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Commission allows chimney pipe alteration at 518 North Van Buren after removal, votes 7–2
Summary
Following a report that the chimney had been removed without prior approval, the Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission approved staff-recommended repairs at 518 North Van Buren Street—straightening and shortening the existing chimney pipe to a code-required projection and patching the roof—by a 7–2 vote.
The Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission approved a certificate of appropriateness for work at 518 North Van Buren Street after staff reported that a historic chimney had been taken down and only a stovepipe remained.
Staff told the commission that a neighbor reported the chimney removal and that an inspector then required a demolition permit and historic review. "A neighbor reported that the chimney had been removed," the staff member said while describing photos showing a stovepipe where the chimney had stood. Staff said the pipe serves as the vent for a basement boiler and recommended shortening and straightening the pipe to meet code (a 2-foot projection requirement) and patching the roof rather than rebuilding a full masonry chimney.
Commission discussion focused on precedence and fairness: several commissioners said they generally prefer applicants to seek guidance before demolishing historic features, but many also called the house "heavily altered" and favored a compromise rather than requiring reconstruction of a brick chimney. Margaret Peck asked whether non-contributing status of the house should affect the decision; staff replied guidelines do not create a separate exception for non-contributing properties in this section.
Frank Wagner moved to recommend approval of a certificate of appropriateness for 518 North Van Buren Street with the conditions that the existing chimney pipe be straightened and shortened to the code-required height of 2 feet and that the roof be patched to match; the motion passed. Staff later stated the tally was 7 in favor and 2 opposed, and staff identified the two opposing votes as Brown and Andrew Lewis.
Staff noted alternatives to the approved approach if the commission wished to require reconstruction: the commission could require a framed faux chimney sheathed in thin brick or stucco to approximate a masonry chimney, but staff said reconstruction would be more onerous given the chimney had already been removed and the structure's condition.
The commission's approval allows the owner to proceed with the pipe modification and roofing repair; staff said the owner could appeal or could elect to rebuild to a higher standard if desired.
