Will County Gazette

Village of Frankfort Historic Preservation Commission met March 20.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

Call to Order: Chair Steward called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M.

Commissioners Present: Chair Marcia Steward, Stephanie Kush, Megan Johnson, Chester Szmurlo

Commissioners Absent: David Toepper

Staff Present: Amanda Martinez, Planner, and Mike Schwarz, Director of Community and Economic Development

Elected Officials Present: None

A. Approval of the Minutes from February 21, 2024

Motion (#1): Approval of the February 21, 2024, meeting minutes.

Motion by: Kush Seconded by: Johnson

Approved: (4 to 0)

B. Certificate of Appropriateness: 1-5 Old Frankfort Way -- Seeking to Install New Signage for Jenny Taylor Boudoir Photography

Amanda Martinez presented a summary of the staff report.

Chair Steward stated that when the building was originally constructed there was consistent wall signage, similar to the recently approved 7 N. White Street project.

Amanda Martinez replied that a Uniform Sign Plan is required for multi-tenant commercial buildings.

Chair Steward asked staff if the wall sign facing White Street that is depicted on the plans is allowed per the Village’s Sign Regulations.

Amanda Martinez replied yes since the sign faces a public street and because the business is allowed up to three signs. She added that the other proposed wall signs are also allowed per the Sign Regulations since they face a public street or an access point.

Chair Steward asked if the other Commissioners had any questions for the applicant or staff. Hearing none, Chair Steward asked if a Commission member would like to

Minutes of the Historic Preservation Commission– March 20, 2024 1

make a motion.

Motion (#2): Approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for the proposed signage (3 wall signs) for the business known as Jenny Taylor Boudoir Photography located at 1- 5 Old Frankfort Way, in accordance with submitted plans.

Motion by: Kush Seconded by: Szmurlo

Approved: (4 to 0)

C. Discussion: Historic Buildings Survey Open House

Amanda Martinez reminded the Commission members that staff is preparing for a May 1st Open House to share the final report and data for the Historic Buildings Survey. The meeting would be an official meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission and would allow residents to interact with staff and the project consultant as well as view GIS data on the screen in the Board Room. The meeting date coincides with the beginning of what is recognized locally and nationally as Preservation Month.

Amanda also discussed the project consultant’s responses to the review comments that staff and the Commission members previously provided regarding the Draft Survey Report. She added that the project consultant is planning to visit the museum in the next few days.

Chair Steward stated that Judy Schultz will be at the museum tomorrow, but the museum does not officially re-open until April.

Commissioner Szmurlo stated that he has a number of review comments that he would like to share. He found a number of items that require some fact checking for accuracy.

Amanda responded that if he can email those review comments to her, she will forward them to the project consultant.

D.Discussion: Potential Historic Preservation Recognition Program

Amanda Martinez presented the potential design and color options for the proposed temporary yard signs for the potential Historic Preservation Recognition Program.

There was consensus among the Commission members on the following:

- Oval shape sign

- Beige matte finish background

- Black glossy text font

- Second and third rows of text to be italicized

Amanda then presented the potential design, color, and wording options for the proposed paper certificates. There was consensus among the Commission members on

Minutes of the Historic Preservation Commission– March 20, 2024 2

the following:

- Less text is preferred

- The property address should be incorporated rather than the architect/builder name - The certificate should state “Recognized for preserving the history of Frankfort, Illinois.”

E. Staff Update

There were no staff updates.

F. Other Business

Chair Steward stated that there was a discussion at the March 13th Committee-of-the Whole meeting about potentially temporarily closing Kansas Street, between Ash Street and Oak Street from April through October. She stated that she spoke about the potential street closure under Public the Comment portion of the agenda and stated that she was representing herself as a resident and was not speaking on behalf of the Historic Preservation Commission. She stated that she just wanted the other Commission members to be aware that this idea was being discussed.

G. Public Comments

Chair Steward asked if there were any public comments.

Deborah Hardwick identified herself from the audience and asked if anyone from the public would be allowed to nominate a property for the Preservation Recognition Program.

Amanda Martinez replied yes.

Deborah Hardwick stated that she is not in support of closing Kansas Street. She stated that a permanent street closure project could cost $800,000 and yet there is no money for restoring the water tower.

Paul Dicosola identified himself from the audience and spoke about the potential seasonal closure of Kansas Street. He stated that closing the street for four or five months during the summer is fine if that helps the restaurants. However, he is not hearing anything from the Village Board about how the street would be used for the other seven months of the year.

Deborah Hardwick added that there also would be a loss of about ten on-street parking spaces.

Paul Dicosola stated that other than supporting a few restaurants, he sees no benefit for the rest of the community.

Mayor Ogle entered the room and was welcomed by the Commission members.

Chair Steward addressed Mayor Ogle and stated his timing was perfect. She stated that the Commission is on the Public Comment portion of the agenda and there are some questions and comments about the [potential closure of Kansas Street. She asked him if the closure would be temporary or permanent.

https://cms9files.revize.com/frankfortil/Signed%20%203.20.24%20HPC%20Meeting%20Minutes.pdf