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Will County Gazette

Sunday, March 30, 2025

City of Joliet Historic Preservation Commission met Feb. 26

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Larry E Hug - City Council Member - District 1 | City of Joliet

Larry E Hug - City Council Member - District 1 | City of Joliet

City of Joliet Historic Preservation Commission met Feb. 26.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

CALL TO ORDER

DECLARATION OF QUORUM

Present Brian Bessler, Candace Johnson, Kailee Lowry, Sharon Merwin, Sara Stovall and Ken Spiegel

Absent Quinn Adamowski, Mary Beth Gannon, Kevin Heinemann, Steven Wright and Aaron Mikottis

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Joliet Historic Preservation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes 1-22-25

A motion was made by Kailee Lowry, seconded by Sara Stovall, to approve Joliet Historic Preservation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes 1-22-25. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: Bessler, Johnson, Lowry, Merwin, Stovall and Spiegel Absent: Adamowski, Gannon and Heinemann

CITIZENS TO BE HEARD ON AGENDA ITEMS

None

COMMITTEE REPORTS

None

OLD BUSINESS

a. Election of Chair TMP-8282

A motion was made by Ms. Merwin, seconded by Ms. Stovall, to suspend the Commission rules to accommodate the voting process. All Commission members were in favor.

There was a discussion about Chair term lengths.

A motion was made by Sharon Merwin, seconded by Sara Stovall, to appoint Candace Johnson to Chair. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: Bessler, Johnson, Lowry, Merwin, Stovall and Spiegel Absent: Adamowski, Gannon and Heinemann

b. Election of a Vice Chair TMP-8283 A motion was made by Kailee Lowry, seconded by Ken Spiegel, to appoint Brian Bessler to Vice-Chair. The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: Bessler, Johnson, Lowry, Merwin, Stovall and Spiegel Absent: Adamowski, Gannon and Heinemann

NEW BUSINESS

a. Public Hearing: LHD-1-2025 - Rescind Local Historic District designation from the Whitney Terrace Local Historic District (412, 414, 416, 418, 420, and 422 Whitney Avenue and its associated common area)

Planner Jayne Bernhard read the petition title. At the request of Ms. Johnson, a motion was made by Ms. Merwin, seconded by Ms. Lowry, to open the public hearing. All Commission members were in favor. Ms. Bernhard read the staff report into the record. Ken Spiegel appeared on behalf of the petition. There was a discussion about Whitney Terrace Local Historic District design guidelines, application of design guidelines relating to de-designation, common area cosmetic regulations, and local landmark designation for individual properties. A motion was made by Ms. Lowry, seconded by Ms. Stovall, to close the public hearing. All Commission members were in favor.

A motion was made by Sharon Merwin, seconded by Kailee Lowry, to deny Public Hearing: LHD-1-2025 - Rescind Local Historic District designation from the Whitney Terrace Local Historic District (412, 414, 416, 418, 420, and 422 Whitney Avenue and its associated common area). The motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: Johnson, Lowry, Merwin and Stovall

Nay: Bessler and Spiegel

Absent: Adamowski, Gannon and Heinemann

b. Annual Awards Announcement TMP-8290

Ms. Bernhard gave an overview of the Annual Joliet Historic Preservation Award timeline. There was a discussion about an award celebration and City Council proclamation.

STAFF REPORTS

Ms. Bernhard provided an update on the Joliet Area African American Historic Context Study. Ms Lowry gave an overview of the community collection scan of artifacts event. There was a discussion about continued submittal of artifacts, access to the scanned documents, final deliverables related to educational curriculum, and school districts’ archives.

Ms. Bernhard discussed the Comprehensive Plan and the upcoming Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee meeting.

Ms. Bernhard explained the applicants of St. Joe’s Church Landmark application met with City administration. Ms. Johnson spoke about the St. Joe’s Church Landmark application.

Ms. Bernhard discussed the status of the C.L.G. application.

COMMISSIONER COMMENTS

Ms. Merwin discussed an article in Landmarks Illinois newsletter and federal grant funds.

Ms. Johnson distributed St. Joe’s Church brochures with information about the Church’s history, layout and stained-glass windows. There was a discussion about stained-glass windows and walking tours.

Ms. Bernhard discussed possible bus tours in partnership with the Joliet Area Historical Museum. Ms. Lowry explained the need for affordable bussing options.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None

ADJOURNMENT

Ms. Merwin inquired about the second City Council meeting in March. There was a discussion about March holidays.

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

Aye: Bessler, Johnson, Lowry, Merwin, Stovall and Spiegel

Absent: Adamowski, Gannon and Heinemann

https://joliet.legistar1.com/joliet/meetings/2025/2/2354_M_Joliet_Historic_Preservation_Commission_25-02-26_Meeting_Minutes.pdf