Historic Preservation Commission

HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES May 20, 2024 City Council Chambers 1. CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL: A Special Meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission of the City of Woodstock was called to order by Commissioner Erica Wilson at 7:03 PM on Monday, May 20, 2024, in Council Chambers at Woodstock City Hall. COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Tom Ellinghausen, Jose Rey, and Erica Wilson COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Marti Dejon and Chairman Donovan Day STAFF PRESENT: City Planner Darrell Moore, Commission Clerk Melissa Bauer and City Engineer Chris Tiedt. 2. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: a. March 25, 2024 There were no amendments made to the presented minutes. A motion was made to approve the March 25, 2024, meeting minutes as presented. MOTION: T. Ellinghausen SECOND: J. Rey AYES: T. Ellinghausen, J. Rey, and E. Wilson 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 Mr. Stock reviewed the changes made from the prior plan and summarized by stating that the amount of EIFS on the building has been reduced and replaced with more brick and siding, the center tower has been raised to give it more prominence, pergolas and garden areas have been added to the ends of the buildings near the parking lots. Further, window trim and materials have been updated to include some stone headers and trim around the main windows, the rear exterior has been updated to remove the odd bump out that was confused as an elevator shaft. E. Wilson inquired about the roof height increase, and whether another floor was added. Mr. Stock advised that there was not another floor added.  Historic Preservation Commission 5/20/24 Page 2 of 5 Discussion ensued regarding the windows, and it was noted that the windows located in the siding had sills and 4” trim, the fixed windows are aluminum, and the apartment windows are aluminum clad wood. E. Wilson expressed concerns with the size of the 4” trim being too narrow for the scale of the building as well as the teal siding abruptly ending when it rounds the corner on the ends of the building. Mr. Stock stated that he believes the look of how the siding wraps at the ends is consistent with the other teal-sided areas of the building. E. Wilson inquired about the coping material throughout the building. Mr. Stock stated that the coping atop the brick areas would be some form of cultured stone while the coping and cornices around the top of the building would be a built-up EIFS product. E. Wilson requested color samples of the siding and EIFS to compare to the brick samples that were supplied. Jim Bergman advised that once the brick is chosen, they could come back before the commission with color pallets and samples. J. Rey expressed concerns with the plainness of the side view where the teal siding ends abruptly and the EIFS covers such a large area with no break or other element to break up the plain cream color. Discussions ensued and it was suggested, and accepted by the developer, that windows be added to the sides of the building to break up the cream colored EIFS. J. Rey inquired if the building would be up lit. Mr. Stock advised that there would be lights at the entrances, as well as up and down lighting around the building and on a future monument sign. There was a motion made to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for a senior housing apartment building at the northwest block of the former Die Cast site with the following conditions: 1. One column of double windows added to both ends of the building that match the EIFS wall windows on the front and rear of the building. 2. Sample products and colors for the brick, siding and EIFS will be brought back to the Commission for review. Motion: T. Ellinghausen Second: J. Rey Ayes: T. Ellinghausen, J. Rey & E. Wilson Nays: None Motion carried.  Historic Preservation Commission 5/20/24 Page 3 of 5 b. City of Woodstock—Certificate of Appropriateness for Opera House renovations Greg Grunloh, Holabird & Root Architects, reviewed and summarized the renovations and stated that they are proposing a third-story addition on the rear of the Opera House above the annex building. It will be a yellow brick to match the floors below and a stone band will separate the new brick from the old brick to deemphasize any differences in the exact color or style of the brick. The windows will be of the size and design of those found on the upper floor of the Opera House, including the brick arches atop them. The number and placement of these windows will align with the floor below for improved harmony and balance. The current HVAC equipment on this part of the building will be upgraded, but their placement will remain on the roof above. Continuing, Mr. Grunloh reviewed the interior changes and summarized by stating that the first floor will see several changes meant to provide greater convenience, ease of movement, and space for building users and patrons. The box office will be redesigned to allow for more concession options that are easier to access, the doorways to the library room will be widened to reduce congestion in the entryway vestibule and to allow for better flow into the community room. The doorway in the vestibule will match the doorway opposite it on the west. The south wall of the main stairway to the auditorium will be opened at the landing and new stairs down into the community room will be added. This will also allow for a better flow into the community room and easier access to refreshments during performances. This change will require that the northwest door into this room be shifted south as well as be widened. The current location of the staff offices will become a community room annex, referred to as the VIP lounge, and the dividing wall between the two rooms will be opened and a retractable panel system inserted. Mr. Grunloh reviewed the second-floor changes and advised that currently the second floor is comprised of storage, dressing rooms, office spaces, and the green room. The green room will be moved to the Stage Left building along with a new community room. The existing dressing rooms beneath the stage will be remodeled and updated, noting the biggest change will be converting the existing green room into staff offices. It was noted none of these changes will be visible to the public. Finally, Mr. Grunloh finished up by reviewing the third-floor addition and summarized by stating this addition will add a backstage passageway connecting the two sides of the stage. Currently, a performer that exits from one side of the stage and must enter on the other side of the stage is required to go downstairs to a lower level and back up again. Most of the new space will provide improved and more spacious dressing room facilities, two “star rooms” that will allow performers greater privacy and comfort and as with the second-floor changes, these areas will not be accessible to the public. It was noted that the glass at the concession area and ticket booth will have an etched design to match the etched glass design in other areas of the Opera House. T. Ellinghausen inquired if the stairway into the community room was going to be completed with this project. City Engineer C. Tiedt advised that the stairs to the community room were bid as an alternate and the cost exceeded what was budgeted so staff are attempting to find funding for this option or change the spending within the grant to have the stairs constructed.  Historic Preservation Commission 5/20/24 Page 4 of 5 Discussions ensued regarding the sinks, glass nano doors, concessions, and bar area. E. Wilson reviewed each of the ten Historic Preservation criteria, based on the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation, as well as the eight architectural design element criteria and the additional considerations and the Commission found all requirements for the remodel/rehabilitation to be compliant or non-applicable. Planner D. Moore noted that this project has already been approved by the Illinois Historic Preservation Office. There was a motion made to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for the renovations to the Woodstock Opera House at 123 Van Buren Street, as presented. Motion: J. Rey Second: T. Ellinghausen Ayes: T. Ellinghausen, J. Rey & E. Wilson Nays: None Motion carried. c. City of Woodstock—Certificate of Appropriateness for trash enclosure on East Judd Street Planner D. Moore reviewed the request and advised that at the intersection of East Judd Street and the Union Pacific railroad tracks there is a small patch of city-owned vacant property currently being used as a location for trash pickup for users of the adjacent building. The proposal is to make this site the location of the third downtown trash enclosure, matching the others at Johnson Street and Dean Street. Installation will require rebuilding the elevated sidewalk wall and the attached railing. Continuing, Planner D. Moore stated that the trash enclosures on Johnson and Dean streets have greatly improved the appearance of those areas by hiding rows of unsightly garbage bins. Judd Street has been identified as a priority for a similar improvement with this enclosure being slightly different than the others in that a part of its back would be exposed, as opposed to backing up to a building wall. As a result, the back of the enclosure is proposed to have a panel and additional metalwork consistent with the other sides. The proposal improves the appearance of the historic district in a style that matches other enclosures and will also include the rebuilding of the abutting sidewalk wall and railing, extending the life of those elements. J. Rey expressed concerns with telling the property owners where and how they have to dispose of their waste. Public Comment: Marilyn Cuevas 445 Fremont Street, Woodstock, IL. 60098 Ms. Cuevas expressed concerns about visibility for law enforcement due to the height of the enclosure.  Historic Preservation Commission 5/20/24 Page 5 of 5 T. Ellinghausen suggested that the roof line of the bin enclosure be reversed, allowing the overall height to be lower. E. Wilson suggested that the slab and the concrete work be constructed in a matter to direct the water away from the sidewalk and the foundation of the buildings. There was a motion made to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness to erect a trash enclosure on East Judd Street and strongly recommended that the roof slope be reversed and slope toward the back of the enclosure and the concrete pad be sloped for stormwater management or gutter and downspout be installed to direct the water away from the sidewalk and buildings. Motion: T. Ellinghausen Second: J. Rey Ayes: T. Ellinghausen, J. Rey & E. Wilson Nays: None Motion carried. 6. REPORTS AND DISCUSSION: a. Color schemes, signs, and awnings. There was no discussion on this item, and it was noted that it would be discussed at a future meeting. T. Ellinghausen expressed concerns with the look of the paint on the City Square Dental building as it looks spotted with different shades of gray, black and white. It was noted the staff will check with City Square Dental on the color. 7. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: a. 223 S Tryon Deck There was no discussion at this time. 8. ADJOURNMENT: There was a motion made to adjourn the meeting at 9:21 p.m. MOTION: T. Ellinghausen SECOND: J. Rey AYES: T. Ellinghausen, J. Rey, and E. Wilson NAYS: none. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 9:21 pm. Respectfully submitted, Melissa Bauer Commission Clerk