hazelnuts,
walnuts, black cherries, wild plums, gooseberries, raspberries,
kindling, wildflowers, and curative roots.
Figure 9 From A Tree Walk in Goosetown " (1994), available online from the Iowa City Public Library.
Heritage trees along Reno Street, including those found in the front yard of the Borts House at 416 Reno (Item
12), are described as follows. The Norway spruce windbreak row is extant and impressive in its height and
girth. The spindle trees were not observed in May 2018.
12 416 Reno Street: 1
Two European spindle trees (wonymus europaeus), c. 1960. 11
This slow-growing hardwood was brought over from Europe
by early settlers to use in making needed implements like
«_
spindles. These two were found growing wild in a ditch in �
`
•
southeast Johnson County. 1
._ _.
Windbreak of Norway spruce (Picea abiesj c. 1895
' •
41 r Rena Street:
Remainder of century -old windbreak �
S T Ftp ,.; Fuca
i
0
T!�uj —
M
— —
Despite the Goosetown location, the families that figure prominently in the Borts House's background were
transplants from Ohio and farther east. They were not members of the ethnic enclave, but Yankees who arrived
shortly before the Bohemians when this area was more rural. Two Reno Street houses just north of the Borts
House are Civil War -era brick gable -end dwellings that are vernacular but influenced by the Greek Revival
style. The current city -owned neighborhood park once was the site of a third similar wood -frame Civil War -era
house. The extant brick residences are set well back from Reno Street, with large front yards and they also
once had agricultural outbuildings behind (see Section 8 Figs. 26-27).
Section 7 page 9
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018
Borts, Albert J. and Alice E., House
Johnson, Iowa
Name of Property County and State
Borts House, then, sits within a historic neighborhood and a documented heritage botanical landscape. These
three brick homes in a row are prominent outliers, though, in an old residential part of Iowa City largely
dominated by snug, wood -frame Bohemian Goosetown cottages from the mid- to late -nineteenth century. The
historic integrity of eastern Goosetown, and Reno Street in particular, is striking.
ALTERATIONS TO BORTS HOUSE
There is some replacement of the original thin gray mortar with newer white mortar. This is most evident on
the east rear and north side elevations. The surface area affected by these mortar repairs is roughly estimated to
be about 15% of the total surface area of all sides. The small ground -floor brick addition at the north corner of
the east rear wall is a very early addition, perhaps within a decade or two of the original construction. The
north side wall has had a large window opening bricked up to shorten it and the windows replaced by smaller
paired double-hungs. This was done in the 1970s. Unfortunately, the brick used to fill in under the new
windows is a poor match for the original and made more prominent by the white mortar used. Thankfully, this
alteration is not visible to the public except those who come up the driveway. The limestone piers supporting
the front porch appear to be replacements for the originals and the storm door on the rear elevation is newer.
Perhaps the most significant alteration to the exterior is the addition of a new frame dormer on the east rear
roof slope of the house, constructed as a part of the conversion of the attic space into a study. This is well done
and not visible from the street.
Interior alterations include the renovation of the kitchen and bathrooms, removal of the non -load bearing wall,
and conversion of the attic into a finished study or office, a project that also added the rear wooden dormer.
All these changes were completed in the 1970s.
ARCHAEOLOGY
It is thought a privy, cistern, and unknown number of outbuildings were once in the yard. No archaeology has
been undertaken or is currently contemplated at this private residence. At the far east end of the present lot line,
probably on another's property was a large and elaborate horse barn according to the long-time owner of the
subject house. It was torn down many years ago.
INTEGRITY
Borts House has very good historic integrity. Comments on specific integrity aspects are as follows:
(1) location: the building is in its original location;
(2) design: the exterior is largely unchanged except for the northside window replacement and the rear
roof wood -frame gable addition. The interior largely maintains its original floor plan with one wall
removed and minor changes to the basement and attic staircases;
(3) setting: the immediate surrounding residential neighborhood is remarkably intact;
(4) materials: the great majority of the exterior materials are original or are near to the original
construction date of 1898;
Section 7 page 10
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018
Borts, Albert J. and Alice E., House
Johnson, Iowa
Name of Property County and State
(5) workmanship: the workmanship employed in the building is best reflected in the skills needed to lay
the brick and stone walls, including the decorative brick beltcourses;
(6) feeling: the overall plan, vertical massing, molding and details, and aesthetics of the building
suggests the Queen Anne style in the free classic and patterned masonry substyles;
(7) association: the building's residential function directly relates to its architectural significance.
Section 7 page 11
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018
Borts, Albert J. and Alice E., House Johnson, Iowa
Name of Property County and State
8. Statement of Significance
Applicable National Register Criteria Areas of Significance
(Mark "x" in one or more boxes for the criteria qualifying the property for (Enter categories from instructions.)
National Register listing.)
ARCHITECTURE
❑ A Property is associated with events that have made a
significant contribution to the broad patterns of our
history.
❑ B Property is associated with the lives of persons
significant in our past.
F C Property embodies the distinctive characteristics
of a type, period, or method of construction or represents
the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values,
or represents a significant and distinguishable entity
whose components lack individual distinction.
❑ D Property has yielded, or is likely to yield, information
important in prehistory or history.
Criteria Considerations
(Mark "x" in all the boxes that apply.)
Property is:
A Owned by a religious institution or used for religious
purposes.
B removed from its original location.
C a birthplace or grave.
D a cemetery.
E a reconstructed building, object, or structure.
F a commemorative property.
G less than 50 years old or achieving significance
within the past 50 years.
Period of Significance
1898
Significant Dates
1898
Significant Person
(Complete only if Criterion B is marked above.)
Cultural Affiliation (if applicable)
Architect/Builder
Borts, David L.
Section 8 page 12
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018
Borts, Albert J. and Alice E., House
Name of Property
Johnson, Iowa
County and State
Statement of Significance
Statement of Significance Summary Paragraph (Provide a summary paragraph that includes level of significance, applicable criteria,
justification for the period of significance, and any applicable criteria considerations).
Constructed in 1898, the Albert J. and Alice E. Borts House (Borts House) is locally significant under Criterion
C as a Queen Anne residence with decorative details suggesting both the free classic and patterned masonry
subtypes of the style. The variety of masonry materials used in the building, from common red brick, to
rusticated dark -red brick, to the bluish -gray stone of the foundation, is unusual for a Queen Anne in this eastern
Iowa town and reflects the design choices of a master builder. The home was constructed by David Borts,
Albert's father and a noted nineteenth century builder in Iowa City. A skilled mason and contractor who
completed his buildings largely in red brick and limestone, his many projects included residences, at least one
church, and numerous large university buildings on the campus of the State University of Iowa (now University
of Iowa).' Unfortunately, the body of this builder's work in Iowa City has diminished over the years as his
larger masonry buildings have been demolished. Campus buildings in particular were replaced in the twentieth
century by light -gray Beaux Arts buildings as the university's design program changed. The period of
significance is the year in which the building was constructed.
Narrative Statement of Significance (Provide at least one paragraph for each area of significance.)
(Iowa SHPO Additional Instructions: For properties not nominated under Criterion D, include a statement about whether any archaeological remains
within or beyond the footprint of the property were assessed as part of this nomination under the subheading Archaeological Assessment.)
QUEEN ANNE ARCHITECTURE IN THE UNITED STATES & ITS ANTECEDENTS
The Queen Anne style has its origins in England and emerged in the 1860s as younger architects began to reject
Gothic architecture, both "muscular Gothic in particular, and the idea that everything should be Gothic in
general."2 These younger English architects, Philip Webb and Richard Norman Shaw perhaps best known
among them, traveled in a wider circle of designers like William Morris and Pre-Raphaelite artists like Dante
Gabriel Rossetti. The young architects looked at their own English vernacular architecture, the cottages of the
countryside and the older neighborhoods of London, and began to revive the "tile -hanging, weather -boarding,
and half-timbering" elements of "homelier brick architecture of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries."3
After years of "scouring the Continent with their sketch books [studying Classical and Renaissance buildings],
they realized there was a whole forgotten world at their doorsteps waiting to be rediscovered. ,4
There is no thorough inventory of David Borts' work. Edna Alice Borts, identified her grandfather as the builder of her family home. Ms.
Borts was Albert and Alice's daughter, born in 1900 and nearly 103 when she died in 2003. In between she had a long professional
career as a nurse. Edna Alice Borts to Kate and Carl Klaus, c. 1970; "Obituary of Edna Borts," accessed at
https:Hgayandciha.com/tribute/details/561/Edna-Borts/obituary.html on 6/6/2018.
2 Mark Girouard, Sweetness and Light: The `Queen Anne' Movement 1860-1900 (Oxford, UK: Clarendon Press, 1977; reprinted Yale
University Press, 1984), 12. Reprint used.
3 Ibid.
4 Ibid., 12-13.
Sections 8 — 11 page 13
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018
Borts, Albert J. and Alice E., House
Name of Property
According to one British architectural historian, "the early and mid -
seventeenth century had supplied [these architects] with gables,
whether straight or Flemish, brick pilasters, brick pediments, ribbed
chimney -stacks, and prominent plaster covers; from the late
seventeenth and eighteenth centuries came sash windows, and
wrought -iron railings; the architects had mixed them all together,
made the roofs and chimney -stacks especially prominent, been
asymmetric when they felt like it, paired or elongated their sash
windows, and thrown in the occasional sunflower to add an aesthetic
flavoring."5 Decorative—some would say busy—brickwork was
Figure 11 Red House, London, by J.J. Stevenson,
1871-73. Credit: Girouard, Plate 30, page 40.
common, including
walls that alternated
courses of dark bricks
and light stone to
achieve horizontal
stripes (Fig. 10).
Johnson, Iowa
County and State
Figure 10 Old Scotland Yard, Westminster,
London, UK, by Richard Norman Shaw, 1887-90.
Credit: Pinterest on 5/30/2018
By the mid -1870s, the public had adopted Richard Norman Shaw's
use of the term "Queen Anne" for the exuberant office buildings,
country homes, churches, and London terrace houses designed by
this group of architects.6 One especially influential terrace house,
designed by J.J. Stevenson, exemplifies the eclectic and wildly
ornate creations that came to be called Queen Anne in England
(Fig. 11). Speculative British builders soon adapted the style to
urban townhouses and the style became popular and nearly
ubiquitous in some developing neighborhoods and garden suburbs
(Fig. 12).
5 Ibid., 38.
6 Shaw's terminology supposedly referenced the Renaissance style of architecture popular during the English Queen Anne's reign
(1702-1714). However, this is a misnomer since the nineteenth-century style as it emerged is closer to the medieval forms of 300 years
earlier, during the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras. University of the West of England, "Domestic Architecture 1700-1960," accessed at
fet.uwe.ac.uk on 5/30/2018; also, Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, accessed at www.phmc.state.pa.us on 5/30/2018.
Sections 8 — 11 page 14
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Name of Property
Johnson, Iowa
County and State
Figure 12 Circa 1890 semi-detached builder
townhouses. Note the contrasting masonry, tall
window bays, and multi pane sash windows.
Credit: University of the West of England on
5/30/2018
What prompted the Queen Anne's spread to
the United States is open for discussion.
Architectural historians generally credit
H.H. Richardson's 1874 Watts -Sherman house in Newport, Rhode Island as the very first American Queen
Anne example, but Great Britain's Queen Anne exhibition buildings constructed for the 1876 Philadelphia
Exposition likely caused it to spread beyond the Newport summer "cottages" of Richardson's wealthy clients. 7
Pattern books and the country's first architectural magazine, The American Architect and Building News, further
popularized it and made the style accessible to builders and architectural plan publishers like George F. Barber.8
Social historians argue that the Queen Anne form accommodated a growing middle class and the developing
culture of consumption of the last third of the nineteenth century.9 The Queen Anne home, they theorized,
represented an "artistic" expression of domestic life acceptable and encouraged as part of the new concept of a
"women's sphere."10
The style remained popular in this country throughout the 1880s into the first decade of the twentieth century. It
was the "dominant style of domestic building" nationwide until 1900, thereafter dwindling in new construction
starts as simpler lines and less decoration became popular." Executed primarily in wood -frame, except in the
urban Northeast where Norman Shaw's preference for masonry remained strong, Queen Anne houses may be
categorized into four principal subtypes of form and four principal subtypes of decoration. 12 By frequency of
form, over half the Queen Anne houses (including Borts House) have a steep hipped roof, with cross gables.
This roof form is "among the most distinctive Queen Anne characteristics and occurs in examples ranging from
modest cottages to high -style landmarks." 13 Lesser numbers of form variants were built with cross -gables
Mary Mix Foley, The American House (New York: Harper & Row, 1980), 176; Virginia McAlester and Lee McAlester, A Field Guide to
American Houses (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1986), 268; John C. Poppeliers, etal, What Style is it? A Guide to American Architecture
(Washington, DC: Preservation Press, 1983), 59.
S McAlester and McAlester, 268.
9 Clifford Edward Clark, Jr., The American Family Home, 1800-1960 (Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina Press, 1986), 104.
10 Clark, Jr., 104; Gwendolyn Wright, Building the Dream: A Social History of Housing in America (Cambridge: The MIT Press, 1981),
chapter 6.
11 McAlester and McAlester, 266.
12 According to the typology argued in McAlester and McAlester's Field Guide to American Houses at 263-264.
13 Ibid., 263.
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Name of Property County and State
without the hipped central roof and simple front -facing gables (20% each); the remaining 10% were attached
townhouses or row houses.
Decorative detailing subtypes fall into both quantitative and chronological orders, with the leader in both being
the "spindlework" subtype of the 1880s. About 50% of Queen Annes fall into this category. Earlier and rarer are
the "half-timbered" and "patterned masonry" subtypes of the 1870s (about 5% each), followed lastly in time by
the "free classic" subtype of the 1890s with about 35%.14 The half-timbered and patterned masonry American
subtypes, as the earliest and rarest, are "most closely related to th[e] work of Shaw and his colleagues in
England." 15 The Borts House in Iowa City exhibits details of both the free classic and patterned masonry
subtypes. The free classic details may simply be a function of its later construction period, however the
patterned masonry details — the bands of rusticated dark red brick that contrast with the pale red brick walls and
the unusual blue -gray stone foundation — may well reflect the Borts family background as masonry
professionals. While Albert Borts spent his long career as a mail carrier, in his young adult years Albert worked
for his father, David Borts, the successful building contractor known for his many large brick university and
commercial buildings in town.
QUEEN ANNE HOUSES IN IOWA CITY
If Borts House is characterized as a hipped roof subtype with free classic and patterned masonry details, where
does it fit within the local context of the popular Queen Anne style in Iowa City? The town's population grew
by a healthy 14% during the 1890s, the decade in which Borts House was constructed. Iowa City saw even
more robust growth of 26% between 1900 and 1910. In other words, Borts House was constructed during a
period of significant town growth. 16 This growth corresponds directly to the years Queen Anne residences were
most popular nationwide. Therefore, a large number of Iowa City's Queen Anne houses were most likely built
in town between 1890 and 1910.
While no study exists of all Iowa City Queen Anne residences, there are several sources that may give a less
speculative, more quantitative answer to the question of how Borts House fits the local context. These data
sources are far from perfect but can suggest the overall trend and the strength of the Queen Anne's presence in
this town. The earliest resource, Edwin Charles Ellis's M.A. thesis from 1947, titled "Certain Stylistic Trends in
Architecture in Iowa City," offers some good, clear black -and -white photographs of local houses (many
nonextant) but is organized in a haphazard way and largely simply describes features without much analysis.
Also, many of the photos show houses too distant from the camera to be of use or just capture architectural
details instead of the entire building. This leaves the Ellis thesis of minimal value for the purpose of analyzing
local Queen Anne buildings. Margaret Keyes' book, Nineteenth Century Home Architecture of Iowa City,1 �
contains over 100 images of local houses, a handful of which are Queen Anne, although the author uses an
alternative name for the style (Neo -Jacobean). Laurence Lafore's 1975 book on Iowa City architecture,
American Classic, 18 is not limited to domestic architecture and contains streetscape views as well as single -
14 Ibid., 264, 268.
15 Ibid., 268.
16 Iowa Data Center, U.S. Decennial Census. Retrieved on 5/23/2018 through links at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/lowa_City#cite_note-
DecennialCensus-18.
11 University of Iowa Press, 1966; reissued and expanded, 1993. Both editions used. Dr. Keyes' original research for this book is at the
State Historical Society of Iowa — Iowa City.
18 Iowa State Historical Department/Division of the State Historical Society [of Iowa], 1975.
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County and State
building "portraits." Keyes and Lafore's publications add several wood -frame and brick examples to a much
larger database kept by the Iowa State Historic Preservation Office. 19
THE NUMBERS
The state's database contains 4,302 Iowa City buildings, 102 of which are classified as Queen Anne, and date
between 1875 and 1908. Of these, 85% fall between 1890 and 1908.20 Addresses of these buildings were
checked against the city assessor's online photos and construction dates. There were 76 verified Queen Annes.
The rest were incapable of verification because they were either nonextant, incorrectly identified as Queen
Annes, or had incomplete addresses. Of the 76, only 5 were brick; the other 71 houses – or 93% – were wood -
frame buildings. The Keyes and Lafore studies added 10 more frame houses, and 1 additional brick house to the
state's group. Combined, these three sources total 87 Queen Anne residences recorded in town, with only 6 or
7% brick and 93% wood -frame. This nomination's author lives in Iowa City and knows its architecture well.
There are actually many more vernacular Queen Anne houses in town, however the conclusion drawn from the
available sampling— that the vast majority are of wood -frame construction—does appear correct. The Borts
House, then, is a Queen Anne -styled house with the most common form, but the least common construction
material and decoration, both nationwide and locally.
THE COMPARABLES: THE OTHER BRICK QUEEN ANNES
The earliest of Iowa City's brick Queen Annes is found
on the north side of town, at 800 N. Van Buren St.
Historically known as the Vogt House (and informally as
the Kurt Vonnegut house for its famous renter who taught
at the university's writers workshop), the house (Fig. 13)
was listed in the National Register in 1978. Built in 1882
or 1889, depending on the source, the brick and stone
house is an amalgam of gables, rooflets, and dormers,
with an overall hipped roof. A fanciful porch wraps
across the fagade and around to the west side. At the turn
Figure 13 Vogt House, 1882 or 1889, Jacob Hotz, builder. Photo from
the Iowa City Assessor, c. 2000
of the porch is a circular sitting area topped with a steep, conical roof clad in standing -seam metal. Spindlework
and lattice panels further decorate the porch, which is entered through an arch in front of the main door.
19 The information entered into this database arrives in the form of inventory forms submitted for a variety of reasons, by authors with
training that ranges from none to highly experienced. The database is extensive, but the site forms are not corrected by the SHPO
professionals before being entered into the database. Therefore, one must use the database with caution and understand its limitations.
20 Borts House was misidentified in 2000 as a Foursquare and therefore is not included in the database as a Queen Anne.
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Second in construction, at 1893, is the cross -gable
brick and stone house at 1029 N. Dodge (Fig. 14), also
in the northern part of the city. This house lacks a
hipped roof but does include an unusual gambrel roof
with a high break point. Its decorative details include
both applied trim from the spindlework substyle, and
free classic details as seen in the oculus gable window,
the round -arched windows with their prominent
keystones, and the porticos and smooth columns of the
double -sided front porch. This building was evaluated
in 2000 as a part of a road improvement project and
determined eligible for the National Register under
Criterion C.21
Also constructed in 1893, the brick Queen Anne at
530 S. Clinton (Figs. 15-16) just south of downtown,
Johnson, Iowa
County and State
Figure 14 Built the same year as a nearby church in 1893. Photo
from the Iowa City Assessor, 2018
has long been zoned for apartments and is in the
middle of a residential neighborhood under transition. Redevelopment in the form of high-rise apartments is
taking place uncomfortably near this corner building. This house has the familiar hipped roof and cross gables,
and ornate brick and stone work.
Figure 15-16 530S. Clinton as it was in 1947 (left), and today (right). Changes include removal of the porch, a large new
northside dormer not visible here, and attic windows that have been replaced. Photo sources: left, Keyes, 105; right, Google
on 6/6/2018
The fourth brick Queen Anne (Fig. 17) sits in the Summit Street Historic District in the historic east -central part
of the city. It also has two construction dates, 1890 according to the local assessor, and 1900 according to the
state's architectural database. The building's cleaner lines and lack of decoration suggest this house was built
21 Rebecca Conard, "Iowa City North Dodge Street: Intensive Level Historical and Architectural Survey and Evaluation" (Iowa City:
Tallgrass Historians LC, 2000), 26.
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Name of Property County and State
following and not before the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, an important event that helped popularize the Colonial
Revival style for domestic architecture and accelerate the decline of the fussier Queen Anne in the Midwest and
beyond. The building has a hipped roof and cross gables with another front -facing gable projecting from the
fagade. The two-story window bay telescoping from the northside gable is a holdover from earlier Queen Anne
years, while the pent roofs of the gable peaks and the squared columns and simple balusters of the front porch
reflect the growing desire for a simplified aesthetic.
Figure 17 710 S. Summit was listed in the Summit Street Historic District
(NRNP, 1973) as contributing for its architecture. Photo: Iowa City
Assessor, 2018
The fifth brick Queen Anne, at 1003 E. Washington (Fig. 18), a couple blocks north of the Summit Street
Historic District, has a similar profile and footprint as the Summit Street house, a hipped roof with front and
west gables, and it too shows the simplified free classic details seen in the squared porch columns. Its gable
peaks are frame also, but they lack pent roofs. Additionally, it has only a west side projecting bay with the
eastside distinguished only by a large hipped roof dormer. The assessor's date of 1900 appears more accurate
than the state's database date of 1895, though either could
be correct. The house is a rental conversion and has some
exterior alterations. The attic windows are newer and the
gables appear to be clad in a replacement siding. It has
been evaluated as not eligible for the National Register.
Figure 181003 E. Washington is within a neighborhood
that provides many rental apartments for university
students. Source: Google on 6/4/2018
The final brick Queen Anne (Figs. 19-20) is located at 114 N. Gilbert in the near northside of the city in a
neighborhood that boasts some of the city's oldest buildings, as well as newer apartment buildings and
commercial buildings from the early- to mid -201' century. Built in 1900 (not the assessor's obviously incorrect
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Name of Property
Johnson, Iowa
County and State
date of 1850), this Queen Anne has been evaluated and is listed in the state's database as eligible for the
National Register under Criterion C for its architectural significance.
Figures 19-20 114 N. Gilbert. Clearly a free classic variation of the Queen Anne style, this house is now a student rental and has some
minor alterations, especially to side windows. References to classical architecture include dentils and pediment returns in the gables, the
round -arched gable window, and the front porch's smooth columns. May 2018
Borts House's footprint, roof form, fenestration arrangement, and decorative detailing most closely resembles
the fifth Queen Anne above in Figures 19-20. However, the details of the decorations are different. While 114
N. Gilbert's classical elements are stronger, Borts House has the additional decorative masonry, including the
rusticated dark red horizontal bands and its unusual foundation limestone.
The Borts House limestone is bluish -gray and may have been selected for its color rather than its weathering
capability (which is poor). The common foundation stone seen in Iowa City's nineteenth century homes is a
pale -yellow limestone taken from different strata (layer) of local quarries. Ryan J. Clark, a geologist from the
Iowa Geological Survey (housed on the university's campus) recently inspected the Borts House foundation
stone. Based on his familiarity with local quarries and Samuel Calvin's 1897 Geology ofJohnson County, Clark
believes the stone came from "the old [Euclid] Sanders Quarry, located along Dubuque Street immediately
south of the Mayflower dorm" along the east bank of the Iowa River (Fig. 21-22).22 This is in the northwest
corner of Iowa City and a few blocks west of the Borts building site in 1898.23
At the time of Calvin's report, published just a year prior to construction of Borts House, the lower 16' of this
quarry would have been "fresh" rock in Clark's opinion, showing abundant fossils and not altered or concealed
by the weathering process, a description that matches the Borts House stone. Sanders' quarry was the nearest
location for this bluish -gray colored stone. Further, though perhaps not quite a "smoking gun," Calvin's report
also states, "This quarry has been worked for some years by Mr. Gilbert Irish. ,24 Gilbert Irish was the son of
22 Ryan J. Clark, email to author, 6/6/2018 and site visit 6/5/2018.
23 The source of the two types of bricks for Borts House is less clear, but because of its northside proximity to the building site, the
common bricks likely came from Christian Gaulocher & Son's brickyard at the corner of Dodge and Brown streets, a site now dedicated
as the city's Happy Hollow park. The brickmaker commenced operations at that location in 1865 (Charles Ray Aurner, Leading Events
in Johnson County Iowa History, vol. 2 [Cedar Rapids: Western Historical Press, 1913], 133-135). The rusticated dark -red bricks look
intriguingly similar to the bricks used in the local Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific railroad depot, which opened in 1898, same year Borts
House was built (perhaps leftovers purchased by builder Borts from the railroad company?).
24 Calvin, 66.
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Name of Property
Johnson, Iowa
County and State
Frederick Irish and in whose family home and acreage David Borts lived at the time (see pages 24-25).
Therefore, the Borts House foundation stone may have been a choice based more on convenience and
familiarity with "Gil" Irish, rather than the color. Either alternative seems plausible. In any event, the colorful
stone is distinctive. There would have been several routes to haul the stone to Reno Street, but all of them
required the horse team to climb the hill up and out of the Iowa River valley.
Fla i *&*&on tii4ury. rh" r SO dd T*MU a...; The yaar . r t bo
Vl a<ukkg as "M IMr k*, -Ma tva! "ba
Figure 21 This image of the Euclid Sanders quarry on Dubuque Street is taken from Calvin, 65.
Figure 22 Dubuque Street and the quarry as it appears today. Dubuque Street is undergoing reconstruction in this photo, a project necessitated by
severe flooding in 2008. Source: Google on 6/7/2018
BORTS FAMILY HISTORY
Because the overwhelming majority of vernacular Queen Anne residences in Iowa City are constructed of wood
frame materials, Borts House (Figs. 23-24), as well as the other four houses with intact historic integrity,
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Johnson, Iowa
County and State
represent an unusual local choice of materials in which to execute this very popular and widespread late -
nineteenth and early -twentieth century architectural style. The family's background in masonry may have had
something to do with it.
Figure 23-24 Borts House and detail of upper fagade. May 2018
When Albert and Alice Borts built their brick house in northeast Iowa City in 1898—still the semi -rural fringe
of town—they seemingly were simply continuing a long family tradition that favored masonry construction.
Starting as a youth of 16 and for the next 12 years, Albert worked as a brick layer for his father, David Borts.
Albert's younger brother, Charles, also became a brick layer and stayed with the craft throughout his adult
life.25 At age 28, however, Albert married Alice Evelyn Smith from Cincinnati, Ohio, and embarked on a
decades -long career as a mail carrier for the federal government, a job that lasted until his retirement in 1930.26
The brothers' parents, Mary Kimball27 Borts and David Borts lived in this northeast area of town, moving in
1888 into a big house with a large acreage just east of the end of Davenport Street, known as the Irish -
Hamilton -Kimball house. This property remained in the Borts family for the next 56 years though there is some
indication the couple also lived for a few years in the painted brick house at 502 Reno and the red brick at 432
Reno. 28
21 Federal census, 1930. At various times, Charles rented both Civil War -era houses next door to his brother and sister-in-law's. See
Figures 26-27 below. Iowa Site Inventory form for 502 Reno (SHPO record 52-02523), reciting what looks like city directory entries.
26 Iowa City Press -Citizen, 2/10/1937.
27 Mary's maiden name is taken from Charles Ray Aurner, Leading Events in Johnson county History, vol. 2 (Cedar Rapids, Iowa:
Western Historical Press, 1913), 101. This was written after Mary's death in 1898 but while David was still alive (he died in 1922). She
is also listed as Mary Kimball Borts in "U.S. Find a Grave Index, 1600s -Current" (Ancestry.com). Unfortunately, both Borts and Kimball
have been misspelling in various ways in the historical record. These are the most common spellings; however, the variations make
drawing some conclusions tenuous.
26 Irving Weber, Irving Weber's Iowa City, "Chronology," vol. 7 (1992): 218; Iowa Site Inventory form for 502 Reno (SHPO records);
Iowa City Press -Citizen, 4/25/1922.
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Name of Property
Johnson, Iowa
County and State
David Borts, a Pennsylvania transplant, arrived in Iowa City in 1855 making him one of the early settlers in the
growing community, though not nearly as early as his wife. Mary Kimball, also from Pennsylvania, grew up in
town having arrived in 1839 at age four. 29
A skilled mason, David Borts became a highly successful contractor responsible for many of the larger red brick
university buildings. One of his earliest known projects was the 1864 red -brick Italianate residence on a farm
just south of Iowa City (the house was enlarged in the 1880s by Jacob Hotz as its owner became more
prosperous). Known as the McCollister farmstead, the house was listed in the National Register in 1976, along
with its barn, which was torn down within the last decade.
An example of Borts' work still standing on campus is Calvin Hall, also known as the Old Science building
(Fig, 25). Constructed in 1885 of red brick and limestone near the center of campus, in 1905 Calvin Hall was
moved 105 feet across the street with "1000
screw jacks and an army of horses" all the
while still holding classes in it. 30
Another known campus building by David
Borts, a man hyperbolically claimed to have
"built more buildings in Iowa City than any
other man,"31 is the university's Hall of
Chemistry and Pharmacy constructed in 1895.
This brick building was as large if not larger
than Calvin Hall. It stood nearby on a corner
lot closer to the shops of downtown Iowa City
until 1977 when it was demolished.32
The nonextant English Lutheran Church
(1894) at the corner of Market and Dubuque
streets was another brick and stone building by Figure 25 Calvin Hall, 1885, David Borts builder. Credit: University of
Borts, who was a member of the church. This Iowa, e. 2000
building was significantly damaged by a fire in
1962 and subsequently replaced by the congregation, which also changed the name to Gloria Dei Lutheran
Church.33
While no concrete evidence linking them has surfaced, the two mid -nineteenth century brick houses just north
of Albert and Alice's also may have been constructed by David Borts. The likelihood exists if for no other
reason than the presumed slim number of trained masons in the young town. There are also property records
that indicate Mary Borts, David's wife, owned land in this immediate area, however the land transfer records
have not been searched to see if she owned these precise lots. These nearly identical buildings are two stories
tall, have gable ends, and Greek Revival styling (Figs. 26-27; see also Fig. 28 for a similar earlier house nearby,
Frederick Irish's second home).
29 [Compilation of] Proceedings of the Johnson County Old Settlers Association, 1866-1916, "Proceedings of the Johnson County Old
Setters Association From 1866 to 1899," 58.
31 University of Iowa, "Calvin Hall/Campus Maps and Tours," accessed at https:Hmaps.uiowa.edu/calh on 6/4/2018.
31 Aurner (1913), 100.
32 Iowa City Press -Citizen, 3/21/1987.
33 Aurner (1913), 101; Iowa City Press -Citizen, 5/23/1980.
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Borts, Albert J. and Alice E., House
Name of Property
Figure 27 Also dating to the same period
Reno Street was once number 500 Reno bi
block were removed. Note the differences
page 38, describes this house as being one
Figure 28 Frederick and Elizabeth
Irish house, 1849, 1415 E. Davenport,
parents of the same Gilbert Irish who
worked the Sanders quarry. The
similarity of this house to those in
Figs. 26-27 suggest the Reno Street
houses could be as much as a decade
earlier than 1860. This was Irish's
second house, built after selling his
nearby 1839 cabin. Taken from Jan R.
Nash [now Full], `Rose Hill", National
Register nomination, 1991. The
original photo, c. 1890, is by Bertha
Shambaugh, collection of the State
Historical Society -Iowa City.
OMB No. 1024-0018
Johnson, Iowa
County and State
Figure 26 502 Reno Street likely dates to around 1860 or a bit
earlier and is nearly identical to its next-door neighbor at 432
Reno Street. This one has been painted a light brown and has
visible additions on either end. Currently, it is used as a day
care center. May 2018
plc., `�.�5� •ic,..�; �.z� a., w�'ucr�cyt�y.. w.«�
The connections of the Borts family with various properties in this northeast section of town contain some
nagging coincidences primarily related to misspelled surnames (see footnote 27); however, it is clear that Mary
Kimball Borts and David Borts acquired a large parcel of land with a substantial house off the east end of
Davenport Street in 1888.34 The house had been built in 1860 by William Hamilton who wrapped it around a
34 Weber (1992), 218.
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Borts, Albert J. and Alice E., House
Name of Property
Johnson, Iowa
County and State
settlement cabin constructed by Frederick Irish 1839. Five years later, Hamilton sold the house and land to Dr.
George E. Kimba1135 who developed it into the "Rose Hill Nursery .,,36 The Irish/Hamilton/Kimball land was
held in Mary Borts' name, and she had already acquired, in 1886, the lots along Reno Street on which Albert
and Alice Borts' brick house would be built later, making her one of the important landowners in this corner of
the town.37
While the tangle of Borts and Irish and Kimball family names on property records is confusing and not to be
fully unraveled here, it is clear these families had much to do with the development of the northeast sector of
town, as well as Iowa City generally. David Borts' inventory of brick and stone buildings such as 416 Reno
Street remains a testament to this builder's legacy in Iowa City.
9. Major Bibliographical References
31 Iowa City Press -Citizen, 5/5/1930.
31 Keyes, 26-27. Nurseryman Kimball had a daughter also named Mary, born in Iowa City in 1859. This is a full generation after Mary
Kimball Borts' birth, and two years after Mary Kimball married David Borts. While it seems unlikely, historic records lead to the
conclusion (and confusion) that there were two Mary Kimballs in Iowa City living in almost the same location at the same time.
37 Abstract of Title for 416 Reno Street, entries 21 et seq.
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Borts, Albert J. and Alice E., House
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Bibliography (Cite the books, articles, and other sources used in preparing this form.)
Johnson, Iowa
County and State
Aurner, Charles Ray. Leading Events in Johnson County Iowa History. Vol. 1. Cedar Rapids, Iowa: Western
Historical Press, 1912.
. Leading Events in Johnson County Iowa History. Biographical Vol. 2. Cedar Rapids, Iowa: Western
Historical Press, 1913.
Borts, Edna Alice, interview with Carl and Kate Klaus, c. 1970. [Edna was Albert and Alice's daughter and
David Borts' granddaughter. Never married, she died at 102 in 2003.]
Calvin, Samuel. Iowa Geological Survey Annual Report. Vol. VII. 1897.
Clark, Jr., Clifford Edward. The American Family Home, 1800-1960. Chapel Hill: The University of North
Carolina Press, 1986.
Clark, Ryan J., P.G., Geologist. Iowa Geological Survey, Iowa City, IA. [Examined foundation stone and
matched it to known historic local quarries, May 2018.]
Conard, Rebecca. "Iowa City North Dodge Street: Intensive Level Historical and Architectural Survey and
Evaluation." Iowa City: Tallgrass Historians LC, 2000.
The Davenport Daily Times, 4/26/1922.
DeWitt, Jack. "Vogt House." National Register of Historic Places registration form, 1978.
Ellis, Edwin Charles "Certain Stylistic Trends in Architecture in Iowa City." M.A. thesis, University of Iowa,
1947.
Foley, Mary Mix. The American House. New York: Harper & Row, 1980.
Girouard, Mark. Sweetness and Light: The `Queen Anne' Movement 1860-1900. Oxford, UK: Clarendon Press,
1977; reprinted Yale University Press, 1984. Reprint used.
Gowans, Alan. The Comfortable House, North American Suburban Architecture, 1890-1930. Cambridge: The
MIT Press, 1986.
Iowa City directories, various years.
Iowa City, IA Assessor office.
Iowa City Press -Citizen, 4/25/1922; 5/5/1930; 2/10/1937; 5/23/1980.
Iowa Data Center, U.S. Decennial Census. Retrieved on 5/23/2018 through links at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iowa_City,_Iowa#cite_note-DecennialCensus-18
Johnson County, IA Recorder office.
Keyes, Margaret N. Nineteenth Century Home Architecture. Iowa City: University of Iowa Press, 1966.
Reprinted 1993. Both editions used.
Klaus, Carl H. Collection. (Includes the property abstract and a survey form from a 1980s northside Iowa City
survey).
Lafore, Laurence. American Classic. Iowa City: Iowa State Historical Department/Division of the State
Historical Society [of Iowa], 1975.
McAlester, Virginia, and Lee McAlester. A Field Guide to American Houses. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1986.
Maps:
Bird's Eye View of Iowa City, Johnson Co. Iowa, 1868.
Huebinger Survey and Map Publishing Co., Atlas of Johnson County, Iowa, 1900.
Sanborn Map Co., fire insurance map of Iowa City, 1933 updated to 1970.
Thompson & Everts, Combination Atlas Map of Johnson County, Iowa, 1870.
Plats of Additions to Iowa City, Johnson County Recorder's Office:
William H. Woods and (wife) Roma Woods, "Woods Addition to Iowa City," 1855;
[Frederick M.] "Irish's Extension of Woods Addition to Iowa City," 1862. [Filed by Gill. Irish on behalf of his
father who was then blind.]
Poppeliers, John C., etal. What Style is it? A Guide to American Architecture. Washington, DC: Preservation
Press, 1983.
Proceedings of the Johnson County Old Settlers Association (Compilation), 1866-1916. Collection of the State
Historical Society of Iowa -Iowa City.
Sections 8 - 11 page 26
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018
Borts, Albert J. and Alice E., House
Name of Property
Johnson, Iowa
County and State
Svendsen, Marlys A. "Goosetown Neighborhood Phase III Survey." Site Inventory Form #52-02520, 2000.
U.S. federal census, 1850-1920; cemetery records, marriage records, for Borts family members. Accessed at
Ancestry.com, various dates in May 2018.
Weber, Irving. Articles first appearing in the Iowa City Press -Citizen and then reprinted in Irving Weber's Iowa
City, volume and pages as noted:
"Clues," Vol. 1 (1976): 106.
"Chronology 2, Biographies (Shorter), 25 Pioneers," Vol. 2 (1979): 265.
"Chronology," Vol. 7 (1992): 218.
Wright, Gwendolyn. Building the Dream: A Social History of Housing in America. Cambridge: The MIT Press,
1981.
Previous documentation on file (NPS):
preliminary determination of individual listing (36 CFR 67) has been requested
previously listed in the National Register
previously determined eligible by the National Register
designated a National Historic Landmark
recorded by Historic American Buildings Survey #
recorded by Historic American Engineering Record #
recorded by Historic American Landscape Survey #
Primary location of additional data:
X State Historic Preservation Office
Other State Agency
Federal Agency
X Local Government
University
Other
Name of repository:
Historic Resources Survey Number (if assigned): 52-02520
Sections 8 — 11 page 27
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018
Borts, Albert J. and Alice E., House Johnson, Iowa
Name of Property County and State
10. Geographical Data
Acreage of Property less than 1 acre
(Do not include previously listed resource acreage; enter "Less than one" if the acreage is .99 or less)
Latitude/Longitude Coordinates
Datum if other than WGS84:
(enter coordinates to 6 decimal places)
1 41.666294
Latitude
2
Latitude
-91.518090
Longitude
Longitude
3
Latitude
4
Latitude
Verbal Boundary Description (Describe the boundaries of the property.)
Longitude
Longitude
The north 30 feet of lot 7 and the south 60 feet of lot 8 in Irish's Extension to Woods' Addition to Iowa City.
Boundary Justification (Explain why the boundaries were selected.)
This is the parcel historically associated with the Albert J. and Alice E. Borts house at 416 Reno Street, Iowa
City, Iowa.
11. Form Prepared By
name/title Jan Olive Full, PhD date June 2018
organization Tallgrass-Full LLC telephone 319.331.3454
street & number n/a email jofofic@gmail.com
city or town Iowa City state IA zip code 52240
Additional Documentation
Submit the following items with the completed form:
• GIS Location Map (Google Earth or BING)
• Local Location Map
• Site Plan
• Floor Plans (As Applicable)
Sections 8 — 11 page 28
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
NPS Form 10-900
Borts, Albert J. and Alice E., House
Name of Property
OMB No. 1024-0018
Johnson, Iowa
County and State
• Photo Location Map (Include for historic districts and properties having large acreage or numerous resources. Key all photographs to
this map and insert immediately after the photo log and before the list of figures).
First Floor
bath open porch Plan
room
,ca Second Floor
screened PI''art
porch
1 u'
kitchen dining room
Q
up
j— bedroom bedroom
ITT I
rcrr d wa! I _
up
� north �•x 'C?
11ving 100111 n,
bedroom �!��;r•
bath
r ui_it^t
open porch
Sections 8 — 11 page 29
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018
Borts, Albert J. and Alice E., House Johnson, Iowa
Name of Property County and State
Photographs:
Submit clear and descriptive photographs. The size of each image must be 3000x2000 pixels, at 300 ppi (pixels per inch) or larger. Key all photographs
to the sketch map. Each photograph must be numbered and that number must correspond to the photograph number on the photo log. For simplicity,
the name of the photographer, photo date, etc. may be listed once on the photograph log and doesn't need to be labeled on every photograph.
Photo Log
Name of Property: Borts, Albert J. and Alice E., House
City or Vicinity: Iowa City
County: Johnson State: IA
Photographer: Jan Olive Full
Date Photographed: May 2018
Description of Photograph(s) and number, include description of view indicating direction of camera:
Photo 1 of 11: West fapade and north side, looking southeast
Photo 2 of 11: West fapade and south side, looking northeast
Photo 3 of 11: South side and east rear, looking northwest
Photo 4 of 11: East rear with south corner of gazebo showing, looking west
Photo 5 of 11: East rear and north side, looking southwest
Photo 6 of 11: North side, looking south
Photo 7 of 11: Backyard landscape view, with gazebo, looking northeast
Photo 8 of 10: Interior staircase to second floor, from living room, looking north
Photo 9 of 11: Interior double doorway, looking east from living room into dining room
Photo 10 of 11: Interior second floor northeast bedroom door, looking from bedroom toward central hall to the
southeast
Photo 11 of 11: Landscape along Reno Street, looking southeast. Houses seen, left to right, are 502 Reno, 432
Reno, 416 Reno (Borts House.) The tall, thick windrow is to the right.
Sections 8 — 11 page 30
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018
Borts, Albert J. and Alice E., House Johnson, Iowa
Name of Property County and State
Paperwork Reduction Act Statement: This information is being collected for applications to the National Register of Historic Places to nominate
properties for listing or determine eligibility for listing, to list properties, and to amend existing listings. Response to this request is required to obtain a
benefit in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended (16 U.S.C.460 et seq.).
Estimated Burden Statement: Public reporting burden for this form is estimated to average 100 hours per response including time for reviewing
instructions, gathering and maintaining data, and completing and reviewing the form. Direct comments regarding this burden estimate or any aspect of
this form to the Office of Planning and Performance Management. U.S. Dept. of the Interior, 1849 C. Street, NW, Washington, DC.
HISTORIC MAP
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416 Reno St. is at the bottom right corner and marked with an open arrow.
Source: Sanborn fire insurance map, 1933 updated to 1970. Collection of City of Iowa City.
Sections 8 — 11 page 31
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018
Borts, Albert J. and Alice E., House Johnson, Iowa
Name of Property County and State
MAPS
Waterworks
Prairie Park
o 0
Hickory
Hill Park
H@n- Ho�— 11w, SE
alf Course,
The University
of Iowa
Iowa City
University
r, I
A
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Iowa City
Municipal
north
(D1
1
2000'
41.666341,
Wd
Go gle
-91.516163
The location of 416
Reno St. is marked with a red star in the center of the map.
Source: Google.com on 6/7/2018
Sections 8 — 11 page 32
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018
Borts, Albert J. and Alice E., House Johnson, Iowa
Name of Property County and State
MAPS continued
5.416 RENO 5T
CHURCH ST
1129
g �e�
Lf-
j� °-iJ I� ti
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018
Borts, Albert J. and Alice E., House Johnson, Iowa
Name of Property County and State
SITE PLAN showing building outlines (detail of prior map).
I I
Soz
43z
431
F
z r 14 6 419
LU
411?
410
0 40�5,
4051 4061226' 321 321 2
I o
E DAVENPORT ST
41.666341, -91.518163
SITE PLAN with exterior photo locations (8 views)
NA no scale
Source: Iowa City Assessor
Sections 8 — 11 page 34
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018
Borts, Albert J. and Alice E., House Johnson, Iowa
FLOOR PLANS (sketched by author using assessor outline as base)
cBasement
crawl
crawl space not Plan
space verified,. -.,storm
'door exit
storage I laundry room
masonry
0
chimney base
UP baffle
north
Q
M— 22'
Poured concrete Floors; rubble stone walls; fir
floor joists running eastlwest
First Floor
bath open porch Plan
room
10,
kitchen
Sections 8 — 11 page 35
dining room
removed wall 6
living room
8
open porch
north
United States Department of the Interior
National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018
Borts, Albert J. and Alice E., House Johnson, Iowa
Name of Property County and State
FLOOR PLANS continued
Second Floor
screened Plan
porch ii
10,
4
up
bedroo�o�m� bedroom
n
u
do
Cl
bedroom.
bath
room
north
Attic Level
15'
Sections 8 — 11 page 36
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Planning and Zoning Commission
December 20, 2018
Page 2 of 8
REZONING ITEM (REZ18-00021):
Discussion of an application submitted by the National Trust for Historic Preservation for a
rezoning of approximately 0.56 acres of property located at 416 Reno Street from Medium
Density Single -Family Residential Zone (RS -8) to Medium Density Single -Family Residential
Zone (RS -8) with a Historic District Overlay (OHD).
Russett noted this is a proposed rezoning for a potential local landmark, it is the Albert J. and
Alice E. Borts house at 416 Reno Street. The Historic Preservation Commission reviewed and
approved the proposed landmark designation at their last meeting on December 13, 2018.
Russett showed a map of the area, the property is just south of the Reno Park on Reno Street,
she also showed a zoning map of the area, the area is zoned single-family residential both RS -5
and RS -8. Russett showed some photographs of the home, the house was built in 1898 in the
Queen Anne Style. The Borts' family included David Borts, a prominent Iowa City builder
responsible for several Iowa City university and public buildings, including the Old Science
Building (now known as Calvin Hall). David Borts may have been the builder of the house. The
house is unique in that it is a Queen Anne built of brick and not of wood. Russett explained the
Planning & Zoning Commission's role in this process is to ensure the rezoning is consistent with
the City's Comprehensive Plan. Staff did a review and believes it is consistent with the
Comprehensive Plan based on the policies in both the Central District Plan and the Historic
Preservation Plan which aims to preserve the City's historic resources.
Staff recommends approval of REZ18-00021, an application to designate 416 Reno Street as an
Iowa City Historic Landmark and rezone from Medium Density Single -Family Residential (RS -8)
to RS -8 with a Historic Preservation Overlay (RS-8/OHP).
Hensch remarked how impressed he was with the Staff report, particularly all the information
prepared for the Historic Preservation Commission, he also appreciated the note in the Staff
report explaining the Planning & Zoning Commission's role which was to review the proposed
designation based on its relation to the Comprehensive Plan and proposed public improvements
and plans for renewal of the area involved.
Dyer questioned the role of the National Trust in this application. Russet explained that the
National Trust is working on purchasing the property from the current owner and working on a
national register district nomination for the property.
Hensch opened the public hearing.
Seeing no one, Hensch closed the public hearing
Signs moved to recommend approval of REZ18-00021, an application for rezoning of
approximately 0.56 acres of property located at 416 Reno Street from Medium Density
Single -Family Residential Zone (RS -8) to Medium Density Single -Family Residential Zone
(RS -8) with a Historic District Overlay (OHD).
Parsons seconded the motion.
Hensch noted this application is straight -forward and will preserve the historic resources in the
community. Signs agreed.
Planning and Zoning Commission
December 20, 2018
Page 3 of 8
A vote was taken and the motion carried 6-0. (Townsend absent)
REZONING ITEM (REZ18-00023):
Discussion of an application submitted by Joe Dan Coulter for a rezoning of approximately
1.73 acres of property located 1818 N. Dubuque Street from Low Density Single -Family
Residential Zone (RS -5) to Low Density Single -Family Residential Zone (RS -5) with a Historic
District Overlay (OHD).
Russett noted this application is also a proposed local landmark designation, it is the Dr. H.H.
and Sylvilla Jacobsen House located at 1818 North Dubuque Street. The Historic Preservation
Commission also reviewed this application at their December 13, 2018 meeting and
recommended approval. Russett showed maps with the location of the home, it is on North
Dubuque Street on the east side of the road just south of Foster Road, it is currently zoned RS -5
single-family residential. Russett showed photographs of the home to the Commission. The
home was built in 1929 in the Arts and Craft Style, it is a stone cottage and the craftsman style of
Arts and Craft which typically incorporated locally and natural materials into the construction.
Russett reiterated the Planning and Zoning Commission's role is to ensure consistency with the
Comprehensive Plan in both the North District Plan and Historic Preservation Plan outlined goals
in preserving historic resources.
Staff recommends approval of REZ18-00023, an application to designate 1818 North Dubuque
Street as an Iowa City Historic Landmark and rezone from Low Density Single -Family
Residential (RS -5) to RS -5 with a Historic Preservation Overlay (RS- 5/OHP).
Hensch asked if there was any controversy on either of these applications with the Historic
Preservation Commission. Russett asserted there was not. Hensch asked because it was more
in that Commission's role to know the historic value of these properties.
Hensch opened the public hearing.
Joe D. Coulter (1818 North Dubuque Street) is the current owner of the property and noted the
process he went through with the City when Dubuque Street was to be raised. He stated he is
just the second owner of this house, he has lived there since 1986, he has all the original plans
for the home and even the interior of the house is still mostly original. Coulter would like to
preserve this house, noting the Englert Beer Cave is located on his property. He also noted in
the application is a letter from his neighbor who lives in the Englert house.
Hensch asked if all the stone and rock used for the house quarried locally. Coulter said the
stonework was done by a fellow known as the "old swede" who was from Toddville and that is
where he brought the rock from. Hensch asked if the garage was contemporaneous in
construction with the house. Coulter said it is, and noted at the time it would have cost $800 to
put in an elevator from the garage to the house. When he bought the house there was a big
crack in the garage and he had it redone by Country Stone Masons in keeping with the original
style. Hensch asked how the garage is accessed from the house. Coulter stated there are 52
steps from the garage up to the house, he said there is another driveway that goes up the hill
and another buried garage at the top of that driveway.
Prepared by:Anne Russett,Senior Planner,410 E.Washington Street, Iowa City, IA 52240;319-356-5240
(REZ18-00021)
Ordinance No.
Ordinance rezoning property located at 416 Reno Street from
Medium Density Single-Family Residential (RS-8) to RS-8 with a
Historic District Overlay (RS-8 / OHD). (REZ18-00021)
Whereas, the applicant, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, has requested a rezoning
of property located at 416 Reno Street from Medium Density Single-Family Residential (RS-8) to
Medium Density Single-Family Residential with a Historic District Overlay(RS-8/OHD); and
Whereas, this structure was originally constructed in 1898 in the Queen Anne style; and
Whereas, the Comprehensive Plan and the Central District Plan encourage the preservation
of historic buildings; and
Whereas, Goal 1 of the Historic Preservation component of the Comprehensive Plan calls
for identification of resources significant to Iowa City's past with the objective of designating
individual buildings as landmarks; and
Whereas, the Historic Preservation Commission has reviewed the proposed Historic
Landmark designation, has found that it meets the criteria for landmark designation in its
significance to Iowa City history, integrity of location and design, association with significant
persons, and embodies distinctive characteristics and has recommended approval; and
Whereas, the Planning and Zoning Commission has reviewed the proposed Historic
Landmark designation rezoning and has found that it is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan
goals of preserving historic resources;
Now, therefore, be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Iowa City, Iowa:
Section I. Historic Landmark Approval. Property described below is hereby reclassified from its
current zoning designation of Medium Density Single-Family Residential (RS-8) zone to Medium
Density Single-Family Residential with a Historic District Overlay(RS-8/OHD)zone:
The north thirty feet of lot seven, and the south sixty feet of lot eight in Irish's Extension to Wood's
Addition to Iowa City, Iowa, according to the recorded plat thereof.
Section II. Zoning Map. The Building Inspector is hereby authorized and directed to change
the zoning map of the City of Iowa City, Iowa, to conform to this amendment upon the final
passage, approval and publication of this ordinance by law.
Section III. Certification And Recording. Upon passage and approval of the Ordinance, the
City Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to certify a copy of this ordinance and to record the
same, at the office of the County Recorder of Johnson County, Iowa, at the owner's expense, all
as provided by law.
Ordinance No.
Page 2
Section IV. Repealer. All ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with the provisions of
this Ordinance are hereby repealed.
Section V. Severability. If any section, provision or part of the Ordinance shall be adjudged to
be invalid or unconstitutional, such adjudication shall not affect the validity of the Ordinance as a
whole or any section, provision or part thereof not adjudged invalid or unconstitutional.
Section VI. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall be in effect after its final passage, approval
and publication, as provided by law.
Passed and approved this day of , 20_
Mayor
Approved by:
Attest: •-c -t
City Clerk City Attorney's Office i /z
Ordinance No.
Page
It was moved by and seconded by that the
Ordinance as read be adopted, and upon roll call there were:
AYES: NAYS: ABSENT:
Cole
Mims
Salih
Taylor
Teague
Thomas
Throgmorton
First Consideration 01/22/2019
Vote for passage: AYES: Mims, Salih, Taylor, Teague, Thomas,
Throgmorton, Cole. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None.
Second Consideration
Vote for passage:
Date published
Item Number: 11.b.
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CITY Ok 10WA CITY
www.icgov.org
January 22, 2019
Ordinance rezoning property located at 1818 N. Dubuque Street from Low
Density Single -Family Residential Zone (RS -5) to RS -5 with a Historic
District Overlay (RS-5/OHD). (REZ18-00023)
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
PZ Staff Report
HPC Memo (Attachment 3 of PZ Staff Report)
HPC Memo Image 1 (Attachment 3 of PZ Staff Report)
HPC Memo - Image 2 (Attachment 3 of PZ Staff Report)
HPC Memo - Image 3 (Attachment 3 of PZ Staff Report)
HPC Memo - Image 4 (Attachment 3 of PZ Staff Report)
HPC Memo - Image 5 (Attachment 3 of PZ Staff Report)
Correspondence from Neighbor
PZ Minutes
Ordinance
r
��,.,_.�, CITY OF IOWA CITY
]MEMORANDUM
Date: December 14, 2018
To: Planning and Zoning Commission
From: Jessica Bristow, Historic Preservation Planner
Re: Designation of 1818 Dubuque Street as a Historic Landmark (REZ18-00023)
Background: As part of the federally funded Iowa City Gateway -Dubuque Street Elevation
project, this property was evaluated for its historic integrity and eligibility for listing in the
National Register of Historic Places. The property was determined eligible and the Gateway
project was developed to avoid compromising the historic integrity of both the house and the
street -level garage. Recently the owner, Joe Coulter, has sought local landmark designation in
his efforts to further preserve the property in the future.
The enclosed Site Inventory Form provides a discussion of the building's history and
architecture. 1818 Dubuque Street is a two-story house constructed of local field stone in the
Arts and Crafts style. The picturesque setting and local, natural materials work together as
hallmarks of this style.
Historic Preservation Commission Review: The Historic Preservation Commission met
December 13, 2018 and conducted a public hearing at which they reviewed and evaluated the
historic significance of 1818 Dubuque Street. The Commission determined that the property
meets the requirements for a landmark and voted to recommend approval of the designation of
1818 Dubuque Street as an Iowa City Historic Landmark. The building is significant because of
its architecture and historic integrity.
Landmark designation for 1818 Dubuque Street, a property in a Low Density Single Family
Residential (RS -5) zone, will require Historic Preservation Commission approval of any
significant changes to the exterior of the building. Landmark status will also make the property
eligible for special exceptions (Section 14-213-8 of the zoning code) that allow the Board of
Adjustment to waive or modify certain zoning requirements to help support the continued use of
historic buildings. Landmark designation will also make it possible for financial incentives such
as tax credits and the Iowa City Historic Preservation Fund to be available.
Planning and Zoning Commission Review: Landmark Designation is a zoning overlay and
therefore requires a recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission to the City
Council. The Commission's role is to review the proposed designation based on its relation to
the Comprehensive Plan and proposed public improvements and plans for renewal of the area
involved.
There are two specific areas of the Comprehensive Plan that appear to apply to this proposal:
1). the North District Plan and 2). the Historic Preservation Plan.
The subject property is located within the area of steep wooded ravines in the North District
where these environmental resources are prized for the ecological and aesthetic value (North
District Plan pg 9). The North District Planning principles encourage retaining the single-family
residential character of the neighborhoods (North District Plan pg 11) and the protection of
sensitive environmental features (North District Plan pg 12). The designation of 1818 Dubuque
Street as a historic landmark would preserve the property from future development which
satisfies both principles. In addition, the designation will retain the residential, non-commercial
character of the area that creates a pleasant gateway setting described in the Dubuque Street
December 14, 2018
Page 2
discussion (pg 17). The Foster Road Extension area encourages the conservation and
protection of environmentally sensitive areas and the single-family character of the area (North
District Plan pg 30).
The Historic Preservation element of the Comprehensive Plan contains two specific goals
relating to this proposal. Goal 1: Identify historic resources significant to Iowa City's Past. Under
this goal the Historic Preservation Commission is charged with continuing to research and
evaluate properties and to pursue local landmark designation when appropriate. The study that
determined the eligibility of the property at 1818 Dubuque Street for landmark overlay zoning is
a result of the City working toward Goal 1.
Goal 10: Adopt strategies to preserve historic neighborhoods which reflect their organic
development, historical roles and traditions, modern needs, and economic health and stability.
For areas outside the traditional neighborhoods, the Preservation Plan includes the Other
Planning Districts section and Objective 3, which states, when appropriate, the HPC should
encourage owners to complete National Register of Historic Places Nomination and local
landmark designation. This Objective provides direction for properties such as this, in an
outlying planning district and outside local historic district or conservation district designation.
The designation of 1818 Dubuque Street accomplishes this objective by providing protection for
important outlying historic resources.
The landmark designation sought by the applicant conforms with the goals of the
Comprehensive Plan — providing incentives to maintain and improve older housing stock and
identifying historic resources that are not currently protected by landmark designation.
Preservation of 1818 Dubuque Street would not be in conflict with future redevelopment in the
area but would actively promote the preservation of historic resources and the conservation of
environmentally sensitive areas.
Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of REZ18-00023, an application to
designate 1818 Dubuque Street as an Iowa City Historic Landmark and rezone from Low
Density Single -Family Residential (RS -5) to RS -5 with a Historic Preservation Overlay (RS-
5/OHP).
Attachments:
1. Location Map
2. Zoning Map
3. Historic Preservation Commission Memo, 12/13/2018, including the Site Inventory Form
Approved by:
Danielle Sitzman, AICP, Development Services Coordinator
Department of Neighborhood and Development Services
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the rezoning of approximately 1.73 acres located
at 1818 North Dubuque Street from Low Density
Single -Family Residential (RS -5) to Low Density
Single -Family Residential (RS -5) with a Historic
District Overlay (OHD).
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MEMORANDUM
Date: December 3, 2018
To: Historic Preservation Commission
From: Jessica Bristow, Historic Preservation Planner
Re: 1818 N. Dubuque Street — Dr. H.H. and Sylvilla Jacobsen House
Applicant Joe Dan Coulter has requested that the property at 1818 N. Dubuque Street be
designated as an Iowa City Historic Landmark. Designation of the property as an Iowa City
Historic Landmark will require Commission approval of any significant changes to the exterior of
the building. Landmark status will also make the property eligible for special exceptions that
would allow the Board of Adjustment to waive or modify certain zoning requirements and for
State Tax Credit funding of rehabilitation work.
As part of the federally funded Iowa City Gateway -Dubuque Street Elevation Project, the
property at 1818 N Dubuque Street was the subject of an Architectural and Historic Intensive
Level Survey. The enclosed 2012 Iowa Site Inventory Form and letter from the Iowa Department
of Transportation to State Historic Preservation Office Historian, Ralph Christian, discuss the
history of the property and provide a statement of eligibility for listing in the National Register of
Historic Places. The Arts and Crafts influenced stone cottage built in 1929 was found to be
individually eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic places under Criterion C,
Design/Construction, and is locally significant. Both the interior and exterior of the house and
garage have retained a high level of historic integrity.
The Commission should determine if the property meets criterion a. and b. and at least one of
the criteria c., d., e., or f. for local designation listed below:
a. Significant to American and/or Iowa City history, architecture, archaeology and
culture;
b. Possesses integrity of location, design, setting, materials and workmanship;
c. Associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad
patterns of our history;
d. Associated with the lives of persons significant in our past;
e. Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction;
or represents the work of a master; or possesses high artistic values; or represents a
significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual
distinction;
f. Has yielded or may likely yield information important in prehistory or history.
The house at 1818 N. Dubuque Street is located on a low bluff overlooking North Dubuque
Street and a portion of the Iowa River to the southwest. The land was purchased from Maude H.
Ball (the original developer of Ball's Addition), or from her husband George's Estate. As a
remaining representative of the picturesque development of Iowa City's northern expansion
along the Dubuque Street and the river, this house meets criterion A for local landmark
designation. The exterior walls clad in stone gathered locally, the glazed tile roof, and garage
nestled in the hill are all important elements of the original architecture that has been retained.
December 12, 2018
Page 2
Even with the raising of Dubuque Street, the house and garage have retained their picturesque
setting and hidden location, screened by trees and foliage from the road below. The house has
been maintained by both the original and current owner so that it meets criterion B.
The house was constructed in a "Craftsman" style of the Arts and Crafts movement in
architecture. Hallmarks of this style are local, natural materials, the appearance of hand-crafted
construction, and architectural elements of European or English cottages such as stone arches,
half-timbering, and stone walls. The house exhibits the original details of the style in which it
was created and has had very few changes. For this reason, it also meets criterion E for local
landmark designation.
Based on the information provided in the Site Inventory Form and from the owner, staff finds
that the property meets criteria a, b, and a and therefore qualifies as an Iowa City Historic
Landmark.
Recommended Motion:
Move to approve the designation of 1818 N. Dubuque Street (Dr. H.H. and Sylvilla Jacobsen
House) as an Iowa City Historic Landmark based on the following criteria for local designation:
criteria a, b and e.
Site inventory Form State Inventory No. 52-05067 ® New ❑ Supplemental
State Historical Society of Iowa ❑ Part of a district with known boundaries (enter inventory no.)
(November 2005) Relationship: ❑ Contributing ❑ Noncontributing
ELIGIBLE ❑ Contributes to a potential district with yet unknown boundaries
National Register Status:(any that apply) ❑ Listed ❑ De -listed ❑ NHL ❑ DOE
9 -Digit SHPO Review & Compliance (R&C) Number A?_'7'3� 0 9
❑ Non -Extant (enter year)
1. Name of Property
historic name Jacobsen Dr. H.H. and Sylvilla, House
other names/site number
2. Location
street & number 1818 N. Dubuque St.
city or town Iowa City ❑ vicinity, county Johnson
Legal Description: (if Rural)Township Name Township No. Range No. Section Quarter of Quarter
(If Urban) Subdivision Ball's Addition Block(s) Lot(s) 16 thru 22
3. State/Federal Agency Certification [Skip this Section]
4. National Park Service Certification [Skip this Section]
5. Classification
Category of Property (Check only one box) Number of Resources within Property
® building(s) If Non -Eligible Property If Eligible Property, enter number of
❑ district Enter number of: Contributinq Noncontributing
❑ site _ buildings 2 _ buildings
❑ structure _ sites _ _ sites
❑ object _ structures _ _ structures
objects _ _ objects
Total 2 Total
Name of related project report or multiple property study (Enter "NIA" if the property is not part of a multiple property examination).
Title Historical Architectural Data Base Number
Dubuque St./Park Rd. Bridge: Architectural/Historical Intensive Study 52-106
6. Function or Use
Historic Functions (Enter categories from instructions)
01A01 DOMESTIC/single dwelling/residence
0005 /DOMESTIC/secondary structure/garage
Current Functions (Enter categories from instructions)
01A01 DOMESTIC/single dwelling/residence
0005 /DOMESTIC/secondary structure/garage
7. Description
Architectural Classification (Enter categories from instructions) Materials (Enter categories from instructions)
07E02 LATE 19TH & EARLY 20TH CENTURY AMERICAN foundation 10 CONCRETE
MOVEMENTS/Craftsman walls (visible material) 04 STONE
roof
16 CLAY TILE
other
Narrative Description (® SEE CONTINUATION SHEETS WHICH MUST BE COMPLETED)
8. Statement of Significance
Applicable National Register Criteria (Mark "x" representing your opinion of eligibility after applying relevant National Register criteria)
❑ Yes ® No ❑ More Research Recommended A Property is associated with significant events.
❑ Yes ® No ❑ More Research Recommended B Property is associated with the lives of significant persons.
® Yes ❑ No ❑ More Research Recommended C Property has distinctive architectural characteristics.
0 Yes ❑ No ❑ More Research Recommended D Property yields significant information in archaeology or history.
County Johnson Address 1818 N. Dubuque St. Site Number 52-05067
City Iowa Cit v District Number
Criteria Considerations
❑ A Owned by a religious institution or used ❑ E A reconstructed building, object, or structure.
for religious purposes. ❑ F A commemorative property.
❑ B Removed from its original location. ❑ G Less than 50 years of age or achieved significance within the past
❑ C A birthplace or grave. 50 years.
❑ D A cemetery
Areas of Significance (Enter categories from instructions) Significant Dates
Construction date
02 ARCHITECTURE 1929 ❑ check if circa or estimated date
Other dates, including renovation
Significant Person Architect/Builder
(Complete if National Register Criterion B is marked above) Architect
Builder
Smith and Burger
Narrative Statement of Significance (® SEE CONTINUATION SHEETS, WHICH MUST BE COMPLETED)
9. Major Bibliographical References
Bibliography ® See continuation sheet for citations of the books, articles, and other sources used in preparing this form
10. Geographic Data
UTM References (OPTIONAL_)
Zone Easting Northing Zone Easting Northing
4
❑ See continuation sheet for additional UTM references or comments
11. Form Prepared By
name/title Jan Olive Full
organization Tallgrass Historians L.C. date 4/12
street & number 2460 S. Riverside Dr. telephone 319-354-6722
city or town Iowa City state IA zip code 52246
ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION (Submit the following items with the completed form)
FOR ALL PROPERTIES
1. Map: showing the property's location in a town/city or township.
2. Site plan: showing position of buildings and structures on the site in relation to public road(s).
3. Photographs: representative black and white photos. If the photos are taken as part of a survey for which the Society is to be
curator of the negatives or color slides, a photo/catalog sheet needs to be included with the negatives/slides and the following
needs to be provided below on this particular inventory site:
Roll/slide sheet # Frame/slot # Date Taken
Roll/slide sheet # Frame/slot # Date Taken
Roll/slide sheet # Frame/slot # Date Taken
❑ See continuation sheet or attached photo & slide catalog sheet for list of photo roll or slide entries.
® Photos/illustrations without negatives are also in this site inventory file.
FOR CERTAIN KINDS OF PROPERTIES, INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING AS WELL
1. Farmstead & District: (List of structures and buildings, known or estimated year built, and contributing or noncontributing status)
2. Barn:
a. A sketch of the frameltruss configuration in the form of drawing a typical middle bent of the barn.
b. A photograph of the loft showing the frame configuration along one side.
c. A sketch floor Dlan of the interior space arrangements along with the barn's exterior dimensions in feet.
State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) Use Only Below This Line
Concur with above survey opinion on National Register eligibility. ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑ More Research Recommended
❑ This is a locally designated property or part of a locally designated district.
Comments:
Evaluated by (name/title): WAA Date: JUL 2 5 2012
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-05067
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 1
Jacobsen, Dr. H.H. and Sylvilla. House Johnson
Name of Property County
1818 N. Dubuque St. Iowa City
Address City
7. Narrative: This fine house and associated 2 -car automobile garage is situated on an extremely
challenging, if picturesque, lot. The dwelling is located on the edge of a low bluff overlooking N.
Dubuque St. and the Iowa River beyond to the southwest. Its separate garage is built into the steep
embankment, more or less directly under the house. A concrete staircase leads from the garage up to
the residence and a hard -surfaced drive leads up the hill to the south. During the summer months, trees
obscure much of the view of the house. This foliage, plus the elevated position, gives privacy to the
house's residents despite the heavy flow of traffic on Dubuque St. below.
The house is 2 to 2'h stories tall and has a basically rectangular footprint. The long sides face east and
west, with gable ends to the north and south. The ridge line or long axis of the house, therefore, is
roughly parallel to the street in front. The north end of the house is stepped down to a story -and -half in
height. Cross gables of varying sizes project from the facade (west elevation) -- a small centrally
positioned cross -gable bay denotes the entrance, while a larger cross -gable bay to the south end
encloses larger room space. There are two smaller gabled roof dormers on either side of the entrance
cross -gable. Two large single -story wings with gable roofs project from the rear (east elevation) of the
house.
The exterior walls of the house are clad in glacial cobblestones gathered from somewhere north of
town. A bright green, glazed clay tile roof covers the entire structure and cross gables, and forms a pent
roof at the south end wall. Gable peaks have a half-timber detail. Windows are of various sizes, but all
have divided lights. Casement windows have their original "Pella Rollscreens" intact. Sills and headers
both appear to be composed of or clad in stone also. Fenestration headers are flat except for the front
door, which has a rounded opening at the top.
The rounded stone header of the front doorway is repeated below in a niche detail on the face of the
garage, to the north side of the garage doors. The garage structure is excavated into the bluff so that
only the substantial -looking stone wall facade is visible. This stone wall is pierced by two single -stall
openings covered by paneled overhead garage doors. These doors appear to be replacements.
The property owner was interviewed by the present project archaeologists in October 2011 who also
observed the interior of the home. Interior architectural details include: black walnut woodwork, hand -
wrought stair rail, round -arched doors, and hammered metal chandeliers. The owner also has some
original furniture, the plans for the house (no architect named), and correspondence with the original
owners, Dr. H.H. and Sylvilla Jacobsen. Herman H. Jacobsen was a local dentist.
This lot is part of the land owned in the 1920s by Maude H. (or M.) Ball and her husband, George W.
Ball. The couple bought 20 acres in 1916 from the Englert family, land that came with the 1857
residence in which they lived (see 52-05068). They then bought an adjacent 22 acres from Elizabeth
Grissell. According to local historian Irving Weber, Ball's Addition was platted from this 42 -acre parcel.
George W. Ball, who died at age 42 on January 3, 1924, from complications of an automobile vs.
streetcar accident, was an attorney, a World War I veteran bearing the rank of Colonel (and a later title
of Brigadier General), and president of the local water company. He also served on many city
commissions and commercial club committees. In 1922 and 1923, Ball was among the most vocal
supporters for paving the stretch of N. Dubuque St. in front of his house. This was a stretch of the Red
Ball highway route north of the park bridge (Park Road was then called Koontz Avenue).
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa
Site Number 52-05067
Iowa Site Inventory Form
Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 2
Jacobsen, Dr. H.H. and Sylvilla, House
Johnson
Name of Property
County
1818 N. Dubuque St.
Iowa City
Address
City
After her husband's death, Maude continued to develop land in northern Iowa City, and was likely the
spouse that filed the plat for Ball's Addition (Iowa City Press -Citizen, 4/29/1925). She frequently
petitioned the city council for land development reasons, such as extending the city's water mains north
of Kimball Road and vacating a dangerous road in her addition in favor of a "level ... new one" (Iowa City
Press -Citizen, 8/8/1925 and 7/16/1925, respectively). Maude Young Ball, a graduate of the university
and alumnus of the Pi Beta Pi sorority, apparently easily transitioned from the traditional roles for the
wife of a prominent business and civic leader to a successful developer and businessperson in her own
right.
Sometime prior to 1929, local dentist, Dr. Herman H. Jacobsen and his wife, Sylvilla, purchased the
land for their cobblestone Craftsman house from Maude Ball (or George Ball's estate if it was held in
his name). The year before the house and garage were built, the Jacobsens lived up the hill to the
south at 717 Brown St. (Smith's Directory of Iowa City, 1928). Jacobsen was a graduate of the
University of Iowa and had his office in the Paul Helen building downtown (Iowa Dental Bulletin, vol. 9,
no. 4, Oct. 1923). The Daily Iowan, on 7/27/1929, ran an article about the construction of the house
under the heading "Dr. Jacobsen Home Overlooks River; Will Be of Warwick Manor Type."
8. Statement of Sianificance
The cobblestone house and garage were constructed within the Arts & Craft architectural movement,
and generally in the "Craftsman" style, a substyle popularized in the United States by architects such as
California's Greene & Greene firm. In addition to utilizing native materials (here regionally collected field
stones and native black walnut lumber), the Jacobsen house displays these local materials in a manner
that suggests "hand built" by "ancient" methods and individual craftsmen. This is seen in the exterior's
faux -timbering in the gables and in the interior with the hammered metal chandeliers and hand -wrought
stair rail. These details are hallmarks of the Arts & Craft Movement. The property's stylistic details,
including its many gables, rounded front door, and stone walls, also owe much to the the revival styles
popular after World War I, styles which suggest old English and French (or Continental) rural vernacular
buildings.
The house and its important associated garage are locally significant and eligible for the National
Register of Historic Places under Criterion C.
9. Major Bibliographical References
Field inspection/photograph, October 2011.
Iowa City Assessor online property records.
Interview Notes, Leah Rogers, of Joe Coulter, owner, 10/20/2011; telephone call, Jan Olive Full to Joe
Coulter, 4/21/2012.
Newspapers and journals as cited above and also see accompanying report.
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa
Iowa Site Inventory Form
Continuation Sheet
Pacie 3
Site Number 52-05067
Related District Number
Jacobsen, Dr. H.H. and Sylvilla, House Johnson
Name of Property County
1818 N. Dubuque St. Iowa City
Address City
10. Additional Documents (City map and Sketch map)
NT
►i
V
r
c
f
-�
Bjaysville Ln.
Photo looking northeast by Peter Sidwell for Tallgrass Historians L.C., October 2011
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs
State Historical Society of Iowa Site Number 52-05067
Iowa Site Inventory Form Related District Number
Continuation Sheet
Page 4
Jacobsen, Dr. H.H. and Sylvilla, House Johnson
Name of Property County
1818 N. Dubuque St. Iowa City
Address City
1710 1S FR EP 11,
17
[1201
CONC PATIO I 123 12
[2301
17
IS B A STN (MAIN)
[2002) 47
40
IS STN EP 5 11 7
55
16
WD STP
[991 s
11
Source: All images from the Iowa City Assessor website, 4/20/2012.
JUL 1 8 2012
LCIowa Department of Transportation
00 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa 50010 515-239-1035
FAX 515-239-1726
July 3`d, 2012 Ref. No HDP -3715(652)- -71-52
Johnson County
Local
Ralph Christian
Review & Compliance
Community Program Bureau
State Historical Society of Iowa
600 East Locust St. R&C# 1407S2 07f-
Des Moines, IA 50319
Dear Ralph:
RE: Iowa City Gateway- Dubuque Street Elevation Project- City of Iowa City
Architectural / Historic Intensive Level Survey (Revised)
Enclosed for your review and comment is the Architectural / Historic Intensive Level Survey
project corridor map for the above-mentioned federally funded project. The project proposes
the elevation of North Dubuque Street and the reconstruction of the Park Road Bridge, along
with other improvements to mitigate traffic impacts from future Iowa River flooding.
The project corridor / area of impact for this proposed project measures approximately 4600 ft.
along N. Dubuque Street and 2300 ft. along E. Park Road. The corridor with for this project is
approximate 75 ft. (Which includes the current road / center -line) A total area of 51 acres was
investigated for this project.
This architectural / historic intensive survey for this project included an extensive archival
search, along with a pedestrian survey of the project corridor. Site visits and property
documentation where conducted for each property, along with digital photographic
documentation.
This architectural / historic survey examined 37 individual properties with the proposed project
corridor. Of these properties, two historic districts were evaluated (and found eligible) and five
structures / properties were investigated and found eligible. These districts and properties are as
follows.
The Hutchinson -Kuhl House (Property 52-02513) This house, located at 7 Park Road,
represents a stone dwelling, locally significant under Criterion A as one of the oldest standing
houses in Iowa City. This structure is also considered locally eligible under Criterion C as
historic adaptation to the original structure. This property, however, will not be impacted by
this project.
The Engle rt -Ball -Pownall House (Property 52-05068) This house, located 1501 Ridge Road,
represents a rare -surviving wood -frame residence from the 1850's reflecting the Greek Revival
influence. This house acted once as a stagecoach stop and hostelry along the old road north of
Iowa City.
The Dr. H.H. & Sylviiia Jacobsen House (Property 52-05067) This house, located at 1818 N.
Dubuque Street, represents a cobblestone home and garage constructed within the style of the
Arts and Craft Movement, and generally in the "Craftsman" substyle. This house and its
associated garage are locally significant and eligible under the National Register of Historic
Places under Criterion C.
The Lagoon Shelter House (Property 52-05079) This structure, located at West Back of the
Iowa River, in the vicinity of Hancher Auditorium is a WPA building is an excellent example of
rustic architecture and unusual for its location on the university's campus. The building is
eligible under Criterion A and C. It was also determined previously as a contributing resources
to the "University of Iowa River Valley Historic District". This property, however, will not be
impacted by the proposed project.
The Hancher Pedestrian Bridge (Property 52-05078) This pedestrian bridge, over the Iowa
River in the vicinity of Hancher Auditorium was previously determined to have exceptional
significance to the U of Iowa's River Valley Historic District. This property, however, will not
be impacted by the proposed project.
Two potential historic districts were examined by this investigation:
"Frat Row" Potential Historic District: This potential district includes eight buildings in the
700 and 800 blocks of N. Dubuque Street, and one building in the 1000 block. All of these
buildings, are considered contributing resources to the potential historic district and most are
also considered potentially individually eligible.
• Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity — 702 N. Dubuque St. 5201533
• o Sigma Chi Fraternity — 703 N. Dubuque St. — 5201534
• o Phi Kappa Sigma Fraternity — 716 N. Dubuque St. — 5201537
• o Kappa Sigma House — 720 N. Dubuque St. — 5201538
• o Delta Tau Delta Fraternity — 730740750 N. Dubuque St. — 5201539
• o Phi Delta Theta Fraternity — 729 N. Dubuque St. — 5201540
nd
• o Beta Theta Pi Fraternity (2 location) — 804 N. Dubuque St. — 5201541
rd
• o Beta Theta Pi Fraternity (3 location) — 816 N. Dubuque St. — 5201542
• o Kappa Sigma Fraternity 1032 N. Dubuque St. — 5205074
Knollwood Lane Midcentury Modern Potential Historic District: Two of the five houses in
this small midtwentieth century suburban development are within the survey area (1 Knollwood
Lane — 5205063 and 2 Knollwood Lane — 5205062). Collectively, the five houses contribute
to a potential Knollwood Lane Midcentury Modern Historic District. A more detailed survey of
the district would be necessary to confirm the details of the three houses outside the study area,
but there is excellent potential for a historic district based on the historical and architectural
significance of these homes as they reflect midcentury contemporary design and suburban
landscaping created by a specific group of mature professionals who associated for that specific
purpose.
A review of the proposed project area and corridor plans shows that the Brown Street Historic
District, "Frat Row" Potential Historic District, the Dr. H.H. & Sylviiia Jacobsen House, and
the Englert-Ball-Pownall House will have various impacts to their property grounds. Once
finalized design plans are received showing what these impacts are, a letter of concurrence
stating a finding of effect will be forwarded to your office for review.
If you concur with the findings of this Architectural / Historical Intensive Level Survey, please
sign the concurrence line below and return this letter. If you have any questions regarding this
project or this report, please feel free to contact me.
MJFD
Enclosure
cc:
Dee Newell- OLE / NEPA
Kent Ellis- District 6 Local Systems Engineer
Sincerely
Matthew J.F. Donovan, RPA
Office of Location and Environment
Matt. Donovan@dot.iowa.gov
Concur
SHPO Historian Date
Detail of North End of West Elevation
South Elevation
y+,M�
M1
21
n
NiO.i.
South Elevation
North Elevation
Detail of Patio on East Elevation
Detail of East End of North Elevation
Representative interior photographs from the Gazette
The library; situated behind the living room, features its own fireplace and circle head French doors; at the home of Joe Coulter in Iowa City on Wednescay, June i,
2o16. (Liz Martini The Gazette)
Joe Coulter had the chair and couch in the living room recovered after he purchased them at an auction of the home's original furnishings. The chandeliers and
fireplace screen are also original to the house. The fireplace, like the exterior of the home, is made of split fie]dstone. Photographed at the home of Joe Coulter in Irnaa
City on Wednesday, June 1, 2o16. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)
From:
Stefaniak, John E
To:
PlanninaZoninaPublic
Subject:
Joe Dan Coulter RS -5 CHD Application
Date:
Tuesday, December 18, 2018 9:59:46 AM
Dear Commission Members,
We are unable to attend the Planning & Zoning meeting on December 20 but would like the Commission to know
that we wholeheartedly support Joe Dan Coulter's application to rezone his home at 1818 N. Dubuque street to
RS -5 OHD.
John and Mary Helen Stefaniak
1501 Ridge Road
319-331-8517
Planning and Zoning Commission
December 20, 2018
Page 3 of 8
A vote was taken and the motion carried 6-0. (Townsend absent)
REZONING ITEM (REZ18-00023):
Discussion of an application submitted by Joe Dan Coulter for a rezoning of approximately
1.73 acres of property located 1818 N. Dubuque Street from Low Density Single -Family
Residential Zone (RS -5) to Low Density Single -Family Residential Zone (RS -5) with a Historic
District Overlay (OHD).
Russett noted this application is also a proposed local landmark designation, it is the Dr. H.H.
and Sylvilla Jacobsen House located at 1818 North Dubuque Street. The Historic Preservation
Commission also reviewed this application at their December 13, 2018 meeting and
recommended approval. Russett showed maps with the location of the home, it is on North
Dubuque Street on the east side of the road just south of Foster Road, it is currently zoned RS -5
single-family residential. Russett showed photographs of the home to the Commission. The
home was built in 1929 in the Arts and Craft Style, it is a stone cottage and the craftsman style of
Arts and Craft which typically incorporated locally and natural materials into the construction.
Russett reiterated the Planning and Zoning Commission's role is to ensure consistency with the
Comprehensive Plan in both the North District Plan and Historic Preservation Plan outlined goals
in preserving historic resources.
Staff recommends approval of REZ18-00023, an application to designate 1818 North Dubuque
Street as an Iowa City Historic Landmark and rezone from Low Density Single -Family
Residential (RS -5) to RS -5 with a Historic Preservation Overlay (RS- 5/OHP).
Hensch asked if there was any controversy on either of these applications with the Historic
Preservation Commission. Russett asserted there was not. Hensch asked because it was more
in that Commission's role to know the historic value of these properties.
Hensch opened the public hearing.
Joe D. Coulter (1818 North Dubuque Street) is the current owner of the property and noted the
process he went through with the City when Dubuque Street was to be raised. He stated he is
just the second owner of this house, he has lived there since 1986, he has all the original plans
for the home and even the interior of the house is still mostly original. Coulter would like to
preserve this house, noting the Englert Beer Cave is located on his property. He also noted in
the application is a letter from his neighbor who lives in the Englert house.
Hensch asked if all the stone and rock used for the house quarried locally. Coulter said the
stonework was done by a fellow known as the "old swede" who was from Toddville and that is
where he brought the rock from. Hensch asked if the garage was contemporaneous in
construction with the house. Coulter said it is, and noted at the time it would have cost $800 to
put in an elevator from the garage to the house. When he bought the house there was a big
crack in the garage and he had it redone by Country Stone Masons in keeping with the original
style. Hensch asked how the garage is accessed from the house. Coulter stated there are 52
steps from the garage up to the house, he said there is another driveway that goes up the hill
and another buried garage at the top of that driveway.
Planning and Zoning Commission
December 20, 2018
Page 4 of 8
Dyer asked if Coulter has applied for a listing on the National Registry. Coulter said he has not
but is thinking seriously about doing so, noting it is a complicated process.
Parsons asked if the garage suffered any damage from the 1993 or 2008 floods. Coulter said it
did not, there was flood waters in the garage but no permanent damage.
Hensch closed the public hearing
Parsons moved to recommend approval of REZ18-00023 an application submitted by Joe
Dan Coulter for a rezoning of approximately of 1.73 acres of property located 1818 N.
Dubuque Street from Low Density Single -Family Residential Zone (RS -5) to Low Density
Single -Family Residential Zone (RS -5) with a Historic District Overlay (OHD).
Martin seconded the motion.
Hensch noted his comments are duplicates of the last application and added he has admired this
house for decades driving by.
A vote was taken and the motion carried 6-0. (Townsend absent)
FRINGE AREA REZONING ITEM (CZ18-00003):
Discussion of an application submitted by Joseph and Nancy Sladek for a rezoning from County
Highway Commercial (CH) to County Agriculture (A) for approximately 1.55 acres of property
located at 4548 Sioux Avenue SE.
Russett noted this is a proposed rezoning in the fringe area, which is within two miles of the City,
but not located within the corporate limits of the City. Russett showed a map of the subject
property in relation to the corporate limits of Iowa City. It is located in Fringe Area B - outside of
the City's growth boundary. The property is currently zoned Highway Commercial and the
applicant is proposing to rezone it to Agriculture. The applicants submitted a site plan to show
how they wish to expand an existing machine shed and that will require a rezoning to Agriculture.
Russett stated the proposed rezoning is consistent with the County's Comprehensive Plan, it is
not within one of the County's growth areas and the future land use map has this area identified
as appropriate for agriculture uses. She explained in the City's review of these rezonings in the
fringe area they use a Fringe Area Agreement to make sure the rezoning is consistent with the
policies in the fringe area. The Fringe Area Agreement is a component of the City's
Comprehensive Plan.
Based on the policies outlined in the Fringe Area Agreement, which state that agricultural uses
are preferred in this area, staff would recommend approval of this rezoning.
Parsons asked if there was any discussion on updating the Fringe Area Agreement as after a
previous application there was conversation of needing to do so. Russett said they have met
with County Staff regarding a review and hope to move forward with updating the Fringe Area
Agreement.
ilrb
Prepared by:Anne Russett,Senior Planner,410 E.Washington Street,Iowa City,IA 52240;319-356-5240
(REZ18-00023)
Ordinance No.
Ordinance rezoning property located at 1818 N. Dubuque Street
from Low Density Single-Family Residential (RS-5) to RS-5 with a
Historic District Overlay (RS-5 / OHD). (REZ18-00023)
Whereas, the applicant, Joe Dan Coulter, has requested a rezoning of property located at
1818 N. Dubuque Street from Low Density Single-Family Residential (RS-5) to Low Density
Single-Family Residential with a Historic District Overlay(RS-5/OHD); and
Whereas; this structure was originally constructed in 1929 in the Craftsman style of the Arts
and Crafts movement; and
Whereas, the Comprehensive Plan and the North District Plan encourage the preservation of
historic buildings; and
Whereas, Goal 1 of the Historic Preservation component of the Comprehensive Plan calls
for identification of resources significant to Iowa City's past with the objective of designating
individual buildings as landmarks; and
Whereas, the Historic Preservation Commission has reviewed the proposed Historic
Landmark designation, has found that it meets the criteria for landmark designation in its
significance to Iowa City history and embodies distinctive characteristics and has recommended
approval; and
Whereas, the Planning and Zoning Commission has reviewed the proposed Historic
Landmark designation rezoning and has found that it is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan
goals of preserving historic resources;
Now, therefore, be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Iowa City, Iowa:
Section I. Historic Landmark Approval. Property described below is hereby reclassified from its
current zoning designation of Low Density Single-Family Residential (RS-5) zone to Low Density
Single-Family Residential with a Historic District Overlay(RS-5/OHD)zone:
LOTS 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 AND 22 OF THE SUBDIVISION OF PART OF GOVERNMENT
LOT 2, IN SECTION 3, TOWNSHIP 79 NORTH, RANGE 6 WEST OF THE 5TH P.M.,
ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN BOOK 3, PAGE 100, PLAT
RECORDS OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA.
ALSO, BEGINNING AT AN IRON PIPE WHICH MARKS THE EAST CORNER OF LOT 16, OF
SAID ABOVE MENTIONED SUBDIVISION; RUNNING THENCE NORTH 44°55' WEST 120.9
FEET ALONG THE NORTH LINE OF SAID LOT 16, THENCE ALONG THE CONTINUATION
OF THE WEST LINE OF LOT 16, WHICH BEARS NORTH 13°11' EAST 120.4 FEET TO AN
IRON PIN; THENCE NORTH 75°30' EAST 88.2 FEET TO AN IRON PIN; THENCE SOUTH
25°30' EAST 92.7 FEET TO AN IRON PIN; THENCE IN A SOUTHERLY DIRECTION ALONG
THE WEST SIDE OF RIDGE ROAD TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. ALL BEARINGS ARE
FROM THE MAGNETIC MERIDIAN.
Ordinance No.
Page 2
ALSO BEGINNING AT THE NORTHEASTERLY CORNER OF LOT 22 OF SAID ABOVE
MENTIONED SUBDIVISION; RUNNING THENCE IN A SOUTHEASTERLY DIRECTION
ALONG THE SOUTHERLY LINE OF RIDGE ROAD TO ITS INTERSECTION WITH THE
SOUTHEASTERLY LINE OF LOT 11 OF SAID SUBDIVISION, PRODUCED; RUNNING
THENCE IN A SOUTHWESTERLY DIRECTION FOLLOWING THE SOUTHEASTERLY LINE
OF SAID LOT 11 PRODUCED, TO THE INTERSECTION OF THE NORTH LINE OF THE RED
BALL ROAD (NOW KNOWN AS FEDERAL HIGHWAY #161); RUNNING THENCE IN A
NORTHWESTERLY DIRECTION ALONG THE NORTH LINE OF SAID RED BALL ROAD
(NOW KNOWN AS FEDERAL HIGHWAY #161) TO THE SOUTHEASTERLY CORNER OF
SAID LOT 22; THENCE RUNNING IN A NORTHEASTERLY DIRECTION TO THE PLACE OF
BEGINNING.
ALSO, ALL THAT PROPERTY TO THE EAST OF THE EASTERLY LINE OF LOT 11 OF SAID
SUBDIVISION, PRODUCED SOUTH OF THE SOUTHERLY LINE OF RIDGE ROAD AND
NORTH OF THE NORTH LINE OF DUBUQUE STREET (FORMERLY RED BALL ROAD,
FEDERAL HIGHWAY #161 AND FOSTER ROAD). ALL AS SHOWN BY SAID ABOVE
MENTIONED PLAT.
EXCEPTING THE FOLLOWING TWO PARCELS:
1. THE PROPERTY DEPICTED AND DESCRIBED ON THE RIGHT-OF-WAY
ACQUISITION PLAT MARKED EXHIBIT"N'ATTACHED TO THE WARRANTY
DEED IN BOOK 5473, PAGES 132-133 IN THE RECORDS OF THE JOHNSON
COUNTY RECORDER'S OFFICE.
2. A PARCEL OF LAND LOCATED IN A PORTION OF A SUBDIVISION OF PART
OF GOVERNMENT LOT 2, SECTION 3, TOWNSHIP 79 NORTH, RANGE 6
WEST OF THE 5TH PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IOWA CITY, IOWA, CONSISTING
OF .09 ACRE (3839 SQUARE FEET), DEPICTED AND DESCRIBED ON THE
ACQUISITION PLAT RECORDED AT PLAT BOOK 48, PAGE 315 WITH THE
JOHNSON COUNTY RECORDER.
Section II. Zoning Map. The Building Inspector is hereby authorized and directed to change
the zoning map of the City of Iowa City, Iowa, to conform to this amendment upon the final
passage, approval and publication of this ordinance by law.
Section III. Certification And Recording. Upon passage and approval of the Ordinance, the
City Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to certify a copy of this ordinance and to record the
same, at the office of the County Recorder of Johnson County, Iowa, at the owner's expense, all
as provided by law.
Section IV. Repealer. All ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with the provisions of
this Ordinance are hereby repealed.
Section V. Severability. If any section, provision or part of the Ordinance shall be adjudged to
be invalid or unconstitutional, such adjudication shall not affect the validity of the Ordinance as a
whole or any section, provision or part thereof not adjudged invalid or unconstitutional.
Section VI. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall be in effect after its final passage, approval
and publication, as provided by law.
Passed and approved this day of , 20_
Ordinance No.
Page 3
Mayor
Approved by:
Attest: -2,7 /a -,�
City Clerk City Attorney's Office / Z J i
Ordinance No.
Page
It was moved by and seconded by that the
Ordinance as read be adopted, and upon roll call there were:
AYES: NAYS: ABSENT:
Cole
Mims
Salih
Taylor
Teague
Thomas
Throgmorton
First Consideration 01/22/2019
Vote forpassage:AYES: Salih, Taylor, Teague, Thomas, Throgmorton,
Cole, Mims. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None.
Second Consideration
Vote for passage:
Date published
Item Number: 11.c.
+ r
ui �1 lat
• yyrrmr��
CITY Ok 10WA CITY
www.icgov.org
January 22, 2019
Ordinance amending Title 14, Zoning Code of the Iowa City Code related to
clarification on code language in multiple sections. (ZCA18-00004)
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
PZ Memo
PZ Minutes
Ordinance
1� r
1 CITY OF IOWA CITY
MEMORANDUM
Date: December 20, 2018
To: Planning & Zoning Commission
From: Jesi Lile, Associate Planner
Re: Amendments to Title 14, Zoning Code of the Iowa City Code related to minor
amendments to address inconsistences and clarify requirements (ZCA18-0004)
Introduction
The Iowa City Zoning Code (Title 14) is a living document that is subject to alteration and
clarification as situations and circumstances change throughout the City. The proposed
ordinance (Attachment 1) addresses many issues that have come to light with various aspects
of code language and how the zoning code is applied. These amendments are all minor, and
provide clarification to planners, building inspectors, commissioners, council members, and
other government bodies and members of the public who depend on this document to make and
understand important City-wide decisions. This clean up serves to eliminate inconsistences
between sections adopted at different times and to clarify orphaned language throughout the
zoning code.
Background
Staff has been keeping a list of minor amendments that need to be made to the zoning and
subdivision codes. There have been multiple meetings between staff members in Neighborhood
and Development Services, including: building inspectors, planners, and code enforcement
staff. The purpose of these meetings was to clarify the changes that need to be made and why,
resulting in a list of minor amendments.
Proposed Amendments
This ordinance addresses several code amendments with the reasoning for each amendment
detailed below. Some explanations address the reasoning behind multiple amendments.
1) Amend 14 -3C -2A(4), Design Review Applicability — Sidewalk Cafes
Summary of Change: The code currently subjects sidewalk cafes to the design review
process, but also allows sidewalk cafes by -right in another section. The proposed
amendment clarifies this inconsistency by removing the need for the design review
process for sidewalk cafes as there are already design standards in a different section of
the code.
Justification: When sidewalk cafes were first allowed in Iowa City business owners were
required to go through the design review process put in place by the City to ensure that
cafes fit aesthetically and did not cause undue burden on pedestrians. Over time, the
City has developed other guidelines and policies addressed in Resolution 16-328, the
Sidewalk Cafe Policy (Attachment 2) and Title 10, Section 3-3 in the Municipal Code,
which allows sidewalk cafes in the right-of-way in the Central Business and Riverfront
Crossing zone districts and regulations for sidewalks cafes. Due to the adoption of the
Sidewalk Cafe Policy and the regulations in Title 10, it is no longer necessary for
December 12, 2018
Page 2
sidewalk cafes go through the design review. This amendment will remove this
inconsistency in the code.
Additionally, the City wants to encourage owners to apply for sidewalk cafes to help
support businesses in central business zones and the Riverfront Crossings District. This
supports the Comprehensive Plan goal to "Encourage a healthy mix of independent,
locally -owned businesses and national businesses."
2) Amend 14 -4B -1A(15), Minor Modifications
Summary of Change: The code currently has an inconsistency that states a minor
modification is needed for a building expansion of less than 500 feet in a general
education facility, but a different section allows such additions by -right. The proposed
amendment addresses this inconsistency by removing the minor modification
requirement.
Justification: The zoning code currently outlines two processes to approve additions and
accessory uses to educational facilities that are less than 500 square feet. One process
requires a minor modification. The other process is more streamlined and requires
review and approval by the building official. The current regulations create unnecessary
confusion for educational facilities trying to make small improvements to their facility
while also making the approval process more difficult. This also creates situations where
educational facilities are unduly burdened by excessive applications and fees that
merely slow down minor facility upgrades. The proposed amendment eliminates these
burdens and allows educational facilities to build small accessory structures and add
very small additions to their buildings without going through the minor modification
process.
3) Amend 14 -4B -4B(22), Alcohol Oriented Sales in CI -1 Zones
Summary of Change: The code currently does not allow for alcohol sales in Intensive
Commercial (CI -1) zones unless it is through a convenience store associated with quick
vehicle servicing (gas station). The proposed amendment removes that provision and
allows alcohol sales as a permitted use in CI -1 zones, which are generally located along
Highway 6 and Highway 1, south of the Iowa Interstate Railroad.
Justification: In 2013 Ordinance 13-4550 (Attachment 4) amended the zoning code to
allow for more broad uses in CI -1 zones, similar to uses allowed in Community
Commercial (CC -2) zones such as allowing restaurants and bars, medical and dental
offices, sales -oriented retail, and more. The reasoning behind this Ordinance was to
allow more flexibility in use types by allowing a variety of commercial uses in CI -1 zones.
However, Ordinance 13-4550 did not address alcohol sales specifically as part of sales -
oriented retail so alcohol sales remained a provisional use and allowed only in
convenience stores associated with quick vehicle servicing.
Recently, GoPuff, a delivery service business, located to a CI -1 zone. Upon a request for
a liquor license, this issue was brought to staff's attention since GoPuff does not have an
associated gas station, and therefore, is not able to sell alcohol under the current code.
After reviewing the history of the 2013 ordinance amendment, staff determined that not
allowing alcohol sales associated with other uses allowed in the CC -2 zone was an
oversight. The proposed amendment serves to clarify the intention of Ordinance 13-4550
and allow alcohol sales in CI -1 zones without the quick vehicle servicing provision.
December 12, 2018
Page 3
4) Amend 14-5A-4F(5D-4), Alternatives to Minimum Parking Requirements
Summary of Change: The code currently allows developers who have gone through the
approval process for reduced parking the option of paying the associated in -lieu fee all at
one time or in three separate installments. The proposed amendment eliminates the
option of three installments and requires the fee be paid up -front before the issuance of
a building permit.
Justification: The zoning code specifies minimum parking requirements based on land
use and zone, but also provides a way for developers to get parking requirements
reduced with City approval. This reduction is limited to the Downtown and Riverfront
Crossings parking district, and for those qualifying instances, developers are required to
pay a fee based on the number of spaces not being provided on-site. The current code
allows developers to either pay the fee all at once or make three annual payments.
While this was intended to allow developers some flexibility, it has caused many issues
for the City with enforcing the agreed upon schedule. Fee collection upfront fits the
current process the City has in place, and the three annual payment schedule has
caused inefficient use of staff time trying to ensure fees have been properly collected
according to the agreed upon schedule. The proposed amendment eliminates the three -
payment option and requires that developers pay the full fee for reduced parking
requirements prior to the issuance of a building permit.
5) Amend 14 -5A -5C, Parking And Stacking Space Size
Summary of Change: Currently, the zoning code outlines standards for drive widths for
surface parking areas, but not for structured parking areas. The proposed amendment
applies those drive width standards to all parking areas.
Justification: The minimum drive width designated for surface area parking is eighteen
feet for drives serving two-way traffic and 10 feet for drives serving one-way traffic. This
distance was selected because it provides for safe ingress and egress. Though there is
not a set drive width for structured parking areas, building and inspection services has
been using this as the standard for both surface and structured parking areas. This
amendment clarifies the minimum drive width requirement of 18 feet for two-way traffic
and 10 feet for one-way traffic for both surface and structured parking.
6) Amend 14-9A-1, General Definitions
Summary of Change: The zoning code currently states that both "Bed and Breakfast
Homestays" and "Bed and Breakfast Inns" are allowed in duplexes. The proposed
amendment would clarify that "Bed and Breakfast Homestays" and "Bed and Breakfast
Inns" are only allowed in single-family residences, not in duplexes.
Justification: Currently, the definitions of "Bed and Breakfast Homestay" and "Bed and
Breakfast Inn" do not match with what is allowed in the Accessory Use section of the
zoning code under Specific Approval Criteria laid out in 14-4C-2. The general definition
of both "Bed and Breakfast Homestay" and "Bed and Breakfast Inn" currently include
duplexes as well as single-family dwellings; however, the Specific Approval Criteria in
section 14-4C-2D&E specify that both "Bed and Breakfast Homestay" and "Bed and
Breakfast Inn" can only be located in owner occupied, detached, single-family homes.
According to provision 14-113-1E under the Interpretation and Application of Provisions,
"If the provisions of this title are inconsistent with one another of if they conflict with
provisions found in other adopted ordinances, resolutions, or regulations of the city, the
provision that is more specific to the situation will control. When regulations are equally
specific or when it is unclear which regulation to apply, the more restrictive provision will
control". Since the regulations for both "Bed and Breakfast Homestay" and "Bed and
December 12, 2018
Page 4
Breakfast Inn" in the Accessory Use section of the code are both more specific and
restrictive, the general definitions should not include duplexes and instead be restricted
to owner occupied, detached, single-family homes. Additionally, this would be consistent
with the City's current practice of not allowing Bed and Breakfast Homes and Inns in
duplexes.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Planning and Zoning Commission recommend adoption of
the draft ordinance by the Iowa City City Council.
Attachments
1. Draft of Text Amendments
2. Resolution 16-328, the Sidewalk Cafe Policy
3. Ordinance 13-4550, allowing for expanded uses in Intensive Commercial
Zones (CI -1)
Approved by:
aD METFe Sitzman, AICP, Development Services Coordinator
Department of Neighborhood and Development Services
DRAFT TEXT AMENDMENTS
Planning & Zoning Commission
December 4, 2018
Amend 14 -3C -2A, Designated Areas, Buildings, and Structures, as follows:
Projects located in the following areas are subject to the design review process:
4 C`Irlew;;Ik C;;fec flecion re iie ni is re`vi aired for all sidewalk nafec Io` ;;UQd in Oho
P61bliG right of w iursueo4 tG the orov060oo Of e 1 Q Ghapte- Q 0 Gernmernial Use
RiQe;Aic'mi$", Of thiG`voce-
54. Central Planning District: Any exterior alterations to, additions to, or new
construction of two-family uses, multi -family uses, group living uses, and
institutional/civic uses located on a property in the central planning district, are
subject to design review according to the rules of applicability and standards
contained in section 14-213-6, "Multi -Family Site Development Standards", of this
title. (See central planning district map located in section 14-213-6 of this title.)
95. PRM Zone: All exterior alterations to, additions to, or new construction on
properties located within the PRM zone are subject to design review according to
the rules of applicability and standards contained in section 14-213-6, "Multi -
Family Site Development Standards", of this title. (Ord. 05-4186, 12-15-2005)
.96. Towncrest Design Review District: Any exterior alterations to, additions to, or new
construction of buildings and structures, or alterations or additions to site development,
such as parking areas, landscaping, screening, lighting, and access on property within
the boundaries of the towncrest design review district, as illustrated on the map below,
are subject to design review. However, on property zoned single-family residential, new
construction, alterations, or additions to single-family uses, including alterations or
additions to site development associated with said uses, are exempt from design review.
(Ord. 11-4421, 2-1-2011; amd. Ord. 16-4685, 11-15-2016)
Amend 14 -4B -1A, Applicability, as follows
The building official may grant the following minor modifications from the
requirements of this title, provided the approval criteria are met. Any requests for
modifications that exceed the limitations set forth below and all other requests for
modifications of the requirements of this title require the filing of a special exception
or variance application with the board of adjustment.
4815. Modifications to the multi -family site development standards contained in
section 14-213-6 of this title according to the alternate approval criteria set forth in that
section. The building official must obtain approval from the design review committee and
the director of planning and community development prior to granting any such
modification. Such requests shall be reviewed and approved jointly by the design review
committee, the director of planning and community development, and the building
official.
416. Modifications to the site development standards contained in section 14-2C-6, 14-
2-7, 14-2C-8, or 14-2C-9 of this title according to the alternate approval criteria set
forth in section 14-2C-10 of this title. The building official must obtain approval from the
design review committee and the director of planning and community development prior
to granting any such modification. (Ord. 06-4220, 7-18-2006)
4-817. Modifications to the site development standards contained in sections 14-2D-5,
"Industrial And Research Zone Site Development Standards", and 14-2F-5, "Public Zone
Site Development Standards", of this title according to the alternate approval criteria set
forth in those sections, respectively. The building official must obtain approval from the
director of planning and community development prior to granting any such modification.
(Ord. 09-4352, 7-6-2009)
4818. One additional garage entrance/exit to structured parking may be granted
according to the provisions of subsection 14 -5A -5F7, "Garage Entrances/Exits", of this
title. The building official must obtain approval from the director of planning and
community development prior to granting any such modification. (Ord. 07-4247, 1-9-
2007)
2819. Freestanding signs in the CB -2 zone, according to the approval criteria and
specifications as stated in section 14-513-8, table 513-4 of this title. (Ord. 08-4319, 11-3-
2008)
2420. Modifications or waivers of nonconforming development according to the
provisions set forth in section 14-4E-8, "Regulation Of Nonconforming Development", of
this chapter. (Ord. 10-4397, 7-12-2010)
221. A modification of the required driveway length in single-family zones according to
the provisions set forth in subsection 14 -2A -6C4 of this title. (Ord. 11-4451, 10-18-2011)
2822. An entranceway/gate more than four feet (4') in height in residential zones,
provided it is designed to be compatible with and enhance the surrounding
neighborhood. An identification sign no more than twelve (12) square feet in area
incorporated as an integral element of the entranceway/gate may be permitted as part of
the requested minor modification. (Ord. 14-4595, 8-19-2014)
2423. Modification to reduce the open space requirement for single family and two family
uses in certain qualifying situations and according to the specific approval criteria as
specified in sections 14-2A-4 and 14-213-4 of this title. (Ord. 18-4744, 4-2-2018)
Amend 14-413-413, Commercial Uses, as follows:
222-a. Delayed Deposit Service Uses In The CC -2 Zone:
a. The use is licensed by the state of Iowa; and
b. The use will be located at least one thousand feet (1,000') from any property
containing any existing daycare use, educational facility use, parks and open space
use, religious/private assembly use, or residential use;
c. The proposed use will be located at least one thousand feet (1,000') from any
other delayed deposit service use. (Ord. 12-4495, 9-18-2012; amd. Ord. 13-4550, 9-
17-2013)
232-4. Alcohol Sales Oriented Retail Uses In The CB -2, CB -5, And CB -10 Zones: An
alcohol sales oriented retail use must be separated by a minimum distance of one
thousand feet (1,000') from any other alcohol sales oriented retail use. Distance shall be
measured along a straight line from the nearest property line (or nearest point of the
leased building space) of the proposed use to the nearest property line (or nearest point
of the leased building space) of any other alcohol sales oriented retail use. For example,
in the case of an alcohol sales oriented retail use that is located on a lot with multiple
leased spaces, such as a shopping mall, the distance is measured from the nearest
point of the leased building space occupied by an alcohol sales oriented retail use to the
nearest property line or leased building space of any other alcohol sales oriented retail
use. (Ord. 09-4341, 6-2-2009; amd. Ord. 11-4452, 10-18-2011; Ord. 12-4495, 9-18-
2012; Ord. 13-4550, 9-17-2013)
Amend 14 -5A -4F -5D-4, Payment of Fee In Lieu Of Required Parking, as follows:
(4) The city shall calculate and assess the entire fee upon issuance of a building
permit. The fee payor shall pay the entire fee at - rip or to the issuance of the
building permit_ nr may oleGt +„ pay the foo it throe (3) e911al a1,1,11a1
hi 101dinn Permit If the foo Peder elent9 to nasi the foo in throe (3) annual
i Psta"AAepts
the fee r\rn ier shell evenl l+e ars alrreemep+ v4i+h the ni+y hefere +he
of the rem aininn in9tallment9 to he Paid- and al9n 9et9 fnr+h +h a+ 11nnn
GG-.Rfirmeti G -R by the lewa Gity f1NaRGe depaFtmeRt that the fee payer hes
fee halanne to the Inhn9nn GG 1nty a99e99nr a9 a lien 11nnn the premises fnr
4.4hv+h +he hi iild!Rg Permit 44a9 09 -39 -31 -led. Said lien 4.4ill not nreGI61de the nit y from
n11r611iRg re GGVeFy of the fee by ether legal er eq litahle remedies
Amend 14 -5A -5C, Parking And Stacking Space Size, as follows:
C. Parking,. -A -Rd Stacking Space Size, And Drive Dimensions:
7. Drives: A drive providing access to any parking area, both structured or
surface, with more than eighteen (18) spaces must be no less than
eighteen feet (18') in width if designed for two-way traffic or ten feet (10') in
width if designed for one-way traffic.
Amend 14 -5A -5H(3), Design and Layout of Surface Parking Areas, as follows:
Amend 14-9A-1, General Definitions, as follows
BED AND BREAKFAST HOMESTAY: An accessory use within an owner
occupied, single-family hex dwelling unit, in which no more than three (3)
bedrooms are provided to guests who stay for periods not to exceed fourteen
(14) consecutive days.
BED AND BREAKFAST INN: An accessory use within an owner occupied,
single-family hex dwelling unit with a maximum of five (5) bedrooms
provided to guests who stay for periods not to exceed fourteen (14) consecutive
days.
caf6. The design of the canopy shall be approved by the City. The area underneath the canolz
shall be under the control of the establishment and is subject to the annual fee. a
gin
3. Additional restroom capacity may be required to comply with local building and housing
codes.
4. Occupancy limits are determined as set forth in the City building code.
5. No additional parking is required for the operation of a sidewalk cafe.
6. Sidewalk cafes are subject to annual inspections and maybe inspected at any other time
at the City's discretion.
7. The sidewalk caf6 owner is responsible for trash removal and shall maintain the area and
surrounding five feet (5) in a clean and Jitter free manner during all hours of operation.
8. All sidewalk cafes must meet the accessibility standards of City, State, and federal law.
EasemenLA_greement
1111 11 1111111111 1!1!111:1 111 11111 11111piIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 11111p 11 Pill 11 111111
3. The agreement shall include provisions for insurance, indemnification, fencing,
maintenance, including vegetation and the subsurface if applicable, and any other reasonable
#Tovision as determined by the City Manager, or designee.
5. Except for cafes located on the street, the agreement shall be issued from FebruarvIE
through January 31. The initial agreement may be less than the one year, but shall expire
January 31 , I
N
Fencino (For Cafes Not on the Street
®rt
delineated by ropes or some other suitable method which shall be detectable by pedestrians
who are visually impaired.
2. Fencing shall be constructed of a durable material, such as steel, aluminum, or wrought
iron. Wood fencing shall not be allowed. The City shall approve the design.
3. If stored outdoors, tables, chairs, and other items shall be secured within the anchored
fencing at the end of each day's operation so that they are unusable and shall not block or
obstruct emergency exits. If anchored fencing is not used, tables, chairs and other items shall
be removed at the end of the
normal condition as a pedestrianway.
a. The planters shall, at the cafe owners option, be either fastened to each other or
rziT,*vzV lttc� lfiOFT
tables, chairs, and other items.
b. The planters shall not be less than twenty seven inches (27") or more than thirty six
inches (36") in height excluding plantings.
c. The planters shall be either metal or have a metal frame.
7. Rotwithstanding any other provision herein, anchored fencing is prohibited on
Washington Street from Clinton Street to Linn Street. However, all 4 (four) sides of the fence
must be connected to one another to prevent movement of the fencing and said connection
must be approved the City Engineer or designee. If non -anchored fencing proves to be
unsuccessful in 2017 as solely determined by the City Manager, the City Manager may requirt
anchored fencing beginning in 2018.
I'M
lff-11-3�T-YWVX-Rk�j
VAIPW47TW7 1, encompassing, or relocation of a public amenity on the condition that th-*
cafe owner pay all associated costs.
2. A sidewalk cafe may encompass trees, tree rings, light poles, water valves, manholes,
and stormwater intakes but shall not interfere with their care, maintenance or operation. Access
shall be available to the City for their care and maintenance.
4. The amenities used in the sidewalk cafe area shall be maintained in good condition.
5. Upon payment of the electricity fee, the caf6 owner may use the City's electrical outlet
but only for lights.
1. A sidewalk cafe may encompass or utilize an elevated planter if the proposed cafe
meets the following criteria, as determined solely by the City:
a. It does not interfere with pedestrian movement.
R . It does not adversely affect drainage.
c. It does not adversely affect public or city utilities.
d. It does not adversely affect trees, shrubs or other plantings.
e. It enhances the appearance of the surrounding area, and if in City Plaza, it
enhances the use of City Plaza.
f. It does not interfere with the functionality of any other existing sidewalk cafe.
g. It is not otherwise contrary to public interest.
2. If utilizing two planters, the area between the planters shall be included in the sidewalk
cafe area but need not be delineated as such unless tables and chairs are present.
3. With the consent of the adjacent property owner and first floor tenants, if any, the caf6
may extend beyond the building line extended if the distance between the planter and the
building line extended is less than ten feet (10). The caf6 may extend beyond additional
buildin;t lines extended with the consent of thosejcjrq�;� owners and first floor tenants_U-:uy
4. The cafe owner shall pay all costs associated with the cafe including, but not limited to,
the cost to move water mini and water i -JALJH*-VA
grolce * RHOVe 940 D1.91 -iV-8-t9tk!LJL
5. The City may require the caf6- owner to add plantings within the caf6i area at the caf&
twirier's cost.
6. There are a limited number of planters, and cafes in planters will entail a substantial
financial investment. In order to address these two opposing concerns, a priority system and
lottery will be used. If a caf6 owner enters into an easement agreement with the City, said ca
�%341§1904Ct 2XANV4��10 2 WO�(Wi -1 - --- - .
caf6 seasons assuming that the City continues to authorize cafes in planters. CaM owners
need to obtain the consent of adjacent property owner(s) and first floor tenant(s) only before
151
entering the easement agreement for the first of the three-year, priority period. The priority is to
the individual business owner of said cafe and cannot be assigned or sold to another caf6
owner. Cafd owners with easement agreements for the 2012 caf`6 season will not be subject to
the lottery until February 1, 2015. The lottery for planters will be conducted in the same manner
as the lottery for cafes in the street.
Platform For Cafes Not on the Street)
2. Sidewalk cafes may be located on a concrete platform in the right of way that is not a
public sidewalk if the City Manager or designee approves the concrete design and if suitable
access is provided for persons with disabilities. Fencing shall not be more than three feet (T) in
height, measured from the plane on which the chair sits to the top of the railing, excluding
finials.
1. An establishment cannot operate a caf6 in the street if there is sufficient room on the
sidewalk for a cafd with an area of at least one -hundred twenty square feet (120 sq. ft.).
2. There shall be a minimum four foot (4) buffer on either end of the caf6 for safety
reasons. These buffers shall be established and maintained by the City and may be used for
moped parking and/or bicycle parking. The buffer is subject to the annual fee. As used in this
policy, the term sidewalk caf6 area does not include the 4 -foot buffer.
3. The sidewalk caf& area may not include the portion of the parking space beyond the
building line extended. The 4 -foot buffer may be located beyond the building line extended.
4. Cafes, including the 4 -foot buffer, in each block face cannot utilize more than thirty
percent (30%) of the total parking spaces in that block face.
6. Cafes cannot be set up before April 1 and shall be removed no later than the Tuesday
following the last University of Iowa home football game. Cafes may have to be removed
temporarily at the caf6 owner's sole expense to accommodate an event on the street permitted
by the City (e.g., criterium).
7. The portion of the caf6 located on the street shall be on a platform. The design features
of the platform shall be submitted with the application. The platform shall not impede drainag(;
in the street gutter.
8. The area for a sidewalk cafe shall be delineated by anchored fencing. Fencing shall be
constructed of a durable material, such as steel, aluminum, or wrought iron. Wood fencing shall
not be allowed. The City shall approve the design,
9. If stored outdoors, tables, chairs, and other items shall be secured within the anchored
fencing at the end of each day's operation so that they are unusable.
10. Planters with flowers and/or other vegetation are allowed as an alternative to anchored
fencing to delineate the sidewalk caf6. The design of the planters shall be approved by the City
Manager, or designee, subject to the following limitations:
a. The planters shall be fastened to the platform.
b. The planters shall not be less than twenty seven inches (27") or more than thirty-
six inches (36") in height excluding plantings.
C. The planters shall be either metal or have a metal frame.
11. The fee shall be a combination of the following four (4) fees: a) the annual square
footage "right of way" fee for the portion of the caf6 located on the sidewalk; b) the annual
square footage "platform" fee for portion of the caf& located on the street and any portion that is
llt,e III! *w-r�+Ta si1er.-4 ", thm4aXy fte fte &aet, A-aek�ng.-;5-,tatt Tesgay-dl&as ,ei th&-en-r*Lx-'K-#f
the parking space that the caf6 utilizes; and d) bollard fee.
12. There is no guarantee that the City will continue to authorize cafes in the street. The
caf6 agreement will include a paragraph in substantial compliance with the following:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
cleare of any and all obstructions, and that the caf6 owner shall not be entitled to any
compensation should the City elect to do so.
The "30% limitation" limits the number of establishments that will be allowed to operate a
caf6 on the street, and cafes on the street will entail a substantial financial investment. To
address these opposing concerns, a priority system and a lottery will be used. The City will
provide information on the lottery and the priority system on its website.
111 111,111111 IIII'll 11 Jill I III I III I 1 11 L I I I
* February 1. In order to be eligible for the lottery, an application with a preliminary (n
drawn by a professional) schematic diagram must be submitted by this dat
Applications received after February 1 will be considered on a first come, first se
basis and will be denied if there is no available space.
* Februarythere are competing applications, staff will notify the applicants by th
date whether they have been selected to enter into easement agreements. Compet i
in
t
h
applications mean when there are applications for more than 30% of the parking spac
within a block face. The City will conduct a lottery to select applicants. 11
* March 15. The applicant must sign an easement agreement by this date, which
dependent upon staff approval of its schematic diagram (drawn by a professional) a
payment of all fees (except the parking space fee that will not be known until t
6
platform is installed). If an applicant does not meet the March 15 deadline, staff will
notify the next applicant that it is eligible for a caf6 on the street.
fS April 15. The next applicant must sign an easement agreement by this date.
Note: If one of these dates falls on a weekend, the applicable deadline will be the following
Monday.
Priority. If a caM owner enters into an easement agreement with the City, said caf6 owner
will have priority over subsequent applicants for a caf`6 within the same block face for the
following two calendar years assuming that the City continues to authorize cafes in the
street (see Paragraph 12 above). The priority is to the individual business owner of said
cafe and cannot be assigned or sold to another caf6 owner.
1. The City Manager is authorized to approve any other provision or require any other
restriction regarding the use of the public right of way by a sidewalk caf6 that is not inconsisten
with this policy or the City Code.
WIM
1. Annual fee for sidewalk cafes located directly on the public right-of-way: $5.00 per
square foot.
2. Annual fee for sidewalk cafes located on a structure/platform (including cement platform)
placed on the public right-of-way: $10.00 per square foot.
6
SIMMONS;
I 111SO77-MMMOITM "-
h
8. If the initial easement agreement is for less than one season, the fees listed in
Paragraphs 1-4 above shall be prorated on a quarterly basis.
10. Bollard Fee: Actual cost of the bollards based on a five (5) year life cycle plus one (1)
hour labor at the MWII pay grade to install, maintain, and remove the 4 -foot buffer. If the
platform is removed temporarily during the year, the labor fee is assessed again when the
platform is reinstalled. A minimum of two (2) bollards will be required, and the City shall
ftetermine if additional bollards are needed.
ill MIN Mill Mill I ! I ! 1 11 !11 1 FR
0
Section 10-3-3 of thq City Code
A. Sidewalk cafes are permitted in the public right of way only in the CB -2, CB -5
and CB -10 zones (the downtown and the commercial areas directly north and south of the
downtown).
B. No person shall operate a sidewalk caf& without executing an easemenj
agreement.
C. Each sidewalk caf6 applicant shall file an application for an easement agreement
with the Public Works Department, on forms provided by the City.
D, The City Manager, or designee, shall either grant or deny the application within
thirty (30) days of the application being filed. If the application is granted, the City Manager, or
designee, is authorized to enter into a public right of way easement agreement. If the application
is denied, the applicant may appeal to the City Council by filing a written appeal with the City
Council, and the appeals process shall be the same as provided for mobile vendors in this
chapter. The City retains the right to limit the number of sidewalk cafes.
E. After execution of an easement agreement, the City Manager, or designee, shall
been given and the time to cure the violation has expired. Grounds for termination of the
easement agreement shall include, but not be limited to, repeated violations of the state and
liquor control laws, violations of the easement agreement, and creating a safety hazard, health
hazard and/or public nuisance under state or local law. Additionally, the City Manager, or
designee, retains the right to terminate the easement agreement and direct removal of sidewalk
cafe operations if there is a substantial and reasonable need for use of the public right of way
for a valid public purpose. The cafe owner has the right to appeal a decision to terminate the
agreement to the City Council. The appeals process shall be the same as provided for mobile
vendors in this chapter.
F. The easement agreement, at a minimum, shall require the caf6 operator to
provide a certificate of insurance satisfactory to the City, and shall agree to hold the City
h2mr.44"T's 2.-J-U-Mle 2 XK2�Wky 2*;:05
or the location of the cafe on the public right of way including, but not limited to, all claims
arising from occurrences or accidents within the sidewalk cafe area, including the walkway
through a caf6.
G. Sidewalk cafes shall operate only between the hours of seven o'clock (7:00) A.M.
and twelve o'clock (12:00) midnight.
H. Food and beverages must be available for service to patrons in a sidewalk cafe
during all hours of operation. Sidewalk cafes shall not operate when the restaurant kitchen is
closed.
1. A sidewalk cafe serving alcoholic beverages shall have an employee monitoring
the area at all times during the hours alcohol is consumed and shall dispense any alcoholic
beverage under state and local law.
J. Amplified sound equipment shall not be permitted.
K. The operation of any sidewalk cafe shall be in conformity with all applicable
federal, state, and local laws and regulations. '
ffi. All fees for the operation of a sidewalk caf6 shall be set by resolution.
N. The City Manager is authorized to establish administrative rules not inconsistent
with any ordinance or policy adopted by the City Council, A copy of the policy and rules shall be
on file with the City Clerk and available of the City website.
N
Prepared by: Karen Howard, Planning Department, 410 E. Washington Street, Iowa City, IA 52240; 319-356-5251
ORDINANCE NO. 13-4550
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 14: ZONING TO BROADEN THE USES ALLOWED IN THE
INTENSIVE COMMERCIAL (CI -1) ZONE.
WHEREAS, an ad hoc committee of private citizens was appointed by the City Manager to review the
zoning regulations in several of the City's commercial zoning districts due to concerns expressed by some in
the business community; and
WHEREAS, said committee forwarded a summary of their conclusions and recommendation to the
Planning and Zoning Commission;
WHEREAS, the Committee concluded that some of the distinctions between the land uses allowed in the
Intensive Commercial (CI -1) Zone versus the broader commercial uses allowed in the Community
Commercial (CC -2) Zone may be unduly constraining the market;
WHEREAS, a majority of the committee concluded that opening up the possibility of additional uses in
the CI -1 Zone, such as restaurants, medical offices, and a wider variety of retail uses would not have a
significant negative effect on CI -1 zoned properties and that it would be better to allow buyers to more freely
choose a location for their business based on their own needs and assessment of the merits of any specific
property; and
WHEREAS, the committee acknowledged that allowing this broader range of uses in the CI -1 Zone
would shift more of the responsibility to the property buyer to consider the possibility that quasi -industrial or
intensive commercial uses, which are more likely to have outdoor work areas, outdoor storage, or other
aspects that may result in noise, dust, odors, may also locate in the same zone; and
WHEREAS, despite the greater possibility for incompatibilities between uses in the CI -1 Zone, the
committee concluded that the benefits of providing for a more unconstrained market for commercial property
outweighed these risks, and therefore recommended that the uses allowed in the CI -1 Zone be expanded to
allow the following CC -2 uses, and any associated accessory uses, such as drive-through facilities, with the
same standards and provisions called out in the CC -2 Zone: restaurants and bars; medical and dental
offices; personal services; hotels and motels; religious and private group assembly; and sales -oriented retail
uses -land
WHEREAS, the Planning and Zoning Commission has reviewed the committee's recommended
changes to the Zoning Code and recommended that these changes be approved.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF IOWA CITY,
IOWA:
SECTION I. The Code of Ordinances of the City of Iowa City, Iowa is hereby amended as follows:
A. Amend 14-2C-2 Land Uses Allowed, Table 2C-1, Principal Uses Allowed in Commercial Zones, to
indicate the following:
o Designate Eating Establishments as "Permitted Uses" in the CI -1 Zone;
o Designate Drinking Establishments as "Provisional Uses" in the CI -1 Zone;
o Designate Medical/Dental Offices as "Permitted Uses" in the CI -1 Zone;
o Designate Personal Service -Oriented Retail Uses as "Permitted Uses" in the CI -1 Zone;
o Designate Hospitality -Oriented Retail Uses as "Permitted Uses" in the CI -1 Zone;
o Designate Sales -Oriented Retail Uses as "Permitted Uses" in the CI -1 Zone;
o Designate Religious & Private Group Assembly Uses as "Permitted Uses" in the CI -1
Zone.
B. Delete paragraph 14-413-413-11, Specific Approval Criteria for Provisional Uses and Special
Exceptions for Drinking Establishments and substitute in lieu thereof:
Ordinance No. 13-4990
Page 2
11. Drinking Establishments in the CH -1, CIA, CC -2, CB -2, CB -5, CB -10 Zones
Within the University Impact Area, as illustrated on Map 213.1 within Section 14-2B-6 or the
Riverfront Crossings District, as illustrated in Figure 2C.8 within Section 14-2C-11 a Drinking
Establishment, as defined in this Title, must be separated by a minimum distance of 500 feet
from any other Drinking Establishment. Distance shall be measured along a straight line from
the nearest property line (or nearest point of the leased building space) of the proposed use to
the nearest property line (or nearest point of the leased building space) of any other Drinking
Establishment. For example, in the case of a Drinking Establishment that is located on a lot
with multiple leased building spaces, such as a shopping mall, the distance is measured from
the nearest point of the leased building space occupied by a Drinking Establishment to the
nearest property line or leased building space of any other Drinking Establishment.
C. Delete the Specific Approval Criteria for Provisional Uses and Special Exceptions for Sales -Oriented
Retail in the CI -1 Zone contained in paragraph 14-413-46-18, and renumber subsequent paragraphs
accordingly.
D. Delete Table 4C-1 within subsection 14 -4C -2K, Accessory Uses and Buildings Specific Approval
Criteria, and substitute in lieu thereof:
Table 4C-1: Drive -Through Facilities
Zone
Drive-through facilities allowed
Additional requirements'
ID Zones
None permitted
Not applicable
Residential Zones
None Permitted
Not applicable
CO -1 Zone
Limited to facilities that are accessory to financial
Special exception required. See additional
institutions
approval criteria listed below.
CH -1
Permitted
Drive through lanes must be set back at
least 10 feet from property lines and must
be screened from view of any abutting
Residential Zone to the S3 standard (See
Article 14-5F, Screening and Buffering
Standards).
CN -1 Zone
Limited to facilities that are accessory to financial
Special exception required. See additional
institutions and pharmacies.
approval criteria listed below.
Maximum of 2 lanes allowed for a financial
institution;
Maximum of 1 lane allowed for a pharmacy
CI -1, CC -2 and CB -2
Permitted by special exception
Special exception required. See additional
Zones
approval criteria listed below.
C13-5, CB -10 Zones
None permitted
Not applicable
SECTION II. REPEALER. All ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with the provisions of this
Ordinance are hereby repealed.
SECTION III. SEVERABILITY. If any section, provision or part of the Ordinance shall be adjudged to be
invalid or unconstitutional, such adjudication shall not affect the validity of the Ordinance as a whole or any
section, provision or part thereof not adjudged invalid or unconstitutional.
SECTION IV. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Ordinance shall be in effect after its final passage, approval and
publication, as provided by law.
Passed and approved this 17th day of September , 2013.
Ordinance No. 13_4550
Page 3
ATTEST:"'
CI CLERK
Appr ved by
City Attorney's Office /. ,
Ordinance No. 13-4550
Page 4
It was moved by Payne and seconded by Dickens that the
Ordinance as read be adopted, and upon roll call there were:
AYES:
NAYS: ABSENT:
Champion
Dickens
Dobyns
Hayek
Mims
Payne
Throgmorton
First Consideration 8/20/2013
Voteforpassage: AYES: Mims, Payne, Throgmorton, Champion, Dickens, Dobyns,
Hayek. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None.
Second Consideration 9/03/2013
Voteforpassage: AYES: Mims, Payne, Throgmorton, Champion, Dickens, Dobyns,
Hayek. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None.
Date published 9/26/2013
Planning and Zoning Commission
December 20, 2018
Page 5 of 8
Signs questioned how this area would be zoned Highway Commercial in the first place. Russett
is unsure.
Hensch opened the public hearing.
Seeing no one he closed the public hearing
Parsons moved approval of CZ18-00003 an application submitted by Joseph and Nancy
Sladek for a rezoning from County Highway Commercial (CH) to County Agriculture (A) for
approximately 1.55 acres of property located at 4548 Sioux Avenue SE.
Signs seconded the motion.
Hensch noted there doesn't seem to be anything controversial about this application, it seems
logical.
A vote was taken and the motion carried 6-0. (Townsend absent)
ZONING CODE AMENDMENT ITEM (ZCA18-00004):
Discussion of Amendments to Title 14, Zoning of the Iowa City Code related to minor
amendments to address inconsistencies and clarify requirements.
Russett noted over the past several months staff has kept a list of minor amendments that need
to be made to the zoning code. There have been multiple meetings between staff members in
Neighborhood and Development Services, including: building inspectors, planners, and code
enforcement staff. The purpose of these meetings was to clarify the changes that need to be
made and why, resulting in a list of minor amendments.
The proposed ordinance would result in six minor amendments related to design review of
sidewalk cafes, minor modification for general educational facilities, alcohol sales in intensive
commercial zones, payment of in -lieu fees for parking reductions, parking drive widths, and
definitions for "Bed and Breakfasts".
With regards to the design review of sidewalk cafes, they are currently allowed in the Central
Business District and within Riverfront Crossings. The Code currently requires these are subject
to Staff design review. After the City started allowing sidewalk cafes, they developed a sidewalk
cafe policy and sidewalk cafe regulations. These policies and regulations address requirements
such as safety and consistency with the existing context of the neighborhood so design review is
no longer needed. Therefore the proposed amendment would remove the design review
requirement for sidewalk cafes and eliminates that current inconsistency.
The next amendment is related to minor modifications needed for general educational facilities.
General educational facilities are grade schools, high schools, anything below the university
level. Currently there is an inconsistency in the Code where one section states a minor
modification is needed for a building expansion of less than 500 square feet for a general
educational facility and then there is another section of the Code that says these small
expansions are allowed by right. The proposed amendment is to allow these small additions
without a minor modification to eliminate this inconsistency, which would also make the process
Planning and Zoning Commission
December 20, 2018
Page 6 of 8
easier and more streamlined for these small improvements.
The next proposed change is related to alcohol oriented sales in the intensive commercial zones.
Currently the Code only allows alcohol sales in the intensive commercial zone if it is associated
with a gas station. In 2013 there was an ordinance amending the uses permitted in the intensive
commercial zone to be more similar to uses allowed in community commercial zones. With that
amendment the intensive commercial zone (CI -1) allowed restaurants and bars, medical and
dental offices and sales oriented retail but through that amendment it did not address alcohol
sales specifically. This was recently brought to the attention of Staff because they received an
application from a delivery service business that requested a liquor license in an intensive
commercial zone, but it would not be a gas station so they were not allowed a liquor license.
Staff feels this was an oversight when the Code was amended in 2013 not to address alcohol
related sales. The proposed amendment would remove the provisional use criteria in the
intensive commercial zone and allow those as a permitted use and clarify the intention of the
ordinance of 2013.
Next is alternatives to the minimum parking requirements, currently the Code outlines provisions
for parking reductions in the Downtown and Riverfront Crossings Parking District. These parking
reductions, if approved, require the developer pay a "parking in -lieu fee" and the Code allows the
fee to be paid in either one installment or three annual payments. Typically the City requires
payment of other fees prior to the issuance of a building permit, so the three annual payment
option has caused some inefficient staff time because it is not consistent to how the City treats
other fees. With the proposed amendment Staff is proposing to eliminate the option of the three
annual payments and to require payment prior to issuance of a building permit bringing the fee
collection in line with other City fee collections.
The next amendment is related to parking and stacking space size. Currently the Zoning Code
specifies drive width for surface parking lots but it does not specify drive widths for structured
parking. The proposed amendment would clarify the drive width standards for surface parking
also apply to structured parking.
Lastly, definitions related to "Bed and Breakfasts", there is also another inconsistency in the
Code where the definitions in the zoning code currently states that both "Bed and Breakfast
Homestays" and "Bed and Breakfast Inns" are allowed in duplexes and another section where it
states these are only allowed in single-family residences. The proposed amendment would
clarify that "Bed and Breakfast Homestays" and " Bed and Breakfast Inns" are only allowed in
single-family residences, not in duplexes.
Staff recommends that the Planning and Zoning Commission recommend adoption of the draft
ordinance by the Iowa City City Council.
Signs asked what the difference is between "Bed and Breakfast Homestays" and "Bed and
Breakfast Inns". Russett explained it is the number of occupants, a Homestay is smaller than an
Inn.
Baker asked about the alcohol sales amendment, noting he is always curious where a change
request comes from (i.e. staff or an applicant), and asked if the GoPuff delivery business is
already in operation. Russett confirmed it is in operation. Hektoen noted the business does not
have a liquor license, they are operating under their business model. Baker stated then they
Planning and Zoning Commission
December 20, 2018
Page 7 of 8
opened business knowing they were not allowed to sell alcohol under the current zone. Russett
said they did not realize it because they did apply for a liquor license. Baker asked about the
provision for liquor to be allowed to be sold in gas stations, if that was changed in 2013. Russett
said the ability for gas stations to sell alcohol was prior to 2013, the amendment in 2013
expanded the uses allowed in intensive commercial zones, but this particular use was not
addressed. Baker asked if this has ever been an issue before for any other business and
Russett is not aware of another situation. Baker stated he has a problem with this amendment,
he has no problem with the way the ordinance is arranged now making it provisional for a very
narrow set of businesses, he does not see a compelling reason to expand the availability of
liquor licenses in these zones. He understands this amendment is part of a multi -amendment
agenda item and he will not vote against the overall changes, he just wanted to go on record that
if this was an independent amendment he would oppose it as he sees no reason to change how
the regulation is written now.
Hensch asked where the GoPuff Delivery business is located, Russett was unsure of the
address off hand but showed a zoning map and noted the gray areas are the intensive
commercial areas.
Hensch opened the public hearing.
Seeing no one, Hensch closed the public hearing.
Signs moved to recommend approval of ZCA18-00004 Amendments to Title 14, Zoning of
the Iowa City Code related to minor amendments to address inconsistencies and clarify
requirements.
Martin seconded the motion.
Hensch stated he does not have a problem with any of the amendments, he finds it ironical the
only place one can purchase alcohol is in an establishment designated for motor vehicles, noting
the irony.
Signs asked if Baker's general objection is to expanding the sale of alcohol. Baker confirmed.
Hensch acknowledged staff for going through and cleaning up the Code and noting
inconsistencies.
A vote was taken and the motion carried 6-0. (Townsend absent)
CONSIDERATION OF MEETING MINUTES: OCTOBER 18, 2018
Baker was absent from the meeting so had questions on the overall discussion of trade-off and
bonuses given for preservation could be delegated to other certain zones, he didn't see any
discussion of any specific zones. He agrees with the overall concept but wondered about
discussion if a specific zone was more or less applicable for designation to the transfer. Hensch
said it was not discussed in that way, the concerns were being able to transfer within that district
or to other districts. Russett said the developer can request either a transfer of density or height.
LC,
Prepared by: Jesi Lile,Associate Planner,410 E.Washington Street,Iowa City,IA 52240;319-356-5240
ORDINANCE NO.
Ordinance amending Title 14, Zoning Code of the Iowa City Code
related to clarification on code language in multiple sections.
Whereas, the City of Iowa City aims to make its zoning code as clear as possible; and
Whereas, from time to time, zoning ordinance provisions are reviewed to make sure they
are clear and consistent; and
Whereas, upon a review of the zoning ordinance several amendments are necessary to
address inconsistencies; and
Whereas, an amendment is needed to clarify that design review is no longer required for
sidewalk cafes due to existing guidance provided in Resolution 16-328 and Municipal Code
Section 10-3-3; and
Whereas, a change is recommended to clarify that storage facilities and additions on
general educational facilities of less than 500 square feet may be permitted by-right; and
Whereas, an amendment is needed to allow alcohol sales in Intensive Commercial (CI-1)
zones to better align with Ordinance 13-4550, which amended the zoning code to allow for
broader uses in CI-1 zones similar to many of the uses allowed in Community Commercial
(CC-2) zones, such as restaurants and bars, medical and dental offices, sales-oriented retail
and more; and
Whereas, a change is recommended to eliminate the option of three annual installments
for payments of parking in-lieu fees and instead require one full payment to match existing fee
collection processes; and
Whereas, an amendment is recommended to clarify the minimum drive widths for
structured parking areas; and
Whereas, a change is needed to clarify that"Bed and Breakfast Inns" and "Bed
Breakfast Homestays"are only allowed in single-family dwellings; and
Whereas, to address each issue described above, changes in the zoning code are
necessary; and
Whereas, it is in the City's best interest to adopt this ordinance.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF IOWA CITY, IOWA:
Section 1. Title 14 of the Iowa City Code is hereby amended by deleting the strikethrough
text, adding the underlined text, and renumbering the subsequent paragraphs accordingly:
1
Amend Table 2C-1: Principal Uses Allowed in Commercial Zones, as follows:
Table 2C-1
Use Subgroups CO- CN- CH- Cl- CC- CB- CB- CB- MU
Categories 1 1 1 1 2 2 5 10
' Residential
uses:
'i
Household Detached P
living uses single-
family
dwellings
Detached PR
zero lot line
dwellings
Attached PR
11 single-
family
dwellings
Duplexes I PR
li
I
Group PR PR PR PR PR PR PR
households
I Multi-family PR PR ' S PR PR PR/ P
dwellings s
,
Group living Assisted PR S PR
uses group
! living
Independen
t group
living
I '
Fraternal
group
living
Commercial
uses:
Adult PR
business
uses
2
Animal General S PR nRET PR PR PR
I related
commercial Intensive PR
uses
Building P PR
trade uses
Commercial PR PR PR
; parking
uses
Commercial Outdoor P P I _
j recreational - -
-
use& Indoor PR/ PR P P P P P P
I Drinking PR/ PR PR PR PR PR PR
i, establishmen S
tsl
It Eating S PR/ P P P P P P S
I. establishmen S
t s'
ji
Office uses General P PR P PPP PPP
, office
Medical/den P PR P P P P P Pp
tal office
Quick vehicle S PR PR/ PR/ PR/ PR/
servicing S S S S
uses1
' Retail uses1 Sales PR PR P P P P P PR
oriented
I
Personal P PR P P P P P PR
service
oriented
Alcohol PR PR PR— P PR PR PR PR
sales P
oriented
retail
Repair P P P PP
oriented
Hospitality PR PR P P P P PP PR
oriented
retail
3
Outdoor P PR
storage and
display
oriented
Delayed PR
deposit
service
uses
Surface P P P P p
passenger
service
' uses
Vehicle PR PR S PR
I repair uses
ii
Industrial
uses:
i Industrial
; service
uses
Manufacturin Technical/li PR , PR PR PR PR
g and ght
production manufacturi
uses ng
'I
General 2 PR PR PR PR PR
manufacturi
ng
Heavy
manufacturi
ng
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Amend 14-3C-2A, Designated Areas, Buildings, and Structures, as follows:
Projects located in the following areas are subject to the design review process:
-- - • - - e. ..- • - •- - - • -• - • - 2, _•_e - --•"•- - - -of Sidewalks", of this code.
54. Central Planning District: Any exterior alterations to, additions to, or new
construction of two-family uses, multi-family uses, group living uses, and
institutional/civic uses located on a property in the central planning district, are
subject to design review according to the rules of applicability and standards
contained in section 14-2B-6, "Multi-Family Site Development Standards", of this
title. (See central planning district map located in section 14-2B-6 of this title.)
65. PRM Zone: All exterior alterations to, additions to, or new construction on
properties located within the PRM zone are subject to design review according to
the rules of applicability and standards contained in section 14-2B-6, "Multi-
Family Site Development Standards", of this title. (Ord. 05-4186, 12-15-2005)
86. Towncrest Design Review District: Any exterior alterations to, additions to, or new
construction of buildings and structures, or alterations or additions to site development,
such as parking areas, landscaping, screening, lighting, and access on property within
the boundaries of the towncrest design review district, as illustrated on the map below,
are subject to design review. However, on property zoned single-family residential, new
construction, alterations, or additions to single-family uses, including alterations or
additions to site development associated with said uses, are exempt from design review.
(Ord. 11-4421, 2-1-2011; amd. Ord. 16-4685, 11-15-2016)
Amend 14-4B-1A, Applicability, as follows
The building official may grant the following minor modifications from the
requirements of this title, provided the approval criteria are met. Any requests for
modifications that exceed the limitations set forth below and all other requests for
modifications of the requirements of this title require the filing of a special exception
or variance application with the board of adjustment.
- -- - -- - - --- •- • • - •- - -- -!! -- -- - -- •- -
1-615. Modifications to the multi-family site development standards contained in
section 14-2B-6 of this title according to the alternate approval criteria set forth in that
section. The building official must obtain approval from the design review committee and
6
the director of planning and community development prior to granting any such
modification. Such requests shall be reviewed and approved jointly by the design review
committee, the director of planning and community development, and the building
official.
4-716. Modifications to the site development standards contained in section 14-2C-6, 14-
2C-7, 14-2C-8, or 14-2C-9 of this title according to the alternate approval criteria set
forth in section 14-2C-10 of this title. The building official must obtain approval from the
design review committee and the director of planning and community development prior
to granting any such modification. (Ord. 06-4220, 7-18-2006)
4817. Modifications to the site development standards contained in sections 14-2D-5,
"Industrial And Research Zone Site Development Standards", and 14-2F-5, "Public Zone
Site Development Standards", of this title according to the alternate approval criteria set
forth in those sections, respectively. The building official must obtain approval from the
director of planning and community development prior to granting any such modification.
(Ord. 09-4352, 7-6-2009)
4-918. One additional garage entrance/exit to structured parking may be granted
according to the provisions of subsection 14-5A-5F7, "Garage Entrances/Exits", of this
title. The building official must obtain approval from the director of planning and
community development prior to granting any such modification. (Ord. 07-4247, 1-9-
2007)
2919. Freestanding signs in the CB-2 zone, according to the approval criteria and
specifications as stated in section 14-5B-8, table 5B-4 of this title. (Ord. 08-4319, 11-3-
2008)
2420. Modifications or waivers of nonconforming development according to the
provisions set forth in section 14-4E-8, "Regulation Of Nonconforming Development", of
this chapter. (Ord. 10-4397, 7-12-2010)
2221. A modification of the required driveway length in single-family zones according to
the provisions set forth in subsection 14-2A-6C4 of this title. (Ord. 11-4451, 10-18-2011)
2322. An entranceway/gate more than four feet (4') in height in residential zones,
provided it is designed to be compatible with and enhance the surrounding
neighborhood. An identification sign no more than twelve (12) square feet in area
incorporated as an integral element of the entranceway/gate may be permitted as part of
the requested minor modification. (Ord. 14-4595, 8-19-2014)
2423. Modification to reduce the open space requirement for single family and two family
uses in certain qualifying situations and according to the specific approval criteria as
specified in sections 14-2A-4 and 14-2B-4 of this title. (Ord. 18-4744, 4-2-2018)
Amend 14-4B-4B, Commercial Uses, as follows:
22. Alcohol Sales Oriented Retail In The CI 1 Zone: Alcohol sales
7
vehicle servicing uses. (Ord. 00 4311, 6 2 2009; amd. Ord. 11 1452, 10
18 2011; Ord. 13 1550, 9 17 2013)
2223. Delayed Deposit Service Uses In The CC-2 Zone:
a.The use is licensed by the state of Iowa; and
b.The use will be located at least one thousand feet (1,000')from any property
containing any existing daycare use, educational facility use, parks and open space
use, religious/private assembly use, or residential use;
c.The proposed use will be located at least one thousand feet(1,000')from any
other delayed deposit service use. (Ord. 12-4495, 9-18-2012; amd. Ord. 13-4550, 9-
17-2013)
2324. Alcohol Sales Oriented Retail Uses In The CB-2, CB-5, And CB-10 Zones: An
alcohol sales oriented retail use must be separated by a minimum distance of one
thousand feet (1,000')from any other alcohol sales oriented retail use. Distance shall be
measured along a straight line from the nearest property line (or nearest point of the
leased building space) of the proposed use to the nearest property line (or nearest point
of the leased building space) of any other alcohol sales oriented retail use. For example,
in the case of an alcohol sales oriented retail use that is located on a lot with multiple
leased spaces, such as a shopping mall, the distance is measured from the nearest
point of the leased building space occupied by an alcohol sales oriented retail use to the
nearest property line or leased building space of any other alcohol sales oriented retail
use. (Ord. 09-4341, 6-2-2009; amd. Ord. 11-4452, 10-18-2011; Ord. 12-4495, 9-18-
2012; Ord. 13-4550, 9-17-2013)
Amend 14-5A-4F-5D-4, Payment of Fee In Lieu Of Required Parking, as follows:
(4)The city shall calculate and assess the entire fee upon issuance of a building
permit.The fee payor may shall pay the entire fee at-prior to the issuance of the
building permit„ _ •• - _ _. •: - - '• • - •
Amend 14-5A-5C, Parking And Stacking Space Size, as follows:
C. Parking,-And Stacking Space Size, And Drive Dimensions:
8
7. Drives: A drive providing access to any parking area, either structured or
surface, with more than eighteen (18) spaces must be no less than
eighteen feet(18') in width if designed for two-way traffic or ten feet(10') in
width if designed for one-way traffic.
Amend 14-5A-5H, Design and Layout of Surface Parking Areas, as follows:
Except for parking for single-family and two-family uses,all parking and stacking
spaces, aisles and drives must be designed as follows:
r
34. Circulation: Parking areas must be designed to promote safe and convenient
pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular circulation according to the following standards
and the standards of the base zone in which the property is located:
a. Parking areas must be set back from rights of way and abutting properties and
properly screened from view as specified in the applicable base zone regulations.
b.The drive(s)on a property should be designed to facilitate vehicular circulation and
connect street access points to parking areas, loading and unloading areas, drive-
through facilities, and other vehicular use areas on a lot or tract. In general, drives
should not be used as aisles. However, the city may allow parking spaces along a
drive in situations where vehicular and pedestrian safety will not be compromised.
When determining the length and location of drives and the configuration of parking
spaces and aisles, the city will consider such factors as:
(1) Size and shape of the parking lot. Large parking lots with multiple aisles of
parking may need a system of separated drives to facilitate traffic circulation;
parking spaces should not be located along main circulation routes where traffic
speeds may be higher, but may be allowed in lower traffic volume areas. In small
parking areas, circulation drives may not be necessary.
(2) Proximity to street access points. Parking spaces should not be located so as
to impede vehicles entering or exiting the site.The throat length of drives at
street access points must be sufficient in length to provide the necessary vehicle
stacking based on the anticipated traffic volume. Parking spaces and aisles will
not be allowed in close proximity to the necessary driveway throats, as
determined by the city.
(3) Proposed use of the drive. Parking spaces should not be located so as to
impede drive-through lanes, loading and unloading areas, or higher volume
delivery or truck circulation routes.
c.To control vehicle speeds and facilitate traffic safety and circulation, drives must
be separated from parking aisles by landscaped medians and islands as illustrated in.
figure 5A.4 located at the end of subsection H5 of this section.
9
d.When used, medians should be at least four feet(4') in width and be landscaped.
If a median contains trees, it should be at least eight feet(8')wide. If medians are
intended for pedestrian circulation they should be approximately twelve (12)to
twenty feet(20')wide to accommodate a walkway and shrubs and/or trees to buffer
pedestrians from surrounding vehicle areas.
e.To guide turning vehicles, maintain sightlines, and protect vehicles at row ends,
the free end of all parking aisles must be capped with a landscaped terminal island
as illustrated in figure 5A.3 below. In the CN-1 zone, at least one shade tree must be
provided within each terminal island.
45. Partition Of Large Parking Areas: Surface parking areas that are larger than forty
five thousand (45,000) square feet or that have any perimeter dimension greater
than three hundred feet(300') must be divided into smaller, connected lots to slow
traffic movement, improve pedestrian safety, and reduce the visual impact of large
parking areas. The following design techniques must be utilized to meet this
standard. These design techniques may also be utilized as a means of meeting the
pedestrian circulation standards of the base zone. (See figure 5A.4, located at the
end of this subsection H5.)
a. Divide the parking into separate areas with the use of drives and landscape
medians.These "separate areas" should have no dimension greater than
approximately two hundred feet(200').
b.The parking layout should ensure that no aisle of parking is longer than
approximately two hundred feet (200')without being end capped and crossed by a
drive or landscaped median.
c. Some parking areas may not easily accommodate the techniques described
above, such as long and narrow parking lots, so other options may be approved by
the director of planning and community development, such as the use of landscaped
islands to interrupt parking aisles and provide opportunities for pedestrian crossings.
Figure 5A.4- Partition Of Parking Lots/Separation
Of Aisles And Drives
Amend 14-9A-1, General Definitions, as follows
BED AND BREAKFAST HOMESTAY: An accessory use within an owner
occupied, single-family or duplex dwelling unit, in which no more than three (3)
bedrooms are provided to guests who stay for periods not to exceed fourteen
(14) consecutive days.
BED AND BREAKFAST INN: An accessory use within an owner occupied,
single-family or lex dwelling unit with a maximum of five (5) bedrooms
provided to guests who stay for periods not to exceed fourteen (14) consecutive
days.
Section II. Repealer.All ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with the provision of
this Ordinance are hereby repealed.
10
Section III. Severability. If any section, provision or part of the Ordinance shall be adjudged
to be invalid or unconstitutional, such adjudication shall not affect the validity of the Ordinance
as a whole or any section, provision or part thereof no adjudged invalid or unconstitutional.
Section IV. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall be in effect after its final passage, approval,
and publication, as provided by law.
Passed and approved this day of , 2019.
Mayor
A,p, . °ved byt
Attest: ..% a {cQ1be,cJD�yV �
City Clerk City Attorney's Office ` /�//
11
Ordinance No.
Page
It was moved by and seconded by that the
Ordinance as read be adopted, and upon roll call there were:
AYES: NAYS: ABSENT:
Cole
Mims
Salih
Taylor
Teague
Thomas
Throgmorton
First Consideration 01/22/2019
Voteforpassage: AYES: Taylor, Teague, Thomas, Throgmorton, Mims,
Salih. NAYS: Cole. ABSENT: None.
Second Consideration
Vote for passage:
Date published
Item Number: 12.
r �, CITY OF IOWA CITY
COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
January 22, 2019
Ordinance amending Title 17, Chapter 1, Building Code, by adopting the
International Building Code, 2018 edition, including Appendix K, and the
International Residential Code, 2018 edition, including Appendix F and
Appendix J, and providing for certain amendments thereof; adopting
section 103.6(1)(a) of the Code of Iowa (the state electrical code) and section
105.4(1)(a) of the Code of Iowa (the state plumbing and mechanical codes);
to provide for the protection of the health, welfare and safety of the residents
of Iowa City, Iowa.
Prepared By: Danielle Sitzman, Development Services Coordinator
Reviewed By: Tim Hennes, Senior Building Inspector
Sue Dulek, Assistant City Attorney
Fiscal Impact: None
Recommendations: Staff: Approval
Commission: The Board of Appeals, at their public meeting on December 20,
2018, voted to recommend approval of the proposed model codes as
amended.
Attachments: Memorandum from Tim Hennes, Senior Building Inspector to Board of
Appeals
Letter from Home Builder's Association
Minutes from December 20, 2018 Board of Appeals meeting
Executive Summary:
The City regulates the construction, alteration, relocation, enlargement, replacement, repair,
equipment, use and occupancy of residential and commercial structures through the adoption of
building codes. This is accomplished, in part, through the adoption of the International Code
Council's model I -Codes which are published on a three-year cycle. The proposed ordinance
includes the most recent edition of the model codes along with local amendments. The Board of
Appeals, at their public meeting on December 20, 2018, voted to recommend approval of the
ordinance as proposed. The adoption of the proposed code is supported the Greater Iowa City
Area Home Builder's Association (HBA).
Background /Analysis:
A model building code is a building code that is developed and maintained by a standards
organization independent of the jurisdiction responsible for enacting the building code into law. A
local government can choose to adopt a model building code as their own. This saves local
governments the expense and trouble of developing their own codes.
The International Codes, or I -Codes, are model codes published by the International Code
Council (ICC) and developed by ICC Members to provide minimum safeguards for homes,
buildings and other structures. ICC uses a governmental consensus process to develop its
codes. The City of Iowa City is a voting member of this organization and participates in national
code development. Based on building science, technical knowledge and past experiences,
model building codes provide protection from man-made and natural disasters, guard public health
and reduce property losses.
The State of Iowa imposes a combination of state required codes and locally adopted codes
upon local jurisdictions. As part of the last code update in 2015, the City has amended its codes
to conform to State regulations requiring all local jurisdictions to adopt the State Plumbing,
Mechanical, and Electrical Codes. The State also adopts a version of the International Energy
Conservation Code (I ECC) which is required to be enforced for all occupancies state wide by
local government enforcement agencies. Local jurisdictions have the option of adopting the
remaining state adopted International Building Code (IBC) and International Residential Code
(IRC) codes or a stricter code as determined by the jurisdiction. The proposed ordinance
continues to adopt the required State codes and locally amended versions of the I BC and I RC
model codes.
The attached memo from Tim Hennes, Senior Building Inspector as presented to the Board of
Appeals highlights the notable changes between the 2015 and 2018 model codes and the local
amendments. Very few significant changes were included in this code cycle. Many of the
proposed local amendments simply maintain existing practices. The proposed changes were
presented to the Legislative Committee of the Iowa City Home Builder's Association (HBA) on
December 18th. The HBA has provided a letter in support of code adoption as amended.
Adopting the 2018 1 BC and I RC codes with amendments as proposed will maintain consistency
with national, state and surrounding jurisdictions, allow designers and builders uniform standards
for design, provide protection from man-made and natural disasters, guard public health and
reduce property losses.
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Memo
Letter from HBA
Ordinance
CITY OF IOWA CITY
Date: December 14, 2018
To: Iowa City Board of Appeals
MEMORANDUM
From: Tim Hennes, Senior Building Inspector
Re: Notable Changes Contained in the 2018 Edition of Building Codes.
Following are significant changes made by local amendments and notable changes between
the 2015 codes and the 2018 codes.
Building Codes
The majority of amendments to the building codes are for clarification of a code
requirement, to reflect local practices that have evolved from previous building codes
and their amendments and to remain consistent with the Fire Code as amended.
Following are notable changes or proposed new amendments:
Table R301.2(1): Modification to include Manual J criteria on design tables.
Comment: Additional information is included on the table to aid the HVAC contractors in
designing and sizing the mechanical equipment based on climatic and geographic
design criteria based on local conditions.
Section R302.5.1: Delete the requirement that requires house to garage doors to have
self-closing devices.
Comment: The amendment to delete the requirement maintains current requirements.
The amendment does not prohibit someone from installing such device.
Section R302.13: Delete the requirement to protect the underside of floor/ceiling
assemblies in unfinished basements.
Comment: This amendment eliminates the requirement to drywall the ceiling or sprinkle
an unfinished basement ceiling. The amendment to delete the requirement maintains
current requirements. The amendment does not prohibit someone from installing such
protection.
Section R312.2 (IRC) & 1015.8 (IBC): Delete the requirement to install guards on
operable windows that are located less than 24" above the floor and more than 72"
above the finish surface on the exterior of the building.
Comment: The amendment eliminates the requirement to install guards on all operable
windows that meet specified location criteria. The requirement is not consistent with
other guard location criteria requirements and could conflict with emergency and
escape window opening requirements. The amendment to delete the requirement
maintains current requirements. This amendment does not prohibit the installation of fall
protection devices on windows.
Section R313: Delete the requirement to install a fire sprinkling system in one- and
two-family dwelling and townhouses.
Comment: This amendment eliminates the requirement for structures regulated by the
IRC have an automatic fire suppression system installed. The amendment to delete the
requirement maintains current requirements. The amendment does not prohibit the
installation of a automatic fire suppression system.
Section R314: Delete the requirement to interconnect smoke alarms when a home is
being altered, repaired or an addition is added.
Comment: This amendment eliminates the requirement for smoke alarms to be
interconnected when a home is being altered, repaired or an addition is added.
Previous codes have not required this extensive of an update and eliminating the
requirement does not forgive the requirement to install battery operated smoke alarms
when alterations, repairs or additions. The amendment to delete the requirement
maintains current requirements. The amendment does not prohibit someone from
installing such protection.
Section R320.2: Maintain eight provisions to implement universal design features that
provide accessibility, usability and visit -ability for all.
Comment: The amendment applies only to new dwelling units and is not required for
existing structures for repairs, alterations, change of occupancy or additions unless the
square footage of the addition is more than 25% of the existing structure, then, the
addition must comply.
The minimum usability requirements are as follows:
1. Step -less Entrance: At least one entrance must be designed to provide a
step -less entry.
2. Interior doors: At least one bedroom and one bathroom, if either are provided,
and all other passage doorway header widths, on the level served by the
designed step -less entrance, must be framed to accommodate a minimum 38"
clear rough opening. The framing for the doorway width opening may be reduced
to accommodate any door size.
3. Sanitation facilities: There must be at least one bathroom containing a
water closet (toilet) and lavatory (sink) on the level of the dwelling to be
accessed by the designed step -less entrance. The room shall have a
minimum thirty inches (30") by forty-eight inches (48") clear floor space at the
water closet and lavatory.
4. Wall Reinforcement: A bathroom must be provided with wood blocking
installed within wall framing to support grab bars as needed.
5. Decks: All exterior decks and patios surfaces adjacent to the level served
by the designed step -less entrance must be built within four inches (4") of the
dwelling units finish floor level.
6. Switch and outlet re uirements: All wall switches, controlling light
fixtures, tans, a temperature control devices and all receptacles shall be
located in an area between fifteen (15) and forty-eight (48) inches above
finished floor.
7. Electrical panel requirements- : Electrical panels on the level of the dwelling
to a ---accessedy the designed step -less entrance shall be located so that
the individual circuit breakers are located between 15" and 54 " above the
floor.
8. Garages: Must be wired for power operated overhead doors
Section R326: Delete Section R326 Swimming Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs.
Comment: This section was moved to the body of the code from the appendix in the
previous code cycle. Deleting it results in no change of enforcement for pools, spas and
hot tubs. They are still regulated by the electrical and zoning code.
Section G2415.3: Eliminates the requirement prohibiting gas piping to not extend
through any townhouse unit other than the unit served by such gas piping.
Comment: Amendment is consistent with the mechanical and fuel gas code with regard
to gas piping being installed through dwelling units. Zero lot -line units will still be required
to have separate services but single structures that contain multiple units will be allowed
to have the gas piping extend through other units. This is consistent with how gas pipe is
installed now and in the past.
Appendix J (IRC): Existing Buildings and Structures: (1 & 2 family residential)
Comment: The purpose of these provisions is to encourage the continued use or reuse
of legally existing buildings and structures. These provisions are intended to permit
work in existing buildings that is consistent with the purpose of this code.
Existing Building Code (multifamily and commercial)
Section 102.6 in the International Building Code directs us to the International Existing
Building Code (IEBC) for existing structures.
Comment: The IEBC allows and encourages the use and reuse of existing buildings
while requiring reasonable upgrades and improvements for alterations, repairs,
additions, occupancy change, historic and relocated buildings.
Energy Code
Adopt by reference the State Energy Code:
Comment: The State of Iowa adopted the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code
(IECC). Referencing the state energy code provides consistency for designers and
builders. Tentative schedule for the state to adopt the 2018 IECC is mid 2019.
Accessibility Code
Adopted by reference the State Accessibility Code:
Comment: The State of Iowa Accessibility Code is based on the 2010 ADA Standards for
Accessible Design and requirements of the federal Fair Housing Act. Adopting the state
accessibility codes by reference provides consistency for designers and builders.
Plumbing Code
Adopt by reference the State Plumbing Code:
Comment: Iowa Code Section 105.4 requires local jurisdictions to adopt the State Plumbing
Code. The Iowa State Health Department, as administered by the Plumbing and
Mechanical Systems Board, by law adopts the current edition of the Uniform Plumbing
Code (UPC) within six months of publication with a few amendments. Tentative
schedule for the state to adopt the 2018 UPC is 1St quarter of 2019.
Section 422.2.1 of the UPC: Amend to require single use restroom signage.
Comment: This amendment will require single user restroom to have signage indicating
usage by either sex.
Mechanical Code
Adopt by reference the State Mechanical Code:
Comment: Iowa Code Section 105.4 requires local jurisdictions to adopt the State
Mechanical Code. The Iowa State Department of Public Health, as administered by the
Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board, adopts the current edition of the
International Mechanical Code within six months of publication with a few amendments.
Tentative schedule for the state to adopt the 2018 UPC is 1St quarter of 2019.
cc: Tracy Hightshoe, Director, Neighborhood and Development Services
Danielle Sitzman, Coordinator, Development Services
Pugh
Hagar
Prahm.
ATTORNEYS & COUNSELORS
December 20, 2018
VIA EMAIL
City of Iowa City Building Inspection
c/o Mr. Tim Hennes, Sr. Building Inspector
410 E. Washington Street
Iowa City, IA 52240
tim-hennes@lowa-city.org
RE: Notable Changes Contained in the 2018 Edition of Building Codes
Dear Tim:
425 E. OAKDALE BLVD.
SUITE 201
CORALVILLE, IOWA 52241
PHONE 319-351-2028
FAX 319-351-1102
PUGHHAGAN.COM
MPUGH@PUGHHAGAN.COM
On behalf of The Greater Iowa City Area Home Builders Association ("HBA"), we would like
to thank you and Danielle Sitzman for taking time to meet with the HBA's Legislative
Committee on December 18, 2018, to discuss the City's proposed amendments and notable
changes to the 2018 International Building Code. The HBA supports the amendments proposed
by the Building Department in its memorandum to the Iowa City Board of Appeals dated
December 14, 2018, and would gladly make this endorsement to the Iowa City Council.
Again, the HBA appreciates the Building Department's cooperation and involvement in this
process. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Very truly yours,
Michael J. Pugh
MJP/dab
cc: The Greater Iowa City Home Builders Association
{002636851
11-
Prepared
2Prepared by: Tim Hennes, Sr. Building Inspector, 410 E. Washington St., Iowa City, IA 52240
Ordinance No. •
Ordinance amending Title 17, Chapter 1, Building Code, by adopting the
International Building Code, 2018 edition, including Appendix K, and the
International Residential Code, 2018 edition, including Appendix F and
Appendix J, and providing for certain amendments thereof; adopting
section 103.6(1)(a) of the Code of Iowa (the state electrical code) and section
105.4(1)(a) of the Code of Iowa (the state plumbing and mechanical codes);
to provide for the protection of the health, welfare and safety of the residents
of Iowa City, Iowa.
Whereas,the current building code is the 2015 edition of the International Building Code (IBC)
and the International Residential Code (IRC), and the City should adopt the 2018 editions of those
codes;
Whereas, for purposes of uniformity throughout the State, the State Code has been amended to
require all local jurisdictions to adopt the State Plumbing and Mechanical Codes;
Whereas, the Fuel Gas Code is contained in the State Plumbing Code;
Whereas, for uniformity in greater Johnson County area, the City should adopt the State
Electrical Code; and
Whereas, the purpose of this ordinance to provide for the protection of the health, welfare and
safety of the residents of Iowa City, Iowa.
Now, therefore be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Iowa City, Iowa:
Section I.
1. Sections 17-1, 17-2, 17-3 and 17-4 of the Iowa City Code are hereby repealed and the following
new Sections 17-1, 17-2, 17-3 and 17-4 are enacted in lieu thereof.
17-1-1: Codes adopted: Subject to the following amendments, the 2018 edition of the international
building code (IBC) including Appendix K, electrical administrative process, and 2018 edition of the
international residential code(IRC) including Appendix F, radon control methods,Appendix J, Existing
Buildings and Structures, are adopted. Additionally, the City further adopts, Section 103.6(1)(a) of the
Iowa Code (the Iowa State Electrical Code), Section 105.4(1)(a) of the Iowa Code (the Iowa State
Mechanical Code), and Section 105.4(1)(a) of the Iowa Code (the Iowa State Plumbing Code).
Collectively, they shall be known as the Iowa City building code or the building code. Interpretations of
the building official may be guided by publications of the International Code Council, Inc., or the
International Existing Building Code.
17-1-2: Interpretation of Building Code provisions: The provisions of this Code shall be held
to be the minimum requirements adopted for the protection of the health, safety and welfare of the
residents of Iowa City.
17-1-3: Amendments to code: The following sections of the 2018 edition of the International Building
Code and 2018 edition of the International Residential Code are amended as follows:
Ordinance No.
Page 2
Section 101.1 of both the IBC and IRC. Delete Section 101.1 of both the IBC and IRC and insert
in lieu thereof the following:
101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the Building Code of Iowa City, hereinafter referred
to as "this code."
Section 105.2 of both the IBC and IRC. Delete Section 105.2 of both the IBC and IRC and insert
in lieu thereof the following:
105.2 Work Exempt from Permit. A permit shall not be required for the following:
Building
1. One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and
similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 144 square feet provided the structure is not
located in a flood hazard area.
2. Fences not over 6 feet (1829 mm) high.
3. Oil derricks
4. Retaining walls which are not over 4 feet (1219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of
the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II or III-A
liquids.
5. Water tanks supported directly on grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons (18 925
L) and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2 to 1.
6. Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches (762 mm) above grade and not over any
basement or story below and which are not part of an accessible route.
7. Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work.
8. Temporary motion picture, television and theater stage sets and scenery.
9. Prefabricated swimming pools which are less than 24 inches deep, do not exceed 5,000 gallons
and are installed entirely above ground.
10. Shade cloth structures constructed for nursery or agricultural purposes and not including
service systems.
11. Swings and other playground equipment.
12. Window awnings supported by an exterior wall which do not project more than 54 inches
(1372 mm) from the exterior wall and do not require additional support.
13. Movable cases, counters and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches (1753 mm) in height.
14. For structures regulated by the IRC the reapplication of shingles and roof sheathing provided:
a. Less than 50% of the structural sheathing is replaced and other structural alterations are not
required.
b. The structure is not in a Historic Preservation Overlay Zone or is not an Iowa City Historic
Landmark.
Note: Applying solid sheathing over space sheathing is not considered structural sheathing.
15. For structures regulated by the IRC reapplication of siding provided: The structure is not in a
Historic Preservation Overlay Zone, or a Conservation District Overlay Zone, or is not an Iowa City
Historic Landmark.
16. For structures regulated by the IRC replacing windows provided:
a. Replacement window(s) is in compliance with Appendix J.
b. The structure is not in a Historic Preservation Overlay Zone, or a Conservation District Overlay
Zone, or is not an Iowa City Historic Landmark.
17. For structures regulated by the IRC replacing exterior doors, including garage doors, provided:
a. Replacement door(s) is in compliance with Appendix J.
b. They are not street facing doors i n a structure located in a Historic Preservation Overlay Zone
or are not an Iowa City Historic Landmark.
Note: screen and storm doors do not require a permit regardless of the location.
Electrical:
1 . Portable motors or other portable appliances energized by means of a cord or cable having an
attachment plug end to be connected to an approved receptacle when that cord or cable is permitted
2
Ordinance No.
Page 3
by this code.
2. Repair or replacement of fixed motors, transformers or fixed approved appliances of the same
type and rating in the same location.
3. Temporary decorative lighting.
4. Repair or replacement of current-carrying parts of any switch, contactor, control device or contact
device of the same type and/or rating.
5. Replacement of non-emergency over-current device of the required ampacity and interrupt rating
in the same location.
6. Repair or replacement of electrodes or transformers of the same size and capacity for signs or
gas tube systems.
7. Temporary wiring for experimental purposes in suitable experimental laboratories.
8. The wiring for temporary theater, motion picture or television stage sets.
Gas:
1. Portable heating, cooking or clothes drying appliances.
2. Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such
equipment unsafe.
3. Portable-fuel-cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not
interconnected to a power grid.
Mechanical:
1. Portable heating appliances.
2. Portable ventilation appliances.
3. Portable cooling units.
4. Steam, hot- or chilled-water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by this code.
5. Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such
equipment unsafe.
6. Portable evaporative coolers.
7. Self-contained refrigeration systems containing 10 pounds (4.54 kg) or less of refrigerant or that
are actuated by motors of 1 horsepower (746 W) or less.
8. Portable-fuel-cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not
interconnected to a power grid.
9. The replacement of fixed appliances provided however that the replacement appliance is in the
same location and has a rating equal to or less than the appliance being replaced, and it is not
necessary to remove, replace, alter, or install any additional ductwork or piping.
Plumbing:
1. The stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent pipe; provided, however, that if any
concealed trap, drainpipe, water, soil, waste or vent pipe becomes defective and it becomes
necessary to remove and replace the same with new material, such work shall be considered as
new work and a permit shall be obtained and inspection made as provided in this code.
2. The clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures, and the removal
and reinstallation of water closets, provided such repairs do not involve or require the replacement
or rearrangement of valves, pipes or fixtures.
3. The replacement or removal and reinstallation of any fixture or appliance, provided, however,
that the fixture or appliance is installed at the same location and it is not necessary to remove,
replace, alter, or install any piping. Exemption from the permit requirements of this Code shall not
be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in violation of the provisions of the
Code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction.
Exemption from the permit requirements of this Code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for
any work to be done in a manner in violation of the provisions of this Code or any other laws or
ordinances of this jurisdiction.
3
Ordinance No.
Page 4
Section 105.5 of both the IBC and IRC. Modify Section 105.5 of both the IBC and IRC by adding
a sentence to the end as follows:
In no case shall the permit be effective unless the work covered by the permit has a documented
inspection every 6 months minimum and is completed within 24 months of the date on which the
original permit was issued.
Section 105.8 of the IBC and R105.10 of the IRC. Add two new Sections 105.8 and 105.8.1 to
the IBC and R105.10 and R105.10.1 to the IRC as follows:
105.8(IBC) R105.10(IRC) Demolition permits required. A demolition permit shall be required as
follows:
1.For the removal of any building or structure.
2. For the removal of any portion of a building (i.e. porch, porch railing, decorative brackets and trim,
dormers, chimneys, etc.) that is located within a Historic Preservation Overlay Zone or a
Conservation District Overlay Zone, or is an Iowa City Historic Landmark.
105.8.1(IBC) and R105.10.1 Requirements. The applicant for any demolition permit shall state on
the application the proposed disposal plans for all demolition materials. No demolition permit shall
be issued until seven (7) working days after the date an application has been properly filed and
said demolition permit shall not be effective until applicant has posted the premises to be demolished
with a notice to be provided by the City and as directed by the City; provided, however, that accessory
buildings as defined in the Iowa City Zoning Ordinance and dangerous buildings shall be exempt
from said notice and waiting requirement.
Section 105.9 of the IBC and R105.11 of the IRC. Add two new Sections 105.9 to the IBC and
R105.11 to the IRC as follows:
105.9 (IBC) and R105.11 (IRC) Permittee:
1. An electrical, plumbing or mechanical permit may be issued to any person holding a valid
master license for the respective trade as described in Section 17-11-1 E of the Iowa City Code, or to
any company who employs a duly licensed master in the respective trade on a full-time basis who
supervises the work of the apprentice and or journeymen during the company's normal business hours.
2. An electrical, plumbing or mechanical permit may be issued to the owner of an existing
owner-occupied single-family dwelling, pursuant to a valid certificate of occupancy and used
exclusively for residential purposes, to do any electrical work in connection with said dwelling and
accessory buildings. The owner must personally purchase all material and perform all labor in
connection with the permit. Applicants for a homeowner's electrical permit shall pass the designated
exam before a permit may be issued.
3. The homeowner's test required in subsection 2 of this section may be waived if the applicant
is a duly licensed electrician with a minimum of a journeyman status.
Section 105.10 of the IBC and R105.12 of the IRC. Add two new Sections 105.10 to the IBC
and R105.12 to the IRC as follows:
105.10 (IBC) and R105.12 (IRC) Insurance:
Before any permit to perform electrical or plumbing work may be issued, the applicant shall have on
file with the building official a copy of a certificate of insurance stating the liability amounts of no less
than three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000.00) property damage and five hundred thousand
dollars ($500,000.00) bodily injury. The city shall be named as additional insured.The policy shall also
provide for at least ten (10) days' notice by the insurer to the city of termination of the policy by the
insured or insurer. Electrical permits issued under sections 105.9 (IBC) and R105.11 (ICR) 2 and 3
shall be exempted from this insurance requirement.
Section R107.3 of the IRC and Section 108.3 of the IBC. Amend Section R107.3 of the IRC and
Section 108.3 of the IBC as follows:
R107.3 (IRC) 108.3 (IBC) Temporary Power: Replace the "NFPA 70" with "Iowa State Electrical
Code.".
4
Ordinance No.
Page 5
Section R108.2 of the IRC and Section 109.2 of the IBC. Delete Section R108.2 of the IRC and
Section 109.2 of the IBC and insert in lieu thereof the following:
R108.2 (IRC) 109.2 (IBC) Permit Fees and Valuations. The fee for any permit shall be as set forth in
the permit fee schedule as established by resolution of the City Council. The determination of value or
valuation under any of the provisions of this Code shall be made by the Building Official. The value
to be used in computing the building permit and building plan review fees shall be the total value of
all construction work for which the permit is issued, as well as all finish work, painting, roofing, site
grading, paving, landscaping, elevators, and other permanent equipment. The value to be used in
computing the value of construction for reports shall be the total value of all construction work for
which the permit is issued, as well as all finish work, painting, roofing, electrical, plumbing, heating,
air conditioning, site grading, paving, landscaping, elevators, fire extinguisher systems and other
permanent equipment.
Section R108.3 of the IRC and Section 109.3 of the IBC. Delete Section R108.3 of the IRC and
Section 109.3 of the IBC and insert in lieu thereof the following:
R108.3 (IRC) 109.3 (IBC) Plan Review Fees.When a plan or other data are required to be submitted
by Section 106 and the value of the proposed building or work exceeds fifteen thousand dollars
($15,000), a plan review fee shall be paid before the permit may be issued. Should the project be
abandoned and the permit not issued after the plan review has been started, the plan review fee
shall still be due and payable. The plan review fee shall be as set forth by resolution of City Council.
Plan review fees are separate fees from the permit fee specified in Section R108.2 and 109.2
and are in addition to permit fees.
Section R108. 5 of the IRC and Section 109.6 of the IBC: Delete Section R108.5 in the IRC and
Section 109.6 of the IBC and insert in lieu thereof the following:
R108.5 (IRC) 109.6 IBC Refunds: The Building Official may authorize the refunding of any fee
paid hereunder which was erroneously paid or collected. The Building Official shall not authorize
the refunding of any fee paid except upon written application filed by the original permittee within
one hundred eighty (180) days from the date of fee payment.
Section R108.6 of the IRC and Section 109.4 of the IBC. Delete Section 108.6 of the IRC and
Section 109.4 of the IBC and insert in lieu thereof the following:
R108.6 (IRC) 109.4(IBC)Work commencing before permit issuance: Any person who commences
work on a building, structure, electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system before obtaining the
necessary permits shall be subject to a fee equal to the amount of the permit fee if a permit were
issued. This fee shall be collected whether or not a permit is issued. The payment of such fee shall
not exempt any person from compliance with all other provisions of this Code or from any penalty
prescribed by law. Only the Building Official may reduce this fee when it is demonstrated that an
emergency existed that required the work to be done without a permit.
Section R112 of the IRC and Section 113 of the IBC. Delete Section R112 of the IRC and Section
113 of the IBC and insert in lieu thereof the following:
Section R112 of the IRC and Section 113 of the IBC Appeals: See Title 17 Chapter 12 Appeals in the
City Code.
Section 202 of both the IBC and IRC. Add new definition as follows:
Authority Having Jurisdiction. The organization, office, or individual responsible for approving
equipment, materials, an installation, or a procedure.
Section 202 of both the IBC and IRC. Add new definition as follows:
Chief Electrical Inspector. A building inspector who either is the authority having jurisdiction or is
designated by the authority having jurisdiction and is responsible for administering the requirements of
this code.
5
Ordinance No.
Page 6
Section 202 of both the IBC and IRC. Add new definition as follows:
Electrical Inspector. A building inspector authorized to perform electrical inspections.
Section 202 of both the IBC and IRC. Add new definition as follows:
Family: See Title 14 Chapter 9 Article A Zoning Definitions in the City Code.
Section 202 of both the IBC and IRC. Add new definition as follows:
Emergency Communications Center. Shall mean the Johnson County Emergency Communications
Center.
Section 202 of the IBC and IRC. Modify definitions as follows:
Habitable space: Add a sentence to the end of the definition of habitable space or room to read as
follows: Basement areas finished to a degree to encourage their use as anything other than storage
or mechanical rooms shall be considered habitable space.
Section R202 of the IRC. Delete definition of Accessory Structure and insert in lieu thereof the
following:Accessory Structure. See Title 14 Chapter 9 Article A Zoning Definitions in the City Code.
Table R301.2(1) of the IRC Modify by inserting data in the table as follows:
Seismic Winter Ice-Barter
Ground Snow Wind Design Design Subject to Damage From DesiUntleda Hood Hazards
Load
0n ymord Air Freezing Mean
Category Tomp Required _
TDPogmPNc Frost be Annual
Speed effects. Intlea Temp
(mph) Special wind Weathering depth Termite NFIP FIRM
region,or Maps
Wind-home
debris zone
25 115 No A Setere 42• Moderate -S'F Yes 5/22/1677 2/16/2007 2000 50°F
Heavy
MANUAL J DESIGN CRITERIA
Elevation Latitude Winter Summer Altitude Indoor Design Heating
Heating Cooling Correction Design Temperature Temperature
Factor Temperature Cooling Difference
661' 41° -6° 89° N/A 72° 75° 78°
Cooling Wind Wind Coincident Daily Winter Summer
Temperature Velocity Velocity Wet Bulb Range Humidity Humidity
Difference Heating Cooling
14° 25° 10° 76° M 39 grub diff. 53 gr/lb diff.
Section R302.5.1 of the IRC. Delete Section R302.5.1 of the IRC and insert in lieu thereof the
following:
R302.5.1 Opening protection. Openings from a private garage directly into a room used for sleeping
purposes shall not be permitted. Other openings between the garage and residence shall be equipped
with solid wood doors not less than 1 3/8 inches (35 mm) in thickness, solid or honeycomb core steel
doors not less than 1 3/8 inches (35 mm)thick, or 20-minute fire-rated doors.
Section R302.13 of the IRC. Delete Section R302.13 of the IRC entirely.
Section R310.6 of the IRC. Delete Section R310.6 in the IRC and insert in lieu thereof the following:
R310.6 Alterations or repairs of basements in structures built after May 10, 1989. An emergency
escape and rescue opening is not required where existing basements undergo alterations or repairs.
Alterations or repairs in structures built prior to May 10, 1989 shall conform to Appendix J Section
AJ102.4 Replacement windows.
Exception: New sleeping rooms created in an existing basement shall be provided with emergency
escape and rescue openings in accordance with Section R310.1.
6
Ordinance No.
Page 7
Section R312.2 of the IRC and 1015.8 of the IBC. Delete Section R312.2 of the IRC and 1015.8 of
the IBC entirely.
Section R313 of the IRC: Delete Section R313 of the IRC entirely.
Section R314.4 of the IRC. Amend Section R314.4 in the IRC by adding an exception as follows:
Exception: Interconnection of smoke alarms in existing areas shall not be required where alterations
or repairs do not result in removal of interior wall or ceiling finishes exposing the structure, unless there
is an attic, crawl space or basement available that could provide access for interconnection with
removal the interior finish.
Section R320.2 of the IRC. Add Section R320.2 in the IRC as follows:
R320.2 Accessibility for projects other than those mentioned in Section R320.1.
R 320.2.1 Scope. The provisions of this section are enacted to implement universal design features
that provide accessibility, usability and visit-ability for all.
R320.2.2 Definition. Public funds shall mean funding or assistance from the City of Iowa City or
any agent thereof through any of the following means:
1. a building contract or similar contractual agreement involving a City-funded program or fund;
2. any real estate received by the owner through a subsidy, lease, or donation by the City or its agents;
3. preferential tax treatment, bond assistance, mortgage assistance, or similar financial advantages
from the City or its agents;
4. disbursement of federal or state construction funds including a Community Development Block
Grant; or
5. a City contract to provide funding or a financial benefit for housing.
R320.2.3 Applicability. The amendment applies to new one- and two-family dwellings and is not
required for new townhouses, accessory apartments or existing structures for repairs, alterations,
change of occupancy or additions unless the square footage of the addition is more than 25% of
the existing structure, then, the addition must comply.
Exception: Applies to new townhouses constructed using public funds.
The minimum usability requirements are as follows:
1.Step-less entrance: At least one building entrance must be designed, without encroaching into
any required parking space, that complies with the Iowa City Building Code standard for an accessible
entrance on an accessible route served by a ramp in accordance with section R311.8 or a no-step
entrance. The accessible route must extend from a vehicular drop-off, or parking to a building
entrance. The entry door must have a minimum net clear opening of thirty-two inches (32").
Exception:
1. If public funds are used the step-less entrance must be provided.
2. The building official may waive this requirement based upon the determination that strict
compliance is financially or environmentally impractical. Split-level and townhouse style homes may
be exempted.
Note: Iowa City code only requires one parking space for single family dwellings.
2. Interior doors: At least one bedroom and one bathroom (if either are provided) and all other
passage doorway header widths, on the level served by the designed step-less entrance, must be
framed to accommodate a minimum 38" clear rough opening. The framing for the doorway width
opening may be reduced to accommodate any door size
Exception:
1.If public funds are used the minimum door clear opening shall be thirty-two inches (32") when
the door is open ninety degrees (90), measured between the face of the door and the opposite stop.
2.Doors serving closets twenty-four inches (24") or less in depth need not be framed to 38" clear
opening width.
Note: A 34" door hung in the standard manner provides an acceptable 32" opening.
3. Sanitation facilities: There must be at least one bathroom containing a water closet (toilet)
and lavatory (sink) on the level of the dwelling to be accessed by the designed step-less entrance.
The room shall have a minimum thirty inches (30") by forty-eight inches (48") clear floor space at
7
Ordinance No.
Page 8
the water closet and lavatory. The clear floor space can be shared by both fixtures. The clear floor
space shall not be obstructed by a doorway swing.
The plans must show a shower, bathtub or combination tub/shower can be provided within the room
or an adjoining room without removing part of the concrete floor to provide necessary plumbing to the
future plumbing fixture(s).
Exception:
1.If public funds are used a shower, bathtub or combination tub/shower shall be provided within the
room.
2.Doors may swing into the clear floor space provided at any fixture if sufficient maneuvering space
is provided within the room for a person using a wheelchair or other mobility aid to enter and close
the door, use the fixtures, reopen the door and exit. Maneuvering space may include any knee
space or toe space available below bathroom fixtures.
3.The building official may waive this requirement based on the determination that strict compliance
is financially impractical.
4.Wall reinforcement: A bathroom must be provided with wood blocking installed within wall framing
to support grab bars as needed. The wood blocking, when measured to the center, will be located
between thirty-three inches (33") and thirty-six inches (36") above the finished floor. The wood
blocking must be located in all walls adjacent to and behind a toilet.
Exception: Backing is not required behind pre-manufactured showers and bathtubs.
5. Decks: All exterior decks and patios surfaces adjacent to the level served by the designed
step-less entrance must be built within four inches (4") of the dwellings finish floor level. Decks shall
be a minimum 50%the size of a patio that is served by level served by the designed step-less entrance.
6. Switch and outlet requirements: All wall switches, controlling light fixtures, fans, all
temperature control devices and all receptacles shall be located in an area between fifteen (15)
and forty-eight (48) inches above finished floor. The height will be determined by measuring from
the finished floor to the center of the device. When the control or receptacle placement is prohibited
by the height of the window or design feature, alternative locations may be approved by the building
official.
7. Electrical panel requirements: Electrical panels on the level of the dwelling to be accessed
by the designed step-less entrance shall be located so that the individual circuit breakers are
located between 15" and 54 " above the floor.
8. Garages: Must be wired for power operated overhead
Section R322 of the IRC. Delete section R322 of the IRC and insert in lieu thereof the following:
R322. See Title 14 Chapter 5J Flood Plain Management Standards in the City Code.
R322.1 Flood Resistive Materials. Building materials and installation methods used for flooring and
interior and exterior walls and wall coverings below the elevation required in Title 14 Chapter 5J Flood
Plain Management Standards in the City Code shall be flood damage-resistant materials that conform
to the provisions of FEMA TB-2.
Section R326 of the IRC. Delete Section R326 of the IRC entirely.
Section R403.1.4.1 of the IRC. Modify by deleting all exceptions and inserting in lieu thereof the
following:
Exceptions:
1. One story detached accessory buildings of wood or steel frame construction not used for human
occupancy and not exceeding one thousand (1,000) square feet in floor area may be constructed
using slab on grade construction as follows. The slab shall be three and one-half inches thick,
poured monolithically with thickened perimeter footings extending twelve inches (12") below finish
grade and be twelve inches (12") wide at the base. The top of the foundation shall not be less
than six inches (6") above finish grade. Reinforcement of the slab, including the thickened portion,
shall be minimum 6x6-10/10 welded wire mesh, #4 deformed reinforcing bars at twenty-four inches
(24") on center each way or fiber mesh reinforced concrete.
8
Ordinance No.
Page 9
2. One-story wood or metal frame building not used for human occupancy and not over 200 square
feet in floor area may be constructed with walls supported on a wood foundation plate or "skids"
when approved by the building official.
3. Decks not supported by the structure need not be provided with footings that extend below the
frost line.
Section R404.1.1 of the IRC: Amend Section R404.1.1 of the IRC by adding an Exception after number
2 as follows:
Exception: Foundation walls with unbalanced lateral forces created by finish grade, i.e. walkout
basements which are exempt from the Iowa Architectural Act shall be designed by a licensed structural
engineer or constructed in accordance with the Table R404.1.1(5) and diagram as follows:
Table R4011.101
Co a Comer inn
S•Span al Wdl
T•Thlcknen
D•4'Offset
D --- s i'SWWumhgtle Fxeof
'` \\ x Walllaeoedrt®Iorcing
\....1\ s
1
t&T \ Y&11'Faundxlon Walk In
-IL ProAdo comer ban tomatch horizontal
foundation wall reinforcing Into was i'
Span Waimddmtts XomonW Comer Dar
m m R&nloring (C6) \- See$CNdh10�'far
10'm lest D' I4 @ 1:' i'-cr XDlmnid R�u..rry
1ff to 12' 8' 1S@ 11' 1'-6'
114q 14' t. e6 @ 22' 3'-P
1.4,tom' ID 13®11• • Y-6' 3D'stiD.C.ung Venial
30.O.CTypical
16'to 18' 1S 18@SP 3'-D'
18'b10' 11' 16@1Y 3'-R 14 RCYIIanIAg Dow
IN ' -4
Frost Wall&Footing(Waimutl
Note
1.Corner Bars am required N addition to horizontal relnbrcIng.
1.AD famntareInrorclmspomnal belapped a minimum of 24'. •.:.....
9.Ilmm(S)is greater than 1R,the minimum dimension of(0)ahallbcs. :!Yr :si •: •:.:.".6`-:.a'
•
Section R404.1.3 of the IRC. Modify Section R404.1.3 by adding a second paragraph as follows:
Wall thickness may be reduced to eight inches (8") if a minimum of three (3) one-half inch
diameter deformed ASTM A615 grade 40 steel bars are placed horizontally at the center of the wall
thickness with one bar located within 14" of the top, one bar within 14" of the bottom and one bar
located within 14" of the mid-height of the wall provided the wall height does not exceed eight feet
(8').
Section 423.4 of the IBC. Delete Section 423.4 in its entirety and insert in lieu thereof the following:
Group E occupancies. In areas where the shelter design wind speed for tornados is 250 MPH in
accordance with Figure 304.2(1) of ICC 500, all new Group E occupancies shall have a storm shelter
constructed in accordance with ICC 500. The shelter shall be capable of housing the total occupant
load of the Group E occupancy or as required by 661-301 of the Iowa State Building Code, whichever
9
Ordinance No.
Page 10
is more restrictive.
Exceptions:
1. Group E day care facilities.
2. Group E occupancies accessory to places of religious worship.
3. Buildings meeting the requirements for shelter design in ICC 500.
4. Portable buildings.
Section 502.1 of the IBC (9. Modify by inserting the following after the second sentence:
From 100-199 feet from the street the number shall be a minimum of 6 inches high with a
minimum stroke of 0.5 inches. From 200-299 feet from the street the numbers shall be a minimum
8 inches high with a minimum stroke of 0.5 inches. For each additional 100 feet from the street,
the number shall increase by an additional 2 inches in height. Measurements to determine the
minimum number size shall be measured from the approved address location to the center line of
the street for which the premises is addressed.
Section R807.1 of the IRC. Modify by adding a sentence at the end of the second paragraph as
follows:
The opening shall not be located in a closet, bathroom, mechanical room, laundry room, or similar
room or location.
Section 903.2.1.2 of the IBC (Fl. Modify section 903.2.1.2 by adding a second paragraph
as follows:
Group A-2 Occupancies that existed prior to August 1, 2007:
An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout the A-2 occupancy with an occupancy
load of 100 or more that have an ABDL and there is a change in business ownership, defined as
the sale, transfer, or assignment of any legal or equitable ownership interest, except that the owner
may show to the building official's satisfaction that said change in ownership is one of form and not
substance.
Section 903.2.1.8 of the IBC (F). Add a new Section 903.2.1.8 as follows:
Section 903.2.1.8. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings and
portions thereof used as new Group B occupancies with an ABDL or existing group B occupancy
with a new (not a renewal) ABDL located on a floor other than the level of exit discharge. The
automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout the floor area where the new Group B
occupancy with an ABDL or where the group B occupancy with a new ABDL is located, and in all
floors between the Group B occupancy and the level of exit discharge.
Section 903.2.2 of the IBC (F). Delete Section 903.2.2 of the IBC and replace with:
903.2.2 Group B ambulatory health care facilities. An automatic sprinkler system shall be installed
throughout all fire areas containing a Group B ambulatory health care facility occupancy.
Section 903.3.5.3 of the IBC (9. Add a new Section 903.3.5.3 in the IBC to read as follows:
903.3.5.3 Water supply safety margin. Provide a minimum 10%, or 5 psi safety margin (whichever
is greater) above static pressure in the fire protection system hydraulic calculations.
Section 903.4.2 of the IBC(F). Delete Section 903.4.2 of the IBC and replace with:
903.4.2. Alarms. An approved weatherproof horn/strobe device shall be mounted directly above
the fire department connection between seven (7) and ten (10) feet in height above grade. The
water-flow alarm device shall be activated by water flow equivalent to the flow of a single sprinkler
of the smallest orifice size installed in the system. Approved and supervised audible visual
notification appliances shall be installed on each level of the interior of the building as required by
the fire code official and NFPA 72.
Section 903.6 of the IBC (F). Add a new Section 903.6 to the IBC to read as follows:
10
Ordinance No.
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903.6 Zones. Automatic sprinkler system zones shall not exceed the area permitted by NFPA 13
or NFPA 13R and shall provide a sprinkler control valve and water flow device for each normally
occupied floor
Section 905.1.1 of the IBC (F).Add a new Section 905.1.1 to the IBC to read as follows:
905.1.1 Delete all references to Class II standpipe systems and replace with Class III standpipe
systems.
Section 905.4 of the IBC (F).Amend section 905.4 by deleting#1 and replace with:
1. In every required interior exit stairway, a hose connection shall be provided for each story above
and below grad plane. Hose connections shall be located at intermediate landings between stories,
unless otherwise approved by; the The code official.
Exception: A single hose connection shall be permitted to be installed in the open corridor or open
breezeway between open stairs that are not greater than 75 feet apart.
Section 906.1 of the IBC (F). Delete the exceptions 1 and 2 without substitution.
Section 906.3 of the IBC (F). Add a sentence to the end of the section to read as follows:
The minimum rating of any required portable fire extinguisher for Class A, Class B, or Class C
hazard shall be 2-10 B C
Section 907.2 of the IBC (9. Delete the section and replace with:
907.2 Where required-new buildings and structures. An approved and addressable manual,
automatic, or manual and automatic fire alarm system installed in accordance with the provisions of
this code and NFPA 72 shall be provided in new buildings and structures in accordance with
Sections 907.2.1 through 907.2.23 and provide occupant notification in accordance with 907.5,
unless other requirements are provided by another section of this code or fire code official.
A minimum of one manual fire alarm box shall be provided in an approved location to initiate a
fire alarm signal for fire alarm systems employing automatic fire detectors or water-flow detection
devices. Where other sections of this code allow elimination of fire alarm boxes due to sprinklers,
a single fire alarm box shall be installed.
EXCEPTION:
1. The manual fire alarm box is not required for fire alarm systems dedicated to elevator recall
control and supervisory service.
2. The manual fire alarm box is required for Group R-2 occupancies to provide a means for fire
watch personnel to initiate an alarm during a sprinkler system impairment event.The manual fire alarm
box shall not be located in an area that is accessible to the public.
3. Multi-tenant buildings required to have a manual/automatic fire alarm system shall install a
minimum of one manual pull station per tenant space.
Section 907.2.1 of the IBC(F). Delete the"exception" in Section 907.2.1 in its entirety and insert
in lieu thereof the following exceptions:
EXCEPTION:
1) Except for Group A-2 occupancies with occupant loads of 200 or more, manual fire alarm
boxes are not required where the building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system
and the alarm notification appliances will activate upon sprinkler water flow.
2) Group A-2. An automatic/manual fire alarm system shall be installed in Group A-2 occupancies
with and occupant load of 200 or more. Activation of the fire alarm shall additionally cause:
a. Illumination of the protected premises to not less than 10 foot-candles over the area of the room
at a height of 30 inches above the floor; and
b. All conflicting or confusing sounds and visual distraction to automatically stop.
Section 907.2.3 of the IBC (F). Modify by adding a sentence to the end of the first paragraph as
follows:
New and existing educational occupancies shall have a monitored fire alarm system.
Section 907.2.3 of the IBC (F). Modify by adding a 5th exception as follows:
11
Ordinance No.
Page 12
5. Day care occupancies classified as Group E Occupancy shall not require a monitored fire alarm
system unless required elsewhere in the code.
Section 907.2.10.2 of the IBC. Modify by adding a fourth location requirement as follows:
4. Supervised smoke alarms shall be installed in all common corridors and at the top and bottom
of all stairway enclosures in Groups R-2, R-4 and I-1 occupancies. In corridors, detectors shall be
located within fifteen (15) feet of the end of the corridor and in such a way that one detector is
located for each thirty (30) feet of corridor length or spaced as allowed by the code.
Section 907.2.12.2 of the IBC. Delete without substitution.
Section 907.4.2 of the IBC. Modify by adding a sentence to the end of the section to read as follows:
Where, in the opinion of the code official, manual fire alarm boxes may be used to cause false
fire alarms, the code official is authorized to modify the requirements for manual fire alarm boxes.
Section 907.6.4 of the IBC (F). Modify by deleting the exception and inserting in lieu thereof the
following exception:
Exception: Automatic sprinkler system zones shall not exceed the area permitted by NFPA 13
and shall provide a sprinkler control valve and waterflow device for each normally occupied floor.
Section 907.6.4.3 of the IBC(F). Add a section to read as follows:
Section 907.6.4.3 Zone and address location labeling. Fire alarm and/or annunciator panels shall
have all zones and address points plainly and permanently labeled as to their location on the outside
of the panel or on an easily readable map of the building, if no display is present.
Section 907.6.6 of the IBC(F). Modify Section 907.6.6 by adding two sentences to the end as follows:
Each address point identification, shall have an alpha/numeric descriptor location. Alpha/numeric
descriptor locations are required to be reported to the Emergency Communications Center upon
activation of supervisory and/or alarm conditions as specified by the fire code official.
Section 907.9 of the IBC (F).Add a new Section 907.9 as follows:
907.9 Approved hold open devices. When installed in buildings that have a fire alarm system and /or
sprinkler system, all approved hold open devices shall release upon activation of the fire alarm and/or
sprinkler water-flow activation.
Section 912.4.1 of the IBC (F). Delete Section 912.4.1 and replace with the following:
Section 912.4.1 Locking fire department connection caps. Locking fire department connection caps
approved by the fire department are required for all new construction that have a water-based fire
protection system and existing structures that have a water-based fire protection system shall be
required immediately after conducting the five-year obstruction and maintenance testing, or if one or
more of the fire department caps are missing.
Section 912.7 of the IBC (F). Add a new section 912.7 to the IBC to read as follows:
912.7 Size. Minimum fire department connection size shall be 2 y:° inch National Standard Thread.
Section 912.8 of the IBC (F). Add a new section 912.8 to the IBC to read as follows:
912.8 Water supply. Fire department connections shall be located not more than 100 feet from a
hydrant or as approved by the fire code official.
Section 1011.3 of the IBC. Modify by adding a third exception as follows:
Exception:
3. Stairs within individual dwelling units of residential Group R occupancies that existed prior to
8/28/02 (adoption of the 2000 IRC) are permitted a 78-inch (6-6") headroom clearance.
12
Ordinance No.
Page 13
Section 1015.8 of the IBC. Delete Section 1015.8 of the IBC entirely.
Section 1023.4 of the IBC. Modify Section 1023.4 by adding a fourth unnumbered paragraph as
follows:
Fire door assemblies that provide access to a non-pressurized interior exit of R-2 occupancies shall
also be automatic closing by actuation of a smoke detector.
Section 1029.2 of the IBC(F). Modify by adding a new exception as follows:
EXCEPTION:
1)The main entrance/exit of A-2 occupancies shall be of a width that accommodates not less than
two-thirds of the total occupant load
Section 1030.1 of the IBC. Modify by deleting the exceptions and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
EXCEPTIONS:
1. The emergency escape and rescue opening is permitted to open onto a balcony within an atrium
in accordance with the requirements of Section 404 provided the balcony provides access to an
exit and the dwelling unit or sleeping room has a means of egress that is not open to the atrium.
2. Regardless of what Tables 1006.3.3(1) and 1006.3.3(2) allow, all group R-2 occupancies other
than hotels and motels must be provided with emergency escape& rescue openings.
3. Emergency escape and rescue openings are not required from basements or sleeping rooms
that have an exit door or exit access door that opens directly into a public way or to a yard, court
or exterior exit balcony that opens to a public way.
Section 1030.6 of the IBC. Add a new Section 1030.6 to the IBC to read as follows:
Section 1030.6. Emergency escape windows under decks and porches. Emergency escape
windows are allowed to be installed under decks and porches provided the location of the deck
allows the emergency escape window to be fully opened and provides a path not less than 36
inches in height to a yard or court.
Chapter 11 of the IRC. Delete Chapter 11 in its entirety and insert in lieu thereof the following:
Chapter 11 Energy Efficiency, Section N1101. Energy efficiency for the design and construction
of building regulated by this code shall be as required by 661-303 of the Iowa State Administrative
Code.
Chapter 11 of the IBC. Delete Chapter 11 in its entirety and insert in lieu thereof the following:
Chapter 11 Accessibility, Section 1101. Buildings or portions of buildings shall be accessible to
persons with disabilities as required by 661-302 of the Iowa State Administrative Code.
Section 1208.2 of the IBC. Modify by adding a second unnumbered paragraph as follows:
1208.2 Attic spaces. The opening shall be located in a corridor, hallway, or other readily accessible
location. The opening shall not be located in a closet, bathroom, mechanical room, laundry room, or
similar room or location. Attics with a maximum vertical height of less than thirty inches need not be
provided with access openings.
Chapter 13 of the IBC. Delete Chapter 13 in its entirety and insert in lieu thereof the following:
Chapter 13 Energy Efficiency, Section 1301. Energy efficiency for the design and construction of
building regulated by this code shall be as required by 661-303 of the Iowa State Administrative
Code.
Section 1402.6 and 1402.7 of the IBC. Delete Sections 1402.6 and 1402.7 of the IBC and insert
in lieu thereof the following:
Section 1402.6. See Title 14, Chapter 5,Article J Flood Plain Management Standards in the City Code.
13
Ordinance No.
Page 14
Section 1612 of the IBC. Delete Section 1612 of the IBC and insert in lieu thereof the following:
Section 1612. See Title 14, Chapter 5 Article J Flood Plain Management Standards in the City Code.
Section G2406.2 (303.3) of the IRC. Prohibited locations of the IRC. Modify by deleting exceptions 3
and 4.
Section 62415.3 (404.3) of the IRC. Prohibited locations of the IRC. Modify by deleting the last
sentence.
Part VII Plumbing, Chapters 25 through 33 inclusive of the IRC. Delete Part VII Plumbing
Chapters 25 through 33 inclusive of the IRC and insert the following:
Part VII Plumbing, Chapter 25
Section P2501 GENERAL
P2501.1 Scope. Plumbing systems shall comply with the Iowa State Plumbing Code.
Administrative Provisions. The Plumbing Code shall be administered in accordance with
administrative provisions in chapter 1 of this code as amended.
Chapter 27 of the IBC. Delete Section 2701 General of the IBC and insert the following:
Section 2701 GENERAL
Section 2701.1 Scope. Electrical systems shall comply with the Iowa State Electrical Code.
Section 2701.2 Administrative Provisions. The Electrical Code shall be administered in accordance
with administrative provisions in chapter 1 of this code as amended and Appendix K as amended.
Chapter 28 of the IBC. Delete chapter 28 of the IBC and insert the following:
Chapter 28 Mechanical Systems
Section 2801.1 Scope. Mechanical systems shall comply the Iowa State Mechanical Code with the
following amendments:
Administrative Provisions. The Mechanical Code shall be administered in accordance with
administrative provisions in chapter 1 of this code as amended.
Commercial Kitchen Hood Exhaust Termination:
In addition to the code requirements for commercial kitchen hood exhaust terminations locations, the
following shall apply:
For new construction, change in occupancy or change in use, that requires a new commercial kitchen
hood or revisions to an existing commercial kitchen hood, the new or existing commercial kitchen hood
exhaust duct shall terminate as follows:
1. Above the roof level without passing through an exterior wall; or
2. Through an alley facing exterior wall provided the termination is above the roof level; or
3. To an alley right of way per 3202.3.2 of the International Building Code.
Chapter 29 of the IBC. Delete Chapter 29 of the IBC and insert the following
Chapter 29 Plumbing Systems Section 2901.1 Scope. Plumbing systems shall comply with the Iowa
State Plumbing Code.
Administrative Provisions. The Plumbing Code shall be administered in accordance with
administrative provisions in chapter 1 of this code as amended.
Section 422.2.1 of the UPC. Delete Section 422.2.1 and insert in lieu thereof the following:
Section 422.2.1 Single Use Toilet Facilities. Single use toilet facilities and family or assisted use toilet
facilities shall be identified with signage indicating use by either sex.
14
Ordinance No. _
Page 15
Section 3002.4 of the IBC. Delete Section 3002.4 of the IBC and insert in lieu thereof the following:
3002.4 Elevator car to accommodate ambulance stretcher.
In buildings four or more stories above, or four or more stories below, grade plane, at least one
elevator shall be provided for fire department emergency access to all floors. The elevator car shall
be of such a size and arrangement to accommodate an ambulance stretcher 24 inches by 84 inches
(610 mm by 2134 mm) with not less than 5-inch (127 mm) radius corners, in the horizontal, open
position and shall be identified by the international symbol for emergency medical services (star of
life). The symbol shall not be less than 3 inches (76 mm) high and shall be placed inside on both
sides of the hoistway door frame.
Part VIII Electrical, Chapters 34 through 43 inclusive of the IRC. Delete Part VIII Electrical
Chapters 34 through 43 inclusive of the IRC and insert the following:
Part VIII Electrical, Chapter 34
Section E3401 GENERAL
E3401.1 Applicability. Electrical systems shall comply with the Iowa State Electrical Code.
Appendix K of the IBC.
Section K103.2 of the IBC. Work exempt from permit. Delete Section K103.2 in the IBC and insert
in lieu thereof the following:
Section K103.2 Work exempt from permit. See section 105.2 in both the IRC and IBC.
Section K106.5 of the IBC. Add a new Section K106. 5 as follows:
Section K106. 5 Energy Connections; An electrical system or equipment regulated by this code for
which a permit is required shall not be connected to a source of energy or power until approved by the
building official.
Section K106.6 of the IBC. Add a new Section K106. 6 as follows:
Section K106. 6 Temporary Energy Connections. The building official may authorize the temporary
connection of the electrical system or equipment to the source of energy or power for the purpose of
testing the equipment, or for use under a temporary certificate of occupancy.
Appendix J of the IRC.
Section AJ102.4 of the IRC. Delete Section AJ102.4 of the IRC and insert in lieu thereof the following:
AJ102.4 Replacement windows and doors. Regardless of the category of work, where an existing
window or door, including the sash and glazed portion, or safety glazing is replaced, the replacement
window, door or safety glazing shall comply with the requirements of Sections AJ102.4.1 through
AJ102.4.3, as applicable.
Section AJ102.4.1 of the IRC. Delete Section AJ102.4.1 of the IRC and insert in lieu thereof the
following:
AJ102.4.1 Energy efficiency. Replacement windows or doors shall comply with the requirements of
Chapter 11.
Section AJ102.4.4 of the IRC. Delete Section AJ102.4.4 of the IRC entirely.
Section AJ501.7 of the IRC. Delete Section AJ501.7 and insert in lieu thereof the following:
AJ501.7 Ceiling height. Habitable spaces created in existing basements or attics shall have ceiling
heights of not less than 6 feet, 8 inches(2032 mm), except that the ceiling height at obstructions shall
be not less than 6 feet 4 inches (1930 mm) from the basement or attic floor. Existing finished ceiling
heights in nonhabitable spaces in basements or attics shall not be reduced.
Section AJ501.8.1 of the IRC. Delete Section AJ501.8.1 of the IRC and insert in lieu thereof the
following:
15
Ordinance No.
Page 16
AJ501.8.1 Stair width. Existing basement and attic stairs and handrails not otherwise being altered or
modified shall be permitted to maintain their current clear width at, above and below existing handrails.
Section AJ501.8.2 of the IRC. Delete Section AJ501.8.2 of the IRC and insert in lieu thereof the
following:
AJ501.8.2 Stair headroom. Headroom height on existing basement or attic stairs being altered or
modified shall not be reduced below the existing stairway or attic finished headroom. Existing basement
or attic stairs not otherwise being altered shall be permitted to maintain the current finished headroom.
Section AJ501.8.3 of the IRC. Delete Section AJ501.8.3 of the IRC and insert in lieu thereof the
following:
AJ501.8.3 Stair landing. Landings serving existing basement or attic stairs being altered or modified
shall not be reduced below the existing stairway landing depth and width. Existing basement or attic
stairs not otherwise being altered shall be permitted to maintain the current landing depth and width.
Section AJ601.4 of the IRC. Delete Section AJ601.4 of the IRC and insert in lieu thereof the following:
AJ601.4 Ceiling height. Habitable spaces created in existing basements and attics shall have ceiling
heights of not less than 6 feet, 8 inches (2032 mm), except that the ceiling height at obstructions shall
be not less than 6 feet 4 inches (1930 mm) from the basement or attic floor. Existing finished ceiling
heights in nonhabitable spaces in basements or attics shall not be reduced.
17-1-4: Penalties for violations: Violation of this chapter shall be a municipal infraction punishable
by a penalty as provided for in subsection 1-4-2D of the City Code.
4. Except as provided herein, any reference to the "Plumbing Code," the "Electrical Code," or the
"Mechanical Code" is deleted and replaced with "Building Code."
Section II. Repealer. All ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with the provision of this
Ordinance are hereby repealed.
Section Ill. Severability. If any section, provision or part of the Ordinance shall be adjudged to be
invalid or unconstitutional, such adjudication shall not affect the validity of the Ordinance as a whole or
any section, provision or part thereof not adjudged invalid or unconstitutional.
Section IV. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall be in effect after final passage, approval and
publication as provided by law.
Passed and approved this day of , 2019.
Mayor
Attest:
City Clerk
Approve y
l - 3 r5
City Attorneys Office
It was moved by and seconded by that the Ordinance
16
Ordinance No.
Page 17
as read be adopted, and upon roll call there were:
AYES: NAYS: ABSENT:
Cole
Mims
Salih
Taylor
Teague
Thomas
Throgmorton
First Consideration 01/22/2019
Vote forpassage:AYES: Teague, Thomas, Throgmorton, Cole, Mims,
Salah, Taylor. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None.
Second Consideration
Vote for passage:
Date published
17
Item Number: 13.
r �, CITY OF IOWA CITY
COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
January 22, 2019
Ordinance amending Title 7, Chapter 1, Fire Prevention and Protection, by
adopting the 2018 edition of the International Fire Code to regulate and
govern the safeguarding of life and property from fire, explosion, life safety
risks, or health hazards.
Prepared By: Susan Dulek, Ass't. City Attorney
Reviewed By: Brian Greer, Fire Marshal
Simon Andrew, Ass't to City Manager
Fiscal Impact: None.
Recommendations: Staff: Approval
Commission: Board of Appeals voted to approve.
Attachments: Memorandum from Fire Marshal
Draft Minutes Board of Appeals 12-20-18
Ordinance
Executive Summary:
State law requires a public hearing on the adoption of a model code. Staff is recommending
adoption of the 2018 edition of International Fire Code (I FC) along with local amendments. The
Board of Appeals voted to recommend adoption at its Dec. 20 meeting. The notable changes are
set forth in the attached memo from the Fire Marshal.
Background /Analysis:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Memorandum from Fire Marshal
Board of Appeals Draft Minutes 12-20-18
Ordinance
r'i _-'WMffnq,
CITY OF IOWA CITY
Date: November 8, 2018
To: Board. of Appeals
From: Brian Greer, Fire Marshal
MEMORANDUM
Re: Notable changes to the 2018 edition of the International Fire Code
The fire department presents for your review, notable changes to the 2018 International Fire Code (IFC).
1049 NEW. SECTION. Alternative materials, design and methods of construction and
equipment- This allows the fire code official to accept a proposed a material, design, or
method of construction if it complies with the intent of the provisions of this code.
105.6.30 NEW SECTION. Mobile food preparation vehicles — Requires a permit for mobile food
preparation vehicles equipped with appliances that produce smoke of grease -laden
vapors.
202 NEW DEFD TTIONS. General Definitions — New definitions to provide a more
complete list of general definitions.
315.7 NEW SECTION. Outdoor pallet storage — Provides requirements for the outdoor
storage of idle pallets.
319 NEW SECTION. Mobile Food Preparation Vehicles — The requirements in this section
discuss requirements for exhaust hoods, fire protection, storage, and fuel systems
associated with mobile food preparation vehicles.
404.2.3 REVISED SECTION. Lockdown plans — Provides additional guidance on procedures,
methods, training, and drills associated with a code compliant lockdown plan.
510 REVISED SECTION. Emergency Responder Radio Coverage — Requirements for
emergency responder radio coverage have been revised to address industry and
equipment enhancements.
607. NEW EXCEPTIONS. Commercial Kitchen Hoods —New exceptions regarding whether
a Type 1 hood is required.
2
Chap. 7 REVISED CHAPTER. Chapter 7- Fire and Smoke Protection Features — A large
percentage of this chapter has been added or amended to include more detail related to
this topic.
807.4 NEW SECTION. Artificial decorative vegetation — Establishes limitations on where
and how much artificial decorative vegetation is allowed.
901.4.6 MODIFIED SECTION. Pump and riser room size — Additional sections provide
requirements for access, door markings, environment, and lighting in these rooms.
901.6.2 NEW SECTION. Integrated testing — Establishes requirements for testing where
multiple fire protection systems and life safety systems are integrated.
903.2.1 MODIFIED SECTION. Sprinklers in Group A Occupancies — This section clarifies the
requirements for fire sprinkler protection in Group A occupancies.
903.2.3 MODIFIED SECTION. Sprinklers in Group E Occupancies — Establishes new
threshold for installation of automatic sprinkler system in all Group E fire areas with an
occupant load of greater than 300 persons.
903.3.1.2.3 NEW SECTION. Protection of Attics in Group R Occupancies — Sprinkler protection
of mid -rise, multi -family buildings equipped with a NTPA 13R sprinkler system.
904.13 MODIFIED SECTION. Domestic Cooking in Institutional Occupancies — Establishes
requirements for the protection of domestic cooking appliances in care facilities by an
automatic fire -extinguishing system.
907.2.10 DELETED SECTION. Group R4 Fire Alarm System — Fire alarm systems are no
longer required in Group R-4 occupancies.
910.5 MODIFIED SECTION. Maintenance of Smoke and Heat Removal Equipment —
Maintenance and testing frequencies for smoke and heat vents and mechanical smoke
removal are now specified in the code.
916 MODIFIED SECTION. Gas Detection Systems — Requirements for gas detection
systems are clarified and consolidated in this section.
1006.3 MODIFIED SECTION. Exits on Adjacent Stories — Clarifies egress requirements when
the occupants travel to an adjacent story to reach an exit.
1010.1.1 CLARIFICATION. Size of Doors — Requirements for the size of doors is revised to
correlate with ICC Al 17.1.
1010.1.4.4 NEW SECTION. Locking Arrangements in Educational Occupancies — Provide
guidance to allow enhanced security measures that still meet egress requirements for
classrooms.
1010.3 NEW SECTION. Turnstiles — This section allows security turnstiles, or similar barriers,
in the means of egress path.
1031.1 MODIFIED SECTION. Inspection and l esting of Emergency Egress Lighting
Provides inspection and testing requirements for emergency egress lighting.
Chap. 12 NEW SECTION. Energy Systems — This new chapter has been added to the IFC to
address all configurations of energy systems which includes emergency power, standby
power, stationary battery storage, and other methods of energy generation and storage.
2311.8 MODIFIED SECTION. Repair of Vehicles Fueled by Lighter -than -air Fuels — Updated
requirements for repairing vehicles fueled by compressed or liquified gas to address
current Technologies and processes.
2810 NEW SECTION. Outdoor Storage of Pallets at Pallet Manufacturing and Recycling
Facilities — Provides criteria for outdoor pallet including height limits and separation to
property lines.
3106 NEW SECTION. Outdoor Assembly Events — This section adds requirements specific
to outdoor public gatherings and was prompted by several fatal events where structural
failures have occurred.
3304.5 MODIFIED SECTION. Fire Watch During Construction and Demolition — Criteria for
fire watch and clarification to the functions and duties of the fire watch personnel.
Chap. 39 NEW SECTION. Processing and Extraction Facilities — This new chapter was added to
specifically regulate the process of extracting oils from plant material.
5103 NEW SECTION. Aerosol Cooking Spray Products — Specifies fire protection
requirements for aerosol. Other sections include. 5104,2.2, 5104.3.3, 5104.8, 5106.2.2.
5307.1 MODIFIED SECTION. Liquid Carbon Dioxide Systems for Beverage Dispensing —
requirements for liquified CO2 in beverage dispensing applications has been correlated
with requirements for gas detection systems.
5307.4 NEW SECTION. Carbon Dioxide Enrichment Systems — Enrichment systems with
greater than 100 pounds of CO2 are now regulated by the IFC with facilities expanding
due to the proliferation of indoor marijuana cultivation.
5707 NEW SECTION. Mobile Fueling Operations — Requirements applicable to on -demand
mobile fueling, permits, and the explicit authority given to the fire code official to
regulate these operations.
Chap. N NEW SECTION. Indoor Trade Shows and Exhibitions — This new chapter provides
specific regulations to address the hazards associated with large trade shows and
exhibitions.
MINUTES PRELIMINARY
IOWA CITY BOARD OF APPEALS
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2018
EMMA HARVAT HALL, CITY HALL
410 E. WASHINGTON STREET
IOWA CITY, IA 52240
MEMBERS PRESENT: Andrea French, Andy Martin, Scott McDonough, Jim Walker
MEMBERS ABSENT: John Gay
STAFF PRESENT: Tim Hennes (Sr. Building Inspector), Sue Dulek (Asst. City
Attorney), Danielle Sitzman (Development Services Coordinator), Brian Greer (Fire
Marshal), Jann Ream (Code Enforcement Specialist), Marnie Teagle (Code
Enforcement Specialist, acting as minute -taker)
OTHERS PRESENT: None
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL:
Recommended by a unanimous vote (4-0) to proceed with the adoption of the 2018 International Building
Code with amendments, the 2018 International Residential Code with amendments, the adoption by
reference of the State Electrical, Plumbing and Mechanical codes and the 2018 International Fire Code
with amendments.
CALL TO ORDER:
Tim Hennes called the meeting to order at 4:02 PM
ELECTION OF OFFICERS:
MOTION: McDonough moved to elect Andrea French as chairperson of the Board of Appeals. Walker
seconded.
VOTE: French was elected as chairperson of the BOA by a 4-0 unanimous vote.
Martin moved to elect Scott McDonough as vice -chair of the Board of Appeals. Walker seconded.
VOTE: McDonough was elected vice -chair of the BOA by a 4-0 unanimous vote.
Discussion and possible recommendation to City Council regarding the adoption of the 2018 International
Building, Residential and Fire Codes.
Hennes started the discussion by pointing out the memorandum in the meeting packet that delineates the
most notable changes in the 2018 codes. He said he would briefly go through the notable changes and
board members could ask questions as he went over them.
Hennes highlighted a main change in section R314 of the 2018 code which states that remodels would be
required to install interconnected smoke detectors in the entire house even in the rooms not affected by
the remodel. This exception is the same as the 2015 code and would continue to make this not a
requirement. Hennes explained that the reasons for this exception are that the wireless technology is not
readily available and the costliness involved.
McDonough asked about the first item on the memo, Table R301.2(1) regarding Manual J criteria for
HVAC contractors and how it affects this location. Hennes explained that the IRC already has a table that
gives design criteria to HVAC contractors for specific areas, similar to landscaping zones throughout the
country. This table allows the constant numbers (some examples are average temperatures, snow loads
2
for specific locations) to be plugged into the computer software that HVAC contractors use to design
heating and cooling systems.
Hennes noted that the plumbing, electrical and mechanical codes are mandated by the State of Iowa. The
State adopts the National Electrical Code which can be made more restrictive. The adoption of the 2018
Uniform Plumbing Code and International Mechanical Code is currently in the works and will be finalized in
the first quarter of 2019.
Hennes discussed the amendment 422.2.1 of the UPC which was a request from a member of the public.
This amendment will require single user restrooms to have signage indicating usage by either sex. Note,
this is an item included in the 2018 UPC which will be adopted by the State.
Hennes commented on the draft of the UPC regarding a requirement that all CSST gas piping have an arc
fault protection, like a protective coating, which could eliminate the use of yellow CSST. The draft also
proposes amending the single stack drainage system which is an engineered plumbing system with a
bigger pipe allowing multiple fitting without separate venting.
Hennes noted that he met with Homebuilders Association and they sent a letter of support agreeing with
the amendments.
Greer explained that the he would discuss a few of the items on the memorandum regarding the
International Fire Code.
Greer explained that for kitchen hood systems in restaurants, it is required to add rolling castor docks to
fryers so that they can be placed in the appropriate location. This has been a local requirement for
approximately a year and a half and is common practice along the corridor. This now is formalized by
section 607.4.
For code 901.6.02, Greer describes the use of "The Compliance Engine" which is a resource tool that fire
company contractors use when inspecting fire alarms and sprinkler systems. If the report they generate
shows a deficiency, the system automatically sends out a letter on Fire Department letterhead to the
company. Greer advised the time saved using this tool equals one quarter to one half a person. Greer
has used this system for about 2 years, North Liberty has used it for 5 years, Cedar Rapids for 2 years,
and Coralville just started.
Greer briefly described section 901.7 which details expectations for fire watch.
For section 905.4 Greer explained that for standpipe systems this code cycle changed back from
installation on intermediate landings to main floor landings. Greer explained that since Roger Jenson was
Fire Marshal, installation was on intermediate landings. Fire personnel are trained for intermediate
landings. For consistency, Greer has revised this section to continue to remain using intermediate
landings.
Hennes advised code cycles are every three years. When the 2015 codes were adopted, the prior code
was the 2009 code as the 2012 code cycle was skipped because there were no significate changes.
Hennes advised that numbering issues and other unintended issues result from skipping a code cycle.
Greer advised that the Fire Department did adopt the 2012 code as accreditation requires the most current
code.
MOTION: McDonough moved that the adoption of the 2018 International Building Code with amendments,
the 2018 International Residential Code with amendments, the adoption by reference of the State
Electrical, Plumbing and Mechanical Codes and the 2018 International Fire Code with amendments be
recommended to City Council. Martin seconded.
VOTE: The motion passed by a unanimous vote 4-0.
OTHER DISCUSSION
3
Board members discussed the City's climate action committee as they look to learn more about energy
usage. Hennes advised that tiny houses are now listed in the code's appendix and is a topic for possible
future review. Solar readiness, solar permits and the initial costs of such projects are also issues of
interest. Radon tests on new homes were discussed. Downtown construction projects were mentioned.
Adjourned at 4:26 PM
Chairperson, Board of Appeals Date
Prepared by: Brian Greer, Fire Marshal, 410 E.Washington Street, Iowa City, IA 52240
Ordinance No. -
Ordinance amending Title 7, Chapter 1, Fire Prevention and
Protection, by adopting the 2018 edition of the International Fire Code
to regulate and govern the safeguarding of life and property from fire,
explosion, life safety risks, or health hazards.
Now, therefore be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Iowa City, Iowa:
Section I. Amendment.
1. Section 1, entitled, "Fire Code Adopted," is hereby deleted and the following new Section
1 is inserted in lieu thereof:
That a certain document, one (1) copy of which is on file in the office of the City Clerk of the
City of Iowa City, being marked and designated as the International Fire Code, 2018 edition,
including errata and Appendix Chapters B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, and N as published by the
International Code Council, be and is hereby adopted as the Fire Code of the City of Iowa City,
in the State of Iowa regulating and governing the safeguarding of life and property from fire and
explosion hazards arising from the storage, handling and use of hazardous substances,
materials and devices, and from conditions hazardous to life or property in the occupancy of
buildings and premises as herein provided, providing for the issuance of permits and each, and
all of the regulations, provisions, penalties, conditions and terms of said Fire Code on file in the
office of the City Clerk are hereby referred to, adopted and made a part hereof, as if fully set out
in this ordinance, with the additions, insertions, deletions and changes, prescribed in the
following sections of this ordinance.
2. Section 2, entitled "Amendments to Fire Code," is deleted in its entirety and the following
new Section 2 is inserted in lieu thereof:
That the following sections are hereby revised:
Section 101.1 Insert: Iowa City, Iowa
Section 102.1 Modify by adding a fifth applicability requirement to the end as follows:
5. All A-2 Occupancies that existed prior to August 1, 2007 with an occupant load of 100-
298 with an ABDL shall comply with Section 903.2.1.2, provided that there is a change in
business ownership, defined as the sale, transfer, or assignment of any legal or equitable
ownership interest, except that the owner may show to the building official's satisfaction that
said change in ownership is one of form and not substance.
Section 104.1.1 Add a new section to read as follows: The code official and members of the fire
prevention bureau shall have the powers of a peace officer in performing their duties under this
Code.
Section 104.1.2 Add a new section to read as follows: The Fire Chief may appoint and
designate such members of the Fire Department as fire/police investigators upon being certified
by the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy. Fire/police investigators shall have the powers of a
peace officer in performing their duties under this Code, including full powers of arrest to
Ordinance No.
Page 2
effectuate their duties of enforcing city ordinances and state statutes. Notwithstanding his/her
status as a peace officer, a fire/police investigator shall be subject to the rules and regulations of
the Iowa City Fire Department for all purposes and shall perform such functions as the Fire
Chief shall assign.
Section 104.12 Add a new section to read as follows: The code official is authorized to order an
operation or use stopped, or the evacuation of any premises, building, or vehicle or portion
thereof which has or is a fire, life safety or health hazard.
Section 105.2 Add a sentence to the end of the section to read as follows: Application for an
operational permit shall be submitted with all required information not less than 14 days prior to
the event requiring a permit.
Section 105.4 Add a sentence to the end of the section to read as follows: The fire code official
at the official's sole discretion may send plans to a qualified agency for review. The fire code
official shall designate the plans review agency. The applicant shall pay all fees associated with
the plan review directly to the outside agency. A certificate of occupancy shall not be issued
until the review fees have been paid.
Section 105.6 Add a sentence to the end of the section to read as follows: The fire code official
at their discretion may send plans for operational permits requests to an outside agency for
review. The fire code official shall designate the plans review agency. The applicant shall pay all
fees associated with the plan review directly to the outside agency. The permit shall not be
issued until the review fees have been paid.
Section 109. Delete in its entirety and insert in lieu thereof: See Title 17, Chapter 12 of this
Code.
Section 110.4 Delete the section and replace with: Persons who shall violate a provision of this
code or shall fail to comply with any of the requirements thereof or who shall erect, install, alter,
repair or do work in violation of the approved construction documents or directive of the fire
code official, or of a permit or certificate used under provisions of this code, shall be guilty of a
simple misdemeanor or municipal infraction, as prescribed in Title 1, Chapter 4 of this Code.
Each day that a violation continues after due notice has been served shall be deemed a
separate offense.
Section 112.4 Delete the section and replace with: No person shall continue any work after
having been served with a stop work order, except such work as that person is directed to
perform to remove a violation or unsafe condition
Section 202 Add a new definition to read as follows: Code Official. The Chief Officer of the Fire
Department, the Fire Marshal, or the Chiefs authorized representative.
Section 202 Add a new definition to read as follows: Crowd Management. Crowd
management meshes the design features of a facility, the established operating features of that
facility, and an understanding of the occupants' expected natural behavior in that facility for a
specific type of event.
Section 202 Add a new definition to read as follows: Emergency Communication Center. The
Johnson County Joint Emergency Communications Center.
Ordinance No.
Page 3
Section 202 Add a sentence to the end of Fire Lane definition to read as follows: See City
Code 9-4-13 for additional rules and regulations.
Section 307 See also 6-6 of this Code.
Section 307.1.2 Add a new section to read as follows: Hours of operation. A person shall not
maintain any outdoor burning from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. unless permitted and approved by the fire
code official.
Section 401.9 Add a new section to read as follows: Building evacuation. Upon activation of
the building fire alarm system or upon notification by other means of detecting and reporting
unwanted fire, all building occupants shall promptly evacuate the building.
Exception: When the emergency evacuation plan, as approved by the fire code official,
does not require the immediate total evacuation of the building.
Section 402.1 Add a new definition to read as follows: Crowd Management. Crowd
management meshes the design features of a facility, the established operating features of that
facility, and an understanding of the occupants' expected natural behavior in that facility for a
specific type of event.
Section 403.2.5 Add a new section to read as follows: A-2 Occupancy Crowd Managers.
Group A-2 occupancies shall be provided with a minimum of one (1) trained crowd manager
anytime occupancy reaches 50 or more. Where the occupant load exceeds 250, additional
trained crowd managers shall be provided at a ratio of one (1) crowd manager for every 250
occupants. The crowd manager shall annually receive training approved by the fire code official
in crowd management techniques.
Section 405.2 Add to the end of the section as follows: Fire and evacuation drills in Group E
occupancies shall be conducted in accordance with Section 100.31 of the Code of Iowa.
Emergency evacuation/fire drills shall be conducted at least four times a year. Not less than two
drills shall be conducted between July 1 and December 31 each year and not less than two
drills shall be conducted between January 1 and June 30 of each year. The Iowa City Fire
Department shall conduct one of the two drills during July 1 and December 31 and one of the
two drills during January 1 and June 30 of each year. Fire drills in Group R, Division 2,
Fraternities and Sororities, shall be conducted once per academic semester.
Section 405.2 Table Add footnote e. as follows: Group E occupancies, excluding Preschools
and Daycares shall conduct fire and evacuation drills at least four times a year in accordance
with Section100.31 of the Code of Iowa. Footnote shall be added to Group E occupancy
frequency.
Section 503.2.9 Add a new section to read as follows: Thickness. Fire apparatus access roads
shall be constructed of Portland cement concrete conforming to the specifications of the Iowa
Department of Transportation C-3 or M-3 mixes. The concrete access road shall be a minimum
of 7 inches thick over compacted soil.
Section 505.1 Delete the section and replace with: New and existing buildings shall have
approved address numbers, building numbers or approved building identification placed in a
position that is plainly legible and visible from the street or road fronting the property. Address
identification characters shall contrast with their background. Address numbers shall be Arabic
Ordinance No.
Page 4
numbers or alphabetical letters. Numbers shall be a minimum of 4 inches high with a minimum
stroke width of 0.5 inch. From 100-199 ft from the street the number shall be a minimum of 6
inches high with a minimum stroke of 0.5 inches. From 200-299 ft from the street the number
shall be a minimum of 8 inches high with a minimum stroke of 0.5 inches. For each additional
100 ft from the street, the number shall increase by an additional 2 inches in height.
Measurements to determine the minimum number size shall be measured from the approved
address location to the center line of the street for which the premises is addressed. Where
access is by means of a private road and the building cannot be viewed from the public way, a
monument, pole or other sign or means shall be used to identify the structure. Address
identification shall be maintained.
Section 506.1 Add a sentence to the end of the section to read as follows: An approved key
box shall be installed in an approved location on all new construction.
Exception: Group R-3 and unsecured R-2 occupancies.
Section 507.3 Delete the section and replace with: Fire flow. Fire flow requirements for
buildings or portions of buildings shall be determined by "Appendix B" of this code.
Section 507.5.1 Delete exceptions 1 & 2.
Section 507.5.1.1 Delete the section and replace with: Hydrant for fire sprinkler and standpipe
systems. A fire hydrant shall be located not more than 100 feet from a fire sprinkler or
standpipe system connection on hard surface, easily accessible by fire apparatus and meeting
the approval of the Code Official.
Section 507.5.7 Add a new section to read as follows: Fire hydrant threads: All new hydrants
within the limits of Iowa City installed after January 1, 2020 shall have National Standard
Threads (NST) on the two and one-half (2 1/2) inch connections and the four and one-half (4
1/2) inch connection will have a Storz connection.
Section 510.1 Delete exception 1.
Section 604.9 Delete the section and replace with: Temporary wiring. Temporary wiring for
electrical power and lighting installations is allowed for a period not to exceed 90 days for
holiday decorative lighting, carnivals and similar purposes. Temporary wiring methods shall
meet the applicable provisions of the Iowa City Electrical Code.
Exception: Temporary wiring for electrical power and lighting installations is allowed during
periods of construction, remodeling, repair or demolition of buildings, structures, equipment or
similar activities. Temporary wiring methods shall meet the applicable provisions of the Iowa
City Electrical Code.
Section 604.10 Delete the section and replace with: Portable electric space heaters. Portable
electric space heaters shall comply with Sections 604.10.1 through 604.10.6.
Section 604.10.6 Add a new section to read as follows: Fully enclosed. Portable, electric
space heaters shall be fully enclosed space heaters that by design have no external surfaces
that reach temperatures capable of igniting materials placed against the surface.
Section 606.7 Add a sentence to the end of the section to read as follows: The Fire Code
Official may require an approved elevator key box in an approved location to secure required
elevator keys.
Ordinance No.
Page 5
Section 607.4 Delete the last sentence and replace with: Movement of new and existing
cooking appliances with caster(s) under a Type 1 hood shall be limited by an approved floor
mounted restraining device and flexible gas connector installed in accordance with the
connector and appliance manufacturer's instructions.
Section 804.5 Add a new section to read as follows: Maintenance. The interior finish of
buildings shall be maintained in accordance with the conditions of original approval. Any
change to the interior finish that is regulated by the provisions of this code or the building code
shall be made in accordance with all applicable requirements.
Section 806.1 Add a sentence to the end of the section to read as follows: Natural or resin-
bearing cut trees and natural decorative vegetation used in buildings open to the general public
shall be properly treated with an approved flame retardant.
Section 807.5.2.1 Delete exception 2.
Section 807.5.5.1 Delete exception 2.
Section 901.2 (a) Add a new section to read as follows: Water based fire protection systems.
Working plans submitted to the fire department for water based fire protection systems shall be
stamped and approved by a qualified person to be in compliance with applicable NFPA
standards and the Iowa City Fire Code. Any changes to the working plans shall be approved by
a qualified person. A qualified person shall have a minimum National Institute for Certification in
Engineering Technologies [NICET] Level III certification for Automatic Sprinkler System Layout
OR be a licensed engineer with experience in life safety system design. Other qualifications
may be approved by the code official.
Section 901.2 (b) Add a new section to read as follows: Fire alarm systems. Working plans
submitted to the fire department by a qualified person for fire alarm systems shall be stamped
and approved by a qualified person to be in compliance with applicable NFPA standards and
the Iowa City Fire Code. Any changes to the working plans shall be approved by a qualified
person. A qualified person shall have a minimum National Institute for Certification in
Engineering Technologies [NICET] Level III certification for Fire Alarm Systems OR be a
licensed engineer with experience in life safety system design. Other qualifications may be
approved by the code official.
Section 901.6.3.2 Add a new section to read as follows: Inspection record submission.
Contractors who perform installation, inspection, testing, and/or maintenance services on fire
and life safety systems are required to electronically submit all installation and compliant & non-
compliant inspection reports to the Fire Department via a method approved by the Fire Code
Official within 30 calendar days of the installation/inspection date. Reports submitted after 30
calendar days may incur late fees.
Section 901.7 Add a section to the end of the section to read as follows: A person assigned to
fire watch must walk through the building at least once every 30 minutes checking for fire or
smoke. A fire watch must be continued until the fire alarm system and/or fire protection system
has been restored to normal operating condition or the building has been evacuated. A
competent adult familiar with the building must conduct the fire watch. If a fire is discovered, 911
shall be called immediately and the building evacuated.
Ordinance No.
Page 6
Section 903.2.1.2 Delete Section 903.2.1.2 and insert in lieu thereof the following:
Section 903.2.1.2
A. New Group A-2 Occupancies. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for fire
areas containing Group A-2 occupancies and intervening floors of the building where one of
the following conditions exist:
1)The fire area exceeds 5,000 square feet;
2)The fire area has an occupant load of 100 or more; or
3) The fire area is located on a floor other than the level of exit discharge.
B. Existing Group A-2 Occupancies that existed prior to August 1, 2007:
An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout the A-2 occupancy with an
occupant load of 100 or more that have an ABDL and there is a change in business
ownership, defined as the sale, transfer, or assignment of any legal or equitable ownership
interest, except that the owner may show to the building official's satisfaction that said
change in ownership is one of form and not substance.
Section 903.2.1.8 Add a new Section to read as follows: An automatic sprinkler system shall be
provided throughout buildings and portions thereof used as new Group B occupancies with an
ABDL or existing group B occupancy with a new (not a renewal) ABDL located on a floor other
than the level of exit discharge. The automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout the
floor area where the new Group B occupancy with an ABDL or where the group B occupancy
with a new ABDL is located and in all floors between the Group B occupancy and the level of
exit discharge.
Section 903.2.2 Delete the section and replace with: Ambulatory care facilities. An automatic
sprinkler system shall be installed throughout all fire areas containing an ambulatory care facility
and all floors between the ambulatory care facility and the level of exit discharge serving such a
facility.
Section 903.3.5.3 Add a new section to read as follows: Water supply safety margin. Automatic
sprinkler systems shall be designed with a minimum of 10% or 5 psi safety margin (whichever is
greater) above static pressure in the fire protection system hydraulic calculations.
Section 903.4.2 Delete the section and replace with: Alarms. An approved weatherproof
horn/strobe device shall be mounted directly above the fire department connection between
seven (7) and ten (10) feet in height above grade. The water-flow alarm device shall be
activated by water flow equivalent to the flow of a single sprinkler of the smallest orifice size
installed in the system. Approved and supervised audible visual notification appliances shall be
installed on each level of the interior of the building as required by the fire code official and
NFPA 72.
Section 903.7 Add a new section to read as follows: Zones. Automatic sprinkler system zones
shall not exceed the area permitted by NFPA 13 or NFPA 13R and shall provide a sprinkler
control valve and waterflow device for each normally occupied floor. The location of sprinkler
control valves must be approved by the fire code official.
Section 905.1.1 Add a new section to read as follows: delete all references to Class II
standpipe systems and replace with Class III standpipe systems.
Section 905.4 Requirement #1 Delete the section and replace with: In every required interior
exit stairway, a hose connection shall be provided for each story above and below grade plane.
Ordinance No.
Page 7
Hose connections shall be located at intermediate landing between stories, unless otherwise
approved by the fire code official.
Section 906.1 Delete exceptions 1 & 2 without substitution.
Section 906.3 Add a sentence to the end of the section to read as follows: The minimum rating
of any required portable fire extinguisher for Class A, Class B, or Class C hazard shall be 2-A,
10-B C.
Section 907.1.4 Add a new section to read as follows: Fire alarm control panels and Fire alarm
annunciator panels. Installation of fire alarm control panels and fire alarm annunciator panels
shall be installed in accordance with section 907.1.4.1 through 907.1.4.5.
Section 907.1.4.1 Add a new section to read as follows: Fire Alarm Panel Height: Installation of
fire alarm panels shall not exceed 6 feet in height measured from the floor to the top of the
panel. Exception: Panel height may be altered by the code official.
Section 907.1.4.2 Add a new section to read as follows: Number of Fire Alarm Control Panels
in Buildings: Only one listed fire alarm control panel shall be allowed per building and shall lock
in the alarm until the system is reset and shall not be canceled by the operation of an audible –
alarm silencing switch. This control panel shall only receive alarm signals from fire protection
equipment.
Section 907.1.4.3 Add a new section to read as follows: Combination Fire/Security Alarm
System Panels. A listed combination fire/security alarm system panel that meets all the
requirements of this code and amendments may be permitted by approval of the fire code
official. The fire/security panel shall be capable of providing a signal that can differentiate
between the fire and security alarm.
Section 907.1.4.4 Add a new section to read as follows: Password/PIN Protection Prohibited:
Fire alarm control panels and/or fire alarm annunciator panels that require a password/PIN to
silence an alarm/supervisory/trouble signal and/or to reset an alarm/supervisory/trouble signal
shall be prohibited.
Section 907.1.4.5 Add a new section to read as follows: Fire Alarm Annunciator Panels: The
fire code official can require the addition of fire alarm annunciator panels based on the size of
building and access to the building. These panels shall meet the requirements of Sections
907.1.4 and 907.2.
Section 907.2 Delete the section and replace with: Where required—new buildings and
structures. An approved and addressable manual, automatic, or manual and automatic fire
alarm system installed in accordance with the provisions of this code and NFPA 72 shall be
provided in new buildings and structures in accordance with Sections 907.2.1 through 907.2.23
and provide occupant notification in accordance with 907.5, unless other requirements are
provided by another section of this code or the fire code official.
A minimum of one manual fire alarm box shall be provided in an approved location to initiate
a fire alarm signal for fire alarm systems employing automatic fire detectors or water-flow
detection devices. Where other sections of this code allow elimination of fire alarm boxes due
to sprinklers, a single fire alarm box shall be installed.
Exceptions:
Ordinance No.
Page 8
1. The manual fire alarm box is not required for fire alarm systems dedicated to elevator
recall control and supervisory service.
2. The manual fire alarm box is required for Group R-2 occupancies to provide a means
for fire watch personnel to initiate an alarm during a sprinkler system impairment event.
The manual fire alarm box shall not be located in an area that is accessible to the public.
3. Multi-tenant buildings required to have a manual/automatic fire alarm system shall
install a minimum of one manual pull station per tenant space.
Section 907.2.1 Delete the exception in Section 907.2.1 in its entirety and insert in lieu thereof
the following exceptions:
Exceptions:
1. Except for Group A-2 occupancies with occupant loads of 200 or more, manual fire
alarm boxes are not required where the building is equipped throughout with an
automatic sprinkler system and the alarm notification appliances will activate upon
sprinkler water flow.
2. Group A-2. An automatic/manual fire alarm system shall be installed in Group A-2
occupancies with occupant loads of 200 or more. Activation of the fire alarm shall
additionally cause:
a. Illumination of the protected premises to not less than 10 foot-candles over
the area of the room at a height of 30 inches above the floor; and
b. All conflicting or confusing sounds and visual distraction to automatically stop.
Section 907.2.3 Modify by adding a sentence to the end of the first paragraph as follows:
New and existing educational occupancies shall have a monitored fire alarm system.
Section 907.2.3 Modify by adding a 5th exception as follows:
5. Day care occupancies classified as Group E Occupancy shall not require a monitored fire
alarm system unless required elsewhere in the code.
Section 907.2.9.1 Delete exception 2 without substitution.
Section 907.2.10.2 Modify by adding a fourth location requirement as follows:
4. Supervised smoke alarms shall be installed in all common corridors and at the top and
bottom of all stairway enclosures in Groups R-2, R-3, R-4, and I-1 occupancies. In
corridors, detectors shall be located within fifteen (15) feet of the end of the corridor and
in such a way that one detector is located for each thirty (30) feet of corridor length or
spaced as allowed by the code.
Section 907.2.12.2 Delete the section without substitution.
Section 907.4.2 Add a sentence to the end of the section to read as follows: Where in the
opinion of the code official manual fire alarm boxes may be used to cause false fire alarms, the
code official is authorized to modify the requirements for manual fire alarm boxes.
Section 907.6.4 Modify by deleting the exception and inserting in lieu thereof: Exception:
Automatic sprinkler system zones shall not exceed the area permitted by NFPA 13 and shall
provide a sprinkler control valve and waterflow device for each normally occupied floor.
Section 907.6.4.3 Add a section to read as follows: Zone and address location labeling. Fire
alarm and/or annunciator panels shall have all zones and address points plainly and
Ordinance No.
Page 9
permanently labeled as to their location on the outside of the panel or on an easily readable
map of the building, if no display is present.
Section 907.6.6 Add to the end of the section as follows: Each address point identification shall
have an alpha/numeric descriptor location. Alpha/numeric descriptor locations are required to be
reported to the Emergency Communications Center upon activation of alarm conditions as
specified by the fire code official. Supervisory alarm conditions are required to be reported to
the fire code official by an approved manner.
Section 907.11 Add a new section to read as follows: Approved hold open devices. When
installed in buildings that have a fire alarm system and/or sprinkler system, all approved hold
open devices shall release upon activation of a fire alarm and/or sprinkler water-flow activation.
Section 912.4.1 Delete the section and replace with: Locking fire department connection caps.
Locking fire department connection caps approved by the fire department are required for all
new construction that have a water-based fire protection system and existing structures that
have a water-based fire protection system shall be required immediately after conducting the
five-year obstruction and maintenance testing, or if one or more of the fire department caps are
missing.
Section 912.8 Add a section to read as follows: Size. Minimum fire department connection
size shall be 2 '/z" National Standard Thread.
Section 1029.2 Add the following exception:
Exception: The main entrance/exit of A-2 occupancies shall be of a width that
accommodates not less than two-thirds of the total occupant load.
Section 1030.1 Modify by deleting exceptions 1 and 3.
Section 5003.5 Add a sentence to the end of the section to read as follows: Signs shall also
comply with the requirements of the Iowa Right to Know law.
Section 5704.2.9 Add a sentence to the end of the section to read as follows: For aboveground
storage tanks of 276 gallons capacity or more, the minimum distance between such
aboveground tanks and any Residential Zone boundary must be at least 100 feet. If the
aboveground tank is located in an approved vault, the minimum separation distance from a
Residential Zone boundary may be reduced to no less than 50 feet.
Section 5704.2.11.1 Add a #4 to the end of the section to read as follows:
4. A minimum distance of ten (10)feet shall be maintained between underground tanks and
any Residential Zone boundary.
Section 5704.2.13.2.4 Add a section to read as follows: Existing above-ground tank hazards.
Existing above-ground tank installations, even if previously approved, that are determined to
constitute a hazard by the fire code official, shall not be continued in service. Unsafe tanks shall
be removed as required by the fire code official and in accordance with this code.
That the geographic limits referred to in certain sections of the 2018 International Fire Code are
hereby established as follows:
Ordinance No.
Page 10
Section 5704.2.9.6.1. The storage of Class I and Class II liquids in above-ground tanks outside
of buildings is prohibited in the entire City of Iowa City, Iowa.
Exception: Zones 11&2, CI 1 and/or as approved by the Fire Chief.
Section 5706.2.4.4. The storage of Class I and Class II liquids in above-ground tanks is
prohibited in the entire City of Iowa City, Iowa.
Exception: Zones I 1&2, CI 1 and/or as approved by the Fire Chief.
Section 6104.2. The storage of liquefied petroleum gas is prohibited in the entire City of Iowa
City, Iowa.
Exception: Zones 11&2, CI 1 and/or as approved by the Fire Chief.
Section II. Repealer. All ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with the provisions of
this Ordinance are hereby repealed.
Section III. Severability. If any section, provision or part of the Ordinance shall be adjudged
to be invalid or unconstitutional, such adjudication shall not affect the validity of the Ordinance as
a whole or any section, provision or part thereof not adjudged invalid or unconstitutional.
Section IV. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect after final passage,
approval and publication, as provided by law.
Passed and approved this day of , 2019.
Mayor
Attest:
City Clerk
Approved by:
la -d� ^ tg
City Attorney's Office
Ordinance No.
Page
It was moved by and seconded by that the
Ordinance as read be adopted, and upon roll call there were:
AYES: NAYS: ABSENT:
Cole
slims
Salih
Taylor
Teague
Thomas
Throgmorton
First Consideration 01/22/2019
Vote for passage: AYES: Thomas,Throgmorton, Cole, Mims, Salih,
Taylor, Teague. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None.
Second Consideration
Vote for passage:
Date published