HomeMy WebLinkAboutEHC Reg 07-07-15 approved on 8-4-15City of Elgin
Elgin Heritage Commission
July 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 John Wiedmeyer.
1. Members Present: Elizabeth Femal, Rebecca Hunter, Tom Krebsbach, George Rowe,
Judith Rivera (7:01), Judith Van Dusen, and John Wiedmeyer
2. Members Absent: Scott Savel
3. Others Present: Dan Miller, Linda Hoffman, Steve Stroud, Luis Perez, Jeanette
Naumiec, Patricia Williams
4. City Staff Present: Christen Sundquist, Historic Preservation Planner
B. Approval of Minutes:
1. A motion was made by Commissioner Rowe to approve the June 2, 2015 minutes as
submitted. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Krebsbach.
The motion passed unanimously.
C. Recognize Persons Present: the Commission recognized Dan Miller, Linda Hoffman, Steve
Stroud, Luis Perez, Jeanette Naumiec, and Patricia Williams
D. New Business
1. Public Hearing to consider the creation of the Elgin Bungalow Thematic Historic District
Commissioner Rowe stated that the submitted nomination will give some flexibility to
the varying styles of bungalows throughout Elgin. Chairman Wiedmeyer asked the
Commission if they had any changes the criteria and level of importance ranking that
was submitted in the nomination. He stated that the elevated entrance criterion should
not have a high importance level of a three as some bungalows, although there are not
many; do not have a raised entrance. The Commission agreed that the elevated
entrance criterion should be lowered to an importance level of two. The Commission
also discussed the low sloped roof criterion as there are some Tudor Revival style
bungalows that have a higher pitched roof. The Tudor Revival style bungalow at 408 N.
Liberty was given as an example. Chairman Wiedmeyer suggested that the addition of
“unless style dictates other,” shall be included in the scoring criteria to allow for any
unusual circumstances. Commissioner Hunter made a motion to approve the Elgin
Bungalow Thematic Historic District and the submitted nomination as amended. The
motion was seconded by Commissioner Rivera. The motion passed unanimously.
Elgin Heritage Commission: Minutes Page 2
March 3, 2015
2. Public hearing to consider the Individual Elgin Bungalow Thematic District Application at
121 Monroe Street
The hearing was called to order by Chairman Wiedmeyer. Commissioner Femal stated
that this was a beautiful example and exactly what the Commission would like to see of
Elgin bungalows to be included into the Elgin Bungalow Thematic Historic District.
Commissioner Rowe stated that 121 Monroe Street has all the classic elements of a
bungalow and has been well maintained and restored. Each Commission member and
staff was also provided the opportunity to comment and ask questions to the property
owner.
The individual bungalow nomination received the following average scores:
Elgin Bungalows
Criteria
Importance
Level
Average
Evaluation
Score Total
1. One to One and one‐half story residence 3 10 30
2. Low Sloped Roof ( 7/12 or lower) 3 10 30
3. Massing Type 3 10 30
4. Overhanging Eaves 3 10 30
5. Exposed Rafters, eaves or knee braces 2 2 4
6. Dormer on Second Floor 2 10 20
7. Front Porch (Open or Enclosed) 3 10 30
8. Elevated Entrance (High Foundation) 2 10 20
9. Chimney 1 10 10
10. Window Style 3 9 27
11. Original Materials (Clapboard, Brick, Stucco) 2 10 20
12. Natural Colored Exterior ‐ Earth Tones 2 10 20
13. Current Maintenance 2 10 20
14. Integrity to Original Structure (Intact features) 2 9 18
15. Unique characteristic or design element 2 8 16
16. Historical Considerations 2 9 18
37
Total Points 343
Highest Possible Points 370
Total Percentage (Has to be 60%
or greater) 93%
A motion was made by Commissioner Femal to approve the inclusion of 121 Monroe
Elgin Heritage Commission: Minutes Page 3
March 3, 2015
Street to the Elgin Bungalow Thematic Historic District.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hunter.
The motion passed unanimously.
A complete verbatim report of the testimony provided by the property owner,
Commission and staff was recorded by a court reporter. At the end of discussion and
testimony the public hearing was closed by Chairman Wiedmeyer.
3. Public hearing to consider the Individual Elgin Bungalow Thematic District Application at
903 Cedar Avenue.
The hearing was called to order by Chairman Wiedmeyer. Each Commission member
and staff was also provided the opportunity to comment and ask questions to the
property owner.
The individual bungalow nomination received the following average scores:
Elgin Bungalows
Criteria
Importance
Level
Average
Evaluation
Score Total
1. One to One and one‐half story residence 3 10 30
2. Low Sloped Roof ( 7/12 or lower) 3 9.67 29.01
3. Massing Type 3 10 30
4. Overhanging Eaves 3 10 30
5. Exposed Rafters, eaves or knee braces 2 10 20
6. Dormer on Second Floor 2 10 20
7. Front Porch (Open or Enclosed) 3 10 30
8. Elevated Entrance (High Foundation) 2 10 20
9. Chimney 1 2 2
10. Window Style 3 8.67 26.01
11. Original Materials (Clapboard, Brick, Stucco) 2 8 16
12. Natural Colored Exterior ‐ Earth Tones 2 10 20
13. Current Maintenance 2 9.5 19
14. Integrity to Original Structure (Intact features) 2 9 18
15. Unique characteristic or design element 2 8 16
16. Historical Considerations 2 9.2 18.4
37
Total Points 344.42
Highest Possible Points 370
Elgin Heritage Commission: Minutes Page 4
March 3, 2015
Total Percentage (Has to be
60% or greater) 93%
A motion was made by Commissioner Rowe to approve the inclusion of 903 Cedar
Avenue to the Elgin Bungalow Thematic Historic District.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Rivera.
The motion passed 6‐0‐1 (Hunter abstained).
A complete verbatim report of the testimony provided by the property owner,
Commission and staff was recorded by a court reporter. At the end of discussion and
testimony the public hearing was closed by Chairman Wiedmeyer.
4. Proposed Bungalow Thematic Historic District Plaques
Chairman Wiedmeyer proposed the installation and creation of a plaque to distinguish
the Elgin Bungalow Thematic Historic District properties. Commissioner Femal agreed
that there should be something to distinguish included properties as we should
celebrate our new historic district and bring more awareness to those who are not as
familiar with the district. The Commission briefly discussed ideas of shape and proposed
creating a sign that fits into the existing historic plaque. Ms. Sundquist stated that she
will create several design ideas to present to the Commission at the next Heritage
Commission meeting in August.
E. Old Business
1. Reports from Neighborhood Groups on Heritage Related Activities
i. Neighborhood Housing Services: Patricia Williams introduced herself to the
Commission as the new Director of the Neighborhood Housing Services as of May,
2015. She explained to the Commission the work and involvement the non‐profit
group has in Elgin and what type of services they offer to their clients. She stated
that their organization helps qualified applicants receive loans to buy, fix and keep
their homes. She also mentioned that their clients go through home owner training
to prepare them for what will be required of them when they become home
owners. Chairman Wiedmeyer asked if the Neighborhood Housing Services assists
qualified applicants in receiving a loan to cover the 25% of the 75‐25 Historic
Rehabilitation Grant. Ms. Williams stated that she will look into that type of
assistance.
2. Mayor’s Initiative Ideas
Chairman Wiedmeyer introduced the idea of creating several historic walking tours that
can be easily accessible to visitors. He suggested creating a booklet of each walking tour
with a map in a hard copy as well as accessible electronically on the City’s website. Dan
Elgin Heritage Commission: Minutes Page 5
March 3, 2015
Miller mentioned that the Gifford Park Association hired a phone app creator to build an
electronic database accessible on the phone of the Elgin Historic District as well as their
annual House walk homes. Ms. Sundquist asked the Commission if they would like her
to set up a presentation with a phone app creator for the next Heritage Commission
meeting to get a better idea of the cost of creating a walking tour app of key points of
interest in Elgin. The Commission was interested in setting up that presentation. Dan
Miller also suggested the installation of way finding signs throughout the City to help
visitors find particular points of interest. The Commission agreed that that was a good
idea and will be researched further.
3. Update on alternative tour methods for “Guide By Cell”
Commissioner Rivera stated that the current signs are difficult to find and to read. She
stated that the sign near Pratt’s Castle at 1262 Cedar Avenue needs maintenance and is
unappealing. Commissioner Rivera also mentioned that she had a difficult time finding
the sign and mentioned that if she had a difficult time finding the sign when she was
purposely looking for it, other visitors more than likely will not know that it is even
there. Commissioner Femal suggested that all the signs should be updated to bring
more attention and interest to passersby and visitors. Commissioner Van Dusen also
suggested to set up an “Adopt a Sign” by neighboring groups who could possibly
maintain the signs.
F. Plaque applications:
1. 923 Cedar Avenue ‐ The plaque nomination received the following average scores:
Historic Significance: 7.0; Architectural Significance: 7.83; Current Maintenance: 8.67.
A motion was made by Commissioner Krebsbach to approve awarding the plaque for
the property with the inscription that would read 1926, F. & H. Wendler (Abbreviated
for Fred and Hulda Wendler).
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Rivera.
The motion passed 6‐0‐1 (Hunter abstained).
G. Other Business
1. 75/25 and 50/50 grants.
Ms. Sundquist stated that the 75/25 and 50/50 first round applications will be discussed
at the July 8th Committee of the Whole meeting for preliminary approval. Ms. Sundquist
mentioned that if preliminarily approved, the final approval will be at the City Council
meeting held on August 12th.
2. Commissioner Rowe invited the Commission to the Elgin Historical Society’s recognition
and birthday celebration of Elgin Historian, Mike Alft. The celebration is an open house
from 2pm – 4pm on Sunday, July 12, 2015.
H. Adjournment
Elgin Heritage Commission: Minutes Page 6
March 3, 2015
A motion was made by Commissioner Rivera to adjourn the meeting. The motion was
seconded by Commissioner Femal and passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at
8:22 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Christen Sundquist, Historic Preservation Planner
Community Development Department
Approved: 8/4/2015