Iowa City commission approves exception for new garage at landmark 416 Reno Street after permit error

The Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission on June 12 approved a certificate of appropriateness by exception for a newly constructed two-car garage at 416 Reno Street, a property designated as a local historic landmark.

The commission approved the garage “as presented in the staff report through an exception to the guidelines,” moving that the garage “does not substantially alter or destroy the defining architectural character of the site or neighborhood” because its location, general size and overhead doors comply with the guidelines, Planning staff said.

Staff planner Anne Russ of Neighborhood and Development Services told the commission the lot’s new front-gabled garage has two single overhead carriage‑style doors, LP SmartSide lap siding with a simulated wood grain texture, shingle siding in the gable and a fiberglass passenger door. Russ said the material and some design details do not directly align with the city’s preservation guidelines — specifically that simulated wood grain on siding and the garage’s roof slope differ from the principal house — but recommended approval through an exception because “the intent of the guidelines is met.”

Russ also told the commission the building permit for the garage was issued in August 2023 before historic review had been completed, and acknowledged that “Yes. That was a mistake.” She summarized the application timeline: an August 2024 historic‑review submission was incomplete; drawings provided in September 2024 did not match the built structure; staff requested photos and further documentation; the owner supplied complete materials on May 7, 2025; and the property changed hands the week before the June 12 meeting.

Previous owner Julie Arling and co‑owner Bob Hardy spoke during public comment. Arling said the owners had “no ill intent whatsoever” and had made other repairs to the house, recounting meetings with staff early in the renovation process and saying she was advised how to match historic features. Hardy said he had met with Jessica (staff) “5, 6, 7 times” and believed the project was in compliance; he also described the garage materials as engineered or manufactured wood and said the garage trim and doors are wood.

New owner Miranda Johnson said she closed on the house June 6 and learned of the permit/review issues only at closing. “I’m feeling very anxious because I kind of came into this situation blind,” she said, and asked that the commission not require undoing work done by prior owners.

Commissioners discussed process concerns and precedent. Commissioner Kevin Burford said the garage is “well intentioned” and favored the exception. Commissioner Tholman acknowledged the wood‑grain texture “does bother me,” but said the structure sits far from the sidewalk. Commissioner Willow Reynolds and others said they were troubled by the city’s permitting error and the precedent that approving built work after the fact could set, but several commissioners said staff’s recommendation and the built condition led them to support approval.

Commissioner Tholman moved to approve the certificate of appropriateness as recommended by staff; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote (“Aye”). The transcript does not record a roll‑call tally.

The commission’s approval was for the garage as built via an exception to the guidelines; the record shows staff noted several non‑conforming elements (simulated wood grain texture on siding and trim, absence of windows on the outbuilding and a lower roof slope than the house) but concluded the work did not “substantially alter or destroy” the property’s defining character.

The commission’s action resolves the immediate COA decision for the garage. Commissioners and staff emphasized the permitting error and procedural frustration during discussion; staff’s presentation and the applicants’ statements make clear the city issued a building permit before historic review was completed and that staff had advised the prior owners during the renovation process.

Notes: the transcript indicates the original building permit was issued August 2023, an incomplete historic‑review application was submitted August 2024, drawings provided September 2024 did not match the built condition, the application was completed May 7, 2025, and the property was sold the week before the June 12 meeting. The commission approved the COA by exception; the transcript records a voice vote but not individual recorded votes.