Historic Preservation Commission

HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES March 25, 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, March 25, 2024, in Council Chambers at Woodstock City Hall. COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Tom Ellinghausen, Jose Rey, Erica Wilson, and Chairman Donovan Day. COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Marti Dejon. STAFF PRESENT: City Planner Darrell Moore, and Commission Clerk Melissa McCain. 2. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: a. February 26, 2024 Discussion: Commissioner E. Wilson requested that the minutes be more detailed concerning discussions between the Commission and the applicant. Planner D. Moore advised that general discussions that don’t necessarily result in a vote or staff direction are not included as a detailed discussion as no action is directed or taken. A motion was made to approve the February 26, 2024, meeting minutes as presented. MOTION: E. Wilson. SECOND: J. Rey. AYES: T. Ellinghausen, J. Rey, E. Wilson, and Chairman Day. NAYS: None. Motion carried. 3. PUBLIC COMMENT: There were no public comments. 4. OLD BUSINESS: There was no old business. 5. NEW BUSINESS: a. Union Place (former Die Cast site)—Certificate of Appropriateness for Affordable Senior Housing Project Representing the applicant: Monte Stock, Diana Moore, and Charlene Kussner Planner D. Moore gave the staff report and summarized it by stating that the proposal before the Commission is for a senior housing apartment building located at the northwest parcel of the old  Historic Preservation Commission 3/25/24 Page 2 of 6 Die Cast site. The proposal is consistent in concept with what was presented in February of last year. The development of the northwest corner is the first of three phases. It will be followed by a memory care/assisted living facility at the northeast corner. The final phase includes a 5-story mixed-use building with a parking garage and a 3-story mixed-use building. Continuing, Planner Moore noted that the current proposal is a 4-story building containing 55 units, as opposed to the original proposed 5-story building containing 70 units. The main entrance has also been moved from the side of the building to the front of the building facing Wheeler Street. Planner Moore noted that the materials appear in similar proportions on all four sides of the building with the lower half being laid brick, while the upper half is stone colored EIFS with the rest being teal Hardie Board siding. The windows and door trim around the entrances/exits are identified as aluminum and steel. Further, Planner Moore stated that when the overall design concept was presented, there were concerns about density and parking, and the changes to this phase would reduce density and add off-street parking behind the building. The general design matches what was previously presented, which is a mostly modern structure punctuated with traditional elements and materials. The flat roof is interrupted by a low-pitch shingled roof providing a visual indication as to where the entrance is. D. Moore noted that he had requested of the architect to show more of the design elements that were detailed in the prior proposal such as the pergolas and landscaping design. The architect, Mr. Stock, advised his task was to stay true to what was proposed before and to meet the guidelines set by the City, and indicated that the current proposal meets those guidelines. Further, Mr. Stock stated that the developer is willing to work with the City on materials and also on providing a plan that is more detailed including exterior features and landscaping. E. Wilson inquired if the Hardie board was proposed to be horizontal or vertical. Mr. Stock advised it would be horizontal. Planner D. Moore reviewed renderings of the past proposal and the current proposal and discussions ensued. E. Wilson expressed concerns with the proposed plan stating that, based on how the hip roof is sitting on the parapet, the dynamics of the masses doesn’t work as well as the prior version. Further, there is no color difference between the cornice and the wall, so it appears there is no finish, further noting the design doesn’t complement the historic buildings in the Square. D. Moore asked for clarification on the items from the prior submission that address E. Wilson’s concerns. E. Wilson advised that there is no tripartite in the new proposal, uniformity of the dark bump outs is odd, the windows are now plain and there was more variability in the prior plan. She  Historic Preservation Commission 3/25/24 Page 3 of 6 added that this plan lacks the details and distinguishing features the prior plan contained and that vinyl windows are not appropriate. Chairman Day agreed with E. Wilson and specifically called out the hip roof and the matching cornice color. Also, the elevator shaft or bump outs are oddly placed. Further, the tripartite was his favorite feature from the last proposal. T. Ellinghausen expressed concerns with the new windows proposed and stated the previous proposal had more architectural windows as opposed to the current proposal for very simple, plain windows. Chairman Day advised that the patio doors are very plain and need some depth. J. Rey inquired if there was going to be a bumped-out entrance for loading or unloading. D. Moore advised that there are service doors planned on the side of the building, but Wheeler Street doors would be the main entrance. Mr. Stock advised that there would be service doors on the south side of the building. Further, Mr. Stock advised that the plan was updated due to budgetary constraints and an attempt to maintain affordability and that the developer will review all the comments and try to address the Commission’s concerns. The Commission summarized issues from the discussions above and items they would like addressed: • Window design. • Cornice feature. • The original tripartite façade is favored. • Hip roof should not sit on cornice. • Oddly placed bump outs. • Patio door design/feature. Planner D. Moore advised that Mr. Stock could request a vote now or come back before the Commission in April for another review and possible vote at that time. Mr. Stock advised he would revise the proposal and resubmit a new rendering for the April Historic Preservation Commission Meeting. b. 346 Lincoln Ave.—Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior rehabilitation Jim Liebetrau – representing St. Mary’s Church Planner D. Moore and Mr. Liebetrau reviewed a PowerPoint of the updates made to the plans since the last meeting for the rehabilitation of the home on 346 Lincoln Avenue.  Historic Preservation Commission 3/25/24 Page 4 of 6 After some discussion it was noted, the porch would be open with a spindle railing running along the length of the house with 3-4 columns matching the existing columns and would be of a non- wood material painted Casablanca white. Discussing the stained-glass window inclusion, it was noted there would be trim around the window that would match the other trimmed windows in Casablanca white. Mr. Liebetrau advised they are considering shakes at the uppermost dormers that would be pewter green. The side walls and the gable will be pewter green and the trim Casablanca white. The Commission discussed installing a band across the bottom of the gable, and using Casablanca white trim around the stained-glass window and possible use of shakes to set the gable off from the rest of the home. There was a motion made to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for the changes as presented at 346 Lincoln Avenue with the following conditions: 1. Trim around the half-moon window to match the other trim. 2. Band board matching the facia at the 2nd floor roof line with an alternate color above the band board. 3. Horizontal siding in an alternate color for the gables and dormers. MOTION: T. Ellinghausen. SECOND: E. Wilson. AYES: T. Ellinghausen, J. Rey, E. Wilson, and Chairman Day. NAYS: None. Motion carried. 6. REPORTS AND DISCUSSION: 1. Discussion of downtown murals Present - Barbara Szul, City of Woodstock Grants Writer, Garrett Anderson, Economic Development Director, and Anne Marie Whitmore Lenzini, Arts Commission Chair. Mr. Anderson stated that city staff, with input from the Arts Commission, is applying for a $75,000 grant from the McHenry County Community Foundation called the Transformational Grant. If received, it is anticipated that the funding could assist with the creation of six or seven murals within the downtown area. Mr. Anderson reviewed other municipalities’ murals and the styles including framed-style murals and full-wall murals with no frame. Mr. Anderson noted that unpainted brick should remain in its natural state and framed murals would be attached through the mortar as opposed to mounting to the brick.  Historic Preservation Commission 3/25/24 Page 5 of 6 Continuing, Mr. Anderson reviewed the following possible locations for murals: 1. Senator Craig Wilcox’s building on the east facing wall on Benton St. 2. Cesaroni’s building on the north facing wall. 3. Woodstock Square Mall. 4. North wall of Apple Creek building on Throop Street. 5. Century Tile building facing train station. 6. MCC University Center south and west walls. J. Rey expressed concerns on certain proposed locations as there is limited lighting and if the mural was low, it could be vandalized. J. Rey suggested the possibility of locating murals higher on the wall out of reach of the public. Mr. Anderson also noted that there would be some form of legal agreement with the building owners requiring them not to paint over or remove the mural for a designated amount of time and that agreement would carry over to new owners if the property was sold. Planner D. Moore advised that once the murals locations, size and style were set, a sign variation request would come before the Historic Preservation Commission for approval. Chairman Day raised concerns about having murals that were not next to public sidewalks, as people may be entering private property for pictures with the murals. An example is people using the bank parking lot for murals in that area. Mr. Anderson advised that he would be approaching the bank once the Commission has given input on locations. Planner D. Moore inquired what guidelines the Commission wants the Arts Commission to follow. The Commission discussion focused on murals visible from the Square should be something that ties into the City’s history as opposed to being more art deco or modern style. Murals off the Square can be more flexible in style. Other locations suggested and discussed were Chop Suey Hut, top of the theater on the back side, Moose Lodge, Casting Whimsy Tea, or the VFW. Chairman Day suggested the possibility of considering digital murals. 7. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: b. Opera House—Rehabilitation and changes D. Moore advised that this is moving forward, and the 3rd story addition is still being considered, but unknown when it will be ready to come before the Commission.  Historic Preservation Commission 3/25/24 Page 6 of 6 8. ADJOURNMENT: There was a motion made to adjourn the meeting at 8:47 p.m. MOTION: E. Wilson. SECOND: T. Ellinghausen. AYES: T. Ellinghausen, J. Rey, E. Wilson, and Chairman Day. NAYS: None. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Melissa McCain Commission Clerk