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HomeMy WebLinkAboutA003 - Letter from Goodwin Law Office, opposition to proposed O-H District i GOOD WIN LA W OFFICE, A C. ATTORNEY AT LAW 311 W.LINCOLN WAY,SUITE 1 AMES,IOWA 50010-3317 ROBERT W.GOODWIN TELEPHONE 515-232-7390 FAX 51.5-232-7396 November 5, 2007 0 City of Ames Planning and Zoning Commission City of Ames 515 Clark Avenue P.O. Box 811 Ames, IA 50010 Re: O-H (Historic Preservation Overlay) District at 218 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa Dear Planning and Zoning Commission: On behalf of Laurel J. Ely and Mildred E. Ely, who own the property immediately east of 218 Lincoln Way, Crowner Tire &Automotive Center at 202 Lincoln Way, opposition is hereby made to the proposed O-H (Historic Preservation Overlay) District. The area along Lincoln Way is commercial use. A residential house is inconsistent with this commercial area. The property at 218 Lincoln Way has been vacant. It is questionable whether there is a demand for continued rental of this property to ISU students, or other individuals. The Elys would characterize the maintenance of the property as minimal. The Assessor's records show that the house has had no value since at least 1986. The land provides all the value to the property. ET.homas Leslie's Architectural Opinion states, "The house does have several very apparent issues that might discourage continued use or renovation . . .]If the property is designated as a local historic landmark, it will be virtually impossible to remove the house or to change the use from a single family residence. If this property would be designated as a historic landmark, there is no provision or requirement to insure that the property will be properly maintained, and that it will not become an eyesore that would negatively impact the commercial desirability and the value of other.properties in this vicinity. The Ames City Code Chapter 31 Historic Preservation Districts does not contain any provision or requirement concerning the maintenance of a building that is designated as a local historic landmark. Section 3 L.10(5) permits ordinary maintenance or repair, but it does not require any maintenance or repair. The Ames City Code Chapter 31 Historic Preservation Districts also does not contain any provision to consider and to protect surrounding properties from negative impacts caused by designating a property as a historic landmark. 1 City of Ames Planning and Zoning Commission t November 5, 2007 Page 2 The Municipal Code of the City of Ames is unconstitutional and fails to protect the rights of the Elys and other property owners in the vicinity because: 1. In violation of the Due Process and Equal Rights Clauses of the United States Constitution and the Iowa Constitution it fails to provide any consideration of, or protection to properties in the vicinity concerning adverse impacts from a property being designated as a historic landmark. 2. In violation of the Due Process and Equal Rights Clauses of the United States Constitution and the Iowa Constitution it fails to require that property designated as a historic landmark must be maintained and used so as to not have a detrimental affect on surrounding properties. Also, if this property were to be zoned O-H District, that would be spot zoning which is improper. The Elys respectfully request that the City of Ames Planning and Zoning Commission vote against designating the house at 218 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa, as a historic landmark for each and every of the reasons stated herein. Sincerely, GOODWIN LAW OFFICE, P.C. Robert W. Goodwin Attorney at Law RWG:sId f Martin House 218 Lincoln Way Ames, IA Architectural Opinion Thomas Leslie, AIA The Martin House is a well-preserved example of craftsman style bungalow houses in Ames. It is the last remaining structure of its type along Lincoln Way, and it represents the skill of local builders of the 1910s and 1920s. Despite its long service as a rental property, the house is in reasonably good condition and could fairly easily be renovated to its original appearance. Its materials are largely intact, and include horizontal wood siding and stucco on the exterior, with oak floors and trim, and what appears to be original plaster throughout the interior. Nearly all of the house is in its original condition, including the kitchen, which is a very rare example of well-preserved kitchen cabinetry from the era. The house was built in 1920, according to the County Assessor. Houses of this time were typically built from commercial timber, with standard hardware and finishes that were available from factories throughout the Midwest. The"craftsman" style combined simple, thoughtful detailing with pure forms, both of which produced an overall atmosphere of organized space and warm textures from wood and plaster. This was also a relatively inexpensive way to build, and typical craftsman details such as window sills and door frames demonstrated ingenious ways of combining simple, planed lumber into clear, articulate details. The Martin House has a particularly fine collection of typical craftsman detailing throughout the main and upper floors; while much of this has been damaged by locks and door replacement, enough of it is extant to maintain the original atmosphere of the house. Built in cabinets and pillars in the living room are well preserved and are important examples of this style of detailing. Likewise, the House's overall massing clearly shows the principles of the Craftsman style, with symmetrical forms, simple roof slopes, and carefully proportioned windows and doors creating a quite formal composition. The Lincoln Way elevation in particular uses a broad porch with large pillars to emphasize the entrance facing the street. While the massing and materials are typical of the type, the size of the Martin House, probably because of its intended function as a boarding house, is unusual for a Craftsman, and the interior spaces in particular are quite generous in comparison with other local homes of the era. The second story is also a unique feature of the House, with three generous bedrooms and several study spaces, neither of which are common in houses of its day. The Martin House is thus an important example of the Craftsman style, and also an unusual example of this style applied to a modified architectural program. Given its status as the last of several houses along this stretch of Lincoln Way, it is an important is v*er � taae(Peeral. link to that.street's important history in Ames.CThe house does very apparent issues that might discourage continued use or renovation--in particular a clear settlement issue on the front porch. It has some site issues (little opportunity for parking and a neighboring commercial structure to the west that obscures its view from the street) that might likewise discourage commercial adaptation. Given the extent of original finishes in the house, its status as the last of its type along West Lincoln Way, and its unique adaptation of the craftsman language to a somewhat larger domestic program, the Martin House would, I believe,be a reasonably strong candidate for Local Landmark Designation based on its architectural merits; given that these are surpassed by its important links to people in Ames' history, the Martin House is clearly deserving of this status. Thomas Leslie, AIA Architect