MINUTES
TOWN OF NORMAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
CONFERENCE ROOM C, CITY HALL
100 EAST PHOENIX AVENUE
NORMAL, ILLINOIS
Regular Meeting
August 10, 2004
7:00 p.m.
Members Present
Bruce Warloe, Nancy Armstrong, Kathy Smith Whitman, Bob Ward, Anne Matter
Members Absent
Kathy Burgess
Others Present
Associate Planner, Lauren Kerestes; Office Associate, Debbi Whitehouse;
Director of Inspections, Greg Troemel; City Manager, Mark Peterson; Geoff
Fruin, Administrative Analyst; Tom Collins;
Jean Olson; Jim Sikora; and Mr. & Mrs. Brian Romanowski
Call to Order
Ms. Matter called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and noted a quorum was present.
Approval of the minutes:
Ms. Whitman moved to approve the July 13, 2004 Regular Meeting Minutes, Mr. Ward seconded. Mr. Warloe moved to approve the July 22, 2004, Special Meeting Minutes, Ms. Armstrong seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
CA-04-08-21 - 13 Broadway Place: Tuck-pointing and brick replacement
Mr. Jim Sikora, 13 Broadway Place, spoke saying he would like to repair the brick and tuck-point the façade his home. Mr. Sikora said the existing brick is crumbing and that a “hodge podge” of materials is holding it together. Mr. Sikora said they hope to salvage some of the brick, but will need to find a replacement brick of the same color. Mr. Sikora said they have just replaced their furnace and will no longer need to cap the chimney, as had been requested in the original application.
Ms. Smith-Whitman discussed the type of mortar design that would be appropriate. The commissioners thought the tuck-pointing work would be a nice compliment to the home.
Ms. Smith-Whitman moved that a Certificate of Appropriateness would be granted to allow brick repair and replacement and tuck-pointing of the home, with the condition that the brick be similar to original and that the mortar joints be raked. She also asked that the commission be notified when a brick replacement sample had been chosen by Mr. Sikora.
Ms. Armstrong seconded. Motion carried 5-0. Mr. Sikora said he would call Ms. Kerestes when the brick replacement sample came in.
BG-04-08-04 – 13 Broadway Place Tuck-pointing & Brick Replacement
Mr. Sikora explained that the tuck-pointing would apply to all 4 sides of the home. The front wall will be completely replaced.
The commission discussed the estimates that they had received for this project. The commission also discussed the maintenance nature of the work being proposed. In the past, the commission had considered tuck-pointing as a maintenance project and had not approved Bone Grant funds for that type of work. However, the commission agreed that Mr. Sikora’s situation was unique, because he was a new property owner at 13 Broadway Place and had not been party to the façade’s decline. Mr. Warloe moved to approve with the grant amount not exceeding $2500.00. Mr. Ward seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
CA-04-08-23 - Replacement of storm windows 709 N. School
Mr. Tom Collins, 709 N. School St., spoke saying he would like to replace 17 existing aluminum storm windows with white vinyl ones. Mr. Collins said the storm windows are in bad shape and need replacing. Mr. Collins had a brochure and estimate to show the commission what they would look like and what the cost would be.
Ms. Smith-Whitman moved to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness with the condition that the insets not damage the windows, and the existing window trim not be removed. Mr. Ward seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
CA-04-08-26 – 806 Normal Ave. Replacement of gutters, rear door, soffit, and facia
Mr. Brian Romanowski, 806 Normal Avenue, said he would like to replace the gutters, rear door, soffit and fascia at his residence. Mr. Romanowski said the existing fascia is rotting and needs to be replaced. Mr. Romanowski said it would be replaced with similar materials.
Ms. Armstrong moved to approve. Ms. Smith-Whitman seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
CA-04-08-24 – 604 Broadway, Fell House relocation to southwest corner of Linden and Vernon Avenue
Ms. Kerestes discussed the memo that she had sent to the commissioners pertaining to 604 Broadway. Ms. Kerestes said the Town had looked at several locations to move the house. The Town owns the lot at Linden and Vernon Avenue, and feels this would be the best location available.
Ms. Kerestes said the Town has contacted Mr. Ron Peters to move the house. Mr. Peters would be able to do so in October or November. Mrs. Kerestes said staff would like to present the Council with a recommendation by the commissioners for the relocation and renovation of the house.
Director of Inspections, Greg Troemel, presented a drawing with setbacks for location of the home on the lot on Linden and Vernon Ave. Mr. Troemel said the house would face Vernon Avenue to be consistent with the other homes on that street.
Mr. Ward asked if a garage could be built on this property. Mr. Troemel said a detached garage could be build without getting a variation. Mr. Warloe asked if an updated site plan could be presented with the property set back further from Linden Street.
City Manager, Mark Peterson, discussed different options for this project. Mr. Peterson said they have contacted the Old House Society and that they have some interest with the restoration and sell it as a residence at the new site, with reimbursement for Town expenses. Mr. Peterson said there is also the option of having a private owner with guidelines through a Request for Proposals (RFP) process.
Mr. Troemel commented on how much it would cost to move the house, build a new foundation, and reconnect fees.
The commissioners said that they would like to go over expectations and guidelines for a RFP at the next meeting.
Mr. Ward moved to recommend to Council the following actions:
- Accept the house as a donation from the current property owner for
reasons of its
historic value to the community.
- Authorize expenses incurred from the relocation of the house and waive
bidding as described in the list of expenses.
- Sell it as a residence at the new site via a RFP or enter into an agreement with the Old House Society who would then restore the house, sell it as a residence at the new site, and reimburse the Town for expenses incurred.
Mr. Warloe seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
Other Business
Ms. Kerestes said they are looking for nominations for the Preserve America Presidential Awards 2005.
Ms. Kerestes commented on the replacement of windows at 6 Clinton Place, and how nice the windows looked. Mr. Harmon of 6 Clinton Place, will receive the reimbursement from Bone Grant funds he received to do the work.
Adjournment
There being no further business, Ms. Armstrong moved that the meeting be adjourned at approximately 8:10 p.m. Mr. Ward seconded. The motion carried 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbi Whitehouse, Office Associate