DeKalb Municipal Building Glidden Conference Room 200 S. Fourth St., 2nd Floor DeKalb, IL 60115 MINUTES LANDMARK COMMISSION May 18, 2017 7:00 PM Chairman Gable called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. A. ROLL CALL The following members of the Landmark Commission were present: Donna Gable, Amanda Durik, Robert Glover, and Donna Schultz Xidis. Elizabeth Wirsing joined the meeting at 7:05 PM. Members absent were Don Whitmore and Pam Collins. City staff present was Community Development Director Jo Ellen Charlton. Also present were Lakota Group representatives Nick Kalogeresis and Cade Sterling. B. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA – ADDITIONS / DELETIONS Chair Gable requested an amendment to add under New Business “Discussion of Landmark Commission Chair position.” A. Durik moved to approve the agenda as amended, R. Glover seconded the motion, and all approved by voice vote. C. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION None. D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – ADDITIONS / DELETIONS 1. October 12, 2016 R. Glover motioned to approve the minutes as presented, A. Durik seconded the motion, and all approved by voice vote. E. NEW BUSINESS 1. Presentation – Draft Report regarding the Central Business District property survey, possible historic district designation, historic preservation project recommendations, and design guideline recommendations. Nick Kalogeresis and Cade Sterling presented on behalf of the Lakota Group. Mr. Kalogeresis noted that Doug Gilbert helped prepare the draft but was not available to attend this meeting. Landmark Commission May 18, 2017 Page 2 of 6 He reported upon the onsite survey, conducted last fall and completed before Christmas. He stated that since December, Lakota staff has been conducting background research on the properties using a variety of resources. He noted they are working on adding missing data to the property survey forms and anticipated the final report would be ready to present in one month. Mr. Kalogeresis reported that the survey forms, photos, map can be view online at http://downtowndekalbsurvey.com/. He stated that the website includes a color- coded map that categorizes contributing and non-contributing properties, based upon architectural elements that qualify them for possible neighborhood nomination to the National Historic Register. He noted that the majority of contributing properties are west of the railroad tracks, except for the old Fargo theater building, and to the north and south of the railroad tracks a few residential properties might qualify as well. He reported that the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (IHPA) has received copies of the survey forms for feedback, but a response has not yet been received. He said the IHPA can help decide whether applying for a smaller, more concentrated historic district is more likely to succeed or if a larger district with breaks due to the presence of non-contributing properties would be more likely to succeed. He noted a variety of architectural styles exist in in the area west of the railroad tracks, which would should help that area qualify. He demonstrated how to use the website’s interactive map and property survey forms and distributed copies of the draft report. He said that staff at the Sycamore Library Local History Room and NIU Regional History Center were very helpful. He summarized the sections of the draft report, which he noted includes discussions of the multiple architectural forms and styles in the downtown area. Director Charlton asked if the survey was performed from the sidewalk level. Mr. Kalogeresis confirmed that was the method. J. Charlton reported that property owners have recently submitted building permits for roofing work and discovered upper level façade damage that would not be noticeable from below. She asked how to address these issues when they arise at that point. Mr. Kalogeresis responded that it is difficult. He added that most of the Queen Anne style buildings appear to be well maintained from the exterior. Mr. Kalogeresis stated that the Egyptian Theatre and Haish Memorial Library are already listed on the National Register of Historic Places. He reported that four additional buildings could be eligible for individual listing on the National Register, including the Drs. Smith building (263 East Lincoln Highway, currently The House) and the McCabe’s building (323 East Lincoln Highway). In addition, they identified 16 other buildings that may be appropriate for local landmark designation if property owners are interested. Landmark Commission May 18, 2017 Page 3 of 6 He reported that a total of 136 properties were inventoried. He stated that he would furnish an electronic copy of the draft report. He invited the Commission to comment upon the draft report and the property forms, ask questions, and provide any additional information they may have. He said additional historical data still must be added, including former businesses and property owners. He added that a context statement will also be crafted. Mr. Kalogeresis reported he was unable to locate a downtown building inventory he believed occurred in the late ‘80s/early ‘90s. Chair Donna Gable stated that the survey was performed by Commission members. She recalled that the inventory forms had black-and-white photographs attached, which were placed in black binders and stored in City Hall. She reported that a set was also submitted to the IHPA. Mr. Kalogeresis stated he spoke with Darius Bryjka at the IHPA, and he told him the IHPA did not have the documents. Chair Gable recalled visiting the IHPA in the early 2000s and viewing the documents there. Mr. Kalogeresis stated he contact the IHPA again to request further searching. Director Charlton stated she would also search City Hall. Mr. Kalogeresis stated that the survey documents are important because they help fill in the gap between the present and the era just after World War II, which is the most recent period found in their research. Director Charlton added that Fire Station 1, located at Seventh and Pine Streets, has some interesting old photographs on display that could be useful. Mr. Kalogeresis reported that his team has not yet begun developing Design Guidelines. He requested clarification and guidance for this portion of the project. He recommended removing the current Design Guidelines document in its entirety from the Municipal Code and inserting a reference instead, the arrangement many other communities use, so that minor edits to the Design Guidelines would not prompt an amendment to the Municipal Code. Director Charlton stated she would provide the current Design Guidelines to Lakota Group as a starting point for developing the new guidelines. Mr. Kalogeresis reported little progress has been made to identify historic downtown properties for potential rehab projects. He asked for assistance for identifying properties and contacting owners. He noted he met with the owners of Gordon Hardware early in the project to discuss their plans to rehab the interior and reopen the storefront. Ms. Xidis mentioned the owner of Cracker Jax expressed interest in rehabbing her building’s façade. The Commission and Mr. Kalogeresis discussed recommendations for the following: • Selecting properties for rehabilitation projects to increase the likelihood other property owners would be encourage to follow suit; • Prioritizing properties located west of the railroad tracks along Lincoln Highway; Landmark Commission May 18, 2017 Page 4 of 6 • Focusing on store-front rehabilitations and signage; • Deciding different levels of rehabilitation from minor to major; • Ensuring rehabilitation efforts last long term; and • Designating properties in significant need of repair and maintenance. Director Charlton stated that downtown property owners’ renewed interest in investing in their buildings has led to building permits for improvements. She voiced concern that staff does not have the necessary tool, Historic Property Design Guidelines, to evaluate the proposed improvements to ensure they are using historically appropriate methods and materials. Mr. Kalogeresis stated his team would provide a memo listing of properties with the most significant maintenance needs. He recommended property owners seek to improve their properties by opening previously closed storefronts to improve sidewalk appeal. He asked the Commission to review the beginning sections of the draft report and each survey form and provide comments and questions. The Commission discussed deadlines for submitting comments, revisions, and future meeting dates: • June 9th – Deadline to send comments to Director Charlton • Prior to June 23rd – Lakota’s final draft due to City • June 23rd – Agenda distributed with Commission comments on draft report • June 28th – Meeting Chair Gable recommended contacting the owners of the old Drs. Smith building for possible rehab projects, as they recently sought Landmark Commission advice on repairing or replacing the windows. Director Charlton inquired about cleaning methods to remove the mottling on the building’s façade. Mr. Kalogeresis recommended against damaging pressure washing and chemicals. He said soap and water on a brush can be both gentle and effective and were used on Chicago buildings during recent rehabs. 2. Discussion – Donna Schultz Xidis to report upon attendance at recent workshop. Prior to Ms. Xidis’ presentation, Chair Gable recalled an annual IHPA report, likely due in June, and one of the requirements for the report is training for at least one of the members. Director Charlton stated she would look into the IHPA annual