City of Aurora Historic Preservation Commission Met March 11.
Here is the minutes provided by the commission:
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Miller called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and stated the following: On June 26, 2020, the Governor of Illinois issued a statewide disaster declaration related to public health concerns. As head of this body, I have determined that an in-person meeting or a meeting otherwise conducted in accordance with the Open Meetings Act is neither practical nor prudent because of the disaster. This meeting will be conducted by Internet teleconference without the physical presence of a quorum. Prior to the commencement of this meeting, all members of this body were verified and can see and hear one another.
I further find that the physical presence of members of the public is not feasible at this meeting due to the disaster, and more specifically, the practical difficulties associated with accommodating the public in an accessible hygienic location that allows for appropriate social distancing. Alternative arrangements have been made to allow the public to contemporaneously hear all discussion and roll call votes live on the City’s official website, on Facebook, and via Zoom teleconference. Notice of these arrangements have been given in accordance with the Open Meetings Act. The public may address this body consistent with the rules previously adopted and recorded and as adapted by Mayoral order.
Jill Morgan, Planner, is physically present at our regular meeting location as those terms are defined by Resolution R20-124.
All votes shall be conducted by roll call and a verbatim record of this meeting shall be made and maintained in accordance with the Open Meetings Act.
ROLL CALL
The following Preservation Commission members were present: Justyn Arnold, Fernando Castrejon, Amber Foster, Matt Hanson, Kristin Ludwig, Dan Miller, Simon Munoz, Al Signorelli and Mike Walker. Jen Del Debbio called in and excused herself from the meeting. Seth Hoffman joined the meeting at 7:02. p.m.
OTHERS PRESENT
The following staff members were present: Mrs. Morgan and Sue Jackson.
Others Present: Amy Heart (Sunrun).
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
21-0121 Approval of the Minutes for the Historic Preservation Commission meeting on February 11, 2021.
A motion was made by Mr. Signorelli, seconded by Mr. Munoz, that the minutes be approved and filed. The motion carried.
COA REPORT
21-0169 February Historic Certificate of Appropriateness Report
Chairman Miller said I have a question. On 609 S. 4th Street, this says remove and replace porch starirs. The comments seem to just describe the steps. Was that really just a step replacement?
Mrs. Morgan said yes.
There were no other questions on the COA report.
This COA Report was discussed and filed.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
AGENDA
21-0167 Certificate of Appropriateness to install solar panels on the roof being partially visible from the street at 420 Blackhawk Street (Raymond Bailey
21-0167- AU21/2-21.044-COA/HP- JM - Ward 6)
Mrs. Morgan said I will introduce the project. I believe the applicant is on or about ready to get on and available to answer any questions. This property is within the Tanner Historic District. The house is a contributing resource. The home was built circa 1890’s in the National Gable Front and Wing style. In general, the applicant is proposing to install 27 solar panels on both slips of the roof of the detached garage located in the rear yard. While located in the rear yard, the north facing gable of the garage is still partially visible from the street and, therefore, cannot be approved by staff. Per the updates to the guidelines, the requirement that minimally visible solar panels is to be approved by the Preservation Commission only. The garage is a modern garage. The panels do appear to adhere to the requirement that solar panels be located where they are minimally visible and do not alter the historic character of the building, such as it is on the rear roof located in the rear yard on a non-contributing garage. Let me bring up a picture. Here you can see is a picture of house and specifically more the garage. You see in the rear where the solar panels will be located. Another picture of a close up of the garage. Then I have some pictures that the applicant provided kind of showing it more in the rear, so you can kind of see the rear facing house and what the garage looks like toward the rear. I’ll stop sharing. Are there any questions for staff before I turn it over to Amy Heart with the Petitioner to answer any questions?
Chairman Miller said if I understood the diagram correctly, all the panels will actually be located on the garage and not on the house. Is that correct?
Mrs. Morgan said correct.
Chairman Miller said does anyone have any further questions or any questions for Ms. Heart?
Mrs. Ludwig said and those panels on the garage are enough to fully power the house? It just seems like other applications that we’ve had when we were hoping they could go to the garage, we’ve heard a lot of oh a garage can’t hold enough panels to power the house. Is that because this is a larger, this is a 2 car garage?
Chairman Miller said it sounds like a question for Ms. Heart. Could you state your name and address for the record please?
My name is Amy Heart and I am a Policy Director at Sunrun. Thank you very much for letting me join you this evening. My address, I’m actually north of the border. I’m in Milwaukee, 3924 E. Whitaker Avenue in Cudahy, Wisconsin.
Chairman Miller said thank you for the introduction and thank you for being here.
Absolutely. I have the design specs, but I do not have the agreement with the homeowner of how much of an offset this is supposed to provide. Generally you’ll see projects that try to have 70% to 80% of an offset over an annual usage, so a solar system could provide 70% to 80% of your energy. This might be a little bit less, even though it is on both of those roofs, but it is quite a number of panels. I don’t know the amount of the actual offset that this one provides.
Mrs. Ludwig said that makes sense. Thank you.
Ms. Heart said I’m absolutely here to answer any other questions that you may have, but thanks for letting me join you.
Chairman Miller said are there any other questions for Ms. Heart? This one, it looks like the installer has done pretty much everything we’ve asked as far as putting panels on a detached building behind the house or a rear facing elevation behind the dormer, which you’ve done. I guess if there’s no more discussion, would anyone like to make a motion to approve the COA?
MOTION OF APPROVAL WAS MADE BY: Al Signorelli
MOTION SECONED BY: Amber Foster
AYES: Justyn Arnold, Fernando Castrejon, Amber Foster, Matt Hanson, Seth Hoffman, Kristin Ludwig, Dan Miller, Simon Munoz, Al Signorelli, Mike Walker
NAYS: None
A motion was made by Mr. Signorelli, seconded by Mr. Foster, that this agenda item be approved. The motion carried.
21-0165 2021 Historic Preservation Grant Applications (City of Aurora - 21-0165 / KDWK-20.203-PZ/HP - JM)
The grant awards were selected and approved.
PENDING
COMMITTEE REPORTS
A) Grants
No Report.
B) Near Eastside Historic District
No Report.
C) Riddle Highlands Historic District
No Report.
D) Public Awareness
No Report.
E) Landmarks
No Report.
F) FoxWalk Design Review
No Report.
G) Tanner/Palace Historic District Committee
No Report.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Miller said do we have a motion to adjourn the meeting?
MOTION TO ADJOURN WAS MADE BY: Al Signorelli
MOTION SECONDED BY: Fernando Castrejon
AYES: Justyn Arnold, Fernando Castrejon, Amber Foster, Matt Hanson, Seth Hoffman, Kristin Ludwig, Dan Miller, Simon Munoz, Al Signorelli, Mike Walker
NAYS: None
A motion was made by Mr. Signorelli, seconded by Mr. Castrejon, that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried. Chairman Miller adjourned the meeting at 9:24 p.m.
https://www.aurora-il.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_03112021-2551
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