Historic Commission

Minutes of the City of Wheaton Historic Commission October 20, 2015 Meeting Held at City Hall, Wheaton, Illinois Attendance Present: Barbara Dutton, Emelie Engling, Nancy Flannery (Chair), Maureen Fogerty, Tom Kay, Steph McGrath (Secretary), Greg Morrison, Frank Principe. Absent: Bob Shuster The meeting was called to order at 7:02 pm. Minutes of the September 15, 2015 meeting were approved following a motion made by Tom, seconded by Maureen, and passed unanimously. Public Comment None Old Business -Planning for 2016 Preservation Week Nancy suggested that we hold a Town Hall meeting as a part of the 2016 Preservation Week activities. She had explored the possibility of holding it at Loretto Convent. Fees are based on what room is booked and the number of attendees, but she felt it would fit within our budget. It would also be an opportunity for people to see this historic place in Wheaton. Another option would be the meeting room at the Wheaton Public Library, which can hold 100+ people and would be free. As for the topic, some of the questions suggested were: What is the future of historic preservation in Wheaton? And did that mean architecture, archives, and/or artifacts? Would this be used as a basis for a strategic plan derived under our mission? Would we consider expanding and/or changing our mission? Do we want to ask the public for future direction of commission programs and projects? What is the future of Wheaton with or without a community focused local history museum? It was agreed that we should all think these ideas over and discuss them at next month’s meeting. -Maureen & Barbara theme concept presentation Maureen and Barbara reported they had met, toured parks and picked five they’d like to feature: Adams, Memorial, Cosley, Northside and Hurley. They had brainstormed a significant roster of possible events and outcomes. They felt the theme could be featured for a period of anywhere from a month to three or four months. They would seek assistance from local clubs, organizations for old photos of the parks. They also might expand that request to the public. Steph suggested before doing so that “rights and reproductions” issues be stated so we could use the photos for website, print, program, etc. use. It’s a more complex issue than just scanning an image and using it, care needs to be taken regarding clearing rights and obtaining permissions. Nancy said she would talk to the city attorney about a form. Maureen noted that people like seeing before and after images and that would be one focus of images they’d like from the public. Steph suggested using the website Historypin to present them, where people could access them either by place or by the Historic Commission. Two potential speakers were proposed, on two separate topics to be presented separately. One would be an architect reviewing historic/repurposed structures in parks. Mike Dixon of St. Charles was suggested. Steph noted that he used to do presentations at DCHM’s Home History Seminars held when she was on staff and he was very well-received. The other would be a garden history program. Barbara Geiger was suggested. A few years ago the commission had explored having her do a similar presentation. Cost might be an issue, but perhaps that could be mitigated by us providing some of the info for her or perhaps coming up with a topic she would develop into a program she could present to a broader audience than just Wheaton, as she does with her other programs. Garden estates might be a possible topic that could be locally focused but also adapted more widely. Co-sponsoring with Cantigny was another idea, with the hopes they have a larger programing budget. A photo essay of winter gardens was another idea presented, which might be on cards on in a booklet people could buy as a fundraiser, or perhaps presented in an exhibit at the library. Since Barbara and Maureen acknowledged implementing their plans would require lots of help, Steph suggested they explore partnering with the city’s Fine & Cultural Arts Commission as Barbara has done with the Environmental Commission bike tour map of Wheaton parks. Maureen said she really would prefer to keep proceeds for funding our projects, rather than share with another commission, although Nancy was in favor of tapping them for their knowledge and help. Another idea was to feature individuals who had made contributions to Wheaton parks, either at one of the programs or a separate reception at Hurley Gardens. Nancy felt the scope of all these plans were potentially too ambitious for just one year’s events and asked Barbara and Maureen to narrow their list into what might be feasible for one year. Steph suggested they prioritize their ideas into a multiyear plan. -Bollards Nancy indicated she had been unable to make contact with Sarah Phalen at the West Chicago City about an image for the downtown railroad bollard. Steph said she had identified two potential sources, by researching the developers of the 1973 station and would contact them. Nancy also reported she had clarified the credit and landmark wording on the existing bollards and updated her master list. -Register of Historic Places Nancy passed around a draft of an edited application form and asked that everyone submit comments, changes, etc. by our next meeting, or to her beforehand. The challenge is to explain a process that can vary in each case. There is still some applicant confusion regarding what is meant by and wanted in a narrative statement and that it needs clarification ASAP. Going back to last meeting’s minutes, it was noted there was a proposal of using the more specific term “Summary Statement of Significance” (SSofS), and in it requiring applicants to summarize their key points of proof supporting their specific criteria category, in a narrative style, or bullet points, of no longer than one page in length. It would probably help if we could post a few examples on the website and in the HHRF at the library, illustrating format(s) and content. Greg said he would take care of updating our webpage. Regarding narrative statements, the owners of 1023 East Jefferson Ave, the application reviewed last month, had provided a narrative per Nancy’s request, but there still was confusion regarding the date of construction. The sources cited were for the property, but didn’t prove the structure’s construction date and seemed to rely only on the often incorrect date found in the Milton Township Assessor’s Database. The narrative also didn’t sum up the proof, leading us to guess the basis and results of their research. It was suggested Nancy and Steph offer to meet with them at the library to go over their research with them and provide some one-on-one guidance. -Letter to Center for History’s response to FOIA request Nancy indicated the commissions’ letter to the Center for History regarding their FOIA response had been sent and we hoped it would help them recognize the some of the commission’s efforts on their behalf, and for the public. -List of Scanned brochures/documents Nancy has scanned our minutes for the years 1991-2014; the city only has back to 2006 posted online. Nancy’s are searchable, but didn’t know if once online if a search term would show up in a google search, or only be searchable via “find” once on the pdf. She wondered about putting them in cloud storage, but Steph suggested seeing of the city would post them with the others, as that is where people would look for them. Nancy has a list of missing meeting minutes, but Emelie didn’t think she had any of them. Nancy also passed out a revised list of past commissioners and asked that we start to go through it adding contact info as we hope to reunite as many past commissioners as possible next year on our anniversary. New Business -Wheaton Civil Defense Coordinating Center Frank recently found reference to a civil defense control center built in Wheaton in the 1950s designed to withstand a near-direct nuclear blast. A lead-lined bomb shelter, it was an emergency center for Chicago and Indiana and still exists, though it is soon to be demolished. It is located out at the DuPage County Complex and he hopes to be able to tour it and get some photos. He recommended the news reel about the WCDCC at http://www.efootage.com/stock-footage/75407/First_Civil_Defense_Coordinating_Center/ -Financial Report There were no new expenditures. -Sears Houses in Wheaton Nancy reported Sears homes at 813 East Evergreen, 819 East Evergreen, 733 Naperville (733 Naperville is on our list of landmarked homes). Emelie noted there are others in town. -Reappointments Barbara has been reappointed to the commission; Steph had responded that she would be willing to continue to serve. Bob’s last meeting will be next month, so we need some replacement ideas. -208 N. West Street The new owner of the historic Drummond house, one of our landmarked structures and pictured on page 44 of Wheaton and Its Homes, has applied to demolish the structure and build five townhomes. The signs are up at the property and the planning and zoning hearing where public comment can be made is scheduled for next Tuesday. As all commissioners were opposed to the destruction of this fine historic Wheaton landmark, Steph moved that a statement be prepared and read on our behalf at the hearing, Greg seconded. Voting Aye: Barbara, Emelie, Nancy, Maureen, Tom, Steph, Greg. Voting Nay: none. Abstaining: Frank. The motion passed. Maureen offered to read the statement. Statement: I’m speaking on the behalf of the City of Wheaton Historic Commission. We wish to go on record as being greatly dismayed at the prospect of losing one of Wheaton’s landmarked homes to the wrecking ball. We further want to express our deep disappointment at the continued erosion of the City’s historic Northside. 208 North West Street was the residence of Thomas Drummond, who served as a United States federal judge for over 3 decades, including presiding over a dozen cases tried by Abraham Lincoln. Thomas and his wife Delia were founders and benefactors of Trinity Episcopal Church. The Drummond home was built in 1887 and appears today much as it did when it was featured in Wheaton and Its Homes, published in 1892. This property is located within The Northside Residential Overlay District, established to help preserve and enhance the unique historic character of the City’s Northside residential neighborhood. To quote from the defining elements of this district, they include “1) architectural elements such as raised basements, front porches, prominent front entrances, detached garages placed at the rear of lots, wide roof eaves and an abundance of other decorative details and 2) siting characteristics such as dwellings oriented center-front on lots, deep front yard setbacks and wide side yard setbacks.” This perfectly describes the Drummond house. Furthermore, any new construction is supposed to reflect these distinct physical characteristics and be compatible with the bulk, scale, and siting of existing development within the district. That would certainly preclude shoehorning five homes in the place of one. We urge you to adhere to the Northside Residential Overlay District guidelines and stop the wholesale destruction of the historic houses on this block in our Northside neighborhood. ### Commissioner Comments Emelie shared an article regarding the sale of the Highland Park Historical Society building. She also brought in spare copies of Wheaton & Its Homes, which she had from when she helped create it. Barbara reported the McKee preservation group is hoping for a new roof for the structure and she plans to attend an upcoming meeting about it. Steph related that Ballyshear, Charles Blair Macdonald’s 1897 home in the Chicago Golf Club Colony and one of our landmarked properties, has been recently listed for sale. Designed by Jarvis Hunt, the architecture has been beautifully preserved, while still sensitively updated inside. Nancy brought in the August Landmarks Illinois newsletter mentioning the commission’s midcentury modern map. Previously she had sent the link to members for the Bob Goldsborough Chicago Tribune article “Mid-century homes draw attention in Wheaton.” Adjournment Greg moved to adjourn, Emelie seconded, the motion passed unanimously, and the meeting concluded at 9:05 pm. Next Meeting: Tuesday, November 17, 2015 at 7:00 pm, City Hall Steph McGrath, secretary