HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.21.2002APPEAL HEARING
October 21, 2002
4:30 p.m.
Council Chambers
Mayor Rooff called the meeting to order at 5:10 p.m.
Members present: Mayor Rooff, Welper, Clark, Jordan, Hurley, Getty.
Members absent: Berry, Greenwood.
Mayor Rooff stated the purpose of this meeting wis to hold a hearing on the request of Michael
and Donna Douglas to appeal the Waterloo Historic Preservation Commission's decision to
deny their request to replace existing aluminum siding with vinyl siding for property located at
126 Prospect Boulevard.
Mayor Rooff read the letter from Mr. and Mrs. Douglas requesting the hearing. Mr. and Mrs.
Douglas are appealing the decision made by the Waterloo Historic Preservation Commission on
September 17, 2002. The Douglases met with the [ listorical Preservation Commission regarding
work on the exterior of their home at 126 Pro >pect Boulevard. The home currently has
aluminum siding on the lower two-thirds and stucco and wood trim on the upper one-third. Mr.
and Mrs. Douglas contend that when the home was approved for inclusion in the Highland
District, the home had the same aluminum siding. In their application to the Waterloo Historic
Preservation Commission, they requested approval to replace the aluminum siding with vinyl
siding. A motion was made to deny the request. Mr. Douglas states in his letter that during
discussion following the motion, they asked to amend their application to include aluminum
siding in place of the vinyl siding. The motion to replace the aluminum siding with aluminum
siding was denied.
Moved by Jordan, seconded by Hurley that the letter from Michael and Donna Douglas dated
October 9, 2002 be received and placed on file. Ayes: Five. Absent: Berry, Greenwood.
Motion carried.
Michael Douglas, 126 Prospect Boulevard, stated he requested that he be able to reside the home
with vinyl then asked to be able to reside with aluminum and was denied by the Waterloo
Historic Preservation Commission. Mr. Douglas stated that in 1994 Highland was made a
historic district. His home was first rated no then yes. The house had sided at that time. Mr.
Douglas stated he feels if the home was good enough to be rated with siding in the first place, he
should be able to put siding back on the home. Mr. Douglas stated the commission does not
want to listen. Mr. Douglas stated he is President of the Highland Park District and not all
citizens can afford to do what the commission is asking. Mr. Douglas stated the commission
wants him to restore his house which means if he has to take it back to the wood, he would have
to rebuild his house. Mr. Douglas distributed pictures of other houses in the Highland District
which have aluminum or vinyl siding and also information from Wolverine on siding products
for historic homes. Mr. Douglas stated he asked for a list of houses that could stand by
themselves. Mr. Douglas stated that Wolverine handles siding all over North America. The
primary concern of the commission is to keep the historic look. The woodlap on his house is dry
rotted. Mr. Douglas stated the commission has to help residents in that area or property will go
down, and they need to have understanding and need to move ahead. Mr. Douglas stated there
are products that preserve the look of the house.
Councilperson Hurley asked if the commission asked Mr. Douglas to resubmit his application for
aluminum siding and Mr. Douglas responded no.
Donna Schumacher -Douglas, 126 Prospect Avenue, stated that research has shown that vinyl
siding has products that provides 3 inch wood lap look for historic homes. Ms. Douglas stated
they thought that would fit in with the historic neighborhood. Ms. Douglas stated they want to
use compatible material and keep the historic preservation.
Mr. Douglas stated they spent $30,000 on refurbishing the house last year. They would like to
clean the house up, but they do not want to spend $3,000 to $4,000 painting dents in the siding.
Appeal Hearing
October 21, 2002
Page 2
Councilperson Hurley stated that the Historic Preservation Commission said they would look at
the aluminum siding and other options
Dan Levy, President of the Waterloo Historic Preservation Commission, reported the motion was
per the application to replace the aluminum siding with vinyl siding. There is no precedent in the
historic district for vinyl siding. Mr. Levy stated that no amendment was made by commission
members to change from vinyl to aluminum siding. The commission did suggest an application
be resubmitted and the item be tabled to allow the commission members time to look at true lap
siding. Dubuque has two properties that they are experimenting with this product. The
commission discussed that they would be willing to look at that product, and Mr. Douglas asked
that the commission, look at it that day and with the information the commission had, they
deemed it appropriate to table.
Councilperson Getty asked if Mr. and Mrs. Douglas go back to the commission with a proposal
to put aluminum siding on the house will the commission approve that request. Mr. Levy
responded that it would probably be denied based on standards and guidelines for historic
properties.
Councilperson Hurley stated that the council should not look at the materials but whether the
commission acted appropriately.
Mr. Douglas stated that at the Historic Preservation Commission meeting Mr. Levy asked what
about looking at aluminum to aluminum. The commission did ask the Douglases to look at the
information on products which he has presented to the council. The house was not rated at the
first reading in 1984, but was rated at the seconded reading in 1987 and was rated with aluminum
siding. The house has had aluminum siding since 1987 and he just wants to replace the siding.
Mrs. Douglas stated that the aluminum siding was discussed at the end of the meeting. Mrs.
Douglas stated the commission had no other knowledge or provided no other options to them as
they had not explored any other options.
Councilperson Getty asked Mr. and Mrs. Douglas to go back to the Waterloo Historic
Preservation Commission to see if they can work out a solution.
Moved by Getty, seconded by Welper that the appeal be denied and Mr. and Mrs. Douglas go
back to the Waterloo Historic Commission to work out a solution. Ayes: Five. Absent: Berry,
Greenwood. Motion carried.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Getty, seconded by Jordan that the
meeting be adjourned at 5:35 p.m. Ayes: Five. Absent: Berry, Greenwood. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk