McHenry Times

City of Crystal Lake Historic Preservation Commission met Sept. 1.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

1) Call to Order

L. Solak called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.

2) Roll Call/Attendance

The following Commission members were present, Judi Halter, Nancy Haskins, Diana Kenney, Bob Kosin, Brittany Niequist, Lisa Solak, Natalie Tyron, and Bob Wyman. City Planner, Elizabeth Maxwell, was present for staff. Emily and Roberta Reed were in the audience.

3) Public Comment

None.

4) Approval of Minutes of the August 4, 2022 Regular Meeting

D. Kenney made a motion to approve the minutes. J. Halter seconded the motion. On voice vote, all members voted aye, B. Niequist abstained. Motion passed.

5) Public Hearing – Landmark application 215 Illinois Street

L. Solak opened the public hearing. D. Kenney thanked the petitioners and really enjoyed their narrative. She stated they did put an addition onto the house, but were very smart and put it in the back where it does not alter the appearance from the street. B. Wyman also thanked the petitioners for their continued conversation through his research process. Ms. E. Reed stated the process was made easy by everyone and they learned more about their house.

B. Niequist asked if the petitioners had received any comments from the neighbors. Ms. E. Reed just said that several neighbors already knew what they wanted to do and were very supportive and happy for them. L. Solak went through the landmark criteria and noted the property met the first two mandatory criteria. She also noted several other criteria this request met and the other commission members agreed.

L. Solak closed the public hearing, there being no additional comments.

D. Kenney made a motion to recommend to the City Council the landmark application of 215 Illinois Street. N. Haskins seconded the motion. On voice vote, all members voted aye. Motion passed. This item will proceed to the September 20,2022 City Council meeting for the final vote. The petitioners thanked everyone and were prepared to attend that meeting. Several commission members also said they would attend to support the request.

6) Cemetery Cleaning and Veteran’s Book

D. Kenney was coordinating organizing the stories and then would get them over to N. Haskins. There are a few stories left to research and some stones still need to be cleaned. B. Niequist has taken some pictures and if you re-clean any stones to let her know and she will take new pictures.

D. Kenney said she and N. Haskins have some suggestions for organizing the book. They discussed the layout, a possible title, stories or articles to include, and a map. B. Kosin suggested the map be a two page spread so it would be easier to read.

D. Kenney noted that the stories should be about 300-400 words, which would fill a page. She discussed a few other odd stories about David L. Wilcox and Thomas Smith. All the members agreed that these stories should stay in the book.

The members viewed some sample books to look at the binding style and the majority preferred the perfect bound over the saddle stitch. N. Haskins will look at pricing and prepare some sample covers.

N. Haskins asked about an event for the book launch maybe docents dressed in costume. D. Kenney said that would require a lot of men and uniforms, which have been difficult to get. Maybe it could be the soldier’s mothers. They could do an event, but the concern is that there is no parking at the cemetery.

7) Landmark Meeting Follow Up

N. Tryon said she has been in conversation with the Franz’s. B. Niequist said the owners of the Crow House are busy trying to adopt right now and they want to make changes to the house so they are looking at all that first before landmarking it. She knows they are taking very good care of the home.

B. Wyman said the Jaster building is for sale. L. Solak suggested he do some research and send them a letter. The members looked at their list of the top properties and started assigned some as research projects.

8) Trolley Tour

B. Wyman knows that many people have enjoyed the Annual Heritage Tours and people are wondering if we plan to do more tours. The members discussed the possibility of a tour and noted that they currently have a lot of irons in the fire. The members discussed multiple options for doing a tour that did not require a significant amount of new research such as a best of or they could do kit houses since they are just getting a new Sears home plaqued. All the commission members wanted a set of books so they could research possible tours and further discuss this at the next meeting.

7) Member Inquiries and Reports

B. Wyman noted a large Linden tree was removed from a home on Dole Avenue. N. Haskins said her grandparents used to live there and her grandmother fought to save that tree. The owners found that the tree was completely hollow and it was a safety risk and needed to be removed. Single-Family homes under three acres are exempt from the tree preservation ordinance.

8) Adjournment

There being no further business, D. Kenney made a motion to adjourn the meeting. J. Halter seconded the motion. All members voted aye. The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

https://www.crystallake.org/home/showpublisheddocument/21592/638025485077500000