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