HomeMy WebLinkAbout5057-7 /11/2011This Ordinance prepared by Carol Failor, Deputy City Clerk, 715
Mulberry Street, Waterloo, Iowa.
ORDINANCE NO. 5057
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2007 CODE OF
ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF WATERLOO, IOWA, BY
REPEALING CHAPTER 9, HISTORIC PRESERVATION
COMMISSION, OF TITLE 2, BOARDS AND
COMMISSIONS, AND REPEALING CHAPTER 8,
HISTORIC PRESERVATION, OF TITLE 9, BUILDING
REGULATIONS; AND ENACTING IN LIEU THEREOF A
NEW CHAPTER 9, HISTORIC PRESERVATION
COMMISSION, OF TITLE 2, BOARDS AND
COMMISSIONS, AND A NEW CHAPTER 8, HISTORIC
PRESERVATION, OF TITLE 9, BUILDING
REGULATIONS.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WATERLOO,
IOWA:
That Chapter 9, Historic Preservation Commission, of Title
2, Boards and Commissions, and Chapter 8, Historic Preservation,
of Title 9, Building Regulations, all in the 2007 Code of
Ordinances of the City of Waterloo, Iowa, are hereby repealed in
their entirety; and that a new Chapter 9, Historic Preservation
Commission, of Title 2, Boards and Commissions, and Chapter 8,
Historic Preservation, of Title 9, Building Regulations, in the
current Code of Ordinances of the City of Waterloo, Iowa, are
hereby enacted in lieu thereof as follows:
TITLE 2
CHAPTER 9
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
2-9-1: COMMISSION CREATED:
There is hereby created and established, as provided in
Iowa Code § 303.34, a historic preservation commission to carry
out the purposes and to exercise the powers and duties as set
forth in Title 9, Chapter 8, of this code.
TITLE 9
CHAPTER 8
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
9-8-1: PURPOSE AND INTENT:
The purpose of this chapter is to:
(a) Protect, enhance, and perpetuate those buildings,
sites, and districts that represent or reflect special
elements of the city's cultural, social, economic, and
architectural history;
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(b) Safeguard the city's historic, aesthetic, and cultural
heritage as embodied and reflected in such buildings,
sites, and districts;
(c) Strengthen the city's economy by encouraging the
stabilization, improvement, preservation, or
rehabilitation of designated properties, districts or
sites;
(d) Protect and enhance the city's historic, cultural, and
architectural heritage for tourists and visitors and
thereby support and stimulate business and industry;
(e) Promote the use of historic buildings, sites and
districts for the education, pleasure, and general
welfare of the people of the city;
(f) Promote attention to sound design principles in areas
of new development and redevelopment, and raise the
level of community understanding and expectation for
quality in the built environment; and
(g) Integrate historic preservation with the city's
comprehensive land use plan.
9-8-2: DEFINITIONS:
For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions
shall apply unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
Alteration. Any
architectural or
structure, object,
the addition
reconstruction,
demolition of any
thereof.
act or process that changes
environmental features of
site, or area, including but
to, erection, excavation,
restoration, rehabilitation,
building, structure, object, or
the exterior
a building,
not limited to
construction,
removal, or
site, or part
Area. A specific geographic division of the City of Waterloo.
Building. Any structure built for the support, shelter, or
enclosure of persons, animals, or property of any kind.
Certificate of appropriateness. A document issued by the
commission that evidences its approval, or approval with
modification, of plans for an alteration that (a) will require a
regulated permit or, regardless of whether a regulated permit is
required, will affect landscaping or a door, window, or screen
for a door or window, and (b) will cause a material change in
appearance or the removal of a historic landmark or of a
building, structure, object, or site within a historic district.
Certificate of economic hardship. A document issued by the
commission that evidences its determination that an alteration
(a) requires a regulated permit or, regardless of whether a
regulated permit is required, will affect landscaping or a door,
window, or screen for a door or window, (b) will cause a
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material change in appearance, or the removal or demolition, of
a historic landmark or a building, structure, object or site
within a historic district or preservation district, (c) has
resulted or would result in denial of an application for a
certificate of appropriateness, and (d) if not allowed to
proceed, would result in the owner being deprived of any
reasonable economic return on the property.
Certificate of no material effect. A document issued by the
commission that evidences a determination that plans for an
activity that requires a regulated permit or, regardless of
whether a regulated permit is required, will affect landscaping
or a door, window, or screen for a door or window, (a) is not an
alteration, construction, removal, demolition, or excavation, as
such terms may be defined by this chapter, and (b) does not
cause a material change in the appearance or exterior features
of a historic landmark or of a building, structure, object, or
site within a historic district or preservation district.
Change in appearance. A change that will affect either the
exterior architectural or environmental features of a historic
landmark or of any building, structure, object, site, landscape
feature, or work of art within a historic district or
preservation district, including those located on publicly owned
property or in street or highway right-of-way and as to which
the change is not required by applicable law for reasons of
public health or safety. By way of illustration only, the
following may constitute a change in appearance that is
material:
(a) A reconstruction or alteration of the size, shape, or
fagade of a historic landmark, including replacement
or relocation of any doors or windows or removal or
alteration of any architectural features, details, or
elements.
(b) Demolition or relocation of a historic landmark.
(c) Commencement of excavation for construction purposes.
(d) A change in the location of advertising visible from
the public right-of-way.
(e) The erection, alteration, restoration, or removal of
any building or other structure within a historic
landmark, historic district or preservation district,
including walls, fences, steps, pavements, or other
appurtenant features.
City Council. The City Council of the City of Waterloo, Iowa.
Commission. The Waterloo Historic Preservation Commission, as
established by this chapter and by Chapter 2, Title 9, of this
Code of Ordinances.
Construction. Any act or process that adds an addition,
including but not limited to additional height, to an existing
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structure or erects a new principal or accessory structure on a
site. "Construction" includes the placing of construction
materials in a permanent position and fastening them in a
permanent manner.
Demolition. The act or process or pulling down, destroying,
removing, or razing a structure or commencing the work of total
or substantial destruction.
Design standards and guidelines. A standard of acceptable
activity that will preserve or rehabilitate the prehistoric,
historic, architectural, archeological, or cultural character of
a historic landmark, a historic district, a preservation
district, or a building, structure, object, or site in a
historic district or preservation district. Guidelines shall
include design standards and/or guidelines adopted by resolution
of the city council, design standards and/or guidelines
specified in the ordinance or amendment designating a historic
landmark, historic district or preservation district, The
Secretary of the Interior's Standards and Guidelines for the
Treatment of Historic Properties, The Secretary of the
Interior's Standards for Preservation and Guidelines for
Preserving Historic Buildings, The Secretary of the Interior's
Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating
Historic Buildings, and any subsequent revisions of said
standards and guidelines by the Secretary of the Interior.
Excavation. The digging out or removal of earth or soil.
Exterior architectural features. The
the general design and arrangement
structure, including but not limited 1
texture of the building material anc
arrangement of all windows, doors, lic
other appurtenant fixtures, features,
relative to the foregoing.
architectural style and
of the exterior of a
o the kind, color, and
the type, style, and
ht fixtures, signs, and
details, or elements
Exterior environmental features. All those aspects of the
landscape or the development of a site that affect the
historical character of the property.
Historic district. A significant concentration, linkage, or
continuity of sites, buildings, structures, or objects united
historically by plan or physical development. This area must
contain contiguous pieces of property under diverse ownership,
which meets one or more of the historic significance criteria
and has been officially designated as a historic district by
ordinance pursuant to the procedures set forth in this chapter.
A historic district differs from a preservation district in that
(a) the regulation of this chapter with respect to a historic
district applies to all exterior architectural or environmental
features and is not limited to those features that are visible
only from public rights-of-way, and (b) the preservation
standards applicable to a historic district are intended to be
more rigorous, and are intended to be interpreted with a more
broad view of whether a proposed alteration is material in its
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effect, than is true with preservation standards applicable to a
preservation district.
Historic landmark. A building, structure, object, or site that
meets one or more of the historic significance criteria and has
been designated as a historic landmark by ordinance pursuant to
the procedures set forth in this chapter.
Historic significance criteria. Analytical factors used in
determining if a building, structure, object, site, or district
is historically significant. The criteria apply to the quality
of significance in American history, architecture, archaeology,
engineering, and culture that is present in buildings,
structures, sites, or districts that possess integrity of
location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and
association, and:
(a) That are associated with events that have made
significant contributions to the broad patterns of our
history; or
(b) That are associated with the lives of significant
persons in the past; or
(c) That embody the distinctive characteristics of a type,
period, or method of construction, that represent the
work of a master, that possess high artistic value, or
that represent a significant and distinguishable
entity whose components may lack individual
distinction; or
(d) That have yielded, or may be likely to yield,
information important in history or prehistory.
Integrity. The original, unaltered, or historically altered
appearance of a structure, site, or area when taken as a whole.
Landscaping. Any activity that modifies the visible features of
a site, apart from principal and accessory buildings, including
but not limited to trees, shrubs, and woody vines, landforms,
terrain shape and elevation, non -vegetative ground cover and
overlayments, bodies or courses of water, structures, fences and
objects. Vegetation other than trees, shrubs and woody vines
does not constitute "landscaping" for purposes of this chapter.
Local designation. The process set forth in Section 9-8-6 of
this Chapter by which historic landmarks, historic districts and
preservation districts are identified and designated.
National Register of Historic Places. A listing maintained by
the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, of
buildings, structures, objects, sites, and districts determined
to be significant in American history, architecture, archeology,
engineering, and culture. Listing of a building, structure,
object, site, or district on the National Register of Historic
Places is distinct from local designation as defined in this
Chapter.
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Object. As distinguished from buildings and structures, those
constructions that are primarily artistic in nature or are
relatively small in scale and simply constructed. Although it
may be movable by nature or design, an object is associated with
a specific setting or environment.
Owner. The person or legal entity listed in the public records
as owner for purposes of taxation, and shall be construed to
include an owner of record.
Preservation. The act or process of applying measures necessary
to sustain the existing form, integrity, and materials of a
historic property. Work, including preliminary measures to
protect and stabilize the property, generally focuses on the
ongoing maintenance and repair of historic materials and
features rather than extensive replacement and new construction.
New exterior additions are not within the scope of a
preservation treatment; however, the limited and sensitive
upgrading of mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems and
other code -related work to make properties functional is
appropriate within a preservation project.
Preservation district. A significant concentration, linkage, or
continuity of sites, buildings, structures, or objects united
historically by plan or physical development. This area must
contain contiguous pieces of property under diverse ownership,
which meets one or more of the historic significance criteria
and has been officially designated as a preservation district by
ordinance pursuant to the procedures set forth in this chapter.
A preservation district differs from a historic district in that
(a) the regulation of this chapter with respect to a
preservation district is limited to exterior architectural or
environmental features that are visible from public rights-of-
way, not including alleys, and (b) the preservation standards
applicable to a preservation district are intended to be less
rigorous, and are intended to be interpreted with a more narrow
view of whether a proposed alteration is material in its effect,
than is true with preservation standards applicable to a
historic district.
Property inventory. A file of information about buildings,
structures, sites, objects and districts in the City of
Waterloo, including but not limited to completed Iowa Site
Inventory forms, National Register of Historic Places
Nominations, Reports of Survey and Evaluation projects and
Contexts developed for the city, officially designated City of
Waterloo Landmark and Historic District Nominations, and other
germane information.
Reasonable economic return. A fair and equitable stream of
income or appreciation in value, as compared to properties of
similar location, use, or structures, under generally prevailing
economic conditions in the City of Waterloo.
Regulated permit. An official document or certificate issued by
the building official, city engineer, or other city official
pursuant to provisions of the building code or other ordinance
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or regulation that authorizes the performance of a specified
activity.
Rehabilitation. The act or process of making possible a
compatible use for a property through repairs, alterations, and
additions while preserving those portions or features that
convey its historical, cultural, or architectural value.
Removal. Any relocation of a building, structure, or object on
its site or to another site.
Repair. Any act or process that (a) does not require a building
permit, (b) is not construction, removal, excavation, or
demolition, and (c) does not involve a material change in
appearance as a result of any alteration of or to landscaping or
a door, window, or screen for a door or window.
SHPO. The State Historic Preservation Office of the State
Historical Society of Iowa, a division of the Iowa Department of
Cultural Affairs.
Site. The location of a significant event, a prehistoric or
historic occupation or activity, or a building or structure,
whether standing, ruined, or vanished, where the location itself
possesses historic, cultural, or archeological value regardless
of the value of any existing structure.
Structure. Anything constructed or erected that requires
permanent or temporary location on or in the ground, including
but not limited to buildings and appurtenant structures, such as
landscape features and sidewalks; lamp posts and street lights;
fences; advertising signs and billboards; telecommunications
antennas; dishes and towers; swimming pools and solar
collectors. A structure also includes any improvements on
publicly owned property.
9-8-3: COMMISSION COMPOSITION AND MEMBERSHIP:
A. Appointments:
1. The commission shall consist of an odd number of
members, no fewer than five (5) in number, all of whom
are residents or owners of real property within the
City of Waterloo. The specific number of members
shall be as determined in the commission's bylaws.
All of said members shall be appointed by the mayor
and approved by the city council.
2. Each historic district and preservation district shall
be represented by at least one member appointed from
among persons owning property in the district. Other
members shall be chosen at large. Each member shall
possess a demonstrated special interest, experience or
education in the preservation of historic resources,
history, architecture or archaeology. The commission's
members shall include, as available, licensed
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architects or professionals in the fields of history,
architectural history, planning or archaeology.
3. No more than one (1) member of the city's planning,
programming and zoning commission shall serve on the
commission.
B. Terms:
1. The term for each member shall be three (3) years. No
member of the commission shall serve more than two (2)
consecutive terms, but a member may be reappointed to
one or more additional terms upon extraordinary
circumstances and/or unavailability of applicants.
The appointment of members shall be staggered, with no
fewer than two (2) being appointed in any given year.
2. Vacancies occurring in the commission, other than by
expiration of term of office, shall be filled only for
the unexpired term.
3. Each member shall serve until the appointment of a
successor.
C. Compensation: Members shall serve without compensation.
D. Organization:
1. The commission shall elect from its membership a chair
and vice chair whose terms of office shall be one
year. The chair and vice chair may serve for more
than one term, but no member shall serve as chair for
more than two (2) consecutive years.
2. The chair shall preside over meetings and shall have
the right to vote in the event of a tie only. The
vice chair shall, in cases of absence or disability of
the chair, perform the duties of the chair. A simple
majority vote of members at any meeting at which a
quorum is present shall be sufficient to pass a
motion.
3. Staff to the commission shall serve as secretary. The
secretary shall record each meeting, take minutes and
keep a record of all applications, resolutions,
proceedings, and actions of the commission.
E. Other Operating Procedures.
1. Annually, the commission shall prepare a report to the
city council summarizing the activities of the
commission in the past year and shall present it to
the city council. The report should state the status
of preservation in the city and recommend any
improvements the commission deems necessary.
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2. Members of the commission shall participate in
training programs from time to time. These may
include special commission study sessions, which shall
not be regularly scheduled meetings, and other
training programs provided in the state or nation. At
a minimum, all members shall attend one training
session annually.
9-8-4: MEETINGS:
A. A quorum shall consist of a simple majority of all members
of the commission.
B. The commission shall hold at least one public meeting each
month, unless there is no business to transact, at such
times as the commission shall establish in its bylaws.
C. The commission shall transact business at regular meetings,
or at special meetings held only when the chair or three
(3) members declare a need exists. One (1) day written or
oral notice to the members of the time, place, and
reason(s) for said meeting must be given. Further notice
to the public shall be posted at least twenty-four (24)
hours in advance of the meeting.
D. All regular and special meetings of the commission shall be
open to the public, and any person shall be entitled to
appear and be heard on a matter before the commission
reaches its decision.
E. Except as otherwise set forth in this chapter, written
notice to the general public of any meeting or hearing
shall be posted at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance
of the meeting or hearing. Except as otherwise set forth
in this chapter, written notice to an applicant or other
specific person required by this chapter shall be mailed by
first-class mail no less than four (4) days in advance of
the meeting or hearing to the recipient's last known
address or the address as it appears in the records of the
county auditor. Failure to send notice by mail to any
person entitled to notice shall not invalidate any
proceedings that occur at the meeting or hearing for which
notice is given if the address of such person is not known
or does not appear in the county auditor's records.
F. Members of the commission shall attend at least two-thirds
(2/3) of all regular and special scheduled meetings within
any twelve (12) month period. If any member attends fewer
meetings, it may constitute grounds for the commission to
recommend to the city council that the member be replaced.
Attendance of all members shall be entered in the minutes.
G. No commission member shall participate in the discussion or
vote on any matter that has the appearance of a current or
anticipated, direct or indirect, financial or material
effect on his or her property, income, or business
interests or on the property, income, or business interests
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of any person related to a member by blood or marriage
within the third degree of consanguinity. The commission
member shall be responsible for notifying the chair and
secretary of a possible conflict of interest prior to the
commission taking any action on the matter.
9-8-5: COMMISSION POWERS AND DUTIES:
The commission shall have the following duties and may
exercise the following powers:
A. Shall adopt its own bylaws or procedural regulations
consistent with state and federal guidelines.
B. Shall maintain a system for and conduct an ongoing
identification and evaluation of historically,
archaeologically, culturally, and architecturally
significant buildings, structures, objects, sites and
districts and shall establish and oversee a property
inventory that complies with the property inventory of the
State of Iowa and is available for public inspection and
use.
C. May research and recommend to the city council the adoption
of ordinances designating buildings, structures, sites,
objects, or areas as historic landmarks.
D. May research and recommend to the city council the adoption
of ordinances designating areas as historic districts or
preservation districts.
E. Shall keep a register of all buildings, structures,
objects, sites, and districts that have been designated as
historic landmarks or historic districts. The register
shall include all information required for each
designation.
F. May determine an appropriate system of markers for
designated historic landmarks, historic districts and
preservation districts.
G. In addition to funds regularly budgeted to the commission
each year, may request from the city council funds for the
operation of programs that meet the purposes and intent of
this chapter. The commission may also apply for grants or
seek other funding for these operations.
H. Shall from time to time establish written design standards
and/or guidelines, subject to approval by the city council,
which approval shall be by resolution.
I. Shall review and make decisions on any applications for
certificates of no material effect, certificates of
appropriateness, or certificates of economic hardship, and
shall require presentation of such plans, drawings,
elevations, and other information as may be necessary to
make such decisions.
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J. Shall review actions or activities that are subject to city
regulation and that affect proposed or designated
buildings, structures, objects, and sites, or buildings,
structures, objects and sites within historic districts or
preservation districts, including, but not limited to
zoning amendments, proposed plats, applications for special
use permits, and applications for zoning variances, and
after review, submit a recommendation to the appropriate
city board or commission.
K. Shall make a recommendation to the State Historic
Preservation Officer for the listing of a historic district
or historic landmark in the National Register of Historic
Places and shall conduct a public hearing thereon.
L. May promote public interest
this chapter by carrying on
which can include:
in the purposes described in
a public education program,
1. Assisting and encouraging any organization or
individual that desires to protect, enhance or
preserve the use of structures, sites and areas of
historic and/or cultural significance;
2. Encouraging and assisting in the establishment of
educational and cultural programs, tours and events to
advance the purpose described in this chapter;
3. Encouraging and assisting in the use of incentive
programs, historic preservation techniques, and
historic preservation resources that aid property
owners and residents in the preservation of their
historic and/or culturally significant structures or
districts;
4. Making recommendations to the city council and city
commissions and boards on preservation issues when
appropriate.
M. May, subject to approval of the city council:
1. Acquire by purchase, bequest, or donation total or
lesser ownership or possessory interests in historic
properties, including properties adjacent to or
associated with historic properties;
2. Preserve, restore, maintain, and operate historic
properties under the ownership or control of the
commission;
3. Lease, sell, and otherwise transfer or dispose of
historic properties, including properties subject to
rights of public access or other covenants, in a
manner that will preserve such properties;
4. Cooperate with the federal,. state, and local
governments in pursuance of the objectives of historic
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preservation, and enter contracts with federal, state,
or local governments or other organizations to carry
out the purposes and intent of this chapter;
5. Accept unconditional gifts and donations of real and
personal property, including money, for the purpose of
historic preservation.
N. May exercise any other power or undertake any other duty
authorized by the city council.
9-8-6: IDENTIFICATION AND DESIGNATION OF HISTORIC LANDMARKS,
HISTORIC DISTRICTS AND PRESERVATION DISTRICTS:
A. Nomination.
1. Historic Landmarks: The nomination of historic
landmarks shall be made by the property owner, the
commission, or any other person or organization.
2. Historic Districts: The nomination of historic
districts shall be made by an owner of record of
property within a proposed historic district, the
commission, or any other person or organization. The
nomination shall be supported by the written consent
of no less than twenty five percent (250) of the
record owners of properties in the proposed historic
district.
3. Preservation Districts: The nomination of
preservation districts shall be made by an owner of
record of property within a proposed preservation
district, the commission, or any other person or
organization. The nomination shall be supported by
the written consent of no less than twenty-five
percent (250) of the record owners of properties in
the proposed historic district.
B. Content of Landmark Nominations. All nominations shall be
made on forms supplied by the commission. Nominations must
be complete when submitted to the commission. An
incomplete nomination will be returned to the applicant. A
landmark nomination must contain the following:
1. A completed Iowa Site Inventory form with all
attachments or a National Register of Historic Places
nomination form for a property listed on the National
Register;
2. Photographic documentation of the property at the time
of nomination;
3. A scale map showing the location of the property
within the city at the time of nomination;
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4. A scale map of the property showing the proposed
boundaries, extant buildings, structures, objects, and
sites within the property at the time of nomination;
5. Statements and documentation that the property meets
one or more of the historic significance criteria.
C. Content of District Nominations. All nominations for
historic districts and preservation districts shall be made
on forms supplied by the commission. Nominations must be
complete when submitted to the commission. An incomplete
nomination will be returned to the applicant. A district
nomination must contain the following:
1. Completed Iowa site inventory forms with all
attachments for all buildings, structures, objects,
and sites within the proposed district or, for a
historic district only, a National Register of
Historic Places nomination form for a historic
district listed on the National Register;
2. Photographic documentation of all properties in the
proposed district at the time of nomination;
3. A scale map showing the location of the proposed
district within the city at the time of nomination;
4. A scale map of the proposed district showing the
proposed boundaries, extant buildings, structures,
objects, and sites within the district at the time of
nomination;
5. A list of names and addresses of owners of record of
all properties within the district; and
6. Statements and documentation that the proposed
district meets one or more of the historic
significance criteria.
D. Procedure.
1. All nominations shall be available for public review
at City Hall.
2. Notice of Public Hearing. Written notice of a public
hearing before the commission on a nomination shall be
sent by regular mail not less than four (4) nor more
than twenty (20) days prior to the hearing, addressed
to the person making the nomination and to each owner
of record of the nominated historic landmark or to
each owner of record of property within a nominated
historic district or preservation district. Written
notice shall also be posted at least twenty-four (24)
hours prior to the public hearing. Failure to send
notice by mail to any property owner entitled to
notice shall not invalidate any proceedings in
connection with the proposed designation if the
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address of such person is not known or does not appear
in the county auditor's records. Written notice shall
specify the date, time, place, and purpose of the
public hearing and shall include a visual depiction of
the area included within any proposed district.
3. Public Hearing Before Commission. Within sixty (60)
days after receipt of a completed nomination in proper
form, the commission shall hold a public hearing.
Oral or written testimony concerning the significance
of the nominated historic landmark, historic district
or preservation district shall be taken from any
interested person. The commission may request expert
testimony, consider staff reports, present its own
evidence, and conduct such other investigation as it
deems necessary regarding compliance of the nominated
historic landmark, historic district or preservation
district with the review criteria set forth in this
section. The owner of any nominated historic landmark
or of any property within a nominated historic
district or preservation district shall be allowed a
reasonable opportunity to present evidence and to
cross-examine expert witnesses.
4. Determination by Commission. Within thirty (30) days
after the close of the public hearing, the commission
shall make a determination upon the evidence as to
whether the nominated historic landmark, historic
district or preservation district meets one or more of
the historic significance criteria. If the nominated
landmark or district meets one or more of the
criteria, the commission will recommend designation.
If the nominated landmark or district does not meet
the criteria, the commission will not recommend
designation. The commission's determination shall be
made in an open meeting by resolution of the
commission and shall be reduced to the form of a
written report that states the findings of fact
constituting the basis of the determination. The
commission's recommendation of designation and its
supporting report shall be filed with the planning,
programming, and zoning commission. The commission
shall also transmit to the planning, programming, and
zoning commission a proposed ordinance or amendment
establishing such historic landmark, historic district
or preservation district and describing its location
and boundaries by address and legal description.
5. Review by SHPO. A proposed ordinance or amendment of
designation of a historic landmark, historic district
or preservation district shall be submitted to SHPO
for review and comment within three (3) days of the
commission's transmittal of same to the planning,
programming and zoning commission. The city shall
make any SHPO recommendations available to the public
for viewing during normal working hours at a city
government place of public access.
Ordinance No. 5057
Page 15
6. Action by Planning, Programming and Zoning Commission.
Within sixty (60) days of receipt of the commission's
recommendation, report, and proposed ordinance or
amendment, the planning, programming and zoning
commission shall report to the city council with
respect to the relation of such nomination to the
general development plan, zoning ordinance, proposed
public improvements, and any plans for the renewal of
the area involved. A written copy of this report
shall be submitted to the historic preservation
commission. Upon submission of the report of the
planning, programming and zoning commission, or upon
expiration of the sixty (60) day period, whichever
occurs first, the matter shall be transmitted to the
city council. If the planning, programming and zoning
commission alters the area of the proposed district as
approved by the historic preservation commission, the
planning, programming and zoning commission must
submit a description of the altered proposed area to
SHPO and the historic preservation commission for
further review and recommendations concerning the
altered proposed district.
7. Removal from Consideration. At any time before the
city council adopts an ordinance or amendment to
establish a proposed historic district or preservation
district, the proposal shall be withdrawn from further
consideration if a petition objecting to such proposal
is filed with the city clerk containing the signatures
of at least fifty percent (50o) of the owners of
property within the proposed new district or, in the
case of an existing district that is proposed to be
enlarged, at least fifty percent (500) of the owners
of property within the existing district and the area
proposed to be added thereto.
B. Action by City Council.
a. Upon receiving the recommendation of SHPO and
upon either the receipt of the recommendation of
the planning, programming, and zoning commission
or the lapse of the 60 -day period referred to in
paragraph 7 above, the city council shall conduct
a public hearing on the ordinance or amendment
establishing the proposed historic landmark,
historic district or preservation district.
b. After public hearing, the city council may
approve or disapprove the ordinance or amendment
or return the nomination to the historic
preservation commission for modification. A
modified nomination shall require compliance with
the same procedure for designation as set forth
above, with the following exceptions:
1. Unless substantial modifications are
proposed, the public hearing before the
Ordinance No. 5057
Page 16
historic preservation commission may be
waived by said commission. For purposes of
this paragraph, a "substantial modification"
to a proposed historic district or
preservation district is one that would add
or remove an area of land that is at least
ten percent (10%) of the area originally
proposed for inclusion in such district, or
that would, in the reasonable judgment of
the commission, alter the purpose or
integrity of such district, and a
"substantial modification" to a proposed
historic landmark is one that would, in the
reasonable judgment of the commission, alter
the purpose or integrity of such landmark.
2. Only the property owners affected by the
city council's proposed modification shall
be notified by mail of the proposed
modification prior to action by the historic
preservation commission.
C. City Council approval of the ordinance or
amendment shall constitute designation of the
historic landmark, historic district or
preservation district. The designation will be
forwarded to the city clerk for recording, and
the designation and nomination will be filed in
the city's property inventory.
E. Amendment or Rescission of Designation. Any designation
made pursuant to this chapter may be amended or rescinded
in the same manner as the original designation was made.
An amendment of designation of a historic landmark, a
historic district or a preservation district may occur if
one or more buildings, structures, objects or sites are
added. A rescission of designation may occur if the
historic landmark, historic district or preservation
district no longer meets the historic significance criteria
due to subsequent discovery of information relating to the
historic significance or due to destruction of the historic
property by act of God or other unintentional cause.
F. Extension of Time. Whenever any provision of this chapter
requires any governmental body, within a prescribed period
of time, to make a determination or to perform any act in
relation to a nomination, the applicant and the commission
may extend such period by mutual written consent of the
involved parties, which consent shall be kept on file with
the official record of the proceedings.
9-8-7: ALTERATION OF HISTORIC LANDMARKS, HISTORIC DISTRICTS AND
PRESERVATION DISTRICTS:
A. Any proposed alteration or activity that will affect a
historic landmark or a building, structure, object, or site
within a historic district or preservation district, and
Ordinance No. 5057
Page 17
for which a regulated permit or site plan approval is
required, or which affects any landscaping, door, window,
or screen, regardless of whether a regulated permit is
required, shall be reviewed by the commission.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this chapter
shall be construed to prevent ordinary maintenance or
repair of any historic landmark or structure or site within
a historic district or preservation district where such
maintenance or repair does not involve a material change in
appearance that necessitates issuance of a regulated permit
or site plan approval or that does not involve a material
change in appearance as a result of any alteration of or to
landscaping or a door, window, or screen.
B. The commission shall also review any proposed demolition
for which a regulated permit is required if the proposed
demolition affects a building, structure, object, or site
that has not been locally designated as a historic landmark
but (i) is then under review pursuant to a filed nomination
for designation, (ii) has been listed on the National
Register of Historic Places, (iii) for which a National
Register of Historic Places nomination is on file with the
commission, or (iv) has been determined as eligible for
listing on the National Register of Historic Places by
SHPO.
C. No regulated permit or site plan approval with respect to a
historic landmark or a building, structure, object, or site
within a historic district may be issued prior to review by
the commission and filing of a certificate of no material
effect, a certificate of appropriateness, or a certificate
of economic hardship. Upon review, the commission shall
have authority to deny any application or to grant any of
such certificates.
D. In cases where a historic landmark or a building,
structure, object, or site within a historic district or
preservation district may be located in an area subject to
review by a separate board, commission or other body in the
City of Waterloo, the commission shall, in connection with
making its final decision, hear and consider the
recommendations of such board, commission, or body.
9-8-8: PROCEDURE FOR REVIEW; ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES OF NO
MATERIAL EFFECT, APPROPRIATENESS, AND ECONOMIC HARDSHIP:
A. Application for a Regulated Permit. Application for a
regulated permit shall be made to the appropriate city
official. The application shall state whether the proposed
alteration or activity is to be done to a historic landmark
or to a building, structure, object, or site in a historic
district or preservation district. The appropriate city
official shall verify the determination and notify the
applicant if an application for a certificate of
appropriateness is required. An application for
certificate of appropriateness shall be on a form
prescribed by the city, shall be completed, and shall
Ordinance No. 5057
Page 18
include all supporting drawings, sketches, photographs,
and/or other information the city determines is necessary
for considering the application, including but not limited
to the following:
1. Site plan or improvement plan, with proposed building
elevations (drawn to scale).
2. Photographs of existing and historic building
conditions.
3. Product literature and specifications.
4. Samples of proposed materials and colors.
Upon filing of an application for a certificate of
appropriateness, the appropriate city official shall promptly
transmit the application and all supporting materials to the
commission. The commission will not consider an incomplete
application.
B. Alterations Not Requiring a Regulated Permit. If any
proposed alteration or activity that will affect a historic
landmark or building, structure, object, or site within a
historic district or preservation district does not require
a regulated permit but does affect landscaping or any door,
window, or screen for a door or window, then an application
for a certificate of appropriateness shall be filed with
the city's planning, programming and zoning office, which
shall transmit the application to the commission.
C. Certificate of No Material Effect. A certificate of no
material effect may be issued if an application for a
certificate of appropriateness demonstrates compliance with
design standards and guidelines, provided that the proposed
work or activity will not result in a material change in
appearance or, with respect to preservation districts only,
will result in an alteration that is not visible from the
public right-of-way. The commission may, in its bylaws,
delegate to one or more commission officers, a committee of
the commission, or to an appropriately qualified city
employee the responsibility for determining whether the
application qualifies for a certificate of no material
effect. If the application so qualifies, the recommendation
of the designated persons or committee shall be placed on a
consent agenda for action at the next regularly scheduled
commission meeting. The applicant shall be notified of the
time, date, and place of said meeting. A certificate of no
material effect shall be issued within three (3) days of
the meeting at which the application is approved, and the
commission shall notify the city official from whom the
applicant sought a regulated permit. If an application
does not demonstrate eligibility for issuance of a
certificate of no material effect, then the commission
shall review the application as an application for a
certificate of appropriateness, and the applicant shall be
Ordinance No. 5057
Page 19
notified of the time, date, and place of the meeting at
which the application will be considered.
D. Certificate of Appropriateness.
1. Review criteria. A certificate of appropriateness may
be issued if (a) an application demonstrates
compliance with design standards and guidelines and
(b) the proposed work or activity in creating,
changing, destroying, or affecting the exterior
features of the building, structure, object, or site
upon which the work is to be done will not have a
substantial adverse effect on the aesthetic, historic,
or architectural significance and value of either the
property itself or of the neighboring properties in a
historic district or preservation district.
2. Hearing. The commission shall hold a public hearing
on an application for a certificate of appropriateness
within thirty (30) days after the completed
application was filed, unless the applicant consents
to a later hearing date. The applicant shall be
notified of the time, date, and place of the hearing.
If a historic landmark or a building, structure,
object, or site within a historic district or
preservation district is located in an area subject to
an independent body of review, such as Main Street
Waterloo, the commission will hear the
recommendations, if any, of said independent body of
review and will consider the recommendations when
making its final decision.
3. Action on Application. The commission may approve the
application as submitted, deny it as submitted, or
approve it with conditions. The commission may
propose appropriate revisions to the application,
which, if adopted, would cause the commission to
reconsider its denial. If the application is
approved, a certificate of appropriateness shall be
issued within three (3) days of the commission's
decision. If the commission denies the application,
it shall adopt written findings and conclusions within
thirty (30) days of the hearing date and shall notify
the applicant in writing of its denial. Within three
(3) days of its decision, the commission shall notify
the city official from whom the applicant sought a
regulated permit, and in the event an application is
approved subject to conditions, the conditions shall
be noted on the permit. The applicant may modify the
proposed project and shall have the right to resubmit
a modified proposal at any time, but if an application
is denied, a subsequent application for the same
proposed alteration or activity may not be submitted
within ninety (90) days of the date of denial.
E. Certificate of Economic Hardship. Following denial of an
application for a certificate of appropriateness, an
Ordinance No. 5057
Page 20
applicant may apply for a certificate of economic hardship
on a form prescribed by the city.
1. Basis for Issuance. A certificate of economic
hardship may be issued if (a) an application for a
certificate of appropriateness has been denied and (b)
the commission determines after hearing that
disapproval of the proposed alteration or activity
would deprive the property owner of all reasonable
economic return from the property. In considering
whether the property owner would be deprived of all
reasonable economic return from the property, the
commission shall deny the certificate of economic
hardship where the inability to realize any reasonable
economic return from the property has been created by
the property owner's conduct, including but not
limited to neglect of maintenance or absence of bona
fide attempts to earn a reasonable economic return
from the property. The determination of economic
hardship shall be made solely with reference to the
property, independent of the type of ownership or the
financial status or means of the owner.
2. Standards for Determination. The applicant shall
provide any information that the commission deems
necessary for making a determination as to whether the
property yields or may yield a reasonable economic
return, which information may include but is not
limited to the following:
a. The amount paid for the property, the date of
purchase, and the identity of the seller and
description of the seller's relationship to the
applicant.
b. Any appraisals of the property made within the
previous two (2) years for purposes of selling,
purchasing or financing.
C. The property's assessed value according to the
two (2) most recent assessments.
d. The amount of real estate taxes for the previous
two (2) years and proof that they have been paid.
e. The annual gross income from the property for the
previous two (2) years, itemized expenses for
operation and maintenance, and cash flow before
and after debt service. This information need
not be provided for any single-family, owner -
occupied property.
f. Any state or federal income tax returns on or
relating to the property for the previous two (2)
years.
Ordinance No. 5057
Page 21
g. The remaining balance on any financing secured by
the property and other debt service, if any, for
the previous two (2) years.
h. Any listing of the property for sale or rent
within the previous two (2) years, including
price asked and offers received.
i. Estimated cost of proposed work or activity and
an estimate of any additional cost that would be
incurred in complying with the commission's
recommendation for conditions necessary for
issuance of a certificate of appropriateness.
j. The property's estimated market value in its
current condition, after completion of the
proposed alteration or activity, after any
changes proposed by the commission, and, in the
case of demolition, after renovation of the
property for continued use.
k. A report from a licensed professional architect
or engineer with demonstrated experience in
historic property rehabilitation as to the
structural soundness of any structure and its
suitability for rehabilitation.
1. A showing of the applicant's efforts at ongoing
maintenance and repair.
M. Proof of the applicant's efforts to obtain
financing, tax incentives, grants, or other
funding sufficient to allow the applicant to
realize a reasonable economic or return from the
property.
3. Hearing. The commission shall hold a public hearing
on an application for a certificate of economic
hardship within sixty (60) days after the completed
application was filed, unless the applicant consents
to a later hearing date. The applicant shall be
notified of the time, date, and place of the hearing.
The commission shall receive and review evidence and
hear testimony from the applicant or witnesses. The
commission may solicit expert testimony or require
that the applicant submit additional information.
4. Action on Application. Within thirty (30) days after
closure of the hearing, the commission shall complete
its evaluation of economic hardship, applying the
standards set forth in paragraph 2 of this section 9-
8-8(E), and shall adopt written findings and
conclusions. The commission shall either approve the
issuance of a certificate of economic hardship or deny
it. The commission shall notify the applicant in
writing of its decision and shall concurrently notify
the city official from whom the applicant sought a
Ordinance No. 5057
Page 22
regulated permit.
certificate of
within three (3)
F. Demolition.
If the application is approved, a
economic hardship shall be issued
days of the commission's decision.
1. Form of Request. A request to demolish a historic
landmark or a building, structure, object or site in a
historic district or preservation district or a
structure identified in section 9-8-7(B) shall be
submitted as an application for a certificate of
economic hardship, subject to all requirements and
procedures set forth in this section 9-8-8.
2. Preservation Plan. After an application is filed, the
commission and the applicant shall work together in
good faith to develop a plan to preserve or
rehabilitate the property. If a mutually agreeable
plan is developed, it shall be reduced to writing,
signed by the applicant, and approved by the
commission. Upon approval of a preservation plan, the
commission shall issue a certificate of
appropriateness that incorporates the plan by
reference, and a copy of the plan shall be appended to
the certificate. If a preservation plan is not
developed within sixty (60) days after the application
is filed, the commission shall either deny the
application or shall table the application for an
additional period of six (6) months. At the end of
the six-month period, the commission shall approve the
application and issue a certificate of economic
hardship if it is satisfied that the applicant has
made continuing, bona fide, and reasonable efforts to
locate a purchaser to preserve, rehabilitate or
restore the property, and that such efforts have been
unsuccessful. Notwithstanding the failure to develop
a preservation plan, and at any time before conclusion
of the six-month period, the commission may approve
the application and issue a certificate of economic
hardship if the commission is satisfied that there is
no reasonable likelihood that the applicant or some
other person is willing to preserve, rehabilitate or
restore the property or to purchase the property for
such purpose.
3. Property Acquired by Eminent Domain. If the property
proposed to be demolished is a property that was
acquired by eminent domain, after consideration of all
the circumstances the commission may at any time waive
the requirements of this section 9-8-8 and issue a
consent to demolish, which shall have the effect of a
certificate of economic hardship.
4. Bond Required. The applicant shall post a bond in an
amount set by the commission or the city council, as
appropriate, to ensure complete removal of debris left
by the demolition process and to compensate for any
Ordinance No. 5057
Page 23
damage done to adjacent properties. The bond shall be
posted before the approved certificate is issued. The
commission may waive this requirement with respect to
any property owned by a federal, state, or local
governmental body.
S. Documentation. In connection with approval of any
certificate of economic hardship under this section 9-
8-8(F), the commission may require as a condition to
issuance of a certificate the allowance of a
reasonable period in which to make a photographic,
video or other suitable record of the property before
it is demolished.
G. Future Effect. The commission's approval of a particular
type of alteration, work, or activity, whether as a result
of issuance of a certificate of no material effect, a
certificate of appropriateness, or otherwise, shall not
establish a binding precedent for future commission action,
but it may be an additional factor to be considered in
subsequent reviews involving the same or a similar type of
alteration, work, or activity.
H. Time Limitation. Each certificate of no material effect,
certificate of appropriateness, or certificate of economic
hardship shall expire and become null and void if the
alteration for which the certificate was issued is not
initiated within one (1) year of its issuance.
9-8-9: APPEALS FROM COMMISSION ACTION:
A. Appeal to City Council. An aggrieved party may appeal the
commission's final action to the city council by filing a
written notice of appeal with the city clerk within thirty
(30) days after the date of notice of the commission's
action. The notice of appeal shall identify the applicant,
the date of the commission's action, and the ground of the
appeal. The city council shall consider only the record of
the action before the commission, and no new matter may be
considered. The city council may affirm or reverse the
commission's action, or may refer the matter back to the
commission for such further action as may be appropriate.
The city clerk shall give written notice of the city
council's decision within seven (7) days of same to the
appellant and the commission.
B. Appeal to District Court. An appellant who is not
satisfied by the decision of the city council may file an
appeal in the district court for Black Hawk County within
sixty (60) days of the city council's decision.
C. Standard of Review. In any appeal, the city council or the
district court, as the case may be, shall consider whether
the commission exercised its powers and followed the
guidelines established by law and by this chapter and
whether the commission's action was patently arbitrary and
capricious.
Ordinance No. 5057
Page 24
9-8-10: REMEDY OF DANGEROUS CONDITIONS:
A. Except for emergencies as determined by the building
official pursuant to city ordinance, city enforcement
agencies and departments shall give the commission at least
thirty (30) days' notice of any proposed order for
remedying conditions determined to be dangerous to life,
health, or property that may affect the exterior features
of any historic landmark or any building, structure,
object, or site in a historic district or preservation
district.
B. The commission shall have the power to require that
alterations not adversely affect the exterior features of a
building or structure in cases where the danger to life,
health, or property may be abated without detracting from
its exterior features. In such cases, it shall be the
responsibility of the commission and the city enforcement
agency or department to cooperate with the property owner
in an attempt to achieve a preservation plan whereby the
dangerous conditions will be corrected with minimal adverse
impact on exterior features. Such plan shall be approved
by the commission and shall be signed by the chair of the
commission, the property owner, and the head of the city
enforcement agency or department.
C. If a preservation plan acceptable to the commission, the
property owner, and the city enforcement agency or
department cannot be reached within thirty (30) days or a
period of time acceptable to the city enforcement agency or
department, the agency or department shall proceed to issue
and enforce its proposed order.
9-8-11: COMPLIANCE WITH CERTIFICATE:
A. After a certificate has been issued and a regulated permit,
if required, is granted to the applicant, the building
official or other local authority shall from time to time
inspect the work authorized and shall take such action as
is necessary to enforce compliance with the certificate.
Commission members may from time to time inspect the
authorized work, from the public right-of-way, and shall
advise the building official or other local authority as
necessary to enforce compliance with the certificate.
B. If it is found that such work is not being carried out in
accordance with the certificate, the building official
shall issue a,stop work order.
C. Any change in appearance at variance with that authorized
by the certificate shall be deemed a violation of these
regulations.
9-8-12: FEES:
Upon submission of an application for a certificate of
appropriateness or a certificate of economic hardship, or upon
Ordinance No. 5057
Page 25
the filing of an appeal to the city council from final
commission action, the applicant shall pay a fee in an amount
determined from time to time by resolution of the city council.
Filing fees received for applications and appeals shall be
deposited in a dedicated fund for historic preservation
activities and used solely for such purposes.
9-8-13: VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES:
A. It shall be unlawful for any person to disobey, omit,
neglect, or refuse to comply with any provision of this
chapter. Upon conviction, such person shall be guilty of a
municipal infraction. Each day that a violation is
permitted to exist constitutes a separate offense.
B. The remedies provided for in this section shall be
cumulative and not exclusive and shall be in addition to
any other remedies provided by law.
9-8-14: COMPLIANCE WITH EXISTING ZONING REGULATIONS:
Any new structure in a historic district or preservation
district shall conform to all setback requirements of the zone
in which it is to be built or moved. If a historic landmark or
a structure in a historic district or preservation district has
lost fifty percent (500) or more of its assessed value due to
fire, explosion, act of God, or other natural disasters, it may
be placed upon its original foundation or the site of the
original foundation, and it shall be reconstructed as near as
possible to the original exterior design. If the original
foundation or site thereof is found to be noncompliant with the
zoning ordinance in effect at the time, reconstruction shall
require approval by the board of adjustment prior to beginning
construction.
INTRODUCED:
July
11,
2011
PASSED lst CONSIDERATION:
July
11,
2011
PASSED 2nd CONSIDERATION:
July
11,
2011
PASSED 3rd CONSIDERATION:
July
11,
2011
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of
Waterloo, Iowa, on the 11th day of July, 2011, and approved by
the Mayor on the 11th day of July, 2011.
4A J
Ernes G. Clark, Mayor
ATTEST:
Suzy Achares, CMC
City Clerk
Ordinance No. 5057
Page 26
CERTIFICATE
I, Suzy Schares, City Clerk of the City of Waterloo, Iowa,
do hereby certify that the preceding is a true and complete copy
of Ordinance No. 5057, as passed and adopted by the Council of
the City of Waterloo, Iowa, on the 11th day of July, 2011.
Witness my hand and seal of office this 11th day of July,
2011.
SEAL Suzy S ares, CMC
City C erk