Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 9/7/1999 - Landmark Commission LANDMARK COMMISSION MEETING �-- MINUTES SEPTEMBER 7. 1999 The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Greg Lofgren, at the Knox Farmstead home located at 300 S. Green Street, ,McHenry at 7:26 p.m. Members present were: Nancy Fike, Hank Nell, Robert Novak, Patricia Schafer, Gretchen Thomas, and Shelly Trost. Members absent: Merle Janssen, Richard Kratochvil, and Lori Wilhelm. MINUTE APPROVAL Motion by Fike, seconded by Schaefer to approve the August 3, 1999 meeting minutes as presented. Voting Aye: Fike, Lofgren, Nell, Novak, Schaefer, Thomas, and Trost Voting Nay: None Absent: Janssen, Kraochvil and Wilhelm Motion carried. TREASURER'S REPORT The Treasurer's Report was presented and reviewed. Chairperson Lofgren noted the addition of the $3,500 annual budget amount. It was also noted the $326.16 should be attributed to RON Nelson. The current balance stands at $9,998.39. Motion by Trost, seconded by Schaefer to approve the Treasurer's Report as presented. f Voting Aye: Fike, Lofgren, Nell, Novak, Schaefer, Thomas, and Trost Voting Nay: None Absent: Janssen, Kratochvil and Wilhelm Motion carried. KNOX HOME TOUR A tour of the structure was conducted. Chairperson Lofgren presented the structure's history noting the remaining original interior and exterior features. Landmark Commission Minutes �-- September 7, 1999 Page Two It was the consensus of the committee to contact City officials and request the commission be notified of any future plans relating to this structure. It was noted the current property owner is still McHenry County. Some discussion followed regarding the possibility of selling the structure and earmarking the revenues for facade improvement grants or other renovation projects. Chairperson Lofgren suggested, if the structure were sold, a stipulation requiring the owner maintain the structure's historic architectural features be instituted. Some discussion followed. OLD BUSINESS CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS FOLLOWUP/PETERSEN BARN Chairperson Lofgren reported Commission Member Nell inspected the Petersen Barn with City of McHenry Inspector Schwalenberg. Commission Member Nell reported the window and roof shingle installations were approved. The recommended second gutter drop has not been installed. Life tenant and former property owner, Robert Petersen is requesting only one gutter drop be permitted, although Mr. `-- Petersen originally had agreed to two gutter drops at each end of the barn. Agreement was reached with Mr. Schwalenberg to repair the soffit missing on the east face of the barn and to affix the loose flashing appropriately. Some discussion followed. Chairperson Lofgren suggested if a second gutter drop is not to be installed the commission monitor potential foundation and structure deterioration. Commission Member Nell noted monies have been budgeted for continued barn maintenance. Some discussion followed regarding the discrepancy between the Commission's Certificate of Appropriateness and the final structural repairs. Chairperson Lofgren noted final approval is in the hands of the City Council. Further discussion followed. EPPEL PROPERTY-Commission Member Fike reported she had written a letter to Allen Miller regarding the findings of Preservationist Ron Nelson's report. Mr. Miller has been asked to provide the Commission with the scheduled date of the property burn. No information has been provided thus far. Commission Member Fike also reported she had been in contact with Parks and Recreation Department Director Merkel regarding the possible storage of salvaged Eppel property architecluural Landmark Commission Minutes �-- September 7, 1999 Page Three features in the Petersen Farm Barn. Director Merkel has not yet responded. Chairperson Lofgren noted he would be appearing before the full City Council on Wednesday, September 22nd regarding the demolition notification process and the Eppel property salvage project. SURVEY UPDATE-Chairperson Lofgren reported he has begun photographing, digitally, the historic structures located within the Phase I survey area. He will be developing both a computer and paper file of these properties. Chairperson Lofgren also noted he would eventually be trained to use the digital camera software. He noted several surveys have been completed. He requested the commission discuss and determine the next step in the historic survey compilation. Some discussion followed. Chairperson Lofgren noted a historical report must be developed for each structure. Commission member Fike suggested work continue on Phase I while work begins on Phase II. Completing work on Phase I before initiating Phase II would be counter productive. It was suggested local architect Tom Hopkins be contacted. Mr. Hopkins might be willing to compile the architectural features of each structure from the completed files or assist with the Phase II surveys. Some discussion occurred regarding the historical summary of each structure. It was the suggestion of the commission to determine, at a minimum, those structures constructed by the area's primary builders. Further discussion occurred regarding the desirability and feasibility of designating historic districts as opposed to structures. Chairperson Lofgren recommended the creation of a historic survey subcommittee to continue the survey's momentum. He noted digital photos needed to be taken of Riverside Drive to Richmond Street structures from Elm Street to Washington Street. Chairperson Lofgren reported he had completed Washington Street. In addition completed structure photographs must be matched and attached to the corresponding structure survey. Someone also must review the survey information and formulate historic summaries. All surveys must include the corresponding Property Tax Index number. Commission Member Fike noted historic information can be obtained �-' from old McHenry Plaindealer issues. Some histories have been Landmark Commission Minutes `-- September 7, 1999 Page Three completed and are available in the Landmark Commission files at the Municipal Building. Some discussion followed regarding the possibility of purchasing a digital camera for the Landmark Commission. NEW BUSINESS ILLINOIS HISTORIC PRESERVATION CONFERENCE-The conference is from Thursday, September 23rd through Saturday Setember 25th in Springfield, Illlinois. Chairperson Lofgren is registered to attend. McHENRY COUNTY JOINT COUNCIL HISTORIC GROUPS MEETING-The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 29th at Home State Bank in Woodstock at 7:30 p.m. Commission member Fike requested members of Landmark's Commission attend. She noted the speaker is McHenry County's coordinator of the Community Development Block Grant Committee, which allocates federal monies for low-income housing. Ms. Fike informed the commission CDB grant applications can `-- be written in such a manner that historic preservation elements and projects can be considered. DEMOLITION NOTICE/AMLINGS FLOWERLAND and 3820 Bull Valley— The 3820 Bull Valley Road structure is the building located directly east of the Route 31 McDonalds. The Commission noted this was the former Shangri-La building. Chairperson Lofgren directed Commission member Fike to develop the historical documentation for the former Shangri-La building. In response to Chairperson Lofgren's request, Commission Member Robert Novak agreed to complete the historical documentation for the Amling's building. FUTURE MEETING SITES-Chairperson Lofgren reported the October 5th meeting will be held at Commission Member Gretchen Thomas' home located on Main Street which is the former Harrison-Smith home. The November 2nd meeting will be held at Althoff Associates offices located on Crystal Lake Road at Main Street which is the former Hanley Mill site. OWEN PROPERTY—Chairperson Lofgren noted this discussion would encompass both the Owen property on Fourth Street and the Adams property at 2804 W. Route 120, the former Kennebeck property. He noted both property owners have appeared before the City's Zoning. dm�'k C°inmission Minutes September 7, 1999 �. �, requesting zoning Page Four st 16 owner is seeking specifically on Augu estead Property eats, ct a 24-unit Board of App The former Owen hom to constru owner is seeking multifamily residential reclassification. structures. a RM-1 low-density e former Kennebeck property lex and the existing The property apartment complex demolishing had been to C-5 ht demolishing was not immiunent. •down rezoning a fire training At that time it was thought however, ren informed the Zoning owner informedChairperson Mfg reclassification ro ernes. the zoning scheduled for both properties. P Development Director the Commission found no Comm 1 ' the demolition Boardthe changeln request. He did howevconc rn regarding for documentation Napolitano expressing requesting access to the property timeframe and purposes prior to the scheduled fire training. received p dmaxk School The Owen homestead located adjacent to Lan multifamily zoning reclassification. approval el son a o fgre did address the Zoning Board stating the property is Chairperson Lofgren considere d to be of historic significance and the Co s being ssio ddid not in support a trend toward large commercial exis in the area, they can all yet be rental`,, this area. Although otherduplexes converted to single family homes. Full oun cons der theat the Ozotober 13th regularly scheduled council meeting Lofgren stated his intent reclassification for this property. Chairpersongr to attend this meeting and extended an invitation School Districtmi#15 sion Members to attend. He noted Elementary opposes the development of a large commercial rental structure. Some discussion followed. I Chairperson Lofgren noted in responseregarding be invited and Eppel properties Council requested h to attend the September 22nd regularly scheduled council meeting to discuss the demolition notification process and possible Landmark Commission involvement in potential relocations of historic structures. Further discussion followed regarding council presentation content. CDiscussion continued regarding pursuing the completion of the historic architectural surveys. A second training session will be scheduled. Discussion regarding possible usage of the Petersen Farm property to relocate historic structures was considered. Further discussion occurred regarding the use of the Knox farmhouse on Green Street and theii Landmark Commission Minutes September 7, 1999 Page Five of the City's Comprehensive Plan. Chairperson Lofgren also attended the meeting hosted by the Human Relations Commission regarding meeting procedure and conduct. He noted City Planner Phil Maggio did a nice job. The Commission scheduled a tentative date of Saturday, September 11th at 8:00 a.m. to view and document the Kennebeck home. Commission Member Fike presented additional historic information regarding the Buss Ford building located on Main Street. Prior to Buss Ford Joe Gausden's relatives owned the building and operated a candy distribution company. She will continue her research. Motion by Nell, seconded by Trost to adjourn the meeting at 9:17 p.m. Voting Aye: Fike, Lofgren, Nell, Novak, Schaefer, Thomas, and Trost Voting Nay: None Absent: Janssen, Kraochvil and Wilhelm The meeting was adjourned at 9:17 p.m. Greg Lofgren, Chairperson r �