Landmark Commission

DeKalb Municipal Building Glidden Conference Room 200 S. Fourth St., 2nd Floor DeKalb, IL 60115 MINUTES LANDMARK COMMISSION July 12, 2017 7:00 PM Chairman Gable called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM. A. ROLL CALL The following members of the Landmark Commission were present: Donna Gable, Amanda Durik, Robert Glover, and Donna Schultz Xidis. Members absent were Elizabeth Wirsing, Don Whitmore and Pam Collins. City staff present was Community Development Director Jo Ellen Charlton. Also present was Mayor Jerry Smith. B. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA – ADDITIONS / DELETIONS D. Gable requested to add a discussion item to the agenda. No discussion followed, and no other changes were requested. C. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Mayor Jerry Smith introduced himself. He stated will visit each board and commission. He thanked the commissioners for their service. He noted one Landmark Commission’s term has expired. He said he was happy to discuss reappointment with her if she wants to continue. He explained if she does not wish to be reappointed, a vacancy will exist. He stated he will consult with current commissioners for recommendations. Chair Gable thanked Mayor Smith for attending the meeting. D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – ADDITIONS / DELETIONS 1. May 18, 2017 – Not presented. Director Charlton reported these minutes will be presented at the next regular meeting. E. NEW BUSINESS Director Charlton reported the 1990s Downtown Survey documents were found, scanned, and sent to the historic preservation consultant Lakota Group the previous week. She stated the consultant requested more time before presenting a new version of the report so they could incorporate the 1990 Downtown Survey data into the new inventory forms. Landmark Commission July 12, 2017 Page 2 of 4 Chair Gable stated the draft report presented at the May meeting including inaccurate data, notably the omitted Local Landmark designation and National Register Landmark designation for the Egyptian Theatre. She mentioned Commissioner Durik also discovered an error to an address. She recommended allowing more time to review the draft report and sending comments to the City to compile. She asked for an update on Lakota Group’s progress on the project tasks. Director Charlton reviewed the project task list and noted the completed and outstanding tasks. She reported Lakota Group has not yet provided recommendations for the ten major restoration projects nor draft design guidelines. She stated Lakota Group has reviewed and commented upon the design of Cornerstone DeKalb. She said Lakota Group requests the commissioners identify the properties that could benefit from major restoration projects. The consultants will then make their recommendations. She reported the City Council will consider at its next meeting the proposed Plaza DeKalb development on the northeast corner of Lincoln Highway and Second Street, which includes four existing properties. She stated a grocery store and restaurant will occupy the first floor and apartments will occupy the upper three floors. She noted a large hotel formerly occupied the site, and Commissioner Glover added that a grocery store occupied the former hotel’s first floor. Director Charlton stated the City advised John Pappas, the developer, that the design of his two new developments should differ. She explained the property to the east of the proposed new building will be demolished and replaced with a plaza area, and the two buildings directly to the east will be renovated, with the current businesses on the first floors and one second floor apartment in each building. She said the Commission may make design recommendations for Plaza DeKalb. She reported the developer considered several downtown buildings for and found water damage in many that has significantly affected the façades’ integrity. She said the City intends to focus future downtown architectural improvement projects on building repairs that prevent façade damage. The Commission discussed the current and future design of the two easternmost buildings in the Plaza DeKalb development. Chair Gable suggested an impartial party evaluate the façades’ integrity and provide recommendations for repairs before the developer removes the façades. Director Charlton reported the developer is willing to preserve the façades if repairs are not too costly and ensure long-term stability. She noted roofs leaks caused water damage to both buildings’ interiors and exteriors. She stated she will ask the developer to incorporate design elements from the existing façades and use similar materials on the new façades. Commissioner Xidis requested City staff inform the Planning and Zoning Commission the consultants designated all four of the current buildings as contributing to a potential neighborhood historic district. Director Charlton said she Landmark Commission July 12, 2017 Page 3 of 4 would include the map of contributing property locations developed by the consultant. Chair Gable noted the Landmark Commission requested SunDog IT’s renovation of 230 East Lincoln Highway to include locating old window locations from the inside the walls before deciding upon the locations of new windows. A discussion of former downtown façades designs, renovations, and businesses followed. Chair Gable clarified the Commission should review the whole draft report and provide comments to the City prior to the next meeting. Director Charlton offered to email a Drop Box invitation the commissioners, so they can access the scanned 1990s survey documents. Commissioner Durik requested a link, not an invitation to be emailed. Commissioner Xidis requested a flash drive of the 1990s survey documents. Commissioner Glover noted Lakota Group’s draft report listed four structures that could be eligible for National Register nomination: • 263 East Lincoln Highway (former Drs. Smith) • 314 East Lincoln Highway • 323 East Lincoln Highway (former McCabe’s) • 111 West Lincoln Highway (former Elks Club) F. OLD BUSINESS Chair Gable stated she has been the Commission Chair since December 2015. She said she is happy to continue but requested a co-chair to help her. Mayor Smith cited the municipal code, which states the Landmark Commission role of chair is appointed by the mayor, and the vice chair may be appointed by the members. He stated the current chair term ends December 2017. Director Charlton stated she will included “Elect vice chair” on the next regular meeting agenda. G. ANNOUNCEMENTS / ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING Chair Gable requested the Commission discuss goals for the next year. She suggested completing the walking tour booklet, which was begun three years ago. Commissioner Xidis suggested following up on the identified properties for major renovation projects in downtown. Landmark Commission July 12, 2017 Page 4 of 4 Chair Gable suggested resuming celebration of the National Trust for Historic Preservation Month in May with a display or an event, like a scavenger hunt. A discussion of potential meeting dates followed. Chair Gable noted commissioner Don Whitmore’s conflict with Thursday evenings occurs for just a few months in the summer. She recommended the meeting dates be set, so it is easier to schedule other commitments around them. Director Charlton stated she will contact the absent commissioners for their availability. The suggested meeting dates were fourth Thursdays, second Wednesdays, and fourth Wednesdays. Director Charlton asked the commissioners to page through the current draft report and submit written comments to her, which she will forward to the consultant. She said she will work with the consultants to schedule their next meeting with the Commission and inform the commissioners of the date via email. H. ADJOURNMENT D. Gable motioned to adjourn the meeting, A. Durik seconded, and all approved by voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM. Respectfully Submitted, Natalie Nelson, Administrative Assistant Minutes approved by the Landmark Commission on August 29, 2017.