Downtown Design Review Board

DOWNTOWN DESIGN REVIEW BOARD August 30, 2017 I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The August 30, 2017 Downtown Design Review Board meeting was called to order in the City Council Chambers of the Wheaton City Hall, 303 W. Wesley Street, Wheaton at 6:00 pm. On a roll call, the following were: Present: Paula Barrington Nathan Bossenga Craig Farnsworth Tracy Jones Kevin Maguire Absent: Steph McGrath City Staff: James P. Kozik AICP, Director of Planning & Economic Development II. PUBLIC COMMENT There was no public comment. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – April 4, 2017 Ms. Jones moved and Mr. Maguire seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the April 4, 2017 Downtown Design Review Board meeting as submitted. On a voice vote, all voted aye. V. NEW BUSINESS – 108 N. Hale Street – Façade Renovation Property owners Jeremy Jensen and Joel Frieders was in attendance because his application to remove a second floor bay window and replace it with a balcony was denied due to the determination that the proposal was not in full compliance with Wheaton’s Downtown Design Review Guidelines. Mr. Kozik stated that the Downtown Design Guidelines booklet contains general guidelines which are considered by the City when reviewing proposed projects throughout Downtown Wheaton. The booklet also contains additional guidelines specific to the three character areas in the Downtown; the Traditional Core Area, the Perimeter Commercial Area, and the Residential Conversion Area. Mr. Kozik stated that the subject property is located within the Traditional Core Area. Item number 1 under “Architectural Elements, Windows and Doors” of the “Additional Guidelines for the Traditional Core Area” state that “Upper floor windows should typically be individual openings in solid wall planes and smaller in size than first floor windows, reflecting the proportions of existing window openings found in the traditional core area. Bay windows at the second floor may also be considered.” The original plans to remodel/renovate the building for use by a restaurant, called for a new storefront below the existing copper awning and ironwork. No work was contemplated on the second floor of the front façade. The owners are now seeking to modify their approved plans to remove the 2nd floor arched-top window and replace it with a glass door and remove the 2nd floor bay window and replace it with sliding glass doors and a balcony with a glass panel railing. Members of the Board generally expressed approval of the deign of the second floor balcony but stated that removing the arched-top window and other brick detailing near the cornice was unacceptable. Mr. Kozik stated that it is staff’s opinion that the removal of the 2nd floor bay window destroys what is perhaps the buildings best architectural feature and does not improve the appearance of the building and enhance the character of the downtown. In addition, Mr. Kozik stated that the design of the sliding doors and glass balcony is in no way compatible with neighboring properties. The proposed balcony also does not substantially improve the function of the building as opportunities for outdoor dining are provided for on the sidewalk in front of the building and on a rooftop deck that will be accessed from the second floor dining room and that staff would strongly recommend that the request for review be denied. Mr. Maguire then moved and Ms. Jones seconded a motion to approve the design of the façade renovations for 108 N. Hale Street in Wheaton conditioned upon the façade being in conformance with the plans prepared by MC & Associates, LLC, Chicago, IL dated March 01, 2017 and issued for permit on August 10, 2017, Drawing # S2-0 entitled “Partial Second Floor Framing Plan & Framing Details” and further conditioned upon the second floor arch-top window opening and brick details along the top of the building to remain. On a voice vote, all voted aye. The motion carried. VI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 pm. Respectfully submitted, James P. Kozik, AICP Director of Planning & Economic Development