HomeMy Public PortalAbout2013-04-11 HPC Minutes Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Commission Record of Minutes Date: April 11, 2013 Location: Village Hall CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL, PLEDGE Chairman Bortel called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Roll call was taken; Commissioners Derrick, Hendricksen, Rapp, Schmidt, Hagen and Chai rman Bortel were present. Commissioners Kachel, Olsen, and Buchanan were abse nt. Michael Garrigan –Village Planner; Merrilee Trotz, Recording Secretary were present. Chairman Bortel led the pledge to the flag. David Hagen was sworn in as Commissioner. Mr. Hage n stated he has been a resident of Plainfield of and on since 1978 and has rebuilt a h ouse on Bartlett and is in the process of rebuilding a house on Corbin. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Hendricksen moved to approve the Agend a. Seconded by Commissioner Derrick. Voice vote: All in favor. Opposed - 0. Motion carried 6-0. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Derrick made motion to approve the min utes from February 14, 2013 as presented. Commissioner Schmidt seconded the motio n. Voice vote: All in favor. Opposed - 0. Motion carried 6-0. CHAIR’S COMMENTS: Chairman Bortel indicated he had asked the prospect ive buyer of 24025 W Ottawa Street if it was possible to get a tour of the house. This hous e dates back to 1835 or 1836; the prospective buyer may be looking to tear the house down. COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS: Commissioner Hendricksen expressed concern with the process for demolition permits; suggested that demolition permits should not be tra nsferable; and suggested the permit should include a start date and completion date; further i ndicated he had spoken with Oak Park and Geneva found their existing process was similar to that of Plainfield. Commissioner Hendricksen suggested that all demolition permits s hould be complete with the stated use for the property upon demolition.
Historic Preservation Commission Minutes April 11, 2013 Page 2 of 4 Chairman Bortel indicated the demolition process co uld be discussed at the May meeting. PUBLIC COMMENT: (Items not on the Agenda) No one approached the microphone. STAFF REPORT Mr. Garrigan stated there have been no new applicat ions for landmarks or districts filed; no pre-application meetings held; a demolition permit for 24025 W Ottawa Street has been received; basically the watch list remains the same except fo r the Carey House and the demolition permit for the property on Ottawa Street; the demolition f or the Carey House (14927 S Route 59) has been approved by the Village Board. Commissioner Derrick asked if the demolition permit request for the Ottawa Street included the proposed redevelopment plan. Mr. Garrigan stated t here are no elevations for the proposed house. Commissioner Derrick mentioned an inspectio n was done on the house and asked if the Commission could receive a copy of the inspection. NEW BUSINESS Chairman Bortel indicated the following was a pract ice session for a public hearing for a COA application. Mr. Garrigan’s first scenario was that of a develop er requesting a COA for the historic Clock Tower building; indicating the developer wanted a m odified COA to permit a new English Pub at the corner of Lockport and Illinois Street; was requesting to consolidate and enlarge the second floor windows by adding arches to provide mo re light; was requesting to change the cupola to more contemporary reflection; restore the clock; sandblast the brick and place a light yellow stucco over the brick; replace the first flo or windows to have glass from the top of the first floor to the ground level for a contemporary reflection; and mentioned the sales tax this project would provide for the village. The commissioners offered the following: had the de veloper looked into the cost of adding the arch to the second floor windows; explained good fo od, the big bar, and good service would do the same thing without major modifications to the o utside of the building; suggested the windows on this building face east and north and wi ll not provide a lot of light but that skylights in the roof would let in more light than changing t he windows and then advertise the historic restaurant in the historic downtown; suggested the copula needs to be more in line with the hierarchy of the building. Some discussion was hel d regarding the addition of an elevator. The commissioners felt the display type windows did not reflect an English Pub; that this proposal would not meet the guidelines, village ordinances, or Secretary of Interior Standards. The character defining features of this building are th e decorative cornice, the windows and the brick and the commissioners would be willing to work with the developer to save these features. It was suggested the developer could receive rehabilit ation tax credits from the Federal Government which could be 20% on the rehab costs. However the change to the windows and the addition of the stucco would change this buildi ng from being contributing to non-contributing and the tax credits would not be avail able. It was suggested that the developer meet with a smaller group with the preservation pla nner to review the key contributing or
Historic Preservation Commission Minutes April 11, 2013 Page 3 of 4 character defining features of this important build ing so the developer could work with his architect to tweak some of those elements to better fit with the downtown. Mr. Garrigan presented a second scenario for the Ol d First Midwest Bank and the vacant lot at the corner of Lockport and Route 59. This project would restore the old First Midwest Bank to the mid-century appearance from the 1960’s and add a mid-century two story glass curtain wall building at the hard corner for a large furniture s tore. The proposal was for a retro building with a lot of glass to display the furniture celebr ating the mid-century architecture of the First Midwest Bank building. Commissioners felt this building would be great wes t of the tracks; if the furniture business failed it would several other uses. Discussion was held with regard to the end date for the period of significance for the historic district; t here is at least one contributing building relating to the 1960’s, there is the 1960 telephone building and the addition to the Plainfield National Bank in the district. The Commissioners asked about other materials that would be used on the building; suggested the glass could be lightly tinted and/or possibly h ave curtains to pick up the mid-century feel; suggested the developer work with the architect to find ways this building would better relate to Plainfield. Mr. Garrigan indicated this is a modern architectur e celebrating a period of time that is represented in the Village of Plainfield; there are limestone elements which would reflect some of the character of downtown Plainfield; further ex plained that at night the entire building would be lite and the furniture would be visible. The Commissioners suggested ways the building could fit better in the downtown; suggested the possibility of a parking garage under the build ing; suggested this is a good location for a more modern building; suggested the architect take more stock in the materials, colors, and massing of the buildings in the downtown, i.e. matc h the floor heights to others in the downtown. Commissioner Derrick suggested the commission is lo oking to tie their opinions and assessments to our village ordinance; suggested the commission review the materials before the meeting and start thinking in a framework of the pe riod of significance (character defining features, understanding the materials.) If there i s not enough materials provided beforehand – the commissioners can ask the applicant how their p roject fits in with other existing buildings; understanding what is original and what is not. Commissioner Hendricksen suggested the applicant needs to be aware of the cost involved wi th their projects. OLD BUSINESS: Chairman Bortel reminded everyone there is a meetin g of the HPC with property owners scheduled here at Village Hall Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. The owners of the Opera House have applied for tax credits The National Register Nomination should be filed in 13 days.
Historic Preservation Commission Minutes April 11, 2013 Page 4 of 4 Discussion was held regarding the Historic Preserva tion Awards. The brochure is nearly completed for the walking to ur and the downtown buildings will have QR codes. COMMITTEE REPORTS : DISCUSSION: ADJOURN: Commissioner Hendricksen made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Derrick seconded the motion. Voice vote: All in favor. Opposed – 0 . Motion carried 6-0 Meeting adjourned at 8:44 p. m. __________________________ Respectfully submitted, Merrilee Trotz - Recording Secretary