McHenry Times

Village of Algonquin Historic Commission met March 14. 

Here is the minutes as provided by the commission:

Call to order - Establish Quorum

     Present: Chairman Jolitz and Members Purn, Hin1es, Lewis, Pawula, Firek

and Zange.

Approval Minutes of Minutes of Regular Business Meeting of February 14, and

Workshop Meetings of February 17, 2018 and February 24, 2018

Moved: Member Zange; Seconded: Member Himes

Voice Vote: All Ayes. Minutes Approved.

Audience Participation - Public Comment

None

Public Hearing:

Public Hearing for Consideration of a Major Improvement in the Old Town District -

Case No. PC18-01, 102 N. Harrison Street for demolition of the existing residential

structure and pole barn. Petitioner: Ed Wolowiec, UCF Riverside, LLC.

Village Staff Presentation

Staff feels a Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish the building in question is

reasonable and meets the intent of the Preservation Code. A waiting period for a

Demolition Permit would not be compulsory as Section 10.12.2 of the Preservation

Code allows an exemption from the two-year waiting period when the structure itself

has limited historical/architectural value and a delay in demolition would not further

the purposes of the Preservation Code. Staff recommends that a Certificate of

Appropriateness be approved for the demolition as submitted.

The existing buildings on the property are not of significant architectural interest that

their removal would be a detriment to the public interest. The residential structure was

rated a 4/10 in the Historic Commission's Old Town Survey and is a vernacular mid20th

century ranch style home.

The demolition of the building will not affect the aesthetic cohesiveness of the Old

Town District as a whole. The building has limited historic architectural significance

and retention would not have a substantial effect toward helping preserve and protect

the general standards of the Old Town District Preservation Code. There are numerous

other examples of similar ranch homes within the Old Town District - such as can be

commonly found on S. Hubbard Street and S. River Road- as well as throughout the

community as a whole.

With regards to whether retention of the existing buildings would promote the general

welfare by maintaining and increasing real estate values, generate additional business

in the Old Town District, create new employment opportunities, attract tourists,

encourage study and intere'st in the village's history, or make the village a more

attractive and desirable place to live, in fact, the opposite is true. The property is

situated within a business zoning district and its repurposing as an off-street parking

facility will improve the viability of the retail spaces within the Riverside Plaza

development and increase foot traffic downtown.

Chairman J olitz reminded Commission members that only this one parcel is under

consideration for demolition at this Hearing, and that any discussion or action by the

Commission on this Hearing shall have no impact or influence on any possible future

Hearings that may arise covering adjacent buildings or parcels. Ben mason agreed.

Motion:

In general Commission members were in agreement with staff recommendations

regarding this request for demolition. Fallowing brief discussion, a Motion was made

by Member Himes, seconded by Member Zange, that the Building Commissioner issue

the requested Certificate of Appropriateness for demolition of the buildings at 102 N.

Harrison Street. Motion was repeated, being no further discussion on the matter a roll

call vote was taken, All Ayes.

Old Business:

              a. Current Exhibits in Library and Village Hall lobby cases - members will

                   work on new exhibit at Workshop meeting-subject old Algonquin

                   Baseball teams, incl vintage uniform, trophies, and photos from 1930's

                   to 1940's.

              b. Report on participation in Chamber of Commerce 02/24 - About the

                  same number of people attended but more exhibitors. It was more

                  organized than previous years. Visitors were surprised that we offered

                  Workshops to learn about history. Maybe the village should publicize it

                  on the calendar or put it in the water bill Newsletter. Not all residents

                  have a computer or internet access.

Approval of Bills for Payment:

                  None

New Business:

              a. Archive item donations - Acceptance, Preservation, and Storage

                 1) Chairman J olitz brought up the fact that certain donated items to the

                 commission have been modified in the collection from their original

                 form. Including photos being removed from original backing,

                 decorative vintage mats, frames etc and Accessioning numbers and

                 parts of the donations have been excised/removed. Many Photos and

                 donations have been trimmed significantly from original size. J olitz

                 asks commission whether donations should be kept in their original

                 form. Member Zange thinks that they should be kept in their original

                 form and as were donated and that the Vintage mating, frames etc are all

                 part of the item and just as important as the photo, he also felt that in

                 general photo albums and scrapbooks should also be preserved in

                 original donated form in the archives as well, and not torn apart. Firek

                 also believes that they should kept in their original form, so they keep

                 their integrity. Himes, Pawula, and Lewis concurs. Jolitz put forward

                 that all donations should be kept in their original form and that any

                 removal or alternation of items should be put to a vote on an item by

                 item basis as the item is accepted into the collection. J olitz argues that

                 we should not accept items if we cannot conectly Accession and

                 Preserve them. Jolitz wants to make sure going forward that all

                 members are on the same page and have the same mission: Preservation

                 of items in the Archives in Complete and Original form.

Correspondence, Comments, and Other Business:

        Member Purn researched historical information on two old time village

        homes, 114 and 103 Division St, for Coleen Ingram.

        Chairman Jolitz rep01ied about the Joint Council of Historic Groups spring

        meeting on 03/21 at McHenry County Historical Soc. with Sen. Pam Althoff.

        Member Purn thought it would be a good idea to get a leaf on the tree· of honor

        as part of the Village's Trees of Honor Recognition Tree Program for Marie

        Coleman. Chairman Jolitz believed it was a great idea to honor her service to

        the commission and village. Members agreed.

Adjournment:

        Member Himes moved and Member Lewis seconded, that the meeting be

        adjourned.

Voice Vote: All Ayes. Meeting adjourned at 7:55 pm.

https://www.algonquin.org/egov/documents/1523541156_10526.pdf