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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDRSC 11-10-15 minutesDesign Review Subcommittee of the Elgin Heritage Commission November 10, 2015 Minutes The meeting of the Design Review Subcommittee was called to order at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers (Located on the 2nd floor of City Hall) by Chairman Wiedmeyer. MEMBERS PRESENT: Rebecca Hunter, Bill Ristow, John Roberson, Dennis Roxworthy, Scott Savel (6:04), and John Wiedmeyer MEMBERS ABSENT: None CITY STAFF PRESENT: Christen Sundquist, Historic Preservation; and Cindy Walden, DRSC Secretary RECOGNIZE OTHER PERSONS PRESENT: None PROPERTIES ON AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION: Old Business None New Business 358 S Liberty St — Proposed development, parking lot 265 Lessenden PI — Demolition of existing secondary structure APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion made by Committee Member Roxworthy to approve the minutes of October 27, 2015, as submitted. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Hunter. The motion passed 3 -0 -2. (Abstain: Ristow, Roberson) *Save) arrival after approval of minutes ITEMS TABLED: None Design Review Subcommittee — November 10, 2015 Page 2 of 5 NEW BUSINESS: 358 S Liberty St — Proposed development, parking lot The applicant has submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to construct a parking lot at 358 S. Liberty Street. The Design Review Subcommittee previously approved demolition of the structure that was on the property on August 25, 2015. The Owner also owns the adjacent commercial property at 535 Villa Street and is proposing to use the property at 358 S. Liberty Street as a parking lot to create additional parking spaces for their tenants and customers. Currently, there is minimal parking for 535 Villa Street. Elgin Design Guideline Manual Specifications: PARKING LOTS A. Should be screened through plantings of hedges, shrubs, trees or fences at edges and in medians within. B. Should be located in rear yards for commercially -used houses, churches, apartment buildings, or schools. If placement along a side yard is required, the parking lot should be located no closer than the front wall of the building. C. Should align edge landscape screening with front facades of adjacent buildings if on vacant lots between buildings. D. Should have edge landscape screening on both the primary and secondary street, if a corner lot. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the Certificate of Appropriateness as submitted. However, staff has the following comments and recommendations: 1. Details shall match applicant's submitted drawing. Alfredo Sanchez (owner), Juan Silva (translator), John Roberson (site designer) were present for tonight's COA discussion: Easement was kept to the south. Landscaping was increased along the western property lines Fencing to be installed along the perimeter of the parking area (south and western property lines). Staff can approved style acceptable by the Design Review Guidelines. Fence along the southern property line (adjoining the residential property) should be reduced to either 42" 50% open or 3' solid from the plane of the residential structure foundation to the street lot line. Same type of fencing could be installed between the drive aisles to give continuity to the plan. Commission would like to see landscaping between the two drive aisles to be at the maximum allowable by code. Design Review Subcommittee — November 10, 2015 Page 3 of 5 Motion made by Committee Member Roxworthy to approve as submitted, with staff comments. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Ristow. The motion passed unanimously. 265 Lessenden PI — Demolition of existing secondary structure The applicant has submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish an existing secondary structure on the property as they received a code violation pertaining to the building being structurally unsound. Staff completed a site inspection of the structure on October 22, 2015 and determined that the building historically may have been a chicken coop. The rubble stone foundation has been altered as Portland cement was placed at the base as parging causing further deterioration and compromising the structure. The roof structure is rotted and causing areas of the roof to sag. Although not beyond repair, the building is in fair to poor condition. The property received a code violation pertaining to the structure on October 4, 2015. At that time, the Owner was notified to repair or demolish the existing structure. Elgin Design Guideline Manual Specifications: Guidelines for Demolition A. Should be avoided of any original feature or part of a pre -1945 building. B. should not occur, unless: 1. An emergency condition exists and the public safety and welfare requires the removal of the building or structure; 2. A building does not contribute to the historical or architectural character of the districts and its removal will improve the appearance of the districts; or 3. The denial of the demolition will result in an Economic Hardship on the applicant as determined by Chapter 20.10 of Title 20 of the Elgin Municipal Code — "Elgin Historic Preservation Ordinance." 4. The denial of the demolition will impede rehabilitation, or redevelopment of the site, and /or adjacent properties from substantially improving the aesthetic, architectural or economic value of the affected properties and surrounding area. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the request to demolish the structure as it meets the standard BI — an emergency condition exists However, staff has the following comments and recommendations: Design Review Subcommittee —November 10, 2015 Page 4 of 5 1. Allow the property to be available to neighborhood preservation groups such as the Gifford Park Association (GPA) to salvage architectural elements of the structure (windows, old growth wood). Bob Trueblood (representative of Fox Valley Water Reclamation District) was present for tonight's COA discussion: Bob provided background information regarding FRWD's intention of various properties that has been bought for future improvements. Several properties in this area had been purchase over the years with the intention of using the land for future underground storage of storm water. In the past year or so, the former Elgin Corrugated Box Company site on Raymond Street has been acquired. The large property will become the new site of underground storm water area. Several homes that were purchased will be put up for sale. This includes the house /land at 265 Lessenden PI. Roofing and painting were recently completed. Should be on the market by spring 2016. As a note, 266 Lessenden PI will probably be brought to the commission in the future for demo; as the basement takes on sewage with any rain fall. FRWD would allow exterior measurements and photos to be done. However the interior would be off limits until the remediation is completed for the asbestos materials (roofing shingles and a type of paper within the building. Once the remediation is done, salvage arrangements can be made. The prior use is questionable. Was it a chicken coop? Perhaps a hatchery? Maybe a building for storing ice from the winter? Unique structure with a dirt floor. Highly distressed and unsound, due to roof, roof supports, and parging of the foundation which has caused more harm than good. Commission would like staff to document the structure prior to demo. Measurements and photos of building and various details including: doors, soffits, inside framing, joints of framing (round nails /pegs, etc). From this information, we maybe able to tell how old this secondary structure was. Motion made by Committee Member Save[ to approve as submitted with staff comments; and with finding of facts report from measurements and photos taken of this structure prior to demolition. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Roxworthy. The motion passed unanimously. Design Review Subcommittee — November 10, 2015 Page 5 of 5 ADDITIONAL STAFF COMMENTS: December 1, 2015, will be the plaque presentation ceremony at the Elgin History Museum. There were will 6 plaques, and 2 bungalow homes being honored. This is a light refreshment "potluck" event. Everyone is asked to bring a dish. CORRESPONDENCE: None ADJOURNMENT: Motion to adjourn was made by Committee Member Roberson. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Savel. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting of the Design Review Subcommittee was adjourned at 6:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Cindy A. Walden Approved: Design Review Subcommittee Secretary November 24, 2015