HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 12/5/1989 - Landmark Commission CITY OF MCHENRY LANDMARK COMMISSION
5 December 1989
The regular monthly meeting of the City of McHenry Landmark Commission
was called to order at 7 : 30 P.M. Members present were: Nancy Fike,
Tom Hopkins , Hank Nell, Marya Dixon, Lori Wilhelm, Adele Froelich,
Jessie Freund, Frank Gans , Donna Belle Doherty, Marlene Goetschel ,
and Don Porter; David Mohan was absent. One position remains open on
the Commission.
The following guests attended the meeting: Jean Smith, Anton Rebel ,
Susan Goldberg, and Mayor Busse.
Mayor Busse attended the meeting to discuss the status of the Owen
House and the plaque approved by the Commission at the November meeting.
The Owner of the property still cannot be determined as the property is
still held in a Land Trust. The City has forwarded notifications of
zoning violations to the Trust with no response received. Additional
neglect of the property could result in total deterioration of the
house, which appears to be the Owner ' s intent. Condemnation by the City
would be a time consuming process to obtain control , and time would
only further destroy the house, so this would be a last resort. Nancy
and the Mayor agreed to co-author a letter to the Trust requesting
information on ownership and intentions for development of the property,
as well as stating the historical significance.
The Mayor has delayed City Council action on the Owen House plaque
application as it would not offer any protection; the Commission agreed
that was appropriate at this time.
�... The Mayor stated that the Downtown Revitalization Plan was being
revised to eliminate multi-family housing on Waukegan Road in response
to the public meeting, but that no historic district will be included.
This will be incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan, with the map
being general , and the text more specific.
The Facade Improvement Grant program has received no applications .
Nancy has sent letters to Dick Rabbitt and Mary Lou Schaeffer thanking
them for their service on the Landmark Commission.
Tom Hopkins distributed a draft of a letter to the Mayor and City
Council concerning recommendations for a Demolition Ordinance.
Discussion of the draft followed, with established mandatory waiting
periods and basing the ordinace on established districts being the most
important changes . A motion was made by Hank Nell , seconded by Marlene
Goetschel for Tom to make the revisions , be more specific on requirements
and re-write the letter to send to the Mayor and City Council .
The Commision discussed early plans for next year ' s Farmer' s Market and
Heritaae Tour. It was determined to focus on the original intent of a
Farmer ' s Market and eliminate crafts . The Committee will meet again
in January to outline events and formulate sub-committees .
The Woodstock Environmental Enhancement Committee has requested a copy
of our plaguing procedures and application to assist them in updating
their procedure. Nancy will forward the information to them.
City of McHenry Landmark Commission, 5 December. 1989 page 2
The regular February meeting of the Landmark Commission will include
�_. a slide program of historic houses on the Fox River. This program will
be publicized to encourage public attendance.
Nancy requested that members search their files for clippings on the
Landmark Commission to prepare a scrapbook on our history. These are
to be given to Adele. A motion was made by Tom Hopkins , seconded by
Adele Froelich to purchase an Archive Book for approximately $50 to
be used for this , and was approved.
The meeting was adjourned at 9 : 10 P.M. for the members to enjoy the
annual cookies and punch afterwards.
Respectfully Submitted,
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Tom Hopkins
Secretary