HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Historic Preservation Commission Minutes 09/11/2017 MINUTES
CITY OF AMES
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Date: September 11, 2017 Kim Hanna, Chairperson 2019
Jason Dietzenbach, Vice Chairperson 2018
Call to Order: 6:00 PM Peter Hallock 2018
Lisa Hovis 2018
Place: Ames City Hall Council Chambers Ted Grevstad-Nordbrock 2019
*Edith Hunter 2020
Adjournment: 6:23 PM Barry Snell 2020
[*Absent]
CALL TO ORDER: Kim Hanna, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
MOTION: (Hallock/Snell) to approve the Agenda for the meeting of September 11, 2017
MOTION PASSED: (6-0)
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF JUNE 12, 2017:
MOTION: (Dietzenbach/Hallock) to approve the Minutes of the meeting of June 12, 2017.
MOTION PASSED: (6-0)
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PUBLIC FORUM: There were no public comments.
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CONSIDER THE NOMINATION OF THE MAIN STREET HISTORIC DISTRICT TO THE
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
Mr. Anderson, Planner stated this is a nomination of the main street historic district to the
national register of historic places. He displayed a location map showing all properties that are
included which are the boundaries of 5th Street on the north, Duff Avenue on the east, Clark
Avenue to the west, and the south property lines of lots abutting the south side of Main Street as
the southern boundary.
Mr. Anderson stated the role of the Commission is to make a recommendation to the State
Historic office whether they meet the National Register Criterion A and C. Criterion A are those
properties that are associated with events that have made significant contribution to the broad
patterns of our history. Criterion B are those properties that embody the distinctive
characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or that represent the work of a
master, or that possess high artistic values, or that represent a significant and distinguishable
entity whose components may lack individual distinction. He stated that Mr. Grevestad-
Nordbrock has been involved in this process along with an Iowa State Student, and the Ames
Main Street Cultural District.
Mr.Grevestad-Nordbrock stated that there are 68 contributing historic resources and 14 non-
contributing. He stated that of the four National Register Criteria, the two that are pertinent is
criteria A for history and criteria C for architecture and design, stating that it is significant at the
local level. Mr. Grevestad-Nordbrock read from Attachment C – Summary of Significance
stating, “The Ames Main Street Historic District is eligible for the National Register under
Criterion A because it calls attention to the development of commerce in Ames as a response to
the nearby railroad and the economic opportunities provided by Iowa State College (later Iowa
State University). The Ames Main Street Historic District is also eligible for the National
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Register under Criterion C. It is an outstanding example of the widespread influence, sustained
over a long period of time and with contributions by both professional architects and local
contractor-builders, of the commercial style of architecture.” He noted that the period of
significance are mentioned in the nomination are 1891, 1937, and 1966. Mr. Grevestad-
Nordbrock mentioned that 1891 relates to the first construction boom of brick buildings in
downtown. 1937 marks a year of large concentration of building renovations as response to
infrastructure growth and 1966 signifies the year for movement of railroad tracks, development
of the main parking lot. He noted a couple of business that were of interest in the downtown
district. Mr. Grevestad-Nordbrock stated that the State Historic Preservation Office ask what the
future plans are once the district is nominated to the National Register, he explained that this is
normally a starting point for the rehabilitation of commercial income producing properties. There
are a variety of financial incentives for the rehabilitation of properties in downtown Ames and
this is the first step towards that process.
Ms. Hanna stated that this is a 25 year work in progress for this nomination as work was started
in the early 90’s. Mr. Grevstad-Nordbrock stated he wanted to give credit to a previous Iowa
State student by the name of Robert Skalecki, Cindy Hicks, Gloria Batchers, and Will Page.
It was noted that Ms. Hovis and Mr. Dietzenbach will abstain from voting as they own property in
the district.
MOTION: (Hallock/Snell) to approve Alternative one that states The Historic Preservation
Commission finds that the nomination of the Ames Main Street Historic District to the
National Register of Historic Places meets National Register Significance Criterion A and C
and recommends National Register eligibility to the State Nominations Review Committee.
MOTION PASSED: (4-0) Abstain (Hovis and Dietzenbach)
Mr. Anderson stated this will go to the State Nominations Review Committee on October 13,
2017 and will go to City Council on September 26, 2017.
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COMMISSION COMMENTS: Ms. Hanna stated that in front of them is the Ames
Comprehensive Historic Plan and Action Steps which the Commission will review and discuss at
the October 9, 2017 meeting. Mr. Anderson stated that this is just part of the plan but this is a
good place to start with any changes or updates.
____________________________________________________________________________
STAFF COMMENTS: There were no staff comments.
____________________________________________________________________________
MOTION TO ADJOURN:
MOTION: (Dietzenbach/Snell) to adjourn the meeting.
MOTION PASSED: (6-0)
The meeting adjourned at 6:13 PM.
_________________________________ ____________________________________
Kim Hanna, Chairperson Amy L. Colwell, Recording Secretary
Historic Preservation Commission Department of Planning & Housing
S:\Planning.Dep\PLAN_SHR\Council Boards Commissions\HPC\Minutes\2017 Minutes\HPC Minutes 09-11-17.docx