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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/07/2014M Heritage Commission City of Elgin Elgin Heritage Commission January 7, 2014 A. The meeting of the Elgin Heritage Commission was called to order at 8:02 p.m. in the City Council Chambers by Chairman Bill Briska. 1. Members Present: William Briska, Elizabeth Femal, Rebecca Hunter,Tom Krebsbach, Scott Savel, Judy Van Dusen, and John Wiedmeyer 2. Members Absent: James Halik,Judith Rivera 3. Others Present: Dan Miller 4. City Staff Present: Amy Munro, Historic Preservation and Grants Planner B. Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Commissioner Wiedmeyer to approve the October 1, 2013 minutes. Motion seconded by Commissioner Savel. The motion passed unanimously. A motion was made by Commissioner Wiedmeyer to approve the November 5, 2013 minutes. Motion seconded by Commissioner Savel. The motion passed 6-0.Abstained: Commissioner Krebsbach. C. Approval of Agenda Public hearings were held for appeals for 330 Division St. and 851 N. Spring St. on January 7, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. At that time, the respective applicants were asked whether or not they preferred that discussion take place at the Commission's January 7, 2014 or February 4, 2014 meeting.The applicants indicated that they did not have a preference. Chairman Briska inquired as to the Commission's preference and it was determined that the discussion should take place during the Commission's January 7, 2014 meeting under"New Business." A motion was made by Commissioner Wiedmeyer to amend the agenda to add the two appeals under "New Business."Motion seconded by Commissioner Femal. The motion passed unanimously. D. Recognize Persons Present: E. Plaque Applications: None. F. Old Business Elgin Heritage Commission:Minutes Page 2 January 7,2014 1. Cell Phone Tour Website Status Update Ms. Munro updated the Commission that she has been advised by the city's website manager that a concept will be available in the near future. 2. NHS and the Elgin Bungalow Initiative Update Chairman Briska and Ms. Munro updated the Commission on the kick-off public informational meeting that was conducted at the Elgin Area Historical Society Museum will be conducted on November 13, 2013. The Commission discussed next steps for the project and directed Ms. Munro to begin discussions with city staff regarding the potential for creating a bungalow thematic historic district. The proposed historic district would not be defined by geographic boundaries. Instead, properties would be selected based upon meeting a set of criteria and follow a process similar to that of the city's individual landmarks. Participation would be strictly voluntary. Although bungalow property owners would be required to follow the City's historic design guidelines,they would also be eligible for the city's historic rehabilitation grants. 3. DRSC Appointment Resolution: Ms. Munro said that the proposed composition is still under review. Given the expiring EHC and DRSC member terms in 2014, Chairman Briska requested that the resolution move forward for approval as soon as possible. 4. Reports from Neighborhood Groups on Heritage Related Activities Commissioner Femal announced that ABODE and NENA are in the process of preliminary discussions regarding a potential holiday house walk. Mr. Miller announced that the 2014 GPA House walk will take place within the Spring- Douglas Historic District. G. New Business 1. Appeals: a. 330 Division St. —Window Installation (vinyl) The Commission discussed the Synagogue's request for the vinyl windows.The Design Guidelines do not permit the installation of vinyl windows; however, the Synagogue requested a variance to the Guidelines due to budgetary constraints. Commissioner Wiedmeyer suggested that composite material windows be given for consideration due to their higher level of quality performance and appearance. Upon further discussion, the Commission suggested that further discussion be tabled until Ms. Munro could discuss the potential for composite window installation with the applicant and the respective gathering of cost estimates. A motion was made by Commissioner Hunter to table the discussion. Motion seconded Elgin Heritage Commission:Minutes Page 3 January 7,2014 by Commissioner Savel. The motion passed unanimously. b. 859 N. Spring St.—Window Installation (aluminum-clad wood windows) The Commission discussed the applicant's expressed concern regarding the strict regulations of a property owner's decision-making in window replacement.The Commission also discussed the new information obtained pertaining to the window repair cost estimates versus their replacement estimate during the public hearing.The repair costs are less than the replacement. Due to the recent finding,the Commission directed Ms. Munro to approach the applicant and ascertain the applicant's intent to pursue new windows. Discussion was tabled until this information is obtained. A motion was made by Commissioner Femal to table the discussion. Motion seconded by Commissioner Wiedmeyer. The motion passed unanimously. 2. 2013 budget wrap up report Ms. Munro reviewed the 2013 expenditures. 3. 2014 budget projections Ms. Munro gave a brief overview of anticipated expenses such as membership renewals, plaque design, and Preservation Month activities. Ms. Munro also presented a request for payment authorization to the Elgin Area Historical Society for There Used to Be, Vols. 1 and 3 and several heritage organization membership renewal dues.The Commission discussed the benefits of the networking and technical resource information provided by memberships in the heritage organizations. With regard to the Guide By Cell membership, due to the Commission's soon-to-be launched webpage with the corresponding audio files, it was decided that another year should be renewed to ascertain whether or not the webpage will impact site visits and usage. Approval for the Elgin Area Historical Society and the following membership renewals was granted for: Landmarks IL, Illinois Association of Historic Preservation Commissions, and Guide By Cell. A motion was made by Commissioner Hunter to authorize payments as described above. Motion seconded by Commissioner Femal. The motion passed unanimously. Approval for the following membership fee was granted: National Alliance of Preservation Commissions. A motion was made by Commissioner Savel to authorize payment as described above. Motion seconded by Commissioner Femal. The motion passed unanimously. 4. Approval of 2014 EHC and DRSC meetings Ms. Munro presented the meeting schedule for the Commission's review.There were Elgin Heritage Commission:Minutes Page 4 January 7,2014 no amendments. H. Staff Announcements,Other Business: Ms. Munro announced that$100,000 has been allocated from the 2014 city budget for each Historic Architectural Rehabilitation Grant Program (50/50 and 75/25). I. Adjournment A motion was made by Commissioner Hunter to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Femal and passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 9:14 p.m. Respectfully submitted, .fri Pm/Kr- Amy Munro Historic Preservation and Grants Planner Approved: February 4, 2014