HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2/5/1991 - Landmark Commission CITY OF MCHENRY LANDMARK COMMISSION
5 February 1991
`, The regular monthly meeting of the City of McHenry Landmark Commission
was called to order at 7 : 35 P.M. Members present were: Marya Dixon,
Donnabelle Doherty, Adele Froelich, Jesse Freund, Susan Goldberg,
Marlene Goetschel , Tom Hopkins , David Mohan, Don Porter, and Lori
Wilhelm; absent were: Frank Gans and Jean Smith. Guests present were :
Barb Gilpin and Jerry Benes .
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved; no financial report.
Tom Hopkins discussed the January 16 meeting with the City Council
Building and Zoning Committee, Don Porter also attended the meeting.
The Committee is willing to consider the entire Demolition Ordinance as
originally proposed, without the reduction in scope previously proposed,
but the approval would probably take much longer; no specific time
period was given. The proposal is being submitted to the City Attorney
for legal comments , and the questionnaires are to be sent out to owners
of plagued houses and other older structures before the Committee will
meet again. The Committee requested that a list of addresses of older
structures be prepared and given to Building and Zoning Administrator
Andy Halik for the interim period as a watch list for demolition.
Donnabelle Doherty will compile the list from the surveys and map.
Tom Hopkins mentioned that the Dobyns House is considering an addition
to the north and that there was a chance that the existing "Blue House"
on that property would have to be moved or demolished. Marya Dixon will
obtain information on the history of the house to determine it ' s
historic value for consideration of a recommendation.
Adele Froelich will prepare publicity for the City Newsletter concerning
the April public program, proposed Demolition Ordinance, and the need
for additional members on the Landmark Commission.
Susan Goldberg announced that she will be moving to Elgin in the near
future, creating an additional vacancy on the Commission.
The Fall Heritage Tour / Country Fair was discussed. Representatives of
civic organizations had been invited to the meeting to discuss possible
assistance, only one organization was represented, no other responses
to the invitation had been received. Because of the amount of work
required to sponsor the Fair and the lack of offers for assistance, a
new direction for the fund raiser was discussed: eliminate the Country
Fair, including sale of booth spaces , car shows , entertainment, etc.
offer demonstrations , slide shows , speakers , etc. The raffle would be
maintained and tickets would be sold to a house walk / tour and admission
to the programs . Organizations could provide food booths at their own
option. The idea was well received. Lori Wilhelm and Don Porter will
meet before the March meeting to work out details and present a proposal
to the Commission. Additional houses and a possible garden are still
needed for the tour; better publicity will be needed.
No applications have been received to date for the Facade Improvement
Grant. If applications are not received, the Commission will consider
using the funds raised to sponsor speakers and demonstrations through-
out the year.
City of McHenry Landmark Commission
5 February 1991 page 2
`.. Barb Gilpin attended her first meeting of the Landmark Commission to
act as a liason between the Commission, City Council and other City
Commissions and Committes ; she stated that she will attempt to attend
all meetings . Barb distributed copies of the enabling Ordinance for
the Commission, so that all members would have copies . She stated that
her interpretation of the powers and duties of the Commission are just
as stated in the Ordinance, and that the Commission can use that
description to determine it ' s intended purpose.
The Commission decided not to invite the Mayor and other members of the
City Council and City Commissions to the March meeting to discuss the
duties and powers as the Commission was beginning to find direction
on it ' s own.
Per Mayor Busse, the Chairmanship of the Commission is an appointed
position by the Mayor, but he would most likely accept the recommendation
of the Commission. Appointments are made by the Mayor in April to
begin service in May.
The quilt for the fall raffle is being diligently worked on by Mary Lou
Schaeffer and Marlene Goetschel . They will complete assembly soon and
forward it to Donnabelle Doherty for the quilting. The quilt should
be finished in late spring to start the raffle earlier this year.
The meeting was adjourned at 8 : 45 P.M.
`.. Respectfully submitted,
- 4/1h.
Tom Hopkins
Secretary