HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 4/5/1988 - Landmark Commission MINUTES OF THE CITY OF MCHENRY LANDMARK COMMISSION
5 April 1988
The monthly meeting of the City of McHenry Landmark Commission was
called to order at 7 : 32 P.M. Members present were: Nancy Fike,
Adele Froelich, Frank Gans , Tom Hopkins, Don Howard, Jesse Freund,
Dick Rabbitt, Dorothy Uttich, Mary Vycital , Marya Weber, Loretta
Wilhelm, and Elizabeth Serritella. Absent was Mary Lou Schaeffer.
Guests Dennis and Jessica Smith were welcomed.
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved. Treasurer ' s
report indicated no change. Total expenditures for date for the
fiscal year are $1 , 900 . 72 .
Two plaque applications were received: one from Dennis & Jessica
Smith for their home at 3712 W. Main Street, and one from Greg Dierkes
for the Whale ' s Tail Restaurant (McHenry Brewery) at 3425 W. Pearl St.
The Smiths briefly discussed the history of their house and submitted
property transfer records dating to 1858 . A tour of their house by
the Commission was scheduled for Tuesday, April 19, at 7 : 00 P.M.
Voting will take place at next month' s meeting. The Whale ' s Tail
application was submitted without any documentation and no representative
was at the meeting, therefore the application was shelved until a
future meeting. Nancy will contact the Owner to provide more
documentation and urge attendance at a meeting of the Commission.
Progress is being made on the distribution of letters to potential
plaque sites .
Nancy suggested that the plaque voting procedure be reviewed. Members
of the commission are to review the current format and offer suggestions
for changes ( if any) at the next meeting.
Research on the Green Street business histories is progressing. Don
Howard contributed additional valuable information to what has already
been gathered by other members . The members are to complete the
research on their assigned properties and have the information ready
to be turned in to Nancy at the next meeting.
Nancy read a letter that she had drafted to the McHenry Public Library
Board concerning their plans to expand or re-locate. The letter
urges the Board to consider staying in the same location and to notify
the Landmark Commission of their plans . Dorothy related that the
current design and site is not very workable and does not have
sufficient parking. Revisions to the draft letter were discussed.
A motion was made by Adele and seconded by Marya to revise the letter
to add a provision urging the board to place restrictions or covenants
on the sale requiring preservation, if the library does relocate.
The motion was passed.
Commission members terms which are up for renewal next month:
Tom Hopkins, Don Howard, Dick Rabbitt, and Dorothy Uttich. Tom, Dick
and Dorothy will stay for another term, Don is not yet sure as he has
numerous other commitments . He will notify Nancy of his decision.
City of McHenry Landmark Commission, 5 April 1988 page 2
The Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the City and the Economic
Development Commission has formed a Downtown Revitalization Committee.
Tom Hopkins and Nancy Fike of the Landmark Commission have been named
to serve on that Committee. The first meeting was held on March 24 .
The Committee will be acting as an organizing body and clearinghouse
for proposed revitalization of the downtown areas . A survey will be
distributed to each of the 3 districts (Riverside Drive, Green Street,
and West Main Street) in the next month, followed by public meetings
with Owners , Retailers and Tenants in each of the three areas to
discuss what can and will be done and to encourage participation by
as many as possible. The City will be contributing to the efforts
with the proposed "Streetscape" plans and addition of public parking
areas . Other members of the Committee include representatives of the
City governments , and business community for a total of 13 members .
Nancy and Tom will keep the Landmark Commission aware of the ongoing
efforts of the Downtown Revitalization.
The meeting was adjourned at 8 : 47 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
"--4,01 144k)
Tom Hopkins
Secretary