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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 4/3/2001 - Landmark Commission LANDMARK COMMISSION MINUTES APRIL 3, 2001 Chairperson Lofgren called the regular meeting of the Landmark Commission to order at 7:23 p.m. Members present were: Dawn Johnson, Hank Nell, Pat Schafer, Gretchen Thomas, Shelly Trost, Ilene Wiedemann, and Lori Wilhelm. Members absent: Judy Franks and Merle Janssen. MINUTE APPROVAL Motion by Johnson, seconded by Thomas to accept the March 13, 2001 minutes as presented. Voting Aye: Johnson, Schafer, Thomas, Trost, Wiedemann and Wilhelm Voting Nay: None Absent: Franks, Janssen, and Nell. Motion carried. Chairperson Lofgren noted the minutes as presented did not include the discussion regarding Commission Member Nell's recommendation to request the City Council budget additional monies for the preservation and renovation of the Petersen Farmstead property. Commission Member Nell will provide additional information regarding this proposal and the results of his conversation with Director of Community Development Napolitano later in the meeting. TREASURER'S REPORT Chairperson Lofgren noted the Commission has had no expenditure activity since December, 2000. The general account remains at$6,847.81 and the Facade Grant Improvement Fund remains at $9,300. Motion by Trost, seconded by Schafer to accept the Treasurer's Report as presented. Voting Aye: Johnson, Lofgren, Schafer, Thomas, Trost, Wiedemann, and Wilhelm. Voting Nay: None Absent: Franks, Janssen, Nell. Motion carried. OLD BUSINESS KLONTZ GARAGE CONTROLLED DEMOLITION-Chairperson Lofgren noted attempts to contact garage owner, Bruce Klontz have been unsuccessful. He will continue to work on scheduling a demolition date. Landmark Commission Minutes April 3, 2001 Page Two OLSEN ARTIFACT-Chairperson Lofgren noted the Commission was in receipt of a McHenry artifact (cachet from two offices located within the corporate limits of the city) from Mildred Olsen of Hawthorne Woods, Illinois. A thank you note will be sent. Commission Member Nell arrived. Some discussion followed regarding the Landmark Commission's maintenance and storage of donated artifacts. Additional discussion followed regarding the Knox property located across the street from the McHenry Municipal Building. PETERSEN PROPERTY REPORT-Commission Member Nell reported he had met City of McHenry Building Commissioner, Ryan Schwalenberg, at the Petersen Farmstead property for an overall inspection of the property. Commissioner Schwalenberg agreed one silo needed repair and the other needed to be capped. He also noted cedar shakes would be used to match the barn roof. Barn boards will be refastened, however joint strips will not be repaired until after the hay has been removed from the barn permanently. He also agreed the barn needs to be repainted. Further discussion between Mr. Petersen, Commission Member Nell and Building Commissioner Schwalenberg about the horse barn. It was agreed the horse barn needs a new roof, board repair and painting. Repairs of this nature will be dependent on the availability of grant monies. WALGREENS POCKET PARK-Chairperson Lofgren noted a copy of the original springhouse had been provided city staff members, including City Clerk Althoff and Community Development Director Napolitano. He opined, based on the photographs, the original location of the pump house was in front of Walt Freund's tire shop. Some discussion followed. A meeting between a commission member, City Administrator Lobaito and a Walgreen's representative is being scheduled to pursue the Landmark Commission's request for$10,000 to assist with the construction of a pump house in the designated pocket park. In response to Chairperson Lofgren's inquiry, Commission Member Thomas responded she had no knowledge regarding the possible residence of Nettie Weber in the Gage House. She suggested the Commission contact Bill. Chairperson Lofgren explained the Commission was seeking an original picture of the Gage House to determine the look, scale, and design of the roof finial. JOINT HISTORIC GROUP MEETING-Chairperson Lofgren noted he and Commission Member Shelly Trost attend the last joint meeting. It was noted the McHenry County organization needs to add individual Landmark • Landmark Commission Minutes April 3, 2001 Page Three Commission members to their mailing list. The next meeting is scheduled for September and is tentatively to be held at Rose Villa the Skidmore Mansion on Pistakee Bay. Chairperson Lofgren provided the Commission with a history of the meeting site, which was the Labay/Hane House. A written historic handout was distributed. He noted the Village intended to burn the structure, however private citizen's were able to save portions of the building including the original foundation. It currently is being used as a community meeting facility. The joint meeting also discussed the Dole Mansion referendum and the Western Bypass affecting the Village of Algonquin. The proposed route will necessitate the demolition of fifty homes, twenty-six, which are one hundred years old or older. The bypass will also impact an additional thirty homes including the Algonquin Bed and Breakfast. Chairperson Lofgren requested a letter, from the McHenry Landmark Commission, be sent in support of the Algonquin Historic Commission's efforts to locate an alternative route. Commission Member Trost was selected to draft the letter of support. A lengthy discussion followed. Motion by Nell, seconded by Johnson, to send a letter of opposition to the proposed route and support for an alternative route for the Western Bypass affecting the Village of Algonquin to the Algonquin Historic Commission. Voting Aye: Johnson, Lofgren, Nell, Schafer, Thomas, Trost, Wiedemann and Wilhelm. Voting Nay: None Absent: Franks and Janssen. Motion carried. Commission Member Trost noted the City of McHenry would avoid similar potential problems when areas are designated as historic districts. The City's existing preservation ordinance protects these designated historic areas. OWEN HOUSE-Chairperson Lofgren informed the commission plans had been received for the renovation and construction of an addition at the Daniel Owen House located on the northwest corner of John and Green Streets. The commission had requested a distinct and recognizable addition in order to preserve the integrity of the original structure. The current owners have complied with this request, following all the guidelines. Landmark Commission Minutes Apri13, 2001 Page Four Motion by Nell, seconded by Wiedemann, to approve the addition plans of Christopher Rounds of 1001 N. Green Street subject to the erection of a commemorative permanent stone plaque on the site adjacent to the sidewalk (not right-of-way), identifying this site as the Daniel Owen cabin with appropriate language as approved by the Landmark Commission. Voting Aye: Johnson, Lofgren, Nell, Schafer, Thomas, Trost, Wiedemann and Wilhelm. Voting Nay: None Absent: Franks, Janssen. Motion carried. The Commission also discussed standard language on historical identification plaques. Chairperson Lofgren also suggested Community Development Director obtain permission for the Commission to gain access to the home's interior for historical documentation. Some discussion followed regarding the need to plaque other historical structures. SPRING/SUMMER EVENTS- FIESTA DAYS-It was the consensus of the Commission to conduct the historic walks again this year during Fiesta Days. The dates of the tour would be Wednesday, July 18th and Saturday, July 14th. In the event of rain or inclement weather the tours will be cancelled. Some discussion followed regarding the Commission's intent to videotape these historic tours. HERITAGE DAYS-The State of Illinois recognizes June 23-24th as Heritage Days. Discussion followed as to how the Landmark Commission might proceed with the celebration and recognition of Heritage Days. Several ideas were recommended: speakers within the historic business districts use of the Hickory Creek Farm and/or Petersen Farm exhibits set up at the Municipal Building picnics at the farm and appropriate costuming for the stated year showcasing the Main Street Historic District an antique/classic car parade Some discussion occurred about a day on the farm in a specified year, during the 1800's including appropriate costuming and activities. It was the consensus to create a Heritage Days sub-committee to develop a theme and appropriate activities. Members of the committee will be: Pat Schafer, Ilene Wiedemann and Lori Wilhelm. Landmark Commission Minutes April 3, 2001 Page Five HISTORIC DISTRICT PROPOSAL-Chairperson Lofgren informed the Commission the Historic Preservation Ordinance requires a specific nomination procedure be followed. He noted in his review of the nomination procedure city staff assistance will be needed for several tasks; specifically providing legal descriptions of the properties, names and addresses of the property owners, maps of the designated area and certified mailings to both the tenants and property owners. Some discussion followed regarding Nomination criteria Letter [D] {page 9 of the Ordinance}: obtaining a statement indicating whether the owner of record of a single nominated landmark or each of the owners of record within a nominated preservation district consents to the landmark designation; all reasonable efforts shall be made to secure the written consent of the owners(s) before filing the nomination; and the most effective means in which to implement this criteria. Some discussion followed regarding artificial letters and a general meeting thereafter. It was the consensus of the commission to direct Chairperson Lofgren to go before the City Council and request staff assistance in meeting the Historic Preservation Ordinance historic district nomination criteria for the Main Street District. Chairperson Lofgren would also review the limitations and benefits of the historic district designation. Motion by Thomas, seconded by Trost to present beginning nomination procedure guidelines to the McHenry City Council and request assistance with the gathering of appropriate criteria for the Main Street Historic District. Voting Aye: Johnson, Nell, Schafer, Thomas, Trost, Wiedemann and Wilhelm Voting Nay: None Absent: Franks, Janssen Motion carried. Chairperson Lofgren also noted Sanborn maps are available to the Commission and are stored in the City of McHenry vault. OTHER BUSINESS-In response to Commission inquiry, Chairperson Lofgren explained structures located within the designated historic district younger than 50 years are not required to comply with the ordinance. Only structures of 50 years of age and older are affected by the preservation ordinance. Landmark Commission Minute April 3, 2001 �-' Page Six Some discussion followed regarding the renovation work being done on the residence located on the northeast corner of John and Riverside Terrance Streets. Motion by Wilhelm, seconded by Schafer to adjourn the meeting at 9:02 p.m. Voting Aye: Johnson, Lofgren, Schafer, Thomas, Trost, Wiedemann and Wilhelm. Voting Nay: Nell Absent: Franks and Janssen. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 9:02 p.m. Chairperson Greg Lofgren