HomeMy WebLinkAboutHPC Agenda packet 7.21.2021
IOWA CITY HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Wednesday, July 21, 2021
Electronic Meeting – 5:30 p.m.
Zoom Meeting Platform
Agenda
A) Call to Order
B) Roll Call
C) Public discussion of anything not on the agenda
D) Certificate of Appropriateness
1. HPC21-0056: 424 Summit Street – Summit Street Historic District (multiple exterior
alterations)
2. HPC21-0060: 718 Oakland Avenue – Longfellow Historic District (chimney demolition)
E) Commission Information
F) Adjournment
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Bristow, Urban Planning, at 319-356-5243 or at jessica-bristow@iowa-city.org. Early requests are strongly encouraged
to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.
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Staff Report July 19, 2021
Historic Review for HPC21-0056: 424 South Summit Street
District: Summit Street Historic District
Classification: Contributing
The applicant, Ben Anderson, is requesting approval for a proposed alteration project at 424 South Summit
Street, a Contributing property in the Summit Street Historic District. The project consists of the removal
and reconstruction of the deteriorated rear porch, the removal of the modern basement door, the
reconfiguration of windows in the former rear stairway, the replacement of the front porch roof and repair of
the internal gutter, and the replacement of several windows and window sashes.
Applicable Regulations and Guidelines:
4.0 Iowa City Historic Preservation Guidelines for Alterations
4.1 Balustrades and Handrails
4.5 Foundations
4.6 Gutters and Downspouts
4.10 Porches
4.11 Siding
4.13 Windows
4.14 Wood
5.0 Guidelines for Additions
5.1 Expansion of Building Footprint
7.0 Guidelines for Demolition
7.1 Demolition of Whole Structures or Significant Features
Staff Comments
Architectural Description: This two-story house was built ca. 1903 in the Shingle Style. The main form of the
house is a side-facing main gable with a front-facing gable and a secondary side-facing gable intersecting the
front-facing gable. The chimney is terminated in decorative brick-work. The wrap-around front porch has
simple Classical columns and a decorative balustrade. The first floor has clapboard siding and corner boards
while the floors above have shingle siding. The house has a second-floor canted bay in the front, two first-
floor canted bays on the north side, and a mix of projections, gables and decorative windows that are
hallmarks of the Shingle Style. A second-floor rear sleeping porch was enclosed and altered with a 1961
kitchen remodel. The rear porch was partially enclosed and the basement entry cover was added between
1973 and 1983. The house had a garage or possibly even an earlier carriage house in the basement prior to the
exterior garage being built in 1935. The house had been owned by the same family since 1944 and has been
unoccupied for decades.
Proposed Project: The applicant is proposing multiple projects as part of a major rehabilitation project.1 The
rear porch, heavily deteriorated and partially supported on the old cistern, will be removed and rebuilt with
the same footprint(1). The roof will be a low-slope roof with relatively little overhang and clad in EPDM. The
new porch will be supported on piers aligned under the columns. The columns will be simple 6-inch by 6-
inch square columns supporting a continuous frieze board. Since a railing will be required, the balustrade will
be a solid balustrade with lap siding matching the lap on the house and a top rail, above which, screens will be
installed. The existing stairs and screen door will be reinstalled. The stair railing will be constructed to meet
the guidelines.
1 The staff report includes exterior photos with elements of the work keyed to the project information provided by the
applicant. Those tags are included in this description for reference. The applicant’s information is provided following the
staff report.
The lower of the two small windows in the former rear staircase will be removed and the upper window will
be reinstalled so that the head aligns with the other first floor windows (4). The siding and trim will match the
existing. The adjacent exterior basement entry will be removed entirely and the opening will be patched with
foundation material and siding to match the existing (5). For the front porch roof, the EPDM will be
removed and the internal gutters repaired (3). The roof will be clad in asphalt shingles to match the house.
Some windows and/or sashes will be replaced because of deterioration. Staff has reviewed the condition of
the windows. One replacement window has deteriorated and needs to be replaced entirely (2a). In the rear
portion of the second floor, two windows need to have sashes replaced (2b1, 2b2). In the rear-most of the
two south facing gables, the sashes in the window need to be replaced (2c). The front attic gable window
needs repair (2d). The window sashes will be reconstructed and the frame will be removed, repaired, and
reinstalled.
Guidelines: The guidelines recommend the following:
Section 4.1 Balustrades and Handrails recommends replacing badly deteriorated components with ones that
match the historic components in design and material. Top and foot rails should be at least 2 inches in
thickness. Square spindles should be 1 ½ inches or greater in width.
Section 4.5 Foundations recommends removing all non-historic materials and repairing or replacing, if
necessary, foundations with materials that appear similar to the existing materials in size, color, texture,
composition, and joint profile. Section 4.6 Gutters and Downspouts recommends repairing original built-in
gutters.
Section 4.10 Porches recommends repairing historic porches and conserving as much of the historic materials
as possible, replacing badly deteriorated components with new ones that match the historic components in
design and material. Vertical-grained Douglas fir flooring should be used. Support piers below the porch
columns should be left exposed.
Section 4.11 Siding recommends replacing deteriorated section of wood siding with new or salvaged wood
siding that matches the historic wood siding.
Section 4.13 Windows recommends preserving historic windows by repairing sashes and frames and retaining
historic windows frames and replacing badly deteriorated sashes with new sashes that match the historic ones.
It is recommended to replace badly deteriorated windows with new ones that match the type, size, sash width,
trim, use of divided lights, and overall appearance of the historic windows. It is recommended to use new
wood windows to replace deteriorated historic wood windows although the use of metal-clad, solid wood
windows is acceptable.
Section 5.1 Expansion of the building footprint recommends placing additions at the rear of a property and
using a palette of materials that is similar to that used on the historic structure. It is recommended to design
an addition so that it does not diminish the character of the historic structure. New porches should be
consistent with the historic building or similar to porches of the same architectural style. They should be
constructed with traditional porch construction with wood joists and wood flooring. Skirting should fill the
space between the porch floor and grade if the space is 24 inches of greater and should be constructed
between the porch piers. On Summit Street the rear wall of the primary structures must not extend deeper
than 125 feet from the front street.
Section 7.1 Demolition recommends removing additions that are . . . structurally unsound and are a safety
hazard. It is disallowed to remove any historic architectural feature, such as a porch . . .that is significant to
the architectural character and style of the building.
Staff recommendation: In Staff’s opinion, the rear porch, while historic has been altered and is deteriorated.
Its structural integrity is likely compromised by the location of the cistern. Staff recommends approval of the
porch’s demolition and reconstruction. Since the existing porch extends past the recommend 125-foot rear
yard extension, staff recommends granting an exception to this guideline in order to rebuilt the porch with its
current footprint.
While much of the proposed project involves building the porch to resemble the existing porch, the applicant
is proposing a screened porch instead of a partially enclosed or open porch. the proposed 6-inch by 6-inch
columns are recommended by staff to mimic the existing elements. This size column is the smallest standard
size typically approved. The front porch has round classical columns but there is no evidence that the rear
porch had similar columns. The porch currently has lap siding, which matches but does not align with the
first-floor siding on the house. It is possible that this siding covers a spindled balustrade and was added when
the porch was partially enclosed. Staff recommends including a solid balustrade (with lap siding matching and
aligning with the house siding) with an appropriate top rail in the reconstruction. The porch roof and eave
will match the existing with the inclusion of a frieze board supported by the columns and supporting the
roof. The application proposes to use flooring and ceiling materials to match the existing, which staff finds
appropriate.
The porch will sit on porch piers which the applicant has shown as simple posts aligned beneath the columns.
According to the foundation section of the guidelines, new porch piers, a part of the building foundation,
would match the existing. The front porch has brick piers which could be an appropriate material to match.
The applicant’s proposal to use posts matches the rear porch’s existing condition. If the Commission finds
that the new piers should match the front porch piers, the recommendation below should be modified to
include this condition. Porch skirting with a frame should be installed between the porch piers and is included
in the recommendation. The new stair railing must meet the guidelines with top and bottom posts, top and
bottom rails installed between the posts and square spindles installed between the rails.
Staff recommends removal of the non-historic basement entry structure and the repair of the area using
matching foundation, trim, and siding material. For the south facing windows in the former rear stair, the
applicant is proposing to remove the lower, fixed sash window and relocate the upper double-hung window
so that it head aligns with the window to the west. Staff finds this change and acceptable alternative to leaving
the windows in place on the exterior and walling over them on the interior and recommends approval of this
aspect of the project.
Staff reviewed the condition of the existing windows on-site. Staff found that several sashes were deteriorated
so that replacement is warranted. The one modern replacement window is also appropriate to replace. A
modern sliding window on the north side is outside the scope of work for this project and will not be
replaced. All sashes should match the one-over-one divided lite condition of the original windows (no divided
lites). Staff found that the front gable window is heavily deteriorated yet unique enough that repair of the
frame and reconstruction of the sashes in wood to match the existing is the appropriate scope of work for
this window.
The applicant proposes to remove the EPDM coating on the front porch roof and replace it with asphalt
shingles to match the rest of the house. As a Shingle Style building, this house likely had wood shingles on the
main roof originally. By 1933 both house and porch had metal roofs which have been replaced. Given the
slope of the front porch roof, matching the main roof shingles, would be appropriate since it is highly visible.
The internal gutters should be repaired with either new metal pans or new EPDM lining.
Recommended Motion
Move to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for the project at 424 South Summit Street as presented in
the staff report with the following conditions:
Framed porch skirting is installed between the rear porch piers
Window product information is approved by staff.
424 Summit Street- Front/west façade
2d
3
424 Summit- North side
424 Summit Street- rear portion of north side
2b 1
1
424 Summit- rear elevation
2b 1
1
424 Summit- rear portion of south side
2b 2
4
5
1
424 Summit- south side
2c
4
424 Summit- SW (front) corner
2a
2c
3
2d
424 S Summit St. Rehab Project
7-15-21
1. The existing covered rear porch is in very poor condition. Deteriorating structure and overall disrepair. It is
sinking into the ground due to an old cistern being located beneath the structure. This needs to be
demolished for safety reasons and it is not being used either.
a. Plan is to replace existing covered porch with a new structure.
b. Plan for a screened area, no windows.
c. Reuse the existing steps to grade the existing wood screen door. New Railing will be per code.
Square balustrade/ spindles to be painted white. It will be made of wood.
d. The Footprint and elevation will remain the same.
e. Roof will remain the same in regards to the Pitch, overhang, etc. It will be covered by EPDM.
f. Columns will be square per ICHC suggestions. There will be 3ea. 6x6 columns to match existing
design. We will add 2 posts against the wall to help with screening the porch and attaching the
screen door to the wall.
g. 2-1/4” Tongue & Groove Hardwood flooring to match existing.
h. The porch will have framed Lap Siding balustrade with top rail to match existing.
i. There will be a frieze board beneath the overhang which will tie in to the screen opening
framing.
j. Eastern wall of home that is covered by the porch will have siding replaced as necessary. To
match existing.
k. Ceiling will be Bead Board T&G to match the front porch ceiling.
2. Replacement of Window / Window Sashes as needed.
a. This window in the SW 2nd Level Bedroom, East side of chimney, was damaged beyond repair
previously by structural issues, this replacement window is also damaged and needs replaced.
b. These 2 windows in the Master Bedroom, South East end of 2nd Level, were damaged by a racoon
that was trapped inside. The sashes are beyond repair. We will need replace the bottom one at a
minimum. One has a sash that doesn’t currently match the others existing and is the wrong size.
NE 2nd
Level
SE 2nd
Level
c. This window is rotten beyond repair. 3rd Level South Bedroom. Window sash on bottom will need
replaced.
NE 2nd
Level
SE 2nd
Level
South 2nd
Level
d. This window at the front of the home, 3rd Level, is also rotted beyond repair. Frame will need
removed and repaired. Major portions of frmae will need replaced. New sashes will be made.
3. The roof on the front Porch was damaged in the Derrecho. We would like to replace the existing EPDM
roof with a Conventional Shingle to match the rest of the home. But we will need to repair a significant
portion of the Shake siding in order to flash properly. The fascia and box gutters were also damaged and
will need redone. Tree branch ripped epdm when falling against house. The rubber is installed up the wall
of the house behind the wood shake siding. The bottom 4 rows of shake will need to be removed in order
to access the rubber. Given the age and condition of the wood shakes, they will not withstand being
manipulated. We will have to replace the wood shake. Additionally, the integrated box gutter was
damaged and is needing to be fixed. The Fascia trim pieces will be repaired/replaced to match the
existing.
4. These 2 windows, On the south side, Main level in the rear of the home, were in the previous stair well
and are at unusual heights. In lieu of just covering them from the inside, I would like to lower the upper
window to match the head Height of the adjacent windows. We would reinstall existing window trim and
replace the siding to match the original.
5. I would like to remove this access to the basement. The entry storm door is not original and is not
providing any real benefit to the home. The entry to the basement is unnecessary and was not used as the
primary entrance to the basement. The stairs to the basement have been replaced to meet code. The
Cover is very poorly done and in bad shape. I woul d like to remove the door, replace the foundation that
was cut out for the added door and replace the siding to match the existing. The foundation will be
replaced with matching stones. This structure also blocks light getting into the basement from the
adjacent basement window.
View from Inside Basement:
Staff Report July 19, 2021
Historic Review for HPC21-0060: 718 Oakland Avenue
District: Longfellow Historic District
Classification: Contributing
The applicant, Patricia Stiles, is requesting approval for a proposed alteration project at 718 Oakland Avenue,
a Contributing property in the Longfellow Historic District. The project consists of the removal of the
deteriorated brick chimney.
Applicable Regulations and Guidelines:
4.0 Iowa City Historic Preservation Guidelines for Alterations
4.2 Chimneys
4.7 Mass and Rooflines
7.0 Guidelines for Demolition
7.1 Demolition of Whole Structures or Significant Features
Staff Comments
This house is a two-story side-gabled house with a partial-width front porch. The front of the house has a
through-wall gable dormer with cornice returns. On the back, there is a central through-wall shed roof
dormer. The house has a belt-course trim at the sill height for the second-floor windows. The house has a
brick chimney on the rear slope of the roof and a second, modern chimney in the front of the house.
The applicant is proposing to remove the rear chimney and patch the roof with shingles to match the rest.
The roof on both house and garage will be re-shingled with architectural asphalt shingles.
Section 4.2 Chimneys, of the guidelines recommend repairing and capping unused historic chimneys. It is
disallowed to remove prominent chimneys that are important to the historic architectural character of the
building. Section 7.1 Demolition also states that it is disallowed to remove any historic architectural feature
(including chimneys) that is significant to the architectural character and style of the building.
In Staff’s opinion, the existing rear chimney on the house is deteriorated and could be approved for
demolition. In addition, the chimney is on the back of the house. It is also not significant for its location, its
design, or in its contribution to the architectural character of the house. For these reasons, staff recommends
approval of its demolition. Staff recommends that both house and garage are reshingled in an architectural
asphalt shingle in a brown or dark gray color.
Recommended Motion
Move to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for the project at 718 Oakland Avenue as presented in the
application.
718 Oakland Avenue