HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 12 2016 EPC Minutes ApproveDRAFT
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MEETING MINUTES
EVANSTON PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Avenue, Room 2404
7:00 P.M.
Members Present: Robert Bady, Elliott Dudnik, Ken Itle, Sally Riessen Hunt, Tim
Schmitt, Karl Vogel, Jack Weiss, and Diane Williams.
Members Absent: Julie Hacker, and Amy Riseborough
Staff Present: Carlos Ruiz
Presiding: Diane Williams
1. CALL TO ORDER / DECLARATION OF QUORUM
With a quorum present, Dian Williams called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m.
2. OLD BUSINESS
A. 704 Judson Avenue (LSHD) – Nathan Kipnis, applicant. Two and a half story
addition to the rear (west) of house, replacement of six existing vinyl windows with
wood windows, replace existing 5' high wood fence in kind. Addition of solar panels
on south side of addition. Applicable standards: [Alteration] 1 – 7 and 9;
[Construction] 1- 5, 7, 8, and 10 – 15.
Nathan Kipnis presented the project. He passed around two exhibits and said they have
18 solar panels, a 5.1 kilowatt system (mostly on the proposed rear addition’s dormer).
D. Williams asked about the distance from the dormer’s ridge to the panels. N. Kipnis
said less than 1’. N. Kipnis said the panels are now much less visible than the previous
scheme. J. Weiss asked what colors the panels were. N. Kipnis said they are grey and
the roof shingles are brown.
It was motioned (J. Weiss) and seconded (S. Riessen Hunt) to issue a COA for
alteration at 704 Judson, in that alteration standards 1-7 and 9 apply. The motion
passed unanimously. Vote: 8 ayes, 0 nays.
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It was motioned (J. Weiss) and seconded (E. Dudnik) to issue a COA for construction
at 704 Judson, standards 1-5, 7, 8, and 10 – 15 apply. The motion passed
unanimously. Vote: 8 ayes, 0 nays.
3. NEW BUSINESS
A. 1401 Oak Avenue (L) – Timothy Rathod, applicant. Project is to provide a
permanent roof for the west tower of the church. Applicable standards:
[Construction] 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, and 14 - 16.
Debra Slaton of Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates presented the project to provide a
permanent roof for the west tower of the church. As constructed in 1893 that tower a tall
steep roof. The roof and the louvered attic of the tower were removed sometime in the
first half of the 20th century. The church discovered in 2015 that fragments of masonry
were falling from the tower; this led to an investigation, and as an emergency measure
the remaining top 6’ of the masonry and tower (including four gargoyles) were removed.
The proposed new roof is a modestly steep roof. It’s intended to be compatible with the
church and is non-obtrusive as much as possible to the existing historic fabric. The
slope matches the slope of the main gable over the church. The repaired masonry will
be able to support the new roof and water tight to protect the wall below. The original
tower and roof were much taller. The original roof had a skylight.
It was motioned (T. Schmitt) and seconded (R. Bay) to issue a COA at 1401 Oak
Avenue, in that standards for construction 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, and 14 – 16 apply. The
motion passed unanimously. Vote: 7 ayes, 1 abstention (K. Itle).
B. 2102 Orrington Avenue (NEHD) – Pankaj Sharma, applicant. Replace existing
chain link fence along the south property line with a 6’ high wood fence with 1’ lattice
at the top and setback 0” from the south property line. Requires zoning fence
variance (6-4-6-7F (2b1) fences are not permitted in the street side yard unless set
back from the property line by two feet (2') and landscaped, applicant is proposing a
0” setback; and 6-6-6-7F(3a) fences shall not exceed four feet (4') in height when
located within the area between a front lot line and three feet (3') behind any front-
facing facade of a principal building, applicant proposes 6' height. Applicable
standards: [Construction] 1, 5, 7, 9, 12 and13; [Fence Variance] A and C.
Pankaj Sharma presented the project for replacing a chain link fence along the south
property line with a 6’ high wood fence (including a 1’ lattice at the top) that requires a
zoning fence variation. P. Sharma said the goal is that the fence is compatible with the
neighborhood and matches the fence that is directly north of their property and to the
one across the street to the south. The chain link is 2’ off the sidewalk with landscaping
on the other side of the fence. The new fence will be on the same location; their
property line is 2’ off the sidewalk. According to Zoning, their fence should be 4’ off the
sidewalk. In their research they found other similar fences in the neighborhood and their
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neighbors are supportive. One of the two neighbors with concerns with the proposed
fence is not supportive after learning the proposed fence will be 2’ off the sidewalk.
Karl Vogel said the fence across the street is 4’ high with 1’ of lattice on top. Carlos Ruiz
said a fence can be 6’ high provided that is setback 2’ from the property line. The
Commission discussed maintaining their position to recommend a 4’ high fence with a 1’
lattice on top for a total height of 5’ for the fence. P. Sharma thought they had to right for
a 6’ high fence, based on conversations with Damir Latinovic, Planning and Zoning
manager. D. Williams said the Commission can deal tonight and recommend a 5’ high
fence or wait for clarification of the zoning issue until next month, if the applicant would
like a 6’ high fence. P. Sharma asked a recommendation from the Commission of a 5’
high fence, including the 1’ of lattice on top.
It was motioned (K. Itle) and seconded (J. Weiss) to issue a COA for a new fence at
2102 Orrington Avenue, which will be setback 0’ (zero) from the property line, which is
actually 2’ from the existing sidewalk, and the location of the existing fence, and it will
be a total of 5’ high – 4’ high plus 1’ lattice, and construction standards 1, 5, 7, 9, 12 and
13 apply. The motion passed. Vote: 7 ayes, 1 abstention (K. Vogel).
It was motioned (k. Itle) and seconded (J. Weiss) to recommend to Zoning that a
variance be granted for the fence as described above in that standards A and C apply.
The motion passed. Vote: 7 ayes, 1 abstention (K. Vogel).
C. 1124 Asbury Avenue (L/RHD) – Sebastian Koziura, applicant. Tear down existing
south side 12'x16' addition. Build a 1-story 15' x 21' addition on same location with
wood landing and stairs on the rear west elevation. Applicable standards:
[Construction] 1- 8 and 10-16; [Demolition] 1-5.
Neither the applicant nor the owner attended the meeting.
5. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES of January 19, February 16 and March 15,
2016.
It was motioned (J. Weiss) and seconded (S. Riessen Hunt) to approve the minutes of
January 19 and February 19, 2016 pending final revisions. The motion passed
unanimously. Vote: 8 ayes, 0 nays.
6. COMMITTEE REPORTS (Working Groups)
A. Appointment of Preservation Ordinance Review Sub-Committee.
Robert Bady, Sally Riessen Hunt, Ken Itle, Amy Riseborough, Tim Schmitt, Karl Vogel,
and Diane Williams were appointed to the Preservation Ordinance Review Sub-
Committee.
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B. Scheduling first meeting of Ordinance Review Sub-Committee
The Preservation Ordinance Review Sub-Committee will hold its first meeting on
Thursday, April 28, 2016 at 8 am at the Planning and Zoning offices. The meeting is
open to the public.
7. VOLUNTEER REPORTS
A. Preservation and Design Awards – Update
Seventeen nominations were submitted. The site visits are scheduled on Friday, April
29, 2016 from 9 am to 2 pm.
B. Appointment of Design Guidelines Volunteers
Jack Weiss, Elliott Dudnik and Julie Hacker were appointed as volunteers to work on
the design guidelines.
8. STAFF REPORTS
No staff report.
9. DISCUSSION (No vote will be taken)
The Commission discussed the City Council decision to continue the application of
appeal for 1012 Lake Street to May 9, 2016. Commissioners agreed to contact Damir
Latinovic to provide information on alternative roofing materials for the existing clay tile
roof on the St. Mary’s Parish Center building. Also, provide information of potential
funding such as grants that might be available to the applicants.
10. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:43 p.m. on Tuesday, April 12, 2016.
Respectfully submitted,
Carlos D. Ruiz
Senior Planner/Preservation Coordinator