Historic Commission

Tuesday, April 19, 2022 I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. Present in person: Nancy Flannery (Chair), Joe Szczepaniak (Vice Chair), Lisa Buchanan, Linda Moran, Bob Purdy Present virtual: Emelie Engling Absent: Steph McGrath (Secretary) Public Comments: none II. Approval of Minutes Minutes of the March 15, 2022 meeting approved on a motion by Bob, seconded by Joe, and passed unanimously. III. Old Business A. Preservation Month upcoming tasks: Joe volunteered to pick up Pride in Preservation signs at Public Works storage and bring to Nancy’s house. Each member will be placing 25-27 signs; territories and maps will be sent by May 1, with Bob assigned the downtown area. Other To-Do list items are either done or currently on track to be accomplished; Nancy agreed to request help wherever necessary. B. Landmark Register Map (GIS Map): Completed and ready for May Preservation Month publication. Nancy will be setting up a schedule of quarterly deadlines for future updates. C. Architecture Style Identification on map properties: Keith Letsche has accepted the project. He has also agreed to produce a corresponding lecture. Payment for the lecture and the identification project will be $500. D. Illinois Attorney General Case 2021CH000460 dated 11-24-21: At the April 4 session, Judge McCluskey asked if the sides were willing to settle. The attorney from the Attorney General's office and Mr. Caruso, attorney for Gloria Leetz, both said that yes, they were willing to settle (which is common in civil cases). However, Mr. Prendergast, attorney for Alberta Adamson and Laurie Warfel, said that no, his clients won't be able to settle because one of them has been served with a Grand Jury subpoena. At this point Judge McCluskey set a new court date to deal with Prendergast's motion to strike / dismiss the case due to the language used. Mr. Caruso is not participating in this motion to strike.  Judge McCluskey ended with the statement "all my motions on contested motions are live, in person." Court date is Friday, May 13 at 10:00 am. Judge McCluskey's courtroom is Courtroom 1004, 505 N. County Farm Rd. E. Mayor/City Council proposed changes: City Manager sent a compilation of feedback to the City Council’s proposed amendments. It was to be presented to the City Council at the April 11, 2022 Planning Session, where it was to be reviewed and considered whether changes are appropriate to the Council’s original draft. The City Council is expected to provide some direction so a second draft can be developed. IV. New Business A. 417 E. Willow Historic Register application: Was presented to members and discussed. Will be on agenda for approval vote at June meeting. B. May CWHC meeting cancellation: As previously agreed because of “Great Fires of Wheaton” lecture on same date. C. 25W431 Plamondon “The Gatehouse”: This Wheaton Register property, listed for $2,000,000 is now in foreclosure, filed March 8 with Recorder of Deeds. D. Proposed new seven-story apartment building in downtown Wheaton: Would occupy most of the block bounded by Liberty, Hale, Willow, and Wheaton and involve several demolitions. E. Commissioner announcement: Linda Moran will not be able to renew her term because of transitioning her legal address to South Carolina. She will be assisting with Preservation Week activities next month, however. The Historic Commission now has two open positions. V. Commissioner Comments Emily noted that the McChesney & Miller store in Glen Ellyn would be razed soon to build a five-story apartment building. VI. Adjournment Joe moved to adjourn, Lisa seconded, the motion passed unanimously; the meeting concluded at 8:38 p.m.