Iowa City commission approves exception to allow picture windows at 521 Clark Street

At a meeting of the Iowa City Historic Preservation Commission, members approved a certificate of appropriateness for 521 Clark Street, allowing a rear picture window without a divided-light pattern through an uncommon-situation exception and retaining the two north-facing garage windows unless evidence of deterioration is shown.

Neighborhood and Development Services staff member Anne Russet opened the agenda item with a description of the proposal: demolish a partially enclosed porch, add a small rear addition with cedar shake siding to match the existing house, relocate the header of two north-facing garage windows to provide natural light to a new laundry room, and add a fixed picture window on the rear facade. Russet said the project largely conforms with conservation-district guidelines but noted two items for commission review: the relocated north windows and the request for an undivided picture window on the rear.

"This is a certificate of appropriateness for the property at 521 Clark Street in the Clark Street Conservation District," Russet said, and she summarized the guideline standard that historic windows should be retained unless badly deteriorated. Staff told the commission the requested rear picture window could be supported by an exception if the commission finds an uncommon situation and that the north-facing windows should match the home’s overall fenestration pattern.

Contractor Andy Martin, speaking for the applicants, said the rear windows are effectively hidden from public view and primarily serve the homeowners’ wildlife- and photography-related needs. "So the only people that would really see those windows at all are possibly the 3 neighbors on Summit," Martin said, noting the rear yard functions like a "little courtyard" and that the owners are "citizen scientists" who do bird counts and photography.

Homeowner Gregory Kovaceni described the yard as a "backyard paradise" and said the property attracts wildlife: "the last count was 66," he said, stressing the household’s interest in unobstructed views for wildlife observation.

Commissioners asked for clarity on design alternatives and precedent. Several said they were sympathetic to the homeowners’ interest but emphasized that exceptions should be limited and justified. Commissioners also discussed whether smaller windows that maintain alignment at the header would better meet guidelines and whether staff should review any subsequent proposal to reduce window size.

After discussion, Commissioner Villanueva moved to approve a certificate of appropriateness for the project at 521 Clark Street with these conditions: the west/rear window is allowed as a picture window without a divider through an uncommon exception, and both north-facing garage windows are retained unless evidence of deterioration is discovered. Wagner seconded the motion. The chair called for the vote; members responded "Aye," and the motion passed.

The commission’s action allows the applicants to proceed with most of the work but preserves the north-facing garage openings unless deterioration is demonstrated in follow-up documentation. If the applicants later pursue smaller north-facing windows, staff advised they should return with a new application or additional drawings to show dimensions and alignment.

The commission moved on to staff reports after the vote.