HomeMy Public PortalAbout2014-08-14 HPC Minutes
Village of Plainfield
Meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission
Record of Minutes
Date: August 14, 2014 Location: Village Hall
CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL, PLEDGE
Chairman Bortel called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Roll call was taken; Commissioners Schmidt,
Kachel, Olsen, Derrick, Hendricksen, Hagen, and Chairman Bortel were present. Commissioner Rapp
was absent.
Also in attendance: Michael Garrigan, Village Planner and Merrilee Trotz, Recording Secretary.
Chairman Bortel led the pledge to the flag.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Commissioner Derrick made a motion approving the agenda. Commissioner Hendricksen seconded the
motion. Voice vote. All in favor. 0 opposed. Motion carried
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Commissioner Hendricksen made a motion to approve the minutes from June 12, 2014 as amended.
Commissioner Olsen seconded the motion. Vote by roll call: Schmidt, yes; Kachel, yes; Olsen, yes;
Derrick, yes; Hendricksen, yes; Hagen, yes; Bortel, yes. Motion carried 7-0
CHAIR’S COMMENTS:
Chairman Bortel attended the August 7, 2014 seminar sponsored by Landmarks Illinois at the Chamber
of Commerce in Aurora, Illinois. The program was to discuss the 25% Illinois Historic Tax Credit that if
passed will apply to any Illinois community that has a District that has buildings that would qualify.
Chairman Bortel mentioned a need to learn when the east and west additions were added to the Trolley
Barn; that IHPA indicated if the additions were added in or prior to 1963 they could become contributing
automatically.
COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS:
Commissioner Kachel asked if there was anything for historic vacant property. Chairman Bortel
indicated the tax credit is only on income producing property.
Commissioner Hendricksen stated kudos to staff on the destination point article in the Enterprise;
Plainfield is trying to keep the downtown vibrant.
Commissioner Hendricksen asked about the property on Ottawa Street. Mr. Garrigan stated the owner is
following the design guidelines except for the location of the garage.
PUBLIC COMMENT: (Items not on the Agenda)
No one approached the microphone.
Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
August 14, 2014
Page 2 of 3
STAFF REPORT:
Mr. Garrigan indicated there are no new landmark applications and no new demolition requests; the
preservation watch list remains the same. Mr. Garrigan stated there is a residential tenant in the house at
the southeast corner of 127 th and Naperville Road f/k/a Weinhold property.
Commissioners asked if there were to be any changes to the barns at the southwest corner of 127 th and
Naperville Road. Mr. Garrigan stated the owner is moving his business to one of the barns; stated the
owner currently has no plans to modify the historic barn.
Mr. Garrigan stated there has been some work done at the old Baci’s. Some plexiglass coverings have
been placed over the stained glass windows
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
Case No. 1645-021414.HPC Demolition Draft Text Amendment
Mr. Garrigan reviewed the revised text amendment for the Demolition Ordinance. One of the major
changes is the elimination of the Community Impact Study. Staff has attempted to incorporate an
Alternative Use Analysis. If the HPC determines the building has historic merits during a public
hearing, they would have the prerogative subject to Village Board approval to request a 90-day delay of
the demolition to allow the applicant and HPC to obtain an alternative use analysis.
The other major modification is that the permit is not transferable. A public hearing would take place to
review the findings of fact and the Village Board would make the ultimate decision. The applicant
would have 1 year to complete the demolition; if the demolition is not completed in the 1 year they
would have to reapply.
Commissioner Kachel suggested it be clarified as to who would pay for the architect. Mr. Garrigan
suggested it could be pro bono for conceptual drawings.
Commissioner Hendricksen asked who would pay for the structural engineer and suggested any
additional cost resulting from this application would be the applicant’s expense.
Mr. Garrigan stated if someone is arguing that the structure is unsound, then the burden is on that person
to prove it is unsound. Mr. Garrigan said it was more important to determine whether the structure
would be viable for some type of reuse. Commissioner Olsen suggested it be an agreed upon
professional. Commissioner Hendricksen said that both sides would pay then.
Chairman Bortel asked if the structural engineer would be licenses. Discussion was held regarding the
study that would be completed by the structural engineer and who would be responsible for any cost.
Commissioner Schmidt agreed the structural engineer should be licensed. Commissioner Hendricksen
stated that not every architect would have the ability or qualifications. Commissioner Olsen asked if
IHPA offered any services. Commissioner Derrick stated IHPA would send a list of people who have
worked with historic buildings within a particular area and you would have to pay that person.
Commissioner Schmidt asked if someone wants to demo a building, then we ask why and they say
because it is structurally unsound, then we say they need to provide a structural report. Commissioner
Kachel said most structural engineers would indicate where the problems are in the structure.
Mr. Garrigan stated he could modify the ordinance to make sure the burden would be on the applicant.
Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
August 14, 2014
Page 3 of 3
Commissioner Derrick suggested Alternatives Analysis instead of Alternative Use Analysis; also
suggested changing” … economic alternative …” to … economic feasible alternative to a proposed
demolition.
Commissioner Hendricksen asked if there was support by the Village Board; asked if the Commission
should submit their opinion.
Discussion was held as to whether the Commission should ask to attend a Committee of the Whole
workshop to discuss their opinions.
Discussion was held regarding the possible deadline; the possibility of gathering several permits in a
row; the possibility of an applicant asking for an extension; the possibility of making it a 2 year deadline.
Consensus of the Commissioners was to agree on the 1 year deadline and then the applicant would have
to reapply.
Commissioners agreed on corrections to include a few typos; and change Alternative use Analysis to
Alternatives Analysis.
DISCUSSION
Mr. Garrigan presented plans for a property on Main Street that was identified as a contributing structure
but was not landmarked and is not in a district; therefore there is no reason to deny the requested
changes. If our new ordinance was in effect and someone wanted to change more than 50% of the
façade then this applicant would be required to come before the HPC to approve any modification to the
exterior.
ADJOURN:
Commissioner Derrick made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Schmidt seconded the motion. Voice
vote. All in favor; 0 opposed. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p. m.
__________________________
Respectfully submitted,
Merrilee Trotz - Recording Secretary