City of Joliet Historic Preservation Commission met Aug. 23.
Here are the minutes provided by the commission:
CALL TO ORDER
DECLARATION OF QUORUM
Present: Quinn Adamowski, Mary Beth Gannon, Kevin Heinemann, Candace Johnson, Kailee Lowry, Sharon Merwin, Aaron Mikottis, Sara Stovall and Steven Wright
Absent: Brian Bessler and Ken Spiegel
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
July 26, 2023 Joliet Historic Preservation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
Commissioner Merwin suggested that a missing name from the July 26, 2023 regular meeting minutes be added to the record.
A motion was made by Sharon Merwin, seconded by Kailee Lowry, to approve as amended the July 26, 2023 Joliet Historic Preservation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Heinemann, Johnson, Lowry, Merwin, Stovall and Wright Abstain: Adamowski and Gannon
CITIZENS TO BE HEARD ON AGENDA ITEMS
This section is for anyone wanting to speak regarding agenda items and are allowed a maximum of 4 minutes. It is not a question and answer period and staff, and the Commission members do not generally respond to public comments. The City Clerk has a copy of the public speaking procedures; please note, speakers who engage in conduct injurious to the harmony of the meeting shall be called to order by the Presiding Officer and may forfeit the opportunity to speak.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
There was no discussion on this subject.
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
Public Hearing: L-2-2023: Designation of 14 West Jefferson Street (former Will County Courthouse) as a Local Historic Landmark
Commissioner Merwin motioned to re-open the public hearing, Commissioner Lowry seconded the motion. All voted in favor of the motion.
Ms. Bernhard read the staff report into the record.
Mr. Hudson Hollister, Co-Chairman of the Courthouse Preservation Partnership, represented the designation request. He offered remarks, noting why the Courthouse Preservation Partnership felt that the Courthouse was architecturally and historically significant and is an attractive candidate for redevelopment. He believes there is broad community support for saving the Courthouse, noting that no one spoke in opposition to the designation request and that many people attended the hearings and community events in support of the request. He then gave some updates regarding County Board proceedings on the future of the Courthouse. He then requested that the Commission move forward with recommending approval of the designation request. He then asked that Commission consider including four key points in their statement of findings to the City Council. The first is that the City Council give consideration to the full merits of the application in that the courthouse is an architecturally significant building and a prime candidate for redevelopment. The second is that the City Council should consider that no one spoke in opposition to the designation request at any of the public hearing meetings and that the City Council should consider inviting any constituents who have a view other than that of preservation to the forthcoming City Council meeting when the designation request is to be considered. The third is that the City Council should request the appearance of the County Executive or designee at the forthcoming City Council meeting when the designation request is to be considered so that the City Council can hear her view on local landmark status for the former Courthouse. The City Council should consider a non-appearance to be an admission that the County Board’s is now considering reuse options for the structure. The fourth is that the City Council should consider that local landmark designation is within the best interests of Joliet and its people since designation would allow the City administration and elected officials more time to discuss the conceptual proposal of a new city-county government complex at the site and therefore delay demolition. Hollister closed with commentary that tearing down another architecturally and historically significant building would be a mistake, noting that too many buildings have been torn down.
Ms. Janet Diaz, Will County Board Member - District 6, appeared in support of preserving the former Will County Courthouse and gave an update from the Will County Board discussions.
The Commissioners gave their opinions and discussed merits of preserving the former Will County Courthouse.
Commissioner Merwin motioned to close the public hearing and recommended approval of the request to designate 14 West Jefferson Street (former Will County Courthouse) as a Local Historic Landmark. Commissioner Heinemann seconded the motion. All voted in favor of the motion.
A motion was made by Sharon Merwin, seconded by Kevin Heinemann, to approve L-2-2023: Designation of 14 West Jefferson Street (former Will County Courthouse) as a Local Historic Landmark. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Gannon, Heinemann, Johnson, Lowry, Merwin, Stovall and Wright
Abstain: Adamowski
Hearing: Revocation of Certificate of Appropriateness for an approximately 22’ wide dormer on the rear (west) elevation and window replacement work on the third story at 17 S. Center Street
Mr. Jeff Bussean, owner of 17 S. Center Street, provided the Commission with a handout and went over the details of the rear dormer and south side dormer that were both constructed with significant deviations from the Commission’s April 2023 approval.
Chairwoman Johnson asked if the commission would be okay with different cladding and other details. Commissioner Mikottis, Mr. Bussean and the commissioners discussed the options. Mr. Bussean indicated that he could place a false white panel over the bricked-in portion of the south side dormer to allay concerns. Mr. Bussean indicated that he would reapply for a new COA for the rear dormer with the goal of this review occurring at the September HPC meeting.
A motion was made by Mary Beth Gannon, seconded by Quinn Adamowski, to approve Revocation of Certificate of Appropriateness for an approximately 22’ wide dormer on the rear (west) elevation and window replacement work on the third story at 17 S. Center Street. The motion carried by the following vote:
STAFF REPORTS
Aye: Adamowski, Gannon, Heinemann, Johnson, Lowry, Merwin, Stovall and Wright
Ms. Bernhard announced that she did two administrative approvals over the past month. A roof at 420 Whitney Avenue and a front porch remodel at 712 Western Avenue. Ms. Bernhard has been working closely with the Consultant for the Downtown Joliet National Historic Register of Historic Places survey, the survey draft will be submitted again and the Commission will be reviewing the nomination at the September 27th, 2023 meeting. Ms. Bernhard asked if any one would be opposed to holding a special meeting for the Downtown Joliet National Historic District nomination at 5:00 p.m. on September 27th and then having the regular Historic Preservation Commission meeting at 6:00 p.m. No one was opposed.
Chairwoman Johnson announced that the St. Mary's Church is getting a new roof. Commissioner Merwin asked if building permits should be posted in the front door/ window. Ms. Bernhard answered that the homeowner at 712 Western Avenue is not doing work that requires a permit at this time. Commissioner Merwin asked for clarification on what type of work requires a building permit, Ms. Bernhard said that you need a permit for just about everything. Chairwoman Johnson said that 608 Morgan Street was sold, is there an update on permits for the rear addition. Ms. Bernhard did not have updates.
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
There was no discussion on this subject.
PUBLIC COMMENT
This section is for anyone wanting to speak regarding non-agenda items and are allowed a maximum of 4 minutes. It is not a question and answer period and staff, and the Commission members do not generally respond to public comments. The City Clerk has a copy of the public speaking procedures; please note, speakers who engage in conduct injurious to the harmony of the meeting shall be called to order by the Presiding Officer and may forfeit the opportunity to speak.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Mary Beth Gannon, seconded by Sharon Merwin, to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Adamowski, Gannon, Heinemann, Johnson, Lowry, Merwin, Stovall and Wright
https://joliet.legistar1.com/joliet/meetings/2023/8/1939_M_Joliet_Historic_Preservation_Commission_23-08-23_Meeting_Minutes.pdf
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