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Home My WebLink About~Master - Historic Preservation Commission Minutes 09/08/2025 MINUTES CITY OF AMES HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Date: September 8th, 2025 Scott Huffman 2026 Melissa Goodwin 2026 Call to Order: 6:00 PM Robert Ewald 2026 Place: Council Chambers Michael Murphy 2025 Adjournment: 6:37PM Dévon Lewis 2027 Kate Gregory* 2027 [*Absent] CALL TO ORDER: Melissa Goodwin, Vice-Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 6:02 PM. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: MOTION: (Murphy/Huffman) to approve the agenda for the meeting of September 08, 2025. MOTION PASSED: (4-0) APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF August 11, 2025: MOTION: (Ewald/Huffman) to approve the Minutes of the meeting of August 11, 2025. MOTION PASSED: (4-0) PUBLIC FORUM: None at this time CONSIDER THE NOMINATION OF THE CHAUTAUQUA PARK AND RIDGEWOOD DISTRICT TO THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES Ray Anderson, City Planner and Commission Liaison, informed the Commission that the consultant was available by phone to answer questions. The Commission is required to review the National Register Nomination. The City Council will review the nomination on September 23, after which a recommendation will be made to the State Nominations Review Committee (SNRC) for their meeting on October 10, 2025. Mr. Anderson noted that the City Council may request changes from the consultant before the nomination proceeds to the SNRC for consideration. He provided background on the district’s boundaries, noting Brookside Park on the west, the railroad right-of-way on the east, Sixth Street on the south, and Thirteenth Street on the north. Mr. Anderson explained that 150 properties are included. Notifications/invitations were sent to all property owners a few weeks prior to the Commission meeting. Dévon Lewis joined the meeting at 6:07 PM and assumed the role of Chairperson. Criterion C was from the National Register was the Criteria that was used as the basis for the nomination. A brief description of Criterion C was read, and reference was made to materials in the distributed packet, including a summary, findings, and a statement of significance. Mr. Anderson stated that Planning staff believes the nomination meets Criterion C and recommended the Commission select Alternative 1. The floor was opened for public comment. Jeanette Lagrange, 1011 Brookridge, expressed concerns about potential insurance implications and home modification restrictions if the district designation is approved. Maria Lopez Schmid, Consultant (NHPA Consultants LLC) was hired by the City of Ames to prepare the National Register nomination, and she is participating in the meeting by phone. She clarified that the National Register is an honorary listing with no restrictions on property use, applicable to all nominated properties. Kurt Schmid, who worked on the Nomination, added that restrictions only apply if a property owner pursues tax incentives for rehabilitation, in which case work must be done in a historically appropriate manner. Without pursuing incentives, there are no restrictions. Michael Murphy, Commission Member, asked whether restrictions would apply only to the exterior of homes; the consultant confirmed that was correct. Scott Huffman, Commission Member, explained that references to tax credits relate to programs administered by the State Historical Preservation Office for residential and commercial properties, with no federal requirements. He noted that restrictions could arise locally if the district were adopted under a city ordinance as a local historic district, similar to Old Town. Ms. Lagrange commented that insurance rates might increase in a historic district, citing information from her former insurance agent. Ms. Lewis clarified that the current effort involves only National Register designation, which carries no local restrictions. Old Town holds both state and local designations, but the local designation is what imposes restrictions. She emphasized that homeowners would retain full authority over modifications to their properties. Mr. Huffman noted that any local restrictions would come later if the city pursued them, and Ms. Lagrange acknowledged understanding this point. Carol Baker, 1207 Orchard Drive, stated that the letter she received was unrelated to her neighborhood, and participation would be optional for each owner. She indicated she thought being listed on the National Register would be enjoyable but did not wish to bear additional expense. Ms. Lewis confirmed her statement and noted that during the initial study, a representative from Iowa City had determined Ms. Baker’s house is eligible for listing. MOTION: (Goodwin/Huffman) The Historic Preservation Commission finds that the nomination of the Chautauqua Park & Ridgewood Historic District to the National Register of Historic Places meets National Register Significance “Criterion C” and recommends National Register eligibility to the State Nomination Review Committee. MOTION PASSED: (5-0) DISCUSS PROPOSED TEXT CHANGES TO CHAPTER 31, HISTORIC PRESERVATION, OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE Ms. Lewis turned the discussion over to the subcommittee. Ms. Goodwin noted that a memo from the subcommittee meeting (members: Ms. Goodwin, Mr. Ewald, and Mr. Huffman) was included in the packet. She stated that the purpose of the review was to examine Chapter 31 for potential amendments aimed at improving energy efficiency allowances or enhancements. Ms. Goodwin explained that the subcommittee used the Iowa City guidebook as a reference. They identified two possible recommendations: • Allowing double and triple-pane windows, clarifying code language since current regulations do not explicitly prohibit them. • Permitting low-e coatings, provided the glass remains clear or neutral in color, as the code currently prohibits smoked or tinted panes. Additional recommendations included clarifying terminology in the design criteria and design style sections, particularly regarding the use of “pane” or “light” to accurately describe window features. The goal is to bring the language more in line with industry standards. Ms. Lewis asked whether the subcommittee had drafted proposed language or only identified categories and terms for revision. Ms. Goodwin responded that suggested wording for glass and low-e coatings was included in the memo, but refinement of terms such as “pane” or “light” could be developed further by staff or the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC), depending on the desired scope. Mr. Huffman noted that the subcommittee limited its review to energy efficiency topics, consistent with the work plan. Mr. Ewald added that, if the Commission supports the direction, the subcommittee should return with proposed language for HPC approval before forwarding recommendations to City Council. Ms. Lewis asked how the group would like to proceed. Mr. Huffman suggested that staff should also review the proposed changes prior to Council consideration. Mr. Anderson stated that staff had not yet reviewed the proposed amendments to Chapter 31 and would confer with the Kelly Diekmann, Planning & Housing Director. He noted that staff would need Council authorization before drafting any ordinance amendments. Ms. Lewis asked if discussion should be tabled until staff could consult with Director Diekmann. Mr. Anderson agreed and said he would provide feedback at the next meeting. Mr. Ewald asked whether the Planning Division would prepare amendment wording. Mr. Anderson confirmed that preliminary suggestions already exist and welcomed input on definitions. Ms. Goodwin requested that Mr. Anderson coordinate with the subcommittee prior to the next meeting. COMMISSION COMMENTS: None at this time STAFF COMMENTS Mr. Anderson reported no Certificates of Appropriateness have been issued since the last Commission meeting. The Chautauqua Park Nomination is scheduled for consideration by the State Nominations Review Committee (SNRC) meeting on October 10th, and City Council will review the nomination for recommendation to the SNRC at their second meeting in September. MOTION TO ADJOURN: MOTION: (Huffman/Murphy) to adjourn the meeting. MOTION PASSED: (5-0) The meeting adjourned at 6:37PM. _________________________________ __________________________________ Dévon Lewis Chairperson Laura Colebrooke, Recording Secretary Historic Preservation Commission Department of Planning & Housing