Historic Preservation Commission

HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES November 25, 2024 City Council Chambers 1. CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL: A Meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission of the City of Woodstock was called to order by Commissioner Erica Wilson at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 25, 2024, in the Council Chambers at Woodstock City Hall. COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Marilyn Cuevas, Tom Ellinghausen, Jose Rey, and Erica Wilson. COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: None. STAFF PRESENT: City Planner Darrell Moore, Public Works Director Brent Aymond, and Commission Clerk Melissa Bauer . 2. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: a. October 28, 2024 There was a motion made to approve the October 28, 2024, meeting minutes as presented. MOTION: T. Ellinghausen. SECOND: J. Rey. All present voted Aye. Motion carried. 3. PUBLIC COMMENT: There were no public comments. 4. OLD BUSINESS: a. Certificate of Appropriateness – City Hall, 121 W. Calhoun Street, Exterior Door Replacements. Planner D. Moore gave a brief overview of the City Hall door replacement project noting that the Commission had expressed a desire to use fiberglass doors at the last meeting. Planner D. Moore advised that the contractor advised that fiberglass doors were not the ideal material for high-traffic areas. Further, Planner D. Moore advised that the proposed steel doors would have a simulated wood-grain finish and that the requested 48” doors could be used leaving 6”-7” inches on either side of the door. The door will also consist of a 46”x 16” window, antique brass hardware as well as raised trim pieces at the bottom of the door measuring approximately 12”x18”. Lastly, Planner D. Moore advised that the west and east doors would be similar and match the main entrance door.  Historic Preservation Commission 11/25/24 Page 2 of 5 T. Ellinghausen suggested saving the old doors for possible re-purpose by the Friends of the Old Courthouse or the City. There was a motion made to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for the City Hall door replacement as presented. MOTION: T. Ellinghausen. SECOND: J. Rey. All present voted Aye. Motion carried. 5. NEW BUSINESS: a. Certificate of Appropriateness – 231-233 Main Street, Various Exterior Changes. Steve Finzel, President of Prairie Community Bank, was present as the applicant. Mr. Finzel approached the Commission and presented exhibits of the building and summarized the following requests: 1. The existing non-historic doors are to be replaced with glass doors with black aluminum frames. 2. The door to the 231 Main Street unit will be replaced with a window framed with black aluminum. 3. Two of the non-historic metal-framed window bays facing Main Street and two of the three facing Washington Street will be replaced with black aluminum-framed windows in a pattern that matches the existing, each comprised of five vertical windows. 4. The remaining window bay will be removed and an ATM and night-deposit box inserted. 5. All window bays will be adorned with black shed awnings. 6. Signage for the bank will comprise of individual raised letters attached to the siding on the building. 7. Additional sidewalk work will be necessary at the entry and various landscaping components added. Planner D. Moore gave the staff report, noting that this building is considered non-contributing to the historic district, and that the existing windows and doors have little to no historic significance. Because of the non-contributing status of the building, staff are in support of the proposed changes with the one recommendation that the awning have a loose-hanging valance, which mimics historic awnings. T. Ellinghausen inquired about the awning materials. Mr. Finzel advised that materials for the awning will be canvas, similar to other awnings on Main Street. E. Wilson expressed concerns about light pollution at the ATM and requested the light(s) at the ATM be pointed down or shielded so as not to spill out of the immediate area.  Historic Preservation Commission 11/25/24 Page 3 of 5 E. Wilson inquired about what other lighting is planned for the building. Mr. Finzel advised that the only lighting would be at the ATM and gooseneck lights above the wall sign. There was a motion made to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness for the changes as presented at 231-233 Main Street with the condition that the awning valances be loose hanging. MOTION: J. Rey. SECOND: T. Ellinghausen. All present voted Aye. Motion carried. 6. REPORTS AND DISCUSSION: a. 124 Hutchins Street Planner D. Moore advised that there have been no changes to the building to bring it into compliance with the Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) and citations will be issued until compliance is met. J. Rey inquired if a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) was issued. Planner D. Moore advised that the owner was issued a Certificate of Occupancy at the department head level with a requirement that the owner had 30-days to bring the building into compliance with the COA. Discussions ensued and the Commission expressed concerns and frustrations with petitioners being issued COs despite what was required by the COA. Planner D. Moore advised that the Historic Preservation Commission is not authorized to withhold COs and the course of action for failure to comply with a Certificate of Appropriateness was the issuance of citations with fines attached. Continuing, Planner D. Moore advised that citations are executed through Adjudication Court and if they are fined and those fines are not paid, the owner has the chance of having the water turned off until all fines are paid, or the matter may be sent to Circuit Court for resolution. b. Old Courthouse Center Planner D. Moore advised that Village Squire is now open and also noted that MobCraft Brewing is being bought out and may be closed until the new owners decide how they want to move forward with the space. T. Ellinghausen inquired if the Makity Make spaces were going to be rented out. Planner D. Moore advised that the City may make that space available for community rental space in the future. The other spaces are currently being used by the Opera House staff as temporary offices during the construction and rehabilitation of the Opera House. T. Ellinghausen inquired about the Village Squire awning installation. Planner D. Moore advised that those permits were just issued with awnings being located only on the lower-level windows except the extreme northeast corner facing north due to the downspout. A canopy over the entrance is still being negotiated and a permit has yet to be approved. Planner D. Moore further advised that during the installation of the awnings, the City’s building inspector will be onsite due to the application of the awning frame to the building, noting that  Historic Preservation Commission 11/25/24 Page 4 of 5 any damage to the building will be the responsibility of the tenant to repair. The framing was noted to be anchored into the masonry on the side of the masonry window and not on the outside of the window. There will be some screws into the wood also for stability. c. Commission changes Planner D. Moore advised that a Commission Chairperson is still needed and to speak to Jane Howie if interested or if the Commission knew of an interested party. M. Cuevas inquired on what the Commission Chair's responsibilities were. Planner D. Moore advised that an active Commission Chairperson could assist in creating the agenda and suggest discussion topics such as exploring the plaquing of historic buildings, landmarking historical properties, and researching properties/structures for historical purposes. E. Wilson advised that in the past the Historic Preservation Commission tried to create more educational opportunities for the public such as a walking tour of historic properties and the public did not show interest. Discussions also started on creating a brochure tied to numbered buildings on the Square describing the history of the buildings but gained no traction. T. Ellinghausen advised that the Friends of the Old Courthouse have been giving in-person tours of the old courthouse and are moving on to a virtual tour through a phone application the City is purchasing. Discussions ensued and there was a general discussion of the Historic Preservation Commission taking advantage of this application and having some input and adding content regarding historic buildings and properties in the City. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: a. Next regular meeting: January 27, 2025. Planner D. Moore advised that January 27th will be the next Meeting. E. Wilson advised that she will be out of state for January and February but can attend remotely. b. Sign Variation – 100 S. Benton Street. Planner. D. Moore advised that this is the old Harris Bank building, and they are having tenants move in and will be before this Commission for a sign permit. J. Rey expressed concerns with numerous sandwich signs on the Square at night and felt they could be a trip hazard. Planner D. Moore advised that enforcement staff are going to start concentrating on sign ordinance violations with the new year and ensure that businesses are following the code. c. Certificate of Appropriateness – 1362-134 Cass Street Window Replacement. Planner D. Moore advised that windows on the second floor have been replaced and that the installation was not in accordance with the Certificate of Appropriateness. Further, Planner D. Moore advised that this replacement was part of the façade improvement reimbursement grant, and that reimbursement has not been made as vinyl windows were installed and not approved by the Commission. Planner D. Moore advised that the City is getting ready to send out an RFP for a consultant to revise the Unified Development Ordinance and over the course of 2025 there will be several meetings and the Historic Preservation Commission will be invited for input.  Historic Preservation Commission 11/25/24 Page 5 of 5 Planner D. Moore advised that the Lighting of the Square is scheduled for Friday, November 29th. 7. ADJOURNMENT: There was a motion made to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 p.m. MOTION: J. Rey. SECOND: T. Ellinghausen. All present voted Aye. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Melissa Bauer, Commission Clerk