HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-12-2023 HPC Agenda Packet
Thursday
October 12, 2023
5:30 p.m.
Emma J. Harvat Hall
City Hall
IOWA CITY HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Thursday, October 12, 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. HPC23-0061: 1047 Woodlawn Avenue – Woodlawn Historic District (new rear deck and repairs to
earlier addition)
E) Report on Certificates issued by Chair and Staff
Certificate of No Material Effect –Chair and Staff review (deferred from September meeting)
1. HPC23-0043: 518 South Lucas Street – Governor-Lucas Street Conservation District (concrete site
stair replacement)
2. HPC23-0047: 314 South Governor Street – Governor-Lucas Conservation District (concrete site stair
replacement)
Minor Review –Staff review (first 4 deferred from September meeting)
1. HPC23-0037: 738 Rundell Street - Longfellow Historic District (deteriorated window and door
replacement)
2. HPC23-0041: 521 South Governor Street – Governor-Lucas Street Conservation District (vinyl siding
removal and historic siding and trim repair)
3. HPC23-0044: 707 Rundell Street – Longfellow Historic District (overhead door replacement)
4. HPC23-0046: 1328 Muscatine Avenue – Longfellow Historic District (roof shingle replacement)
5. HPC23-0060: 737 Grant Street – Longfellow Historic District (front step replacement)
Intermediate Review –Chair and Staff review
1. HPC23-0052: 1025 Woodlawn Avenue – Woodlawn Historic District (new barn foundation)
2. HPC23-0055: 521 South Governor Street – Governor-Lucas Street Conservation District (shutter
installation)
F) Consideration of Minutes for September 14, 2023
G) Commission Discussion
1. 302 (316) East Bloomington Street, Slezak Hall
2. HP Awards
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 October 9, 2023
Historic Review for HPC23-0061: 1047 Woodlawn Avenue
General Information:
Owner: Jenny Gordy, jennygordy@gmail.com
Applicant/Contact Person: John Martinek, Modern Roots Design Build,
jnmartinek@yahoo.com
District: Woodlawn Historic District
Classification: Contributing
Project Scope: New rear deck and repairs to rear addition
Applicable Regulations and Guidelines:
4.0 Iowa City Historic Preservation Guidelines for Alterations
4.1 Balustrades and Handrails
5.0 Guidelines for Additions
5.2 Decks and Ramps
Property History:
Built in 1888, this cross-gable house presents a somewhat “Gothic” effect, due to the
step pitch of the roof and the pairs of small, second story windows with flat-sided
pointed head on the north and west sides. The north and west gable ends are
decorated with lacy vergeboards. On the north, is a first floor protruding polygonal bay,
with bracketed cornice and iron cresting on the roof. It is probably that a similar bay was
located on the west side. A one-story rear addition was built by 1915. It was expanded
with an upper story at an unknown date. In 1984, another small one-story addition was
added behind that and then a larger one-story sunroom addition was constructed across
the back of the house in a somewhat Post-modern design. A screened porch is included
in the east portion of the addition.
Detailed Project Description:
This project involves the removal and replacement of an existing heavily deteriorated
modern deck structure at 1047 Woodlawn. When the existing structure is removed,
repairs will be made to deteriorated framing and siding on the home. The new deck will
be attached to existing sunroom, mudroom, and screen porch area or the 1984 addition.
The deck will be roughly L-shaped running approximately 20 feet along the back of the
house and projecting 21’-6” south from the house. Materials to be used are as follows:
the structural framing will be pressure treated lumber; the deck surface and steps will be
composite deck boards; the deck railing will be painted wood to match the dark green
trim color on the house with a square spindled balustrade style. The deck skirting on the
east side will be simple, framed vertical skirting. The owners would also plan to
incorporate a hot tub into the design. For the wall repairs, a vertical corner trim to match
the corner trim on the rest of the addition (dark green) will be installed and then wood
lap siding (tan color) to match the existing lap siding will be installed.
Guidelines:
Section 5.2 Decks and Ramps of the guidelines recommends:
• Locating a new deck on the back of a primary building, opposite the street-facing
facade and set in from the side walls at least 8 inches.
• Designing decks so that the size, scale and location do not detract from the
character of the district’s rear yards, if significant to the district.
• Attaching decks to the building in a manner that will not damage a historic
exterior wall or, other historic materials, or cause wood siding to deteriorate.
• Following the guidelines in section 4.1 Balustrades and Handrails.
It is disallowed to leave balusters and railings unpainted if they are highly visible from
the street.
Section 4.1 Balustrades and Handrails 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.
• Installing … square spindles that are 1-1/2 inches or greater in width.
• Installing top and foot rails that are at least 2 inches in thickness.
• Sloping the top and foot rails slightly 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.
Analysis:
In Staff’s opinion, the existing deck was not installed with proper flashing, leading to
damage to the exterior wall. The upper portion of the wall was also damaged from other
sources. The wall will be repaired with lap siding and trim matching this portion of the
house. The new deck will be installed to avoid damage to the existing wall. The new
deck will be constructed of wood with piers below, skirting to enclose the area, a
composite floor and a railing that follows the guidelines.
The proposed deck will not be set in 8 inches from the side walls of the house. Instead,
it will be flus with the east wall of the screened porch addition which projects about five
feet east of the historic house. Approval of the deck will require an exception to the
guidelines. Even though the deck (and the screened porch to which it is attached) is not
set in from the side walls of the historic house, the deck is located behind the house in a
heavily wooded lot in a heavily wooded neighborhood on a private drive. The deck will
not be visible from the street or from any of the neighboring houses. Aligning the deck
with the existing screened porch will avoid adding more complexity to the already
complex rear addition to this house. Staff recommends approval through the use of an
exception to the deck portion of the guidelines for an Uncommon Situation.
Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval a Certificate of Appropriateness for the project at 1047
Woodlawn Avenue as presented in the application through the use of an exception to
the guidelines for the uncommon situation created by the existing rear addition to the
house.
1047 Woodlawn Avenue- front façade (north elevation)
1047 Woodlawn Avenue – rear addition (south elevation)
1047 Woodlawn Avenue – East side from NE corner
1047 Woodlawn Avenue – East side from SE corner (projecting second floor and one-
story additions to left are all modern additions).
1047 Woodlawn Photos
MINUTES PRELIMINARY
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SEPTEMBER 14, 2023 – 5:30 PM – FORMAL MEETING
EMMA J. HARVAT HALL, CITY HALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Nicole Villanueva, Noah Stork, Margaret Beck, Deanna Thomann, Carl
Brown, Jordan Sellergren, Andrew Lewis, Christina Welu-Reynolds, Frank
Wagner
MEMBERS ABSENT:
STAFF PRESENT: Jessica Bristow
OTHERS PRESENT: David Villanueva, Sharon DeGraw
CALL TO ORDER:
Sellergren called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANYTHING NOT ON THE AGENDA:
None.
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS:
HPC23-0049: 813 Rundell Street – Dearborn Street Conservation District (roof alteration at screened
porch):
Bristow began the staff report noting this is on the edge of the Dearborn Street Conservation District
and is a contributing building. It is a brick house with a front-facing gable and lap siding. In the front
entryway is a California window and recessed entry. This project is about the roof so Bristow showed
an aerial image showing the roof line, noting it is a ranch house with a main hip roof and a gable roof on
the front. This project is about the screened porch which was on the back and originally built as part of
the house. It has an effectively flat roof with a very low slope and it's been causing deterioration from
water. The project is to replace the flat roof with another gable roof and it would be at the same slope
as all the other roofs on the house. Bristow showed an image of the south side of the screen porch
noting the eave line for the screen porch actually steps down a little bit and there's a fascia board
around the top of the wall so another part of the project is to raise that to match the rest of the house.
Bristow stated in the guidelines regarding additions they talk about continuing the horizontal lines on
the house so they determined that they would go ahead and raise it.
Bristow noted the guidelines that are associated with this project are from section 4.7 Mass and Roof
Lines. With this project they will be preserving the historic trim such as crown molding, skirt and frieze
boards. Replacing with wood to match is the recommendation and what they propose to do. Also
preserving the original roof pitches and spans is required but the proposed project does not do that so
there is an exception in this section available to all properties in all districts: minor changes to the roof
pitch to address drainage can be done on a case-by-case basis. The Commission would approve that
as an exception to the guidelines because it was necessary here in order to solve a drainage issue.
Otherwise, the roof itself that they propose fits in with the guidelines to match roof pitches and roof
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SEPTEMBER 14, 2023
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types and things like that. Since this house has a hip roof as the main roof, the decision could be made
to make this new porch roof be a hip roof but because of the fact that the front facing projection is a
gable roof that was the recommendation by staff to make the screen porch have a gable roof as well.
The new roof will have asphalt shingles to match the gable in the front with the lap siding and raising
the eave and soffit to match the main house. This project will also replace the battens and the screens
on the screen porch.
Staff’s recommended motion is to approve the project as presented in the application through the use
of an exception to the guidelines.
Stork noted that that fascia board was going to line up with the roof line but they didn't have to do that
because the whole project's an exception or because they can match the existing conditions so they
could leave it where it is. Bristow confirmed they could do that but because they're changing the roof
anyway it would then follow the guidelines and match. They could go in either direction with that
particular detail either raising the part to match the frieze board or maintaining it where it is.
MOTION: Wagner moved to approve a certificate of appropriateness for the project at 813
Rundell Street, as presented in the application through the use of an exception to the
guidelines. Thomann second.
A vote was taken and the motion carried on a vote of 9-0.
HPC23-0050: 320 East College Street – Local Historic Landmark (signage):
Bristow began the staff report nothing this is a local Historic Landmark in the Iowa City Downtown
Historic District and reminded everyone the Downtown Historic District is only a National Register
Historic District (not requiring review of projects) so they're reviewing this project because it's also a
local landmark. The property is the Trinity Episcopal Church on the corner of College and Gilbert
Streets. The church was built in the 1870s and has had several projects such as sign projects, roofing
projects and there was a big project that replaced the foundation.
The current project is to replace the sign, it is a modern wood sign, and the Commission doesn’t have
any specific guidelines about signs in the handbook. Therefore, they review signs against the
Secretary of Interior standards. If this building was a downtown business, then they would review it
against the Iowa City Downtown District sign guidelines but those also follow the Secretary of Interior
standards. Bristow stated they will discuss not only the sign design but the material as well. There is a
section of the guidelines about wood. The Guidelines would recommend substituting a material in place
of wood only if the substitute material retains the appearance and function of the original wood and that
substitute material must be durable except paint and be approved by the Commission. The guidelines
disallow substituting a material that does not retain the appearance, function and paintability of wood.
For the Secretary of Interior Standards, the basic standards related to this project say exterior
alterations shall not destroy historic materials that characterize the property but the existing sign is not
a historic sign. The sign will be placed in the yard near where the existing sign is so there won't be any
historic materials that will be damaged. The new work shall be differentiated from the old and shall be
compatible with the massing, size, scale, and architectural features to protect the historic integrity of the
property. Bristow stated one of the things that they would look at for a monument sign is whether or not
that sign speaks to or works with the architecture and so that would satisfy standard nine. Standard 10
is adjacent new construction or related work shall be undertaken in a matter that if removed in the
future the essential form and integrity of the historical property would be unimpaired. Again, given the
location and installation that would be satisfied.
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Bristow showed the site plan for the church building noting the main historic portion and the more
recent addition and the historic Parish Hall. She noted that to meet the zoning code and the sign permit
application it has to be set back 30 feet on each direction from the corner and that it's a certain height.
She showed an image of the proposed design for the new sign noting it'll have posts similar to the
existing ones and then there will be a board that is suspended with several things that Trinity already
has on their signage.
The application was submitted to make the sign board itself out of HDU, which is a high-density
urethane, and her research took her to at least two main web pages that talked about the fact that it's
has become an industry standard for carved signs because they’re not going to deteriorate in the
weather, are paintable and it can be worked like wood. Bristow showed an image the applicant
submitted and also a statement that this sign uses the same material that’s being installed in a historic
district in Washington DC right outside of National Park Service buildings. Given the research staff
would agree that at least for a monument sign that the HDU material would be an appropriate material
to approve. The Commission can just approve it for this project then or if interested in approving it for
all signs like this as an appropriate Commission approved material they can also make a motion and
vote on that.
Staff recommends approval of a certificate of appropriateness for the project of 320 East College Street
as presented in the application.
Welu-Reynolds asked that on the current sign the piece painted right now looks like it's a high gloss
paint. Bristow noted they are going to paint it red and so it is possible that they would use a high gloss
paint.
MOTION: Brown moves to approve a certificate of appropriateness for the project at 320 East
College Street, as presented in the application. Stork second.
Welu-Reynolds asked how many applications the City gets for signs. Bristow replied about two or three
a year, with monument signs it's going to be churches, maybe a random business, or the Greek
houses, there's not going to be a lot of monument signs.
A vote was taken and the motion carried on a vote of 9-0.
Request Comment on a Proposal at 431 South Summit Street:
Villanueva recused herself from this discussion.
Bristow noted this house is in the Summit Street Historic District. She showed an image of the front of
the house stating this house was an Italianate house originally and was remodeled in the 1930s by a
local architect after a fire. It's also pretty obvious that the rear portion of this house was an addition at
some point in time. She stated this type of Italianate house is noted by the front proportion and the
rhythm of windows, it could have a wide eave overhang that probably would have had an internal gutter
in it and it would have had brackets. Bristow showed other examples of Italianate houses, including
one at 618 East Davenport is a local landmark and happens to have a Gable front roof. The house at
431 South Summit Street has a really low-pitched hip roof.
The overall project is to add an addition to the back of the house and during design review of the
project it became apparent that one guideline wasn’t being met and it's a guideline that impacts the
location of the addition. So, prior to having the architect work on any design revisions that might be
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
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needed staff wanted to come to the Commission to determine whether or not the Commission is likely
to approve an exception to the guidelines to allow the project to happen. The Commission won’t be
making a motion or voting on this, it is really just to get a feel from the Commission to determine
whether or not it it's likely to be approved one way or the other.
Currently the house has a dining room and a kitchen in the rear of the house and part of the applicant's
reason for wanting to put the addition behind that is because they want to keep the historic dining room
as it has built-ins and a plaster cartouche in the ceiling. However, the kitchen is very small with
numerous doors that make one end of the kitchen not really usable.
The guidelines in question is section 5.1 Expansion of the Building Footprint which states that unique
setback guidelines exist for Summit Street and on this street the rear wall of the primary structure, the
house, must not extend deeper than 125 feet from the front street. The purpose of that restriction is it
preserves the openness of rear yards and then it refers to section 8.1 of the Neighborhood District
Guidelines which state on Summit Street only the rear wall of the primary structures must not extend
deeper than 125 feet from the front street. Unlike section 5.1, the Neighborhood District Guidelines are
not written as recommendations and there is not a specific documented exception to this guideline.
Bristow noted they have a few ways that exceptions happen with the guidelines, one they're
documented, for example the previous case regarding the roof that basically said if there's drainage
issues the Commission can decide. For this section no documented exception exists but the
Commission can apply exceptions of the guidelines through an uncommon situation. The Commission
has used that for instance because the guidelines actually disallow attached garages on Summit Street
and they’ve approved an attached garage because of the fact that the lot was too small to add a garage
that was not attached to the house, so an exception was made to the guidelines in that case to use an
exception to the guidelines.
Since the applicant knew about the situation, as part of the application they submitted some
measurements from a screenshot from the Johnson County property information viewer. Bristow noted
they use that viewer every day to measure from one place to another, and she noted two things: one is
the shapes seen are roof outlines so if somebody has a 24-inch soffit this is showing that whole size of
the roof not the walls so they do need to take that into consideration. Second, there are other things
such as making sure that the beginning and ending of measurement lines aligns properly with what you
are measuring. The applicant also provided distances of just the backyards which is also useful. Even
so, Bristow went through and measured the entire street for accurate measurements. When going
through on each property she noted two measurements, what was the eave overhang and tried to
come up with how far these rear walls are from the front street. She also looked at additions and when
additions were done and came up with the table that was included in the agenda packet.
Bristow pointed out 304 South Summit on the corner of Burlington Street and Summit Street extends
past 125 feet, but that was also a historic situation it was either the house was built that way or they
added on to it basically before 1942. The house at 624 Summit Street was actually just built really far
back on the lot and set back a lot further than everybody else. Overall, she found out of the 43
properties 14 did not follow that guideline. Of those, six happened before 1942, another three had
some kind of addition in the 1950s to 1970s, two were reviewed by the Commission in the 1980s or
1990s and that was before they had guidelines. Finally, three of them were reviewed more recently
and Bristow reviewed those. The first is 409 South Summit and they had a historic sleeping porch that
somebody had added and extended out prior to the 1970s and their project was enclosing the area
below it. The Commission didn’t talk about that set back in regard to this project, but it did not extend
further than the existing building. The second is at 519 South Summit where they had an existing
addition and the project added an addition. The Commission had felt strongly that this improved the
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
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appearance of the back of this house and that it would only project four and a half feet into that 125-foot
setback. The third is 330 South Summit and this was a project where it was adding on to the back of
the house a one-story bedroom/bath for the owner to age in place and then she wanted a porch that
matched the front porch. In this particular instance they determined that this house had the biggest lot
in that area and that even after this addition they would still have twice as much open space as anyone
nearby so it was approved.
At this point Bristow stated staff would not recommend approving an addition that extended past the
125 feet partly because staff doesn't find an uncommon situation or a limitation to apply an exception to
the guidelines, and also because they feel that there's an opportunity to put an addition on another
portion of the house instead. Effectively they could take the dining room space and move it outwards,
they would have to replace some of the materials in there and it would retain the exterior window on
both the north and west sides and then the extra space could be added to expand the kitchen. Staff
would recommend that this would at least allow an addition and better follow the guidelines.
Staff requests comments from the Commission if the Commission would consider the use of an
exception to the guidelines for an addition to 431 South Summit to extend past the setback limitation on
Summit Street. Bristow also wanted to note the house is only one foot from that limit right now so to
entirely meet the guidelines they have one foot. The City has regularly allowed properties to go to 126
so it is feasible to add something of a foot or two. Another option is would the Commission consider the
use of an exception for an addition that extends past the setback limitations less than the proposed 13
feet and if so what distance could it extend. The Commission has a role here of providing comment
whether they think that there's an exception that is warranted to allow them to put the addition entirely
behind the house and it is a 14-foot addition so that's where the 13-foot dimension comes from.
Wagner noted 138 feet back is where they would be if they approved the entire addition. He asked
what the square footage is roughly of the kitchen addition. Bristow believes it would be 14x18 but with
what staff would suggest it would only be slightly smaller, just off the side, not the back.
Stork noted however that suggestion basically destroys the dining room. Bristow clarified the
recommendation is saying put the addition on the south side of the house, however that works out.
Beck would definitely consider the addition going behind the house because it does preserve the dining
room. She asked how far the front of the house is from the front of the street. Bristow replied from one
of the dimensions that they provided they have 54 feet and it's aligned with the house next door. Beck
noted the addition would go 13 feet back and they still have quite a bit of space in the backyard before
it hits their garage, it's also in the back of the house so it would not be seen from the road, it preserves
the dining room, the stairs and things like that.
Wagner stated this just this looks like a very modern kitchen to him and the way it juts out that two feet
four inches is sort of contrary to what they usually say about an addition that it sets back in a foot well
and if they’re sitting in their dining room and look out the window they’ll see the corner of the house.
Brown stated it's set back from the main part of the house but not that kitchen area. Bristow stated they
have noted that as one of the recommendations in staff review to be revised. In the mass and roof line
section there is a guideline that requires that they retain the corners of the building so that one can
always tell the extent of the original building, it also solves some major roof issues. She stated whether
or not it is set in from that corner is not actually what they're concerned with right now.
Brown stated his sense is they’re being asked to think about if they would be open to an exception and
his mind goes to what would be the reason for that exception and he doesn’t think they have a reason
right now for an exception.
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Sellergren agrees and would say that this is opening floodgates for no limitations on making exceptions
after this because there's no necessary reason for this to happen besides wanting to have an addition.
She noted they can't not make exceptions, and this is the oldest historic district in the City so if they
don't draw the line here there's no line and the district guidelines are clear.
Brown stated if there were a reason for the exception, such as they’ve talked about with other auxiliary
units, and it could possibly happen but if there were some reason they could narrow the definition of
what that exception is maybe but he doesn’t see a reason for the exception other than their kitchen's
really small and this is a better place to put it.
Sellergren doesn’t think they're necessarily going to need to destroy the dining room, they can save
some of those pieces and build them in if they do extend to the south. She noted if they allow this
anybody can come in here and cite this as a precedent and it doesn't end at that point.
Thomann stated there is a precedent already through other properties. Wagner noted both of those are
corner lots.
Sellergren noted since she’s been on the Commission this is the second major exception, they’ve made
to the guidelines to accommodate a Commissioner's work on their home and she personally doesn’t
think it politically looks great. To approve a major addition like this that contradicts guidelines for a
Commissioner she is personally not comfortable with that.
Brown stated he thinks they do have to be flexible with the guidelines and possibly revisit this particular
guideline and decide is 125 really what they want. He does think 13 feet past the 125 guideline is too
far and they have to say there's no reason for an exception.
Lewis noted there are other houses expanded that far and no one seems to have any concern, yes
those were there before the guideline but still no one's complaining that it messes with the aesthetic of
Summit Street. In addition it's on the back of the house and there's been a lot of discussion about
things that happen on the back of the house that they seem to care about a little bit less than the
things that happen in the front of the house.
Thomann would also like to know where the 125 feet number originated from. Additionally, whether the
house is owned by a Commissioner or by Joe Schmoe is not the issue, they are trying to preserve that
dining room.
Sellergren noted there's also something to be said for buying a home in a historic district, the oldest
historic district in the town, and this is a luxury addition so to her it’s very clear it's not an option unless
they revisit the entire neighborhood or have to be prepared for an influx of requests like this.
Stork stated this is a more unique guideline for this Commission and they don't normally see this
backyard-type preservation guideline. It's not so much a structure guideline it is more of a way of life.
Bristow stated she is sure the applicant believes saving the dining room is the reason for needing the
exception. The 125 feet likely came from the fact that most the houses tend to be that depth and when
coming up with that guideline they probably looked at what the length of general houses are and what
they tend to be set back at and used some math. They likely don't have documentation about why the
guidelines were set up in certain ways, but she does know that it was part of the 2004 guidelines.
She noted one major project that came up since she’s been here regarding how far a house projected
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into the rear yard was in 2015 at 610 Ronalds Street where the house was pretty small and a developer
bought it and he wanted to take it down claiming that it was structurally unsound and irretrievable, their
engineer said that the typical historic construction was structurally sound but that it was irretrievable
because of cat urine. As with any demolition the Commission has to look at the house but then also
review the design of the replacement house. They were going to replace it with a basic gable front
house that was two stories plus attic and it was aligned with the front facades but it was extending
further back than all of the neighbors. This was an issue because in the neighborhoods where there is
a rhythm of streets and alleys, being able to look across the backyards was part of that neighborhood
and so they suggested to the owner and architect that they limit the size of the building. The project
was not approved because of the length of the house extending into the rear yard and that is the just
the only example she can really think of where they really were looking at what was happening in the
space of the rear yards.
Welu-Reynolds noted if the diagram was lined up so that they could get a better sense of how things fit
in the yard comparatively it would be helpful. She had never even thought about site lines in the back
yards until now. Bristow did note on the map it shows the house next to it as shorter and then two of
the longer ones on either side. Site line may be less of an issue unless the neighbors really want to
see 419 South Summit.
Bristow noted it sounds like everyone has a lot of different opinions and they’re not all saying yes
absolutely nor all saying no way. Perhaps they need to just poll each Commissioner because there are
costs here that will affect the applicant. It won't be as formal as a certificate of appropriateness vote
just a quick statement to gauge.
Wagner agrees about setting a precedent if they allow it but also doesn’t like the way it's it looks, it
looks like a kitchen addition slapped on the back that doesn't belong with the house. He would say go
with what staff recommends as an addition with the dining room and say okay to adding five feet to the
back of the house to make it all bigger. That would look better and more in line with a lot of the other
homes in that area. He noted that there's this idea about the dining room and one of those two built-ins
in the corners, those are from the 1930s or 1940s, but they can get oak flooring or maple flooring and
put it on a diagonal to make the new dining room look like the old dining room and make the rest of the
house look like it's part of the house. In his estimation this addition does not work with that house and
they can still make the kitchen bigger.
Stork appreciates the fact that this meets the values of the Commission to keep the original structure
and it's a shame to care more about the outside than the inside. The application does seem to go
along with the values it just doesn't meet this one rule and that one rule just doesn't seem to apply in a
way that to him makes sense.
Sellergren asked: does the kitchen have to be that large, could it be a longer, narrower kitchen and still
be an efficient space.
Bristow stated the guidelines are for additions are really clear and start with a paragraph that says
figure out what addition will work with the exterior of the house then figure out what the interior does.
One shouldn't just work out an interior design they like and then make it fit, they should always have a
design that works on the exterior first. She reiterated the first question is the Commission okay with a
13 feet addition and the second question is would they be okay with anything less.
Wagner would be willing to entertain an exception based on what is the average of those properties
that go past the 125 feet. Go down the whole block and obtain the average, if the average over the limit
extension is eight feet then as a Commission they can say they are willing to make that exception
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SEPTEMBER 14, 2023
Page 8 of 12
because that's the average. He stated set back averages are a thing that they do in general in non-
historic district zonings.
Brown asked about creating an exception and Bristow explained they would pick from the three types of
exceptions, those being a documented exception from the past, an uncommon scenario or no
applicable guideline existing. The Commission can apply an exception but they have to state the
reason for it. Brown is open to considering an exception of the 13 feet past the 125 feet.
Beck stated she is really torn between it being a super clear rule and 125 just being such an arbitrary
number. Thomann stated she doesn’t feel like they're being frivolous or opening floodgates. This is a
historical addition to a historical house that will have to meet all guidelines. Beck added because the
fact that there is an older neighbor who got to do it because it was before 1950 makes it feel okay.
Stork stated if the guidelines are there to give everybody this nice, wonderful backyard he looks at the
size of this house and that lot and is not sure that's restricting the rear yard on this house.
Lewis asked does it actually preserve the openness of a rear yard, and who decides that.
Sellergren asked if the architect was aware of the guidelines and was this misjudged. She
acknowledges one of her hesitations is always not to make them spend more money or do more work
but maybe more work needs to be done in this case. Bristow stated the architect measured from the
property line instead and not the way it says from front street. Sellergren would like to see an
alternative design but is open to the possibility of an exception.
Brown is open to an exception, just not to the 13 feet because he doesn’t see a justification for the 13
feet. Sellergren wants an alternative design, Stork is open to an exception, Welu-Reynolds is open to
an exception, Wagner is open and basing it on an average of those properties that are over the 125
feet. Beck is open to an exception to line up with a pre-1945 immediate neighbor. Lewis is open to an
exception, Thomann is not, but likes Wagner’s idea to find a way to provide a limitation. She noted
there has to be a reason for preserving the dining room but that's interior uncommon it's got to be
something uncommon for the exterior. She doesn’t feel this is setting a precedent because they review
every house individually.
Brown noted the homeowner has to present a reason for the exception correct and the Commission is
to figure out which of the three exceptions the reason fits in and then vote on whether they approve that
reason for the exception.
David Villanueva (431 South Summit Street) stated in retrospect upon making the application he notes
he failed to fully describe the full intent behind how they arrived at the design. The overall layout of the
current house has a very small kitchen, it's seven feet by eight feet, so functionally that’s New York City
standards and not Midwest. He stated that’s probably why when they first bought the home it had been
on the market for six months because not many people want to live with that small of a kitchen. When
they initially took a look at redoing the kitchen in terms of cost, they didn’t want to build walls or have to
move out, and they wanted to try and keep the charm of the house without impacting as much of the
design as possible. They did look at just maybe tearing down some walls and trying to reconfigure
things but ran into issues. Part of the reason why just simply bumping out that southern dining room
wall, which seems like it's eight feet however they have take into account the fact they would still have
to set it back from that southern den wall by the eave height, which is at least probably six inches
maybe more, maybe less, and therefore ending up at about seven feet of space which they could
potentially work with but one of the things they tried to address in the design is functionally. The
kitchen is half that size and they cannot touch the staircase, at least not without unlimited funds, as well
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SEPTEMBER 14, 2023
Page 9 of 12
as the rear entryway to the house. The current kitchen layout is not only too small but has a bottleneck
that creates barriers to open many things and it's also the primary pathway to two of the main places in
the house. Villanueva noted when they tried to address the staircase the first issue is leading into the
basement it's a 24-inch-wide space with 67 inches of headroom and it's an old basement and not going
to have modern tread heights. So part of the redesign tried to incorporate a reworking of that basement
entry and to try to funnel the rear entryway away from that choke point and try to create a little bit more
open space in the kitchen. When they tried to incorporate all those things into the current space it was
simply impossible, then when they tried to just bump out a couple feet one way or the other there was a
concern to minimize disturbing the overall feel as one of the goals originally had been to minimize
disturbance to the dining room because it is so beautiful and to bump out a couple of feet would have to
completely eliminate that dining room or at least move it and the built-ins and things like that and they
would still be very limited in the actual functional space they would gain. That is why their architect
ended up deciding trying to extend in the rear. He acknowledges they all accept this design could use
some work and it wasn't meant to be the final design. A problem they run into is they do have one of
the narrow lots on the street and have 60 feet total. The house is limited in terms of extending north
and they can't extend south so they’re really left with no space to work with other than extending in the
rear yard. They wanted to bring this to the Commission because they did review guidelines and the
reason they included the average rear setbacks is to show they believe that they would not be violating
the inherent nature or intent of what the guidelines were meant to preserve which is a spacious rear
yard. By his very rough calculations approximately 134 feet is the average on Summit Street including
all the houses on the western side of Summit Street (which is where their house is). The average rear
yards on the eastern side of Summit Street tend to be much less. Villaneuva stated they believe 13
feet will still maintain a pretty spacious yard. The biggest reason they wanted to bring this to the
Commission is to find out if this would be a project worth pursuing, without some rear set back
modifications, the quantity of which they would leave up to the Commission and work with the architect
to see if there's something they could do that would also incorporate maybe the southern side as well.
However, if they are not allowed to violate that that rear setback at all they would have to put in a ton of
work and the kitchen probably still wouldn't function nor would it be a project worth pursuing. His bigger
sadness is ultimately this house by any modern standards does not function to what most people would
want or expect on Summit Street. Most of the houses on Summit Street that have those amenities sell
really quickly and the fact that their house took six months to sell shows that. Villaneuva wants to
make this a home that people see as worth preserving not only today but for generations to come but if
they don't make this house worth living in for families today then he worries what it would do for the
future because they are very limited and he doesn’t see those limitations necessarily changing anytime
soon.
Welu-Reynolds asked if they weren’t able to redo the kitchen are they thinking they'll move. Villaneuva
stated they don't have kids currently but if they did it would be impossible. Of course the past
generations obviously did it but he doesn’t believe they would want to.
Beck noted these houses on South Summit and Brown Street and other historic neighborhoods
shouldn't just be for somebody who has a wheelbarrow full of money in the sense of having to be so
wealthy to afford these places to preserve them. Allowing this keeps a family in this house who wants
to stay in this house, there is a big picture to historic preservation about getting people to raise their
kids in these neighborhoods. She is not saying to willy-nilly allow anything but that's not what's
happening here, they have an architect and people who are invested in this neighborhood, whether the
owner is on the Commission or not has nothing to do with it, this is exactly who they want to see buying
these houses and living in these neighborhoods and she thinks they have some justification for looking
at a 13, 12, 14 or whatever addition on the back of this house because they do have the other two
properties on each side, one's 145 and one's 137 so that's a 141 average and this is going to be 138 so
she is totally open to an exception because this is exactly what the future is going to look like as they
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SEPTEMBER 14, 2023
Page 10 of 12
need people to fix up these old houses and yet they shouldn't have to be so wealthy that they’ll never
be able to afford a house on this street, especially potentially young families.
Sellergren stated she would still like to see another design.
Villaneuva stated he doesn’t think they’d be able to see another design if there was an ultimate
consensus that there's no give on the rear set back because it's not worth doing another design. He
thinks what they’re hearing is that there may be potentially some give and with that in mind they could
potentially approach the architect again and say what is the best, most concise plan, but again that's
why they wanted to approach the Commission regarding the setback because without an
understanding of where they stand further steps may or may not be worthwhile.
The Commissioners agreed they are all open to an exception and Villanueva stated he has enough
information to help them move forward.
{Wagner left the meeting}
REPORT ON CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY CHAIR AND STAFF:
Due to time and length of meeting, these items were not discussed.
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES FOR AUGUST 10, 2023:
MOTION: Thomann moves to approve the minutes of the Historic Preservation Commission's
August 10, 2023, meeting, as written. Beck seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of
8-0 (Wagner was not present).
COMMISSION DISCUSSION :
Bristow gave an update on the Historic Preservation Awards. She will be assigning people who are
going to present and also working on writing the scripts. Commissioners have been helping with the
writing. The ceremony is Thursday September 28th at the Highlander, there will be cookies and juice at
5:00 with the presentation at 5:30. There will be a cash bar open right outside the area for milling
around and drinking afterwards.
{Brown left the meeting}
Bristow stated regarding the Planning and Zoning items she didn't pull any slides together and also
have not entirely read the memo but if there are questions, she can get answers or they can ask the
questions directly to the senior planners Anne Russett, Parker Walsh and Kirk Lehmann, they're all
interested in answering any questions. The memo talked about where they are in the process of the
ability to have accessory dwelling units more widely and they are having an open house to discuss that.
Sharon DeGraw (Iowa City) stated she is a former Commissioner and member of the North Side
Neighborhood and the Friends of Historic Preservation and one of the things that is of great concern to
them is a proposal for neighborhood stabilization for the RNS-12 zone and it deals with infill
development of single-family homes and duplexes. What they’re asking for is for the height of those
new structures to have a 27 feet tall height limit. She stated it's good to take into consideration the way
that height is measured, 27 feet should sound not tall enough, but they measure from eaves to the apex
and divide that height in half. Walking around the North Side neighborhood one may see houses that
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
SEPTEMBER 14, 2023
Page 11 of 12
look taller than 27 feet but it is really the first story, second story and then half of what that full top level
is. DeGraw stated they walked around and measured every house in the North Side Neighborhood and
could not find any structures that were single-family homes or duplexes that exceeded 27 feet. So, the
conversation might be okay when talking about the North Side neighborhood but what about the other
areas that have RNS-12. DeGraw stated they are starting to make contact with people in the College
Hill area and the long-term residents that they've spoken to like the idea because it's all for
neighborhood stabilization because a developer could come in and build something new in a non-
historic district and currently have the ability to go up to 35 feet, and might be able to go a little taller
than that perhaps in some of neighborhoods. A developer could remove a small cottage say and go up
to 35 feet tall and do significantly bumping out in the back in neighborhoods where there are more
modest structures and so some of the long-term residents and even newer residents who bought into a
certain kind of neighborhood are realizing that there could be major redevelopment. 27 feet will not
prevent redevelopment it just scales down what can be done when there is an RNS-12 lot that is right
against a historic or conservation district. In terms of redevelopment it would be nice for a new
structure to be similar to the neighboring homes and have the same proportions of height, density or
scale and mass. She acknowledged there's sometimes the viewpoint that it's your land and it's legal to
build what you want so they are thinking of how they can mitigate situations where things would be built
out of scale and height.
Sellergren asked does historic preservation has oversight over what can be built in many of these
neighborhoods. Bristow stated yes, but there could be a property that's right next door where the
boundary is. Sellergren noted then modifying the Planning and Zoning proposal would be to protect
those situations. Bristow acknowledged there was a case where a house was built or proposed right
next to a district and that house was tall and so the neighborhood came back with the idea of reducing
the 35-foot maximum that currently exists to a 27 foot.
DeGraw stated in that situation the design proposed was ultimately turned down through the Board of
Adjustment because it had a three-car garage on the ground floor level, no basement and the living
quarters were on the first floor and the second floor causing it to get so tall compared to other single-
family home buildings. She noted for the bulk of the zoning code amendments that would be made
people that are living in the close-in neighborhoods, some of them are historic neighborhoods, are liking
the idea if Council could suggest pull out the University Impact area for now if they want to go forward
in passing the zoning code changes because there are so many variables that have to deal with
development and intensity of wanting to build up those close-in neighborhoods that it could transform
neighborhood stabilization.
Bristow stated any further questions or concerns can be directed to the Planning and Zoning staff.
ADJOURNMENT:
Thomann moved to adjourn the meeting. Weu-Reynolds seconded. The motion carried on a vote
of 7-0 (Brown and Wagner absent).
The meeting was adjourned at 7:23 pm.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION ATTENDANCE RECORD
2022-2023
NAME
TERM
EXP. 9/8 10/13 11/10 1/12 2/9 3/22 4/13 5/11 6/8 7/13 8/10 9/14
BECK,
MARGARET 6/30/24 X O/E X X X X X X O/E X X X
BOYD, KEVIN 6/30/23 X X X X X X 0/E X X -- -- --
BROWN,
CARL
6/30/23 X X X O/E O/E X X O/E X X O/E X
LARSON,
KEVIN
6/30/24 O/E O -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
SELLERGREN,
JORDAN 6/30/22 X X X X X O/E X X O/E X X X
STORK, NOAH 6/30/24 X X X X X X O/E X X X X X
THOMANN,
DEANNA 6/30/23 X X X X X X X X X X X X
VILLANUEVA,
NICOLE 6/30/25 O/E O/E X X X X X X X X X X
WAGNER,
FRANK 6/30/23 O/E X O/E X X X X X X O/E X X
WELU-
REYNOLDS,
CHRISTINA
6/30/25 X O/E X X X X X O/E X O/E X X
LEWIS,
ANDREW -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- X X X
KEY: X = Present
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
--- = Not a member
Iowa City
Historic Preservation Commission
City Hall, 410 E Washington Street, Iowa City. IA. 52240
Memorandum
Date: October 9, 2023
To: Historic Preservation Commission
From: Jessica Bristow, Historic Preservation Planner
Re: 302 (316) East Bloomington Street, Slezak Hall
At the request of the Commission Chair, a discussion of the historic building at 302 (316) East
Bloomington Street is included in the agenda for discussion. The property is currently listed for sale.
The building, historically known as Slezak Hall was built originally in 1875 and likely included the 3-
story apartment addition to the rear (or it was constructed soon after). By 1888 the 2-story building
was added at the alley, which was a carriage house with a hoist, laundry, and sleeping areas. The
stable and feed storage wing (now laundromat) was also in place by that time. Site inventory forms
and photos are attached.
302 East Bloomington Street – Slezak Hall to left, Apartments (3-story) center, Carriage house (white
2-story) center, and stable to right.
302 East Bloomington Street – Slezak Hall – South façade
302 East Bloomington Street – Carriage House, Apartments, and Hall (left to right) – west façade from
NW corner – Google 2022
1888 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map showing 302 (316) East Bloomington Street
Location and FunctionaJ Infnrmatign
1. Historic Namc(s) National Hall
IOWA Sin INVENTORY
(SleZak Hall)
Survey ID Number 52-01 O-o019
Databue ID Number------
Noncxtant --------
2.CommonNamc(~--~~--~~~---------------------------------------------------3.Stt~t A&tt~-----3~0~2~E~·~B1~oqm~~in~gt~o~n~--------~~~~~=-------~------------------4. City ______ .:~Iowa-~Ci.~tv ...... ________ vJCinity[] s . County_ .... Johnscn~~w.L......_ ____ _
6. Subdivision Original Plat 7. Block(&) 57 8. Lot(a) · 5 -=-.-:;,.----~~-9. Legal Description: (lfRural) ToWDShip Range Section Quarter of Quarter
of
Qcscription .c.
lO.HistoricF~o~~~~~ww•P~c~i~a~l _____________________________________________ --~0~2~-
Fratemal I Meeting Hall on 2nd 03A
II. Current F~o~s) Cgnrercj al Oest) I apJriJreptS · 02G/01A
12~ Owner -------.......K.V..,.l a .... O..,jw.~m.wi...,r-wSW~~o.~~da-.. ____________________________ PhoDe t# ----=~~
Address 312 N . !.jon St . City/State Iowa City , IA ZIP 52245
(Plat Map)
DUBUQUE STREET /UNN STREET
COIUUDOR· SU~y~ AREA .
----'(Integrity Notes) 1 Roll/Frame --=:.....-
1888 -Front halves: l
grocery I
Saloon in middle I
Dining in back I
Boarding in back I
addition
1892 -Saire but no sal~
1899 -Don't nave map I
1906 -Wl/2 grocery 1
El/2 saloon I
~~ on 2rrl . '--L-
Dlro.rlg Roan Ul ~
Rear add -hotel I
roans I
912 -same I
~920 -same I
1926 -"store" in both 1
halves I
Hall on 2nd
Boarding house in
rear
1933 -Same exce t "apts"
I
A I
Nl
I
I
I
I
I,
I 'l
I.J
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
(Sketch Map)
N
E . BLOOMINGTON -
'N
317 3/J ..z.
Mraski/Kugler
Street Address 302 E, Bloaninqton
Legal Description: (lfRural)
Roll/Frame
Roll/Frate
11 ,_1""'5 __ _
10 I _;;1:;..::4 __ _
~" lr ... .... ;j. . • "
••. .. '"3 ...
I lo
IOWA SITE INVENTORY FORM
CONTINUATION SHEET
Survey ID Number 52-01 0-D 019
Database ID Number--,......-----
City Iowa C1 ty County Johnson
Township Ranso Sec:Uon Quarter of Quarter ___ of
looking ENE
looking NW
-........._
-
North Side Neighborhood Preservation Study
Historic Structure Inventory
address: 30 2-304 Bloomington
present use: commercial Pizza Palace
present owner: Holub/Cont: Skarda
date of construction: 1875
building type and material: 3 story brick
architectural style: Italianate
condition: excellent
·block: ·57
lot
no. 1349
owner
occupied:
importance to neighborhood: important independent of surrounding structures
notable features of building and site:
This distinctive Italianate building not only has the typical
brackets under the eaves, dentil molding on the cornice and arched
windows, but is also notable for the unusual roof line both on this
building and on the adjoining Laundromat at 310 Bloomington.
original owner:
original use: commercial -Slezak Hall
historic significance:
Slezak Hall housed a complex of uses including a grocery
and a saloon on the first floor, a meeting room with a stage on the
oecond floor and hotel and boarding rooms at the rear in what is
now the Holub Apartments on Linn. The present Laundromat housed feed
for horses and carriages were kept in the low building at the rear of
the lot.
sources: Sanborn 1888, 1892, 1899
Weber
Property Charlderiltic Form -Raldeotial
CFN 2S9-1402
8/2 S/89
Swvey ID Number 52-01 0-0019
Database ID Number----
City Iowa City Cowuy Johnson ..... eet Address 302 E. Bloaninqton
Legal Description: (If Rural) Township Range Section Quarter of Quarter
of
Location Imegrity: Oripal Site L Moved -= Moved to Ori$inal Site ~
J Endangered? NK_ or Y_ If yes, why? ____________________ ,;:.}_ ___ _
Ground Plan: a. Buil~ S~s) Pe.ctanqlL b. Width 40 by Depth 80 in UDits
Rear wing --width 4s=-==-== dePt:h-~4s~-
Architectural Style/Stylistic Influences~----"'-------Key Stylistic Attributes
Lite Victorian & Ital j anate Bracketed conrioe, round arched
windows, cast hood :rcolds
Code
42
NWterials: F~on_-=~~~~oan~cre~~te~-----------------------------------100 Walls Bric.k --=.:;.;30;.----
• Roof Metal 50
Number of Stories 2 -3 on addition 2 1/2
Roof Shape Gable 1
Builder(s) _,Unknown....:.:=.=;=.:...---Architect(s) -~Unknown~.::::!::!-----------------
'gina! Construction Date 1875 Modification/Addition Dates:
date detennined for rear (north) wing' rut prior to 1882.
Contjnpapoo Sht# ( )
Significant Interior Components:
Original owner was Joseph Holub. His son, Joseph F. Holub continued the business , then
was succeeded by Josetil Slezak. Groups meet in the National Hall include the Bohemian
Society, 11 Trusti 11
,
11 Slovanska Lipa 11 and 11 Zasti t 11
•
Surveyor Comments:
Scrollwork on cornices and dorways
Parapet on south side
Paglia 's Pizza
Original! y CCI'll>lex contained a library, ootel, grocery and neeting hall.
Continuation SJtcct ( J
Continuarign Sbcx:& ( ]
So~s : Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps: 1888, 1892, 1899, 1906, 1912, 1920, 1926, 1933.
North Side Neighborhcx:xl Preservation Study: Historic Structure Inventory, 1977
'')rth Side SUrvey 1981; N.R. nanination for North Side camtercial District (not sul::rnitted)
1eeds Funher Study/Anomaly [ 1 Continuation Sheet [ 1
Surveyor_.....:.:ltbraaki==::.r..::/Erwin=='r..::KU=q=ler:.:=... _________________ Date 1995-96
-
-
ADDRESS:
IOWA SITE INVENTORY FORM
EVALUATION SHEET
302 East Bloomington
Iowa City, lA
REVIEWED BY: Molly Myers Naumann, Consultant
ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE & AS SOCIA TED CONTEXTS:
Dubuque/Linn Street Corridor: 1839-c.1946
SURVEY ID # 52-010-D019
DATE: February 1996
APPLICABLE NRHP CRITERIA: A B C X D
NRHP ELIGIBILITY : INDIVIDUAL YES X NO
DISTRIC f: CONTRIBUTING X NON-CONTRIBUTING
lhis two story brick commercial building from 1875 (with three story addition to the rear by 1883)
is individually eligible as a fine example of ltalianate commercial design. It features tall slender
round arched windows on the second floor with simple brick hoodmolds, while on the first floor the
windows are segmental arched with brick hoods. The three story addition has more elaborate cast
hoodmolds. A bracketed wooden cornice surrounds both sections. Relatively few alterations have
been made over the years, but these include: bricking in an entrance on the secondary (west) facade
and putting in two small modern windows, bricking in a doorway on the west elevation, installation
of smaller windows at the second floor level, creating a new brick foyer or vestibule entry to the
r ea r wing, and new plate glass windows and entry door on the storefront. While these changes
so und extensive, the building actually maintains a very high level of integrity . It is individually
e ligible and is considered to be a key structure in any historic district that would include Linn Street.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE & ASSOCIATED CONTEXTS:
Dubuque/Linn Street Corridor: 1839-c.1946
APPLICABLE NRHP CRITERIA: A X B C D
NRHP ELIGIBILITY: INDIVIDUAL YES X NO
DISTRICT: CONTRIBUTING X NON-CONTRIBUTING
The National (Slezak) Hall was built for joseph Holub in 1875 and is historically significant as a
major commercial building (grocery and saloon) in the small neighborhood business district, but eve n
more so as the meeting place of a number of Bohemian societies in the late 19th and early 20th
centuries. The second floor was built to serve as a meeting hall, while the rear addition functioned
as a hotel and dining room. Almost every organization in the North Side neighborhood met on the
second floor at some time over the decades. While the heaviest Bohemian settlement was farther
east near St. Wenceslaus and the Czecho Slovakian Association (CSPS) Hall on North johnson, many
oi the societies held their meetings in National Hall. It is known that "Trasti" met there in 1891,
"Siovanska Lipa" met there from 1891-1908, and "Zastit" met there between 1908-1915. This
was not the only meeting hall in the area. Others included Mohr's (Baker's) Hall at 401 East
Market, Griffel's Hall at th NE corner of Dodge and Fairchild, and Union Hall at 203 N . Linn.
National Hall is historically significant for both its commercial and its fraternal associations. It is
considered individually eligible and a key structure in any historic district including Linn Street.
PREPARED BY:
ADDRESS:
AFFILIATION:
ADDRESS:
Molly Myers Naumann, Consultant
167 W. Alta Vista, Ottumwa, lA 52501
Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission
401 E. Washington, Iowa City, lA 52240
PHONE: (515) 682-2743
DATE: February 19'!6
PHONE: ( 319) 356-5243
Iowa Site Inventory
Office of Historic Preservation
Iowa State Historical Department
East 12th & Grand Avenue
Des Moines. Iowa 50:119
Identification
1. Site Name ·Sle zak Hall
S.)...-. 01 D-13;;z.i
Site Number _ __.2.._9~-__,1""3'-"4'-'9'------------
District Name _ ___.,N,o.Lr......_t...,hL--'S"-l"". ,.dse'--'C""o"'mm!!!!.!'-'e'-'rc...Jc...-=.i.!iila~l,___
Map Reference #_ .... 1_3o..::-::..1.....,4'------------
2. Vill.lge!Town/City_.l...,o<..lw"'a...__,C._..j.._,t...,y~ _______ Township_· ___________ County Johnson
3. StreetAddress 308,312,314 N; Linn and 302-304 E. Bloomington/ all 5, W 50 of 6 #13
4. Leg~l Loc~tion -----;-:-::-----~O~T"-::-:--:---------------"5'-:'7':--:----~5'----:---uN-"'o""r_,t~h..._._.P._.a~r.._t..__#~14
Urbon: subdivision block p•rcel subporcel
Rur•l: township r•nge section v. section ot 'I. s~ion-
5. UTM Loc~tion: zone eastin northin ; Acreage _____________ _
6. owner(s)N•me Holub, William J. (contract to) Skarda, Vladimir F., Marilyn
7. Owner(s) Address -------------------=------------:-----------=:-----
IStreet address! !City) !State) !Zip)
8. Use: PresentL _-=.A::.~:p::..:a::..r=--=t.:..:m:..:e::..:nc.:..t=-=-s ____________ Original_---"h'-'o"-'t"'-e::..!:l'-"---'h"-a~l-'1'--------------
Description
9. D~te of Construction __ 1_8_7_5 ______ ArchitecUBuilder _____ :....:J:....:o:....:s::..e.::..o::.p.::ch:.__:S'-l_e=..=z.:..:a.::ck;...._ _________ _
10. Building Type:
0 single-family dwelling
0 multiple-family dwelling
[)Q commercial
11 . IXterior Wlllls: 0 clapboard
0 industrial
0 educational
0 other institutional
0 public
0 stone Q9 brick 0 board and batten 0 shingles O stucco
0 religious
0 agricultural
Oother ----------------------------------------------
12 . Structurlll System: O wood frame with interlocking joints 0 wood frame with light members (balloon frame)
rnmasonry load-bearing walls 0 iron frame 0 steel frame with curtain walls 0 reinforced concrete
Oother----------------------------------------------
13. Condition: Q!:excellent 0 good 0 fair 0 deteriorated
14. Integrity: 0 original site 0 moved-if so. when?------------------------------
Notes on alterations. additions (with dates and architect. if known) and any other notable features of building and site:
#13Remodeled apartments 1937 . Fire 2/8/1940 "Holub Apartments" Loss $2,800 (304 N . Linn)
15. Relllted Outbuildings lind Property: 0 barn 0 other farm structures 0 carriage house 0 garage 0 privy
0 other
16. Is the building endllngeredl 0 no 0 yes-if so, why? ___________________________ _
17. Surroundings of the building: 0 open land 0 woodland 0 scattered outbuildings 0 densely built-up 0 commercial
0 industrial 0 residential 0 other-----------------------------------
18. Map
II
19. Photo
Roll t-4--Frame _ _..s.___View NW
porch 1965
\'5;~
see ~:8
Significance (Indicat e sources of information for all statements)
20. Architectur~l signifiunce
0 a. Key structure/individually may qualify for the National Register
~b. Contributing structure
0 c. Not eligible/intrusion
#13 Italianate , ornate stone arches over windows, bracketts under eaves.
#14 Italianate, brackets undereaves, dentil molding on cornice and arched windows,
unusual roof line notable.
21. Historiul Signifiunce Commercial Italianate Theme(s) ______________________________________________________ _
0 a. Key structure/individually may qualify for the National Register
Kb. Contributing structure
0 c. Not eligible/intrusion
#13 Used as Hotel, boarding rooms as part of Slezak Hall Anna, William J . Holub 1911.
#14 Housed grocery and saloon on first floor , meeting room with a stage second floor, and
hotel boarding rooms in rear . The laundromat portion housed feed for horses and
carriages were kept in the low building in the rear of the lot .
22. So urces (for primary and secondary sources, give complete facts of publication: author, title, place of publication, date, etc.):
Irving Weber Research by Pat Eckhardt
NSNPS Weber, Irving Vol . I, p p. 26-27
E .C. Ellis, "Certain Stylistic Trends in Architecture in Iowa City" (1947 )
Ch a pman et al, Portrait & Biographical Record 6£ Hohnson, Poweshiek and Iowa Counties,
Iowa(Chicago, 1893) p . 140 .
Aurner, History of Johnson County , Iowa 1836-1882,(Iowa City , 1883)
P db Date _________________________________ _
repare Y James E. Jacobsen Address _________________________________________________ Telephone ______________________________ _
Organization ___________________________________________________________________________________ _
For Office of Historic Preservation Use Only
1. Office Information Sources on this Property
0 County Resol!rce File
0 Windshield Survey
0 National Register
0 Grants-In-Aid: ----------------------------
0 Determination of Eligibility
2. Subject Traces
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
0 Review and Compliance Project:
OOther ____________________________________ _
0 Other ___________________________________ _
OOther ____________________________________ _
J. Photo Images _jt~S~S~(J/l~~+~ 7.1..,/~{p~-----
-------------------
I~~a $ite Inventory
DIVISIOn of H1storic Preservation
Iowa State Histo rical Department
26 E. Market St., Iowa City, Iowa 52240
Item Number(s)
5"~ -~to~ I ~.;J.. 3
Site Number 29-1349
Continu ation Sheet
, .. ,. I ~.
Joseph F. Holub was born in Bohemia in 1867, came to the U.S. in 1868 with
his family. He was a clerk with Denecke & Yetter Dry Goods store until 1900
when he started his own business, including a grocery, hotel. A son William
(born 1892) assisted with the business.
(Aurner, History of Johnson County, Iowa (Cedar Rapids, Western Pub. Co., 1912)
p. 689-90) . . . . . . . . . . . .
Historical Background:
Joseph Slezak (1847-1912), born in Bohemia, came to the United States
in 1855, and to Iowa City in 1870. He opened a hotel that same year, adding a
grocery in 1877. The National Hotel and Hall was recognized as being a local
Bohemian cultural center. The following Bohemian fraternal and community
organizations used the hall for their meetings; Trasti (c~ 1892), Zastit
(1901-15), Slovanska Lipa (1892), Forum Palacky (1904-9), and Iowa City Lodge
#180 of ZCBJ (1914). For the most part these uses were discontinued with the
construction of the CSPS Hall to the east in 1906.
The commercial complex (hotel, hall and grocery) was operated by Slezak
at this site for more than twenty-two years and served farmers from Solon,
Swisher, and Shueyville (and that general area) who brought their produce to
the city for marketing. Slezak also served hospital visitors (this trade was
to continue through 1929 when University Hospital relocated to the west side
of the sity across the rri ·ver. Slezak himself was a member of St. Mary Church
(the Bohemian Catholic Church was as yet not organized), Slovansk Lipa and
Lodge #75, CSPS.
The grocery was listed in city directories in 1878, 1891-98. It was
run by Frank V. Slezak in 1899, by Joe Slezak 1901-2, Joseph Holub 1904-20,
and Holub and Sons 1926-30.
The Farmer's Hotel is listed 1891-98, the National Hotel 190~, 1920, 1926,
National Hall in 1930. A saloon is listed here (Joseph Slezak) 1878-9, (Frank
V. Slezak) 1899-1900, and (Joseph Slezak) 1901-02. A local national guard head-
quarters was in the dance hall 1921-6.
The complex of buildings was later owned by Joseph Holub, William Holub,
and Val and Marilyn Skarda.
The earliest recorded commercial uses on this corner date from 1868 and
listed Frank Shimek's Shoes and Boots, and Joseph Shingmir's Guns and Pistols.
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1. HATE T o~·TF' HISTORIC AMERICAU DUILDI NGS SURVEY
COUNTY J"hnson INVENTORY
TOWN Io~1r City VICINITY~nut~Pt'st<:>rn Ict..,:;,--------.:..:..:.......:..:~:.:.:...:.._ _______ __J
STRHT NO. :J02 & :n r, Erst Rlorrrlit•(·ton 2. NAME 302 t;. 3 1€ Enst Blooming ton &
~Gq-314 No . Linn 30R ~ 3 14 No . Linn
ORIGINAL OWNERJ nhn :1}c7;.¥ f, Jon . 8le7.1'}' DATE OR PERIOD c . 187 ?.1 1883-88
ORIGINAL USE grocery Stf:.ll~ rnd )v•tcl STYLE
PRESENT OWNER '•/illi nn Jloluh ARCHITECT
PRESENT usE restrun·n t , ;.prrtmr:nl.::: r.r.d
WALL CONSTRUCTION brick l <'lln d ry
BUILDER
3. FOR LIBRARY OF CONGRE SS USE
NO. OF STORIES 3
.C . NOTABLE FEATURES, HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE AND DESCRIPTION OPEN TO PUBLIC no
The orfrind huiJdinr; Joe; tr:-d on tl1r corner of Linn l'nd Bloomington,
m~r·!JIJrP.s 40' x RO' ;:-nd He; l-·uil t hy J ohn .'3lczr:k C~rou t 1872 . It housed l> grocery
st..,rc ,-,nr1 hotel . In "hout 181'\3 or 1838, <'n nr1riiti on to the hotel W<'S b11il t by
Josenh Slez~k ; 8 lnrg~, i rr~~ul~r Rrklition ~t the nor th end, with r eside nt i~l ~nd
st~h)P. fPci1 iti es •
Th e top of tl!e south frcrrie is " woor.Jen pedi!llent in hf.roque curves . BeloVT
this is l' hervy, project inc;, ·.·mo•Je n c.:>rnice l-ri th single, l-ridely-spaced, windows
'-tit!· three snshes . ( Thl? 11~·pcr s<:ction i::; r.o11rded up todcy .) /•round the semi-
circul ... r ... findo•,. tops t!!c rrised hricl: l"lolding forms a r ectangulE~r penel . At the
top of the first story is '' less extended cornice . The first story front has
been reTTiocielled . Oricdnrlly a grocery store, not-re restaurant occupies the first
flocr front .
The seconcl story cornice exte nds '!"lon<• the c<>st l'lnd l-test sides, upper story
l·rinrioHs n:::rer-tinr. th0se of' t:·c :;outh fr-cHie . On the \-rest side '.>:E>s a second
entrrnce, le,.,~iro to r•~rt~cnts , using c~st iron elements l'lnd lPrge gl ..,ss win-
r:if1•:rs . This l-rs been "~-ricl :erl u~ rwl t!•e rresent entro."n ce is to the north •
The l .. tcr, nort ~·~rn r-+lition i s fiv e-l•C>ys wide, with" centre! entrance .
'l'he F;:ocPde is to~!')e d 1 ;y ,., 1 i0h cornice l-Ti th " ver5ion of triglyph find me tope
ornr-":e nt, rnr1 sinolc, ..,,ide ly-spr ced hrrcl-ets . l 11 open in ~s Clre top!)ed by very
plrsti ~ nressed tin ; rcl,f's ~·Ti th rlelicr•te inset florfll .ornrment of Cln Bas tlCike
ch• rc-cter, the l'.ind of hoo : usuJ in the '80's . '!'he cornice continues around the
huildin~. ';li ndo··rs on the s i~es e.nri h-e¥: P.re to!')ped by Cl segment<'~! arch with a
scn"r~"te moldin<:· fnT>r,e•l hy protrudin~1 hrick •
'1'1-<~ ~;-r;tr-rn section oF t ~1 P i rrE<;ulr>rl y shrped e<!di tion served origina lly as
br"rn . The curvinc· fec;tnrE:s o~ t~c l--.r.roc;ue pe~iment is executed in bricl: and out-
lined in "!rood . This l<tcr l:-u : l d in<;"! !"rcsently houses Cl l;:oundromat .
The signific•·nt fc;-turcs of tl,is huildin~ <1re: the um1sUE>l roof line, r.nd
the el"nn .. terl, widely-sp•·ced, secon d-story ~·lindoi ·IS of the €Cirly buildinQ •
S. PHYSICAL CONDITION OF nRUCTURE Endongered no
1
A lE'Y
3. PUBLISHED SOURCES (Au,or, Title, Pops/
INTERVIEWS, RECORDS , PHOTOS, ~TC.
Jo'ms"n Co•1nty Tr:-nsfer ~oks-lo:-1: City
In··TP City Dircct~ry
.1\urncr,. Clrrencc ~~"Y , L,-,.rl!w;r f v "ntr; ill
Jnhn:r:;')r. in•tn+y,l.c:·!·-Hir-+n:a_. 0.cic r ~f .;s ')'·':"-. lcst ·~r~:--i. :~t orlt;rl rrt:-3!J
l'll2 .
Interior 0 <)0d E~<terlor good
7.PHO TOGRA PH
9 . NAME, ADDRESS AND. TITLE (If RECO RDER
frofesso r Robe rt Alexander
School of F\rt
University of 1 0 ·..,ra
l 0 HEJ City, I 0 we 52240
DATE OF RECORC January 20, 1970
-----------------------------------------.-.-.----l
I '
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'
North Side Neighborhood Preservation Study
Historic Structure Inventory
address: 302-304 Bloomington
present use: commercial Pizza Palace
present owner: Holub/Cont: Skarda
. date of construction: 187 5
building type and material: 3 story brick
architectural style: Italianate
condition: excellent
'j 'f e N p.
block: 57
lot
no. 1349
owner
occupied:
importance to neighborhood: important independent of surrounding structures
notable features of building and site:
This distinctive Italianate building not only has the typical
brackets under the eaves I dentil molding on the cornice and arched
windows 1 but is also notable for the unusual roof line both on this
building and on the adjoining Laundromat at 310 Bloomington.
original owner:
original use: commercial -Slezak Hall
historic significance:
Slezak Hall housed a complex of uses including a grocery
and a saloon on the first floor 1 a meeting room with a stage on the
oecond floor and hotel and boarding rooms at the rear in what is
now the Holub Apartments on Linn. The present Laundromat housed feed
for horses and carriages were kept in the low building at the rear of
the lot.
sources: Sanborn 1888, 1892, 1899
Weber
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Iowa Site Inventory
Office of Historic Preservation
Iowa State Historical Department
East 12th & Grand Avenue
Des Moines. Iowa 50319
Identification
Apartments
Site Number --------~~------
District Name ---------.----....... ----
Map Reference •----------------
1. Site Name
2. Vil .. e/TownJCity_---'-.I ... owa.....,........,..c .... 1_' tY--=--.----.----Township ___________ county __ J_ohnson ______ _
3. Street Addreu ___ 3_l_O_B_l_oanington __ ·--==------------------------------
4. Legallocation ___ ~~-----~~-------------~~-----~-----~-~-----urb.on: •ubdivilion block p.rcel •ubparcel
Ruril township r•ns~ s«1ion "• wction of '4 sKtion
5. UTM Location: zone ______ eastin~r-------northin~r-------; Acreage·---------------
&. Owner(s) Niome ---------------------------------------------
7. Owner(s) Address ------------------:::-----------:::----------=-----
•StrPPt •ddrP\SI ICityl iSt•tel IZipl
8. Use: Presen._ ____________________ Qrigina._ _____________________ _
Description
9. Date of Construction __________ .l"\rchitect!Builder __________________________ _
10. Building Type:
0 single-family dwelling
0 multiple-family dwelling
0 commercial
11. ExteriorWalls: Oclapboard
0 industrial
0 educational
0 other institutional
0 public
0 stone 0 brick 0 board and batten 0 shingles 0 stucco
0 religious
0 agricultural
Oother --------------------------------------------------
12. Structural System: O wood frame with interlocking joints 0 wood frame with light members (balloon frame)
0 masonry load-bearing walls 0 iron frame 0 steel frame with curtain walls 0 reinforced concrete
Oother _____________________________________________________________________________________ _
13. Condition : 0 excellent 0 good 0 fair 0 deteriorated
14. Integrity: 0 original site 0 moved-if so. when?---------------------------------
Notes on alterations. additions (with dates and architect, if known) and any other notable features of building and site:
15. Related Outbuildings and Property: 0 barn 0 other farm structures 0 carriage house 0 garage 0 privy
Oother -----------------------------------------------
1&. Is the building endangeredl 0 no 0 yes-if so. why? ___________________________ _
17. Surroundings of the building: 0 open land 0 woodland 0 scattered outbuildings 0 densely built-up O commercial
0 indust rial 0 residential 0 other-------------------------------------
18. Map
CPE-41965
273-0228
19. Photo
Roll 1506 Frame 15 View _________ __
Significance (lndiute sources of information for all statements)
20 . "rchitec:tural sipltk.ance
0 a. Key structure/individually may qualify for the National Register
0 b. Contribut ing structure
0 c . Not eligible/intrusion
21 . Historical Sisnifiunce Theme(s) ___________________________________________________ _
O a. key structure/individually may qualify for the National Register
0 b . Contributing structure
0 c . Not eligible/intrusion
22 . Sources (for primary and secondary sources, give complete facts of publication : author, title, place of publication, date, etc.):
Prepared bY------------------------D'.,."''------------------....----
Address Te lephone ------------------------
Organization _________ ~--------~ ....... ~~---------------------............ -....._.. ..... ..._....., ___ _
For Office of Historic Preservation Use Only
1. Office Information Sources on this Property
0 County Resource filt>
0 Windshield Survey
0 National Register
0 Grants-In-Aid : ----------------------------
0 Determination of Eligibility
2. Subject Traces
a .
b .
(.
d.
e .
0 Review and Compliance Project :
OOther _________________________________ _
OOther __________________________________ __
OOt~r ________________________________ __
3. Photolmages ______________________ _
District: North Side Commercial
Property Name:
Address: 308 East Bloomington
Iowa City, Iowa
Photographer: Vicki Miller
Date: July, 1981
View: SE
#13
. .
North Side Ne_ighborhood Preservation Study
Historic Structure Inventory
address: 310 Bloomington
present use: commercial-Laundromat
present owner: Holub / Cont: · Skarda
. date of construction: 187 5
building type and material: 1 1/2 story brick
architectural style: Italianate
condition: good
block: 57
lot
no. 1349
owner
occupied: '·
importance to neighborhood: important independent of surrounding structures
notable features of building and site:
This building should be considered as part of Slezak Hall (302-304
Bloomington) • The style is distinctive and complements that building.
They were bull t as a complex.
original owner:
original use: Slezak Hall -stable and feed
historic significance:
sources:
Refer to the inventory sheet for 302-304 Bloomington.
Sanborn 1888, 1892, 1899
Weber
Iowa Site Inventory
Division of Historic Preservation
Iowa State Historical Department
26 E. Market St., Iowa City, Iowa 52240
Item Number(s)
3 t 0 '; ~ ,,~
Roll M, Frame 7, Vie.., No~-t~
Courtyard view from south (laundromat to right)
,t;~
f'l
Site Number 5~ -6/0-I }I ;l. 3
Continuation Sheet
Roll M, Frame 6
View NW Laundromat, former stable, view from southeast.
. .
North Side Neighborhood Preservation Study
Historic Structure Inventory
address: 310 Bloomington
present use: commercial-Laundrpmat
present owner: Holub/ Cont: · Skarda
. date of construction: 1875
building type and material: 1 1/2 story brick
architectural style: Italianate
condition: good
~~:ft.-tltJ . ;-;;_ ~ r:,to:-/}:;2.3
block: 57
lot
no. 1349
owner
occupied:
importance to neighborhood: important independent of surrounding structures
notable features of building and site:
This building should be considered as part of Slezak Hall (302-30 4
Bloomington) • The style is distinctive and comp1emepts that building.
They were built as a complex.
original owner:
original use: Slezak Hall -stable and feed
historic significance:
1 Refer to the inventory sheet for 302-304 Bloomington.
sources: Sanborn 1888, 1892, 1899
Weber
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