Historic Commission

Tuesday, March 15, 2022 I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. Present in person: Joe Szczepaniak (Vice Chair), Lisa Buchanan, Bob Purdy Present virtual: Steph McGrath (Secretary), Emelie Engling, Linda Moran Absent: Nancy Flannery (Chair) Public Comments: none II. Approval of Minutes Minutes of the February 15, 2022 meeting approved on a motion by Linda, seconded by Bob, and passed unanimously. III. Old Business A. Preservation Month: Everything is on track. Cantigny will offer Wheaton residents free parking. The City will issue a proclamation and promote the event and the Wheaton Historic Register Map. B. Lectures: They are now listed on the Wheaton Public Library website. Attendance may be in person or may be offered as a virtual and in person hybrid. C. Wheaton Historic Register Map: Should start referring to it by its proper name now, not working title of GIS map project. The design has been revamped. Still some typos and incorrect information in text. Discussed Ballyshear and the Pride in Preservation sign. The owner is concerned that it might draw the public down the private drive shared by other neighbors. D. Wheaton Public Library Website: Wheaton Mayors’ photos and terms now posted. E. Attorney General’s case: Judge Bonnie Wheaton recused herself from the case due to personal knowledge. F. Mayor/City Council Proposed Changes: Several sections need clarification. Whether residency includes unincorporated Wheaton residents. Moving date of officer election. Term limits for Chairperson. The latter would change a number of chairs. Concern expressed whether anyone else would be interested in assuming the chair position. Don’t know what other boards or commissions think of proposed changes. Would like some information from the City of the rationale for the part about the Historic Commission  “conducting a survey of historically and architecturally significant properties, structures and areas.” Joe went through the text of a response Nancy drafted. Joe moved to accept Nancy’s test as the Historic Commission response to the Mayor, Bob seconded, and it passed unanimously. G. Identification of Architectural Styles: Steph checked with Keith Letsche and he is willing to do the identifications for the Wheaton Historic Register Map. One key qualification she neglected to mention last month was Keith being on the Board of the Chicago Architecture Center and a top-level docent there. She suggested paying him the same amount as our lecturers. Bob moved to pay Keith Letsche $300 to identify the architectural styles of the Wheaton Register of Historic Places, Linda seconded, and it passed unanimously. IV. New Business A. Historic Commission Logo: Reviewed an image of the Community Relations Commission’s logo. Discussed using it as a template for the Historic Commission. Lisa moved to use the design for the Historic Commission, Linda seconded, and it passed unanimously. B. Landmark Teardown: Sherry Torppey passed along the information that 517 North West Street, a landmarked property built in 1892, will be torn down by Patrick J. Murphy Builders. It wasn’t listed on the real estate market. Photos from past listings show the exquisite interior woodwork. Discussed trying to document these historic houses we are losing. The City Building Department said in the past they would notify us when demolition permits are filed for properties in the Northside Residential Overlay District, but has neglected to do so in recent years. V. Commissioner Comments None VI. Adjournment Joe moved to adjourn, Bob seconded, the motion passed unanimously; the meeting concluded at 8:09 p.m.