HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 8/3/1999 - Landmark Commission LANDMARK COMMISSION MEETING
MINUTES*
AUGUST 3. 1999
The meeting was called to order at 7:19 p.m. at the Main Street Station
located at 4005 Main Street, McHenry which is the McHenry Union
Pacific Railroad Depot site. Members present were: Nancy Fike, Richard
Kratochvil, Hank Nell, Patricia Schafer, Gretchen Thomas, Shelly Trost,
and Lori Wilhelm.
Members absent: Greg Lofgren and Robert Novak.
MINUTE APPROVAL
Motion by Nell, seconded by Trost to approve the July 6, 1999 meeting
minutes as presented.
Voting Aye: Fike, Kratochvil, Nell, Schaefer, Thomas, Trost, and
Wilhelm
Voting Nay: None
Absent: Lofgren, Novak
Motion carried.
TREASURER'S REPORT
The Treasurer's Report was presented and reviewed.
Commission Member Fike noted an invoice from Mr. Nelson, historical
preservationist will be forthcoming. Mr. Nelson conducted an evaluation
of the Eppel property house, commonly known as the Apollos Thompson
house, on Wednesday, July 28th.
Motion by Nell, seconded by Thomas to approve the Treasurer's Report
as presented.
Voting Aye: Fike, Kratochvil, Nell, Schaefer, Thomas, Trost, and
Wilhelm
Voting Nay: None
Absent: Lofgren, Novak
Motion carried.
MAIN STREET STATION HISTORY AND TOUR
Commission member Richard Kratochvil presented historical information
on the Main Street Train Depot and conducted an interior tour of the
L facility.
Landmark Commission Minutes -�
August 3, 1999
Page Two
Commission member Kratochvil informed the commission he would be
pursuing formal landmark designation for the depot.
As previously discussed the next few Landmark Commission meetings
will be held at other historical sites found within the corporate limits of
the City of McHenry. The September meeting will be held in the former
Knox family farmhouse located on Green Street across from the McHenry
Municipal Building. The October meeting will be held in Commission
Member Gretchen Thomas' home on Main Street, which is the former
Harrison-Smith home. The November meeting will be held at the Old Mill
located on Crystal Lake Avenue just south of State Route 120.
OLD BUSINESS
It was noted the Commission had conducted a review of the Petersen
Farm property barn renovations and farmhouse window installation, just
prior to this evening's regularly scheduled meeting at 6:45 p.m. The roof
shingle and window installations were approved, however reservations
were expressed regarding gutter installation. Commission Member Nell --**\
noted the gutters were aesthetically pleasing, however appeared to be
inadequate to handle the roof water runoff. He opined the runoff water
will damage the milk barn foundation. A second gutter drop should be
installed. It was the consensus of the commission to table full approval
of the barn renovations until after the fall season. This delay will permit
the commission better analysis and review of the effectiveness of the
current gutter installation.
Motion by Nell, seconded by Kratochvil to approve the Petersen Property
farmhouse window improvements as specified in the submitted
Certificate of Appropriateness application by the City of McHenry dated
and to table final approval of the barn renovations until late fall
permitting better analysis of the effectiveness of the gutter installation.
Voting Aye: Fike, Kratochvil, Lofgren, Nell, Schaefer, Thomas,
Trost and Wilhelm
Voting Nay: None
Absent: Lofgren, Novak
Motion carried.
Landmark Commission Minutes
August 3, 1999 t
Page Two
Commission member Kratochvil informed the commission he would be
pursuing formal landmark designation for the depot.
As previously discussed the next few Landmark Commission meetings
will be held at other historical sites found within the corporate limits of
the City of McHenry. The September meeting will be held in the former
Knox family farmhouse located on Green Street across from the McHenry
Municipal Building. The October meeting will be held in Commission
Member Gretchen Thomas' home on Main Street, which is the former
Harrison-Smith home. The November meeting will be held at the Old Mill
located on Crystal Lake Avenue just south of State Route 120.
OLD BUSINESS
It was noted the Commission had conducted a review of the Petersen
Farm property barn renovations and farmhouse window installation, just
prior to this evening's regularly scheduled meeting at 6:45 p.m. The roof
shingle and window installations were approved, however reservations
were expressed regarding gutter installation. Commission Member Nell
noted the gutters were aesthetically pleasing, however appeared to be
inadequate to handle the roof water runoff. He opined the runoff water
will damage the milk barn foundation. A second gutter drop should be
installed. It was the consensus of the commission to table full approval
of the barn renovations until after the fall season. This delay will permit
the commission better analysis and review of the effectiveness of the
current gutter installation.
Motion by Nell, seconded by Kratochvil to approve the Petersen Property
farmhouse window improvements as specified in the submitted
Certificate of Appropriateness application by the City of McHenry dated
and to table final approval of the barn renovations until late fall
permitting better analysis of the effectiveness of the gutter installation.
Voting Aye: Fike, Kratochvil, Lofgren, Nell, Schaefer, Thomas,
Trost and Wilhelm
Voting Nay: None
Absent: Lofgren, Novak
Motion carried.
Landmark Commission Minutes
`-- August 3, 1999
Page Three
LANDMARK TOURS—It was noted Commission members again
conducted historic walking tours during McHenry's Fiesta Day
Celebration. Citing rainy conditions it was noted Wednesday night tours
were poorly attended, however Saturday tours had groups of fifteen or
more participants.
SURVEY UPDATE—It was noted Commission member Trost was
currently finishing Phase I surveys for the Northeast quadrant of the
city's historical district. Chairperson Lofgren was also completing photo
documentation of these structures.
NEW BUSINESS
EPPEL PROPERTY—Commission member Fike reported Preservationist
Ron Nelson conducted an evaluation of the Apollo Thompson house
(Eppel home) located on West State Route 120, on Wednesday, July 28,
1999. Mr. Nelson verified the 1842 age of this classic revival home
noting the oldest section of the home is that portion being used as the
garage. Mr. Nelson noted the second story of the home was most likely
constructed in the 1930's. Commission member Fike recommended the
oldest section be disassembled and numbered permitting future
reassembly. The historic pieces could be stored on the Petersen Farm
property. She noted the 18'x 22' breezeway roof could be used as a
protective "cover". A written request outlining the suggested
preservation could be drafted and submitted to Mayor Cuda for full
council consideration. Some discussion followed.
Motion by Nell, seconded by Wilhelm to direct Chairperson Lofgren to
draft a letter of recommendation to Mayor Cuda and City Council
requesting consideration of the historic preservation of portions of the
Apollo Thompson located on West State Route 120 house by systematic
numbered disassembly, storing the individual pieces on the Petersen
Farm property for future reassemble and use in local educational
programs.
Voting Aye: Fike, Kratochvil, Nell, Schafer, Thomas, Trost, and
Wilhelm
Voting Nay: None
Absent: Lofgren, Novak
Motion carried.
Landmark Commission Minutes --�
August 3, 1999
Page Four
Further discussion occurred regarding the proposed rezoning of the
property located directly north and west of Landmark School, the former
site of the Owen homestead. Members were encouraged to attend the
Monday night, August 16th meeting.
Motion by Trost, seconded by Kratochvil to adjourn the meeting at 8:30
p.m.
Voting Aye: Fike, Kratochvil, Lofgren, Nell, Schaefer, Thomas,
Trost and Wilhelm
Voting Nay: None
Absent: Lofgren, Novak
Shelly Trost ommission Member
/ms
*NOTE: Due to the meeting's location at a historical site which is currently housing a local restaurant .�
establishment the tape recording documenting this meeting's business was unintelligible. Commission
Member Shelly Trost therefore compiled these minutes through verbal recollection and notes.
` I
Landmark Commission Minutes
August 3, 1999 1
Page Four
Further discussion occurred regarding the proposed rezoning of the
property located directly north and west of Landmark School, the former
site of the Owen homestead. Members were encouraged to attend the
Monday night, August 16th meeting.
Motion by Trost, seconded by Kratochvil to adjourn the meeting at 8:30
p.m.
Voting Aye: Fike, Kratochvil, Lofgren, Nell, Schaefer, Thomas,
Trost and Wilhelm
Voting Nay: None
Absent: Lofgren, Novak
Shelly Trost ommission Member
/ms
*NOTE: Due to the meeting's location at a historical site which is currently housing a local restaurant
establishment the tape recording documenting this meeting's business was unintelligible. Commission
Member Shelly Trost therefore compiled these minutes through verbal recollection and notes.