HomeMy WebLinkAboutHistoric Preservation Agenda Packet 7-9-2015 (2)Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission
Thursday
July 9, 20 15
5:30 p.m.
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Meeting Room A
Iowa City Public Library
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M I N U T E S PRELIMINARY
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
JUNE 11, 2015
EMMA HARVAT HALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Kent Ackerson, Thomas Agran, Esther Baker, Kate Corcoran,
Frank Durham, Andrew Litton, Ginalie Swaim, Frank Wagner
MEMBERS ABSENT: Gosia Clore, Pam Michaud, Ben Sandell
STAFF PRESENT: Bob Miklo
OTHERS PRESENT: Elizabeth Egenberger, Tom Egenberger, Alicia Trimble
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: (become effective only after separate Council action)
CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Swaim called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANYTHING NOT ON THE AGENDA:
There was none.
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS:
1102 East College Street.
Miklo said this property is in the College Hill Historic District and is located on the north side of
the street about midway between Summit and Muscatine. He said it is a classic bungalow-style
house, with two chimneys, one of them more prominent but both somewhat distinct.
Miklo said the proposal is to remove one chimney and replace it with a metal chimney. He said
the guidelines discuss chimneys pretty clearly in acknowledging that there are some cases
where non-prominent chimneys could be removed. Miklo said the guidelines do not allow for
new, modern metal chimneys on historic buildings.
Miklo said there have been other situations where chimneys were rebuilt to match an historic
chimney. He said that in a recent case on Grant Street, the owners used a thin, brick veneer
instead of an actual brick.
Miklo said that Jessica Bristow did a mockup showing what the proposed metal chimney might
look like, why it is not appropriate in an historic district, and why the Commission has not
approved these in the past.
Miklo said the Commission has approved the complete removal of chimneys when they are no
longer needed, because furnaces or other equipment are vented out the side of the house, but
has not approved replacing them with metal chimneys. He said that staff would not recommend
approval of this application to remove the chimney but would recommend approval of repairing
the chimney or rebuilding it similarly to what was done on Grant Street with a veneer similar to
the existing brick.
Tom Egenberger said that this chimney was hit by lightning and has cracks in it. He said they
discovered this after having a leak in the kitchen and tracing the leak back to the chimney. Tom
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
June 11, 2015
Page 2 of 8
Egenberger said they will have to do something with the chimney. He stated that the bricks are
cracked in the chimney, so it’s not a matter of just tuck pointing it. Egenberger said that as soon
as the insurance company got involved, the price of this became astronomical, reaching about
$8,000. He said if they put a metal, conventional chimney in, it would cost between $3,000 and
$4,000. Egenberger said he did not want to pay the difference, and he did not think putting a
façade around it seems like a permanent solution and is afraid it might cause more problems
than it actually fixes.
Corcoran said the staff report says that the chimney cannot be demolished, because something
is vented through it. Elizabeth Egenberger responded that the furnace is vented out this
chimney.
Swaim asked if there has been any indication that a chimney façade has not held up in the past.
Miklo said that he was not aware of any problems. He stated that if it is done properly and
maintained, it should hold up. Miklo said that a lot of modern houses with fireplaces have more
of a faux chimney, so there is precedent for doing it with a façade.
Miklo said that the ideal situation would be to rebuild the chimney in masonry. He said one
could get the best match, the best look, and permanence. Miklo said the second choice would
be to do a thin, brick chimney.
Wagner said this is obviously not a high efficiency furnace. He asked if it is going up one of
those green, enameled tiled ducts. Tom Egenberger said that it would be clay tile. Egenberger
said he traced it back and found some rotten wood and replaced that, but it still leaked. He said
then he had a contractor look at the chimney and was told that it had been hit by lightning. He
said that a metal lining a possible replacement.
Wagner asked why he couldn’t do that and leave that chimney. He said there could possibly be
a combination of tuck point, repairing it so the leaks are gone, and then, to keep water from
coming in the top, put on a chimney cap.
Elizabeth Egenberger said they talked to the contractor, and apparently that can’t be done. She
said the problem won’t be solved with that type of procedure. Egenberger said they talked to
one contractor and four or five chimney people. Miklo asked if their insurance covered lightning
strikes. Elizabeth Egenberger said that it does, but the limit is $3,000.
Tom Egenberger said they have had bids of $8,000. He said the insurance company gave them
a check for $3,490.
Trimble said she is aware of people who have double-checked with their insurance, and when
the guidelines showed and the Commission ruled that the changes could not be made as
described, insurance companies in some cases did pay the extra.
Elizabeth Egenberger said the insurance company is assuming the Commission will deny this.
She said that the $3,000 is paying for as much as the insurance company will pay for the brick
work and everything else.
Durham asked if it would be possible to reroute the flue so that it doesn’t have to go up a
chimney. Elizabeth Egenberger said she did not know but said the furnace is the original
furnace.
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June 11, 2015
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Miklo said that, based on the guidelines, there are two alternatives: rebuilding the masonry
chimney or building a chimney with thin bricks, which would most likely cost less than the bids
received.
Wagner said it seems that the source of where the water is coming from is either through the
top or through the sides where the cracks are. He said that if it is coming through the sides, the
water goes in there and then works its way down and into the walls. Wagner said if that were
sealed, then it’s only the top that remains the problem – where the water can get in, get along
the brick, and then eventually work its way into the walls. He said that is what would call for a
chimney cap, which he assumed would work to keep water and animals out.
Wagner said that tuck pointing, if it’s done right, could be done to grind out the mortar joints. He
said he was not certain why that would not stop the problem. Wagner said that even if one did a
thin, brick façade attached to the front of the brick, there would still be the problem of the water
going in the top if there was not a cap. Miklo clarified that the façade would involve a process to
remove the chimney from above the roofline, build a box, and then put the near brick on that.
MOTION: Corcoran moved to deny a certificate of appropriateness for the project at 1102
East College Street, Iowa City, IA, as presented in the application. Ackerson seconded
the motion. The motion to deny carried on a vote of 8-0 (Clore, Michaud, and Sandell
absent).
Miklo suggested the Commission consider a second motion to approve rebuilding the chimney
or doing a veneer.
Elizabeth Egenberger stated that when they were going to present the original motion for
rebuilding the chimney, they talked with Bristow and discussed having the metal extend four
inches above, having some kind of cap, and reproducing the trim at the top. She asked if that is
what the discussion is referring to. Swaim confirmed.
MOTION: Corcoran moved to approve a certificate of appropriateness for the project at
1102 East College Street, Iowa City, Iowa, with the condition that the applicants resolve
this problem by either: 1) repairing the chimney 2) by rebuilding the chimney with either
bricks or thin bricks to match the remaining chimney and/or 3) installing a metal chimney
with. Agran seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote of 8-0 (Clore, Michaud,
and Sandell absent).
1009 East College Street.
Miklo stated that this property is located just east of Summit Street and is believed to be one of
the first, if not the first, houses built east of Summit Street in this neighborhood. He said the
house is Italianate in style with some Greek revival aspects.
Miklo said the porch was at one time removed, and the building was covered in asbestos siding.
He said that sometime after 1990, the siding was removed, the exterior of the house was
restored, and the porch was rebuilt on the front of the house, and it wrapped around.
Miklo stated that when the porch was rebuilt, it encroached on the window, which is causing
problems with leakage and rot. He said the applicant therefore proposes shortening the window
and putting in a new sash, double-hung window. Miklo said staff recommends one of two
options, one of which would be to shorten the window so that it lines up with the bottom of the
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
June 11, 2015
Page 4 of 8
adjacent window, which is a later addition to the house. He added that the applicant
alternatively thought he might be able to move the sill so that it would be longer than the
adjacent window and somewhat in between the existing other windows on the house.
Miklo showed the way the window has been patched in causing leaking into the roof and the sill,
which is causing rot. He said there is obviously a problem. Miklo said one typically does not
like to see the front façade altered when it comes to windows, but there seems to be a reason to
do it here. He said that short of rebuilding the porch roof, there does not seem to be a solution
to this other than raising the windowsill. Miklo said staff recommends approval of decreasing
the window height from the bottom - raising the bottom sill of the window. He suggested leaving
it up to the applicant to determine where between the two red lines on the photograph that
would occur.
Wagner said that presumably all the trim and everything would stay the same. Miklo confirmed
that the trim would be replicated. He added that there is a little detail that one doesn’t see very
often on the bottom. Miklo said that would all be replicated.
MOTION: Corcoran moved to approve a certificate of appropriateness for this project at
1009 East College Street, as presented in the application, with the following conditions:
the divided light pattern and window trim detail match existing windows like window B in
the photograph; all trim and siding shall be wood, cement board, or a wood substitute to
be approved by staff; and the siding replacement portion of the application shall follow
the previously distributed certificate of appropriateness. Baker seconded the motion.
The motion carried on a vote of 8-0 (Clore, Michaud, and Sandell absent).
827 Rundell Street.
Miklo said this property is on the west side of the street in the Dearborn Conservation District.
He said this neighborhood was built as part of the Rundell Addition, associated with the
streetcar line. Miklo said this is believed to be one of the earliest houses in the neighborhood.
Miklo said there is some question as to whether this was built as a house or a cottage
associated with the railroad or what its actual purpose was. He said it is very simple and is just
one room in the interior, like a loft space. Miklo added that it has atypical Dutch lap siding.
Miklo said there is some thought that there might have been a porch on the front of the house
that was once removed, but there is currently no evidence of that. He said the applicant is
proposing a small entry porch over the front door to protect the door from rain. Miklo said the
roof would be very simple, would mimic the pitch of the main roof, and would have very simple
craftsman-style brackets. He said staff finds that aspect of the application to meet the
guidelines.
Miklo said other aspects of the proposal include putting in a railing to match the existing railing
on the side entry to the house, which would meet the guidelines. He said another part of the
proposal is to replace the back basement door, which staff does not believe is original, with a
new, very simple, smooth door. Miklo said that, since this is at the back of the house, staff finds
this to be appropriate and recommends approval.
MOTION: Wagner moved to approve a certificate of appropriateness for the project at
827 Rundell Street, in Iowa City, as presented in the application. Corcoran seconded the
motion. The motion carried on a vote of 8-0 (Clore, Michaud, and Sandell absent).
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
June 11, 2015
Page 5 of 8
Swaim asked that the applicant be reminded that any railings and such are to be painted, as
stated in the guidelines.
REPORT ON CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY CHAIR AND STAFF:
Certificate of No Material Effect – Chair and Staff Review.
320 East College Street.
Miklo said this application involved non-historic additions to Trinity Episcopal Church. He said
this involves a modern addition that was done to complement the original. Miklo said there is a
courtyard behind that, and then there is more modern construction. He said this is basically
repairing roofs, with no material effect, so it was approved administratively.
Minor Review – Preapproved Item – Staff Review.
1009 East College Street.
Miklo said there were other aspects to the repair of this property, including damaged siding and
trim materials that were approved administratively so that the owners could get started with the
work. He said that the window project was just approved by the Commission.
.
625 South Governor Street.
Miklo said there are two windows to be replaced at this property. He showed the street façade,
facing Governor Street. Miklo said there is one window on the south side that just needs to be
repaired, and one window on the west side to be replaced with a casement window, a window
that opens sideways, to allow egress. He said this was allowed as a minor review – when the
appearance does not change, except for egress.
509 South Lucas Street.
Miklo said the Commission reviewed this building a couple of years ago, when the porch was
rebuilt without a permit. He said the owners then put the porch back the way it was originally.
Miklo said the owners had done some do-it-yourself window repair, using some epoxies and
putty - materials that would typically not be used on a window. He said that the work did not
last. Miklo said Iowa City Door and Window looked at this and said that the materials used
ruined the muntin bars. He said staff therefore approved replacing the windows with like
windows, in terms of wood windows with metal cladding.
Intermediate Review – Chair and Staff Review.
712 Ronalds Street.
Miklo said this is a non-contributing property, because there have been several additions over
the years, including a porch. He said that the post and spindles are very thin, not something
that would be seen on a historic house.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
June 11, 2015
Page 6 of 8
Miklo said the property owner proposed replacing the posts or covering them with cedar or
some other approved material to make them wider and then putting lap siding over the railing.
He said that this is a pretty common design throughout Iowa City and is probably a little better
than what is there now.
Miklo said staff approved this administratively. He said that this was a non-contributing property
in an historic district and therefore did not need to come before the Commission.
DISCUSSION OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLAN PRIORITIES AND ANNUAL WORK
PROGRAM:
Miklo said the subcommittee has not had a meeting since the last Historic Preservation
Commission meeting. Corcoran said she would send an e-mail to the subcommittee members
to work out a time to meet.
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES FOR MAY 14, 2015:
Agran stated that comments attributed to him were actually made by Ackerson, and comments
attributed by Ackerson were actually made by Agran and should therefore be corrected.
MOTION: Baker moved to approve the minutes of the May 14, 2015 Historic Preservation
Commission meeting, as amended. Male seconded the motion. The motion carried on a vote
of 8-0 (Clore, Michaud, and Sandell absent).
COMMISSION INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION:
Incentives for continued occupancy of historic buildings.
Miklo said that Michaud had asked that this be on the agenda, and he suggested putting off
discussion since she was not in attendance.
518 Bowery to receive Preservation At Its Best Award.
Miklo said this property came before the Commission on three occasions. He said one was to
designate it as an Iowa City landmark. Miklo said it then came for the repair work, which on the
exterior mostly consisted of restoring the storefront windows. He said it then came before the
Commission for review of the sign.
Miklo said this property will be awarded a Best in Preservation in Iowa Award at the
Preservation Summit in Winterset later in June. He stated that Bristow and Corcoran will be
attending the summit to accept the award.
Miklo said there were projects from all over the State, so it is impressive that this project is
receiving the award for the Small Commercial category. He said that Swaim will be sending a
memo to the City Council to bring this to its attention and to remind people of the positive things
that preservation does for and in the community.
Swaim asked if the City could send out a press release regarding this to the local and Cedar
Rapids newspapers.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
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Page 7 of 8
Miklo said that 610 Ronalds Street, for which the Commission denied a demolition permit at its
last meeting, has been purchased by the neighboring property owners from the former
applicant. He said that it will be coming before the Commission in some fashion in the future.
Miklo added that the City Council will be considering the Commission’s request to amend the
building code to require building permits for roofs in historic districts and on landmarks, (not in
conservation districts) and also for street-facing doors/front doors in historic districts and on
landmarks. He said the City Council will be considering this on Tuesday.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 6:05 p.m.
Minutes submitted by Anne Schulte
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