HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 19 2012 EPC Minutes ApproveMEETING MINUTES
City of
EVANSTON PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Evanston Tuesday, June 19, 2012
7:00 p.m.
Lorraine H. Morton Civic center, 2100 Ridge Avenue, Room 2200
Members Present: Suzanne Farrand, Kris Hartzell, Dian Keehan, Anne McGuire, Amy
Riseborough, Garry Shumaker, and Jack Weiss
Members Absent: Kristen Armstrong -Matz, Thomas Hagensick, Andres Lombana,
Scott Utter
Staff Present: Carlos Ruiz
Presiding Member: Garry Shumaker
Declaration of Quorum
With a quorum present, Chairman Shumaker called the meeting to order at 7:11 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES
This item was discussed later in the meeting at which time it was motioned (G.
Shumaker) and seconded (K. Hartzell) to approve the April 17, 2012 minutes. The
motion passed. Vote: 7 ayes, 0 nays.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Survey Sub -Committee - Phase II Update
This item was discussed later in the meeting, at which time Carlos Ruiz reported that
he has requested an extension to the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. The
IHPA granted the extension with the following time line:
- June 6, 2012 90 day extension
- June 20 draft survey forms
- July 10 Comments on survey forms back to GHC; GHC begins to make corrections
to survey forms
- July 23 Final revised survey forms completed by GHC; GHC begins to incorporate
final tallies into survey report; write architectural analyses of individual buildings
and recommendations
- August 31 Draft Summary Report to Evanston and IHPA for review and comments
- September 10 Comments on report back to GHC
- September 30 Final forms and final summary report completed
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Anne Earle requested to update the information she provided for Phase 1 and 2 that
she submitted in Access format.
STAFF REPORTS
These items were discussed later in the meeting:
A. 2012 Preservation and Design Awards — Update
Carlos Ruiz said the Jury (Mary McWilliams, Gwen Sommers Yant, preservation
consultants, and Kathryn Quinn, architect) will conduct the site visits on Wednesday,
June 27, 2012 from 9 am to 1 pm. There are 15 nominations. The awards
presentation will be in July.
B. Meeting with the Rules Committee (June 4, 2012) — Report
Garry Shumaker said that the presentation to the Rules Committee of the City
Council was uneventful. The two year goals should be followed through. The Rules
Committee was complementary of the Commission's work. Members of the
committee also recognized and expressed their appreciation for the Preservation
Commission's work.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. 410 Florence Avenue (L) — Install a 3' H x 75' L (linear) picket wood fence on the
front yard and set back 15.5' from the front east property line. Front yard fences are
not allowed. Fence variance required. [Construction/Fence Variance]
Abear White, owner presented the application to construct a wood picket fence on
the front yard and set back 15.5' from the front property line. The proposed fence
requires a fence variance because front yard fences are not allowed.
The Commission discussed the location of the fence and the style of the fence. A.
White chose a wood picket fence (Exhibit A), 3' high. The Commission and A. White
agreed on location B for the fence, it will align with the south existing side yard
fence, it will run north and then return back to meet the north fence. The fence is a
standard post and picket fence and 3' high, straight top and gate. A. White will
amend her application with Zoning.
It was motioned (K. Hartzell) and seconded (J. Weiss) to approve the fence to 410
Florence with regard to the stipulations made in the meeting, that is a picket fence,
that is 3' high, that goes to line B, in that it meets standards 1, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13,
and 16. The motion passed. Vote: 7 ayes, 0 nays.
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It was motioned (S. Farrand) and seconded to recommend to the Zoning Board of
Appeals that a fence zoning variance be granted to 410 Florence for the fence,
because it meets standards A and C. The motion passed. Vote: 7 ayes, 0 nays.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Introductory meeting with Paul Ivers and Christopher Lester of D. R. Horton, Inc.,
contract purchaser, of the former Kendall College property on the 2200 block of
Orrington Avenue. [To -be -confirmed]
Paul Ivers, President of D. R. Horton, Chicago Division, said D. R. Horton is
historically known as Cambridge Homes since 1975 and it was acquired by D. R.
Horton in 1999. They are the contract purchaser of the former Kendall College site.
They are exploring the opportunity to build 19 single family homes on the site per the
already approved plat. Their intent is to engage the City and its residents in helping
them design a product sensitive to the historic nature of the location. They have met
with City staff, Alderman Fiske and had an introductory meeting with the close
residents of the area.
Paul Ivers said they did not have anything to show the Commission yet, but their
intention is to introduce themselves along with Chris Lester of D. R. Horton. They do
not plan to build the already approved product. D. R. Horton has an existing product
that fits in a similar footprint for this type of lots. They are in the process with their
architects of engaging two local Evanston architects. The Evanston architects will
collaborate with them. The architects have been through the Preservation
Commission before. They will help them to design a sensitive product that will fit the
neighborhood.
A time line has not been established, but they will like to start as soon as possible.
Concluding his remarks Paul Ivers distributed information about D. R. Horton's
portafolio.
Padma Rao of 2246 Sherman Avenue said it was not clear to her what the plan is,
and wanted to know what the definition of close resident is. Carlos Ruiz said that by
ordinance neighbors within 250 feet of the property will be informed. Alderman Judy
Fiske said that the neighbors that were invited to meet with the developer were the
neighbors immediately surrounding the Kendall lot (abutting the Kendall lot).
B. 405 Grove (LSHD) — Replacement of existing fence on the north property line. New
noncompliance - change in style of fence to solid 5' with 1' lattice. The variation is to
allow fence in street side yard. [Construction]
Brian Whiting, owner, presented the application to replace and existing fence along
the north property line, but in a different style (5' solid with 1' lattice). A small portion
of the fence would be on the public right of way.
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It was motioned (S. Farrand) and seconded (J. Weiss) to issue a COA for the
replacement of the existing fence on the north property line and a new non-
compliant fence which will represent the change of style at 405 Grove. The motion
passed. Vote 6 ayes, 1 nay
It was motioned (D. Keehan) and seconded (K. Hartzell) to recommend the zoning
variation for 405 Grove Street to allow a fence to be installed on the street side yard
in that it meets standards A and C. The motion passed. Vote: 6 ayes, 1 nay.
C. 300 Church (L/LSHD) - East elevation: replacement of 3 basement windows; west
elevation: replacement of 4 basement windows; south elevation: new basement
entry, new guard rail on terrace, new exterior stair down to basement; north
elevation: new window to match window on opposite side of chimney.
[Alteration/Construction/Demolition]
Paul Janicki, architect presented the application to include additional alterations to
the house at 300 Church including: east elevation, replace 3 basement casement
windows with new windows with divided lights; on the west elevation, replace 4
basement casement windows with new windows with divided lights; south elevation,
new guardrail on terrace to match existing rail at terrace steps, new basement entry,
new guardrail and new exterior stair down to basement entry. On the coach house
north elevation, new window to match existing on opposite side of chimney; east
elevation, remove door and infill opening with stucco and stone and relocate door
north on the same elevation.
It was motioned (J. Weiss) and seconded (D. Keehan) to issue a COA for alterations
at 300 Church Street since standards 1-10 apply. The motion passed. Vote: 7 ayes.
0 nays.
It was motioned to (J. Weiss) and seconded (K. Hartzell) to issue a COA for
demolition (terrace) for 300 Church Street since standards of demolition 1-5 apply.
The motion passed. Vote: 7 ayes, 0 nays.
D. 205 Hamilton Units # 2 and #3 (L/LSHD) — Replace wood balconies on east
elevation with new rod iron and steel balconies with composite material on decks.
[Alteration/Demolition]
Patrick Blair, owner, and Barry Greenberg, architect presented the application for the
removal of two 2nd floor wooden balconies on the rear east elevation and the
construction of two new rod iron railing and steel frame balconies with composite
wood decking material for the flooring.
Carlos Ruiz said that he received an email from Bob Segil of 1205 Michigan
expressing his concern that the proposed new balconies were out of character with
the existing balconies (porches).
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It was motioned (J. Weiss) and seconded (D. Keehan) to issue a COA for the
balconies at 205 Hamilton since standards of construction 1-6, 9 and 10 apply. The
motion passed. Vote: 7 ayes, 0 nays.
It was motioned (A. Riseborough) and seconded (J. Weiss) to issue of COA for the
demolition of the two existing balconies at 205 Hamilton because standard of
demolition 1-5 are met. The motion passed. Vote: 7 yes, 0 nays.
E. 1004 Greenwood (RHD) - Replace existing from steps with an accessible ramp and
steps. Proposed materials and style to match existing (limestone). Requires zoning
variance for proposed setback = 14'-5/34"; required = 23.4' setback.
Claire Kettlekamp, landscape architect, presented the application for the removal of
the existing front steps and the construction of an accessibility ramp for St. Paul's
Lutheran Church main Chapel at 1004 Greenwood. The material is limestone with
finish details from the Chapel. The railing is 36" high. Landscaping will be installed
around the ramp. The structure for the ramp sits within the front yard setback,
which requires a zoning variance for the proposed setback of 14'-5/34", where the
required setback is 23.4'
It was motioned (K. Hartzell) and seconded (J. Weiss ) to grant a COA to 1004
Greenwood for the new accessible ramp given that it meets standards of
construction 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, and 10-15. The motion passed. Vote: 7 ayes, 0 nays.
It was motioned (D. Keehan) and seconded (A. Riseborough) to approve the COA
for demolition at 1004 Greenwood to remove the front limestone steps and handrail
in that it meets standards for demolition 1-5.
It was motion (S. Farrand) and seconded (D. Keehan) to recommend to the Zoning
Board of Appeals that a variance be granted to St. Paul's at 1004 Greenwood
because the proposed setback is less than required. The motion passed. Vote: 7
ayes, 0 nays.
COMMUNICATIONS
Jack Weiss mentioned an email he sent about Winnetka's rejection of landmarking
some commercial buildings.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was moved and seconded to adjourn. A voice vote was taken and the
motion was approved at 10:00 p.m., June 19, 2012
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Respectfully Submitted,
Carlos D. Ruiz
Preservation Coordinator, Community and Economic Development
Department/Planning and Zoning.
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