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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2015-06-11 HPC Minutes Village of Plainfield Meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission Record of Minutes Date: June 11, 2015 Location: Village Hall CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL, PLEDGE Chairman Bortel called the meeting to order at 5:40 p.m. Roll call was taken; Commissioners Schmidt, Kachel, Derrick, Hendricksen, Barvian, Rapp, Hagen, and Chairman Bortel were present. Commissioners Olsen and Rapp were absent. Also in attendance: Jonathan Proulx, Planner I and Merrilee Trotz, Recording Secretary. Chairman Bortel led the pledge to the flag. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chairman Bortel removed Presentation of Historic Preservation Awards and the staff report from the agenda. Commissioner Derrick made a motion to accept the amended agenda; Seconded by Commissioner Barvian. Voice Vote. All in favor. 0 opposed. Motion carried APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes from April 9, 2015 were accepted as amended. CHAIR’S COMMENTS: Chairman Bortel indicated there would be a special meeting June 17, 2015, at 24010 W Commercial Street at 4:30 p.m. to present landmark plaque to Mr. and Mrs. John Bright. Chairman Bortel indicated Commissioner Derrick gave a presentation to the Park Board June 10, 2015. COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS: PUBLIC COMMENT: (Items not on the Agenda) No one approached the microphone. OLD BUSINESS - None NEW BUSINESS Case No. 1688-060315.COA 24108 W Lockport Street Mr. Proulx stated this is a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) for 24108 W Lockport which is currently being used as an office. This building is the oldest government building in Plainfield which dates back to circa 1900; was labeled as the “Town Hall”, “Fire Department” and “Jail.” There is a proposal to lease the space as a restaurant. The applicant/owner proposes to address the deteriorating brick condition on all four elevations; and redo the front elevation which would require a COA per the Village’s ordinance. The applicant proposed to Historic Preservation Commission Minutes June 11, 2015 Page 2 of 4 replace bricks on the sides and rear elevations and restore the iron cornice and retain the lintel above the store front opening. Mr. Proulx described the proposed store front that would have operable doors that would pivot open and then slide accordion style to give an open air option to allow the restaurant to expand out on the sidewalk for outdoor dining. Staff is seeking an analysis on the restoration of the old brick versus removal and replacing the brick. If restoring the brick is determined not practical then the replacement should be completed with a material comparable to the old brick and is reasonably available. Chairman Bortel swore in Jason Morales. Mr. Morales stated his first option would be to replace all the bricks on all four elevations; indicated the old Chicago common brick is porous and not good for exterior usage. Mr. Morales presented samples of the brick material that will match fairly well, the proposed glass and molding; indicated he would like to fix the building correctly now and not have to do it again in a few years. Chairman Bortel stated the property was purchased in 1882 and the building was built in 1897 by the Village; described the usage as the Town Hall, Fire Department and Jail; indicated the bars for the jail are still present; stated this is the only building that was previously Village owned that is still standing in the downtown. Commissioner Hagen asked if the applicant has explored restoration of the existing brick. Mr. Morales stated the bottom 4 or 5 feet is finished in a stucco like finish; none of the masons could give him a straight answer about the process until this finish was removed; stated the masons told him because of the nature of the brick the same problems would reoccur. The mason who worked on the Opera House indicated it would cost more to restore it than to replace the brick; suggested they can match what was there. Commissioner Hendricksen stated if is a judgment call on whether the brick can be restored; indicated he agreed with Mr. Morales as to the feasibility of restoration; stated the north east and west facades are Scottish bond, every sixth row has headers that goes into the wall to facilitate the 3 brick thick wall; the front of the building is running bond with a clean stuck mortar joints; wanted assurance that the brick would be laid in the same bond and the brick match be as close as possible. Mr. Morales indicated his goal is to restore the building and make it look like it did 100 years ago. Commissioner Barvian expressed concern with the brick being replaced on the front elevation. Commissioner Schmidt asked if there were structural issues with the front elevation. Mr. Morales said above the left side of the lintel the bricks are starting to crack as the building is starting to twist; thought 30% of the front bricks would need to be replaced. Commissioner Schmidt would like to see the front bricks restored and replace the bricks on the sides and back. Commissioner Kachel mentioned the part of the front has been sandblasted and the glaze that was on the brick has been removed; stated new bricks could be used and if they keep the same joints and match the mortar the building could look the same. Commissioner Derrick stated the commission has rules and criteria to apply; explained there are treatments that can be done to seal brick and these treatments may have to re reapplied; asked if Mr. Morales received written reports from the masons and if there was a proposed work plan. Mr. Morales indicated they would only remove and replace the outer layer of brick. Historic Preservation Commission Minutes June 11, 2015 Page 3 of 4 Commissioner Derrick asked about the coping along the top. Mr. Morales indicated the broken tiles would be replaced with black terra cotta tiles to match. Regarding the front elevation, Mr. Morales thought there might be 30 – 40 bricks in the front that need to be replaced; the problem will be in matching the brick. Commissioner Derrick asked if the swinging doors could be retained. Mr. Morales said these doors are gone. Chairman Bortel said the only thing historic on the front is the lintel. Commissioner Kachel asked if the window was originally a doorway. Chairman Bortel would look for historic photos; suggested they keep the lintel as it was; mentioned the possibility of changing the window to a door if historic photos can be located. Commissioner Hendricksen asked if Mr. Morales would be agreeable replacce the bricks on the sides and rear and redo the front with existing material. Mr. Morales agreed he would be open to this option. Chairman Bortel mentioned the owner was able to match the brick on the opera house. Chairman Bortel explained the opportunity of the 20% tax credit in the National Register District. Mr. Morales presented a sample of the glass and molding for the new doorway. Commissioner Derrick expressed concern with the keeping of the historic look to the front of the building. Commissioner Schmidt liked the new door and if the window was changed to a door it would be just for a look. Discussion was held as to the period of significance. The Fire Dept. was relocated in 1940. Commissioner Kachel asked if the planter would remain. Mr. Morales the planter would not remain if the building is converted to a restaurant. Commissioner Derrick will be preparing the list of items for the letter of agreement. Some items for the letter of agreement are as follows: 1. Retain the historic coping along the top of the building on all elevations and the broken tiles in the parapet will be replaced with black terra cotta tiles to match the existing historic tiles in place on the parapet. Re-seal the entire area. 2. Remove the outer historic brick wave on the East, North and West elevations and replace with a modern brick that can be sealed and closely resembles the historic bricks both in color and size. 3. The owner will submit one of the historic original bricks and one of the replacement bricks prior to work being done on the 3 exterior elevations for final approval to Michael Garrigan in the Plainfield Planning Office. 4. Every attempt must be made to retain the historic Mortar joint width as well as the dimensions of the replacement brick. Care needs to be taken that the new mortar mix that will be used to join the Historic Preservation Commission Minutes June 11, 2015 Page 4 of 4 new brick to the existing underlying historic brick wave be similar in content to the original mortar mix. Compatible mortar will insure minimum damage to the unseen second and third brick waves. 5. Retain the cast metal corners and repair as necessary 6. “Scottish bond” will be used on the north, east and west elevations – every 6th row has headers that go into the wall to facilitate the 3 – brick thick wall; the modern replacement brick must be laid with same exterior appearance as were the historic bricks from 1897. 7. Historic images have been given to the applicant so he may be able to replicate the historic south façade of the structure. The bricks of the south façade should be: a. Cleaned using the best historic preservation practices while closely following the Secretary of Interior Standards b. Retained to the maximum extent as possible c. Repair & replace in kind the bricks that are broken or cracked d. Seal the sandblasted bricks using the best practices using guidelines from the Secretary of Interior . e. Match the mortar joints if they are to be repointed. Removal of the old mortar should be by hand to retain the edges of the historic brick. f. Care needs to be taken if tuck-pointing is done that it be accomplished in the same manner, depth, and dimension. g. Every attempt should be made to use a historic mix of mortar similar to 1897. 8. Every effort should be made to retain the historic black cast iron lintel and incorporate it with the new operable doors on the south façade. 9. Historic images supplied to the applicant show that the south facing historic window was always a window and should be retained in this restoration project. Commissioner Hendricksen made a motion to approve the proposed Certificate of Appropriateness with notes approved by all parties to be included. Commissioner Kachel seconded the motion. Vote by roll call: Derrick; yes; Barvian, yes; Schmidt, yes; Hagen, yes; Kachel, yes; Hendricksen, yes; Bortel, yes. Motion carried 7-0 DISCUSSION LDDC meeting July 2 – proposed residential district Commissioner Hendricksen would like a discussion to resolve the outstanding demolition building permits. ADJOURN: Commissioner Derrick made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Barvian seconded the motion. Voice vote. All in favor; 0 opposed. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:55 p. m. Respectfully submitted, Merrilee Trotz Recording Secretary