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Subcommittee to ask City Council to consider Code changes on windows, infill; no ordinance drafted
Summary
A Historic Preservation Commission subcommittee recommended removing a triple-pane requirement from proposed Chapter 31 language, allowing double-pane windows where consistent with design, and drafting infill wording; members agreed to prepare a memo for City Council rather than voting on ordinance text tonight.
The Ames Historic Preservation Commission on Nov. 10 discussed proposed text amendments to Chapter 31 of the municipal code intended to clarify window and infill standards for historic properties. The commission’s subcommittee previewed recommendations and said it will present a memorandum to City Council asking for direction to staff.
A subcommittee member (unnamed in the transcript) summarized the group's review and said triple-pane window language in the draft was atypical in other cities. “We had mentioned triple pane windows in it, that that wasn't appearing in a lot of other cities. So, really, with that, we talked a bit, and we'd be fine with striking that out of there and just proposing doubles,” the subcommittee member said.
Members discussed cross-referencing infill language so that closing or filling a window opening (infill) would be allowed when the infill is consistent with the architectural style of the building. Commissioners asked that any proposed language avoid repeating similar provisions across multiple architectural-style sections and instead include a clear, general rule or appropriate cross-references.
The subcommittee has not produced a formal letter or ordinance text; members agreed that the next step is to craft a concise memorandum outlining the recommended changes and to present it to City Council as a recommendation. If Council supports the concept, staff would be directed to draft the formal amendments to Chapter 31 for council consideration.
No formal vote on ordinance language took place at the Nov. 10 meeting. Commissioners asked subcommittee members and staff to supply the commission with proposed language and a recommended formatting approach (specific edits to code text versus conceptual guidance) for review at a future meeting.
