Will County Gazette

City of Joliet Historic Preservation Commission met Dec. 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

CALL TO ORDER

DECLARATION OF QUORUM

Present

Quinn Adamowski, Kevin Heinemann, Candace Johnson, Kailee Lowry, Sharon Merwin, Sara Stovall, Steven Wright and Ken Spiegel

Absent Brian Bessler, Mary Beth Gannon and Aaron Mikottis

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Joliet Historic Preservation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes 8-28-24

A motion was made by Quinn Adamowski, seconded by Steven Wright, to approve Joliet Historic Preservation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes 8-28-24. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: Adamowski, Johnson, Lowry, Merwin, Stovall, Wright and Spiegel

Absent: Gannon

Abstain: Heinemann

CITIZENS TO BE HEARD ON AGENDA ITEMS

None

COMMITTEE REPORTS

None

OLD BUSINESS

None

NEW BUSINESS

Public Hearing: COA-4-2024: Certificate of Appropriateness for replacement doors at 19 W. Cass Street (former Ottawa Street Methodist Church / Joliet Area Historical Museum)

A motion was made by Ms. Merwin, seconded by Mr. Adamowski to open the public hearing. All Commission members were in favor.

Planner Jayne Bernhard read the staff report into the record.

Applicant Steven Wright appeared on behalf of the petition and provided an overview of the replacement doors project.

Ms. Merwin inquired about the center panel. Mr. Wright explained the interior handle could be covered by a matching piece of metal. Ms. Bernhard discussed staff’s recommendation to not include the center panel. In response to Ms. Merwin’s question about safety or structural concerns, Mr. Wright explained the center panel was a preference.

In response to Ms. Johnson’s questions, Mr. Wright explained all other doors had a center panel.

Mr. Wright and Ms. Bernhard responded to Mr. Heinemann’s questions about the difference in cost and a two-glass panel door.

In response to Mr. Heinemann’s inquiry if one option was more secure, Mr. Wright explained it was a preference.

Ms. Johnson stated no witnesses were present to object or speak in favor of the petition.

A motion was made by Ms. Merwin, seconded by Ms. Stovall to close the public hearing. All Commission members were in favor.

At the request of Mr. Heinemann, Ms. Bernhard explained having only glass was historically more appropriate. There was a discussion to clarify that the current doors did not have a metal bar.

No further discussion was held on the motion.

A motion was made by Sharon Merwin, seconded by Kevin Heinemann, to approve Public Hearing: COA-4-2024: Certificate of Appropriateness for replacement doors at 19 W. Cass Street (former Ottawa Street Methodist Church / Joliet Area Historical Museum). The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: Heinemann, Johnson, Merwin, Stovall and Spiegel

Absent: Gannon

Abstain: Adamowski, Lowry and Wright

STAFF REPORTS

Ms. Bernhard explained the Comprehensive Plan would include evaluation of preservation and public kick off would occur early to mid-spring.

Ms. Bernhard discussed the close out of the Downtown Joliet National Register Historic District and Historic Resource Survey Project.

Ms. Bernhard gave an overview of the Economic Development Division’s RFP to establish the Joliet River Edge Redevelopment Zone Program.

Ms. Bernhard discussed the holiday cards that all designated historic properties received.

Ms. Bernhard provided an update on the Joliet Area African American Historic Context Study and informed the Commission that the City applied for a grant to fund oral history development.

At the request of Ms. Johnson, Ms. Bernhard provided an update on St. Joe’s Church landmark nomination.

COMMISSIONER COMMENTS

Ms. Merwin distributed Herald News calendars. There was a discussion about the calendar photos.

Ms. Johnson mentioned the City’s website had 2023 Historic Preservation Committee meeting dates and the landmark application linked to the dates rather than the application.

Ms. Merwin discussed the creation of a Historic Preservation Commission handout for Will County Forest Preserve District facilities.

Ms. Bernhard confirmed 2025 meeting dates were the fourth Wednesday of every month at 6:00 p.m. with the exception of November and December meetings, which would occur on the third Wednesday.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Quinn Adamowski, seconded by Sharon Merwin, to approve adjournment. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: Adamowski, Heinemann, Johnson, Lowry, Merwin, Stovall, Wright and Spiegel

Absent: Gannon

https://joliet.legistar1.com/joliet/meetings/2024/12/2296_M_Joliet_Historic_Preservation_Commission_24-12-18_Meeting_Minutes.pdf