[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6071012,"mediaKeyId","3048331-2b5ad160bacd5e1ada80977e4005f4a8","parentId",3048331,"title","Commission defers decision on second storefront and egress at 203 North Lynn Street; owner seeks entrance to enable upper‑floor apartments","audioSeconds",4645,"startMs",1097775,"endMs",5742815,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3048331-2b5ad160bacd5e1ada80977e4005f4a8&start=1097&end=5742","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3048331-2b5ad160bacd5e1ada80977e4005f4a8/thumbnail_1097775.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6071012/Iowa-City/Johnson-County/Iowa/Commission-defers-decision-on-second-storefront-and-egress-at-203-North-Lynn-Street-owner-seeks-entrance-to-enable-upperfloor-apartments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071012-846caf83758b245ec60b32c418cb6464/orig.mp4?Expires=1771089916&Signature=TkFNXGwdXKCDtn~65h~v3jVikzERBOherdkrTJA~SRsyxA7aGMUt1yzNu-~9Mqq7lExCViHl4Fb~MK9xxVRXPUMfj1MnpBLaew~A2r-MlLu2m00dY35W39aULmr9NZGv0G2r9hDZoq7KQ1nFTkO0Hf~ELdOxvvKyVWcTRPY0r2--Wv8lhFXF9CqreTxdmRkBlk9QAKFH58L~pkVQFxhO2hWE5ttCNvYw-Db8EZ1p8ivvu4XzIEPdRelzX7iGZ-0~2I-QFa7ZnHDa6fKVhYYdfq6DhD0RE0nXXm~8hYhcaxKgAUtpdILFnOT8uSCgHVF55uDK2hFvH08V1XxyeoCFEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Iowa City","date","2025-04-14T00:00:00Z","article","The Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission deferred action on a proposal to add a secondary entrance on the North Lynn Street façade of 203 North Lynn Street, a local historic landmark that is also listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Anne Russett, senior planner, told the commission the three‑story Greek Revival building (original portion built about 1862, enlarged in 1893) is historically significant and the owner proposes dividing the large first‑floor commercial space into two smaller storefronts, and renovating the second and third floors now occupied as single‑room‑occupancy (SRO) units into conventional dwelling units. Russett said staff had requested the applicant explore changes on the Market Street (south) façade and coordinate with Public Works about improvements in the public right‑of‑way; staff asked for more time to resolve access and right‑of‑way issues and recommended deferral.

Owner Peter Byler, who identified himself as a wood‑shop teacher and the building’s new owner, said the project aims to create smaller, leasable commercial spaces on the first floor and to renovate upper floors into multiple small studio apartments. Byler described a plan for seven small studio units on each of the second and third floors (14 units total) and said: \"without a second egress... I'm allowed to put four units upstairs\" but renovating to provide modern bathrooms and kitchens requires a second egress. Byler and architect Mike Nolan explained the building’s historic interior layout and structural constraints. Nolan and Byler said the most feasible way to provide required egress separation is a stair that would come down to the North Lynn Street façade; they said the south façade and existing masonry wall do not offer a practical alternative without substantial and destructive work.

Commission discussion covered historic‑preservation standards, fire and accessibility code constraints, and how different storefront/vestibule options would appear on the street. Commissioners and staff discussed two plan versions submitted by the applicant: one showing an enclosed vestibule and one showing a recessed vestibule and street‑level stairs. Commissioners expressed support in principle for the idea of a second entrance if the design can be adjusted to meet historic‑preservation guidance and right‑of‑way and accessibility requirements. Several commissioners emphasized they preferred a design that reads as a single storefront from the street and that any interventions should be reversible and use appropriate materials.

Commissioner Sellegrin moved to defer the application so staff and the applicant could revise plans to align with the guidelines; the commission seconded the motion and voted to defer. Commissioners indicated willingness to work with staff on a revised design and said that staff’s work with Public Works and the Building Department on right‑of‑way and accessibility options should proceed while design revisions are developed.

Key technical points raised during the hearing included: the building’s current SRO configuration and the applicant’s intent to upgrade units to individual apartments; building‑code requirements that trigger a second means of egress above a certain number of dwelling units; the need for stair separation distances and protected (fire‑rated) means of egress; and public‑right‑of‑way constraints that affect landing and stair geometry on Linn Street.

The commission did not approve the proposed second entrance tonight; instead it deferred to allow the applicant and staff to produce revised plans that address staff concerns about siting, right‑of‑way impacts and historic appearance.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission Meeting of April 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission deferred action on a proposal to add a secondary North Lynn Street entrance at 203 North Lynn Street, a local landmark also listed on the National Register, to allow staff and the applicant more time to resolve design, right‑of‑way and accessibility issues.","taxTitle","Iowa City, Johnson County, Iowa","taxId",4187,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6071017,"Historic-preservation commission approves side addition at 1221 Sheridan Avenue through exception",1065,29900,1095350,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3048331-2b5ad160bacd5e1ada80977e4005f4a8&start=29&end=1095","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3048331-2b5ad160bacd5e1ada80977e4005f4a8/thumbnail_29900.jpg","/articles/6071017/Iowa-City/Johnson-County/Iowa/Historic-preservation-commission-approves-side-addition-at-1221-Sheridan-Avenue-through-exception","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071017-1233c60391869d4cfaf5b338faaffcb0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771089916&Signature=BLAhs8Fw2VFNeeaeI3qWl5q9KwG154zJYWb9Eu7WgY~czQd6hSvO-9QGybcoUGLpdStZOe2ngNPowcrc92MZtT~UrJEJhAGyH9jmkZyxdyuzESDznAo8JZ4E5Yws-sxuIgPlF6v3fx8DEBoayUnHXgBposgVTxRPT3W1nFfGb6V3oxrle3WTSpBQaON49bRNwBOz9kTxibvz0CLg-7q4FWLEC6iEhi23PpxgnT805-7vNRj4wwWG2PwKwoMcvhW-VIwk0JwIYb7TIwncroLQDTT8kYeLeGSFOeMYPPaLbwaM2kODpJXoUEO3wPIFi~adVd0E6qCpGzgfaKGp9n~kWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission voted to approve a certificate of appropriateness for an addition to the single‑story house at 1221 Sheridan Avenue, allowing the expansion to the west through an exception to the commission’s guidelines.

Staff presented the case. Anne Russett, senior planner, told commissioners the property is in the Longfellow Historic District and that \"the addition is proposed to be set in from those existing walls\" and that staff recommended approval \"through an exception to the guidelines allowing an addition to the side of the home due to the lot configuration that does not allow a rear addition,\" subject to two conditions: staff approval of window and door products, and documentation and staff review of historic siding and trim configuration.

The exception was requested because the existing house footprint sits approximately 10 feet from the southern property line; city setback rules require a 5‑foot setback, leaving insufficient space for a practical rear addition, staff said. The proposal keeps the home’s four original corners and sets the new massing back from those corners; the applicant also proposes converting an existing garage to living space while maintaining the exterior appearance of a garage door.

Homeowner Luke McLaren described the project as a way for his family to stay in the neighborhood: \"We love the neighborhood... This just lets us grow our family a little bit and continue to grow and stay in a neighborhood that we love.\" Project architect Mike Nolan said the design seeks to follow the historic‑preservation guidelines and that moving the addition to the south would both violate massing recommendations and provide only about 5 feet for an addition.

Commission discussion acknowledged the lot constraints and mixed reactions to retaining a nonfunctional garage door for appearance. Commissioner Kevin Burford said the project \"is well within the spirit of the guidelines\" and several other commissioners said they would support approval if exterior elements are matched and staff conditions met. A motion to approve the certificate of appropriateness \"as presented in the staff report through an exception to the guidelines allowing an addition to the side of the home due to the lot configuration that does not allow a rear addition,\" subject to two staff conditions, was moved and seconded and carried with commissioners voting aye.

The approval is conditioned on staff review and approval of window and door products and documentation of historic siding and trim. The commission did not expand or change setback rules; the decision relies on the commission’s ability to grant exceptions to the guidelines for uncommon situations.

The house at 1221 Sheridan will proceed to staff for the two required reviews; if staff approves the specified products and documentation, the project may move forward under the certificate the commission approved.","The Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission approved a certificate of appropriateness allowing a side addition at 1221 Sheridan Avenue in the Longfellow Historic District by granting an exception to placement guidelines; approval was subject to staff review of windows, doors and siding documentation.","actionData","errors"]

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Commission defers decision on second storefront and egress at 203 North Lynn Street; owner seeks entrance to enable upper‑floor apartments

Historic-preservation commission approves side addition at 1221 Sheridan Avenue through exception