Historic Commission

Tuesday, May 20, 2025 Gamon Room, City Hall I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:04 pm Present In-person – Louise Ferrebee (Chair), Syed Hussain (Vice-Chair), Bob Purdy (Secretary), Mike Hill (Treasurer), Debra Corwin, Nancy Flannery, Elizabeth Krecisz II. Public Comments None III. Approval of April Meeting Minutes Approved on a motion by Syed, seconded by Lizzy, and passed unanimously. IV. Treasurer Report No expenditures to report V. Old Business A. Preservation Month 2025 – Recap of Events 1. Home History Research 1 on 1s. Most time slots filled both nights with additional walk-ins. Commissioners compared different approaches used: a flow chart vs. following the library resource list in order, giving examples. Showing a completed approved application was considered useful also. 2. Trinity Episcopal lecture. Excellent talk with 85 attendees. Edited video expected soon. 3. Action items  Link to GIS map will be put in left side menu on Historic Commission page for easier access.  Easement protection for owners. Since this may apply to some owners, Mike agreed to write up a procedure to use going forward.  Follow up email to 1 on 1 researchers. Addresses were obtained for attendees and Louise will prepare a survey to include the following: a. How did you learn about the event? b. Was it helpful to you? Were the handouts useful? c. Rate the value of the event from 1 to 10. d. How can the Home History help event be improved? VI. New Business A. Wheaton Register of Historic Places 1. Approval of 723 East Willow with new tax information on date of home. Although the submitted application was very thorough and well- documented, it lacked proof of construction date. Louise was able to research the historic tax records to determine an actual 1925  construction date, instead of 1922 as previously thought. A motion to approve the application was made by Bob, seconded by Lizzy and passed uinanimously. 2. Application from 704 E. Willow. This was incomplete. Louise will contact the owners to supply the additional needed information and re- submit. 3. R 89-12, “Resolution Approving Updated Wheaton Historic Register Program Nomination Criteria”. The commission will submit a request to replace this existing resolution with the language currently on the website. B. Downtown Design Review Board. Mike attended the May 20 meeting. The board reviewed plans for a mural to be painted on a portion of the east (courtyard) elevation of a proposed restaurant (The Backyard) to be located at 111 E. Front Street. C. Fall Lecture by the Ostbergs. Bob reviewed the two potential topics under consideration: (1) The evolution of Wheaton’s downtown streetscape and (2) History of the DuPage County fairgrounds area, to include a look at Driving Park harness racetrack and Wheaton Fair site. Commissioners agreed that either choice would be good; Bob to relay this to the Ostbergs and begin working on a workable lecture date. VII. Tabled A. Walking Tour of Main Street—What is possible with GIS map? B. “Meet and Greet” originally scheduled for June 5—postponed due to low response and potential conflicts with other events. C. New Chair to be chosen prior to August 15. VIII. Commissioner Comments None IX. Adjournment A motion to adjourn was made by Nancy, seconded by Mike, and passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 pm. X. Next Meeting: Tuesday, June 17, 2025. Reminder: No July meeting. Respectfully submitted, Robert Purdy, Secretary 2