Protecting the Design of Historic Downtown
Downtown Mason City is a beautiful and vital cultural resource. Maintaining its character is essential in keeping Downtown the historical and cultural heart of the city. The construction of a pole building and painting the side of a historic building with bright red paint in the early 2000s led the Downtown Association (the precursor to Main Street Mason City) to request that the City adopt regulations to preserve Downtown’s historic character. In 2004, the Zoning Ordinance was amended to state that original exterior building materials on Downtown buildings, such as brick, stone, or punched metal, could not be covered with artificial materials (such as EIFS) or be painted. Some buildings had been covered or painted prior to when the new rules were adopted and were thus “grandfathered in.” In 2006, the Downtown National Register Historic District was designated, and several significant buildings were noted as “contributing” to the historic character of the district. There are also individual buildings that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, such as the City National Bank/Historic Park Inn, the Kirk Apartments, and the Brick and Tile Building.
These amendments for the downtown zoning district are so that owners know what they can and cannot change in their building’s physical appearance. Keeping our registered historic places in their best original condition is the goal of this ordinance. This is not to say no changes can ever be made; it is just that the application of façade materials cannot alter the historic character of the building, and some specific materials are prohibited from use. The Historic Preservation Commission can be an asset to building owners if they seek an innovative and cost-effective solution to preserving their essential piece of history.
Q: Why did the City adopt new design requirements for Downtown buildings?
A: Recently, a brick Downtown building was painted, where the owner was unaware of or confused by the requirements. The owner did not believe that the building was historic or contributing to the historic character of Downtown and had seen other older buildings painted or otherwise covered over, not understanding that those buildings were grandfathered. Because there is a great variety of styles and periods Downtown, some owners may be unaware of the potential significance of their buildings or may not understand how the rules would apply in their specific circumstances. The Development Services Department for the City realized that there was ignorance, confusion, and disagreement with these requirements as they apply to all buildings within the Downtown district. Therefore, the Zoning Ordinance was amended to ensure that the most significant and historic Downtown buildings are protected, while allowing some flexibility for other buildings within the district.
Q: If I own an existing building downtown, can I paint the building?
A: Except for specific buildings (explained below), you can paint the building, or apply a mural (a mural becomes a sign if it contains any form of advertising and is then subject to sign permit requirements; make sure you check with the City first).
Q: What if the building needs new windows?
A: Replacement windows and doors must fill the original opening; replacing originally sized windows with smaller windows (and filling the gaps with wood or some other material) is not allowed. Windows and doors cannot be replaced with opaque materials, such as filling them in with masonry or covering them with wood (temporary boarding for security purposes, if required by the City Code, is allowed). Glass may be slightly tinted but must allow for no less than 35% light transmission. Reflective glass is not permitted.
Q: The brick on my building needs work. Can I cover it up with EIFS, wood, or metal?
A: Except for the most important and significant buildings (described below): In some cases, yes. Approved facade materials include stone, brick, concrete, stucco, wood, and architectural metal. Application of façade materials cannot alter the historic character of the building. Artificial stucco or brick or similar overlay (such as EIFS or Z-Brick) may be allowed, provided that the application is constructed with two (2) layers of reinforcing mesh (or equivalent durability) to withstand physical contact from vehicles, etc. We recommend contacting the Development Services Department at (641) 421-3626 before beginning the project.
Q: What Downtown buildings are significant and historic?
- Buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Buildings that are listed as “Contributing” to the Mason City Downtown National Register Historic District.
- Buildings that have frontage on Federal Avenue between 4th Street NE/NW and the south end of the Federal Plaza.
These are the most significant and historic buildings in Downtown, and preservation of their historic character is paramount.
Q: What are the requirements for those buildings?
A: Any exterior change to these buildings (except for most signs), such as painting, changing out windows, building additions or demolitions, adding murals, etc., must first receive a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Mason City Historic Preservation Commission (HPC). This applies even if the building has been painted or covered before and is “grandfathered in.” The HPC will determine if the change is consistent with the historic character of Downtown and if the change will contribute to the long-term preservation of the building. If the HPC approves the change, the owner can then apply for any required building permits.
Q: Can I get a variance from these requirements?
A: Any owner can apply for a variance from the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA), but the owner must show a demonstrable hardship that is not just related to cost or convenience. The HPC must approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for the project before the ZBA can issue a variance.
Q: Anything else?
A: It’s important to remember that these requirements, in some form or another, have been around since 2004. For the most part, the new regulations are less restrictive than the prior requirements. For those owners of historic and significant buildings, the Historic Preservation Commission can become a partner in finding innovative and cost-effective solutions to preserving these important properties.
A copy of the amended Zoning Ordinance is available >>HERE. (Scroll to the bottom of the page to view the Zoning Map and Zoning Ordinance. The relevant information starts on page 13-2) Questions? Call (641) 421-3626 or email Planning and Zoning Manager Tricia Sandahl at tsandahl@masoncity.net.
Originally posted by Main Street Mason City via Locable
Main Street Mason City
9 N Federal Ave
Mason City, IA 50401
(641) 494-0003
www.mainstreetmasoncity.com
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri10:00am- 2:00pm