City of St. Charles Historic Preservation Commission met May 20.
Here is the minutes provided by the commission:
Members Present: Kessler, Mann, Pretz, Malay, Smunt, Kirsininkas, Norris
Members Absent:
Also Present: Russell Colby, Assistant Director of Community & Econ. Development
Rachel Hitzemann, Planner
1. Call to order
Chairman Norris called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. Roll call
Ms. Hitzemann called roll with seven members present. There was a quorum.
3. Approval of Agenda
No changes were made.
4. Presentation of the minutes of the May 6th, 2020 meeting
Mr. Kessler requested that item 7 be amended, noting that it should say, signs, not awnings. A motion was made by Ms. Malay and seconded by Dr. Smunt with a unanimous voice vote to approve the minutes of the May 6th, 2020 meeting.
5. Landmark Applications
No items.
6. Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) applications
a. 50 S. 1st St. Unit Suite 100
The proposal is for the installation of two signs on the First St. Plaza building. One will face the plaza and one will face First St. The sign along First St. will be illuminated. The Commission questioned why the sign along First St. was not above the second story windows. The applicant, Tom Martin, stated that according to the building owner, the sign had to be located above the first-story if it was going to be illuminated. Dr. Smunt suggested that the conduit could be run up to above the second floor, either internally or externally, and that the applicant should explore that option with the building owner. Mr. Kessler expressed concerns with the proportion of the signs to the building. Ms. Hitzemann confirmed that the signs meet City Code requirements.
A motion was made by Mr. Smunt and seconded by Ms. Malay with a unanimous voice vote to approve the item with the condition that the First St. sign be moved above the second-story windows.
b. 215 N 3rd Ave.
The proposal is to replace the back-screen door and add a screen door to the front of the house. The current screen door is lagging and no longer fits the frame. The Commission liked the design and material of the new screen doors.
A motion was made by Mr. Kessler and seconded by Mr. Pretz with a unanimous voice vote to approve the COA as presented.
7. Grant Applications
No items.
8. Other Commission Business
No items.
9. Preliminary Reviews-Open forum for questions or presentation of preliminary concepts to the Commission for feedback
a. 18 S 3rd Ave.
Mr. Steven Kolanowski made a presentation pertaining to his idea of demolishing the current home at 18 S. 3rd Ave. and replacing it with a duplex structure. Mr. Kolanowski informed the Commission that the foundation of the home was degrading and that the foundation is not safe. The Commission noted the deterioration, but expressed concerns about demolishing one of the earliest homes in St. Charles. Dr. Smunt said that if the building was to be torn down, he would like to see if replaced with a building that also had the Victorian style architecture. The Commission requested that the applicant set up a set visit so they can see the state the home is in for themselves.
b. Baker Church
The Church would like to replace some of the bronze entrance doors to the building. Chairman Norris expressed concerns about replacing the doors, when it looked like the hardware was the problem. The Commission stated that they may be open to a like-an-kind replacement, if the doors were saved and used in a different location of the Church. The applicant also presented the idea of constructing an awning over the entrance along Cedar Ave. The Commission would like to see more details and renderings pertaining to the awning. The Commission requested a site visit to see the doors.
10. Additional Business and Observations from Commissioners or Staff
Dr. Smunt inquired about the available funding for the upcoming fiscal year.
11. Meeting Announcements: Historic Preservation Commission meeting June 3rd, 2020 at 7:00 P.M.
12. Public Comment
None.
13. Adjournment
With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 8:20p.m.
https://www.stcharlesil.gov/sites/default/files/event/packet-items/5-20-20%20HP%20Minutes.pdf
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