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HomeMy WebLinkAboutA002 - Minutes from Commission meeting Rezoning of Land Located at 218 Lincoln Way to Establish the "O-H" (Historic Preservation Overlay) District and Designate the Property as a Local Historic Landmark Ray Anderson, Planner, gave an overview of the proposal. Approval of the rezoning of land at 218 Lincoln Way to establish the "O-H" (Historic Preservation Overlay) District and designate the property as a Local Historic Landmark is recommended. Nancy Green, Randall, Iowa, member of the Martin Foundation, great granddaughter-in-law of the Martins, and the property manager for 218 Lincoln Way, was present to answer any questions the Commission may have. She stated that they are trying to preserve the history of the Martin legacy. She then gave an overview of the contributions of the Martins who provided housing for African-American students in their home located at 218 Lincoln Way. She said they believe it is important to preserve the house as part of Ames history. Chuck Jons said he lauds the efforts of the Foundation; it is a great legacy to perpetuate and is a great example of some troubled times in our history. He asked if there is any chance the Foundation could move the house to a different location. Ms. Green said the owner has indicated that the house needs to stay in its current location and that he is not willing to move the house as long as he is living. Mr. Jons asked if the Foundation is aware of any other houses with the same or similar architectural characteristics in town, and if it is the architecture of the house that is critical for the Foundation, or is it the legacy of the Martin family? Ms. Green said both the legacy and the architecture of the house are important to the Foundation. The difference between this house and other houses of that style and period is that it is very large; it housed nine students, and is 2,000 square feet. She mentioned that the house at this time is unoccupied, but they are looking for renters and hopes it is occupied soon. Mr. Jons asked what this house could be used for if it is designated as a local historic landmark. Ms. Green said they would love to see this house be used as a coffee house or a bed and breakfast. The main problem with this property is ample parking and so whatever use goes into this house would have to be something that would fit in with the small parking area. Elizabeth Beck asked what would happen to this house when the current owner is no longer living. Ms. Green said she thinks this house would then go to the owner's son, but she has not been told that. Ms. Beck confirmed that Ms. Green is working from Ames on behalf of the Martin Foundation, but some of the decisions about what happens with this house do not reside within the Foundation. Ms. Green replied that is true at this present time. Janet Klaas, Treasurer of the Martin Foundation, explained that having this kind of designation for this property allows application for grants for restoration, which is something she thinks the owner would like to see done as he is very interested in preserving the house. She said the Foundation would like to see the house moved, but they are not the owner of the house. She 4 further explained that the house has been inspected and declared to be in good condition, with some cosmetic items that need to be repaired both inside and out that could restore the house to its original state. Ms. Klaas went on to explain that the Martin Foundation was formed in 2001, when funding was being obtained for the historic piers located along 5ch Street. Since then, a residence hall at Iowa State University has been named after the Martins, and a painting was done of the Martins that will hang in the residence hall. Norman Cloud asked if it is an issue that the house is currently surrounded by commercial uses. Ms. Green said it would depend on the end use of the house. She said students have not had a problem renting this property in the past, but the owner would really like to see this house used as a small cafe or something of that nature. Kori Heuss asked for clarification on how the overlay would apply if the house were moved. Mr. Osguthorpe explained that the overlay is a zone and applies to the property and not the structure. Mr. Anderson read a section from Chapter 31 of the Municipal Code, which explains that moving the house is prohibited unless it has been determined that it is an alternative to demolition. Discussion occurred clarifying the difference between local and national historic landmark designations; how the land provides all of the value to the property; and the process the City follows pertaining to enforcement of deteriorating structures. Bob Goodwin, Attorney representing the adjacent property owners located at 218 Lincoln Way, expressed the following concerns pertaining to this rezoning request: • The area along Lincoln Way is commercial and a residential house is inconsistent with this commercial area. • The house has been vacant and it is questionable whether there is a demand for continued rental of this property to ISU students or other individuals. • Will the property be properly maintained since the owner lives out of state? • The negative impacts on surrounding properties caused by designating this property as an historic landmark. • That this is spot zoning. • The house has had no value since 1986; the land provides all of the value to the property. • That the rights of the other property owners in the area are being violated by this request. Mr. Goodwin stated that it is premature to designate this property without knowing the answers to the questions that have been raised tonight. He said designating this property could have a detrimental affect on other properties in the area, and he urged the Commission to vote against this overlay zoning, which in reality is a spot zoning request. Mr. Cloud asked Mr. Goodwin to clarify that the issue is not the structure itself, but the current and foreseeable use of the structure once the historic preservation label is attached to it. Mr. Goodwin replied that they are also concerned about the maintenance of the structure because the property has not been well maintained. 5 Ms. Green said the historicalness of the property is the important thing, but she is not sure what Mr. Goodwin is referring to pertaining to improper maintenance of the property because the house and yard are well maintained. The fact that the house has been empty is the owner's choice; he was trying to find some family members to live in it, and has now after two years decided to put it back on the market. Mr. Barnes said it is hard to understand the motivation of the owner. He asked if the owner has been asked to donate the house (since it has no value) to the Foundation and then moved. Ms. Green explained that she has discussed this with the property owner, but he has indicated that the property has too much meaning to him and he doesn't want to pass the house out of the family as long as he is living. Mr. Jons said if we step back and look at the effort that is being made for the businesses along that stretch of Lincoln Way to improve the appearance and make that a better area, he thinks we have to give some of those businesses some real credit. If the Grand Avenue extension goes through, that part of Lincoln Way will get less traffic, and we run the risk of a rather blighted area. This house is an eye sore as it stands now. With the small amount of property, the lack of parking, and the surrounding businesses not wanting it there, he said he finds it very difficult to support this recommendation. He said he suspects that staff supports it because there was no reason not to support it, but he is concerned that it doesn't perpetuate what is happening along that segment of Lincoln Way. He said he would like to use the decision of the Commission as a way for the Foundation to entice the owner to go along with their suggestion. He said the Foundation is doing a wonderful job and he certainly does not want any decision made by the Commission to reflect poorly on what they are doing, because what they are doing is right. Kori Heuss said she is torn with this request because the Historic Preservation Commission and the State have both indicated that this house qualifies for the designation. The thing that she wants more information on is the property owner; what are his plans for the house, how is he going to will the property, why don't we have a letter from him in support of this initiative if he can't be here in person. She said these questions are making her struggle tonight, and she is leaning more towards tabling this request for more information. Mr. Cloud said the main issue for him is that we have two different groups of people who might have very different goals for the use of this potentially historic property. His second issue is that for the rest of that neighborhood, the current use of the house is not perceived to be adding value to the neighborhood. If this property had been developed and opened up to the public and marketed as a historic structure and bringing people in, it could add great value to that particular part of the Highway-Oriented Commercial, but it isn't and we don't have any idea what is proposed for this structure. He said he agrees with the Foundation trying to preserve the house, but without having upgraded the structure and shown that it will be a showplace and will be preserved for its use, it is hard to understand the historical value of it if it is going to be used as a rental house for the next 20 years. Steve Osguthorpe read a letter from the property owner, dated October 21, 2006, asking that the Martin House property, located at 218 Lincoln Way, be designated as an historic landmark. Mr. Osguthorpe then stated that if the Commission requests that this item be referred back for additional information, that they specifically state what additional information is needed. Otherwise, the Commission will need to forward this item to the City Council. 6 1 y Ms. Beck said she wants to go with staff's recommendation, but she is concerned that we may lock the Foundation into something that they will regret down the road. She has no problem with the house remaining in its current location, but she is uncomfortable approving this item until we have a better understanding of what is intended for this house down the road. Ms. Heuss said this property being designated as historical would mean in the future we would be more thoughtful about what to do with that land because of its designation. Mr. Jons said he would be in support of the historical designation if the house were moved to a different location and the Foundation ran it as an historical entity. Since they are not in that position right now, it makes it difficult for him to wholeheartedly get behind staff's recommendation. Mr. Cloud said because the owner is so adamant about not giving up his rights to the property and the house, then there doesn't seem to be any eminent danger to the house and the property as it stands now. Upgrades and changes can be made to the house without any designation being attached to the property, and later they could come back and officially sanction that structure and property for historic preservation. Ms. Beck said the Foundation would lose the option of applying for funding without the designation. She further stated that the argument about the maintenance of the property isn't even on the table for her because none of us have any guarantees that our neighbors are going to maintain their property, but she is concerned about locking them in. She said for her the issue isn't about what is going on in the neighborhood because the house is there and it has significant meaning for the community. But she is concern about what is going to happen with this property in the future. If it is designated as historic and then it just becomes a rental property, what have we gained in terms of saving this house for the community? Darryl Knight said one of the neat things about history is you don't understand what is happening while it is happening until you turn around and look back at it and say that was significant. Long before the rental furniture company and the Dairy Queen was there, these folks were making history, and everything else grew up around them. If we really wanted to turn around and say which one is more important, what happened on this property is much more important historically than anything else that is sitting on that street. This property is located on the main avenue of our town and is something that is as great a part of our history as anything at ISU. They are caught in a catch 22. We would like to see the house improved, but they cannot improve it unless it is designated historical so they can apply for grants. If they do not improve it, we will not designate it historical. He said the history of the house needs to be preserved and the house needs to remain where it was originally located. It is not moving the house that is important; if the individual does not want to move it, it is his house. Mr. Knight stated that this is a very important historical structure and agrees with staff's recommendation of approval. Ms. Beck said she thinks the Foundation knows what the Commission's concerns are with this house. She said she agrees with Darryl that they are in a catch 22, but so is the Commission. She said she would rather err on the side of going with staff's recommendation and accept this as an historical property. She said the Commission has been open about what our concerns are, and if something happens down the road, we have done the best we can with an open discussion. 7