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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 6/6/2000 - Landmark Commission LANDMARK COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES June 6, 2000 Chairperson Lofgren called the regular meeting of the Landmark Commission to order at 7:20 p.m. Members present were: Merle Janssen, Patricia Schaefer, Gretchen Thomas, and Lori Wilhelm. Commission Member Nell arrived at 7:49p.m. Members absent: Dawn Johnson, Shelly Trost Chairperson Lofgren introduced guests Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Popovich who were in attendance to address the demolition of the residence located at 3416 W. Elm Street. Chairperson Lofgren noted no architectural significance, however attempts to obtain historical information have been unsuccessful to date. Group conjecture opined the residence was constructed in the 1920's. Chairperson Lofgren then explained the demolition procedure to Mr. and Mrs. Popovich. Further discussion followed regarding the current structural condition of the subject property. Mr. and Mrs. Popovich were excused at 7:35 p.m. MINUTE APPROVAL Motion by Wilhelm, seconded by Janssen to approve the May 2, 2000 meeting minutes as presented. Voting Aye: Janssen, Lofgren, Schafer, Thomas, and Wilhelm Voting Nay: None Absent: Johnson, Nell, and Trost Motion carried. TREASURER'S REPORT The Treasurer's Report was presented and reviewed. Chairperson Lofgren noted a balance of$8,693.37. May 2000 expenditures include $23.74 for refreshments served during the historical slide show on Sunday, April 30th. Motion by Wilhelm, seconded by Janssen to place the Treasurer's Report on record. Voting Aye: Janssen, Lofgren, Schafer, Thomas and Wilhelm Voting Nay: None Absent: Johnson, Nell, and Trost Motion carried. Landmark Commission Minutes June 6, 2000 Page Two Chairperson Lofgren referenced the revised membership list requesting any changes be noted and reported to the City Clerk's Office for correction. OLD BUSINESS SURVEY PROGRESS—Chairperson Lofgren reported Commission Members surveyed all of Riverside Drive on Saturday, May 20th. The August meeting will be devoted to completing the histories for the individual properties located in this area. Former Commission Member Fike is completing the histories for the Main Street properties. When all the histories have been completed, a recommendation for historic designation will be presented to council for consideration. Chairperson Lofgren also noted the next survey outing is scheduled for Saturday, June 17th. Everyone is to meet at Commission Member Thomas' home at 3616 Main Street at 8:00 a.m. DEMOLITION REQUEST/3607 Waukegan Rd - Chairperson Lofgren noted this demolition request pertained to the barn/garage structure located at 3607 Waukegan facing Main Street. Chairperson Lofgren took videotape of the structure and conducted a video-interview with Bruce Klontz. He stated the structure existed when he moved into the area in 1923. He believes it originally was a two-story structure, utilized as a barn and was owned by a gentleman named Clay. The second story was removed at a later date. Chairperson Lofgren suggested the current owner consider moving this structure to another location on the property. The structure should be renovated as well. The property owner would like to demolish the existing structure and construct a new two-car garage for the residence located to the east. City of McHenry staff will not approve the disconnection of this parcel from the lot to the north. Commission Member Nell arrived at 7:49 p.m. Some discussion followed. Chairperson Lofgren suggested the Commission direct Community Development Director Napolitano contact the current owner and discern his willingness to move and restore the existing garage/barn structure. He noted if the structure remains in it's current location, repair may be cost prohibitive. Commission Members also noted the existing structure, if not renovated or maintained, remains an eyesore and is aesthetically unappealing to the neighborhood. Landmark Commission Minutes June 6, 2000 Page Three It was the consensus of the Commission to direct Community Development Director Napolitano to talk to Mr. Klontz and discern his interest in moving and renovating the structure. If Mr. Klontz is unwilling to make these concessions, the Commission will not deny his request for demolition. Chairperson Lofgren also noted Mr. Klontz verbally offered the structure to the Landmark Commission. Further discussion followed on potential uses for this structure. DEMOLITION REQUEST FOR 2107 RICHMOND ROAD/LEISURE LINKS and 2212 RICHMOND ROAD/NURSERY Chairperson Lofgren referenced the demolition requests for the Route 31 properties, Leisure Links and the Nursery. He informed the commission he had visited both properties and found neither significant architectural features nor historical value. Some discussion followed regarding the proposed future use of this property. Motion by Nell, seconded by Thomas, to not deny the demolition requests of both the 2107 and 2212 Richmond Road properties. Voting Aye: Janssen, Lofgren, Nell, Schafer, Thomas and Wilhelm Voting Nay: None Absent: Johnson and Trost Motion carried. POPOVICH DEMOLITION REQUEST for 3416 ELM STREET—Noting Commision Member Nell's presence, Chairperson Lofgren requested Commission approval to readdress the Popovich property. Commission Members concurred. In response to Commission Member Nell's inquiry, Chairperson Lofgren noted once the demolition is completed, the property owners intend to construct a new office building on the site. Chairperson Lofgren recollected in 1972 the structure was a residence, and in the early 1980's housed an office. Some discussion followed. Commission Members noted the interior has been gutted. Landmark Commission Minutes June 6, 2000 Page Four Motion by Nell, seconded by Wilhelm not to deny the demolition request of Mr. and Mrs. Popovich for 3416 W. Elm Street. Voting Aye: Janssen, Lofgren, Nell, Schafer, Thomas and Wilhelm Voting Nay: None Absent: None Motion carried. DEMOLITION REQUEST/Brown residence located immediately West of Montini on Washington Street—Commission Member Trost informed Chairperson Lofgren this structure was moved from another location, perhaps Route 120, in 1974 or 1975. The structure has no architectural or aesthetic significance and no apparent historical value. Motion by Nell, seconded by Wilhelm, not to deny the demolition request for the brown residence located immediately west of Montini School on Washington Street. Voting Aye: Janssen, Lofgren, Nell, Schafer, Thomas and Wilhelm Voting Nay: None Absent: None Motion carried. DEMOLITION PROCEDURE/CITY RESPONSE-Chairperson Lofgren reported several conversations with Community Development Director Napolitano indicated city staff is still working on the demolition process. Community Development Director Napolitano suggested the Commission continue working to complete the architectural surveys to obtain historic designation. FIESTA DAYS—Chairperson Lofgren finalized the historic walking tour dates of Wednesday, July 19th and Saturday July 15th. Further discussion followed regarding times, tour guides, tour information and handouts. PETERSEN PARK HOMESTEAD ROOF—Chairperson Lofgren visited the site as per Commission direction at the May 2, 2000 meeting. He noted the two rooflines do not, in fact, meet. City of McHenry Building Commissioner Schwalenberg opined only the kitchen roof required �.- replacement at this time. Therefore the original motion at the May 2, 2000 meeting should stand and the recommendation to the City Council Landmark Commission Minutes June 6, 2000 Page Five would be to replace the lower roof of the Petersen Farm residence with cedar shingles. Chairperson Lofgren was also notified the roof over the garage portion of the farm residence needed repair. This repair will be addressed at a later time. LETTERHEAD DESIGN—Several letterhead logo designs were distributed to the Commission for comment and consideration. Some discussion followed. It was the consensus of the Commission to select design number three. Chairperson Lofgren's name will appear beneath the City's address and phone number. Commission Member Janssen left the meeting at 8:25 p.m. Chairperson Lofgren directed Commission Member Wilhelm to meet with City Clerk Althoff and finalize the printing purchase for Landmark stationary with the selected design. NEW BUSINESS NEW MEMBERS—Chairperson Lofgren reported Commission Member Thomas stated Ilene Bassett Wiedemann was interested in becoming a Landmark Commission Member. City Clerk Althoff will send Ms. Wiedemann the application form. Chairperson Lofgren also noted Ms. Kottke, owner of the 3916 Main Street property, plaque number 14 was interested in seeking Commission membership. She too has been sent an application form. A student member will be sought in September, after the school year has begun. Chairperson Lofgren also noted the annual membership dues for the McHenry County Historical Society were now due, however as the Commission authorized the payment of all membership renewals no formal action was necessary. FACADE IMPROVEMENT GRANT APPLICATION—Chairperson Lofgren noted the Commission was in receipt of a facade grant improvement application for awnings on the Old Bridge storefront located at 1334 Riverside Drive. Chairperson Lofgren noted awnings were replaced, with facade grant improvement monies, for the balance of the building's storefronts in 1996. At that time Old Bridge operators were not interested in replacing the awnings. Landmark Commission Minutes June 6, 2000 Page Six The awning framework is in place and the grant application is for the purchase and installation of the canvas portion of the awnings. The cost is estimated at $2,466.00 plus $254.00 for lettering. Chairperson Lofgren opined the Commission had previously taken action not to approve any type of lettering expenditures. Some discussion followed. It was the consensus of the Commission to stipulate, as part of the grant award, the awning color match those purchased and installed in 1996. Motion by Nell, seconded by Thomas, to approve Mr. Robert Funk's facade grant improvement application for replacement of awning fabric for the storefront located at 1334 Riverside Drive in the amount of $1,200.00, subject to the condition the awnings installed match the existing adjacent building awnings in size, color, shape and material. Voting Aye: Lofgren, Nell, Schafer, Thomas and Wilhelm Voting Nay: None Absent: Janssen, Johnson, and Trost Motion carried. Chairperson Lofgren noted a chair would be needed for the August meeting as he will not be in attendance. The meeting will be devoted to architectural historic survey completion. Former Commission Member Fike will be invited to attend. Motion by Schafer seconded by Wilhelm to adjourn at 8:40 p.m. Voting Aye: Lofgren, Schafer, Thomas and Wilhelm Voting Nay: Nell Absent: Janssen, Johnson and Trost Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Greg Lofgren, Chairperson