Historic Preservation Commission

HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES March 17, 2025 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 Chairwoman Lou Ness at 7:00 PM on Monday, March 17, 2025, in Council Chambers at Woodstock City Hall. COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Marilyn Cuevas, Tom Ellinghausen, Jose Rey, and Chairwoman Lou Ness. COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Erica Wilson. STAFF PRESENT: Building and Zoning Director Joe Napolitano and Commission Clerk Melissa Bauer. 2. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: a. February 3, 2025 There was a motion made to approve the February 3, 2025, meeting minutes as presented. MOTION: Cuevas. SECOND: Ellinghausen. All present voted Aye. Motion carried. 3. PUBLIC COMMENT: There were no public comments. 4. OLD BUSINESS: There was no old business. 5. NEW BUSINESS: There was no new business. 6. REPORTS AND DISCUSSION: a. Procedures for scheduling special meetings Discussions ensued pertaining to the calling of special meetings for developers and residents. There was a consensus that there would not be special-called meetings for individuals requesting special meetings due to violations of the Historic Preservation Ordinance but that under certain circumstances, pertaining to developers, a special-called meeting could be scheduled. b. 124 Hutchins Street  Historic Preservation Commission 03/17/2025 Page 2 of 3 Director Napolitano advised that a citation had been issued at 124 Hutchins St. pertaining to the Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) violation for the front window. The owner has been to adjudication court and has until May 8th to comply with the COA or fines will be issued. c. Temporary fence at South and Tryon Director Napolitano gave an update and advised that a fence permit has been issued, and the temporary fence should be removed in the near future. d. Roundabout Art Installation Director Napolitano stated that he was not sure that this item is to be considered by the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC), as there are no criteria or guidelines that address art or items in the right-of-way in the Historic Preservation Code. Chairwoman Ness stated that she was not in favor of a statue in the center of the roundabout for safety reasons as it could be a distraction for drivers. Chairwoman Ness suggested Emricson Park where the statue can be enjoyed without a safety concern. Commissioner Cuevas stated that she was not in favor of a statue in the center of the roundabout as that is the gateway to the Historic District and the HPC has the responsibility to maintain the integrity of the City’s Historic District. Further, she felt that art pieces should be considered under the same guidelines as other items in the Historic District and consideration should be given to how these art features compliment or add to the Historic feel. Commissioners Rey and Ellinghausen also concluded that the statue in the center of the roundabout could be a distraction for drivers. Chairwoman Ness suggested that staff research other communities and their policy on roundabout art and consider sending a recommendation to the City Council to find an alternate location for the art piece. e. Downtown Master Plan Update Director Napolitano advised that the Lakota Group has been chosen as the consultant for the Downtown Master Plan Update and that there would be numerous meetings to gather public input on the update of the plan. The Lakota Group will focus on how to build assets in the City as well as how to bring people to the downtown area through new development and tourism. It was noted that the Downtown Master Plan will be geared at new development and the evaluation of space to confirm the best use of the area, and moving of the bandstand is not part of this plan. Commissioner Cuevas inquired whether the City has considered public/private partnerships for development in the Historic District. Director Napolitano advised that the City has a Tax Increment Financing District (TIF) and Enterprise Development Program.  Historic Preservation Commission 03/17/2025 Page 3 of 3 A TIF district is a geographically targeted economic development tool where local governments capture and reinvest the increase in property taxes resulting from new development within the district to subsidize that development. Historic District Notifications Commissioner Rey expressed concerns with residents not being aware that they live in the Historic District and suggested discussing ways to notify the residents that are in the Historic District. Discussions ensued and suggestions were presented such as adding a note to the water bill, notification by the City at the time of water service signup, welcome letter/direct mailing with regulations, HPC open house/town hall meeting, direct mailing with an invitation to an HPC meeting, notification at time of building permit application and sharing of webinars on historic district renovations. Chairwoman Ness requested a monthly report on current projects and the status of said projects in the Historic District for tracking and follow-up purposes. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: a. Hotel – NE Corner of Calhoun and Jefferson Director Napolitano advised that a few elevations for the 4-story hotel have been submitted and that this item would be before the Commission in the next couple of months for consideration. 7. ADJOURNMENT: There was a motion made to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 p.m. MOTION: Cuevas. SECOND: Ellinghausen. All present voted Aye. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Melissa Bauer, Commission Clerk