HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-07-2017 Board of AppealsCITY OFIOWA CITY
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
The Iowa City Board of Appeals will convene at 4:00 p.m. on August 7, 2017 in
Helling Conference Room 410 Washington St., Iowa City, Iowa
TENTATIVE AGENDA
1. Meeting to be called to order
2. Consider the minutes from the January 9, 2017 meeting.
3. Consider the minutes from the July 13, 2017 meeting.
4. Adjournment
If you will need disability -related accommodations in order to participate in this
program/event, please contact Tm Hennes at 319-356-5122 or tim-hennes@iowa-city.org.
Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.
MINUTES
IOWA CITY BOARD OF APPEALS
MODAY, JANUARY 9, 2017
NDS CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL
410 E. WASHINGTON STREET
IOWA CITY. IA 52240
MEMBERS PRESENT: John Roffman, Andrea French, Jim Walker
MEMBERS ABSENT: John Gay
STAFF PRESENT: Tim Hennes (Sr. Building Inspector), Sue Dulek (Asst. City
Attorney), Jann Ream (Code Enforcement
Specialist, acting as minute taker)
OTHERS PRESENT: None
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL:
None
CALL TO ORDER:
John Roffman called the meeting to order at 4:00 PM
ELECTION OF OFFICERS:
PRELIMINARY
French moved to elect John Roffman as chairperson of the Board of Appeals. Walker seconded.
VOTE: Roffman was elected as chairperson of the BOA by a unanimous vote.
Walker moved to elect Andrea French as vice -chair of the Board of Appeals. Roffman seconded.
VOTE: French was elected vice -chair of the BOA by a unanimous vote.
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES:
Minutes from the December 7, 2016 were considered. Walker had one question about his motion to
uphold the decision of the Fire Chief in terms of the width of the street. Roffman reminded him that they
had clarified earlier in the discussion that the vote would be on the entirety of the Fire code issues. Walker
agreed. The minutes were approved by a unanimous vote.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Hennes passed out a civil rights questionnaire that members of all Iowa City board or commission were
requested to complete. The present members completed the questionnaire and submitted them back to
Hennes.
Roffman adjourned the meeting at 4:15
Chairperson, Board of Appeals Date
MINUTES PRELIMINARY
IOWA CITY BOARD OF APPEALS
THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2017
HELLING CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL
410 E. WASHINGTON STREET
IOWA CITY. IA 52240
MEMBERS PRESENT: John Roffman, Scott McDonough, Andrea French, John Gay
MEMBERS ABSENT: Jim Walker
STAFF PRESENT: Tim Hennes (Sr. Building Inspector), Sue Dulek (Asst. City
Attorney), Stan Laverman (Sr. Housing Inspector), John Yapp (Development
Services Coordinator), Brian Greer (Fire Marshall), Jann Ream (Code Enforcement
Specialist, acting as minute taker)
OTHERS PRESENT: Crissy Caganelli, Dan Broffit, Steve Schornhorst
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL:
None
CALL TO ORDER:
John Roffman called the meeting to order at 4:00 PM
Request for a Variance from the Housing Code Sections 17-5-17 F.1.f & 17-5-17 G1 (proposed building at
820 Cross Park Avenue)
Tim Hennes explained the request was a variance for two requirements in the Iowa City Housing Code:
the natural light requirement and the bedroom escape/rescue window requirement. He explained that Sue
Dulek would give the Board some criteria to help them with their determination. She specified that this was
a variance —not an appeal. And that the applicants were asking for a determination that the two provisions
in question should not apply to their particular situation. She explained that of the four findings listed in the
Housing Code that could be applied to a variance request, only two applied: #1-That there are practical
difficulties or unnecessary hardships in carrying out the a strict letter of any notice or order; and #4- Such a
variance is in harmony with the general purpose and intent of the code in securing the public health, safety
and general welfare.
Crissy Caganelli explained the position of the applicants and provided background for the project. The
project is to provide permanent supportive housing for 24 persons who meet the HUD definition of the
chronically homeless and have a diagnosed disability. These are also people who are frequently cycling
through the criminal justice system, emergency and medical services and shelters and who continue to
cycle back to homelessness. And while services will be offered to these individuals to help with any drug
or alcohol issues, it is not required that they be clean and sober to be provided housing. Caganelli said,
with all that in mind, the spaces have been specifically designed for this type of individual and input from
other similar providers across the nation was used in the design process.
Roffman stated that, in their application, they said it was critical that the window was in the living room and
not the bedroom and asked for explanation. Caganelli said that the individuals who would be tenants have
PRELIMINARY
ADJOURNMENT
Roffman adjourned the meeting at 4:20
Chairperson, Board of Appeals Date