HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-22-2023 Historic Preservation CommissionIowa City Historic preservation Commission
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March 22, 2023
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Emma Harvat Hall
City Hall
IOWA CITY HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
City Hall, 410 E. Washington Street
Emma J. Harvat Hall
5:30 p.m.
Agenda
A) Call to Order
B) Roll Call
C) Public discussion of anything not on the agenda
D) Certificate of Appropriateness
1. HPC23-0012: 1034 Burlington Street — College Hill Conservation District (garage demolition and new
construction)
2. HPC23-0007: 724 Ronalds Street — Brown Street Historic District (new construction)
3. HPC23-0009: 10 Bella Vista Place — Brown Street Historic District (garage demolition and new
construction)
4. HPC22-0082: 815 Brown Street — Brown Street Historic District (synthetic siding removal, new
dormer, new addition, new porch)
E) Report on Certificates issued by Chair and Staff
Certificate of No Material Effect —Chair and Staff review
1. HPC23-0004: 103 South Governor Street —College Hill Conservation District (south porch
reconstruction)
2. HPC23-0011: 809 East Bloomington Street— Goosetown/Horace Mann Conservation District
(generator installation)
Minor Review —Staff review
1. HPC23-0008: 738 Oakland Avenue — Longfellow Historic District (rear stoop and step construction)
2. HPC22-0085: 1324 Muscatine Avenue —Longfellow Historic District (deteriorated window
replacement)
Intermediate Review —Chair and Staff review
1. HPC22-0025: 821 North Johnson Street —Brown Street Historic District (retaining wall demolition
and reconstruction)
2. HPC23-0006: 640 South Lucas Street — Governor -Lucas Street Conservation District (rear porch
reconstruction
F) Consideration of Minutes for February 9, 2023
G) Commission Information
1. Memo regarding 804 Iowa Avenue appeal
2. Historic Preservation Awards Committee
H) Adjournment
If you will need disability -related accommodations in order to participate in this meeting, please contact Jessica 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.
Staff Report March 16, 2023
Historic Review for HPC23-0012: 1034 East Burlington Street
District: College Hill Conservation District
Classification: Contributing
The applicants, Katie Roach and Joseph Demarest, are requesting approval for a proposed outbuilding
Demolition and New Construction project at 1034 East Burlington Street, a Contributing property in the
College Hill Conservation District. The project consists of the demolition of the existing deteriorated single -
car garage and the construction of a new two -car garage.
Applicable Regulations and Guidelines:
4.0 Iowa Cit,rHistoricPreservation GuideGnesforAllterations
4.3 Doors
4.11 Siding
4.13 Windows
4.14 Wood
6.0 Guidehnes for New Construction
6.2 New Outbuildings
7.0 Guideiines for Demolition
7.1 Demolition of Whole Structures or Significant Features
StaffComments
Property Description
This house was built between 1890 and 1910 and is a variation on a Foursquare. The house has a rectangular
box -like form with a hipped roof, hipped dormers on the side and a gabled wall dormer with comice returns
centered on the front fagade. On the west side of the house is a one-story canted bay. The house has a full -
width front porch, a one-story rear addition and a rear enclosed porch. The house is clad in vinyl siding. One
historian noted that the basement includes hand-hewn beams.
The garage may have been constructed in 1940 as a single -car, gable roofed garage. The garage has a post -and
beam structure.
Proposal
The applicant is proposing to demolish the existing deteriorated garage and construct a new garage. The new
garage will by 24 feet by 24 feet. The garage will follow the guidelines with small rectangular windows, single -
car overhead doors, a single passage door on east side, lap siding in a 3-to-5-inch lap, 4" trim around all
openings and a frieze board at the top of the wall. The new garage will have a hip roof, cement foundation
and parking pad, and architectural asphalt shingle roof.
Guidelines
The guidelines in Section 7.0 Demolition, states that the decision to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness
for the demolition of outbuildings will be made on a case -by case basis. It further recommends retaining
historic garages. If the period garage is insufficient for modem -day vehicles, efforts should be made to
construct a new garage on another portion of the site. Where it is not possible to save an existing garage, the
guidelines recommend designing replacement garages to be compatible in design with the primary structure
and/or other outbuildings in the neighborhood.
6.2 New Outbuildings states that new outbuildings should be constructed to the rear of the property and
subordinate in size and ornamentation to the primary structure but should reflect the style of the primary
structure. Carriage -style garage doors may be used if they are a style appropriate for the property. Windows
should be relatively small and rectangular. The garage doors should have trim that matches the trim of other
doors and windows on the building.
Section 4.3 Doors recommends substituting a material in place of wood for doors only if the substitute
material retains the style and appearance of historic doors and is durable, accepts paint, and is approved by
the HPC. Fiberglass is commonly accepted as a replacement for wood doors.
Section 4.11 Siding recommends substituting a material in place of wood siding only if the substitute material
retains the appearance and function of the original wood. The substitute material must be durable, accept
paint, and is approved by the HPC. Fiber cement board with a smooth finish is an approved wood substitute
for siding. Lap siding most often has a lap exposure of 3 to 5 inches.
Section 4.13 Windows recommends that windows on outbuildings should be relatively small and rectangular
or square.
Staff Review
Because of site limitations and the interesting structure of the existing garage, staff worked with the owners in
2021 to try to get the garage repaired, even though it was in a condition that staff could recommend approval
for demolition. Since then, the building has been further damaged by storms. The current proposal removes
the garage and replaces it with a new one that follows the guidelines. Staff notes that the drawing shows a
single two -car door but two single -car doors are noted in the application. A condition has been added to the
recommended motion to clarify that configuration. In addition, staff recommends that door and window
product information is submitted for review by staff. Staff would recommend that the overhead doors are
smooth flush doors.
Recommended Motion
Move to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for the project at 1034 Burlington Street as presented in
the application with the following conditions:
• Two single -car overhead doors are used.
• Door and window product information is submitted for review.
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Staff Report March 14, 2023
Historic Review for HPC23-0007: 724 Ronalds Street
District: Brown Street Historic District
Classification: Noncontributing/Non-historic
The applicant, The Housing Fellowship, is requesting approval for a proposed New Construction project at
724 Ronalds Street, a Noncontributing property in the Brown Street Historic District. The project consists of
the construction of a single family 2-story house on the west half of the property, leaving room on the east
half of the property for the lot to be divided in the future and an additional house constructed that will come
before the Commission for review in the future.
Applicable Regulations and Guidelines:
40 Iowa City Historic Preservation Guidelines for Alterations
4.1 Balustrades and Handrails
4.10 Porches
6.0 Guidelines lot New Construction
6.1 New Primary Structures
8.0 Neighhorhood District Guidelines
8.4 Northside Neighborhood
12.0 ResidendslArchitectutalStyles oflowa City
12.11 Vernacular
Staff Comments
Property History
This property is currently a vacant lot. Historically, a single -story side -gabled house that was said to have been
built in August 1866 by D.A. Dewey occupied the east portion of entire lot 7 of Block 12 in the original town
plat of Iowa City. The house was also pictured on the 1868 bird's-eye view map of the city. With many
alterations over its 150-year history and lacking historic integrity, the Commission reclassified the property
from contributing to noncontributing in 2016. Already severely deteriorated, the non -historic garage was
demolished in 2018 and the house in 2022. While the Commission has not formally reclassified the property
since the recent demolitions, the property would be considered non -historic at any future map update.
Proposal
This lot is bisected diagonally from the NE comer to the SW corner by two easements including a sewer
easement that restrict the buildable portion of the lot. The applicant is proposing to eventually divide the lot
in half and construct two single-family homes. Currently, the house for the west half of the lot is proposed.
For this project, the existing curb cut onto Ronalds Street will be removed.
The proposed new house is an I -House form with a side -gabled roof, symmetrical fa§ade with regularly
spaced individual double -hung windows, and a central entry door at grade with an entry canopy. The rear of
the house has a one-story hipped -roof extension on the west half with an open porch in the E0 on the east
half, sharing a roof with the one-story extension. The window and door pattern is similar to the front with the
central door and window shifted to the east. The east elevation has a pair of double -hung windows at the
second floor and a gable vent above. The west elevation has a matching pair of windows at the second floor
with a pair of windows aligned below them on the first floor, and a gable vent above. The rear one-story
section has an individual double -hung window. The windows in the one-story section have a slightly raised
sill, in respect to the other windows, for clearance above a kitchen counter.
The house will have a stucco -coated concrete foundation where it is exposed above grade. Lap siding with a
5-inch reveal will be constructed of smooth LP Smartside. The house will have standard trim found on most
historic houses in the neighborhood, a watertable, flat casing with a crown at all windows and doors, comer
boards, a frieze board under the eaves and at the gable, all constructed in Cedar. The house will have 18-inch
eave overhangs with open soffits. The roofs will have architectural asphalt shingles, though there is an
alternate for standing seam metal. The front entry canopy will have a hipped -roof and will be supported on
wood brackets, with only a slight overhang defined by its crown moldings. The rear porch will have one
square, cedar column that is at least six -inches wide, with a simple base and capital. The column will have a
corresponding porch pier below it. The porch will have a simple balustrade with square spindles and there
will be skirting below the porch. The windows will be metal -clad one -over -one double -hung windows. The
doors will be half-light two panel doors of wood or fiberglass.
Guidelines
Section 6.0 Guidelines for New Construction states that proposed new buildings must also comply with 8.0
Neighborhood District Guidelines ... The content of 8.0 Neighborhood District Guidelines is used to
determine the appropriate size, scale, site location and architectural style of the new building. These factors
are dependent on the character of the surrounding neighborhood and district.
Section 6.1 New Primary Structures recommends following the guidelines for new balustrades in section 4.1.
Unique surface area guidelines exist for street elevations in the Northside Neighborhood., generally restricting
surface area to no more than 1200 square feet. Unique height and mass guidelines exist for single-family
houses or duplexes in the Northside Neighborhood, restricting the height to one -and -a -half or two stories. It
is recommended to design a new primary structure in a similar style to the architectural styles prevalent in the
district. Once an architectural style for a new primary building is selected, following the specifications in
section 12.0 Residential Architectural Styles of Iowa City. This section describes the massing, roofline, siding,
windows, doors, porches and other architectural features for each historic style. For new primary buildings,
locating the building a distance from the street so that the setback is consistent with the setbacks of existing
principal buildings located along the same frontage.
For the other specific elements of the building, section 6.1 recommends adding exterior doors on front or
side elevations of buildings that have half- or full -light windows and/or raised panel construction and are
consistent with the architectural style. It is recommended to construct front porches that are consistent with
the architectural style of the building. It is recommended to use siding that is consistent with the architectural
style of the new building. Most historic siding in Iowa City is wood. Fiber cement siding with a smooth finish
is an acceptable substitute for wood siding in most circumstances. It is recommended to specify the window
type, proportion, shape, profile, divided light pattern, and placement based on the architectural style of the
new structure and contributing structures of a similar style. It is recommended to use windows that are made
of wood. The use of metal -clad, solid -wood windows is acceptable. Windows and trim must accept paint.
Adding wood (or an acceptable wood substitute) window trim that is three to four inches in width if the
exterior walls are sided with wood. Generally, it is recommended to use wood or an approved wood
substitute for building trim and features such as corner boards, window trim, frieze boards, columns, brackets
and similar features.
Section 4.1 of the Guidelines recommends installing top and foot rails that are at least 2 inches in thickness
and square spindles that are 1 '/z inches or greater in width. It is recommended that the top and foot rails are
sloped slightly (on the upper surface) to allow water to be shed from these surfaces and help prevent
deterioration of these members. It is disallowed to use unpainted treated wood for elements that would have
been painted in the historic application, such as balustrades.
Section 4.10 Porches of the Guidelines recommends using vertical -grained fir porch flooring for its resistance
to weathering and using wood steps for a wood porch. It is recommended to leave exposed the support piers
below the porch columns. Skirting must be added to fill the space below the porch floor and grade if this
space is 18 inches or greater. The skirt must be located between the porch piers. It is also recommended to
construct porch skirting using a 3-6 inch wood frame with slats fastened to the back of the frame in a vertical
or lattice pattern.
Section 8.0 Neighborhood District Guidelines state that the size of a primary building on a site, the size of
the yard, as well as the architectural character of the building are defining characteristics of historic and
conservation districts and vary according to the neighborhood. This section deals specifically with site, scale,
structure location, and architectural style standards unique to properties within certain Iowa City
neighborhoods. Proposed projects on buildings within a neighborhood listed in this section must meet the
respective Neighborhood District Guidelines in addition to the other applicable standards of the Iowa City
Preservation Handbook. Section 8.4 Northside Neighborhood states that Architectural style is a defining
characteristic for historic and conservation districts. A new primary structure must reflect the historic styles
of its neighborhood. Although new construction may adapt and mix some elements of different styles, a
single style should dictate the height and mass, rooflines, fenestration, and overhangs for the new building. In
the Northside Neighborhood: A new building must reflect the Greek Revival, Italianate, Queen Anne,
Colonial Revival, Craftsman, American Foursquare, Prairie School, Vernacular, or Eclectic style.
Section 12.0 Residential Architectural Styles of Iowa City states that New construction in historic and
conservation districts should reflect the size, proportions, fenestration, trim, and other ornamentation of a
building style typical of that district. These guidelines will be used in evaluating new single-family houses and
multi -family buildings. 12.11 Vernacular: Vernacular buildings tend to be relatively small in size, reflecting the
modest means of their early occupants. Their massing is often simple, and they are one to two stories in
height. Many vernacular houses have no ornamentation. Other houses have modest ornamentation that is a
simplified design of whatever "high" style may have been popular at the time the house was built. The high
style may also influence the massing, roof pitch, porch design and fenestration of the vernacular house.
Staff Review
During preliminary review, staff worked with the project architect to help pinpoint an appropriate
architectural style that would meet the needs of the applicant, follow the guidelines, and fit within this area of
this neighborhood. Given the small footprint of the buildable space, the building form was limited. The
Vernacular style with the I -House form fit the footprint, met the conditions of the guidelines, and can be
found throughout the north side of Iowa City, including in proximity to the site. Staff finds that this is an
appropriate style.
While many I -Houses were historically built with full -width front porches, some had simple entrance
canopies. This site did not allow for a full width front porch, so an entrance canopy was used instead. This
works best with the code requirement for a zero -step entry as well because most porches are at least a foot or
two above grade.
In order to make the best use of the space, it was determined that the house would need to have additional
first floor space beyond the rectangular form of the I -House. Initially a one-story front projection was
proposed. This appeared similar to an enclosed front porch that is disallowed by the guidelines. Typical
historic house forms in Iowa City do not include a one-story projection in front of a two-story structure.
These one-story portions are typically found as additions (or kitchens) on the rear of a historic house. The
current form includes this one-story portion on the back with a partial -width porch. Staff fords this also
follows the guidelines.
In general staff finds that the proposed window pattern, trim and siding configuration, and main roof details
all follow the guidelines and fit the I -House style. The reduced overhang on the entry canopy and one-story
section does not match the open soffit of the main roof but this detail does match historic details found on
other properties from the same era. Staff finds this detail acceptable. In addition, staff finds that the other
porch details will follow the guidelines.
Currently, the roof is intended to be architectural asphalt shingles, though there may be a desire to use a
standing seam metal roof. Either of these roof materials, as well as wood shingles, would be considered an
appropriate roof material for this new construction. Historically I -Houses would have had wood shingles with
metal installed as a second -generation roof The guidelines also allow asphalt shingles on a new roof because
of their "approximation" to wood shingles. Staff has discussed metal roofs with the architect to ensure that
any metal roof is appropriately flat and finds any of these roof options appropriate. Staff recommends
approval of the project.
Recommended Motion
Move to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for the project at 724 Ronalds Street as presented in the
staff report with the following conditions:
• Any metal roof is approved by staff
• Window and door product information is approved by staff.
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Staff Report March 16, 2023
Historic Review for HPC23-0009: 10 Bella Vista Place
District: Brown Street Historic District
Classification: Contributing
The applicant, Scott McDonough, is requesting approval for a proposed outbuilding Demolition and New
Construction project at 10 Bella Vista Place, a Contributing property in the Brown Street Historic District.
The project consists of the demolition of the existing concrete single -car garage that is built into the hill to
the east of the house and the construction of a new two-story, two -car garage in the same place.
Applicable Regulations and Guidelines:
4.0 Iowa C/t,rHistoncP.reservaaon Guidelines forAllterations
4.3 Doors
4.11 Siding
4.13 Windows
4.14 Wood
6.0 Guidehnes for New Construction
6.2 New Outbuildings
7.0 Gudehnes for Demolition
7.1 Demolition of Whole Structures or Significant Features
StaffComments
Property Description
This 1 'A story house was built in 1908 occupying a prominent bluff -top location facing west with a view
across the Iowa River. The steeply pitched gable roof is pierced by two shed dormers, one on each side.
These dormers feature unique side brackets which match the gable -end brackets which support the wide roof
overhang. A hooded second floor bay window is tucked beneath the roof overhang, and smaller windows
flank the bay on either side. A complex picture window with multi -paned transom glass and side lights is on
the main floor front. The square porch columns rest on tall porch piers constructed of rock -faced concrete
block. The house has an interesting siding pattern with a lower half -course of narrow lapped siding with
mitered comers. A low-level band board rings the house with lap siding and corner boards above. A mid -level
band board also marks the floor level of the upper story. The rear of the house has a two story, flat roof
addition that includes a sleeping porch on the second floor. Stick style horizontal and vertical bands, painted
white, further break up the clapboard pattern here. To the north of the addition, is a screened porch.
The existing one -car garage is a concrete structure below grade to the rear of the house with an unknown
construction date. The concrete was formed by boards evident in the texture of the interior wall. It is
assumed to be historic. The east wall of the garage is exposed, featuring a narrow strip of concrete
surrounding all three sides of a paneled overhead door. Shorter retaining walls connect to steps on the north
side of the garage and follow along the bank to the south.
In 2001, the Commission approved a reconstruction of the South (uphill) foundation wall of the house
because of a partial collapse. No other work has been approved on the house since the formation of the
district.
Proposal
The applicant is proposing to demolish the existing, below -grade one-story garage and construct a new two-
story garage. The garage will be below grade with a large shed above grade. The garage will be concrete with
two single -car overhead doors opening on to the rear (east) portion of the street. A retaining wall will extend
south along the slope. Concrete stairs will lead up the hill to the west along the north side of the garage.
Because of the second floor, the garage will resemble a carriage house. The second floor of the garage, fully
above grade will be an East -west facing gable roof with shed dormers similar to the house. The garage will
have windows in the dormers and gable ends with a door in the west side facing the house. The siding will be
wood, cement board, or LP. The garage will have asphalt shingles to match the house. The windows will be
metal -clad wood single -hung windows. The passage door will be wood or fiberglass resembling a historic
door. The trim will be wood.
Guidelines
The guidelines in Section 7.0 Demolition, states that the decision to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness
for the demolition of outbuildings will be made on a case -by case basis. It further recommends retaining
historic garages. If the period garage is insufficient for modem -day vehicles, efforts should be made to
construct a new garage on another portion of the site. Where it is not possible to save an existing garage, the
guidelines recommend designing replacement garages to be compatible in design with the primary structure
and/or other outbuildings in the neighborhood.
6.2 New Outbuildings states that new outbuildings should be constructed to the rear of the property and
subordinate in size and ornamentation to the primary structure but should reflect the style of the primary
structure. Carriage -style garage doors may be used if they are a style appropriate for the property. Windows
should be relatively small and rectangular. The garage doors should have trim that matches the trim of other
doors and windows on the building.
Section 4.3 Doors recommends substituting a material in place of wood for doors only if the substitute
material retains the style and appearance of historic doors and is durable, accepts paint, and is approved by
the HPC. Fiberglass is commonly accepted as a replacement for wood doors.
Section 4.11 Siding recommends substituting a material in place of wood siding only if the substitute material
retains the appearance and function of the original wood. The substitute material must be durable, accept
paint, and is approved by the HPC. Fiber cement board with a smooth finish is an approved wood substitute
for siding. Lap siding most often has a lap exposure of 3 to 5 inches.
Section 4.13 Windows recommends that windows on outbuildings should be relatively small and rectangular
or square.
Section 4.14 Wood recommends substituting a material in place of wood only if the substitute material retains
the appearance and function of the original wood. The substitute material must be durable, accept paint, and
is approved by the HPC. While fiber cement board with a smooth finish is often an approved wood
substitute for wood, it has not been commonly approved as a replacement for wood trim and would need to
be approved on a project -by -project basis.
In Staffs opinion, the retaining walls for the existing garage are failing. The garage is too small for modern
use. The site is constrained so that the existing garage location is the only suitable location for a new garage.
The property does include enough space to construct a two -car garage in its place. For these reasons, staff
recommends approval of the demolition of the existing garage and the construction of a new two -car garage
in the same location.
The initial garage design included a second floor with a hip roof and decorative windows which resembled a
small one-story cottage in the back yard of the historic house. This design did not fit with the guidelines
because the roof form did not work with the house and it was detailed like a residence instead of an
outbuilding. The owner was also interested in a typical outbuilding form with an asymmetrical shed roof and
clerestory windows. The size of this building over the two -car garage was too large. With only the second -
floor visible above grade on three sides, designing a garage to fit in the district was challenging.
Since other houses of this size and era in Iowa City often had barns or carriage houses, the focus turned to a
similar structure. Staff recommended a carriage house design similar to some standard designs we had on
hand and created a Photoshop Mockup of the carriage house on the original drawings. During the review the
applicant expressed an interest in omitting the dormers from the design. While carriage houses do exist in
Iowa City without roof or wall dormers, a significant number of them do have this feature in order to
increase the light penetrating into the space. Since this detail was also found on the house, staff suggested
retaining the dormers.
The resulting design is a 1 '/z story carriage house. The dormers help the building relate to the historic house
and allows for light to enter the upper level from the north and south. The siding shown in the drawing is a
board and batten. Staff recommends approving either a board and batten or a 3 to 5 inch lap siding. Staff
recommends approving either carriage house style overhead doors with a composite overlay, similar to those
shown in the drawings or smooth flush overhead doors for reduced cost. Staff also recommends that the
doors and windows are submitted for approval.
Recommended Motion
Move to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for the project at 10 Bella Vista Place as presented in the
staff report with the following conditions:
• The design is revised as shown in the mock-up
• Door and window product information is approved by staff.
10 Bella Vista Place- west fagade- photo from 2003
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Staff Report March 15, 2023
Historic Review for HPC22-0082: 813 Ronalds Street
District: Brown Street Historic District
Classification: Key Contributing
The applicant, Rob Decker, is requesting approval for a proposed Alteration and Addition project at 813
Ronalds Street, a Key Contributing property in the Brown Street Historic District. The project consists of the
demolition of the existing one-story rear extension and the addition of a new 1 1/2 story rear addition with full
walk -out basement and roof dormer, the addition of an east -facing dormer to the historic portion of the roof,
the reconfiguration of the front porch and the removal of the vinyl siding and the trim wrap.
Applicable Regulations and Guidelines:
40 Iowa Ory'HistoricPreservation Guidelines forAllteratlons
4.1 Balustrades and Handrails
4.3 Doors
4.4
Energy Efficiency
4.5
Foundations
4.7
Mass and Rooflines
4.8
Masonry
4.9
Paint and Color
4.10
Porches
4.11
Siding
4.12
Site and Landscaping
4.13
Windows
4.14
Wood
9..0 Guidelines for Additions
5.1 Expansion of Building Footprint
7.0 Guidelines for Demolition
7.1 Demolition of Whole Structures or Significant Features
StaffComments
Property History
This 1 1/2story house was built in 1912 by Anton Soucek. Houses of this style and age tend to have either
Colonial Revival or Craftsman details and resemble designs that were available from ready -cut house catalogs.
This house is a front gabled vernacular house form. The front gable features cornice returns (a Colonial
Revival detail) and has a pair of double -hung windows centered on the gable. The siding is a narrow lap siding
with corner boards, a watertable, and a frieze board with crown molding above.
The west side of the house has a gabled wall dormer with cornice returns over a projecting canted bay with a
hip roof The east side of the house has a small, fixed -sash window at the lower stair landing with a double -
hung window at the upper stair landing. There is also a small double -hung window for a bathroom and an
additional full-size double hung window on this elevation. The rear of the house has a pair of double -hung
windows in the gable matching those on the front. A one-story rear extension with a hip roof, small window
and a door are on the west 2/3 of the rear elevation. A rear entry door leading to a stair midway between the
basement and main floor is located in the remaining 1/3 of this elevation. The foundation is a larger -sized
rough faced brick.
The front porch was at least partially enclosed prior to 1973. The rear porch was enclosed as part of the
kitchen in 1976. A rear deck was added in 1987. The storm windows have been replaced. The vinyl siding was
installed after Ronalds Street was added to the Brown Street Historic District in 2004 but before 2007 when
the Commission approved a garage project for a different owner. The vinyl siding installation was not
approved and did not acquire a permit.
As mentioned, in 2007 the Commission approved the construction of a new two car garage to replace the
historic one that was demolished in 1990. In 2016, the Commission approved the installation of solar panels
on the garage, one of the first solar panel installations approved.
Proposal
The applicant is proposing a project that involves almost all aspects of the exterior of the house. The many
elements are described here according to the project drawings:
• Remove existing vinyl siding and historic siding. The drawings are inconsistent, calling for the
installation of a 4" lap cement board siding that matches the modern garage west side and on east
side siding will be evaluated and retained if practical and replaced with fiber cement board is
salvageable.
• The drawings are also inconsistent regarding trim: Replace all window trims on the west side. On the
east side is a note: `typical all existing windows- verify condition and presence of window trims after
removing sing, if not present, install new 4" trim.
• Add a roof dormer to the east side of the house, aligned with the wall dormer on the west side. The
dormer will have a gable roof with cornice returns and a double -hung window.
• The porch will be modified to create a central stair that leads to an open porch on the west with a
solid balustrade and an enclosed area to the east with a west -facing main door. The front wall in this
area is proposed to include a group of three windows ganged directly together. The porch will have a
6 inch frieze board, a 6 inch watertable (skirtboard), 6 inch wood columns and a balustrade sided to
match the house.
• A general porch note states that the existing porch materials will be evaluated and retained or reused
to the extent practical.
• The existing one-story extension will be demolished.
• The rear of the house will have a 1 V2 story addition with full walk -out basement. The addition is set
in from the sidewalls of the house. The roof will be a rear -facing gable roof with three separate
windows in the gable and an east -facing roof dormer with cornice returns and a pair of windows in
the gable. The main floor will have five individual double -hung windows across the rear, three
individual double -hung windows on the west side and two double -hung windows and a passage door
on the east side. The basement level will have a passage door centered between two double -hung
windows on the rear, two small basement windows on the west and limestone stairs leading from the
passage door to the open area south of the basement on the east. The yard will be graded so that the
new passage door is at grade (or at the limestone landscaping)
• The foundation on the addition is proposed to match the existing. The existing foundation will be
pointed.
• The asphalt shingles on the house will be replaced. The asphalt shingles on the addition and the new
dormer will match.
The application included photos of porches in the neighborhood to be considered precedent for the new
porch design.
Guidelines
Section 4.1 Balustrades, of the guidelines recommends constructing or replacing missing balustrades by using
historic photographs or by choosing a style that is consistent with the architectural style of the building. It is
recommended to install square spindles that are 1-1 /2 inches or greater in width and installing top and foot
rails that are at least 2 inches in thickness.
Section 4.3 Doors recommends adding new door openings that are trimmed to match other doors and
windows in the building.
Section 4.4 Energy Efficiency states that often the solution to energy leaks in an older home are simpler than
imagined. A misconception that some people have about Historic Preservation is that it is counter to the
growing desire for increased energy efficiency and green building practices. Recommended practices include
starting with an energy audit and a blower door test, insulating the attic and basement, and reusing old
materials to keep them out of the landfill. Retaining and using the historic materials also does not require the
resources to harvest or produce new materials.
Section 4.5 Foundations states that foundations provide a base for a building and make a transition from the
walls above ground to the walls or supports below ground. The amount of exposed foundation varies with
historic structures, but is typically 12 to 30 inches. It is disallowed to raise the adjacent grade at the
foundation to cover what was historically exposed.
Section 4.7 Mass and Rooflines recommends designing new dormers to be of a size, scale, and proportion
that is consistent with the architectural style and designing new dormers such that the face of the dormer is
primarily composed of window area. It is recommended to add dormers to an existing roof in a manner that
does not significantly alter the character of the historic building and to add dormers that are in proportion to
the roof's overall size. The width of the dormers in proportion to the roof on which they are located should
be consistent with the architectural style. The dormers should be no closer than 3 feet to an existing gable end
or hip. The intent is to avoid significantly altering the original roof lines. Gabled and hipped dormers should
have roof pitches similar to the pitch of the main roof. It is disallowed by the guidelines to add dormers that
are wider than ones commonly found in the neighborhood or on buildings of a similar architectural style.
Section 4.8 Masonry recommends using mortar that is similar in hardness to the original mortar. A
recommended mix for historic masonry contains 1 part white Portland cement, 3 parts time, and 9 parts sand.
If necessary, dye should be added to the new mortar to match the color of the original mortar. This mix is
suitable for both laying and pointing masonry walls. It is also recommended to make mortar joints that match
the dimensions of the original joints. Historic mortar joints are often narrower than those commonly used
today. It is disallowed to point soft historic masonry with a strong Portland cement mix or synthetic caulking
compound. Hard mortars will damage soft historic masonry such as brick. The damage is irreversible.
4.10 Porches states that porches are the focus of many historic buildings and help define their overall
character. In historic residential neighborhoods, front porches help to establish a sense of community. Front
porches and sun porches should be preserved for both their architectural and social value. This section
recommends repairing historic porches and conserving as much of the historic material as possible. It is
recommended to replace badly deteriorated components with new ones that match the historic components
in design and material. Custom fabrication of columns, brackets, pedestals, and moldings may be necessary. It
is recommended to use vertical -grained fir porch flooring for its resistance to weathering and to construct or
replace missing balustrades and handrails using historic photographs or in a style that is consistent with both
the building and neighborhood. It is recommended to use wood steps for a wood porch. It is disallowed to
enclose front porches or other porches that are highly visible from the street with permanent windows
and/or walls.
4.11 Siding recommends repairing historic wood siding and trim and replacing deteriorated sections of wood
siding with new or salvaged wood siding that matches the historic wood siding. It is also recommended to
remove synthetic siding and repair historic wood siding and trim. It is recommended to substitute a material
in place of wood siding only if the substitute material retains the appearance and function of the original
wood. The substitute material must be durable, accept paint and be approved by the Historic Preservation
Commission. In many applications, fiber cement board with a smooth finish is an approved wood substitute.
It is disallowed to remove historic pieces such as door and window trim, skirt and frieze boards, and corner
boards.
Section 4.13 Windows recommends adding new windows that match the type, size, sash width, trim, use of
divided lights, and overall appearance of the historic windows. Also, it is recommended to add new windows
in a location that is consistent with the window pattern of the historic building or buildings of similar
architectural style.
Section 4.14 Wood recommends repairing historic wood elements rather than replacing them and replacing
damaged wood components with new or salvaged wood components that match the historic ones. It is
recommended to substitute a material in place of wood only if the substitute material retains the appearance
and function of the original wood. The substitute material must be durable, accept paint, and be approved by
the Historic Preservation Commission. For many applications, fiber cement board is an approved substitute
for wood provided the fiber cement board is smooth faced with no simulated wood grain. It is disallowed to
remove historic wood elements such as trim, porches, cornices, and decorative elements.
Section 5.1 Expansion of the building footprint recommends when planning an addition that expands the
building footprint, consider first how a new exterior form and roof can be added to the existing house in a
manner that is compatible with the design of the historic building. Often, the desired interior space dictates
the location and size of the addition, and the resulting roofline and form appear awkward and inconsistent
with the historic structure. This section further recommends following the guidelines for new balustrades and
handrails. Regarding design, it is recommended to preserve significant historic materials and features of the
original structure such as decorative windows, brackets, porches, and trim. Additional recommendations
include:
• Distinguishing between the historic structure and the new addition. This may be accomplished easily
by offsetting the walls of the addition from the walls of the original structure or by connecting
additions with a breezeway.
• Matching key horizontal "lines" on the existing building, such as water table, eave height, window
head height and band boards, in order to provide continuity between the addition and the historic
structure.
• Using a palette of materials that is similar to that used on the historic structure.
• Installing doors in additions that match the material of historic doors and have a similar style and
appearance as the historic doors in the existing building.
• Constructing an addition foundation that appears similar to the historic foundation in color, texture,
unit size, and joint profile.
• Constructing additions that are consistent with the massing and roofline of the historic building. This
requires that the wall areas and corners, as well as the roof pitches and spans are all consistent with
the existing building and have a proportion that is similar to that of the existing building.
• Constructing the roof overhang, soffits and eaves of the addition so that they match the roof
overhang, soffits and eaves of the existing building. When the eaves of an addition intersect the eaves
of the existing building, care should be taken to assure that the two eaves align properly. The trim
details of a new eave should match the eave details of the existing building.
• Constructing new porches that are consistent with the historic building or similar to porches of the
same architectural style.
• Applying siding to a new addition that appears similar in size, shape, texture, and material to the
existing siding on the historic building.
• Using windows that are of a similar type, proportion and divided light pattern as those in the original
structure.
• Constructing additions with materials that appear similar to the historic siding, trim, moldings, and
other details of the original building.
• Constructing new porches that are consistent with the historic building or similar to porches of the
same architectural style.
Several actions are disallowed in this section, including:
• Leaving large expanses of wall surface uninterrupted by windows or doors.
• Constructing an addition that is not distinguishable from the historic building.
• Adding space to a structure by enclosing a historic front or side porch.
Section 7.1 Demolition of Whole Structures of Significant Features recommends removing additions or
alterations that are not historic and that significantly detract from the building's historic character.
Staff Review
This is a large, complicated project so the different areas of work will be discussed separately.
Synthetic siding removal: This property is a key property in the Brown Street Historic District. At the time
the area was added to the district in 2004, the property had original siding and trim. By the time the garage
project was reviewed by HPC in 2007, the house had vinyl siding installed. The guidelines then were the same
as the current guidelines in regard to siding. No siding review or building permit for this work is on record. It
is assumed the vinyl siding and trim wrap was installed without a permit by a previous owner.
The original proposal included removing all of the existing siding and trim and sheathing and installing all
new sheathing, siding and trim following the installation of new insulation. This type of work is invasive and
not consistent with historic preservation practices or recommended practices with historic construction. It
would also lead to excessive cost and landfill waste, and increased embodied energy from the production and
distribution of all new materials. This type of work is only possible in extremely limited situations, with
specific evidence provided and approved by the full Commission as an exception to the guidelines. A key
property is not eligible for this exception. The project team was alerted to this fact and the scope was reduced
to that shown in the drawings.
The guidelines allow for the replacement of deteriorated materials with materials that match. When approving
the removal of synthetic siding as a staff -level review, staff can approve the repair of the siding and trim. This
assumes that the siding and trim will exist and be in generally usable condition. It is assumed that projecting
window crowns and sills, drip edges over the water table and the crown at the top of the frieze board will be
damaged and need to be replaced.
Approving the wholesale replacement of siding or trim is not possible initially during the approval of a
synthetic siding removal project because this type of deterioration is neither visible for evaluation nor
expected. After many similar projects completed by the city or under historic preservation review, experience
has shown that there is little chance that the siding will be deteriorated to warrant replacement other than
individually deteriorated pieces. If this project was unique in this respect, staff could review the condition, and
approve replacement trim and the trim configuration based on the evidence as a staff -level review following
the removal of the synthetic siding. In general, synthetic siding review does require staff review of the historic
materials following the removal of the modern siding, so that the trim configuration can be evaluated for
rehabilitation. Staff recommends approval of the removal of the vinyl siding and trim wrap and the repair of
the historic siding and trim. A condition is added to the recommended motion to align with the staff
recommendation. Photos from similar synthetic siding removal projects are included at the end of the staff
report.
New, east -facing dormer: The current dormer on the west side of the house is a wall dormer that extends the
wall up through the cave to the gabled dormer and has one double -hung window. The main eave line ends in
a cornice return at the comers of the gable. The main house and dormer all have a consistent cave height and
cornice return condition. The front porch (whose roof appears to be original) and the east projecting bay
have a consistent cave height below the main roof. The proposed new dormer on the east side of the house is
a roof dormer instead of a wall dormer to match the east side. This proposed dormer is also significantly taller
than the existing dormer. This creates a new eave height, does not follow the existing horizontal lines on the
building, and does not match the existing dormer on the buildings, all specific recommendations in the
guidelines. For this reason, staff recommends that the new dormer is revised as a wall dormer matching the
style of the existing dormer on the house. A condition has been added to the recommended motion to reflect
this revision. Staff would also recommend a revision to the window in the new dormer if a pair of windows is
too large after revision.
Porch reconstruction: This porch has been enclosed for many years. Historic porch elements that remain and
are visible on the exterior include the porch roof, the extent of the porch (full width set in slightly from the
sides of the house), porch skirting, and the brick porch piers. The brick piers are asymmetrically aligned. This
alignment and the location of the front door show that this house had stairs in the location of the existing
stairs leading into the front door. The house would have had a larger column at each of the outside corners.
The middle pier would have had a half -height column (or short pier) if it had anything at all. It would not
have had an asymmetrically aligned third column. It is likely that the house had a balustrade if there was a
half -height column above this brick pier.
In addition to what can be seen on the exterior, staff assumes that this porch still has a tongue -and -groove
porch floor and headboard porch ceiling and some evidence of the beam that spanned the columns and is
typically seen on the exterior as a frieze. Depending on the extent of the wall construction for the current
enclosure, there could be additional historic materials still in place. Since the roof exists and the brick piers
exist, the porch column size could be detemuned by the alignment of the remaining elements. Because of
this, a typical porch reconstruction project includes staff review of the remaining historic elements inside the
porch and following the removal of the exterior siding and some of the details are approved at that time.
The guidelines disallow enclosing front porches. The existing condition is grandfathered in and may remain.
Alternatively, the porch may be repaired and returned to the condition of the historic open porch. The
sections of the guidelines that discuss the addition of a new porch or a new construction including a porch
recommends new porches that are consistent with the historic building and the architectural style. In Iowa
City, this would be an open porch.
Instead of repairing the historic porch and returning it to its historic condition, the project includes a porch
alteration. This alteration includes the installation of two 6 by 6 inch columns in the outer comers. The
intermediate brick porch pier is replaced by two new brick piers flanking a central stair entry point. These two
new piers each have a new 6 by 6 column. On the west side, the porch is an open porch with solid balustrade.
On the east side, a side -facing door leads into an enclosed porch with three windows ganged together on the
front. It is not clear what is proposed on the east face. It may be a solid wall with paneled infill or it may be a
pair of large single light fixed windows with transoms above.
The applicant provided several design precedents for the new porch. Only one of these houses is a similar
architectural style to the subject property. These houses all have full -width front porches that were historically
open porches. Two of them appear to be partially enclosed with storm windows. Another is more
permanently enclosed. All of the porches include a solid balustrade. Two of the porches have entry steps
leading from the side of the porch, from the driveway, to a door that is in the adjacent comer of the house.
All porches with a sidewalk leading through the front yard have porch stairs leading directly to the front door.
It should be noted that with few very raze and architecturally remarkable exceptions front porch stairs lead
directly to the front door. In addition, no historic housing styles in Iowa City include a one-story enclosed
front projection on a 1 '/z or 2 story house form. Lower story enclosed additions can be found on the back of
many houses and occasionally on the side of historic houses.
The current porch proposal attempts to include both an enclosed porch and an open porch on a house that
historically had an open porch. The result is an addition of multiple columns that appear undersized in the
drawing, a stair leading to a blind wall, and a side entry door in the middle of a front porch. For these reasons,
staff does not recommend approval of the porch as currently designed. Staff recommends that the stairs lead
directly to the front facing door and that the porch is open. Staff does find the use of a solid balustrade
acceptable. Staff recommends that the porch column dimension is determined by the relationship of the
existing parts. A condition is added to the recommended motion to address this concern. Alternatively, the
porch could remain as it is currently. When the siding is removed the remaining elements could be repaired
and siding added as necessary below the windows. The Commission could also review an alternative front
porch design at a future time.
Rear addition: Much of the proposed rear addition appears to follow the guidelines and could be approved.
The addition is set in from the corners of the existing house. The main addition roof matches the existing
historic roof and the cave line condition is also followed. While the main front facing gable includes a pair of
double -hung windows, and the addition has instead three individual double -hung windows, staff finds that
this could be considered appropriate because it is on the back of the house. The first floor includes five
individual double -hung windows. While this does not match the window patterning on the house, this is
consistent with sunrooms and is also on the back of the house. This would also be the case with the proposed
windows on the side of the addition. The basement level of the addition includes a passage door and two
windows with an exterior patio. The existing slope of this site allows for this walk -out basement.
There are several details on the addition that staff recommends revising. Similar to the new east -facing gable
on the historic portion of the house, staff recommends that the new dormer also match the historic dormer
to avoid creating a new cave condition, a new ridge height and a condition that does not follow the horizontal
lines on the house. The east -facing new entry door is included with limestone landscaping blocks being
installed to create the step and landing at the new door. The guidelines discussion foundations with the
typical foundation exposure of 12 to 30 inches. Staff recommends that the entry is accessed with a traditional
wood stoop and step. In addition, staff recommends that the intermediate band board shown across the back
of the house is eliminated because this is a trim condition that does not exist on this house. Both of these
revisions are included in the conditions below. Finally, staff recommends that the siding and trim on the new
addition match the siding and trim on the historic portion of the house. The dimensions included in the
drawings may or may not reflect that qualification, so a related condition is also added here.
Recommended Motion
Move to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for the project at 813 Ronalds Street as presented in the
staff report with the following conditions:
• The existing wood siding and trim is repaired following the removal of the synthetic siding.
• The dormers are revised as wall dormers, continuing the existing cave line and matching the ridge
condition of the existing dormer.
• The porch is revised to include the stair leading directly to the front door, retaining and repairing the
existing brick piers, adding appropriately sized columns to fit the remaining historic elements, and an
open front porch.
• The siding and trim on the new addition matches the historic siding and trim and the intermediate
band board is eliminated.
• The main floor door in the new addition is accessed by traditional wood stairs and landing.
813 Ronalds Street- Front (north) from west corner - photo ca. 2004
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813 Ronalds Street- Front (north) from east corner- photo ca. 2004
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813 Ronalds Street- north elevation photo ti, m, 2007. Existing,
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Synthetic siding removal project example: 426 Church Street (2022) A -siding in good condition. B-siding
missing because of alteration. C- trim damage do to trim wrap and siding.
426 Church Street, synthetic siding removal example project. Siding and trim repair and painting. Project
process illustrated by owner. House had aluminum siding and trim wrap. Some repair to trim and limited
siding replacement.
618 North Gilbert Street- synthetic siding removal project example (2011-12) Rear of house showing
condition of siding after removal of asphalt rolled siding, new siding toothed in (joint not visible after
painting), and filling of nail holes and covering nail heads. Also shows some new trim.
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MINUTES PRELIMINARY
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
FEBRUARY 9, 2023 — 5:30 PM — FORMAL MEETING
E M M A J. HARVAT HALL, CITY HALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Margaret Beck, Kevin Boyd, Jordan Sellergren, Noah Stork, Deanna
Thomann, Nicole Villanueva, Frank Wagner, Christina Welu-Reynolds
MEMBERS ABSENT: Carl Brown
STAFF PRESENT: Jessica Bristow
OTHERS PRESENT:
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL:
(become effective only after separate Council action)
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Boyd called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANYTHING NOT ON THE AGENDA:
None.
REVIEW OF THE 2023 HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION WORK PLAN:
Bristow noted the Commission makes a work plan that is supposed to guide the work of the
Commission during the calendar year. She stated they have a lot of goals and so it's obvious that
they're not going to get through them all so they try to prioritize things. Reviewing the work plan also
allows them to talk about what was on the list in the past that was accomplished. Staff and chairperson
Boyd went through and synced up ideas and the things that they want to work on with the strategic plan
that Council put forth a couple of years ago and they follow that plan. However, the strategic plan
changed this year because there is a new Council so they needed to review the plan.
Boyd noted when he joined the commission eight years ago the work plan was just a giant wish list and
every year they just added things and very few things came off the list. So what they tried to do a few
years ago was both align around the work plan and also put items in categories of things to address in
the short term and things they need to keep an eye on in the long term. Council updates their strategic
plan every few years and they just updated it. Furthermore, in today's Council packet that goes out on
Thursday afternoon to City Council from the City staff, the City Manager wrote a memo that
Commissions think about the strategic plan in their own work plans and suggested that the next time
Council has a work session to talk about divvying up Council members to come talk to Commissions
about the plan and how to incorporate it.
Bristow stated the goal tonight is to determine what the edits to the plan will be and then to approve a
work plan so they can include it as part of the annual report that they send to the State on February 28.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
February 9, 2023
Page 2 of 10
The work plan is also sent to the City Manager and City Council every year.
Bristow presented a slide show noting having a work plan is required by SHPO. The current work plan
aligns with the strategic plan goals. The first is climate action and historic preservation and climate
action are intrinsically linked. The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 was started as a reaction
to all of the demolitions and getting rid of all the old materials and all the things that were going on with
the modern era post World War II so when talking about ongoing work, there is a background within the
National Preservation movement. For example, buildings have an embodied energy, the energy that it
took to grow those materials and manufacture the materials and get them to the site and build them and
everything. For the embodied energy one way it can be measured is by BTUs which is the energy
required to increase the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit and they've
calculated the BTU to get one board foot of lumber. So, they have amounts for one brick, one pound of
steel, glass, concrete, and aluminum and she noted that a lot of the materials used in modern
construction have really high embodied energy, but lumber is pretty low so when they're replacing a
building that is constructed of wood with something that's constructed of steel and glass and concrete,
they're not only replacing a building but expending so much embodied energy to build that new
building. They're getting rid of the energy that exists and have to use all this new energy so there are
both of these issues, the replacement and also getting rid of the energy that that is already there. She
stated the other important thing with new construction is all of the energy and costs are going to go into
materials, very little labor, but if they're rehabbing something and working with an existing building,
most of the cost is in labor and that labor is probably someone hired locally so they're keeping the costs
local instead of sending it out to wherever all those materials and everything came from. Bristow
acknowledged that is important in regard to sustainability in addition to energy efficiency.
Boyd noted the way Council set this up is they have seven different things that have values and areas
of impact to focus on. In ongoing work section of the work plan the Commission continues to advocate
that embodied energy is worth valuing and contribute to the discussion of demolition. As a City we care
deeply about climate action but they allow people to pay $50 and demolish a building and let the lands
sit vacant.
Boyd noted they will continue to advocate that embodied energy is worth valuing and currently the
Climate Action Committee does not take that into consideration so they should continue to advocate to
fix this. They are saving materials from being sent to the landfills and the embodied energy in existing
materials is still measurable. It was suggested to cut the sentence that Climate Action Commission
does not take into consideration. Boyd noted it seems like they should just acknowledge that it is not
currently part of the plan somewhere. Bristow noted there are items in the climate action plan that
relate to this. Boyd agreed but stated there are not specifics about embodied energy and perhaps they
should acknowledge it. Sellergren suggested and maybe it can be framed in a way as a goal to be
included in the climate action plan. Thomann suggested it be changed to something like advocate to
have embodied energy concerns added to the climate action plan. Boyd suggested continuing to
advocate that embodied energy is worth valuing and should be included in the City's climate action
work plan. They can add what they've saved from landfills is measurable and that energy and existing
materials is still giving a reason why.
Boyd stated regarding the contributed demolition discussion, the climate action plan apparently is
considering how they approach demolition in the City. If they are serious about dealing with climate
action, they should be serious about demolition and the waste it produces, the costs to the
environment, and even considering dumping fees that doesn't match the $50 fee for demolition. Some
cities are discussing removing demolition by right rather than just paying for demolition fee. Citizens
are given an opportunity to evaluate the new structure and make sure that the new structure aligns with
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
February 9, 2023
Page 3 of 10
the expressed values such as do they get affordable housing? Is it energy efficient? Are there sufficient
elements of history in the building that should be valued, etc. Boyd noted it was recommended to
remove that instead of starting a conversation with staff that deals with sustainability and climate action
efforts on a day-to-day basis to see what the HPC and Climate Action Commission can partner on.
Bristow stated she actually proposed something related to reducing demolition waste and proposed it to
the waste management folks as well as they would need to take the lead on it, and they liked the idea
but it was not the kind of thing that could be worked out quickly. She also knows there are some other
staff on waste management who are interested in this and have been for a number of years because
they used to work together related to the salvage barn.
Boyd noted it is the exact same language they approved last year so they're keeping that one in and
then the long-term goal is to develop a disaster preparedness guide for preservation. He noted the City
and Friends combined were featured in a video recently in terms of the work that they did to preserve
historic neighborhoods after the 2006 tornado. He thinks climate change is going to have impact on
these historic neighborhoods and it is an important part of what they should think about in the long
term. Bristow noted the Commission and Friends did get a national award for how they helped the
community respond to the tornado.
Next value is social justice, racial equality and human rights. Boyd included a list of properties for
discussion and Bristow added a couple, for instance, the Unitarian Universalist Church held a dance
party for gay men that was raided by law enforcement and it's still standing, and it's become a local
landmark. They had social events in their basement a lot. The Haddock House is the home of Emma
Haddock, the first woman to practice law in federal court, it's also called the Crag. It's a concrete block
construction and is a real unique house and inside it's more intact than they might think. There was
also the Civil Rights grant a few years ago that listed Tate Arms on the National Register and has a
nice sign educating the public and so does the Iowa Federation Home. Boyd also included the brick
duplex on Iowa Avenue that's painted on one side and just bare brick on the other, it was the home of
one of the early sheriffs who was a fierce abolitionist and in his backyard on the other side of the creek,
which is now Jefferson Street, was a barn that was used when John Brown came through with some of
his arms and freedom seekers, they stayed in the house and the freedom seekers stayed in the barn
out back, so that house has been preserved. It was saved through the tornadoes and was preserved.
Boyd noted as they are digitizing more, they're going to discover more things and because they have
preserved some of these neighborhoods, they have preserved things that they didn't know maybe had
these deep histories like the second woman owned abortion clinic in the country was in Iowa City and it
was a house on Dodge Street that is part of the Brown Street Historic District. The clinic was only there
for maybe six months, but it was there and because of the Brown Street Historic District it is preserved,
and that house remains.
Boyd stated the short-term goal of ongoing work was identifying opportunities to highlight the City's
history as a leader in these issues, preserve the stories and structures, particularly as the 1960s and
70s homes become historic, and structures become historic. Another short-term goal is to partner with
Parks and Recreation Commission, the Public Arts Commission, Lucas Farms Neighborhood and other
community organizations to make Oak Grove Park a public space that honors the site's heritage. That
park was originally home to four or five Mexican families, immigrant families, who were working on the
railroad and built their houses out of the leftover structures from the rail yard there. The park is up for a
redesign in 2026 and that seems like an opportunity to rename it to something that honors that and find
other creative ways to celebrate that history.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
February 9, 2023
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Boyd noted he often gets asked what's the significance of Oak Grove Park, there was an Elm Grove
Park where the Johnson County Administration Building. For Oak Grove Park the City bought this land
from the railroad and named it in honor of the original park, but it's not like a deeply meaningful and it's
not necessarily a name that it would be sad to be changed out.
Boyd noted the City just bought several of these properties over there to either expand the park or
include as part of the new potential new train station if there's passenger rail created. Bristow assumes
those houses would come down there if the passenger rail is created. She is assuming that there's
nothing spectacular about them, but the Mexican barrio, as it was called, was in this area with some of
the small houses at the time that were in this area.
Bristow stated next is partnership and engagement is one of the values and is also something that's
included in the annual report. She noted they do have their annual awards and they'll carry that on, this
year is the 40'^ so they should celebrate and try to work on something special for that.
Boyd discussed two short-term goals, a while ago they worked with the Downtown District and passed
a framework to include economic tools for opt -in incentives for local landmarks. They sent it to City
Council where they talked about it but no one provided any feedback on what that conversation was.
So he wanted to include it as an opportunity and they should ask what happened to that conversation.
They've also got several new Council members so it might be worth asking as a short-term goal.
The other was the Montgomery Butler house, the Butler's are thought of as the godparents of Iowa City
when Iowa City was trying to become the state capitol. There were no structures for the legislators to
meet and several other cities had structures for people to meet in so the Butler's tried to convince the
legislature to meet in Iowa City and built a rickety structure that was a hotel called the Lean-to Capitol
because it wasn't a real sturdy building. But that's where they met for the first legislative session. In
Iowa there were laws that required new black citizens coming to the state to get a white person to
sponsor them and basically sign a bond that says they promised this person is a good person more or
less. The Butler's then signed for the first black family to move to Iowa City and they had their own
history as well. When Walter Butler died, his wife remarried to Mr. Montgomery and they had their
country home and operated a ferry across the river. When the bridge was built it was called Butler
bridge. Anyway, the Parks and Recreation Commissions noted most people consider this land a park
but it is actually land managed by public works because it's the waterworks land and parks has to do
some minor upkeep of the building, which is not in great condition.
The city acquired it in 1997 and agreed at the time to just keep it in moth balls until the funds became
available to do something with it. Well it's been 25 years now and they haven't but this Commission and
the Parks Recreation Commission unanimously passed to ask Council to create a working group of
people from both of Commission's and maybe other members of the public to just think about what to
do with it. One of the suggestions from a participant at the Parks and Rec meeting was to secure it in a
way to let it be ruins and it doesn't need to be a functional building, it could just be a structure that
exists with some story telling about the Butler's and their history and what the site was. There are
options that don't need to be a lot of money but if they don't do something with it, it's going to have to
get torn down and ended up as landfill waste. So this is an opportunity to work together as
Commissions and follow up with City Council and ask them if they have thoughts on it. Council is not
required by any measure to do anything asked of them but if engagement and partnership are there
they are likely to listen.
Boyd noted when they talked to Julie Johnson, the director of parks, she agreed it can't be a museum
but there's plenty of options somewhere between a restored structure that's open to the public and
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
February 9, 2023
Page 5 of 10
something that is preserved in a way that is allowed to just exist that doesn't provide safety risks or
other risks.
Sellergren asked how the log cabins in City Park were dealt with in terms of being closed up, were they
ever opened up say for City functions. Bristow doesn't know but noted when they got the grant to do
the roof they wrote about how they're used for formal things so she is sure that the doors are locked.
Bristow added one more thing regarding the Butler house, the City got multiple grants, one to study the
history, one to do a feasibility report about what it could be used for and then they got a grant to
mothballed it as well. So the State gave at least three grants thinking that was also an important
building with history.
Boyd noted there was an agreement that the City had to sign with SHPO in order to acquire this land
and there was some sign off issue that they had to mothball it and restore it when funds became
available, but that part has been forgotten as that agreement is now 25 years old. Bristow stated the
City has at least one lateral file cabinet drawer full of non -digitized documentation about this property.
Boyd noted the library has historic newspapers for more information as there's a lot of history here. But
again, he doesn't think it needs to be restored as a restored structure, it just needs to be stabilized and
a plan. Right now they've been ignoring it more or less, and putting band aids on it for 25 years.
Bristow added it is a stone house but the porches have been removed as part of the mothballing.
However, the structure that remains is a hefty structure.
Boyd explained that a participant at the Park and Rec meeting, Mary Bennett, suggested there's
examples in other cities and other states where they have these old structures that aren't really in a
place to be used but are stabilized in a way and left there as monuments of what they stood for and
they don't really have to come down. Additionally, they don't need a lot of maintenance, so that is a
really interesting idea given its placement.
Stork asked is there any precedent for this limited restoration type approach. Bristow noted where she
went to architecture school in Lawrence, Kansas, out in the country there's a big stone schoolhouse
that has no roof and part of one corner is kind of gone, but the architecture students stabilized the stone
by pointing it and then one of the architecture classes built an independent roof that doesn't touch the
building but protects it from further deterioration. For a while it was starting to fall apart and they did
fence it off so that they could work on it more so they had to be cognizant about its condition over time
but it just was there. Boyd noted he was in Portland and there was like a little development around the
walls of a structure that protected it in a similar way.
Beck asked what the interior materials are, is there a wood floor or wood trim anything. Bristow
believes it has plaster over stone walls and it's not in great condition right now so it would take some
work beyond just cleaning it up to make it passable.
Sellergren asked if the City has owned this since 1997, and done nothing to it, why did they want this
property. Boyd explained it was part of a larger property that included the land they wanted for the
water treatment facility. Wagner stated if there wasn't the history of the house, it would probably be
long gone by now. Boyd stated it feels like it needs to be addressed, there's certainly a grant to find a
way to cover many of the costs, and there's a lot of opportunities to address it in a way that is respectful
to the history like stabilizing with a plaque that explains the story. He noted there's very few structures
as old left as they don't have a lot of pre -Civil War structures left.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
February 9, 2023
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Another of the goals is housing and neighborhoods. This has two pieces, one is ongoing work with the
Historic Preservation Fund and partnering with neighborhoods interested in historic preservation. A
long-term goal is working to get form -based code in areas that are adjacent or surrounded by historic
districts. Boyd noted there's a handful of places that are almost entirely surrounded by historic districts
or adjacent to historic districts and those feel like really great opportunities for form -based code. He
explained form -based code is a zoning that cares more about the form of the building than the use of
the building so there's more flexibility for the developer to make buildings that look and meet the form,
there's a lot more flexibility on the use, whether it's more housing, higher density, or live/work spaces or
other type of commercial first floor types of things. He feels these are really critical and in areas where
there's a lot of developmental fights often so this is a solution to help transition from historic
neighborhoods to areas aren't protected and also helps mitigate some of the neighborhood fights that
happen in these areas. For example, there was a particular property that's just outside of the
Goosetown/Horace Mann Conservation District, literally next door to a historic house that is protected,
and there was a big fight so this just seems like a pretty easy solution and the City wants to move to
form -based code anyway.
Reynolds asked for more definition of form -based production. Boyd explained when they set the kind of
the zoning, there's a zoning overlay where they provide architectural details about what to expect the
buildings to look like for new construction. Sometimes cities will pre -design things that developers can
just get the plans and take them to action but it's for new construction in those areas that is more
focused on the building form and in exchange for focusing on the form it gives flexibility on use. For
example they can have a live/work space where maybe the first floor is like a law office and the second
floor is a residence and it may be in the middle of a neighborhood. Ann Conners Dentistry is an
example of what could happen with form -based code, having a dentist office in the middle of a
residential neighborhood. The City just passed form -based code for new south side areas to offer more
flexibility and more density in those areas. Bristow stated this also can fit with historic neighborhoods,
perhaps there can be a little grocery store on the corner that fits within historic neighborhoods so there
are not small houses and then a giant commercial building or a giant multifamily building next to it.
Reynolds noted one situation where this doesn't work out well has been with the Kum and Go stations,
they turned them around to have the building facing the streets rather than the gas pumps and now
they have to have some kind of street facing window so now it is just a blank window where they keep
all their storage. Boyd is not sure if that is part of the form -based code but does think there's some
design reivew in places too that require certain things. He stated as they're thinking about form -based
code the City should think about these areas that are completely surrounded by historic districts if
existing structures are torn down and new things are built there it's inevitably going to be a fight unless
they are in front of it and thoughtful about what those things look like.
In the neighborhood realm, the Historic Preservation Fund is an ongoing success. Bristow noted there
are two houses, one they've given multiple grants to turn the house into something spectacular. They
were able to help a nervous homeowner utilize her insurance plan to remove all the aluminum siding
and she got a grant to cover what they wouldn't pay for. The goal is to maintain neighborhoods and the
quality of the neighborhood is important.
Boyd talked about the idea of historic neighborhoods, they were designed for a variety of income levels
to be in existence all in the same neighborhood, they can have a very small house on one side, the
other side is pretty modest, and just down the street is a much larger house, all of those on the same
block. That doesn't really exist in a lot of new developments and that's what the City is trying to get
back to.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
February 9, 2023
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Lastly Boyd discussed preserving the heritage, it is not just part of the City's values, but it's just part of
the core mission. Bristow showed photos of some of long ongoing projects. First was the Summit
Street monument where the DAR, back in the 30s, put the plaques. She showed the monument on
Court and Summit that marks the southeast corner of the original plat of the City. They got a grant to
have a conservator come and study the monument and give recommendations for what to do about it
and the general idea is that it probably needs to be moved inside into a museum type setting and then
a replica made that goes in that location because it's going to deteriorate from acid rain and the plaque
leaching on to it. They reached out to the Old Capitol about it and they weren't interested so maybe City
Hall is an option. Boyd stated it literally is the oldest structure in the City as they put it up shortly after
they platted the City as this was an oversized survey marker so it needs to be addressed otherwise it
will continue to deteriorate. Bristow said they need to figure out where it's going to go, how to pay for
getting it there, making a replica and making signage.
Next is the Sanxay-Gilmore House, which they do believe is the oldest house within the City limits, the
original City limits, because there is one up Park Road, but this is where there was an agreement
between the City and the University to move it and make it the nonfiction writing program across the
street, but it came in at $2 million to move and rehab it so the University said no and instead they're
building a new nonfiction writing building on the spot that the Commission thought was the best place to
move the house. It would have been across from the University President's house. The City was, at
that time, willing to give the lot across the street from the current location to somebody who would move
it, which is a good incentive to get either a premium lot to move it on, or potentially part of a three-way
property deal where they move the house to another site that's better for the house and use that lot for
something else. So it seems that there's an opportunity to market that and Friends have been working
on this particular issue as well.
Bristow noted another thing on preserving heritage is to update the College Green Historic District, this
house was at 623 College Street and around Halloween 2015, it got struck by lightning and the roof
caught on fire and it subsequently got flooded by the fire hose water. Over time it molded. At the same
time on Iowa Avenue, there were two houses that were going to come down because of a developer so
it was decided to try to relocate one and move it to the College Street location. Staff talked to SHPO
before they moved the house to see if they would support it remaining a contributing property in this
district and they supported that. Now they actually need to go through the motions, edit the historic
districts so that the National Park Service also recognizes that as a contributing property and so that if
any future owners want to do something they can get tax credits or whatever.
Boyd noted the previous city attorney suggested they update the maps that list key properties
contributing and non-contributing. He went through several of the district's a while ago and then made
a plan to do three or four districts a year but that just hasn't happened because of lack of staff time.
Bristow noted how they classify the properties, how they can adjust guidelines, or the need to update
the maps and the classification of properties over time is one thing but changing the National Register
nomination is another. All national register historic districts can be updated with supplemental
information, so that if they did have a property that wasn't contributing on the National Register
nomination, it can be updated to count that as contributing as there are two levels. They should at least
go through the maps and revisit the classifications of the properties as they regulate them locally. They
should also, at least for this house because it actually relocated, change the National Register
nomination.
Next onto the house at 2040 Waterfront Drive, at the same time they got the grant for the Summit
Street monument the City got a grant to study this house. They knew it was old, it is Friendly Farm, and
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
February 9, 2023
Page 8 of 10
there's a barn there. They thought it was the house of Cyrus Sanders, who was the surveyor who
helped plan the City but that was actually not what they found out. They did an intensive site inventory
form on this property and found it was Cyrus's brother's house, Richard. Richard actually came first,
and then Cyrus came and there's a whole story now in the site inventory form. It was discovered that
even though it's not Cyrus's House, the house would still be eligible for listing in the National Register.
Cyrus's house, which was total Gothic Revival and is illustrated on one of the old City maps, is just
north of that in the middle of the mobile home park. It's covered in vinyl siding and has a fence around
it, but it exists and maybe one of their historic barns is there too, which is exciting. So they got this
intensive site inventory form, the historian stated it's eligible and staff has done nothing, but anytime
they are ready to present it to this Commission they will proceed with that again.
The Commission discussed some wordsmithing of the document.
MOTION: Wagner moved to approve the 2023 Historic Preservation Commission Work Plan as
amended in this meeting. Thomann seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 8-0 (Carl
Brown was absent).
REVIEW OF THE DRAFT 2022 CERTIFIED LOCAL GOVERNMENT ANNUAL REPORT:
Bristow stated they will present this to Council. She noted there's a national component and a local
component. The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and all of its amendments started the
certified local government program, basically because it started SHPO. SHPO gets a historic
preservation fund from the feds every year and they distribute it as grants and all sorts of other things
that they do that are part of the Preservation Act and part of the CLG program. Iowa is one of the most
active CLG programs in the nation. Iowa City has historic districts and conservation districts, all of the
historic districts are also listed in the National Register of Historic Places but the conservation districts
have no national register components, it's only a local designation. Similarly, there are individual
landmarks that are listed in the National Register. There are also local landmarks and there's National
Register landmarks that aren't local landmarks. Bristow noted the City also has two historic districts that
are listed in the National Register and don't have a local component. One is the Melrose Historic
District, south of the hospital and along Melrose and most recently was the designated Downtown
Historic District, both of those have no local component.
There was a nomination for Manville Heights that never went through and now it's probably not quite
eligible because of the amount of changes so it would have to be reevaluated. The City also has a
national registered district that was opposed by enough owners, it's the Clinton Street and Railroad
Depot Historic District. The floods caused the loss of the Saban School, which was down there in the
south side, and when that happened there was an agreement made between FEMA and SHPO who
did a study of the general area to see what other resources were there and the consultant found this
historic district. However, because the owners opposed the district, the National Park Service only
provided an opinion of eligibility. If the owners ever come back and rescind their opposition to the
district, then it would automatically be listed, it wouldn't even need to be reviewed again.
Bristow showed a map of all of the districts along with the landmarks. She noted this Commission
has12 seats, three of which are open, last year, they only had 11 meetings because they skipped
December and didn't need additional meetings. The Commission doesn't technically have a budget
because it's part of the Neighborhood Development Services budget, but they do an annual mailing that
costs about $450 and about $750 for training and other expenses. The Historic Preservation Fund has
always been $40,000, this year it was raised to $42,000. The report then goes on and talks about the
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
February 9, 2023
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National Register properties first, because that's what most of the CLG communities have, and they list
any properties that had work done to them. The Commission reviewed about 36 properties that were
altered. The next part of the report talks about the local designations and the Commission did locally
designate one landmark last year, the John and Anna Vrchoticky Prybil Cottage. The report also
discusses public education and how they assist with other groups and how they assist property owners.
This year they had 89 applications for historic review out of 246 inquiries. Sometimes that's multiple
inquiries on a property but only counted once. 2021 was the biggest last year, there was 276 inquiries
and 118 applications. Public education outreach includes annual awards, and this year is the 40th
annual. The report asks about challenges and successes, challenges being open positions on the
commission, lack of contractors and people who can draw things, successes being the historic
preservation fund increase.
MOTION: Beck moves to approve the 2023 CLG annual report as amended. Sellergren seconded the
motion. The motion carried on a vote of 8-0 (Carl Brown was absent).
REPORT ON CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY CHAIR AND STAFF:
Minor Reviews:
533 South Lucas Street
Basement window replacement and egress window installation. This house needed a basement
egress window, and the ground actually slopes so much away from this house that their window well
will be about eight inches tall so they're just going to use landscaping limestone block for that instead of
trying to match the foundation. They also had some other deteriorated basement windows that were
approved to replace as well.
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES FOR JANUARY 12, 2023:
MOTION: Sellergren moved to approve the minutes of the Historic Preservation Commission's January
12, 2023, meeting, as written. Beck seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 8-0 (Carl
Brown was absent)
COMMISSION DISCUSSION:
Bristow discussed finding a time for the March meeting, March 14 would fall during spring break and
they may not be able to have a quorum, March 22 or March 23 may work so she asked that
Commissioners hold those dates until she can confirm.
ADJOURNMENT:
Thomann moved to adjourn the meeting. Reynolds seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 pm.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION ATTENDANCE RECORD
2022-2023
TERM
2/15
3/10
4/14
5/12
6/9
7/14
8/11
9/8
10/13
11/10
1/12
2/9
NAME
EXP.
BECK,
6/30124
X
X
--
X
O/E
O/E
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
MARGARET
BOYD, KEVIN
6/30/23
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
BROWN,
6/30/23
O/E
X
X
O/E
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
O/E
O/E
CARL
DEGRAW,
6/30/22
X
X
X
X
X
-
SHARON
ECKHARDT,
6/30/24
—
X
X
COLE
KUENZLI,
6/30/22
O/E
X
X
X
X
CECILE
LARSON,
6/30/24
X
O
--
X
X
X
O/E
O/E
O
--
--
KEVIN
SELLERGREN,
6/30/22
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
JORDAN
STORK, NOAH
6/30/24
X
O/E
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
THOMANN,
6/30/23
X
O/E
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
DEANNA
VILLANUEVA,
6/30/25
-
X
X
O/E
O/E
X
X
X
NICOLE
WAGNER,
6/30/23
X
X
--
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
O/E
X
X
FRANK
WELU-
6/30/25
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
REYNOLDS,
CHRISTINA
KEY: X = Present
O = Absent
O/E= Absent/Excused
--- = Not a member
MEMORANDUM
TO: Board of Adjustment
FROM: Susan Dulek, Ass't. City Attorney, j
DATE: 3/ 1 /23
RE: Appeal from Historic Preservation Commission's Denial of a
Certificate of Appropriateness to replace windows 804 Iowa Ave.
The purpose of this memorandum is to set forth City staff's position regarding the rules that govern
your consideration of the above -referenced appeal. Please note the City Attorney's Office will not
be advising the Board in this appeal. The Board will be advised by an Assistant Johnson County
Attorney on this issue.
In deciding the appeal, Section 14-8E-2D3 of the City Code states:
In deciding such appeal, the ... the board of adjustment,... shall consider whether the
[historic preservation] commission has exercised its powers and followed the guidelines
established according to this title, and whether the commission's action was patently
arbitrary or capricious.
Therefore, the Board must determine:
1. Whether the Commission exercised its powers and followed the "guidelines" established by the
Historic Preservation provisions of the City Code? Section 14-313-3C (1) of the City Code sets
forth the approval criteria:
C. Approval Criteria: Applications for historic review will be reviewed for compliance with
the following guidelines and standards, which are published in the "Iowa City Historic
Preservation Handbook", as amended:...
2. Conservation Districts: For properties located within a conservation district:
a. "Iowa City Guidelines For Historic Preservation"....
And
2. Whether the Commission's action was "patently arbitrary or capricious"? A decision is
.arbitrary" or "capricious" when it is made without regard to the law or the facts of the case. Arora
v. Iowa Board of Medical Examiners, 564 N.W. 2d 4, 8 (Iowa 1997).
The above -stated "standard of review" is a narrow one. The Board is not entitled to substitute its
judgment for that of the Commission. In other words, the Board may not reverse the
Commission's decision merely because the Board disagrees with it. Rather, if the Board finds that
the Commission exercised its powers and followed the guidelines established by law and that its
decision was not patently arbitrary or capricious, then the Board must affirm the Commission's
decision.
The Iowa City Guidelines For Historic Preservation are contained within the Iowa City Historic
Preservation Handbook that is adopted by Council resolution. Regarding a request to replace
windows, the primary issue under the Guidelines is whether the windows are deteriorated.
Attached is page 31 of the Iowa City Preservation Handbook, which includes the following: The
Commission ... requires documentation of the extent of deterioration in order to approve
replacement of windows." (emphasis added) Because the Commission concluded the windows
are not deteriorated, the Commission followed the Guidelines published in the Iowa City
Preservation Handbook. Further, its decision was not patently arbitrary or capricious. Therefore,
the Board must affirm the Commission's decision.
Copy to: James Phelps, architect for the owner
Jessica Bristow, Historic Preservation Planner
Historic Preservation Commission
Iowa City Historic Preservation Handbook
street to garages or parking at the rear of
the property should he one lane in width,
but can be widened toward the back of the
lot to provide access to multi -stall garages or
parking spaces.
Disallowed:
Fences
Removing historic metal fences.
Parkin
It Providing parking spaces between the
primary structure and the street.
Vehicular Access
• Adding curb cuts and driveways from the
street when access is available from an alley.
Not Recommended:
Fences
• Installing chain link, wire mesh or rail
fences in locations highly visible from the
street.
Sidewalks. Streets. and Walls
• Replacing historic brick paving with
concrete.
Vegetation
• Removing mature trees, unless tree is
causing damage to a building, is diseased,
or is structurally unsound, as determined
by a professional arborist.
Exception
For more information on exceptions to the
Iowa City Guidelines, please refer to section
3.2.
4.13 Windows
Windows are one of the most important elements that define a building's architectural character.
Important window characteristics and elements include the window type, size, proportion, trim —
lintels, sills, decorative hoods and pediments, pattern of divided lights, mullions, sash and decorative
glass. Most often, historic windows are double -hung, but casements were occasionally used. Except for
small decorative windows, historic windows are generally taller than they are wide, and the lower and
upper floor windows are often aligned vertically. The Commission recommends repair of historic
windows before replacement is considered, and requires documentation of the extent of deterioration
in order to approve replacement of windows.
Recommended:
Attic Windows. Vents, Window Air -Condition Units and Other
Similar Openings
Preserving historic attic windows, their trim and installing
traditional wood vents.
• Locating new attic openings in a manner that is
compatible with the historic window pattern.
• Locating window air-conditioning units on a building
elevation which is not highly visible from the street.
Historic Windows
• Preserving the historic windows by repairing sashes and
frames.
Retaining historic window frames and replacing badly
deteriorated sashes with new sashes that match the
historic ones.
New Windows
Adding windows that match the type, size, sash width,
trim, use of divided lights, and overall appearance of the
historic windows.
• Adding new windows in a location that is consistent with
the window pattern of the historic building or buildings of
similar architectural style.
(Continued on page 32)
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