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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 11/2/1999 - Landmark Commission LANDMARK COMMISSION MEETING `.- MINUTES NOVEMBER 2. 1999 The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Greg Lofgren, at the Hanley Brick Mill located at 4103 Crystal Lake Avenue, McHenry at 7:25 p.m. Members present were: Nancy Fike, Merle Janssen, Dawn Johnson, Hank Nell, Robert Novak, Patricia Schafer, Gretchen Thomas, and Shelly Trost, Lori Wilhelm. Members absent: Richard Kratochvil Chairperson Lofgren deferred the regular business meeting to permit host, J.L. Althoff, the opportunity to make a brief presentation on the building's history as well as it's restoration. The regular business meeting was called to order at 8:15 p.m. Chairperson Lofgren introduced new commission members Dawn Johnson and Merle Janssen. MINUTE APPROVAL Motion by Nell, seconded by Fike to approve the September 7, 1999 \.. meeting minutes as presented. Voting Aye: Fike, Janssen, Johnson, Lofgren, Nell, Novak, Schaefer, Thomas, Trost and Wilhelm Voting Nay: None Absent: Kraochvil Motion carried. TREASURER'S REPORT The Treasurer's Report was presented and reviewed. Commission Member Fike noted Mr. Nelson's name was Ron, not Ken as depicted on the Treasurer's Report. Chairperson Lofgren noted the correction. He reported a monthly income figure of$19.00 for the sale of Sesquicentennial Brochures. Motion by Fike, seconded by Trost to approve the Treasurer's Report as presented. Voting Aye: Fike, Janssen, Johnson, Lofgren, Nell, Novak, Schaefer, Thomas, Trost and Wilhelm Voting Nay: None Absent: Kratochvil Motion carried. Landmark Commission Minutes November 2, 1999 Page Two DEMOLITION PROCESS Chairperson Lofgren introduced Community Development Director Napolitano noting as per council direction at the September 22, 1999 regularly scheduled council meeting the Commission was directed to work with the Community Development Department and develop a mutually agreeable demolition permitting process. Currently, the Community Development Department sends a letter to the Landmark Commission upon receipt of a demolition permit, requesting the Commission review the property for historical significance. The Commission investigates the property and provided the Community Development Department with a written recommendation and historical documentation. The Commission's findings are only advisory and, if the property has not been plagued as an historic structure, the demolition permit can not be denied. Some discussion followed regarding the recent demolition process of properties located at 2804 and 2806 Route 120. The Commission expressed interest in attempting to salvage some of these properties or at a minimum some of the architectural features of the properties. Further discussion followed regarding the availability of purchasing the property to refurbish/rehab and sell. New owners would be required to sign established preservation covenants regarding structure alterations, repairs and replacement. The Commission also considered the availability of auctioning the property for sale with the same preservation restrictions. Community Development Director Napolitano also noted once the historic architectural survey is completed, the Landmark Commission could begin to contact affected property owners. Commission Member Fike requested the Commission be notified as early as possible regarding new development and property purchases. She also noted an earlier survey completed approximately ten years ago could be used as a baseline identification tool until the current survey is completed. Historic districts could be identified and designated. In response to Commission Nell's inquiry regarding extending the demolition permitting process, Community Development Director Napolitano suggested a maximum period of six months. Further discussion followed. Landmark Commission Minutes \.r November 2, 1999 Page Three Chairperson Lofgren suggested a two-pronged approach. He recommended using the original survey to begin identifying the historic areas and develop a procedure for historic designation of properties not located within these designated areas, but that qualify under other criteria. Further discussion followed regarding the availability of grant programs, which encourage facade renovations. The Commission posed several questions to Director Napolitano regarding pending developments. In response to their inquiry Director Napolitano reported the Walgreens project, to be located on the southwest corner of Route 120 and Route 31 was going forward. Chairperson Lofgren agreed to provide a copy of the Commission's correspondence to the Mayor and City Council in the December agenda packet. In response to their inquiry regarding the Owen's property adjacent to Landmark School Director Naplitano noted the current owners are proposing a three-story apartment building on the 1.2-acre lot. Elementary School District #15 has withdrawn their objection to the project subject to four conditions. The conditions include installation of driveway speed bumps, landscaping brick wall, construction fencing and notification of sex offenders. Discussion followed regarding the Commission's attendance at the next City Council meeting to formally object to the proposed development. It was the consensus of the Commission members the project was inappropriate in this established historic neighborhood. Director Napolitano noted developments of this nature are generally recommended in downtown areas to facilitate more retail development. It was the consensus of the commission Chairperson Lofgren would attend the meeting to represent the Landmark Commission. The Commission agreed to meet Saturday morning, November 6th at 7:30 a.m. to conduct the historic survey of the 2804 and 2806 properties. The Commission requested Director Napolitano to provide information regarding the Main Street and Certified Local Government programs for review at the December meeting. Landmark Commission Minutes ' ,, November 2, 1999 Page Four In response to the Commission's inquiry Director Napolitano reported the Petersen Barn soffet is being addressed by Building Commissioner Ryan Schwalenburg. It was the consensus of the Commission to direct Chairperson Lofgren to work with Community Development Director Napolitano to develop a draft demolition permitting policy for full Commission review. Director Napolitano left the meeting at 8:15 p.m. OLD BUSINESS EPPEL PROPERTY—Nancy Fike reported she had made contact with Allan Miller and the Eppel property dismantling has been rescheduled until after the Thanksgiving holiday. Mr. Miller will provide two or three __- additional crew members in addition to the personnel Commission member Fike has scheduled to help with the dismantling. HISTORIC ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY—Chairperson Lofgren noted he had spoken with photographer Don Peasley regarding the establishment of a pictorial archive to compliment the architectural survey. Mr. Peasley suggested black and white photos be utilized noting some deterioration problems with digital photographs. Commission Member Fike also recommended, to facilitate the survey's completion, panoramic pictures be taken and used to complete the architectural features portion of the survey. She opined the Riverside Drive, Green and Main Street areas could be completed in this fashion. Some discussion followed regarding the prioritizing of areas. It was the consensus of the Commission to complete Main Street to Green Street, Riverside Drive to the City limits, Waukegan Road and Richmond Road. Motion by Fike, seconded by Wilhelm to prioritize the completion of the Landmark Commission's historical architectural survey in the following areas: West McHenry Business District on Main Street from Crystal Lake Avenue east to Green Street Waukegan Street from Green Street west to Front Street (Route 31) Green Street from Waukegan south to John Street Landmark Commission Minutes November 2, 1999 Page Five John Street from Green Street west to Front Street (Route 31) And all cross streets within these designated areas, Voting Aye: Fike, Janssen, Johnson, Lofgren, Nell, Novak, Schaefer, Thomas, Trost and Wilhelm Voting Nay: None Absent: Kraochvil Motion carried. NEW BUSINESS ILLINOIS HISTORIC PRESERVATION CONFERENCE- Chairperson Lofgren informed the commission he would submit a formal written report on the conference. MCHENRY COUNTY JOINT COUNCIL OF HISTORIC GROUPS- Commission Member Fike reported a joint council meeting of all the McHenry County Historic entities took place on September 29th at 7:30 p.m. in Woodstock. She informed the Commission the meeting was very well attended and the guest speaker was Marianne Taranowski, the McHenry County Community Development Block Grant coordinator. Ms. Taranowski informed attendees of available monies for preservation projects, however it was a low priority in comparison to other types of projects. Ms. Taranowski suggested the historic groups submit their projects into other categories for consideration. A detailed explanation of how to develop and submit the application so that historic projects might be considered in other grant categories. Ms. Taranowski commended the groups for their efforts and success in creating awareness of the importance of historic preservation. Some discussion followed. It was the consensus of the commission to submit to the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency the City of McHenry's Most Endangered Historic Landmarks/Structures as developed by the Commission last year. DEMOLITION NOTICE-Chairperson Lofgren noted the Commission had received a demolition notification from the Community Development Department for the structure located at 3820 Miller Road. Commission Fike noted the structure was originally built in 1940 as a private home. Landmark Commission Minutes November 2, 1999 Page Six It was converted to a nursing home facility in 1952 or 1953 entitled Bisbees Shangri-La. In 1963 the buildings use was converted to a Sheltered Care Facility and most recently the building has housed two apartment units. E. Knox originally purchased the property in 1819. Records indicate by 1872 the property was owned by Michael Doherty. Although the building has not been significantly altered it was the consensus of the committee the structure has no architectural significance. Motion by Wilhelm, seconded by Trost, to direct Chairperson Lofgren to draft and submit a letter to the McHenry City Council stating as the structure located at 3820 Miller Road is not architectural significant the Commission recommends not to deny the demolition permit for this structure. Voting Aye: Fike, Janssen, Johnson, Lofgren, Novak, Schaefer, Thomas, Trost and Wilhelm Voting Nay: Nell Absent: Kratochvil Motion carried. • NEWLETTER-Chairperson Lofgren informed the Commission he would be submitting the following items for the City newsletter: Eppel property dismantling Facade Grant Program Architectural Survey Recap of the Historic Architectural Walks FUTURE MEETING SCHEDULE- Chairperson Lofgren noted the monthly meetings of the Landmark Commission will now return to the Municipal Building. Offsite meetings at historical City of McHenry locations will resume in the summer. ANY AND ALL BUSINESS Chairperson Lofgren requested Commission approval to release funds to pay for the purchase of Algonquin's historical calendar. Landmark Commission Minutes November 2, 1999 Page Seven Motion by Schafer, seconded by Janssen to approve the release of Landmark Commission monies to pay Don Purn for the purchase of Algonquin's historical calendar in an amount not to exceed $8.00. Voting Aye: Fike, Janssen, Johnson, Lofgren, Nell, Novak, Schafer, Thomas, Trost and Wilhelm Voting Nay: None Absent: Kraochvil Motion carried. Chairperson Lofgren also requested action on continuing the Commission's membership in the Landmark Preservation Council of Illinois. He noted the $80.00 annual membership fee also afforded the Commission membership in the Illinois Preservation Agency. Motion by Fike, seconded by Janssen, to approve the renewal of the Commission's annual membership in both the Landmark Preservation Council of Illinois and the Illinois Preservation Agency in an amount not to exceed $80.00. Voting Aye: Fike, Janssen, Johnson, Lofgren, Nell, Novak, Schafer, Thomas, Trost and Wilhelm Voting Nay: None Absent: Kraochvil Motion carried. DEMOLITION NOTIFICATION-Chairperson Lofgren noted the Commission had been recently notified of a demolition request for the structure located at 3610 Freund Avenue. Further information would be provided for discussion and determination at the December 7th meeting. CHAIRPERSON REPORT-Chairperson Lofgren reported he had attended a meeting with City Administrator Lobaito and Mayor Cuda on October 12th. Mayor Cuda suggested the Commission develop budget requests for inclusion in the 2000-2001 City of McHenry budget. Chairperson Lofgren recommended the Commission consider financial needs for reassembling the Eppel house and additional monies for the Facade Improvement Grant program. Some discussion followed regarding `-- completion of the historic architectural survey and the availability of hiring personnel to complete the project. It was the consensus of the Landmark Commission Minutes November 2, 1999 Page Eight committee to forgo this option in light of the decision to utilize the existing architectural survey to facilitate the development of a demolition permitting process and designation of historic districts and structures. After some discussion it was the consensus of the Commission to direct Chairperson Lofgren draft a letter to the Mayor and McHenry City Council requesting efforts be initiated to obtain the Knox-Busch house and barn currently owned by McHenry County and located across the street from the McHenry Municipal Building. Motion by Nell, seconded by Fike, to direct Chairperson Lofgren send a letter to the Mayor and McHenry City Council requesting efforts be initiated to obtain the Knox-Busch home and barn located across the street from the Municipal Building from the McHenry County Board. Voting Aye: Fike, Janssen, Johnson, Lofgren, Nell, Novak, Schafer, Thomas, Trost and Wilhelm Voting Nay: None Absent: Kraochvil Motion carried. Motion by Trost, seconded by Janssen to adjourn the meeting at 9:20 p.m. Voting Aye: Fike, Janssen, Johnson, Lofgren, Nell, Novak, Schafer, Thomas, Trost and Wilhelm Voting Nay: None Absent: Kraochvil Chairperson Lofgren