HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-15-15 - approved 09-22-15Design Review Subcommittee
of the Elgin Heritage Commission
September 15, 2015
Minutes
The Special Meeting of the Design Review Subcommittee was called to order at 6:04 p.m. in the
City Council Chambers (Located on the 2nd floor of City Hall) by Chairman Wiedmeyer.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Rebecca Hunter, John Roberson, Dennis Roxworthy, Scott Savel, and John Wiedmeyer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Bill Ristow
CITY STAFF PRESENT:
Christen Sundquist, Historic Preservation Planner
RECOGNIZE OTHER PERSONS PRESENT:
Josh Harris and Amy
PROPERTIES ON AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION:
New Business
564 N. Spring Street – Installation of temporary, accessible ramp
NEW BUSINESS:
564 N. Spring Street – Installation of temporary, accessible ramp
The applicant has submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) for the
installation of a temporary, accessible ramp to be installed at the front stairs leading east to the
city sidewalk. The ramp will only be a temporary feature and will be removed once the property
owner is able to use the stairs. The applicant indicated that the existing stairs will be removed
and stored during the use of the ramp and will be reinstalled when ramp is removed.
The applicant stated that there is no rear door that a ramp could be located. In addition,
installation of a lift is beyond the project budget as most of the materials are being donated.
The property owner is expected to return to the home on September 23, 2015 and will require
the ramp to be installed before that date.
Design Review Subcommittee – September 15, 2015
Page 2 of 3
Elgin Design Guideline Manual Specifications:
Handicap Ramps
A. Should be added in such a way that original historic materials are not removed and that
the ramp construction should be reversible.
B. Should be located at the rear or sides of dwellings. If a handicapped ramp must be
placed on the front of a residential dwelling it should be of wood construction rather
than of brick, concrete, or metal.
C. Should be of wood construction and simple traditional design and configuration or
designed to match the original porch railing in materials, dimensions, and detailing.
D. Brick, concrete, and metal ramps are more acceptable at rear and sides of dwellings.
E. Ramps should be painted to match the color of the porch railing or to match the overall
paint color of the building.
F. Should have pipe railing painted in darker colors to reduce the impact of the railing on
the structure.
G. Should be screened with landscaping, if readily visible.
Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the Certificate of Appropriateness of the ramp as submitted and
with the following conditions:
1. The ramp shall be made of wood construction and shall match the existing porch railing
details.
2. The ramp shall be primed and painted to match the color of the porch or overall paint
color of the building.
3. The ramp shall not extend completely to the city sidewalk but to be moved as close to
the house as possible to allow some separation from the city sidewalk and the ramp.
4. The ramp shall be removed upon the notice that the Property Owner is able to use
stairs. The stairs that will be placed in storage shall then be reinstalled on the front
porch.
5. If the Property Owner is still in need to use the temporary ramp after 1 year, it is
recommended that the temporary ramp is removed and a more permanent ramp and
location, that is more appropriate to the home, be constructed.
*****
Josh Harris (representative) was present for tonight’s COA discussion:
Discussion/comments made to support the installation of a temporary ramp included:
The applicant stated that due to recent health complications of homeowner,that the extension
of the time period for the need of the temporary ramp will be extend to 18 – 24 months. In
addition, the applicant can only extend the ramp no more than 2’-0” away from the city
Design Review Subcommittee – September 15, 2015
Page 3 of 3
sidewalk otherwise, the applicant will not be able to construct the ramp over the property
owner’s existing concrete sidewalk and will have to extend into the driveway.
Photographs were provided of the location of the proposed ramp.
Staff’s comments in the report were stated regarding the construction of the ramp and
duration of temporary ramp location.
Motion made by Committee Member Savel to approve with staff comments and the following
amendments: 1) Time period of the temporary ramp shall be 24 months, after which the
project will be reassessed for a more permanent ramp to be installed, if needed; and 2) setback
from city sidewalk will be 2’-0.”
The motion was seconded by Committee Member Roberson.
The motion passed unanimously.
ADDITIONAL STAFF COMMENTS:
CORRESPONDENCE:
None
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion to adjourn was made by Committee Member Roberson.
The motion was seconded by Committee Member Hunter.
The motion passed unanimously.
The special meeting of the Design Review Subcommittee was adjourned at 6:16 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Christen Sundquist Approved:
Historic Preservation Planner September 22, 2015