McLean County Times

Town of Normal Historic Preservation Commission met April 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

Members Present:

Nancy Armstrong, Chris Niebur, Justin Vickers, Robert Porter, Larry Schumacher

Members Absent:

Anne Matter, Kathy Burgess

Others Present:

Mercy Davison, Town Planner; Tessa Ferraro, Associate Planner; Katie Lieb, Engineering Office Associate; Kevin Sheahan, Assistant Corporation Counsel; Quentin Rabideau, 1202 S Fell Ave; Beth Whisman, 19 Broadway Pl

Call to Order:

Ms. Armstrong called the meeting to order at 12:34 p.m.

Minutes:

Mr. Porter motioned to accept the minutes of the March 14, 2023; regular meeting as written. Mr. Schumacher seconded. All in favor.

CA-23-04-09: Garden Shed Replacement, 1202 S Fell Avenue

Mr. Rabideau stated this is a case of the existing modern garden shed being replaced with a newer modern garden shed. He stated it sits behind the house, but you can see it from the road. He added that this was here when he bought the house 12 years ago and wasn’t in great condition then and has deteriorated since. He would rebuild it with the same siding and trim to match the house and garage. In the end it should complement the historic building that is on the property. The dormer that he would build on the shed is going to compliment the garage.

Ms. Armstrong and Mr. Schumacher both commented that it looks great.

Mr. Schumacher made a motion to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness as requested. Mr. Niebur seconded. All in favor.

CA-23-04-10: Paint Limestone, 1107 S Fell Avenue

Ms. Ferraro discussed the homeowner reached out regarding painting the limestone. She stated there is no replacement of materials and this is just for the trim in the proposed color. Staff does not recommend after looking into preservation of the trim. The commission agreed painting it would lead to further maintenance.

Mr. Niebur asked if they gave a reason for wanting to paint.

Ms. Ferraro responded it is for aesthetics.

Ms. Armstrong said to her the natural material is intentional for that house and adds to the historic appeal.

Mr. Niebur added they would have to clean it.

Mr. Porter made a motion to deny. Seconded by Mr. Schumacher. All were opposed. Motion failed.

CA-23-04-11: South retaining wall restoration, porch and walkway rebuild, hand railing installation, 1304 Broadway Pl

Ms. Ferraro clarified this is back on the agenda for the south side retaining wall and the rest of the porch and walkway.

Mr. Schumacher stated he thinks it is a good idea.

Mr. Niebur stated that both sides will look the same.

Ms. Armstrong doesn’t see an issue with doing brick on it and the herringbone looks a bit fussy for the way the house looks, so she doesn’t recommend that pattern.

Mr. Niebur stated it is not a visible element and it might be a technicality.

Mr. Schumacher asked if they would do herringbone on the steps.

Staff verified no.

Mr. Porter asked if the stairs were encompassed in this proposal.

Ms. Ferraro said they would like brick pavers to be on the stairs and the porch floor.

Mr. Schumacher likes the recommendation of preferring horizontal for the pavers.

Ms. Davison responded.

Mr. Schumacher said the walkway at the top of the garage could be nicer looking. He stated to approve the brick with a recommendation that they reconsider the herringbone pattern.

Ms. Davison said dimensionally the stairs would look like they do now. She is unsure which way they will lay the brick.

Mr. Schumacher stated they may try to go horizontal to go with the gaps.

The commission wants to defer to the homeowner on bricks.

Ms. Ferraro went over the porch railing. She stated the wrought iron railing they want to replace, the new one will still be a rod iron railing just a different design.

Mr. Vickers said he would rather the detail on each rod be plain. He said it doesn’t look as custom but otherwise looks attractive.

Ms. Armstrong asked if they would have to have this railing made.

Ms. Davison verified yes.

Mr. Niebur said they have a gate also, but he doesn’t feel strongly either way about it.

Ms. Ferraro discussed that the homeowners proposed to make the wood railing along the walkway look like the one that already exists on the wing of the house.

Mr. Schumacher and Mr. Porter both said it is still not an attractive railing but that one there is necessary.

Mr. Porter said it is an upgrade from a safety standpoint.

Ms. Armstrong stated that it seems to her that it is built into the upper and lower railing.

Mr. Schumacher made a motion to amend the staff recommendation for supporting the pavers to horizontal pavers and that the walkway railing must be built exactly like the wooden railing that is north of the walkway. Mr. Niebur seconded. All in favor of revised motion.

BG-23-04-03: South retaining wall: The applicant is requesting Bone Grant funding for the restoration of the southern retaining wall, 1304 Broadway Pl

Ms. Armstrong verified this is just for the wall.

Mr. Schumacher asked what the maximum is that they can get and is it per fiscal year.

Ms. Ferraro verified the new fiscal year has started but this would be it for the year.

Mr. Porter made a motion to approve the Bone Grant funding as requested. Mr. Schumacher seconded. All in favor.

CA-23-04-12: Handrail installation, 19 Broadway Pl

Ms. Armstrong said she appreciated keeping the handrail against the wall.

Ms. Whisman said it is underneath the porch for weather purposes.

Ms. Armstrong verified that the railing goes along the window.

Ms. Davison said they require new railings will be at code height. It may have to be on the other side. Mr. Schumacher asked what the color will be.

Ms. Whisman stated black.

Mr. Niebur made a motion to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness as requested. Mr. Porter seconded. All in favor.

CA-23-04-13: Stucco restoration and paint preparation, 19 Broadway Pl

Ms. Whisman said that the stucco is turning 100 and through time water had gotten behind it which has made it is yellow. She added they are only doing the second floor and the front doesn’t have as much stucco. Overall, she stated most of it generally has damage and there is a separation of it from the home. The estimates they got were very expensive. She said they don’t know until starting the process what will need to be completely removed.

Mr. Schumacher asked if you could see water coming in.

Ms. Whisman stated not at this time.

Ms. Armstrong said some of the bids didn’t really address the stucco.

Ms. Whisman said a lot of the companies wouldn’t put stucco in writing. They all included stucco repair though.

Ms. Armstrong stated it does need repaired but goes way above what the Bone Grant can give out ($4,000).

Mr. Schumacher made a motion to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness as requested. Mr. Porter seconded. All in favor.

BG-23-04-04: Bone Grant Application for stucco restoration and paint preparation, 19 Broadway Pl

Ms. Armstrong stated she was impressed that contractors would talk to her about stucco work.

Mr. Porter made a motion to approve the Bone Grant application as requested. Mr. Niebur seconded. All in favor.

Other Business:

Ms. Ferraro stated there may be a May meeting.

Adjournment:

Mr. Schumacher made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Mr. Niebur. The meeting was adjourned at 1:15 p.m.

 https://www.normalil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/4639