MINUTES

                                                                 CITY OF AMES

                                         HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION

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CALL TO ORDER:  Gloria Betcher, Commission Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA:

MOTION:  (CATHCART/LESLIE) to approve the Agenda for the meeting of February 13, 2006.

MOTION PASSED: 7-0.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF January 9, 2006 as ammended:

MOTION:  (VAN NORMAN/FRAHM) to approve the Minutes of the meeting of January 9, 2006 as ammended.

MOTION PASSED: 7-0.

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PUBLIC COMMENTS:  There were no public comments.

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Discuss the Request to Designate the House at 1013 Adams Street as a Local Historic Landmark.

Ms. Betcher indicated that there will not be a vote at this meeting regarding the Adams house because there needs to be a Public Hearing.

Mr. Anderson reviewed the staff report with the Commission. Mr. Anderson stated that we may consider the site instead of just the house, based on the Secretary of the Interior standards included in Chapter 31. Ms. Betcher agrees that the site has a lot to do with the design principles and it is difficult to separate one from the other since the house was built on the site for a reason.

Mr. Anderson asked if the Commission would be interested in a tour of the site. Mr. Wendell, 917 Adams Street, Ames Iowa, representing the applicant, Ames Historical Society, stated that he would be available for a tour. The Commission agreed to meet at 1013 Adams Street for a tour of the site on Sunday, February 19, 2006 at 3:00 p.m.

Ms. Betcher asked if demolition would be prohibited unless the structure could not be used for the original intended purpose and/or no alternative reasonable use can be identified. Mr. Anderson explained that the wording is from the ordinance and it could be interpreted in different ways. Ms. Betcher stated that the City might not accept the bequest, if there is not proof that the house can be brought up to code. Mr. DeGeest asked if the City of Ames building codes make exception for landmark or historic buildings. Mr. Anderson stated that it does make exceptions and there is more flexibility in applying the standards of the building codes for a historic structure.

Mr. DeGeest asked if the City of Ames is reviewing one potential way of using the building and this application is another way for using the building. Ms. Betcher stated this would give the City Council another option and the Last Will and Testament states that this house should be a “meeting place” or a shelter. Ms. Betcher suggested that a meeting place could be a museum for people to get together.

Mr. DeGeest asked if there was any money that went with the bequest. Mr. Wendell indicated that one percent of the estate would go with the bequest.

There was some discussion among the Commission members about the application and a non-binding straw poll was taken as an indication among the Commission members to support the application for Local Historic Landmark status for 1013 Adams Street.

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COMMISSION COMMENTS: 

Ms. Betcher asked Mr. Leslie for an update on the posters. Mr. Leslie stated that he should be able to bring some options to the Commission soon.

Mr. DeGeest gave an update on the website and stated that he is still trying to learn how to use the site. Mr. DeGeest stated that the site is very folder oriented, each street would have a folder for each property, photos can be uploaded, and possibly use a template to fill in information for each property. Mr. DeGeest wanted to know if there is a list of all of the properties by address in the West Ames study area. Mr. Anderson stated that he would look into getting a list and send it out electronically.

Ms. Betcher indicated that the Iowa State University Editing Class is working on different brochures for walking tours as mock-ups and hopefully they will be finished by the end of the semester.

Ms. Betcher spoke about the Iowa Communication Network (ICN) meeting at the State Historical Society that she attended. Ms. Betcher gave examples of other cities in Iowa and what they are doing and promoting in their Historic Districts and ways that Ames could benefit from using these ideas. Ms. Betcher asked Mr. Anderson about the Certified Local Government (CLG) grant process. Mr. Anderson stated he would find out the schedule of deadline for submittals.

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STAFF COMMENTS:

Mr. Anderson wanted to know if the Commission would like to have a representative from Ames Main Street Culture District and The Chamber Commerce present at a meeting. The Commission thought it would be a good idea to have the representatives present at the March 2006 meeting to speak to them about Historic Preservation Month, which is May.

Mr. DeGeest asked for an update on the Land Use Policy Plan (LUPP). Mr. Anderson stated that University Impact Area (UIA) is going through ordinance changes. Mr. Anderson stated that possibly Mr. Jeff Benson, Staff member, could attend the next meeting and give an update.

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MOTION TO ADJOURN:

MOTION:  (CATHCART/DUHN) to adjourn the meeting.

MOTION PASSED: 7-0.

The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

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Jill Hahn, Principal Clerk                                                   Gloria Betcher, Chairperson

Department of Planning & Housing                                  Historic Preservation Commission