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Commission presses staff for notice of Certificates of Appropriateness and relevant text amendments
Summary
At its May 12 meeting the Ames City Historic Preservation Commission discussed gaps in notification about Certificates of Appropriateness (COAs) and asked staff to provide regular lists of administratively approved COAs and text amendments that affect historic districts.
Commissioners raised concerns May 12 that the commission is not routinely notified about certificates of appropriateness (COAs) affecting properties within or proximate to local historic districts, and they asked Planning and Housing staff for improved notice.
Commissioner Kate pointed to city code language—cited in the meeting as section 29.1102—saying the commission should be notified of applications affecting properties within or adjacent to local historic districts. Commissioners reported they have been receiving fewer COAs because staff now administratively approves certain alterations after a 2015 code change. Staff (Ray) confirmed that administrative approvals happen and said he could provide a monthly list of approved COAs to the commission; he also agreed to discuss notification of relevant text amendments with Kelly.
Commission discussion focused on consistent communication rather than changing the commission’s bylaws. Commissioners suggested a short monthly agenda item listing approved COAs (property and general description) so the commission can track patterns and better support city staff. They also debated how to define “approximate” when the code requires notice for properties “within approximate to the city's local historic districts”; commissioners proposed a working radius and settled on 500 feet for notification purposes during the meeting.
Ray said he would talk to Kelly about setting up regular notifications; commissioners asked to be informed promptly if staff believes no further action is required so they can decide whether to pursue a City Council-directed change to notification practice. No formal vote was taken; the commission requested staff follow up and report back.
