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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 4/4/2000 - Landmark Commission LANDMARK COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES April 4, 2000 Chairperson Lofgren called the regular meeting of the Landmark Commission to order at 7:15 p.m. Members present were: Nancy Fike, Dawn Johnson, Merle Janssen, Hank Nell, Patricia Schaefer, Gretchen Thomas, and Lori Wilhelm. Members absent: Richard Kratochvil, Robert Novak, Shelly Trost 4 z_ MINUTE APPROVAL Motion by Nell, seconded by Johnson to approve the February 1, 2000 meeting minutes as presented. • Voting Aye: Fike, Janssen, Johnson, Lofgren, Nell, Schafer,, Thomas, and Wilhelm ` Voting Nay: None Absent: Kraochvil, Novak, and Trost Motion carried. TREASURER'S REPORT The Treasurer's Report was presented and reviewed. Chairperson Lofgren noted a balance of$8,818.84. January 2000 expenditures included $129.45 for photos associated with the architectural survey and expenditures for March included $103.30 for identification pins. Motion by Fike, seconded by Wilhelm to place the Treasurer's Report on record. Voting Aye: Fike, Janssen, Johnson, Lofgren, Nell, Schafer, Thomas and Wilhelm Voting Nay: None Absent: Kratochvil, Novak, and Trost Motion carried. OLD BUSINESS Certified City Program- Chairperson Lofgren noted the required Certified City resume forms from all Commission members were recently received. Survey Progress-Chairperson Lofgren distributed the identification pins from Recognitions +. Landmark Commission Minutes `-' April 4, 2000 Page Two Membership Renewals-Chairperson Lofgren noted several membership renewals would be presented, specifically Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, Landmark Preservation Council, Illinois Heritage Association and McHenry County Historical Society. He requested the Commission take formal action and approve the expenditure to renew membership within each of these professional organizations. Motion by Fike, seconded by Thomas to approve the expenditure for membership renewal in the following professional organizations; Illinois Historic Preservation Agency Landmark Preservation Council Illinois Heritage Association and • McHenry County Historical Society. Voting Aye: Fike, Janssen, Johnson, Lofgren, Nell, Schafer, Thomas and Wilhelm Voting Nay: None Absent: Kratochvil, Novak, Trost Motion carried. Dobyn's House/Riverside Drive Demolition Notice-Chairperson Lofgren noted this issue remained as an agenda item from the March meeting where lack of a quorum prohibited any formal Commission action. He noted the demolition was no longer eminent as apparently a new tenant for the property had been acquired. No action was necessary. Knox Property Transfer-Chairperson Lofgren submitted City Administrator Lobaito's letter to the McHenry County Highway Department and Board regarding the transfer of the eight acre Knox property parcel located on Green Street immediately adjacent to the Municipal Building to the City of McHenry to the formal record of the April 4th meeting minutes. He stated the City was actively seeking ownership. Progress Report on Architectural Survey- Progress reports were provided the Commission. Chairperson Lofgren was directed to obtain from Commission member Trost the former survey informational sheets and provide general access to the Architectural Survey Committee Volunteers. This information will assist volunteers match old and new �... survey information. Chairperson Lofgren reported the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency has a book available for $30.00 to assist agency develop and conduct an architectural survey program. After some Landmark Commission Minutes April 4, 2000 Page Three discussion it was the consensus of the commission to forgo purchase of this publication. Chairperson Lofgren suggested a future commission meeting be devoted to survey compilation. Commission Member Fike suggested a Saturday morning be set aside to address the survey's completion. It was the consensus of the commission to meet on Saturday, April 15th to complete the survey in the Main Street Business area. Some discussion followed regarding the importance of completing the survey, specifically in the Main Street area as it relates to the development and formal Council acceptance of a demolition process. • Demolition Request/801 Mill Street-Chairperson Lofgren noted a petition from area residents will be presented to the City objecting to the proposed demolition and multi-family housing development project. Many commission members reported visiting the site. It was noted several additions and remodelings have occurred over the years. Commission member Fike reported Hanley subdivided this area in 1892. The building in question has a rubble foundation, however might be indicative of early twentieth century. The building does not appear on the 1892 abstract. Although the building is a common, vernacular pre- bungalow style structure and doesn't appear to be of historical significance itself, Commission Member Fike noted the property itself was historic as it was owned by prominent McHenry resident A.H. Hanley and depicts one of the earliest known subdivisions within McHenry. This subdivision precedes the Cooney Heights subdivision. Some discussion followed. More information should be sought regarding the historic significance of the property. Motion by Nell, seconded by Johnson not to deny based on the general vernacular style and numerous remodelings of the structure in question the demolition request by Walter Truszkowski for the 801 Mill Street property. Voting Aye: Fike, Janssen, Johnson, Lofgren, Nell, Schafer, Thomas, and Wilhelm Voting Nay: None Absent: Kratochvil, Novak, Trost Motion carried. Landmark Commission Minutes `-- April 4, 2000 Page Four Commission Member Fike noted information was presented at the County Joint Council Of Historic Groups meeting regarding recent actions challenging the legality of demolition ordinances as well as the groups authorized to administer and advise governmental agencies regarding demolition requests and denials. It was the consensus of the commission to obtain this information from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency for the Commission's review. Chairperson Lofgren was directed to obtain copies of Commission Member Wilhelm's letterhead designs for the Commission's consideration. NEW BUSINESS County Joint Council of Historic Groups Report-Chairperson Lofgren requested Commission Member Fike give a brief report on the County Joint Council of Historic Groups meeting . Citing the groups expertise and access to general preservation information, Commission Member Fike urged Commission members to attend future meetings. She noted representatives were there from the City of Crystal Lake, Village of Huntley, City of Algonquin and McHenry County. Chairperson Lofgren requested the Commission defer additional discussion on the Historic Slide Presentation until after Any and All Business. The Commission concurred. ANY AND ALL BUSINESS ► Chairperson Lofgren distributed a demolition request for the old barn/garage located at 3607 Waukegan Road. Some discussion followed. It was the consensus of the commission to obtain additional information from Community Development Director Napolitano regarding ownership and access to the property. Chairperson Lofgren then referenced Director Napolitano's correspondence of March 23, 2000 addressing the Commission's proposed revision of the City's existing demolition process. Some discussion followed regarding the Commission's proposal for a six-month waiting period and the Commission's current progress with the historic architectural survey. Community Development Director Napolitano is suggesting the most effective tool to prevent unwanted demolition of Landmark Commission Minutes `-- April 4, 2000 Page Five historic structures is the recently enacted Preservation Ordinance. The completion of the historic architectural survey is an integral first step in obtaining an historic designation for these structures. Further discussion followed regarding the demolition process. Commission Member Fike suggested the process include language allowing a minimum of two regular monthly meetings of the Landmark Commission as opposed to the current 45-day existing language. It was the consensus of the Commission to require review of the demolition request by the Commission prior to any formal staff and/or council action. The Commission also recommended every member be notified of demolition requests as opposed to only the Commission Chairper,on. It was the consensus of the Commission to inform staff and Council the structure at 3607 Waukegan Road might be of historic significance and the Commission would require additional time to research and evaluate the structure. Commission Member Fike also recommended the Commission develop a procedure for themselves with regard to the review and analysis of demolition requests, specifically in light of the County Joint Council of Historic Groups report. NEW BUSINESS (specifically Historic Slide Show) Historic Slide Presentation- The Commission approved the date of Sunday, April 30th at 2:00 p.m. Some discussion followed as to an appropriate location. The Commission suggested McHenry High School East Campus Auditorium. Some discussion followed. Motion by Johnson, seconded by Wilhelm to approve the use of McHenry High School East Campus, Auditorium, for the April 30th historic slide show at 2:00 p.m. Voting Aye: Fike, Janssen, Johnson, Lofgren, Nell, Schafer, Thomas and Wilhelm Voting Nay: None Absent: Kratochvil, Novak, Thomas Motion carried. Further discussion followed regarding the presentation's format. Landmark Commission Minutes `-- April 4, 2000 Page Six It was the consensus of the Commission to focus on the three distinct business districts and the surrounding residential areas. Invitations should be mailed to area residents encouraging their attendance. Area civic organizations should also be contacted. Commission Member Wilhelm suggested wireless microphones be provided. FIESTA DAY HISTORICAL WALKING TOURS-Chairperson Lofgren reported the Commission has historically provided two tours twice during the Fiesta Day week long festival. One tour covers the Main Street, Waukegan Road area, the other the Riverside Drive and Green Street area. Tours are given on Wednesday in the evening and on Saturday in the morning. Chairperson Lofgren noted a fee may be required fdr an advertisement in the official Fiesta Day Guide. Some discussion followed. Motion by Nell, seconded by Janssen, to authorize the expenditure of monies to pay for an ad advertising the Landmark Commission historic architectural tours on Wednesday and Saturday during the Fiesta Day �-- week-long festival in the month of July. Voting Aye: Fike, Janssen, Johnson, Lofgren, Nell, Schafer, Thomas and Wilhelm Voting Nay: None Absent: Kratochvil, Novak, Trost Motion carried. Chairperson Lofgren offered to conduct the Main Street tours. Commission Member Fike offered to conduct Saturday's Riverside Drive tour and Commission Member Wilhelm offered to conduct Wednesday evening's Riverside Drive tour. ANY AND ALL BUSINESS Commission Fike requested an updated list of Commission Members addresses, phone numbers and term expiration be provided to each member. Chairperson Lofgren also reported a letter had been sent to Commission Member Kratochvil requesting he submit a letter of resignation and/or begin attending meetings more regularly. Landmark Commission Minutes April 4, 2000 Page Seven Some discussion followed regarding membership and the possibility of conducting a membership drive. Citing family demands, Chairperson Lofgren noted the possibility of his resignation. Further discussion followed. Motion by Wilhelm, seconded by Johnson to adjourn the meeting at 8:53 p.m. Voting Aye: Fike, Janssen, Johnson, Lofgren, Schafer, Thomas and Wilhelm Voting Nay: Nell Absent: Kraatochvil, Novak, Trost Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:53 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Greg Lofgren, Chairperson