MINUTES
TOWN OF NORMAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL
100 EAST PHOENIX AVENUE
NORMAL, ILLINOIS
SPECIAL MEETING
August 15, 2006 @ 6:00 p.m.
Members Present
Bruce Warloe, Nancy Armstrong, Anne Matter, Kathy Burgess, Bob Ward
Members Absent
Matt Felumlee
Others Present
Associate Planner, Lauren Kerestes, Office Associate Debbi Feid, Downtown Redevelopment, Wayne Aldrich, Amy Easton, Illinois Historic Preservation Agency Representative. Bernice Kelley of 15 Broadway Place, Tim Powell of 705 Broadway, Thomas Patten, 1211 S. Fell, Jack Glascock of 23 Broadway Place, and David Robins of 15 Clinton Place
Call to Order
Ms. Matter called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and noted a quorum was present.
Minutes
The minutes of July 11, 2006 regular meeting were approved as
submitted.
CA-06-07-26, 15 Broadway Place, Restore brick wing walls at front entrance
Mrs. Bernice Kelley of 15 Broadway Place was present to answer any questions. Mrs. Kelley said that several years ago the brick wing walls at the entrance had been parged and now she would like to remove the cement and expose the original brick. Mrs. Kelley said the original caps and most of the original brick will stay, but some bricks will need to be replaced. Mrs. Kelly spoke saying the estimate she has received includes cleaning the existing bricks and purchasing the new bricks that match. The total cost estimate is $2,622.00
Ms. Armstrong moved to approve with the condition that staff review the replacement bricks, Mr. Ward seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
BG-06-07-04, 15 Broadway Place, Restore brick wing walls at front entrance
Ms. Kerestes spoke saying staff is supportive as long as the new brick matches. Ms. Armstrong moved to approve the Bone Grant in the amount of $1,311.00. Mr. Ward seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
BG-06-07-05, 705 S. Broadway, Replace wood siding with same type of wood as original
Ms. Matter identified the house as one of the Town’s landmark properties. Ms. Kerestes added that the Certificate of Appropriateness for the replacement of wood siding with wood siding had already been approved through expedited review.
Mr. Powell, of 705 S Broadway spoke about his home. Mr. Powell said he would like to replace all the damaged and rotted wood siding and trim with wood siding of the original type and width (6” and 4”). This pertains to the south and west side of the home. He also wants to replace rotted soffits and window sills with solid poplar wood as original. Mr. Powell said he anticipates this to be a costly project, because of the significant size of the home. Mr. Powell would prefer to go with the bid from Roehm Renovations which is $6,500.00.
The Commission agreed that given the size and the unique style of the home and the nature and careful detail of the project, providing funding would be logical. Mr. Ward moved to approve this Bone Grant in the amount of $3,250.00. Ms. Armstrong seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
CA-06-08-28, 1211 S. Fell, Room addition
Mr. Tom Patten, 1211 S. Fell, was answer questions about his home. Mr. Patten said he would like to build a one-story 16”x19” room addition on his home. Mr. Patten said he would use the same materials to match the home. Mr. Patten said he has one change since he submitted the Certificate of Appropriateness. Mr. Patten wants the addition to have a gable roof instead of a hip roof. Mr. Patten said the siding and windows for the addition will match the existing home, steel siding and four over one windows.
Mr. Ward moved to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness with the roof line changes. Ms. Burgess seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
Normal Theater and Hotel Conference Center Connection
Ms. Kerestes introduced Mr. Aldrich, Downtown Director, who was present to speak about the new Marriott Hotel and conference center connection to the Normal Theater. The Theater is a local landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Ms. Kerestes said a connection will be made directly from the conference center to the Normal Theater through a separate vestibule. This connection will allow patrons to access to the Normal Theater if needed for conference and meetings etc.
A site plan was distributed and Mr. Aldrich spoke about how this separate structure adjoins the Theater. Mr. Aldrich said an all-weather seal would physically connect the vestibule to the Theater building, and there would not be any nailing or drilling. Mr. Aldrich said the brick on the vestibule would match that of the hotel. Mr. Aldrich said special care will be taken because of the Theater, and he has spoken to the contractor about this.
Mr. Aldrich said he wanted to present the site plan for the Hotel connection to the Theater to the commission to see what concerns they may have.
Mr. Ward asked if there were to be any modifications within the Theater as part of the hotel project. Mr. Aldrich said the Theater has their own plans to update technological and electronic systems as the need arises, but not as part of the hotel project.
Mr. Ward moved to approve the proposed Hotel/Theater connection. Mr. Warloe seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
Cedar Crest Addition Historic District National Register of Historic Places Nomination
Ms. Kerestes introduced Amy Easton, Illinois Historic Preservation Agency representative. Ms. Easton said she would like to thank Ms. Kerestes for her time and effort in preparing the Cedar Crest Addition Historic District nomination for the National Register of Historic Places.
Ms. Easton explained the process that the nomination will take. Once a recommendation is made by the Town’s Historic Preservation Commission, it proceeds to the Illinois Historic Sites Advisory Council in September and then onto the National Parks Services for final approval. That process takes about two months to be finalized.
Ms. Kerestes mentioned other places in the Town of Normal that are National Register properties. They include the Camelback Bridge, The Normal Theater, and Cook Hall, which is part of Illinois State University. She also noted that the State office would formally take inventory on which homeowners were in support or opposition to the nomination; the Town would not.
Ms. Burgess commented on how well the mailing to Cedar Crest residents did in answering questions and providing information.
Mr. Dave Robins, 15 Clinton Place, Normal, IL, spoke saying he thought it would be a great honor to be listed on the National Register. Mr. Robins asked some questions to Ms. Easton about the State’s Property Tax Freeze program.
Mr. Jack Glascock, 23 Broadway Place, Normal, IL, had some questions about additional government funding. Ms. Easton advised Mr. Glascock of where he could find more information Ms. Kerestes said that the homeowners would be notified once a final decision is made.
Other Business
- APPROVED (Expedited Review):
CA-06-07-25E 724 Normal Replace rotten trim board with wood Approved CA-06-07-27E 705 Broadway Replace rotten wood siding (and paint) Approved
Adjournment
There being no further business, that the meeting be adjourned at approximately 7:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbi Feid
Office Associate