City of Aurora Historic Preservation Commission Met May 13.
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: Fernando Castrejon, Seth Hoffman, Kristin Ludwig, Dan Miller, Simon Munoz and Mike Walker. Amber Foster and Al Signorelli called and excused themselves from the meeting. Justyn Arnold and Jen Del Debbio were absent. Matt Hanson joined the meeting at 7:39 p.m.
OTHERS PRESENT
The following staff members were present: Mrs. Morgan and Sue Jackson.
Others Present:
Miguel Castillo (439 Pennsylvania Avenue) and Michael DuVall (729 W. Downer Place).
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
21-0371 Approval of the Minutes of the Historic Preservation Commission meeting on April 8, 2021.
A motion was made by Mr. Castrejon, seconded by Mr. Walker, that the minutes be approved and filed. The motion carried.
COA REPORT
21-0370 April 2021 Historic Certificate of Appropriateness Report
Chairman Miller said Jill, would you happen to remember if 14 S. May Street with the garage doors, is that the same property where we approved a grant for them concerning the front porch?
Mrs. Morgan said yes. The doors were actually in his application as well.
Chairman Miller said I think we didn’t fund the garage doors, but we funded the porch.
It looks like he is going ahead with that. I have high hopes for that property. I think it will look great.
There were no other questions on the COA report.
This COA Report was discussed and filed.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
AGENDA
21-0367 Certificate of Appropriateness to retain a 4-foot open, wood fence in the front yard at 209 Blackhawk Street (Gerardo Lara Flores - 21-0367 -AU21/2-21.144-COA/HP - JM - Ward 6)
Mrs. Morgan said let me do a screen share. This at 209 Blackhawk Street. The property is in the Tanner Historic District. The home was built circa 1921. In general, the applicant wants to retain the 4 foot open fence in the front yard that was installed without a permit. Here is the current fence. Here is the fence prior. The owner installed a 4 foot solid fence at first, which didn’t adhere to the Zoning Ordinance or the historic district ordinance. The owner was cited for both. So the owner removed half of the pickets to adhere to the Zoning Ordinance, which gets you to this picture. That still doesn’t adhere to the 3½ foot open fence in the front yard for the historic district. The owner is requesting the appeal because of the problems with the dog, which you can see pokes through the fence, but he said any shorter he would be able to jump over the fence. Staff did wonder if they could move the fence. I mentioned moving the fence back to just being flush with the edge of the front of the house and then they could keep even the 4 foot solid fence.
Chairman Miller said this is a block away from my house. We actually have the same house number, 209. The shape of this property is unusual and the lot is very tiny. I’m a little torn. I’m not willing to create lots of precedence for everybody to put up every fence they want, but on the other hand, this lot is very small. It does not have any yard on the other side. It is just an alley, so really most of their yard is on this side of the house where the fence is coming up to the sidewalk. Again, like with Mr. Shelton with the very large lot that would seem to be inviting to trespassers, they are actually asking for an extra foot. It would just help them enjoy their yard more. I did see the dog. I agree that that dog would probably jump over a 3 foot fence. It looked very athletic. I think that Jill was correct in recommending we deny the COA and it doesn’t meet the guidelines. I’m trying not to create all sorts of wild precedence. This lot is shaped very unusual. It is very small. Moving it back just a few feet takes away, even if it is only a little bit of land, it takes away probably a fairly larger percentage of their yard and just on the basis on allowing the children and the dog to pay together in the yard and maybe that they can enjoy that better.
Mrs. Morgan said I’m sorry, he is requesting to keep it closed too.
Chairman Miller said on the closed, that would have to be a no.
Mrs. Morgan said and that doesn’t adhere to the city’s Zoning Ordinance either.
Chairman Miller said the closed part.
Mrs. Morgan said the closed part, correct.
Chairman Miller said if that isn’t germane with zoning, we can’t really approve that then, can we?
Mrs. Morgan said we cannot. You can approve it for Preservation, but it would need a variance. I think it would need a variance by Planning Commission.
Chairman Miller said I wouldn’t recommend that. I wouldn’t want a closed fence right
https://www.aurora-il.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_05132021-2623
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