HomeMy WebLinkAboutEHC Reg 04-07-15 approved on 6-2-15City of Elgin
Elgin Heritage Commission
April 7, 2015
Minutes
A. The meeting of the Elgin Heritage Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the City
Council Chambers by Chairman Bill Briska.
1. Members Present: William Briska, Elizabeth Femal, Rebecca Hunter, Tom Krebsbach,
Judith Rivera, George Rowe, Scott Savel, Judith Van Dusen, and
John Wiedmeyer
2. Members Absent: None
3. Others Present: Dan Miller, Elizabeth Haney, Cheryl Atkins, Kimberly Kaldenberger
4. City Staff Present: Sarosh Saher, AICP, Senior Planner; Christen Sundquist, Historic
Preservation Planner
B. Approval of Minutes:
1. Commissioner Savel recommended an amendment to the minutes regarding his
abstention in the vote for the Mayor’s Award for Paul and Jean Bednar. A motion was
made by Commissioner Rowe to approve the March 3, 2015 minutes as amended. The
motion was seconded by Commissioner Wiedmeyer.
The motion passed unanimously.
C. Recognize Persons Present: the Commission recognized Dan Miller, Elizabeth Haney,
Cheryl Atkins and Kimberly Kaldenberger.
D. Plaque applications:
1. 359 Park Street ‐ The plaque nomination received the following average scores: Historic
Significance: 9.5; Architectural Significance: 9.3; Current Maintenance: 9.3.
A motion was made by Commissioner Savel to approve awarding the plaque for the
property with the inscription that would read 1887, E. & C. Barclay (Abbreviated for
Edward and Cordelia Barclay).
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Wiedmeyer.
The motion passed 9‐0.
2. 802 Douglas Avenue ‐ The plaque nomination received the following average scores:
Historic Significance: 9.1; Architectural Significance: 9.2; Current Maintenance: 9.1.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wiedmeyer to approve awarding the plaque for
the property with the inscription that would read 1894, A. & M. Scheele (Abbreviated
for August and Martha Scheele).
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Krebsbach.
Elgin Heritage Commission: Minutes Page 2
March 3, 2015
The motion passed 9‐0.
3. 10 N. Alfred Avenue ‐ The plaque nomination received the following average scores:
Historic Significance: 7.2; Architectural Significance: 7.3; Current Maintenance: 8.3.
A motion was made by Commissioner Savel to approve awarding the plaque for the
property with the inscription that would read 1925, J. A. & C. Werrbach (Abbreviated for
John A. and Caroline Werrbach).
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Wiedmeyer.
The motion passed 9‐0.
4. 465 Division Street ‐ The plaque nomination received the following average scores:
Historic Significance: 7.4; Architectural Significance: 6.7; Current Maintenance: 7.5.
A motion was made by Commissioner Femal to approve awarding the plaque for the
property with the inscription that would read 1891, J. Luttrell (Abbreviated for Julia
Luttrell).
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hunter.
The motion passed 9‐0.
5. 716 Douglas Avenue – Additional research found the current plaque at 716 Douglas
Avenue is incorrect and should read, 1882, W. H. Wilcox (Abbreviated for William H.
Wilcox). The current plaque reads, 1899, J. Taylor. A motion was made by Commissioner
Wiedmeyer to approve alteration of the plaque for the property with the inscription
that would read 1882, W. H. Wilcox (Abbreviated for William H. Wilcox).
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Savel.
The motion passed 9‐0.
6. Ms. Sundquist presented a sample plaque provided by the new plaque artist, Dexter
Sign & Design, to the Commission. She indicated that plaques will be submitted to
Dexter Sign & Design and will be ready to pick up at the end of the week of April 13th.
E. Old Business
1. Elgin Bungalow Initiative Update
Mr. Saher updated the Commission on the project. The project is still on track to be
completed. The Preserving Elgin Bungalows document was submitted by Eric Pepa and
presented to the Commission. The document included the scoring criteria.
2. DRSC Composition Text Amendment Update
Mr. Saher indicated that as of the last meeting the DRSC Composition Text Amendment
is still on track to be completed.
3. Preservation Month Schedule ‐ May 1 – 31, 2015.
Elgin Heritage Commission: Minutes Page 3
March 3, 2015
A list of events planned for the month was included in the packet for review of the
Commission. Ms. Sundquist presented proposed brochure and poster to the
Commission.
Commissioner Rowe indicated that the Elgin Historical Society would like to add an
event on May 30th of Newsome Park that includes installation of historic markers.
4. Reports from Neighborhood Groups on Heritage Related Activities
i. GPA: Dan Miller reported Gifford Park Association recently had two successful
salvages at 132 S. State Street and the Standish Street Salvage.
ii. EHS: Chairman Briska also indicated the Elgin Historical Society acquired rare Lady
Elgin watch that will be on display at the museum.
F. New Business
1. Elizabeth Haney, co‐president of the Downtown Neighborhood Association shared
citizen concerns of the Elgin Tower Building. Ms. Haney updated the Commission that
key tax credits for the adaptive reuse of the Elgin Tower Building will expire in 2016. Ms.
Haney indicated that it is important that the process moves quickly as the building is
showing exterior deterioration.
2. Commissioner Wiedmeyer proposed to the Commission the creation of a new award
category. The award will be called the Henry Jensen Award after the architect and
builder whose work spanned the 1880s to the early 1900s.
The award will be given to a recipient for recognition of the best interior and/or best
exterior renovation or remodeling project completed within the past years’ time.
Entrees will be voted on by members of the Elgin Heritage Commission and the Design
Review Sub‐Committee. The top voted interior project and/or top voted exterior project
will receive awards.
A motion was made by Commissioner Hunter to recommend Tom and Maureen Lee at
359 Park Street as the inaugural recipient of the Henry Jensen Award.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Rivera and passed unanimously.
3. Mr. Saher updated the Commission on total balanced owed for “Guide by Cell” usage.
No update was given on alternate suggestions by the Commission. Mr. Saher suggested
looking at what other communities have done for depicting information similar to the
“Guide by Cell” tour. Commissioner Krebsbach, Commissioner Femel and Commissioner
Rivera will look into alternative methods used by other communities.
A motion was made by Commissioner Rowe to extend usage of “Guide by Cell” for 1
more year to give time to explore alternative new methods to highlight the properties
Elgin Heritage Commission: Minutes Page 4
March 3, 2015
along the various locations of the tour.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Rivera and passed unanimously.
G. Other Business
1. Chairman Briska invited Commissioners to viewing of Elgin History Museum’s “Project 2‐
3‐1 Exhibit” on Sunday, April 26th at 3PM. The Heritage Commission provided initial seed
money to begin project. Commissioner Rowe congratulated Chairman Briska for his
contribution to this project.
2. Commissioner Wiedmeyer asked for update of the Rehabilitation Grant. Ms. Sundquist
indicated that there were eight applicants so far for the 50/50 Rehabilitation grant and
two applicants for the 75/25 grant. Commissioner Wiedmeyer questioned if there
should be reconsideration for the grant to be used for basic maintenance to appeal to
more people. Commissioner Wiedmeyer also asked if remaining funds from the 75/25
grant could be transferred into a general account after the first round grant review. Mr.
Saher indicated that transferring funds from the 75/25 grant into a general fund as a
second round grant application has been done in past years.
H. Adjournment
A motion was made by Commissioner Krebsbach to adjourn the meeting. The motion was
seconded by Commissioner Rivera and passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at
8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Christen Sundquist, Historic Preservation Planner
Community Development Department
Approved: June 2, 2015