HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 20 2012 EPC Minutes ApproveMEETING MINUTES
City of
PRESERVATION COMMISSSION
Evanston Tuesday, March 20, 2012
7 p.m.
Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Avenue, Room 2200
Members Present: Suzanne Farrand, Thomas Hagensick, Dian Keehan, Andres
Lombana, Garry Shumaker, Scott Utter and Jack Weiss
Members Absent: Kristen Armstrong -Matz, Kris Hartzell, Anne McGuire and Amy
Riseborough
Staff Present: Carlos Ruiz
Presiding Member: Garry Shumaker
Declaration of Quorum
With a quorum present, Commissioner S. Farrand called the meeting to order at 7:05
p.m. Chairman G. Shumaker arrived soon after.
APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES of October 18, December 20, 2011 and
February 21, 2012
This item was discussed later in the meeting, at which time it was motioned (S. Farrand)
and seconded (J. Weiss) to approve the October 18, 2011 minutes with the following
correction: Item E. fourth paragraph, line five, delete the word "place" after the word
"places". A voice vote was taken and the minutes were approved as corrected. Vote: 7
ayes, 0 nays.
It was motioned (J. Weiss) and seconded (S. Utter) to approve the December 20, 2011
minutes with the following correction: Item E. second paragraph, line two, add after the
word "seconded" the words "(A. Riseborough) to approve." A voice vote was taken and
the minutes of December 20, 2011 were approved as corrected. Vote: 7 ayes, 0 nays.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Carlos Ruiz reported that Lara Ramsey of Granacki Historic Consultants has completed
the photography of the structures in the district. C. Ruiz completed 3/4 of the number of
properties with COAs from 2000 to 2011. Mark Varner has requested to meet with Lara
Ramsey, M. McWilliams, A. Earle and G. Shumaker on April 3, 2012 for a dry run of the
data base. C. Ruiz submitted to M. Varner a list for the data base including: original
owner, architect, builder, building, style, significance and landmark status.
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Preservation Commission
STAFF REPORTS
A. 2100 Ridge Avenue - Stefanie Levine, Assistant Superintendent, Parks, Recreation
and Community Services is requesting the Commission's input on the proposed
construction of an accessible entrance ramp to the Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center on
the building's east fagade. The ramp will be located at the building's southeast
entrance and will directly access the building's first floor.
Stefanie Levine presented drawings for an accessible ramp to the first floor level on
the east southern entry of the L.H. Morton Civic Center. The plan retains the existing
walk with stairs in the same general location, but the stairs are extended further east.
The ramp will have limestone base and walls with no guardrail. The plan minimizes
the impact on the east elevation of the building. The ramp conforms to the ADA
requirement of 5-foot radius. The cap detail on the wall is limestone to mimic the
existing wall. The guardrail will look similar to the guardrail on the west elevation as a
continuous element. The guardrail and rail are mounted to the ramp. S. Levine will
come back to the Commission with the final drawings.
B. 2012 Preservation and Design Awards - Update
This item was discussed later in the meeting at which time Carlos Ruiz reported that
April 27, 2012 is the deadline for submissions of nominations. The presentation is
planned in May 2012.
Matt Marchione said that he photographed 77 properties, approximately 450 photos
total including Willard Hall at Northwestern University. He mentioned that while taking
the photos he noted that 320 Greenwood seems in need of maintenance.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. 2253 and 2303 Sheridan Road (L) - West elevation: New stair enclosure at roof of
bridge link between Foster and College of Cultural and Community Studies (CCCS).
New glass infill at breezeway below bridge link between Foster and CCCS. New
exterior stair below bridge link between Foster and CCCS. Replace non -historic
railings at Foster 4th floor with steel painted railings. Restore existing casement
windows at Foster 4th floor masonry dormers. Remove windows at floors 2-5 at
CCCS and replace with double hung wood clad windows with profiles to match
original. Remove 4th floor non -original addition over bridge link east of Foster.
Remove a non -original addition above the bridge link between Foster House and
Green House 2303 Sheridan. [Construction/Alteration]
Dan Weese of Weese Langley Weese & Associates presented the project. He said
the bottom of stair forms a lobby/ entrance to the building behind the arch way (north)
with front porches. The retaining wall was revised with a set of stairs that are the full
width of the breezeway. On the south side glazing system is all the way down to the
basement behind the breezeway and disengaged from the arch. The glazing system
has the frame up against the brick. The glazing on the upper floor where the seams
are related to the jams, there is concern about sequencing and the loss of symmetry.
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Preservation Commission
It is expected that in the future when the fire escapes are removed, the symmetry will
return. Also the details at the water table are much cleaner.
Dan Weese said the windows on the 2 and 3 are original. The windows on 4 and 5
floors have original frames with replacement sashes. They propose restoring the
windows on 2 and 3 floors; restoring the frames on 4 and 5 floors and installing new
sashes with the same divisions as the existing on 2 and 3 floors. D. Keehan said
there is work on 2 of 7 buildings; she expressed concern about the loss of the arches.
It was motioned (J. Weiss) and seconded (D. Keehan) to grant the COA for the
proposed alterations as standards of alteration 1-10 are met. The motion passed.
Vote: 7 ayes, 0 nays.
It was motioned (S. Utter) and seconded (J. Weis) to approve the COA for the
required demolition as meeting standards of demolition 1-5 are met. The motion
passed. Vote: 7 ayes, 0 nays.
NEW BUSINESS
A. 584 Lincoln Street (within Landmark lot of record) — North and east elevations:
Remove existing non -original entry porch, keep existing concrete foundation and
structural slab and porch; install new porch and accessible stair and ramp. Materials:
wrought iron handrails at stairs and ramp, brick veneer to match existing, stone trim to
match existing, concrete porch surface and steps. [Construction/Demolition]
Dan Weese presented the project for the construction of an accessible ramp to the
front door of the building at 584 Lincoln Street. The footprint to the front porch will
remain. The stairs will be moved closer to the north/south sidewalk. The existing
stairs are in disrepair. The grade against the foundation will be raised to avoid having
a handrail. The existing water table will be the new datum. There will be some new
handrails and a planting bed between the walk and the building. The new brick will
match the exiting brick and the limestone on the parapet.
G. Shumaker said as one approaches the building from the south, the wall ending at
the bottom of the ramp needs an anchor at the end of the wall, as it appears on the
front.
It was motioned (D. Keehan) and seconded (J. Weis) to approve the COA for
construction at 584 Lincoln Street to build a new porch over the existing foundation,
new stairs and accessible ramp in that it meets standards for review of construction 1,
2, 5, 6, 7 and 9-15. The motion passed. Vote: 7 ayes, 0 nays.
It was motioned (S. Utter) and seconded (A. Lombana) to issue a COA for
demolition at 584 Lincoln Street related to the new front porch and entrance ramp and
stair based on standards for demolition 1-5. The motion passed. Vote: 7 ayes, 0
nays
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Preservation Commission
B. 741 Sheridan Road (L/LSHD) — Consolidate two lots of record into one lot of record.
Existing lot area = 13,300 square feet; proposed=15,720 square feet.
Pierre Durand, owner of 747 Sheridan presented this application for 741 Sheridan to
consolidate this lot with the vacant lot immediately east, in conjunction with his
application for 747 Sheridan as described below.
At which time it was motioned (S. Farrand) and seconded (J. Weiss) to recommend
to City Council that a lot consolidation set for 741 Sheridan Road of two lots of record
be consolidated into a single lot of record. The motion passed. Vote: 7 ayes, 0 nays.
C. 747 Sheridan Road (L/LSHD) - Consolidate two lots of record into one lot of record.
Existing lot area=13,240 square feet; proposed=18,147.9 square feet.
Pierre Durand, owner said Howard Van Doren Shaw, architect designed his house.
He wants to bring back to the houses (741 and 747 Sheridan) the sense of scale
between the park nearby and the back yard (to what Van Doren Shaw had in mind
when he designed the building in 1915) by consolidating his lot with the vacant lot
immediately east.
The house at 741 Sheridan was designed by John Van Bergen, a student of Frank
Lloyd Wright. Both structures were sharing the same sense of space. When the
house immediately east was built in 1976 (demolished in 2010 — formerly 94 Kedzie) it
blocked the east view. The idea now is to split the vacant lot to the east between 741
and 747 Sheridan.
Carlos Ruiz noted that the Commission's review for consolidation is advisory to the
City Council. Pierre Durand said the lots at 741 and 747 Sheridan used to go all the
way down to the lake. Anne Earle said the houses at 90 and 92 Kedzie were built as a
pair and moved to Kedzie. P. Durand said they do not have plans to build on the new
parcels. The deed will have a statement that no new structures will be built on the
new consolidated lots.
Terry Boyle of 90 and 92 Kedzie and John Cara and Joan Cherry of 729 Sheridan
supported the consolidation of the lots as proposed.
It was motioned (S. Farrand) and seconded (J. Weiss) to recommend to City Council
that that the two lots of record at 747 Sheridan Road be consolidated into a single lot
of record. The motion passed. Vote: 7 ayes, 0 nays.
D. 729 Sheridan Road (LSHD) — Exterior alterations to the existing house, first and
second story additions including a 64' long x 19'-2" wide one-story pool house on the
rear east elevation. [Alteration/Construction/Demolition]
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Preservation Commission
Joan Cherry and John Cara, owners and Steve Suski, architect presented the project.
J. Cherry said the house at 729 Sheridan Road was built in 1955 (Edward Dart,
architect). To the east of the house is the lake and the water level is 12 feet below the
grade of the house. S. Suski said there are additions over the garage, a portion on
the west side in front of the house (a one-story addition that wraps around to the
former property line) and a two-story addition at the east side of the house, a bedroom
function and a one-story pool house addition at the rear with a green house connector
between the two components. Also a shed near the break wall is proposed. The
proposed addition keeps the same aesthetic of the existing house.
Joan Cherry said the materials are vertical cedar to be stained as the existing, same
Marvin windows and pour concrete with stone in the driveway and brush stainless
steel roofing. S. Suski said the most detailed feature of the house is the fireplace.
The addition's height is 27'. Also, neighbors have been notified at 721 Sheridan, 735
Sheridan. Also a letter was sent to neighbors.
It was motioned (S. Utter) and seconded (D. Keehan) to issue a COA for
construction at 729 Sheridan Road for the second story additions, first floor pool
house at the rear elevation, based on standards of construction 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12,
13, 14, 15 and 16. The motion passed. Vote: 7 ayes, 0 nays.
It was motioned (D. Keehan) and seconded (S. Farrand) to approve the COA for
demotion at 729 Sheridan Road to remove the areas in the first and second floor, in
that it meets standards of demolition 1-5. The motion passed. Vote: 7 ayes, 0 nays.
E. 1856 Sheridan Road (L/LSHD) — North elevation: Restoration of a concrete and
limestone entrance stair. South elevation: Install new ADA ramp and limestone
enclosed lift under the existing Gothic portico; install new air handler in a third floor
attic space (supply and return air register in existing windows; and removal and
replacement of old A/C units above an existing portico. [Alteration/ Construction/
Demolition]
Robert Natke, architect and Patrick Stiff of Sigma Alpha Epsilon presented the project.
R. Natke said the there are four projects: 1) restoration of existing concrete and stone
entrance stairwell in the front of the building; 2) introduction of handicapped lift and
ramp for accessibility; 3) replacement of a number of condensing units on the existing
portico; and 4) the installation of a return for fresh air for air conditioning to the chapel.
A guard rail is incorporated on the west, on the east the guard rails on the upper
landing. The ADA ramp and lift will provide access to 70% of the building and 100%
to the public areas. An urn will be relocated and the corner arch in filled. The
enclosure for the lift is being built out of limestone. On the east, air conditioning units
will be replaced; on the third floor an air handler will be installed. The middle window
of the annex space will be removed.
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Preservation Commission
It was motioned (J. Weiss) and seconded (A. Lombana) to issue a COA for the
project at 1856 Sheridan Road in that standard of construction 1, 2, 4-7, 9-12 and 14-
16 apply. The motion passed. Vote: 6 ayes, 1 nay.
It was motioned (S. Utter) and seconded (D. Keehan) to issue a COA for alteration
at 1856 Sheridan Road for the removal of one window at the south and installation of
air handler on the window opening in that standards of alteration 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9 and
10 have been met. The motion passed. Vote: 6 ayes, 1 nay.
F. 732 Sheridan Road (L/LSHD) — West facade: (1) Removal of rear existing porch and
construct a new rear porch. (2) Removal of existing rear door and windows, to be
replaced with doors and sidelights. (3) Removal of existing exterior basement stairs,
replace with new stairs. North facade: (1) removal of far west window on 1st floor and
infill with existing brick. (2) Lower sill of the central 1st floor window. (3)
Replace/restore kitchen windows on the 1st floor. [Alteration/Construction/Demolition]
Heidi Paul, architect presented the project. H. Paul said the project consist of
removing a non -original rear porch and replace it with a porch and overhang.
Removing door and window on the west facade and replacing them with a pair of
doors and windows that match the original on the south facade. Removing existing
stairs to the basement and replacing it with new stairs. H. Paul submitted an alternate
concept for the rear porch, providing two options for the west elevation deck.
On the north elevation the project calls for restoring or replacing the existing windows
and closing off one of the existing windows, using the existing brick and showing the
relief of the window and to lowering the sill of a second window. Dian Keehan
suggested a deeper canopy with brackets at the rear porch. H. Paul said she will
submit the revisions for the porch.
It was motioned (S. Farrand) and seconded (S. Utter) to issue a COA at 732
Sheridan Road for the replacement of the windows and doors at the rear and the deck
and infill of a window as it meets standards of construction 1, 3, 7, 10 and 12-16. The
motion passed. Vote: ayes, 0 nays.
It was motioned (J. Weiss) and seconded (A. Lombana) to issue a COA for
alteration at 732 Sheridan Road as standards 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 10 apply. The
motion passed. Vote: 7 ayes, 0 nays.
It was motioned (D. Keehan) and seconded (S. Utter) to issue the COA for
demolition at 732 Sheridan Road in that it meets standards for review of demolition 1-
5 to remove the existing rear porch. The motion passed. Vote: 7 ayes, 0 nays.
G. 2310 Central Park Avenue (L) - Demolish existing 12' x16' attached one -car brick
garage and construct two small, one-story additions. One on the rear; one on north
side to enlarge kitchen. Also, extend wood deck to south at new mudroom.
[Construction/Demolition]
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Preservation Commission
DonnaLee Floeter, architect presented the project. D. Floeter said the project calls for
removing a non -original one -car garage and building two small additions to enlarge
the kitchen. The original portion of the garage will be remodeled as a mudroom and
with the relocation of a powder room and pantry. The brick will be saved from the
garage, the new wood windows will match the existing as much as possible, and a
sliding door will be installed in the addition facing west. The deck on the south will be
extended. The proposed parking pad is 17'x18'.
It was motioned (D. Keehan) and seconded (A. Lombana) to approve the COA for
construction at 2310 Central Park Avenue to build two one-story additions and extend
the wood deck in the rear yard, in that meets the standards for review of construction
1, 3, 6-10 and 12-16. The motion passed. Vote: 7 ayes, 0 nays.
It was motioned (S. Farrand) and seconded (J. Weiss) to issue the COA for 2310
Central Park for the demolition of the attached one -car brick garage because it meets
standards for review of demolition 1-5. The motion passed. Vote: 7 ayes, 0 nays.
H. 92 Kedzie Street (LSHD) — Total demolition of the existing house. [Demolition]
Terry Boyle, owner presented the project. T. Boyle of 90 Kedzie bought the house at
92 Kedzie in 2000. The house is not in very good condition. The house was built
in1904 (Ira Sacks, architect) a 2-story house with three levels. Originally the house
had a mansard roof and four dormers. In 1926 the house was moved from Forest to
its current location. A one car garage was also built at some point. In 1945 the house
was sold, still had three levels and a bathroom was added at the rear. In 1948 the
house was sold with a 2-car attached garage. In 1951 the house was remodeled
dramatically, the roof was changed from a mansard to a hip roof.
The Commission discussed the following: whether the changes to the house over time
had acquired significance; the significance of the house that was moved as a pair;
whether the house could be restored and whether the district is better off without the
house.
Terry Boyle said if it was the same Ira Sacks house as built, it would be then easy to
restore it, but so many things are wrong with the house now that restoration is not
worthy.
Garry Shumaker said if the house continues to deteriorate it will not benefit the
historic district. The Commission was concerned with changing the density of houses
facing the park and what is happening to that area. T. Boyle said he has no plans of
selling or building on the vacant lot if the house is demolished.
It was motioned (S. Farrand) and seconded (J. Weiss) to issue a COA for 92 Kedzie
for the demolition of the house standing. The motion passed. Vote: 5 ayes, 0 nays.
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Preservation Commission
I. 1817 Church Street (L) - Second -story 1,000 square feet rear addition of masonry
block and stucco. Exterior renovations include repair/replacement of slate mansard
roof, repair replacement of copper flashings, ridge caps, and third floor dormers.
[Alteration/Construction]
John Leineweber representing the Evanston North Shore Contractors Cooperative
and his architect presented the project. The existing condition of 1817 Church (3-
story front fagade) is in good repair. The door, windows and slate roof are in good
condition. The slate roof will be repaired or restored. The roof top condenser will be
removed. The rear is one-story stucco. A second floor will be built on top of the one-
story. The addition is cement based stucco on top of concrete masonry unit. A
dormer and a window will be added. A chimney was removed and they will consider
rebuilding it. The rear windows are aluminum or vinyl clad casement windows.
It was motioned (J. Weiss) and seconded (A. Lombana) to issue a COA for
construction at 1817 Church (second story addition over the one-story section of the
building at the rear) in that standards for review of construction 1, 3, 5, 7-10 and 12-16
apply. The motion passed. Vote: 7 ayes, 0 nays.
J. 720 Central Street (L) - Demolition of existing garage and surrounding concrete.
Construction of a new wood frame detached 3-car garage 40' length x 23' depth x 17'-
6" height (mean) and setback 3' from the south and east property lines. Required
setback for each of the two dormers from the exterior wall on the front elevation = 8'.
Proposed setback = 5 '- 7.5". Minor zoning variance required.
[Construction/Demolition/Zoning Variance]
Carlos Ruiz said Gary Berkovich, the architect was not present. He read a letter from
the owners at 719 Milburn in support of the project. The Commission discussed the
scale of the garage, the dormers, the height, the fenestration and the exterior material
(brick datum), the bracket details. The Commission had a straw poll to advise the
architect if they would approve the COA for the garage. Vote: 6 nays, 1 aye.
COMMUNICATIONS
No Communications
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was moved and seconded to adjourn. A voice vote was taken and the
motion was approved at 11:05 p.m. on Tuesday, March 20, 2012.
Respectfully Submitted,
Carlos D. Ruiz
Senior Planner/Preservation Coordinator, Community and Economic Development
Department — Planning and Zoning Division
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Preservation Commission