Historic Preservation Commission

MINUTES HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION February 26, 2024 City Council Chambers 1. CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL: The Regular Meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission of the City of Woodstock was called to order by Chairman Donovan Day at 7:00 PM on Monday, February 26, 2024, in Council Chambers at Woodstock City Hall. COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Jose Rey, Erica Wilson and Chairman Donovan Day. COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Marti Dejon and Tom Ellinghausen. STAFF PRESENT: City Planner Darrell Moore and Commission Clerk Melissa McCain. 2. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: a. November 27, 2023 E. Wilson stated she had one correction, on page 3 the 7th paragraph reads “Further, E. Wilson advised that she was not in favor of painting the chimney, as it is in good shape, and that she was not in favor of an oval window on the front door as it would be out of character with the historic district.” It should read the historic style of the house. A motion was made to approve the November 27, 2023, meeting minutes as corrected. MOTION: E. Wilson. SECOND: J. Rey. AYES: J. Rey, E. Wilson, and Chairman Day. NAYES: None. Motion carried. 3. PUBLIC COMMENT: There were no public comments. 4. OLD BUSINESS: There was no old business. 5. NEW BUSINESS: 1. 346 Lincoln Ave.—Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior rehabilitation Mr. Jim Liebetrau, representing St. Mary’s Catholic Church, approached the Commission and reviewed the proposed exterior rehabilitation of the parish house, noting that the church would like to have improvements completed and parishioners in the home by late fall. The proposal included residing the home, removing the non-original porch enclosure, restoring the original doors onto the porch, restoring a decorative glass window, and replacing most windows. Together with work on the building’s interior, rear addition, and garage, the project is expected to cost in the range of $385,000. After reviewing the request, the Commission requested that the petitioner provide cut sheets and more details on the windows, railings, siding, and colors.  Historic Preservation Commission 02/26/2024 Page 2 of 4 Mr. Liebetrau requested a special meeting if he was able to get the information to the Commission the following day so that they can get the process started with the finance department of the Archdiocese. There was a consensus to consider a special meeting once all the information requested has been submitted. 2. 310 E. Judd St.—Certificate of Appropriateness related to after-the-fact porch rebuild Ms. Heather Darnell approached the Commission and presented the request, noting that she had purchased the property in the fall of 2023 and was unaware that it was in a historic district. Ms. Darnell stated that she had received a permit for this rental property to replace the stairs on the side of the building and had asked the contractor to simply replace the rotting wood on the front porch. When she returned to the property, the front porch was fully replaced as opposed to just being repaired. Ms. Darnell further requested that she be permitted to replace the front wood door with a vinyl door and in a few years replace the aluminum siding with a blue/gray colored vinyl siding. The Commission and Ms. Darnell discussed a variety of options. There was a motion made to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for 310 E Judd St. with the following conditions: 1. Replace the two installed 4x4 posts with decorative turned posts that are as close in style to the original posts as possible. 2. Replace the two decorative brackets at the top of the post closest to the stairs. 3. Replace the square spindles with turned spindles for the porch and the stairs and include a top and bottom rail for both the porch and the stairs. 4. Place lattice around the bottom of the porch. 5. The spindles and railings will be stained or painted white and the lattice, if wood, will be stained or painted white. A white plastic lattice is also acceptable. 6. The existing door will remain and is not to be replaced. MOTION: E. Wilson. SECOND: J. Rey. AYES: J. Rey, E. Wilson, and Chairman Day. NAYES: None. Motion carried. It was noted that the siding would be considered at the time of replacement and not at this meeting. 3. 327 E. Jackson St.— Certificate of Appropriateness for conversion of a commercial building to residential Ms. Darnell approached the Commission and reviewed the request including interior and exterior design and use of the building, noting there is not much historical value to the building. The Commission and Ms. Darnell discussed a variety of options.  Historic Preservation Commission 02/26/2024 Page 3 of 4 Public Comment: Marilyn Cuevas – 728 Madison Street, Woodstock, IL. 60098. Ms. Cuevas expressed concerns with the primary entrance in the back and felt it would create an opportunity for kids’ toys and other normal backyard items to be visible from the front. Ms. Darnell advised that there is an area at the back of the house with plenty of room for outdoor recreation and backyard type items. There was a motion made to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness under the following conditions: 1. Vinyl siding and windows may be used, and trim will be installed around the windows, doors and corners. 2. The front doors facing the street will be single doors, which may include a vinyl storm door, and are not to be sliding doors as noted in the proposal. MOTION: E. Wilson. SECOND: J. Rey. AYES: J. Rey, E. Wilson, and Chairman Day. NAYES: None. Motion carried. 6. REPORTS AND DISCUSSION a. St. Mary’s School Window Replacement Planner Moore advised that St. Mary’s office windows were damaged last October and are planned to be repaired and replaced in March to match the current windows on the building. It was noted that after replacement, all the windows will now be consistent in style. b. National Historic Preservation Act Programmatic Agreement for IDOT & FHWA Planner Moore advised that this is an agreement listing the responsibility of IDOT and FHWA when working on their streets while in the City of Woodstock’s Historic Preservation District. It was noted that this would pertain to Church Street and Planner Moore will email a copy to the Commission. Planner Moore recognized and congratulated Commissioner Wilson for 25 years on the HPC. 7. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS a. Union Place (Former Die Cast site) Certificate of Appropriateness for Affordable Senior Housing Project Planner Moore advised that this item would be coming before the Commission in March and that this is the first of three phases. b. Opera House- Rehabilitation and Changes Improvements are about to begin, and the staff is waiting on plans for interior improvements.  Historic Preservation Commission 02/26/2024 Page 4 of 4 c. WGN Camera at the Opera House Planner Moore also advised that WGN would like to put a camera on the Opera House overlooking the Square, and after a site visit, it appears that there is a good location for the camera that will be inconspicuous as well as keep the integrity of the Opera House. 8. ADJOURNMENT: There was a motion made to adjourn the meeting at 9:12 p.m. MOTION: E. Wilson. SECOND: J. Rey. AYES: J. Rey, E. Wilson, and Chairman Day. NAYES: None. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:12 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Melissa McCain Commission Clerk