Rockford Sun

City of Rockford Historic Preservation Commission met April 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

Present: Valerie Olafson, Amanda Becker, Kathleen Kline, Maureen Kirschmann, Jennifer Spencer, and Alderman Mark Bonne

Absent: Frank St. Angel

Staff: Rudy Moreno, Scott Capovilla, John Wuich

Other: Ricky Davis, Carlos Lura, Scott Jensen, Araceli Avila

Meeting was called to order at 5:35 PM by Chairperson Jennifer Spencer

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 Olafson to APPROVE the March 12, 2024 meeting minutes. The MOTION was SECONDED by Commissioner Kirschmann and CARRIED by a vote of 6-0

Unfinished Business:

Request for Certificate of Appropriateness – Ricky Davis – 417 Walnut Street – replace the existing front door and sidelights with a bronze metal doorway system.

Ricky Davis, property owner, explained the scope of work.

Commissioner Olafson stated the HPC encourages replacement doors and windows that imitates the existing style. Mr. Davis said he can look into installing a similar style door and sidelight system. Commissioner Spencer inquired on the existing windows. Mr. Davis explained the inside is wood and the outside is vinyl.

Commissioner Spencer expressed concern that anodized metal is more of a commercial storefront material than residential.

Commissioner Olafson motion to approve on the condition that the replacement door configuration mimic the exiting door way with a heavy bottom door fame, side lights with a heavy base, and wood or wood clad materials.

A MOTION was made by Commissioner Olafson to Conditionally APPROVE the application for the Certificate of Appropriateness for 417 Walnut Street. The MOTION was SECONDED by Alderman Bonne and CARRIED by a vote of 6-0

Request for Certificate of Appropriateness – Samantha Pajor – 904 North Prospect Street – install twelve new rooftop solar panels on the south portion of the garage roof facing Brownwood Drive. Cesar Lura, Sunrun Solar Contactor, described the revised scope of work on behalf of the homeowner.

A MOTION was made by Commissioner Kirschmann to APPROVE the application for the Certificate of Appropriateness for 904 North Prospect Street. The MOTION was SECONDED by Alderman Bonne and CARRIED by a vote of 6-0

Request for Certificate of Appropriateness – Scott Jensen – 2929 Charles Street – construction of a one-story entrance addition on the east exterior wall.

Scott Jensen, Director of Design and Construction at RPS 205, described the revised scope of work and shared renderings of the proposed work.

Commissioner Olafson and RPS 205 staff discussed the size and configuration of the proposed student entrance addition and security layout.

Commissioner Becker asked why the RPS 205 is using precast panels rather than brick. Mr. Jensen explained the school has an existing mix of masonry and precast additions, and the proposed elevations are to architecturally balance the existing materials.

Alderman Bonne mentioned the preservation of the existing decorative door surround. Mr. Jensen explained the difficulty of preserving door surround features and incorporating them into the new doorways. Mr. Jensen clarified they will try to preserve them but they will not be included in the altered doorway(s).

After an informal voice vote on the preferred options, the HPC motioned to approve proposed revisions with Option 2-A with the condition that overhead historic placard and Student Entrance sign are centered on the right side of the proposed exterior east facing wall of the proposed addition.

A MOTION was made by Alderman Bonne to APPROVE the application for the Certificate of Appropriateness for 2929 Charles Street. The MOTION was SECONDED by Commissioner Kline and CARRIED by a vote of 5-0 with Maureen Kirschmann abstaining.

Alderman Bonne had to excuse himself as he had to attend a neighborhood meeting.

New Business:

Request for Certificate of Appropriateness – Certificate of Appropriateness – Araceli Avila – 626 Garfield Avenue – install a metal driveway gate and repair the front porch.

Araceli Avila, homeowner, explained why the gate was installed. Mr. Avila also mentioned he wants to repair the existing brick porch with existing materials and replace the top landing with limestone materials. Mr. Avila added he would like to install a retaining wall on the east side of the driveway matching the existing retaining wall materials located on the west side of the driveway.

A MOTION was made by Commissioner Olafson to APPROVE the application for the Certificate of Appropriateness for 626 Garfield Avenue. The MOTION was SECONDED by Commissioner Kirschmann and CARRIED by a vote of 5-0.

Communication and staff report:

Scott Capovilla, Planning and Zoning Manager, informed the HPC that City Council has adopted Rockford’s Industrial Property Survey.

Adjournment:

With no other business Commissioner Olafson made a MOTION to ADJOURN. The MOTION was SECONDED by Commissioner Kline and CARRIED by a vote of 5-0.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:31 pm

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