HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Council Action Form dated March 26, 2002 ITEM# (3(0
DATE 03/26/02
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
SUBJECT: MOTION TO APPROVE AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 31 OF THE
MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR FENCES, RETAINING
WALLS, AND TRASH AND ANIMAL ENCLOSURES.
BACKGROUND:
Reasons for Changes & Process for Change. Design guidelines for fences, retaining
walls, and trash and animal enclosures apply to properties that are located in the Old
Town Historic District, or have been designated as local historic landmarks. The only
locally designated landmark is the Youth and Shelter Services (YSS) building located on
the corner of Kellogg Avenue and 5th Street.
The reason for action on the proposed design guidelines by the City Council is because
the guidelines are part of this "Historic Preservation" zoning overlay, and the City
Council must approve all changes to the ordinance.
The discussion of revising the design guidelines came about as several applications for
the construction of new fences in the Old Town Historic District had come before the
Historic Preservation Commission for approval. It became obvious that the current
design guidelines for fences were lacking in clarity and did not provide sufficient
guidance to the Commission to determine the appropriateness of the materials and
design of fences proposed in the historic district. As a result of this, the Commission
decided to form a subcommittee to review the design guidelines for fences, research
fence regulations used in other communities, and make recommendations back to the
Historic Preservation Commission for changes to the fence regulations.
The subcommittee proceeded with their analysis and investigation of fence design
guidelines and reported back to the Historic Preservation Commission with a
recommendation to adopt lists of "permitted" and "not permitted" fence materials and
designs, and to allow approval of the "permitted" fence materials and designs by City
staff, instead of having a requirement for review and approval by the Commission.
The State Historical Society of Iowa has reviewed the draft and had questions and
recommended changes, which then led to revisions by City staff and by the
subcommittee of the Historic Preservation Commission. The proposed ordinance
revisions, attached to this Action Form, are the result of the revisions by City staff and
the subcommittee. This draft has also been further reviewed and approved by the State
staff, the Historic Preservation Commission, and the Planning and Zoning Commission
since revisions were made by the subcommittee.
The Local Governments/CLG Program Coordinator for the State Historical Society of
Iowa, believes the proposed design guidelines comply with the Secretary of the
Interior's Standards for the treatment of historic properties, which is a requirement for
cities, such as Ames, that have been designated as a Certified Local Government.
Proposed Changes to the Design Guidelines. Additions are in bold and deletions
are ctrirLen thre igh
Sec. 31.2 DEFINITIONS AND RULES OF CONSTRUCTION
(30) Fence: A man-made barrier used as an enclosure or as a boundary.
(31) Retaining Wall: A wall built to hold back a bank of soil.
(32) Visibility Triangle: The area created by the intersection of property lines
at the corner of two (2) abutting streets and a line connecting two (2)
points on these property lines twenty (20) feet from the point of
intersection.
Sec. 31.11 APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS.
(2) Administrative Approval Process.
(a) Types of Alterations. A Certificate of Appropriateness for the following
types of exterior alterations, and new constructions as described
below, provided the alterations and new construction meet the adopted
Design Guidelines and Design Criteria.
(iv) Replacement or the new construction of fences and retaining
walls, as permitted by Chapter 31 of the Municipal Code.
Sec. 31 .13 STANDARDS FOR REVIEW, DESIGN GUIDELINES, DESIGN CRITERIA
(7) Fennes and Retaining Walls Dlteratinn Area
e
whenever pessihle
(b) AlteratieRS tG existing retaiRing walls and perimeter fences shall be done with
materials
ater Gensistent with the hic eFin materials in size, d ign Gempe itien
1 l TQtCYt 1i01 TJ"i�Tli t0"ITl—I-ITQTGTTC17�1TT�TL��Ct�i�7iT T� ,
and texts ire
(8) FmenGes and Retaining Walls, New GORStnirtien Area
(a) ' eW Gens-ttttbtien shall be GORsicstent Leiith re ar-Ghite Gti era il.
(b)New materirals shall h�"" FFatible with the hicrnrriG materials ef to
partiGUlanaFGhceGtUFal style In size, design and texture.
2
(7) Fence and Retaining Wall Height and Fence, Retaining Wall, and Trash or
Animal Enclosure Materials.
(a) Historic retaining walls and perimeter fences shall be retained,
whenever possible.
(b) Fence Height.
(i) Fences not exceeding six (6) feet in height are permitted within
the limits of the side and rear yards.
(ii) Fences not exceeding four (4) feet in height are permitted within
the limits of the front yard.
(c) Retaining Wall Height.
(i) The height of the retaining wall is limited to the height of the bank
of soil being retained by the wall.
(d) Fence Materials.
(i) Permitted Fence Materials:
a. Wood;
b. Masonry (for fence posts, only);
C. Iron;
d. Stone;
e. Stucco Walls;
f. Cast Stone; and,
g. Other fence materials for which historic evidence can be
shown that the material has been used historically on
properties in the historic district.
(ii) Fence Materials Not Permitted:
a. Vinyl;
b. Metal Panels;
C. Plastic;
d. Plywood;
e. Solid Masonry;
f. Concrete, including poured concrete to imitate brick;
and,
g. Any other material not listed as "permitted".
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(e) Retaining Wall Materials.
(i) Permitted Retaining Wall Materials:
a. Stone (Mortared or Dry-laid);
b. Poured Concrete;
C. Brick;
d. Combination of Brick and Stone; and,
e. Other retaining wall materials for which historic
evidence can be shown that the material has been used
historically on properties in the historic district.
(ii) Retaining Wall Materials Not Permitted:
a. Wood Design, including railroad timbers, landscape
timbers and landscape logs;
b. Concrete Block;
C. Imitation Brick or Stone;
d. Metal; and,
e. Any other material not listed as "permitted".
(f) Trash and Animal Enclosure Materials.
(i) Permitted Trash and Animal Enclosure Materials:
a. Enclosures for trash receptacles or for animals shall be
constructed of the same materials as are permitted
elsewhere on the property for fences, or retaining walls.
4
(8) Fence and Retaining Wall and Trash and Animal Enclosure Design.
(a) New construction shall be consistent with the architectural style.
(b) Fence Design.
(i) Permitted Fence Designs:
a. Wood Picket;
b. Wood Slat;
C. Solid Wood;
d. Woven Wire;
e. Ornamental Iron;
f. Alternating Board;
g. Solid Wood Board fence with lattice comprising
approximately the top one-third of the total fence height;
and,
h. Other fence designs for which historic evidence can be
shown that the design has been used historically on
properties in the historic district.
(ii) Fence Designs Not Permitted.
a. Basket-Weave;
b. Chain Link;
C. Split Rail;
d. Horizontal Board;
e. Stockade;
f. Post and Rail;
g. Lattice, exceeding one-third of the total fence height;
and
h. Any other design not listed as "permitted".
(c) Retaining Wall Design.
(i) Permitted Retaining Wall Designs:
a. Brick Wall in combination with concrete caps;
b. Cast Stone/Cast-in-Place Concrete; and,
C. Other retaining wall designs for which historic evidence
can be shown that the design has been used historically
on properties in the historic district.
(ii) Retaining Wall Designs Not Permitted:
a. Hollow, or Solid Interlocking Concrete Block;
b. Faced Concrete Block; and,
C. Any other design not listed as "permitted".
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(d) Trash and Animal Enclosure Design.
(ii) Permitted Trash and Animal Enclosure Designs:
a. Enclosures for trash receptacles or for animals shall be
constructed of the same designs as are permitted
elsewhere on the property for fences, or retaining walls.
RECOMMENDATION OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION:
The Historic Preservation Commission reviewed the proposed amendments to the
design guidelines at their meeting on February 11, 2002. The Commission
recommended approval with the following additions to the proposed design guidelines:
(7)
(a) Historic retaining walls and perimeter fences shall be retained, whenever
possible.
(8)
(a) New construction shall be consistent with the architectural style.
RECOMMENDATION OF THE PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION:
The Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed the proposed amendments to the
design guidelines at their meeting of February 20, 2002 and approval was
recommended.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. The City Council can approve amendments to Chapter 31 of the Municipal Code
regarding design guidelines for fences, retaining walls, and trash and animal
enclosures.
2. The City Council can deny the proposed changes to Chapter 31 of the Municipal
Code.
3. The City Council can approve some, but not all of the proposed changes to
Chapter 31 of the Municipal Code.
4. The City Council can refer some or all of these proposed changes back to staff for
additional information.
6
MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
It is recommended that Alternative #1 be adopted. This will approve the proposed
amendments to Chapter 31 of the Municipal Code, as described in this Action Form.
These deletions, additions, and clarifications to the design guidelines for historic districts
are necessary, based on staff's experience in administering the adopted historic district
regulations.
Attachment
s:\Council Action Forms\Text Amendments\Fence&Retaining Wall DG Amendments 03-26-02
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Proposed Amendments to Chapter 31
Historic Preservation Districts
Additions are in bold and deletions are StFiGken throuo.
Sec. 31 .2 DEFINITIONS AND RULES OF CONSTRUCTION
(30) Fence: A man-made barrier used as an enclosure or as a boundary.
(31) Retaining Wall: A wall built to hold back a bank of soil.
(32) Visibility Triangle: The area created by the intersection of property
lines at the corner of two (2) abutting streets and a line connecting two
(2) points on these property lines twenty (20) feet from the point of
intersection.
Sec. 31.11 APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS.
(2) Administrative Approval Process.
(a) Types of Alterations. A Certificate of Appropriateness for the following
types of exterior alterations, and new constructions as described
below, provided the alterations and new construction meet the adopted
Design Guidelines and Design Criteria.
(iv) Replacement or the new construction of fences and retaining
walls, as permitted by Chapter 31 of the Municipal Code.
Sec. 31.13 STANDARDS FOR REVIEW, DESIGN GUIDELINES, DESIGN CRITERIA
(7) FeRGGs and Retaining Walls, AlteratiOR Area
(b) Alterati9RG te existing FetaiRiRg walls and perimeter feRGeG _611-211 _hA_ GIA-Re with
texture
(8)
.
(7) Fence and Retaining Wall Height and Fence, Retaining Wall, and Trash or
Animal Enclosure Materials.
(a) Historic retaining walls and perimeter fences shall be retained,
whenever possible.
(b) Fence Height.
(i) Fences not exceeding six (6) feet in height are permitted within
the limits of the side and rear yards.
(i i) Fences not exceeding four (4) feet in height are permitted within
the limits of the front yard.
(c) Retaining Wall Height.
(i) The height of the retaining wall is limited to the height of the
bank of soil being retained by the wall.
(d) Fence Materials.
(i) Permitted Fence Materials:
a. Wood;
b. Masonry (for fence posts, only);
C. Iron;
d. Stone;
e. Stucco Walls;
f. Cast Stone; and,
g. Other fence materials for which historic evidence can be
shown that the material has been used historically on
properties in the historic district.
(ii) Fence Materials Not Permitted:
a. Vinyl;
b. Metal Panels;
C. Plastic;
d. Plywood;
e. Solid Masonry;
f. Concrete, including poured concrete to imitate brick;
and,
g. Any other material not listed as "permitted".
2
r
(c) Retaining Wall Design.
(i) Permitted Retaining Wall Designs:
a. Brick Wall in combination with concrete caps;
b. Cast Stone/Cast-in-Place Concrete; and,
C. Other retaining wall designs for which historic evidence
can be shown that the design has been used historically
on properties in the historic district.
(ii) Retaining Wall Designs Not Permitted:
a. Hollow, or Solid Interlocking Concrete Block;
b. Faced Concrete Block; and,
C. Any other design not listed as "permitted".
(d) Trash and Animal Enclosure Design.
(ii) Permitted Trash and Animal Enclosure Designs:
a. Enclosures for trash receptacles or for animals shall be
constructed of the same designs as are permitted
elsewhere on the property for fences, or retaining walls.
s:\hpc\Proposed Amendments to Chp 31 02-20-02.doc
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