Rockford Sun

City of Rockford Historic Preservation Commission met Feb. 13.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

Present: Amanda Becker, Kathleen Kline, Maureen Kirschmann, Frank St. Angel, Valerie Olafson, Alderman Mark Bonne

Absent: Jennifer Spencer

Staff: Scott Capovilla, John Wuich

Other: Joe Jones

Meeting was called to order at 5:30 PM by Vice Chairman Frank St. Angel

Roll Call and Determination of Quorum:

Six members present and one absent – Quorum.

Public Hearing:

None

Approval of Minutes

A MOTION was made by Commissioner Amanda Becker to APPROVE the January 9, 2024 meeting minutes. The MOTION was SECONDED by Commissioner Maureen Kirschmann and CARRIED by a vote of 4-0-1 with Commissioner Valerie Olafson abstaining as she was absent at last month’s meeting.

Alderman Bonne arrived at 5:34 PM

Unfinished Business:

None

New Business:

Request for Certificate of Appropriateness – Joe Jones – 608 Oak Street – install vinyl siding.

Joe Jones is a new homeowner in Haight Village and did not realize that he needed a COA for installing vinyl siding. He hired a company to install the siding and they completed a large portion of one side of the house. The contractor did not pull a permit which is why a stop work order was placed on the job. Commissioner Olafson explained why vinyl siding is not allowed and how the wood clapboard siding just needs to be painted.

Commissioner Kathleen Kline asked Mr. Jones if he used a realtor. Mr. Jones said he did but they never told him he needed approval from this commission to install siding. The Commission advised Mr. Jones to contact the contractor and have them removed what they have installed. Assistant City Attorney John Wuich advised Mr. Jones on what his next steps should be.

A MOTION was made by Commissioner Olafson to DENY the application for the Certificate of Appropriateness for 608 Oak Street. The MOTION was SECONDED by Commissioner Kline and CARRIED by a vote of 6-0.

Request for Certificate of Appropriateness – Maureen Kirschmann – 623 Grove Street – relocate and replace portions of an existing wooden fence on the southeastern portion of the property.

Commissioner Maureen Kirschmann stated she would recuse herself from voting on this item and presented her plan to move her existing fence closer to the east property line. The existing fence is a picket style fence. Commissioner Kirschmann said she will reuse most of the fence and may have to replace portions of the fence but will keep the picket style.

A MOTION was made by Commissioner Olafson to APPROVE the application for the Certificate of Appropriateness for 623 Grove Street. The MOTION was SECONDED by Commissioner Kline and CARRIED by a vote of 5-0-1 with Commissioner Kirschmann abstaining.

Request for Opinion – Nomination of the Rockford Gas Light & Coke Fitting and Meter Shops Building to the National Register of Historic Places – 915 Cedar Street.

Scott Capovilla, Planning and Zoning Manager, presented this nomination to the commission. Mr. Capovilla gave a brief history of the building and the site. Mr. Capovilla also stated this building is a part of the redevelopment plan that was recently approved by the City Council.

A MOTION was made by Alderman Bonne to SUPPORT the application for the National Register of Historic Places for the Rockford Gas Light & Coke Fitting and Meter Shops Building at 916 Cedar Street. The MOTION was SECONDED by Commissioner Olafson and CARRIED by a vote of 6-0.

Communication and staff report:

Mr. Capovilla stated the City of Rockford Industrial Property Survey 1850-1930 is currently under the 30-day comment period which began on Friday February 9 and will close on March 11. Mr. Capovilla said it can be found on the front page of the City of Rockford website and invited the commissioners to view it and provide comments.

Adjournment:

With no other business, Commissioner Olafson made a MOTION to ADJOURN. The MOTION was SECONDED by Alderman Bonne and CARRIED by a vote of 6-0.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:12 pm

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