Joliet Historic Preservation Commission

City of Joliet 150 West Jefferson Street Joliet, IL 60432 Meeting Minutes - Final Wednesday, November 16, 2022 7:00 PM City Hall, Council Chambers Joliet Historic Preservation Commission Commission Members Quinn Adamowski Brian Bessler Mary Beth Gannon Kevin Heinemann Candace Johnson Kailee Lowry Sharon Merwin Aaron Mikottis Ken Spiegel Sara Stovall Steven Wright Joliet Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes - Final November 16, 2022 Citizens who are unable to attend the meeting can email comments in advance of the meeting to publiccomment@joliet.gov. CALL TO ORDER DECLARATION OF QUORUM Present Quinn Adamowski, Brian Bessler, Candace Johnson, Kailee Lowry, Sharon Merwin, Aaron Mikottis, Sara Stovall, Steven Wright and Ken Spiegel Absent Mary Beth Gannon and Kevin Heinemann APPROVAL OF MINUTES April 27, 2022 Joliet Historic Preservation Commission TMP-4648 Regular Meeting Minutes Attachments: 04-27-22 Regualr Meeting Minutes JB A motion was made by Candace Johnson, seconded by Sara Stovall, to approve April 27, 2022 Joliet Historic Preservation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes. The motion failed with the following vote: Aye: Adamowski, Johnson, Merwin and Stovall Abstain: Lowry and Wright July 27, 2022 Joliet Historic Preservation Commission TMP-4649 Regular Meeting Minutes Attachments: 07-27-22 Regular Minutes JB This Item was tabled. October 26, 2022 Historic Preservation Commission Regular TMP-4808 Meeting Minutes Attachments: 10-26-22 Regular Minutes A motion was made by Candace Johnson, seconded by Sara Stovall, to table the April 27, 2022, July 27, 2022 and October 26, 2022 Historic Preservation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Adamowski, Johnson, Lowry, Merwin, Stovall and Wright CITIZENS TO BE HEARD ON AGENDA ITEMS This section is for anyone wanting to speak regarding agenda items and are allowed a maximum of 4 minutes. It is not a question and answer period and staff, and the Commission members do not generally respond to public comments. The City Clerk has a copy of the public speaking procedures; please note, speakers who engage in conduct injurious to the harmony of the meeting shall be called to order by the Presiding Officer and may forfeit the opportunity to speak. Page 1 of 3 Joliet Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes - Final November 16, 2022 COMMITTEE AND STAFF REPORTS a.Staff Report Ms. Bernhard said the contracts were extended for work being completed by McGuire & Igleski Associates at the November 1st, 2022 City Council meeting. Ms. Bernhard also announced that all of the Historic Preservation Commission members were re-appointed by the City Council at the November 15th City Council meeting. Ms. Bernhard announced that she plans on sending out holiday cards this year. b.Committee of the Whole (COW) There was no discussion on this subject. OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS A. Preliminary Review – Rescind Raynor’s Addition Local TMP-4790 Historic District Attachments: LHD-1-2022 (800 block of Western) Staff Report Packet Ms. Bernhard read the staff report into the record. Ms. Cathy Thomas, who is one of the petitioners, then spoke on behalf of the petition to rescind local historic district status for the 800 block of Western Avenue. She noted that the primary motivation for becoming a district, which was the threat of First Presbyterian Church demolishing houses for church parking, is no longer present. She further stated that she and her neighbors don’t agree with the purview of the Commission regarding work to the exterior of their homes. She stated that she and her neighbors were misled as to the types of and location of exterior construction work that would be subject to review and approval by the Historic Preservation Commission. She noted that she and her neighbors were not happy with the new Historic Residential Design Guidelines Manual. She reiterated that it is the desire of all ten property owners in the district to repeal this district designation. A discussion ensued with the Commission, the petitioner and residents in attendance regarding the desire of this request as well as projects that have been completed in this district. Commissioner Johnson requested that Ms. Bernhard provide the Commission with information regarding the building permits that were issued in this district as well as certificates of appropriateness applications that have been applied for in this district. Several residents, including co-petitioner Philip Truty, spoke in favor of repealing the local district designation. These property owners were: Jo Truty, Antonio Alvarado, Thomas Quillman, and Jan Quillman. These residents discussed their frustration with the certificate of approval process and the current purview of the Commission on their houses. These residents also noted that there has been Page 2 of 3 Joliet Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes - Final November 16, 2022 and continues to be no financial assistance available to them. Commissioner Adamowski noted that it was unfortunate that the district was ever established if their only motivation in forming a district was to stop the demolition of homes by First Presbyterian Church. He further commented that people want to be in a historic district because they want to be in a historic district. They want the houses to be the way they are because they value the architecture. He stated that, in his opinion, these ten houses became a district for the wrong reasons. He also mentioned that the City historically has not prioritized historic preservation. The City has not put money into grant opportunities in recent years. B. 209 Union Street - Project update from new owners The new owners of 209 Union Street gave the Commission updates on their home restoration projects. They also sought feedback on appropriate building materials. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Ms. Johnson announced that she is still working on landmark nominations. PUBLIC COMMENT This section is for anyone wanting to speak regarding non-agenda items and are allowed a maximum of 4 minutes. It is not a question and answer period and staff, and the Commission members do not generally respond to public comments. The City Clerk has a copy of the public speaking procedures; please note, speakers who engage in conduct injurious to the harmony of the meeting shall be called to order by the Presiding Officer and may forfeit the opportunity to speak. Mr. Kenneth and Takeesha Holliday appeared and spoke about their residence and discussed the Residential Design Guidelines with the Commission. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Sara Stovall, seconded by Kailee Lowry, to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Adamowski, Johnson, Lowry, Merwin, Stovall and Wright This meeting will be held in an accessible location. If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact Christa M. Desiderio, City Clerk, 150 West Jefferson Street, Joliet, Illinois 60432 at (815) 724-3780. Page 3 of 3