Historic Commission

Tuesday, May 21, 2019 Held at City Hall, Wheaton, Illinois I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:10 pm. Present: Nancy Flannery (Chair), Barbara Dutton (Vice Chair), Steph McGrath (Secretary), Emelie Engling, Bob Purdy Absent: Andrew Welker II. Public Comments Wheaton residents Ciaran Bradley, Eric Cobus, Ronnie Osko and Ilhan Tarbus attended the meeting to express their concerns with the City’s proposal for the Roosevelt Corridor redevelopment. The adjacent neighborhoods contain many historic properties including 534 Roosevelt, a Jarvis Hunt golf cottage. A planning session is scheduled May 28th and several Commission members expressed an interest in attending. Linda Moran attended as a Commission applicant and introduced herself. III. Approval of Minutes Minutes of the April 16, 2019 meeting were approved as amended on a motion by Bob, seconded by Emelie and passed unanimously. IV. Old Business A. Steph gave an update on the Downtown Depot railroad historic site marker sign. We are waiting for one photograph. B. Preservation Month talks were well attended. The display at the Wheaton Public Library using a large video monitor was a nice addition to the display and elicited positive public reaction. A library staff member offered the use of a quilt with historic Wheaton sites as a backdrop. Steph reviewed homes researched at the Home Research one-on-one drop-in events at the library. Problems with signs being picked up on schedule were discussed. Steph mentioned that the sign at Longfellow school site went missing. C. The owners of the home who submitted the landmark application for 617 N. West Street have moved. Nancy will check with the new owners to see if they are interested in proceeding and will also ask the former owners if they wish their uncashed check returned to them. D. The City has asked for help in pinpointing the exact location of the CA&E station. Bob, who is doing the research for the CA&E site marker, has marked the map the City had provided and has returned it to the Assistant City Manager. E. Wheaton's demolition permit process was reviewed. Nancy informed the Commission that there is at least a 60 days delay between requesting a demolition permit and receiving it. The City does have requirements about wetting the demolition site to prevent dust contamination but the issue of adequate oversight of the wetting process was discussed. An NPR story about Detroit reported on the health impact of demolitions, finding elevated lead levels in residents due to lead dust from demolitions. The study noted that the dust traveled farther than what they had thought. F. Nancy gave an update on the Adams Memorial library fireplace mantlepiece currently installed in 828 N. Wheaton Avenue, a landmarked property that will be demolished this summer and a new house built on the property. Steph has provided to the DuPage County Historical Museum information on the history of the fireplace mantelpiece she gathered from past museum staff as well as past owners of the house and family members.  HISTORIC COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES May 21, 2019 V. New Business A. Linda Moran's application to join the Historic Commission was discussed. Linda answered questions from the Commissioners and reviewed her background and interest in the Historic Commission. Two years ago she attended a home history research event to learn about her house and is getting ready to submit her home’s application for the Wheaton Register of Historic Places. Linda left the meeting and her nomination was accepted on motion by Bob, seconded by Emelie and passed unanimously, pending the mayor’s approval. B. The annual report draft was distributed and reviewed by the Commission. It was accepted with amendments on a motion by Barbara, seconded by Bob and passed unanimously. C. The election of officers was held. Nancy Flannery (Chair), Barbara Dutton (Vice Chair), and Steph McGrath (Secretary) were reelected on a motion by Emelie seconded by Bob and passed unanimously. VI. Commissioner Comments -Barb brought in information on the upcoming Sheldon Peck paintings exhibit in Lombard. -Emelie gave update on the Culinary Historians of Northern Illinois event gathering old recipes. -Bob generously handed out copies of the newest Preservation magazine VII. Adjournment Barbara moved to adjourn, Bob seconded; the motion passed unanimously. The meeting concluded at 9:30 pm. 2