HomeMy WebLinkAboutHPC Agenda Packet 12.9.2021
Thursday
December 9, 2021
5:30 p.m.
Emma Harvat Hall
City Hall
IOWA CITY HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Thursday, December 9, 2021
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. HPC21-0107: 738 Rundell Street – Longfellow Historic District (alteration and new outbuilding
construction)
2. HPC21-0111: 538 South Gilbert Street – Local Historic Landmark (permanent ADA
accessibility ramp)
E) Report on Certificates issued by Chair and Staff
Minor Review –Staff review
HPC21-0112: 1111 Sheridan Avenue – Longfellow Historic District (new railing for steps to street)
Intermediate Review –Chair and Staff review
1. HPC21-0080: 121 and 125 East College Street – Local Historic Landmarks (minor changes to a
prior COA)
2. HPC21-0109: 814 Bowery Street – Governor-Lucas Street Conservation District (demolition of
non-historic entry canopy)
F) Commission Information
G) 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 November 2, 2021
Historic Review for HPC21-0107: 738 Rundell Street
District: Longfellow Historic District
Classification: Contributing
The applicant, Curtis Naso, is requesting approval for a proposed alteration and new construction project at
738 Rundell Street, a Contributing property in the Longfellow Historic District. The project consists of the
reconfiguration of the attached garage as living space, removal of the front driveway, the construction of a
new garage at the rear of the property, and the construction of a deck on the back of the house.
Applicable Regulations and Guidelines:
4.0 Iowa City Historic Preservation Guidelines for Alterations
4.1 Balustrades and Handrails
4.3 Doors
4.4 Energy Efficiency
4.5 Foundations
4.11 Siding
4.12 Site and Landscaping
4.13 Windows
5.0 Guidelines for Additions
5.1 Expansion of the Building Footprint
5.2 Decks and Ramps
6.0 Guidelines for New Construction
6.2 New Outbuildings
7.0 Guidelines for Demolition
7.1 Demolition of Whole Structures or Significant Features
Staff Comments
This 1 1/2 story gable roof house with side gable entry is a simple Colonial Revival design that was built by
Howard F Moffitt before 1933. The house has shingled siding, a wide brick chimney characteristic of Moffit
designs, and 6-over-1 double hung windows on the second floor. The house also has shed-roof dormers on
both the front and the back. The attached garage is original to the house but has been expanded about one
foot by building out the overhead door.
Proposal
The applicant is proposing to remove the attached garage by reconfiguring it as living space. The overhead
door build-out will be removed and the wall opening reframed in its original location, flush with the rest of
the wall. The base of the wall will be finished to match the stucco-coated foundation on the rest of the house.
Cedar shingled siding will clad the new wall to match the existing siding. Two windows will be installed in the
front of the former garage. They will be one-over-one double-hung wood or metal-clad wood windows
matching the first-floor front window. They will be trimmed to match the existing windows. The front
driveway will be removed as required by the zoning code.
The applicant will remove the existing front stairs, railing, sidewalk and steps to the street level. The sidewalk
and site steps will be replaced with concrete. The new steps at the front door will consist of a 5 foot by 5 foot
landing set at the level of the door threshold. The stairs will have closed risers. Skirting will enclose the area
under the landing if it is more than 18 inches. The railing will consist of plain square newel posts with angled
tops to shed water, top and bottom rails suspended between the posts and square spindles installed between
the rails, not on the outside of them. The new landing and railing will be constructed of wood and must be
painted to blend with the house.
On the back of the house, the existing door will be raised about 10 inches to match the new interior floor
level in the former garage. The applicant proposes to remove the existing original rear door (using it on the
new garage) and replacing it with a modern door. Any new trim will match the existing door. Like the front of
the garage, the base of the wall will be patched with a stucco-coated area to match the existing foundation.
The applicant also proposes to build a deck at this back door. The deck will be a simple platform about 10
inches above grade with a step. It will be set in 8 inches from the north side wall. Drawings for the deck, or
final dimensions have not been submitted.
In the rear, southeast, corner of the property, the applicant proposes to build a new single-car garage. The
garage will be set in 5 feet from the alley and south side property line to meet code. The garage will be a 14
foot by 24-foot gable-roof garage clad in Cedar shingles to match the house. It will have a single-car overhead
door, a passage door and a single window in each side wall. The applicant proposes 30”x42” single hung vinyl
windows. The applicant also proposes to reuse the original back door from the house on the new garage.
Historic Preservation Guidelines
In the guidelines, Section 4.3 Doors recommends repairing historic doors rather than replacing them. It is
recommended to replace badly deteriorated doors with new or salvaged doors that are similar in size, material,
and appearance. Substituting a material in place of wood for doors and screen doors is only recommended if
the substitute material retains the style and appearance of the historic doors and screen doors. Section 4.5
Foundations recommends repairing or replacing foundations with materials that appear similar to the existing
materials and repairing stucco with a mixture that matches the existing in texture color, and composition.
Section 4.11 Siding recommends substituting a material in place of wood siding only if the substitute material
retains the appearance and function of the original wood. Section 4.12 Site and Landscaping recommends
providing vehicular access from an alley when available. It is disallowed to provide parking spaces between
the primary structure and the street. Section 4.13 Windows recommends adding windows that match the type,
size, sash width, trim, use of divided lights, and overall appearance of the historic windows. It is also
recommended adding new windows in a location that is consistent with the window pattern of the historic
building or buildings of similar architectural style. If an opening is to be relocated, it should not detract from
the overall fenestration pattern.
Section 5.1 Expansion of the Building Footprint recommends matching key horizontal “lines” on the existing
building, such as window head height in order to provide continuity between the addition and the historic
structure. It is recommended to construct an addition foundation that appears similar to the historic
foundation. It is also recommended to apply siding and install windows that appear similar to the original.
Section 5.2 Decks and Ramps recommends locating a new deck on the back of the primary building, opposite
the street-facing façade and set in from the side walls at least 8 inches. It is recommended to design decks so
that the size, scale, and location do not detract from the character of the district’s rear yards.
Section 6.2 New Outbuildings recommends placing new outbuildings, including garages, to the rear of the
primary building. New garages should be clearly subordinate in size and ornamentation to the primary
structure but should reflect the style of the primary structure. Overhead doors should be simple. Smooth or
simple panel-type garage doors may be used. The overhead door opening should be trimmed to match the
trim of other doors and windows on the building. Windows should be relatively small and rectangular. The
use of synthetic siding for an outbuilding in a historic district is disallowed.
Section 7.1 Demolition of Whole Structures or Significant features recommends retaining historic garages. If
the period garage is insufficient for modern-day vehicles, efforts should be made to construct a new garage
on another portion of the site. Replacement garages should be compatible in design with the primary
structure.
Staff Review and Recommendation
In Staff’s opinion, the proposed project could be considered an appropriate solution to this situation. The
project has multiple components that are the result of the original project’s goal: to convert the original
attached garage to living space. First, while living space could be built in the form of a rear addition, the
applicant can add occupiable space without the expense of new finished construction by converting the
existing garage. Second, according to the zoning officials, the City’s current zoning code requires that the
driveway be removed if the garage parking is removed. It is also required to provide a parking space
elsewhere on the lot. The historic preservation guidelines would have a new garage constructed to replace a
garage that is removed. For that reason, the project that removes the existing garage, also includes the
construction of a new garage at the rear of the property off the alley.
When altering the interior of a historic property, it is often recommended for the exterior to remain
unchanged if the alterations cannot meet guidelines such as following the pattern of openings on the historic
building or if the alterations would include the removal of elements that are part of the historic architectural
character of the building. The attached garage on this Moffitt House is a part of the historic character of the
house. Because the overhead door opening has been altered already by being built out or extended, the
original overhead door no longer exists, and the zoning code requires the removal of the driveway, staff
recommends incorporating the garage into the house with matching foundation, siding, trim, and windows as
the guidelines would recommend for an addition.
For this alteration, the proposed project will remove the non-historic overhead door build-out and match the
existing house for the infill of the wall. The new windows will match the first-floor front window instead of
the second-floor windows with the upper sash of divided-lites. The north side window on the garage will
remain unchanged. The rear garage door will be raised to meet the new raised floor in the former garage. The
applicant proposes to use a new door in this location and to reuse this historic door in the new garage. Staff
recommends retaining the historic door and installing a storm door to protect it, installing a new door in the
new garage. The applicant also proposes to build a deck that will be simple platform with a single step. It will
be set in 8 inches from the sides of the house. Drawings of the deck have not yet been submitted.
At the front of the house, the removal of the existing concrete steps and their replacement with a new wood
stoop and steps is appropriate. The applicant proposes to replace the front door which has been damaged by
multiple hardware replacements. Staff recommends that a new door match the existing door which is a four-
lite above two vertical panels.
For the new garage, the applicant is proposing a standard gable roof garage meeting the setback requirements.
Staff finds that the proposed windows are too large for the outbuilding since they are wider than the new
windows proposed for the front of the house. They are also vinyl windows which are not recommended for
an outbuilding on a contributing property in a Historic District. (Staff has told the applicant about the
window material guidelines and he now proposes to use wood or metal-clad wood windows in the garage.
The applicant also proposed to use a cement board lap siding on the garage. Staff recommends matching the
house instead, because the existing attached garage matched the house and many Moffitt garages that are
detached, especially in this neighborhood match the house when they have Cedar shingled siding. Staff
recommends approving either a wood shingle or a cement board shingle siding to match the house if possible
but not a standard lap siding. Otherwise, the garage will match the short eave overhang on the house and lack
of overhang with the rake board at the gable. The frieze board will also have a small crown molding to match
the detail on the house.
Recommended Motion
Move to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for the project at 738 Rundell Street as presented in the
staff report with the following conditions:
Drawings of the deck are submitted for staff approval.
The rear door on the house remains at the house and a new door is installed in the garage.
The garage windows are revised to smaller double or single hung wood or metal-clad wood windows.
All door and window product information approved by staff
738 Rundell Street
738 Rundell- existing front window detail
738 Rundell- east elevation and portion of north side
738 Rundell - east elevation- rear door to be raised (also location of proposed deck)
738 Rundell – south elevation
Photoshop Mockup of proposed garage alteration 738 Rundell Street
Applicant sketch of front elevation changes (not to scale)
738 Rundell- applicant sketch of rear door change and deck (not to scale)
738 Rundell – applicant sketch of site plan (not to scale)
738 Rundell – site plan with potential deck and garage shown (by staff)
738 Rundell – new garage sketch
738 Rundell – new garage plan
Staff Report November 1, 2021
Historic Review for HPC21-0111: 538 South Gilbert Street
The applicant, Public Space One, is requesting approval for a proposed addition project at 538 South Gilbert
Street, the C.D. Close House, a Local Historic Landmark property in the Riverfront Crossings District. The
project consists of an ADA accessible ramp permanently constructed at the main rear entrance.
Applicable Regulations and Guidelines:
4.0 Iowa City Historic Preservation Guidelines for Alterations
4.1 Balustrades and Handrails
4.10 Porches
5.0 Guidelines for Additions
5.2 Decks and Ramps
Staff Comments
The C.D. Close house was built in 1874 and is one of Iowa City’s first set of local landmarks designated in
1996. The basic form of the house is a 2 ½ story brick construction with a main hipped roof topped by a
widow’s walk and cupola. A deep cornice with alternating single and paired brackets, modillions, and
diamond applique panels, supports the wide eave overhangs. Single and paired round-arched and segmental-
arched double hung windows feature decorative window hoods on all three sides of the main potion of the
house. The west façade consists of a full height projecting gable with a decorative entry portico and upper-
level balustrade and a single-story canted bay and upper-level balustrade. An oval oculus window originally
occupied the center of the gable. To the north of the entry, the first-floor pair of windows features a balcony
and decorative metal awning. The south façade also has a full-height projecting gable with a two-story
projecting bay topped with a balustrade. An oval oculus window originally occupied the center of this gable,
too. An exterior chimney penetrates the cornice and eave west of the gable. On the north side, a smaller
projecting gable, almost a through cornice gabled dormer, is centered on the wall and retains its oculus
window.
On the east side of the house a lower hipped roof section extends toward the alley. While this extension
includes a matching bracketed cornice and arched windows, the window hoods have a simplified design. This
rear extension is setback from the south façade. A single-story porch fills the setback with slender Italianate
columns supporting shallowed arched friezes featuring modillions, shallow brackets, and inset panels. The
low balustrade consists of diagonal, crossed spindles and diamond decorations evoking the more elaborate
diamonds in the rake board panels. The east façade of the extension is topped by a through cornice gabled
dormer over an Italianate entry portico. A single-story bay projects from the wall in the south portion of the
façade.
The Close family lived in the house until 1923 when they sold the house to the Acacia fraternity. In 1941 the
county bought the home as office space for the Johnson County Department of Social Services. The cupola,
widow’s walk, balcony and 2nd floor balustrades were removed. The house was listed in the National Register
of Historic Places in 1973. The County sold it at auction in 1980. The new owners, the Skaugstad family,
spent many years restoring the missing details such as the cupola, widow’s walk and exterior balustrades. In
1983, the carriage house was built in the NE corner of the lot. In 1991 the south-facing porch was enclosed.
In 1996, the Close house became a local landmark. In 2008, a Certificate of No Material Effect was issued for
the replacement of the exterior upper-level balustrades in a matching Fypon product.
Proposal
The applicant is proposing to construct an ADA accessibility ramp at the east-facing entry portico. A landing
extension will be added between the portico and the projecting bay to the south. The landing will have east-
facing stairs leading to the alley and a ramp extending north toward the parking area. The ramp will have
stairs extending west into the lawn from the landing located mid-slope. The ramp will be constructed of
treated wood that will be painted to blend with the house. All stairs will have closed risers. The railing will
have newel posts with piers below every other post. Square spindles will suspend between the top and bottom
rails of the railing. Diagonal framed skirting will enclose the areas under the ramp and landing behind the
house. The existing basement entry will remain unobstructed.
Historic Preservation Guidelines
In the historic preservation guidelines, Section 5.2 Decks and Ramps recommends designing ramps so they
do not detract from the historic character of the building. To the extend possible, the yard should be graded
to create a portion of the include of the ramp. It is recommended to locate a new ramp, or as much of the
new ramp as possible, on the side of the building. It is recommended to incorporate a ramp into a porch.
Ramps must follow the guidelines in section 4.1 balustrades and handrails. This section recommends
constructing balustrades by choosing a style that is consistent with the architectural style of the building. Top
and foot rails should be at least 2 inches in thickness and have sloped tops to allow water to be shed from the
surface. It is disallowed to use unpainted treated wood for elements that would have been painted in the
historic application.
In 2010, the Commission approved a Certificate of Appropriateness making the construction of accessibility
ramps eligible for a minor review provided they follow the guidelines and meet the following conditions:
• The new ramp is constructed without footings in order to emphasize the temporary nature of the
ramp and to facilitate removal after the ramp is no longer needed; and
• The ramp being removed once it is no longer needed; and
• The ramp being placed on a side or rear door if possible.
Staff Review and Recommendation
This project will provide a permanent accessibility ramp for the building and the operations of its owner,
Public Space One. As a permanent ramp, it will not meet the conditions for a Minor Review by staff and
must be reviewed by the Commission. It will have permanent footings and piers. The location at the rear
entry door follows the guidelines but also provides accessible access at the only entry with a direct connection
to the onsite parking. The ramp’s location also requires the least amount of alteration to the historic building;
only the stairs to the entry porch need to be removed and relocated toward the alley. The configuration of the
ramp allows a straight run to the parking and provides intermediate stairs for direct access to the rear portico.
The guidelines recommend that new balustrades match historic or existing balustrades. The existing
balustrades on the house consist of several styles, many of which are reconstructions based on photographs.
The front entry portico and adjacent balcony have saw-cut spindles. The balustrades on the second floor
include both decorative and turned spindles. Turned spindles are also found in the widow’s walk and the
balustrade above the south-facing projecting bay. The south-facing porch and rear entry portico both have
diagonal spindles with diamond decorations at their crossing. All of these balustrades are shorter than
required by the current building code and many of them include openings that are larger than allowed by
code. For this reason, staff recommends approving the accessibility ramp with simple square spindles to
lessen the impact of the railing with its code-required height and spindle spacing. Painting the new balustrade
to match the house will help it to blend with the existing wood details.
Because this ramp attaches to an existing entry portico/porch and will be permanent, the building has a
consistent skirting under the existing porches, and the ramp is 3 feet above grade at its connection, staff
recommends following the guidelines for porches in section 4.10. This section includes the recommendation
to leave exposed the support piers below the porch columns Skirting must be added to fill the space below
the porch floor and grade if this space s 18 inches or greater. The skirt must be located between the porch
piers. The proposal proved for exposed piers/posts below every other newel post in the railing. At staff’s
recommendation, the applicant has added skirting to the area between piers when the ramp is 18 inches or
more above grade. While staff recommends the inclusion of porch skirting to close off the area under the
ramp at its high point, it is not recommended to continue the skirting once the ramp extends beyond the
north wall of the house. The added skirting will prevent larger animals, humans and debris from getting under
the new landing and the connecting porch. It will also add continuity between the ramp and the portico. Staff
does not recommend continuing the skirting under the entire ramp in an effort to minimize the impact of the
length of the ramp.
Recommended Motion
Move to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for the project at 538 South Gilbert Street as presented in
the application.
538 South Gilbert Street, C D Close House, SW corner
Close Mansion, 1920s photograph by Frederick Kent
538 South Gilbert Street, 1973 photo from National Register Nomination
538 South Gilbert Street, NW corner
538 South Gilbert Street, south-facing enclosed porch
538 South Gilbert, rear (east-facing) entry portico