Des Moines Local Historic Districts and their Design Guidelines

Transcription

1 Des Moines Local Historic Districts and their Design Guidelines

2 Iowa Code Sec Authorizes City to: Adopt a Historic Preservation Ordinance Establish Local Historic Districts Establish Historic Preservation Commission Department of Cultural Affairs Reviews: Historic Preservation Ordinances Ordinance Amendments Proposed Local Districts

3 Iowa Code Sec Establishes HPC Authority and Appeal Process.. On appeal the governing body or the district court as the case may be shall consider whether the commission has exercised its powers and followed the guidelines established by the law and ordinance, and whether the commission's action was patently arbitrary or capricious.

4 Municipal Code Chapter 58 Des Moines Historical Preservation Ordinance Establishes Historic Preservation Commission Establishes Landmark Review Board Compliant with Iowa Certified Local Government (CLG) Program

5 Certified Local Government CLG Agreement between the City and the State Based on National Historic Preservation Act Allows City access to free training and technical assistance Allows City access to grant programs CLG Requirements Compliant historic preservation ordinance HPC to oversee the program

6 CLG Requirements Professional qualifications for Commission Commitment to preserve the full range of properties from archaeological sites to districts Identify, evaluate and register historic properties Maintain a file/inventory of properties Encourage nominations to the National Register of Historic Places

7 CLG Requirements Public review and comment on National Register of Historic places nominations Encourage public participation in preservation program Enforce State and Local ordinances for designating and protecting historic properties No discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, and/or national origin in any activities implementing its preservation program

8 Local Districts in Des Moines 1976 Landmarks Ordinance Adopted 1981 Historic Preservation Ordinance (replaces Landmark Ord.) 1982 Owls Head Local Historic District 1983 Sherman Hill Local Historic District 1984 Design Guidelines Adopted 2012 River Bend Local Historic District

9 Owl s Head Local Historic District

10 Sherman Hill Local Historic District

11 River Bend Local Historic District

12 Mayor and City Council Request July 9, 2012 Requests review of Local Historic District Design Guidelines regarding the appropriate use of synthetic materials

13 Review Committee Scott Allen, AIA Urban Design Review Board Landmark Review Board Paula Mohr, PhD State Architectural Historian Teresa Weidmaier, MAHP Historic Preservation Commission Landmark Review Board Michael Ludwig, AICP Mary Neiderbach, AICP Erin Olson-Douglas, AIA Jason Van Essen, AICP

14 Local Historic Preservation Ordinance Municipal Code Chapter 58 Rules shall include: 1983 or later revised edition of the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings Additional design guidelines, standards and criteria for reviewing and approving applications for certificates of appropriateness Design Guidelines, Standards and Criteria: Shall be approved by the City Council Shall be copied and made available to property owners within each historic district

15 The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation 10 standards Standard #6: Deteriorated historic features will be repaired rather than replaced. Where the severity of deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive feature, the new feature will match the old in design, color, texture, and, where possible, materials. Replacement of missing features will be substantiated by documentary and physical evidence.

16 The Secretary of the Interior s Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings Provide guidance to interpret and apply 10 Standards Not meant to give case-by-case specific advise Priorities: 1 st Identify and protect existing elements 2 nd Repair elements as needed 3 rd Replace if there is no choice

17 NPS - Preservation Briefs 47 technical assistance documents prepared by National Park Service In-depth information about historic preservation: Treatment of traditional building materials Specific architectural features

18 NPS - Preservation Brief #16 - The Use of Substitute Materials on Historic Building Exteriors Substitute materials should be used only on a limited basis and only when they will match the appearance and general properties of the historic material and will not damage the historic resource.

19 NPS - Preservation Brief #16 - The Use of Substitute Materials on Historic Building Exteriors In order to provide an appearance that is compatible with the historic material, the new material should match the details and craftsmanship of the original as well as the color, surface texture, surface reflectivity and finish of the original material. The closer an element is to the viewer, the more closely the material and craftsmanship must match the original.

20 Architectural Guidelines For Des Moines Local Historic Districts Building Rehabilitation New Construction Fences

21 Current Practice All materials (synthetic or natural) are reviewed on a case-by-case basis to ensure appropriate usage. Decision on materials is based on comparable composition, design, dimensions, durability, color, texture, proximity and other visual properties.

22 Case History - Frequent Cement Fiber Board Siding New structures, additions, where no or minimal historic material remains Synthetic Slate and Tile Roofing

23 Case History Recent Example Polymer Columns Large scale porch reconstruction Consists of stone, marble and polyester resin

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26 Observations Preservation of existing material is a sustainable practice Existing materials already produced and shipped Old growth lumber is more durable and rot resistant than modern lumber Less material in landfill

27 Many cost effective ways to conserve energy while maintaining existing material: Insulation Weather Striping Caulking Heavy drapes Storm windows Observations

28 Findings Des Moines Guidelines are in line with Secretary of Interior Standards and Guidelines, and National Park Service Preservation Briefs All materials (synthetic or natural) are considered on a case-by-case nature

29 Findings Decisions on new and replacement materials are based on comparable composition, matching design, dimensions, durability, color, texture, and other visual properties of original material Broad language is necessary to provide flexibility as new materials evolve and develop

30 Appeals Involving Synthetic Material Vinyl Deck Railing 1957 Arlington Avenue Comparable composition No (dense vs. hollow) Design Yes Dimensions Yes Durability No Color No (white but highly reflective) Texture No Visual properties - No

31 Appeals Involving Synthetic Material Vinyl Windows th Street Comparable composition No Design No Dimensions No Durability No Color No (white but highly reflective) Texture No Visual properties - No

32 Other Synthetic Materials Cement Fiber Board Comparable composition - Yes Design - Yes Dimensions - Yes Durability - Yes Color Yes (when painted) Texture Yes Visual properties - Yes

33 Committee s Recommendations No significant changes to Local Guidelines Update References to Preservation Briefs Update Building Code References Add River Bend District References

34 Committee s Recommendations Add paragraph to Guidelines that states: Deteriorated architectural features should be repaired rather than replaced, wherever possible. In the event that replacement is necessary, the new material should have a comparable composition and match the design, dimensions, durability, color, texture, and other visual properties of the original feature.

35 Thank You! Questions?