HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Historic Preservation Commission Minutes 12/12/2022Mr. Oakley believes the text states that a Certificate of Appropriateness would be granted for
demolishing an Architectural feature and that if it were going to be replaced, it would need to go
to the Commission for approval.
Ms. Sahlstrom said it does not say an owner can demolish a porch and not replace it.
Ms. Dale said the word "must" makes the difference in the text.
Ms. Winder said the Commission should look at it further since it is not clear.
Mr. Chariton believes that reading Section 31.10(2)(a), (b), and (c) together clarifies it.
Ms. Winder said under Section 31.10(3), regarding a new principal structure, she objects that a
new principal structure must represent one of the styles. The Secretary of Interior Standards do
not advocate for that. They say that new construction should be compatible but does not have to
mimic a style. She said she just wanted to call attention to it, but the Commission does not have
to discuss it tonight.
Mr. Chariton asked what the reason behind the Secretary of Interior Standard is. Ms. Winder said
they do not want to give a false sense of history and it encourages modern architecture. Mr.
Oakley asked what the definition is of compatible and what are the guidelines for those.
Ms. Kolz commented that there might be a push for a granny cottage to help people age in place
so this could become more relevant.
Ms. Winder read aloud what Section 31.10(5) said regarding "Demolition." Deterioration is not a
reason given for demolition of existing structures. She thought it would be prohibited unless the
deterioration has reached a level that would be economically unfeasible to repair. She does not
see anything that covers it.
Ms. Kolz said Section 31.10(5)(b) includes "Determination of Economic Hardship." Ms. Winder
said that does address it, but it does not state it outright.
Mr. Oakley said it comes down to whether the cost is too much to be economically feasible for
the owner.
Mr. Oakley asked for an explanation of the requirement that approval of a Certificate of
Appropriateness is effective for one year from the date of approval by the Commission, or by the
Department of Planning and Housing in the case o f administrative approvals, as stated in Section
31.11(5).
Mr. Anderson said the Commission can grant extensions. If it is something the Commission
approved, it must come back to the Commission for approval again. The Planning Director can
only extend things that were originally approved by the Planning Director. Mr. Anderson gave
examples of what the Planning Director could approve. A one-year extension may be granted
upon finding that the pertinent codes have not changed since the original approval.
Ms. Kolz said in the Certificate of Appropriateness application it says one thing required is a site
plan and that requires a survey. She asked where that requirement came from.
MOTION: (Chariton /Oakley) to approve the 2023 Work Plan
MOTION PASSED: (6-0)
COMMUNITY EDUCATION TOPICS
Ms. Dale said Ms. Hunter made all the progress this month. Ms. Hunter said tomorrow she and
Ms. Dale are meeting with the Ames Chamber of Commerce and the Ames History Museum to
discuss what they are envisioning for the Downtown History Walk.
COMMISSION COMMENTS:
There were no by Commission members.
STAFF COMMENTS
Mr. Anderson discussed items that will be on the agenda for the next Commission meeting on
January 9, 2023. The 2022 CLG Annual Report will be on the agenda for review by the
Commission. He also noted the Commission will be deciding whether to have a Historic
Preservation Awards Program this spring. A National Register nomination for the Cranford
Apartment Building, at 103 Stanton Avenue, has been received. The Commission will review the
nomination at the meeting in January.
Ms. Sahlstrom described the process for the Historic Preservation Awards.
MOTION TO ADJOURN:
MOTION: (Chariton/Oakley) to adjourn the meeting at 7:40PM.
MOTION PASSED: (6-0)
The -eeting adjourned at 7:40PM. uw� Mary Jo Winder, V ice
Chairperson
Historic Preservation Commission
o61 wa (12abwov-e Laura Colebrooke, Recording Secretary
Department of Planning & Housing