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Home My WebLink AboutEHC Reg 06-02-15 approved on 7-7-15City of Elgin Elgin Heritage Commission June 2, 2015 Minutes A. Staff requested a motion to be made by the heritage commission for a nomination of a new chairperson to run for a period of 3years. A motion was made by Commissioner Rowe to nominate Commissioner Wiedmeyer as the Chairman. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Savel. The motion passed 6‐0‐1. (Wiedmeyer – abstained). B. The meeting of the Elgin Heritage Commission was called to order at 7:05 p.m. in the City Council Chambers by Chairman John Wiedmeyer. 1. Members Present: Elizabeth Femal, Rebecca Hunter, Tom Krebsbach, George Rowe, Scott Savel, Judith Van Dusen, and John Wiedmeyer 2. Members Absent: Judith Rivera 3. Others Present: Dan Miller, William Briska, Paul Sitz, Hollyce Mack, Mark Flory‐ Steury 4. City Staff Present: Christen Sundquist, Historic Preservation Planner C. Approval of Minutes: 1. A motion was made by Commissioner Rowe to approve the April 7, 2015 minutes as submitted. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Krebsbach. The motion passed unanimously. D. Recognize Persons Present: the Commission recognized Dan Miller, William Briska, Paul Sitz, Hollyce Mack and Mark Flory‐Steury. E. Plaque applications: 1. 432 S. State Street ‐ The plaque nomination received the following average scores: Historic Significance: 7.14; Architectural Significance: 8; Current Maintenance: 8. Chairman Wiedmeyer requested additional information to be provided regarding history of ownership of the house. A motion was made by Commissioner Rowe to approve awarding the plaque for the property with applicant to provide additional information of past ownership. The plaque inscription would read 1925, W. & C. Knickrehm (Abbreviated for William and Carrie Knickrehm). The motion was seconded by Commissioner Krebsbach. The motion passed 7‐0. 2. 653 Park Street ‐ The plaque nomination received the following average scores: Historic Significance: 7.57; Architectural Significance: 6.86; Current Maintenance: 6.43. Elgin Heritage Commission: Minutes Page 2 March 3, 2015 A motion was made by Commissioner Femal to approve awarding the plaque for the property with the inscription that would read 1926, E. & A. Lemke (Abbreviated for Elmer H. and Alma J. Lemke). The motion was seconded by Commissioner Krebsbach. The motion passed 7‐0. F. Old Business 1. Elgin Bungalow Initiative Update Ms. Sundquist updated the Commission on the project. The project was considered for preliminary approval at the May 27th City Council Meeting. Ms. Sundquist also presented a draft application for the Thematic Historic District individual form. Commissioner Hunter edited the document to simplify the requirements. Commissioner Hunter also suggested attaching municipal code to application so the applicant will have an easier time referencing material needed for submittal. 2. DRSC Composition Text Amendment Update Ms. Sundquist indicated that the DRSC Composition Text Amendment was considered for preliminary approval at the May 27th City Council Meeting. Ms. Sundquist outlined the changes that will be made upon City Council approval. Chairman Wiedmeyer asked staff to clarify what was agreed upon per the composition of the Design Review Subcommittee. Ms. Sundquist indicated that she will look into previous discussions about the Design Review Subcommittee composition and report back to the commission. Commissioner Hunter also suggested having a representative from the preliminarily approved historic bungalow thematic district on the Design Review Subcommittee as well. 3. Elgin Design Guideline Manual for Landmarks and Historic Districts text amendment Ms. Sundquist updated the Commission on the preliminary approval by the City Council at their May 27th meeting on the changes to the Design guidelines pertaining to windows. Ms. Sundquist indicated that this change will allow projects to be fast tracked through the permit process. She mentioned that this amendment states that only windows that match the existing, original windows in material, size, profile and details may be approved over the counter. Chairman Wiedmeyer suggested compiling a list of manufacturers and styles of windows that are appropriate and have been used in the past to hand out to homeowners. In addition, Ms. Sundquist mentioned that any windows to be replaced on a non‐ contributing, non‐vintage style building within the district may also get approval as long as the replacement window is appropriate for the age and style of the non‐contributing building. Elgin Heritage Commission: Minutes Page 3 March 3, 2015 4. Reports from Neighborhood Groups on Heritage Related Activities i. GPA: Dan Miller reported Gifford Park Association recently had Jerry Turnquist professionally videotaped giving a tour of the Elgin National Watch Historic District. This video will be uploaded to several websites available for anyone to view. ii. EHS: Commissioner Rowe also updated the Commission on the Elgin Historical Society’s successful dedication of six new historical interpretive signs in Elgin’s Newsome Park on Friday, May 29th. Commissioner Rowe stated that Newsome Park was the site for the first African American church, Second Baptist Church, built in 1876 in Elgin. Mayor Kaptain, Councilwoman Powell, Councilwoman Martinez and Councilwoman Rauschenberger were also at the dedication. 5. Alternative Tour Methods update Commissioner Femal suggested placing a vinyl overlay that has text and photographs over the current signage. A QR code could also be placed on the vinyl overlay that can direct the viewer to more information. Commissioner Femal expressed concern at the height of the signage as it will be difficult for a viewer to read the information. Commissioner Krebsbach mentioned that if the signs are lowered, it may become a liability. Commissioner Hunter asked if the text that was provided for Guide by Cell was readily accessible to use for new signs. Bill Briska indicated that he has all of the script information used for Guide by Cell and will send the Commission copies. Chairman Wiedmeyer mentioned the Mayor’s initiative he gave at the Mayor’s awards on creating ways to bring people to the City. Chairman Wiedmeyer asked the Commission to come with at least one idea and expand on this initiative at the next Heritage Commission meeting on July 7th. 6. Preservation Month Schedule ‐ May 1 – 31, 2015. Commissioners discussed the success of the Mayor’s Awards. Commissioners reviewed attendee numbers for several of the Preservation Month events. G. New Business 1. “Dairies to Prairies” Funding Request Commissioner Rowe explained that this project will be a joint project with the Elgin Area Historical Society and Grindstone Productions. Grindstone Productions is the same videographer used for the highly successful 2‐3‐1 documentary. The $500 request will kick start their first phase. Commissioner Femal stated that this documentary highlights Elgin’s history and that the Heritage Commission should approve this funding request. Commissioner Femal made a motion for approval of the $500 funding request to be given to the Elgin Area Historical Society to kick start their documentary “Dairies to Prairies.” The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hunter. The motion passed 6‐0‐1 (Rowe ‐ abstained). Elgin Heritage Commission: Minutes Page 4 March 3, 2015 2. EHC Design Review Sub‐Committee Appointments Per the pending final approval of the City Council on the Design Review Subcommittee composition, two appointments of the Heritage Commission were approved for the Design Review Subcommittee. Commissioner Femal made a motion to nominate Chairman Wiedmeyer and Commissioner Savel to be the Heritage Commission representatives on the Design Review Subcommittee. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Krebsbach. The motion passed 5‐0‐2 (Wiedmeyer and Savel – abstained). 3. 75/25 excess grant funds reallocation time frame Ms. Sundquist stated that 10 grant projects in the 50/50 program are eligible for grants but only 5 will receive funding due to exhausted funds. Ms. Sundquist also mentioned that the 75/25 grant program received one eligible grant applicant and has excess funding. She indicated that the Design Review Subcommittee members requested for a change in the time frame of reallocation of excess funding in the 75/25 program to the 50/50 program. Currently, the ordinance states that funding in the 75/25 program will be reallocated after 9 months from the start of the new year. The concern for not reallocating funding until 9 months after the start of the new year into the 50/50 program is that many eligible 50/50 projects go unfunded and those projects miss an entire summer to start work. The Commission members agreed that this change will allow great projects to be funded in an accelerated time frame. H. Other Business 1. EHC Commissioners’ Term Limits Ms. Sundquist mentioned that if any of the Commissioners would like to know when their term limit is expiring that they can contact her for the information. I. Adjournment A motion was made by Commissioner Savel to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Van Dusen and passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Christen Sundquist, Historic Preservation Planner Community Development Department Approved: 7/7/2015