North Cook News

The Elgin Heritage Commission Design Review Subcommittee will review window and stair design-permit applications at its next meeting, 6 p.m. today in Elgin City Council Chambers, 150 Dexter Court.

The subcommittee will consider plans for a window replacement at 418 Lowrie Court. The property's owner, Juan Estrada, has applied for a Certificate of Appropriateness for replacement windows. The old windows are not energy efficient and allow air infiltration. The applicant has proposed Casco aluminum clad wood, double-hung 1/1 windows. Most of the windows on the house have been replaced, with only three original windows remaining. The original window sashes have deteriorated. The applicant has submitted replacement costs, but not the required estimates for repairs to the original windows.

The subcommittee also will review the application to reconstruct the front stairs at 150 S. Gifford St. The owner, Jaime Garcia, has applied for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the front stoop. The home is the same Italianate style as 71-73 Park Row. The new stoop design is consistent with the Park Row homes and somewhat similar to, but not exactly like, the existing stoops at 152 and 154 S. Gifford. Due to space constraints, the new stair treads will be 10 inches deep, the minimum required under the building code.