Members of the Historic Preservation Commission discussed proposed text changes to Chapter 31 of the municipal code that would expressly allow double‑ and triple‑pane windows and low‑E glass coatings to improve residential energy efficiency. The commission did not adopt amendments at the meeting; the subcommittee and staff will refine draft language and bring it back to the commission for further review.

The nut graf: The proposed changes are limited in scope to glazing and related definitions to reduce ambiguity about whether energy‑efficient window technologies are permissible in historic districts; the commission emphasized keeping the scope narrow and solicited staff review before forwarding any ordinance to city council.

A subcommittee of commissioners (Scott, Bob and Melissa) presented a memo proposing two primary edits: explicitly permit double‑ and triple‑pane glazing, and allow low‑E coatings provided they are clear or neutral in color so as not to change historic appearance. Melissa, speaking for the subcommittee, said the group "used, looked at the Iowa City guidebook for historic preservation, and that is a it's a great resource" and that their intent was "to look at chapter 1 chapter 31, to see if there were any recommended changes to help with any energy efficient, kind of allowances or any improvements that we could make, based on energy efficient suggestions." The subcommittee also recommended adding definitions for "pane" and "light" and suggested edits to section 31.14, which lists design-criteria by architectural style, to ensure the code language distinguishes between multiple lights in a sash and multiple layers of glazing.

Commissioners discussed process and next steps. One commissioner said the commission should craft specific wording for each change and work with staff before sending any ordinance to the council. Ray Anderson, planning staff, said the Planning and Housing Department has not yet reviewed the proposed language and that staff would "talk to our director, Kelly Dieckman, and get back to you on that"; he said staff would need permission from the city council to prepare a formal ordinance change if the commission decides to proceed. The commission agreed to keep the scope limited to window glazing and to have the subcommittee and staff refine specific wording for the next meeting.

Ending: No ordinance was introduced or adopted at the meeting. The subcommittee will continue drafting precise definitions and proposed ordinance text, staff will review and consult with Director Kelly Dieckman, and the item will return to the commission at a later meeting for possible vote and forwarding to city council.