McLean County Times

Town of Normal Historic Preservation Commission met July 25.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

Members Present:

Nancy Armstrong, Chris Niebur, Kathy Burgess, Justin Vickers, Larry Schumacher

Members Absent:

Quentin Rabideau

Others Present:

Planner Tessa Ferraro, Inspections and Planning Associate Hannah Neal, Legal Assistant Corporation Counsel Steven Simmons.

Call to order:

The meeting was called to order at 3:00 pm by Ms. Burgess.

Approval of Minutes:

Mr. Schumacher moved to approve the minutes from the previous meeting and Ms. Armstrong seconded. The minutes were approved.

Public Hearing:

a. CA-25-07-15: Window replacement, 15 Clinton Pl

The applicant is proposing to replace several windows. Due to the location of the house, windows are visible from all 4 sides of the house. The three windows on the front, second floor of the house are not original to the house. They are from the 1940’s. The applicant is not able to open or close them without difficulty and they are quite drafty. They have also lost several storm windows. She acknowledges that it would be better to restore, but needs to prioritize energy efficiency.

Ms. Ferraro added that the homeowner did speak to a contractor about restoration, but he recommended replacement due to the wood being warped and in poor condition. The proposed replacement windows would maintain the same 3 over 1 mullion pattern and be done with wood and clad aluminum. She noted that the front windows that the applicant previously mentioned had a 4 over 1 pattern and would recommend approval with the condition that the replacement windows would maintain this pattern.

Mr. Vickers asked if the original dormers were 3 over 1.

The applicant said no. The restoration consultant could only speak to the current windows which were from the 1940’s.

Mr. Vickers asked if the rest of the windows were original to the house.

The applicant said to her knowledge that was correct. She added that the windows that were not being replaced could possibly be restored at a later date.

Mr. Vickers asked for clarification on the color of the new windows, he assumed it would be wood grain.

The applicant confirmed that was correct.

Ms. Burgess commented that the new material would add more character and definition. She asked if there were any further questions.

Mr. Nieber asked if the 4 panels on the front panels were critical or if they should match the rest of the house.

Mr. Schumacher said he was leaning towards keeping the 4 but would need to see a sample of 3 to confirm.

After further discussion, it was concluded that the front upper-level windows should be done with the 4 over 1 pattern.

With no further discussion, Ms. Burgess called for a vote

Ms. Armstrong amended her original motion to include the condition as proposed by Staff.

All in favor: 5

Opposed: 0

The amendment to the motion was approved.

Historical Preservation Commission 3 July 25,2025

Ms. Burgess called for a vote on the Certificate of Appropriateness

All in favor: 5

Opposed: 0

b. BG-25-07-05: Bone grant for window replacement, 15 Clinton Pl

Mr. Vickers moved to approve the Bone Grant application and Mr. Schumacher seconded.

Ms. Burgess asked if Joanne had any details, she would like to add for the Bone Grant application, and if she had a preference on which contractor she would like to go with.

The applicant would like to work with Pella, she liked the material option better. Ms. Burgess noted that either estimate chosen would hit the maximum allotted $6000. With no further comments, Ms. Burgess called for a vote.

All in favor: 5

Opposed: 0

The Bone Grant is approved.

c. CA-25-07-06: Handrail installation, 704 Normal Ave

Mr. Niebur moved to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness, and Ms. Armstrong seconded.

Ms. Ferraro reviewed the proposal. The homeowners have been at the property for quite some time. They don’t feel as comfortable as they used to going up their front stairs and would like to add a handrail for safety. Ms. Ferraro noted that the commission has approved these kinds of handrails in the past. Staff would recommend approval.

Ms. Armstrong commented that she had one added onto her property and would highly recommend it.

Ms. Burgess said that the visuals presented seemed simple and went well with the door. With no further discussion, Ms. Burgess called for a vote.

All in favor: 5

Opposed: 0

The motion carried.

d. CA-25-07-17 Roof restoration, 6 Clinton Pl

Ms. Armstrong moved to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness and Mr. Schumacher seconded.

Ms. Ferraro said that the applicant had some roof damage towards the back of the home, which is visible from Broadway Avenue. The fascia, soffit, and tile all have visible damage. The contractor will need to remove some of the tiles to repair the rotting wood underneath. There is a chance during the process that some of the tile could be broken. The estimated cost may increase in this circumstance, as they would have to buy more material.

Ms. Burgess asked if there was any discussion with no comment. At this time, she called for a vote.

All in favor: 5

Opposed: 0

The motion carried.

e. Bone Grant for roof restoration, 6 Clinton Pl

Mr. Schumacher moved to approve the Bone Grant application, and Ms. Armstrong seconded.

Ms. Burgess asked if there was any discussion with no comment. At this time she called for a vote.

All in favor: 5

Opposed: 0

f. DP-25-07-02: Garage demolition, 502 Normal Ave

Mr. Vickers moved to approve the demolition application, and Ms. Armstrong seconded.

Ms. Ferraro reviewed the staff report. The garage at 502 Normal Avenue was originally discussed by HPC in May 2024. At the time it was in a state of disrepair. Our inspectors had been in talks with the property owner on what could be done to fix it. In the previous HPC discussion the commission requested that the new garage keep some similar features and aesthetics. The applicant hit a point where the garage had been so dilapidated that he was in danger of facing a fine, so he demolished it without HPC approval. Staff is presenting it now to seek retroactive approval and feels that had it gone through the proper process that demolition would have been recommended anyway due to the rotting wood and various other issues.

Ms. Burgess asked if there was any penalty to the homeowner for not pulling a permit for the demolition.

Ms. Ferraro said that Staff tries to be understanding about the general public not always knowing the proper process for these issues. Moving forward the applicant will need to undergo the proper inspections during the rebuild.

Mr. Niebur asked what the purpose was of the item coming before HPC if the work had already been completed.

Ms. Ferraro said Staff would like to have something on record, as well as hear feedback from the Commission on any elements they would like included in the rebuild.

Ms. Burgess asked if the garage was originally right on the lot line.

Ms. Ferraro said it seemed to be over the lot line, which is pretty rare. If the applicant wants to rebuild in the same spot, the issue of placement would fall to the Zoning Board.

Ms. Armstrong asked if the foundation was still there.

Ms. Ferraro said that there was only a dirt floor.

Mr. Schumacher asked how Staff found out that the garage had been demolished.

Ms. Ferraro said that that our property inspector and our legal representatives were already in talks with the homeowner of how best to address the structure and discovered it had been demoed during their inspection process.

Ms. Burgess said that she would like any new construction to mimic a design that would be appropriate for the neighborhood. She had no preference on a double or single door but would like the original windows to be included if possible.

Mr. Niebur added that he would not want the applicant to deviate much from the original structure.

Historical Preservation Commission 6 July 25,2025

Ms. Armstrong noted that the original garage was “double-deep”, which would not necessarily need to be included in the new structure.

With not further discussion, Ms. Burgess called for a vote.

All in favor: 5

Opposed: None

The demolition is approved.

Other business:

Ms. Ferraro announced that effective immediately Mr. Robert Porter has resigned from the Commission. If the Commission has any recommendations on lawyers that would be interested in taking his place, they should reach out to her.

Mr. Schumacher brought up a previous approved property on Normal Avenue. He felt that the home doesn’t fit well in the neighborhood and couldn’t recall what renderings were submitted for the project.

There was discussion on the house in question, which ultimately determined that the home was a noncontributing property. But, in the future, perhaps more detailed renderings should be included.

With no further discussion, Ms. Armstrong moved to adjourn, and Mr. Vickers seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 3:40 PM

https://www.normalil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/5351