Ames preservation commission allows vinyl siding at 722 Burnett, citing high cost to restore wood

The Ames Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously to permit new vinyl siding on a contributing property at 722 Burnett Avenue, approving a case‑by‑case exception after hearing staff, the homeowners and the contractor describe the building’s condition and likely costs to restore original wood siding.

Parker Walsh, assistant planner, told the commission the house is classified as a contributing structure (reclassified in 2003) and that the city’s design code generally requires historic materials such as wood unless the commission grants an exception. Staff cannot approve vinyl siding administratively because the code’s substitute‑material criteria must be satisfied by the commission.

Homeowner Nick Keach said he and his wife bought the house in October and were not aware it was in the Old Town historic district. He described finding layers under the existing siding — insulation over what appears to be original wood — and said contractors had…