Joliet Historic Preservation Commission

City of Joliet 150 West Jefferson Street Joliet, IL 60432 Meeting Minutes - Final Wednesday, July 24, 2024 6:00 PM City Hall, Council Chambers Joliet Historic Preservation Commission Commission Members Quinn Adamowski Brian Bessler Mary Beth Gannon Kevin Heinemann Candace Johnson Kailee Lowry Sharon Merwin Aaron Mikottis Ken Spiegel Sara Stovall Steven Wright Joliet Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes - Final July 24, 2024 Page 1 of 1 Joliet Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes - Final July 24, 2024 Citizens who are unable to attend the meeting can email comments in advance of the meeting to publiccomment@joliet.gov. CALL TO ORDER DECLARATION OF QUORUM Present Quinn Adamowski, Kevin Heinemann, Candace Johnson, Kailee Lowry, Sharon Merwin, Sara Stovall, Ken Spiegel and Aaron Mikottis Absent Brian Bessler, Mary Beth Gannon and Steven Wright APPROVAL OF MINUTES Joliet Historic Preservation Commission Regular Meeting TMP-7544 Minutes - 6/26/24 Attachments: JHPC 06-26-24 Minutes JB.pdf A motion was made by Quinn Adamowski, seconded by Kailee Lowry, to approve Joliet Historic Preservation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes - 6/26/24. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Adamowski, Heinemann, Johnson, Lowry, Merwin, Stovall and Spiegel Absent: Gannon and Wright CITIZENS TO BE HEARD ON AGENDA ITEMS Mike Vidmar, Mary Petrella, Al Govednik, Richard Churnovic Jr., Margie Cepon, Janet Anzelc, Mary Szelinski, Jim Pasdertz, Ron Schrak, Charles Goetz, Annette Koncar, and Mary Frances Smaron appeared in support of the Local Historic Landmark Designation. COMMITTEE REPORTS None OLD BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS Preliminary Review: L-1-2024: Local Historic Landmark TMP-7545 Designation for 416 N. Chicago Street (St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church) Attachments: LHD-1-2024_Staff Report_416 N. Chicago Street.pdf LHD-1-2024_Draft Nomination and Attachments_416 N. Chicago Street.pdf Planner Jayne Bernhard read the staff report into the record. Page 1 of 4 Joliet Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes - Final July 24, 2024 Chairwoman Johnson asked if there were comments from the applicants. Applicant Mary Petrella commented she hoped the Commission would consider the landmark status. Chairwoman Johnson asked if there were comments from the property owner. No one came forward. Chairwoman Johnson asked if there were questions and comments from the Commission regarding the landmark application or the property. Mr. Spiegel explained he has been inside St. Joseph Catholic Church and described it as gorgeous. Ms. Merwin explained St. Joseph’s architect, William Brinkman, also designed the now closed St. Michael the Archangel in Chicago where her family attended high school and highlighted the importance of architects and their works. Ms. Merwin inquired about the Diocese of Joliet’s role in the parish council. Ms. Petrella gave a brief overview of the Diocese of Joliet bylaws relating to parish council and commissions. Mr. Mikottis highlighted his admiration for St. Joseph’s exterior and inquired about the Diocese of Joliet’s disapproval of the application. Ms. Bernhard read the response submitted by the Diocese of Joliet. In response to this, Ms. Lowry questioned the precedence for landmarking Diocesan properties, Ms. Bernhard explained All Saints Greek Orthodox Church at 102 N. Broadway Street is an active church and local historic landmark. In response to Ms. Merwin’s suggestion of St. Mary Carmelite, Ms. Bernhard explained St. Mary Carmelite was already closed and was not a Diocesan church at the time. Ms. Petrella responded to Mr. Heinemann’s and Mr. Mikottis’s questions about St. Joseph’s deed history and provided an example of an independent Catholic Church located in Cleveland that remained consecrated. At the request of Ms. Merwin, Ms. Bernhard explained the nomination was a draft. Mr. Adamowski applauded the parish council for taking the step to nominate, described a similar instance at Bloomington Holy Trinity Church, and expressed St. Joseph Catholic Church meets designation standards A, B, C, E, and G. A motion was made by Quinn Adamowski, seconded by Sara Stovall, to approve Preliminary Review: L-1-2024: Local Historic Landmark Designation for 416 N. Page 2 of 4 Joliet Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes - Final July 24, 2024 Chicago Street (St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church). The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Adamowski, Heinemann, Johnson, Lowry, Merwin, Stovall and Spiegel Absent: Gannon and Wright STAFF REPORTS Ms. Bernhard provided an update on the Downtown Joliet National Register Historic District Nomination and Resource Survey. Ms. Bernhard explained City Council approved the Professional Services Agreement with Preservation Futures to complete the Joliet Area African American Historic Context Study which will start in August with a steering committee kickoff meeting. Ms. Bernhard explained local historic landmarks were damaged from the storms and any proposed work that veers from the guidelines would come to the Commission for review. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS None PUBLIC COMMENT A member of the public described the Church as gorgeous, highlighted the immigrants that built the Church, and thanked the Commission for considering the nomination. A member of the public explained he will miss the next meeting because his son is getting married at the Church. A member of the public thanked the Commission for their consideration. A member of the public appeared in favor of the Local Historic Landmark Designation. Mr. Mikottis highlighted the number of speakers that have ties to the original builders of the Church. Ms. Petrella called attention to a book about St. Joseph Catholic Church and indicated that she would provide copies to the Commission. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Quinn Adamowski, seconded by Sharon Merwin, to approve adjournment. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: Adamowski, Heinemann, Johnson, Lowry, Merwin, Stovall and Spiegel Page 3 of 4 Joliet Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes - Final July 24, 2024 Absent: Gannon and Wright This meeting will be held in an accessible location. If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact Christa M. Desiderio, City Clerk, 150 West Jefferson Street, Joliet, Illinois 60432 at (815) 724-3780. Page 4 of 4