City Taking Applications for Ames Historic Commission Vacancy

The City of Ames is looking for someone who wants to play a role in reviewing the code regulating renovations in the Old Town District and expanding historical areas in town.

A former member of the Historic Preservation Commission, Darrek Orwig, moved out of Ames and had to resign from his position. Mayor Ann Campbell is searching for a volunteer to fill his seat, which expires in April 2014.

In October, the commission discussed the 's application to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places and a survey of historic downtown buildings in order to prepare the downtown area for a National Register nomination.

Ray Anderson, an Ames city planner who works with the commission, said members are also about to completely update and revise code regulations, including design guidelines for historic structures.

“There would be a lot of involvement by all the commission members in that process,” Anderson said.

For example, the commission is looking at a regulation that would expand the types of siding and widows used in the Old Town District, a residential area between Seventh and Ninth streets and Clark and Duff avenues.

Currently, only wood siding is allowed, but the commission is looking at changing that regulation, Anderson said.

The commission also provides information within districts on preservation, renovation, rehabilitation and reuse. And commission members hold hearings and review applications for new construction, alteration, demolition and landmark relocations, within historic districts.

The commission meets monthly, usually 7 p.m. on the second Monday of each month. November's meeting has been canceled due to a lack of agenda items.

Interested people have until 5 p.m. Nov. 30 to apply.