HomeMy Public PortalAbout05-14-2020 HPC Minutes Meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission
Record of Minutes
Date: May 14, 2020 Location: Village Hall (Zoom Meeting)
CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL, PLEDGE
Chairman Bortel called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Roll call was taken: Commissioners Lucas,
Barvian, Schmidt, Olsen, Derrick, Hendricksen, Rapp, and Chairman Bortel were present. Commissioner
Hagen was absent. Also, in attendance: Jonathan Proulx, Director of Planning; and Jessica Gal,
Associate Planner.
Chairman Bortel led the pledge to the flag.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Commissioner Derrick made a motion to approve the agenda. Seconded by Commissioner Olsen. Voice
Vote. All in favor. 0 opposed. Motion carried 8-0.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The Historic Preservation Commission minutes dated February 13, 2020 were accepted as presented.
Commissioner Hendricksen made a motion to approve the March 12, 2020 minutes of the Historic
Preservation Commission. Seconded by Commissioner Olsen. Voice Vote. All in favor. 0 opposed.
Motion carried 8-0.
CHAIR’S COMMENTS
Chairman Bortel reminded the commission of the Farnsworth House tour in June.
COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS
No Comments.
PUBLIC COMMENT
No Public Comments received via email.
OLD BUSINESS
No Old Business.
NEW BUSINESS
15102 s. Fox River St. Concept Review Meyer Design
Ms. Gal stated the subject structure is a contributing structure to the Downtown Historic District. It is
presently vacant, zoned B-5, and would be occupied by a commercial user once renovated. The applicant
is proposing modifications to the existing structure including a building addition to the south that would
add additional dining area on the first floor. The primary changes are observed on the southern and
eastern elevations. The subject structure was constructed circa 1890 and is identified as being a “Cross
Plan” house, one of few in the Village.
Ms. Gal concluded the applicant and staff seek input from the Historic Preservation Commission
regarding the proposed changes to the building prior to the applicant seeking a Certificate of
Appropriateness.
Commissioner Barvian asked the applicant to explain the location of the deck. Mr. Concannon stated the
deck will extend to the sidewalks on Lockport St. and Fox River St. Commissioner Barvian asked how
much larger this building will be than the original building. Mr. Concannon stated they are adding about
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May 14, 2020
Page 2 of 3
200 square feet onto the existing building, which will allow them to move the stairs to maintain access to
the second floor. Commissioner Barvian asked what the second floor will be used for. Mr. Concannon
indicated office space or personal quarters.
Commissioner Lucas stated his question was regarding the size of the deck and it has already been
answered.
Commissioner Derrick stated the addition will obscure the Cross Plan design which the Urban Survey
mentions. Commissioner Derrick stated the survey also indicates the porch addition dates to 1925 and
wants to know if the window and doors date back to 1925. Mr. Concannon indicated the doors are not
original and windows could be from when the porch was built.
Commissioner Derrick asked what materials will be used. Mr. Concannon stated the siding will be metal,
and wood windows, he also indicated the windows on the house may be original from when the house
was built. Commissioner Derrick asked if the windows will be restored or replaced. Mr. Concannon is
not sure at this time. Commissioner Derrick asked is the porch area is getting new windows. Mr.
Concannon indicated that the porch windows do not have to be replaced. Commissioner Derrick stated
the elevation from the concept plan makes it look like the windows will be replaced. Mr. Concannon
stated that was a mistake.
Commissioner Derrick stated her approach is to preserve as much as possible of the materials that date to
the period of significance, so if the windows date to 1925 she would suggest restoring them since it will
follow the standards. Commissioner Derrick advised the applicant to retain as much original material as
he can and if something needs to be replaced it should be replaced in kind.
Mr. Concannon stated the siding is not original and he would like to replace all the siding, gutters, and
soffits. Commissioner Derrick asked if the original clapboard under the siding. Mr. Concannon
confirmed. Commissioner Derrick suggested letting the commission know the condition of the original
siding once the current siding is removed, so the commission can make a recommendation once they have
all the facts.
Commissioner Derrick suggested the applicant scale the deck to not take away from the building, such as
if he brick post on the existing deck do not date to the period of significance and they are replaced to scale
the size down with what it is replaced with. Commissioner Derrick wants to make sure that the
characteristics of the Cross Plan building are not obscured by the large deck.
Commissioner Hendericksen suggested the applicant moving forward have drawings in the same scale,
provide more description on the elevation drawings, and supply an overlay drawing of the existing
building and proposed new addition. Commissioner Hendericksen agreed that the applicant needs to
keep the originality of the building by keeping as such original materials as possible. Commissioner
Hendericksen is considered that the sidewalk usability could be a problem if the handrails on the deck are
not positioned properly.
Commissioner Olsen agreed with the comments made by Commissioner Derrick and Hendericksen.
Commissioner Olsen asked if the deck elevation will be the same on Lockport St. and Fox River St. Mr.
Concannon confirmed. Commissioner Olsen asked if the service drive will remain. Mr. Concannon
confirmed. Commission Olsen asked the applicant to example what additions will be added to the
building. Mr. Concannon explained how the building will be added onto. Mr. Concannon stated they
want to have a maintenance free building with keeping it as original as possible. Commissioner Derrick
is also concerned about the height of the deck next to the sidewalk and fears it will take away from the
building. Commissioner Olsen suggested they use building materials that are more original to the period
of significance.
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May 14, 2020
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Commissioner Rapp indicated he is not impressed with the plans and will go to the site to provide more
comments. Commissioner Rapp asked if the southside extension will be extended to the service drive.
Mr. Concannon stated it will be a foot or two away from the service drive.
Commissioner Schmidt agrees with his fellow commissioner’s comments. Commissioner Schmidt
suggested a keynote for all the existing windows and doors, so it will provide the commission with more
information. Commissioner Schmidt asked if the cooler will remain outside. Mr. Concannon confirmed
there will be cooler there or could be moved to the basement if possible. Commissioner Schmidt agrees
with the comments regarding the deck railing and suggested to use decking materials that are in line with
the period of significance. Commissioner Schmidt would like the applicant to provide them with more
information on the draws of what is existing and what will be replaced and with what it will be
replacement with.
Commissioner Derrick provide a suggestion of removing the existing deck and install a ground level patio
since the deck has a significant visual presence. Mr. Concannon will take the suggestion into
consideration. Mr. Concannon added they need to make sure they have adequate seating and need to
assess what is safest for the wait staff.
Chairman Bortel asked the applicant what their timeframe is for completing the project. Mr. Concannon
stated they would like this completed by year end. Chairman Bortel worried it will look too commercial
because Fox River St. is a residential area and agrees that patio seating will look more residential. Mr.
Concannon state the main entry to the restaurant is on Lockport St. and the ramp can be modified.
Mr. Proulx explained that properties in a historic district have a different review process then a property
not located in a district. Mr. Proulx added that because the property is in a district there may be some
economic opportunities for the applicant, such as the TIF District and Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit.
Chairman Bortel stated keeping the historic look of the house will keep it in line with the historic district.
Chairman Bortel asked the applicant if the commission could tour the property before work begins. Ms.
Gal stated she will coordinate the tour with the applicant. Commissioner Hendricksen reiterated that the
applicant needs to keep the property as original as possible.
Historic Preservation 2019-2020 Annual Report
Chairman Bortel asked the commission if they are anything to add to the report or comments.
Commissioners had no comments.
2020 Preservation Award Nomination and Heritage Tree Program
Item was not discussed.
DISCUSSION
No discussion.
ADJOURN
Commissioner Derrick made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Olsen seconded the motion.
Voice vote. All in favor; 0 opposed. Motion carried 8-0.
Meeting adjourned at 8:11 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Tracey Erickson
Recording Secretary
Click to view the video of the May 14, 2020 Historical Preservation Commission Meeting.