Historic Preservation Commission Meeting
Regular MeetingUrbana, IL · April 7, 2021
Minutes
April 7, 2021
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
URBANA HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
DATE: April 7, 2021 APPROVED
TIME: 7:00 p.m.
PLACE: City Council Chambers | Zoom Webinar
MEMBERS ATTENDING Alice Novak, Gina Pagliuso, Renee Pollock, Trent Shepard,
REMOTELY: Kim Smith
MEMBER ATTENDING David Hays
AT CITY BUILDING:
STAFF PRESENT City of Urbana (Host); Marcus Ricci, Planner II; Kat Trotter,
Planner I; Liggett, Jason, UPTV Manager
OTHERS PRESENT None
REMOTELY:
1. CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL AND DECLARATION OF QUORUM
Chair Novak called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. Roll call was taken, and a quorum was
declared with all members present.
2. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
There were none.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the January 6, 2021 regular meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission were
presented for approval. Mr. Shepard moved to approve the minutes as written. Ms. Smith seconded
the motion. The minutes were approved as written by unanimous voice vote.
4. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
There were none.
5. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
There was none.
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April 7, 2021
6. CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARINGS
There were none.
7. OLD BUSINESS
There was none.
8. NEW PUBLIC HEARINGS
There were none.
9. NEW BUSINESS
There was none.
10. MONITORING OF HISTORIC PROPERTIES
Ms. Pagliuso stated that she drove around Elm Street, Buena Vista Court, and the Halberstadt
House. The properties seemed to be the same as when the Historic Preservation Commission met
last time. She noted that the JSM rental signs are still on all of the properties that Norman and
Carolyn Baxley sold.
11. STAFF REPORT
Historic Preservation Month Activities: Historic Downtown Walking Tour Podcast
Marcus Ricci, Planner II, talked about a walking tour podcast that he and Lily Wilcock, Planner II,
are preparing for Historic Preservation month. The walking tour will be of the Downtown Urbana
Historic District and will be made available as a mobile phone app as well as a desktop computer
app. There will be audio and visual features.
Mr. Shepard asked about the Hunter Building. He did not recognize that name. Ms. Pagliuso said it
was also known as the Whittaker Building because Whittaker Jewelry occupied the building.
Mr. Ricci continued his staff report by talking about the nine sites to be featured in the tour, which
are as follows: The Urbana Free Library, Tres Nopales, Rose Bowl, Cohen Building, Princess
Theater, Post Office/IMC, Urbana Landmark Hotel, Hunter (Whittaker) Building, and Crane Alley.
He mentioned that the podcast tour would be educational for both historic preservation and for
comprehensive planning. The tours will be 30-45 seconds for each site, featuring interviews from
building/business owners. They are hoping to launch the walking podcast tour in May to coincide
with Historic Preservation month and with the planned Comprehensive Planning activities. He
mentioned that Ms. Wilcock had already interviewed Charlie Harris of the Rose Bowl. They are
hoping to interview additional owners of the remaining properties.
Ms. Pollock asked if there would be an attempt to mention the names of each business that inhabited
each building. Mr. Ricci replied yes. The 30-second blurb would be long enough to mention when
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April 7, 2021
the building was constructed, who the original tenant was, possibly what style of architecture the
building is, and who the current tenant is. Ms. Pollock mentioned Carson’s Candy on Race Street as
one of the original businesses. Mr. Ricci stated that he would take any old photos of buildings in
Downtown Urbana that the Commission members would be willing to share.
Mr. Ricci stated that he redrafted the proclamation from last year for Historic Preservation month.
He is looking at adding the projects such as the Historic Downtown Walking Tour Podcast and
looking to create a Buena Vista Court Walking Tour later in the summer.
Historic Property Activities
Certificate of Appropriateness – Status of Work
• HP-2019-COA-01 and HP-2020-EH-01 (2 Buena Vista Court) – Mr. Ricci reported that all of
the windows have been replaced except for the basement egress window.
• HP-2020-COA-07 (806 West Main Street) – Mr. Ricci reported that the work status is
unknown. No permit has been issued for the work as of yet.
• HP-2021-COA-01 (8 Buena Vista Court) – Mr. Ricci stated that owner Henry Strehlow
submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to repair the porch. Mr. Strehlow
would like to remove the non-original access ramp, replace the non-original concrete steps with
concrete or wood steps and remove the brick sidewalls, and repair the porch exterior stucco and
window screens and install an exterior door. He would consult with Chair Novak to determine
the level of review.
• HP-2019-COA-01B – 2 Buena Vista Court – Mr. Ricci stated that the exterior plaster repair is
on hold pending completion of the interior renovations.
• HP-2020-COA-2 – 4 Buena Vista Court – Mr. Ricci stated that all of the work has been
completed except for the exterior stucco repair. It will get painted later this year.
• HP-2020-COA-06 – 8 Buena Vista Court – Mr. Ricci stated that the exterior stucco repair work
is in progress.
• HP-2020-COA-09 – 801 West Oregon Street, Royer House – Mr. Ricci stated that the pergola
roof repair had been completed. Mr. Shepard mentioned that the posts are still in the ground
from when the previous owners put up a sign. Mr. Ricci stated that he would contact the new
owners to remove the posts. He noted that sign management was done on a complaint basis.
Mr. Hays inquired about the one-year time frame for a Certificate of Appropriateness with regards
to Case No. HP-2019-COA-01B. Mr. Ricci replied that it is not an issue because a building permit
was applied for within the one-year timeframe.
Status of Compliance Violations
• 1404 South Lincoln Avenue, Chateau Normand – Mr. Ricci stated that the rental sign boards
had been removed and the management promised to remove the posts when the weather allowed
it. He planned to remind management to remove them as soon as possible. He mentioned that
the owner would need to apply for a Certificate of Appropriateness for any/all signs because it is
a historic property. The application would then need to be reviewed by the Historic
Preservation Commission because it would be considered a major work. The Commission
agreed that they would prefer to see signs posted in the yard rather than on the buildings of
historic properties.
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April 7, 2021
• 502 and 504 West Elm Street – Mr. Ricci mentioned that he had been working with the owner,
Jonah Weisskopf, and Nick Hanson, the City’s Building Official, on installation of porch
railings whether it be repairing the old railings or replacing with new railings. Ms. Pagliuso
talked about the height of the proposed railings and noted that 24 inches is the “historical
height”. Mr. Ricci stated that Mr. Weisskopf is dealing with insurance, Property Maintenance
Code and Building Code requirements, along with historical considerations, and how they
interact with each other. If a railing is required by the insurance company, it will be required to
meet building code, and then will require review by the Historic Preservation Commission. The
Commission talked about creating a “false sense of time” and the type of material the owner
should use. Chair Novak suggested that the owner stylize some element of the historic trim if
he wanted to install railings around the porch. This would be respectful to the original design
without creating a false sense of time. Mr. Ricci stated that he would forward the information
from this meeting to the owner and would give an update at the next Commission meeting.
• 612 West Green Street – Mr. Ricci stated that he has contacted the new owners about
retroactively submitting an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the work being
done on the roof, and needs to send them an application.
Ms. Novak asked Mr. Ricci to talk about the status of the Landmark Hotel. Mr. Ricci replied that
the only thing he has heard about the hotel is that there is an active electricity meter. The new
owners are working out details and know that when they start making improvements that they will
need to bring their plans to the Historic Preservation Commission for review.
Mr. Shepard felt that this was an impressive staff report, and he thanked Mr. Ricci for his hard
work.
12. STUDY SESSION
There was none.
13. ANNOUNCEMENTS
There were none.
14. ADJOURNMENT
Ms. Pollock moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:59 p.m. Mr. Shepard seconded the motion. The
meeting was adjourned by unanimous voice vote.
Submitted,
Marcus Ricci, AICP
Historic Preservation Commission Recording Secretary
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Agenda
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
DATE: Wednesday, April 7, 2021
TIME: 7:00 P.M.
PLACE: Urbana City Council Chambers - Due to COVID-19, this meeting will be held
via Zoom Webinar
AGENDA
1. Call to Order and Roll Call and Declaration of Quorum
2. Changes to the Agenda
3. Approval of Previous Minutes
January 6, 2021 Regular Meeting
4. Written Communications
5. Audience Participation
6. Continued Public Hearings
7. Old Business
8. New Public Hearings
9. New Business
10. Monitoring of Historic Properties
11. Staff Report
Historic Preservation Month Activities: Historic Downtown Walking Tour Podcast
Historic Property Activities
• Certificate of Appropriateness – Status of Work
• Status of Compliance Violations
12. Study Session
13. Announcements
14. Adjournment
NOTE: Please note that the details of a request or application related to an agenda item
may change during the public review process.
Persons with disabilities needing special services or accommodations for this meeting should contact staff at (217)
384-2440 or email Planning@urbanaillinois.us.
INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO JOIN THE MEETING and
HOW TO PROVIDE INPUT
Historic Preservation Commission Meeting on Wednesday, April 7, 2021
Anyone can watch the meeting on streaming services or UPTV. You can attend virtually via Zoom
webinar if you wish to provide public input during the meeting. If you attend the meeting via Zoom
webinar, please turn off any sound from other sources such as UPTV, as there will be a lag in the
audio. The meeting will be recorded by the City as part of the record. The recorded video will be
available on the City's website by noon on the following Friday.
Providing Public Input by Email:
Staff asks that you submit your written public comments by email by 5:00 pm (Central Time) on
Tuesday, April 6th to Planning@urbanaillinois.us so that it can be included as communications and
become part of the official record of the meeting. Due to the high volume of emails, please put
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION - PUBLIC INPUT and the meeting date in the
subject line.
Providing Public Input from a computer browser or the Zoom app on a mobile device:
You will be able to use a phone to call in:
• Call 1-312-626-6799.
• You will be asked to enter the Webinar ID number, which is 873 5715 6758 followed by
the # key.
• All callers are muted by default. If you wish to speak, please "raise your hand" by pressing
*9 once (this toggles the raise/lower hand option. When called on by the chair or host by
your phone number, you will be unmuted and you should state your name for the record per
city code*. When you finish speaking, the host will "lower your hand" and mute you - there
is no need to press any more buttons.
You will be able to use a computer to address the Historic Preservation Commission:
• Join the Zoom meeting here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87357156758
• Make sure you have a microphone on your computer if you wish to speak. Please identify
yourself with first and last name in Zoom for the record. FCC Guidelines will be followed.
• Public participants will be muted during public input. If you wish to speak, please "raise
your hand" using the option at the bottom of the screen.
• When called on by the chair or host, you will be unmuted and you should state your first and
last name for the record per city code."
• Video will remain off for all members of the public, even while they are speaking.
*Public Meetings - Ordinances No. 2011-05-033 & 2019-08-051. ILCS 120/2.06(g)
Persons with disabilities needing special services or accommodations for this meeting should contact staff at (217)
384-2440 or email Planning@urbanaillinois.us.
PUBLIC INPUT GUIDELINES
The City of Urbana welcomes Public Input during open meetings of the City Council, the City
Council’s Committee of the Whole, City Boards and Commissions and other City-sponsored
meetings. Our goal is to foster respect for the meeting process, and respect for all people
participating as members of the public body, city staff, and general public. The City is required to
conduct all business during public meetings. The presiding officer is responsible for conducting
those meetings in an orderly and efficient manner.
Public Input will be taken in the following ways:
Zoom Webinar Participant
Click on the link listed in the agenda to join the Webinar. You must provide your name and email
address in order to join the Webinar. If you wish to speak during Public Input, “raise your hand”
and wait to be called on by the meeting host. You must state your first and last name for the meeting
record. Participants will be muted except when they are called on to speak; video will remain off for
all members of the public when speaking.
Telephone Participant
Call the phone number listed on the Agenda. Enter the Webinar ID followed by the # key. All
callers are muted by default. If you wish to speak, “raise your hand” by pressing *9 once. When you
are called on by the host or presiding officer you will be un-muted. You must state your first name
and last name for the meeting record.
Email Input
Public comments must be received prior to the closing of the meeting record (at the time of
adjournment unless otherwise noted) at the following: Planning@urbanaillinois.us. The subject line
of the email must include the words “PUBLIC INPUT” and the meeting date. Emailed public
comments labeled as such will be incorporated into the public meeting record, with personal
identifying information redacted. Copies of emails will be posted after the meeting minutes have
been approved.
Written Input
Any member of the public may submit their comments addressed to the members of the public
body in writing. If a person wishes their written comments to be included in the record of Public
Input for the meeting, the writing should so state. Written comments must be received prior to the
closing of the meeting record (at the time of adjournment unless otherwise noted).
Audience Participation
Protocol for Public Input is one of respect for the process, and respect for others. Ridicule, obscene
or profane language, lack of respect for others, and personal attacks are not acceptable behavior.
Public Input shall not be used to air personal grievances. Speakers should address all comments to
the public body as a whole and not to individual members or City staff.
Persons with disabilities needing special services or accommodations for this meeting should contact staff at (217)
384-2440 or email Planning@urbanaillinois.us.
Public comment shall be limited to no more than four (4) minutes per person. The Public Input
portion of the meeting shall total no more than one (1) hour, unless otherwise shortened or
extended by majority vote of the public body members present. The presiding officer or the city
clerk or their designee, shall monitor each speaker's use of time and shall notify the speaker when
the allotted time has expired. All public comments should be addressed to the public body as a
whole. A person may participate and provide Public Input once during a meeting and may not cede
time to another person, or split their time if Public Input is held at two (2) or more different times
during a meeting. The presiding officer may give priority to those persons who indicate they wish to
speak on an agenda item upon which a vote will be taken.
The presiding officer or public body members shall not enter into a dialogue with citizens.
Questions from the public body members shall be for clarification purposes only. Public Input shall
not be used as a time for problem solving or reacting to comments made but, rather, for hearing
citizens for informational purposes only.
Accommodation
If an accommodation is needed to participate in a Plan Commission meeting, please contact the
Planning Division staff at least 48 hours in advance so that special arrangements can be made using
one of the following methods:
• Phone: 217.384.2440
• Email: Planning@urbanaillinois.us
*In order to maintain reasonable decorum at a meeting, the presiding officer or any member of the
public body may call a speaker “out of order”. The presiding officer of the meeting shall have the
authority to provide a verbal warning to a speaker who uses abusive, harassing, threatening, or
defamatory language, or who engages in disorderly conduct that disrupts, disturbs, or otherwise
impedes the orderly conduct of a meeting. If the speaker refuses to cease such remarks or conduct
after being warned by the presiding officer, the presiding officer shall have the authority to mute the
speaker’s microphone and/or video presence at the meeting. The presiding officer will inform the
speaker that they may send the remainder of their remarks via email to the public body for inclusion
in the meeting record.
*Definitions of Types of Language and Conduct That May Warrant Verbal Warning:
“Abusive” means harsh, violent, profane, or derogatory language which would demean the dignity
of an individual or which is intended to humiliate, mock, insult or belittle an individual.
https://www.lawinsider.com/dictionary/abusive-language
“Harassing” means to annoy or bother someone in a constant or repeated way; to make repeated
attacks on another person.
https://www.learnersdictionary.com/definition/harass
Persons with disabilities needing special services or accommodations for this meeting should contact staff at (217)
384-2440 or email Planning@urbanaillinois.us.
“Threatening” means to say that you will harm someone or do something unpleasant or unwanted
especially in order to make someone do what you want.
https://www.learnersdictionary.com/definition/threaten
“Defamatory” means a statement or communication that tends to harm a person's reputation by
subjecting the person to public contempt, disgrace, or ridicule, or by adversely affecting the person's
business. A statement that is likely to lower that person in the estimation of reasonable people and
in particular to cause that person to be regarded with feelings of hatred, contempt, ridicule, fear, or
dislike.
Black's Law Dictionary (11th ed. 2019)
Citations that Authorize the Presiding Officer to Bar Offensive Language During Public
Comment:
The following citations provide the legal basis for adopting UCC Section 2-5(b)(1)(d) that allows the
presiding officer of a City Council, Committee of the Whole, or a City-sponsored board or
commission regulate “abusive, harassing, threatening, or defamatory language” during public
comment. The following Attorney General binding opinions and case law essentially classify abusive,
“harassing, threatening and defamatory language as “manner”, not “content”, of speech that can be
reasonably regulated under the First Amendment. UCC Section 2-5(c) (Ordinance No. 2020-09-049.
Attorney General binding opinion numbers 2019 PAC 59187, 2018 PAC 55462, 2016 PAC 45349;
Milestone v. City of Monroe, Wisconsin, 665 F.3d 774, 783-784 (7th Cir. 2011); Vega v. Chicago Board of
Education, 338 F.Supp.3d 806, 811 (N.D. Ill. 2018); Sandefur v. Vill. of Hanover Park, 862 F.Supp.2d
840, 847 (N.D. Ill. 2012); I.A. Rana Enterprises, Inc. v. City of Aurora, 630 F.Supp.2d 912, 920-923
(D.C. N.D. 2009).
Persons with disabilities needing special services or accommodations for this meeting should contact staff at (217)
384-2440 or email Planning@urbanaillinois.us.
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