HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-13-16 DRSC Approved 01-10-17Design Review Subcommittee
of the Elgin Heritage Commission
December 13, 2016
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:
Lynne Diamond, Rebecca Hunter, Bill Ristow, John Roberson, Dennis Roxworthy, Scott Savel,
and John Wiedmeyer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
None
CITY STAFF PRESENT:
Christen Sundquist, Historic Preservation; and Cindy Walden, DRSC Secretary
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion made by Committee Member Roberson to approve the minutes of November 22, 2016,
as amended (date correction within report and “received” to “receiving”.
The motion was seconded by Committee Member Hunter.
The motion passed 5-0-2. (Abstain: Diamond and Hunter)
RECOGNIZE OTHER PERSONS PRESENT:
None
PROPERTIES ON AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION:
Old Business
None
New Business
422 North St – Installation of turned columns at side porch
ITEMS TABLED:
None
Design Review Subcommittee – December 13, 2016
Page 2 of 4
NEW BUSINESS:
The applicant has submitted a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) to reconstruct the
property’s side entrance overhang. The COA application has been filed as a corrective action to
the following violations:
1. Side entrance overhang and columns installed without a COA.
The rear entrance overhang was approved in 2014 to be rebuilt to match the existing due to
damage by a tree limb. The side entrance overhang was not approved to be replaced at that
time.
The owners stated that the overhang at the side entrance was rebuilt to match elements found
at the rear overhang that were approved in the existing permit. They were unaware that the
side entrance overhang was not included in their permit. To note, the prior overhang at the side
entrance was not original to the home.
The prior overhang was larger than what was replaced and had two – 4x4 posts. The owners
removed the 4x4 posts and replaced them with 6x6 turned columns. The owners are requesting
to maintain the turned columns. Staff noted to the owners that any exterior elements must be
approved prior to installation.
The columns installed are not in keeping with the style of the home and has a column base that
is proportionally too high.
Elgin Design Guideline Manual Specifications:
Porches
A. Should be maintained in their original design with original materials and detailing
B. Should be repaired or replaced to match the original in design, materials, scale and
placement
C. Should be screened only if the structural framework for the screen panels is minimal
and the open appearance of the porch is maintained. Screen panels should be
placed behind the original features such as columns or railings and should not hide
decorative details or result in the removal of original porch materials.
D. Should have steps of the same material as the porch floor (e.g. porches with wood
floors should also have steps made of wood, not concrete or brick)
E. Should have poured concrete steps if the porch, patio or terrace floor is made of
concrete (see section on Porch Steps).
F. Should have wood tongue and groove flooring running perpendicular to the façade,
if the porch floor is made of wood.
G. Should have trellises made of wood, if trellises are appropriate.
H. Should be filled in as traditional for the type and style of the house or with
decorative wood framed skirting, vertical slats, or lattice panels, if open areas in the
foundation exist.
Design Review Subcommittee – December 13, 2016
Page 3 of 4
I. Should not be removed if original to the dwelling
J. Should not be enclosed with wood, glass, or other materials which would alter the
porch’s open appearance.
Porch Columns and Railing
A. Should be preserved and maintained. Where repair is required, use materials to
match the original in dimensions and detailing.
B. Should be rebuilt in historic designs if the original columns and railings have been
removed or replaced
C. Should have new balusters for the railing, if required. Porch balusters (also called
spindles) should be appropriate for the building’s style and period. The height of the
railing should be in line with the window sill level, if present, and no greater than 30
inches in height.
Staff Recommendation:
Staff does not recommend approval of the Certificate of Appropriate ness as submitted. Staff
would recommend approval if the following conditions are met:
1. The columns shall be removed if the overhang is structurally sound without the posts,
or;
2. The columns are replaced with cylindrical columns that are simpler in design to
complement the existing columns at the front porch.
3. All side porch details shall be primed and painted.
If the side entrance overhang with turned columns are approved as proposed, staff
recommends that the Design Review Subcommittee recommend the following:
1. All porch details shall be primed and painted.
*****
Daniel Garrido, David & Maria Garrido (owners) and Maria Flores (translator) were present
for tonight’s COA discussion:
Owners indicated they had purchased the posts after they had removed the side porch roof,
due to the deteriorated 4x4 post condition. Height from top step to lower portion of the roof
structure is 8’-5”.
Commission explained the style of post is not appropriate for the design of the house. Posts
are visible from the public right of way. Anytime existing exterior elements are removed, the
guidelines indicate appropriate replacements must be installed.
Staff indicated they have discussed with owners the COA approval requirement for any exterior
work, and applicable building permits.
Concerns were addressed by the commission regarding the work (roof and new columns) being
completed without a building permit and without a required COA submittal. The roof structure
Design Review Subcommittee – December 13, 2016
Page 4 of 4
may or may not be structurally sound by building code standards. Staff to work with CODE and
Building to ensure proper roof attachment to building.
Should the roof structure need to be taken down (per Code/Building requirements) the
following recommendations would be appropriate for design of the new porch roof, including
but not limited to: 1) hip style roof, 2) soffit and header (appearance of a box beam), 3) no
bracket from box beam to house (not enough clearance), 4) bead board under roof, 5) tapered
round columns, etc.
Motion made by Committee Member Roberson to approve 8” round tapered columns with
plain base and cap (square top & bottom and round rings) made of either fiberglass or wood .
The motion was seconded by Committee Member Hunter.
The motion passed unanimously.
ADDITIONAL STAFF COMMENTS:
Staff presented the IHPA (Illinois Association of Historic Preservation Commissions) which was
awarded to the Heritage Commission for the city’s website technology in preservation.
CORRESPONDENCE:
None
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion to adjourn was made by Committee Member Diamond.
The motion was seconded by Committee Member Roxworthy.
The motion passed unanimously.
The meeting of the Design Review Subcommittee was adjourned at 6:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy A. Walden Approved: 01/10/2017
Design Review Subcommittee Secretary