McHenry Times

City of Woodstock Historic Preservation Commission Met March 22.

Here is the minutes provided by the commission:

The Regular Meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission of the City of Woodstock was called to order by Chairman Donovan Day at 7:00 PM, virtually, via Zoom webinar due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Governor Pritzker’s Emergency Order.

CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL:

COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT VIRTUALLY: Marti Dejon, Jennifer Wegmann Gabb, Erica Wilson and Chair Donovan Day.

COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: none

STAFF PRESENT VIRTUALLY: City Planner Darrell Moore and Executive Assistant/ Chief Deputy City Clerk Jane Howie.

OTHERS PRESENT VIRTUALLY: Pete Nelson and Alex Vaysman, Pancor Construction and Larry Lough, The Woodstock Independent.

ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES:

The March 8, 2021 Minutes were not available for review. This item will be included on the next meeting’s agenda for acceptance.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

D. Day asked if anyone wants to make a comment about an item not on the agenda. No comments.

ITEMS OF BUSINESS

a. Former Die Cast site development proposal: “Central Station” Pancor Construction Development, LLC – Certificate of Appropriateness

D. Moore shared photos of material samples provided by Mr. Vaysman. Mr. Vaysman thanked the Commission for their input at the last meeting. He shared areas that they have changed after receiving the Commission’s feedback, such as a lighter color for the mansard roofs and variations in window grille patterns. He showed updated renderings and pointed out the specific colors that have been selected. E. Wilson thanked them for the updates. In response to a Commissioner question, Mr. Vaysman said the wall system they plan to use will have internal drainage and will be a system that will last. E. Wilson is concerned that the EIFS/stucco doesn’t tie in to the look of the Square, and she’s also concerned about the maintenance of this product with it being on the first floor. In response to a question from E. Wilson, Mr. Nelson said at the ground level, there’s a reinforced system which makes it more durable and reinforced. Mr. Vaysman shared that the Fairfield Inn they built a year and a half ago has this same material on the first floor, and it has held up really well. Mr. Vaysman added that the EIFS/stucco will be smooth, but you will see the joints. E. Wilson asked for clarification regarding the window samples provided. Mr. Vaysman stated the casement window sample was provided only to demonstrate how they will use windows that are black on the outside and white on the inside. E. Wilson said the corner seams are unsightly and she’s concerned about the wear and appearance over time. Mr. Vaysman agreed and said they will be using a better product, which will have color all the way through. Mr. Vaysman continued on to explain that the windows will be one solid piece of glass with a spacer inside.

M. Dejon said she’s not a huge fan of the stucco, and she’s also concerned with it being on the ground floor as it’s a fragile product. She wants to make sure that the appearance will hold up over the years. Mr. Nelson added that they are looking at the products with maintenance in mind. D. Day thanked Mr. Vaysman and Mr. Nelson for the updated renderings and additional information.

M. Dejon asked how the Commission will know that the appropriate products are going to be used once construction gets started. D. Moore said the process begins with the Commission’s recommendation, and any specifics should be stated separately and included as part of the motion. It will then go before the Plan Commission and then on to City Council. He added that the Site Plan will come before this Commission for recommendation first.

D. Day proposed that a potential condition for approval could be that, if any materials vary from the brick and stucco-style rendering presented at the meeting, then new review and approval from this Commission is required. M. Dejon agreed that if any obvious changes are planned, this Commission should be consulted prior to moving forward.

The Commission then discussed if the use of vinyl windows was appropriate. E. Wilson raised this point. M. Dejon opined that she doesn’t care for the look of the vinyl windows. J. Wegmann-Gabb noted that, according to the applicant, the window corners will be nicer than the sample window that was shared tonight. D. Day said he is OK with the vinyl windows because he likes the design of them. J. Wegmann-Gabb is OK with the vinyl windows, as well. Mr. Vaysman advised that the windows displayed this evening is just a sample window and that no corner seams will be visible on the final windows to be used. Mr. Nelson said this window has a heat-welded seam, so up close you will notice the seam a bit. In response to a question from D. Moore, Mr. Vaysman said they’ve selected Quaker windows as they’ve had good experiences with them. He noted that Quaker windows have approval from Marriott Hotels.

E. Wilson stated that she is also concerned about the ratio of stucco used on the buildings. D. Day said he’s OK with the amount of stucco and J. Wegmann-Gabb agreed. M. Dejon said there’s more stucco than she’d like to see; less stucco would be better.

Mr. Nelson stated they agree to not deviate from what is being approved here this evening. Mr. Nelson and Mr. Vaysman agreed that the colors presented tonight will be the colors used. M. Dejon said the ratio of stucco to brick to other products and materials should remain as presented, as well. D. Moore said he assumes that if the builder decided to add more brick (and less stucco) that the Commissioners would be happy with that. There was a consensus of agreement from the Commissioners.

D. Day asked for a motion to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness with the following condition; any changes required to the exterior materials, colors or ratio of EIFS/stucco shall be required to return to the Historic Preservation Commission for approval.

Motion by E. Wilson, second by J. Wegmann-Gabb, to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness as stated above by D. Day. Ayes: M. Dejon, J. Wegmann-Gabb, E. Wilson and Chair D. Day. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: none. Motion carried.

REPORTS AND UPDATES: none.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:

a. Completed Woodstock train station modifications and proposed warming station-Certificate of Appropriateness

b. “Pride” artwork/mural in the historic district

D. Moore said he’ll have a report next month with the train station improvements and the proposed warming station. Also, in the next month or two Commissioners will see a proposal for a painted rainbow-colored mural on the public stairs in the Square. He explained that the Woodstock Pride group had ‘painted’ the stairs with chalk for their Pride Fest event in 2019, and they’d like to make this feature permanent. M. Dejon asked about future projects in the historic district, as she’s concerned about buildings being taller than four floors, and she’d like to know what Commissioners should focus on when builders/developers are presenting. In response, D. Moore said he will tailor a presentation to include that specific concern for a future Commission meeting. D. Moore added that there might be a proposal for the Pioneer Center, at the corner of Jackson and Jefferson Street, in the near future.

ADJOURNMENT:

Motion made by J. Wegmann-Gabb, second by M. Dejon, to adjourn this Regular Meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission. Ayes: M. Dejon, J. Wegmann-Gabb, E. Wilson and Chair D. Day. Nays: none. Abstentions: none. Absentees: none. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:50 PM.

https://www.woodstockil.gov/sites/default/files/fileattachments/historic_preservation_commission/meeting/43081/f_-_hpc_03-22-2021_meeting_-_part_1_of_1_-_minutes.pdf