HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 7/2/1985 - Landmark Commission �
MINDTES OF THE MEETING OF THE
CITY OF MCHENRY LANDMARR COMMISSION
2 July 1985
Phyllis J. Bauer, Secretary
The meeting was called to order at 7 :30 p.m.
Present were Nancy Fike, Chairman; Phyllis Bauer, Don
Howard, Joe Etten, Earl Walsh, Dick Rabbitt, Frank Gans, Charles
Vycital , Mary Vycital , Adele Froelich, Dorothy Uttich and Marya
Weber. Guests were Dick Rabbitt"s wife Marge; Dave Danielson and
Lena Burner of the Woodstock Environmental Enhancement CommisT
sion.
Minutes for the June 5th meeting were reviewed with further
information on the avai 1 abi 1 ity of the Sanborn Fire Maps given by
the Chairman in response to an inquiry by Dorothy Uttich. The
minutes were approved with a motion by Earl Walsh and 2nd by Dick
Rabbitt.
First on the agenda was the organization of a budget com-
mittee. Dick Rabbitt and Don Howard will meet with the Chairman
� for breakfast at Wind Hill on Tues., July 9 at 7:00 a.m. for
discussion of the financial needs of the Landmark Commission.
This proposed budget will then be presented to the city council
for approval of a fund allocation for the commission .
Dave Danielson, Assistant City Manager of Woodstock, gave a
very interesting and informative presentation on what the
Woodstock Environmental Enhancement Commission is doing in that
city. High points of his presentation were: The Commission is
the result of the merger of two other programs, the original
Landmark Commission and the Beautification Program. The original
Landmark Commission was formed as part of the Bi-Centennial
Celebration in the mid-1970�s. Approximately 120 structures have
been designated as historically significant, as the result of the
Landmark Commission survey or "inventory". Among them are
churches and schools as well as residences.
The nine member commission meets on a monthly basis. This com-
mission has more responsibility than recommending structures for
historic preservation. It is also responsible for environmental
issues that come before the council such as landfil issues,
mosquitoe abatement. It administers the old Beautification Pro-
gram which is a program whereby awards are given out on a yearly
basis to properties that have taken steps to improve the appear-
ance of the property, such as commercial signs more in keeping
with the historic theme, appropriate landscaping, etc.
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The Woodstock Commission"s criteria for Landmark status: archi-
tectural detail ; presense of original materials used in construc-
tion; condition of out buildings; the retention of the original
architectural character; historical significance; age of struc-
�- ture; (they have increased the age criteria to 1925 from the
former 1910, since there has been a lapse of 10 years since the
program started. This will continue to create interest in the
community, since most of the older homes hav e already been pla-
qued. )
A "point" system is used to determine if a structure qualifies
for landmark status. The maximum is 100 points and 65 points are
necessary to qualify.
The City Manager"s office provides an application form to anyone
who is desirous of having their structure designated as a Land-
mark. All records are kept at the city office. These records
include a picture of the structure.
Any changes, maintenance, painting, additions or structural
changes to the exterior of a plaqued structure must be approved
by the commission. The building commissioner is aware of all
plaqued structures and makes the commission aware of any building
permits issued for alterations pertaining to these structures.
The commission has the philosophy of being realistic about allow-
ing these changes.
Lela Burner added that the commission does not consider what is
done on the inside of a house, only the exterior. She mentioned
� the state historical preservation commission has a great of
information. There are many commercial sources for materials and
items used in the old structures that are now available which in
the past were not avai 1 ab 1 e to the pub 1 ic. Thi s i s due to the
increased interest in preservation of historic structures.
Danielson remarked that the key to making the program work is
having enough interested, involved people participating in the
program. He mentioned it was especially helpful to have at least
one individual who has a very keen interest in the program, to
"take hold," as they had with their chairman Maggie Fields.
The program has instilled pride in the community thru the renova-
tion and preservation of structures. The program acts as a
catalist to other activities of improvements benefiting the en-
tire community. Having a historic plaque increases interest of
those purchasing real estate.
An architect to work with the commission is very much desired.
It is al so an advantage to have someone f rom the city counci 1
attend commission meetings and be the cohesive between commission
and council .
The Commisssion is sending out general information letters to
owners of the structures which have been designated as Landmarks,
to update them regarding the responsibilities of having a plaqued
� home.
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The 1 oca 1 newspape r has been especia 1 1 y va 1 uabl e with inf orming
the public as to the activities and functions of the Commission.
�.- A 12 page city "newsletter" mailed to al l residents on a quar-
terly basis by the city, also helps to keep the residents aware
of the commission programs.
One of the things that has been done to create interest in archi-
tectural features was the taking of pictures of interesting
features found on the buildings in the downtown area. These
pictures were then put in the newspaper and a game was played to
see who could identify al l of them. Prizes were donated by
local businesses to the winners.
Wa 1 king tours of the p 1 aqued homes in Woodstock are a vai 1 ab 1 e.
The McHenry Landmark Commission is invited to take this tour. A
trained guide will point out features of historic homes. There
are cities and villages in the Chicago area that also have walk-
ing tours for the purpose of observing historical structures. It
was suggested that perhaps the local park department could spon-
sor such a bus tour.
Earl Walsh mentioned the structures that were plaqued during the
Bi-Centennial . It was felt this might be the place to start with
the survey and inventory. Dorothy Uttich wi 1 1 bring the 1 ib-
rary�s copy of this to the next meeting.
Don Howard mentioned there are people v ery anxious to make appli-
� cation for the plaque. Discussion followed as to whether or not
plaqueing could or would take place before the the survey/in-
ventory of structures was completed. Some members of the commis-
sion felt the survey of the structures in the city should be
completed first, before any plaqueing is done.
Chairman Fike suggested perhaps featuring particular structures
in the newspapers to get some interest going in the public in
that manner, but Earl Wal sh objected to that, as it would seem
the Landmark Commission was promoting a particular structure.
Don Howard suggested that the application for plaqueing be in the
newspaper, to generate interest. The need for more publicity was
generally agreed upon.
Chairman Fike suggested the commission view a slide presentation
she has seen given by Robert Parker Coffin, an architect from
Barrington. Dorothy Uttich suggested the public be invited to
create interest and publicity.
Due to the absense of Mike Wieser, the commission was unable to
proceed with further plans on the survey form. Mr. Wieser
had agreed to design a form and present it for the commissions
review and approval , but he has not attended any further meetings
since the first one. Chairman Fike will speak with him to see if
he has done anything on that issue. In the meantime, Dorothy
� Uttich and Marya Weber volunteered to meet with Nancy Fike on
Monday July 15 at 1 :00 p.m. to discuss a survey form design.
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The request from Bill Bolger was presented, that the Riverside
Beach Park be renamed as Math Weber Park. This would be in honor
`- of the man who once owned the property and from who�s heirs the
city bought the land originally, in the 1920 "s. Don Howard gave
the background and history of the area, as Math Weber was his
grandfather. Joe Etten made the motion and Dick Rabbitt
seconded, to hav e the Chairman write a letter of recommendation
from the commission to rename the park.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. with Frank Gans making the
motion and Dorothy Uttich 2nd.
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