Historic preservation in Iowa local government
What Iowa city councils, county boards and school districts are deciding about historic preservation — plain-English summaries written from official agendas and minutes, updated as meetings happen.
185 Iowa meetings since 2024 covered historic preservation. Counts are directional — coverage varies by place and platform.
Places in Iowa with the most historic preservation activity
- Pella, IA (34)
- Davenport, IA (30)
- Linn County, IA (25)
- Muscatine County, IA (17)
- Dubuque County, IA (14)
- Oskaloosa, IA (11)
- Maquoketa, IA (9)
- Le Mars, IA (8)
- Fort Dodge, IA (7)
- Adel, IA (5)
- New Providence, IA (5)
- Sioux City, IA (3)
Latest matching meetings
Historic Preservation Commission to review permits, add member
The Muscatine Historic Preservation Commission is meeting to approve March minutes, review building permits issued from April through July, and consider a new commission member. The agenda is routine, with no major policy decisions or public hearings listed.
Commission to review two historic-building facade and sign permits
The Historic Preservation Commission will consider two Certificates of Appropriateness: one for a front facade replacement at 122 North Market Street and one for signs at 124 South 1st Street. The commission will also approve minutes from the July 17, 2026 meeting and hear public comments.
Historic Preservation Commission to review FY27 work plan and budget
The Linn County Historic Preservation Commission is meeting to discuss its FY27 work plan and budget, including potential funding for a national preservation summit and a Lincoln Highway kiosk at Abbe Creek School. The agenda also includes routine items like approving minutes and public comments.
Historic Preservation Commission to review zoning districts and design guidelines
The Adel Historic Preservation Commission is meeting to discuss historic preservation zoning districts, design guidelines, and updates on museum projects and grants. The agenda includes planning for the 250th Anniversary, website updates, and a rewrite of the historic grant program. Most items are updates or…
Commission to review rehabilitation of historic auto house at 627 Ripley Street
The Historic Preservation Commission will consider a request (Case COA26-10) to rehabilitate the auto house at 627 Ripley Street, part of the Louis P. and Clara L. (Krause) Best House, a contributing structure in the Hamburg Local Landmark Historic District. The commission will also review minutes from the July 14…
Pella commission to discuss Certified Local Government program and future historic districts
The Historic Preservation Commission will hold work sessions to discuss the Certified Local Government (CLG) program and possible future local historic district locations, including areas near West Market Park and along Main Street. The CLG application has been sent to the State Historic Preservation Office, which…
Commission to review Section 106 for 1716 Harris Street and airport towers
The Historic Preservation Commission will review Section 106 compliance for a property at 1716 Harris Street and for remote transmitter/receiver towers at Sioux Gateway Airport. They will also consider sign applications for 409 Pearl Street and 1016 4th Street, and receive updates on grants, a ghost sign code update…
Council to review West Davenport land use study and chamber remodel concept
The City Council will receive a management update and discuss future work session topics, including a West Davenport land use study and a joint session with the Zoning Board of Adjustment. They will also review a community survey status update and a concept for remodeling the council chambers. The meeting includes…
Council to consider rezoning, historic grant, and police internet upgrade
The Chariton City Council will consider several items including applying for a grant to nominate 'Old Betsy' for the National Register of Historic Places, rezoning a portion of 202 South 7th Street from BGH to RG-20, and authorizing a $6,494 internet back haul for the police department. The meeting also includes a…
Committee discusses appointments for city commissions
The Boards and Commissions Nominating Committee is meeting to discuss applicants for two city bodies. The committee will review candidates for the Historic Preservation Commission and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission.
Fort Dodge HPC to discuss Chronicle Area collaboration, project updates
The Historic Preservation Commission will hear updates on the Downtown Pocket Park Grant, the Hydroelectric Dam Storyboard, and the Sacred Heart project. New business includes a potential historical collaboration with the Chronicle Area. The commission will also address a member vacancy and receive Main Street updates.
Commission will decide on a Certificate of Appropriateness for signs at 101 High Ave W.
The Historic Preservation Commission will consider granting a Certificate of Appropriateness for signage proposed by First State Bank at 101 High Avenue West. Commissioners will also review a draft attendance policy for the commission. The meeting includes a report on the CORE downtown grant for the FY2027 project…
Historic Preservation Commission to discuss Wolter Grotto improvements
The Guttenberg Historic Preservation Commission is meeting to discuss improvements to the Wolter Grotto, including repairs, plantings, a bench, and a kiosk. The agenda also includes approval of the May 20, 2026 minutes and other discussion items.
Commission to discuss FY 2027 Work Plan and grant update
The Linn County Historic Preservation Commission will discuss the FY 2027 Work Plan and review the FY27 Historic Preservation Grant update. The agenda also includes approval of minutes from April 29, 2026, and a discussion on the Lincoln Highway Kiosk.
Commission will consider window replacement request for Charles Hill House
The Historic Preservation Commission will review a petition to replace five windows on the Charles Hill House, a contributing structure in the Hamburg Local Historic Landmark District. The meeting also includes routine business such as approval of minutes, communications updates, and an open forum for public comment.
Commission discusses Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grant program
The Historic Preservation Commission is reviewing the development of the Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grant Program. The City has received authorization from the National Park Service and is coordinating with Stickley Morton Architects for application assistance and design development.
Pella commission discusses potential new local historic districts and CLG program update.
The Pella Historic Preservation Commission will hold work sessions to discuss the city’s Certified Local Government application status and explore boundary options for new local historic districts near West Market Park, Main Street between Jefferson and Elm Streets, and the Huber to University Street corridor. No…
Historic Preservation Commission discusses code updates and archaeology survey
The Historic Preservation Commission will review minutes, discuss grant opportunities, and consider updates to the Ghost Sign and Local Landmark municipal codes. New business includes a recap of Historic Preservation Week and a planned archaeology survey at the Railroad Museum. The meeting is largely procedural with…
Historic Preservation Commission to discuss annual CLG report, work plan update
The commission will consider updates to the annual CLG report and the work plan. They will also discuss upcoming events like Architecture Days and the Preserve Iowa Summit. A public comment period is scheduled for non-agenda items.
Historic Preservation Board reviews events, plans fall tours
The Spencer Historic Preservation Commission is meeting to approve minutes and discuss old and new business, including reviews of recent events like the US 250th Celebration cemetery event and Flag Fest, and planning for future activities such as a possible fall cemetery walking tour. The meeting is largely procedural…
Commission reviews holographic sign request for 115 High Avenue West
The Historic Preservation Commission will reconsider a Certificate of Appropriateness for a projecting front sign. The board will also discuss establishing a formal attendance policy for its members.
Committee to discuss low-income grants and rental inspections
The Neighborhood Revitalization Grant Committee will discuss updates to the Low- and Moderate-Income grant program, historic preservation urban revitalization areas, and objectives for the Urban Revitalization plan. They will also consider a rental inspection program. The meeting includes review of previous minutes…
Commission to review historic preservation requests
The Historic Preservation Commission will consider requests to modify a monument sign and rehabilitate historic homes and storefronts in Davenport.
Work sessions on Certified Local Government program and potential historic district
The Historic Preservation Commission will hold work sessions on the Certified Local Government program, explore a possible new local historic district near West Market Park, and discuss attending the Preserve Iowa Summit. They will also approve minutes from the April 13 meeting. No formal decisions are anticipated.
Historic Preservation panel plans US 250th cemetery event, walking tour
The Spencer Historic Preservation Commission is meeting to handle routine business and plan several upcoming events. Old business includes organizing a US 250th Celebration cemetery event and flag fest weekend at Riverside Cemetery, reviewing a historic walking tour of Spencer, and discussing a Preserve Iowa Summit…
Board to award timber harvest, bridge repair, and fence contracts
The Dubuque County Conservation Board will consider awarding bids for timber harvests at New Wine and Whitewater Canyon Wildlife Area, and discuss professional services for Washington Mills Bridge repair. They will also review a special event application for Relay Iowa on Heritage Trail, solicit bids for fence…
Historic Preservation Commission reviews fence, signs, bridge projects
The Sioux City Historic Preservation Commission meets to review several property-specific items, including a fence review at 615 Water Street, sign approvals, and a National Register nomination for Crescent Park School. They will also discuss updates to the Ghost Sign and Local Landmark municipal codes, and provide…
Commission to decide new signs and ADA ramp on High Avenue West
The Historic Preservation Commission will consider three Certificates of Appropriateness for properties on High Avenue West: new signs at 105 and 115, and an ADA accessible ramp at 101. They will also approve minutes from February and receive a report on the Preserve Iowa Summit.
Commission reviews demolition requests for two homes on Gaines Street
The Historic Preservation Commission will review five cases involving property modifications and demolitions in the Hamburg historic districts. The City of Davenport is petitioning for the demolition of two structures. Other requests include home rehabilitations and the installation of a pool.
Commission to decide FY27 Historic Preservation Grant funding
The Linn County Historic Preservation Commission will meet to determine grant funding recommendations for fiscal year 2027. The body will also discuss funding for the Preserve Iowa Summit and Lincoln Highway kiosks.
Historic Preservation Commission discusses 710 Central Ave project and dam storyboard
The commission will hear updates on the 710 Central Avenue project and upcoming grants, discuss a storyboard for the hydroelectric dam, and receive updates on Sacred Heart and walking tours. They will also welcome a new member and note a Preserve Iowa discount code.
Board will consider reinstating the Historic Preservation Element in the Master Plan
The Planning Board will hear a presentation from the Historic Preservation Commission on reinstating the Historic Preservation Element into the borough’s Master Plan. It will also review the 2025 Board of Adjustment annual report and address any other or miscellaneous business. No votes or decisions are noted beyond…
Commission to review FY27 grant applicants and discuss FY26 funding
The Linn County Historic Preservation Commission will hold a regular meeting to discuss the Preserve Iowa Summit, an update on the Upper Paris Bridge Section 106 review, and the budget. New business includes presentations from FY27 grant applicants, a review of the FY 2026 work plan, and possible project funding for…
Commission to review roof project for historic home
The Historic Preservation Commission will consider a request to install a new roof and gutters at 529 Western Avenue, a property within the Hamburg Local Landmark Historic District. The meeting will also include a secretary's report and communications regarding preservation series and a summit.
Review Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grant program policies
The commission will discuss and seek consensus on the draft policies, application, and scoring criteria for the Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grant Program. Staff have submitted initial drafts to the National Park Service for review and aim to finalize the program pending commission feedback.
Commission OKs filing McClatchey Mill Historic District application with state
The Historic Preservation Commission will vote to file the proposed McClatchey Mill Historic District application with the State of Iowa for review. The district covers 49 properties between Lincoln and Columbus Streets and East First and Second Streets. The commission will also hold work sessions on the Certified…
City Council will hear an update from the Scott County Waste Commission
The council will receive a management update and review upcoming calendar items, including the Good Friday office closure on April 3, 2026. Future work sessions are proposed with the Clean River Advisory Council, the Library Board of Trustees, the Zoning Board of Adjustment, and the Historic Preservation Commission…
Historic Preservation Commission to review permits and grant items
The Historic Preservation Commission will meet to approve previous minutes and review a permit for an interior remodel. The body will also discuss the Preserve Iowa Summit, the Paul Bruhn Grant, and project guidelines.
Preservation grant discussion on potential applications
The Linn County Historic Preservation Commission will discuss potential preservation grant applications. It will also decide on final reports for FY25 and FY26 grants for three local historical societies and a heritage park. Additional agenda items include a budget review, a Section 106 review for the Paris Bridge…
Historic Preservation Commission meeting canceled due to lack of business
The Davenport Historic Preservation Commission meeting scheduled for March 10, 2026 was canceled because no business was submitted. No items were discussed, decided, or proposed.