MINUTES

                                                                 CITY OF AMES

                                         HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION

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

APPROVAL OF AGENDA:

MOTION:  (FRAHM/CATHCART) to approve the Agenda for the meeting of November 14, 2005.

MOTION PASSED:  6-0.

Mr. Daniel DeGeest, Commission Member, arrived at the meeting.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF October 10, 2005 as amended:

MOTION:  (FRAHM/VAN NORMAN) to approve the Minutes of the meeting of October 10, 2005 as amended.

MOTION PASSED:  7-0.

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PUBLIC COMMENTS:  There were no public comments.

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Certificate of Appropriateness to construct an ornamental aluminum fence between the houses located at 814-816 Clark Avenue and 818 Clark Avenue.

Mr. Ray Anderson, Planner, went over the Commission Action form.  Denial of the Certificate of Appropriateness is recommended because aluminum is not included in the list of “Permitted Fence Materials.”

Ms. Lou Cathcart, Commission Member, wanted to know what purpose the fence would serve.  Ms. Patricia Thiel, 818 Clark Avenue, Ames, Iowa, applicant and owner of both properties, stated that the fence would be used to keep out dogs that are not on leashes.

Mr. Tom Leslie, Commission Member, has concerns about the design guidelines that iron is the only metal listed in the permitted fence materials. 

Ms. Thiel stated that she requested aluminum because it requires less maintenance and the fence would be anodized so you could not tell that it is aluminum and she requests that if the Commission does not approve aluminum that approval a steel fence could be approved by the Commission.

Mr. Daniel DeGeest, Commission Member, stated that the aluminum fencing is more attractive then some wood fencing and he is inclined to support aluminum fence but he does not want the to create a standard for the entire Historic District.  Mr. Anderson stated that if this request is approved it would be difficult to not approve another aluminum fence request.

Ms. Betcher stated that she could not support this request because it would open up too many other opportunities for properties to request approval for aluminum fencing.

Ms. Thiel stated she wanted to formally request the permission to use steel and not an aluminum fence.  Mr. DeGeest stated that he could not support a steel fence because it does not meet the historic preservation code.  Ms. Betcher indicated that her main concern is the texture of the fence, and that a steel fence is shiny and it does not look historic. 

MOTION:  (DEGEEST/VAN NORMAN) to deny approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness to construct an ornamental aluminum fence between the houses located at 814-816 Clark Avenue and 818 Clark Avenue.  

MOTION PASSED: 5-2. – (Warren Frahm and Lou Cathcart voted against this motion)

Mr. Leslie suggested having the Commission look at the design guidelines for the Historical District as to the concerns about composition and texture of fences and also the location on the property.

Ms. Betcher stated that the applicant can reapply for a steel fence and the Commission will continue to look at the composition. 

Mr. DeGeest stated that the design guidelines need to be looked at and possibly reworked.  Mr. Anderson said that the Commission would have to make a request to the City Council for staff to research and make changes to the design guidelines or the Commission members could take on the research and to make changes and then come back at a future meeting to discuss the changes or ideas.  Mr. Leslie stated that he would do research for other fence materials and present it at the next meeting.

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Progress update by Commission Members on their tasks for the West Ames Historic Study.

Ms. Elaine Dunn, Commission Member, stated that she met with Will Page, Historian, about the “Unlocking West Ames History” meeting on Monday, November 28, 2005, at 7:00 p.m. at the Ames Public Library.  Ms. Dunn indicated that Susan Gwiasda, Public Relations Officer, said she would help get the press release out.  Ms. Betcher stated that members of the South Campus Area Neighborhood (SCAN) will be at the meeting to present their research in five-minute presentations. Ms. Betcher said that she will be bringing equipment to record the meeting to use for the video.  Ms. Betcher wanted to know if an invitation for the meeting could go out to all the neighbor contact persons. Mr. Anderson said that it would be possible to send out a letter and to put it on the cable channel.

Mr. Leslie stated that when the Commission has some ideas of materials and goals of the posters that he has a colleague that will be able to help.

Ms. Betcher spoke about her trip to Staunton, Virginia.  She stated that there are five historic districts and walking tours there and that Ames would be a great candidate for walking tours. 

Mr. DeGeest said that he has an idea about having a website that the community could add content and contribute to.  There was some discussion among the Commission as to where the website will be hosted and the cost to host a website. 

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Discuss potential historic landmarks in Ames, as identified by Commission Members.

Ms. Dunn suggested:

·      Martin House on Lincoln Way; George Washington Carver once lived there.

·      Concrete hitching post on 5^th Street west of Grand Avenue on the north side of the street.

·      City Hall and Ames Public Library; if the Commission has the authority.

·      Downtown Churches, Lutheran, Methodist and Congregational.

·      Budd House, George Washington Carver worked at the Budd House.

·      Adams Funeral Home.  

Mr. Leslie suggested:

·      Sheldon Munn.

·      The Depot because it was designed by a Chicago firm called Frost and Granger. 

·      Amos Emery on Oakland.

·      Dinkey Bridge over Squaw Creek.

·      Brookside and Bandshell Parks.

Mr. DeGeest suggested:

·     All of Main Street.  Ms. Betcher stated that Mr. Page did an intensive survey of downtown.  

·     The Cranford Apartments on the corner of Lincoln Way and Stanton Avenue.

·     The house for sale on Timberland; designed by the same designer of CY Stephens Auditorium. 

·     The sculptures in Collegiate Methodist Church.

·     Lustron house on the corner of Hunt Street and Hayward Avenue.

·     Limestone Railroad Bridge on Lincoln Highway; might be outside City limits of Ames.

·     Ames Tribune Office.

Ms. Betcher suggested:

·     Carr Pool.

·     Dr. Adams House (Adams Street).

·     711 Ash Street was the home of Professor Elwood, horticulture professor, and the garden features are still on the property.

·     Delta Chi House on Hayward Avenue and Knapp Street.  Mr. DeGeest stated that at a meeting at homecoming he spoke to the group about the local historic landmark status.  Mr. DeGeest stated that the group wanted to know what benefits a local landmark status would give the Delta Chi House.  Ms. Betcher stated that one benefit for the Delta Chi house would be to approach City Council with a creative new Urban Revitalization Program and possibly use it for preservation and conversion of properties. 

·     The Executive Office Building at 413 Kellogg Avenue, it is a Façade program success story.

There was some discussion among the Commission as to how to make a list and it was decided to categorize the watch list by architect, famous persons, event in Ames historic and/or style and then prioritize the list according to the most endangered and the places that would create the least amount of opposition.  Ms. Hahn will send out a list of the buildings and places discussed before the minutes go out for the Commission members to review and discuss at the next meeting.

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COMMISSION COMMENTS: 

Mr. DeGeest stated that he has been attending meetings at Collegiate Methodist Church about a master plan, but the façade of the Sanctuary will not be altered.

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STAFF COMMENTS:  There were no staff comments.

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MOTION TO ADJOURN:

MOTION:  (DUNN/DEGEEST) to adjourn the meeting.

MOTION PASSED:  7-0.

The meeting adjourned at 8:43 p.m.

_______________________________                            _______________________________

Jill Hahn, Principal Clerk                                                   Gloria Betcher, Chairperson

Department of Planning & Housing                                  Historic Preservation Commission