City of Elgin Heritage Commission Design Review Subcommittee met Sept. 14.
Here are the minutes provided by the subcommittee:
The meeting of the Design Review Subcommittee was called to order at 6:01 p.m. in the City Council Chambers (Located on the 2nd floor of City Hall) by Chairman Savel.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Joey Crist, Rebecca Hunter, Krissy Palermo, Dennis Roxworthy, Scott Savel, and John Wiedmeyer.
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Carly Steurer
CITY STAFF PRESENT:
Christen Sundquist, Historic Preservation; and Cindy Walden, DRSC Secretary
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion made by Committee Member Wiedmeyer to approve the minutes of August 24, 2021, as submitted.
The motion was seconded by Committee Member Palermo.
The motion passed unanimously.
The motion passed 6-0.
RECOGNIZE OTHER PERSONS PRESENT:
None
PROPERTIES ON AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION:
Old Business
129 N Porter St – Reconstruction of front porch
New Business
516 Park St – Replacement of front door and sidelights
612 Douglas Ave – Reconstruction of 2nd floor egress stairs
ITEMS TABLED AT TONIGHT’S MEETING:
516 Park St; due to non-representation.
OLD BUSINESS:
129 N Porter St – Reconstruction of front porch
***This was request was tabled at the August 10, 2021 Design Review Subcommittee to provide the owner more time to submit an architectural plan showing shed roof design.
This item remained tabled, due to revised plans not received in time for commission review.
NEW BUSINESS:
516 Park St – Replacement of front door and sidelights
No representation at tonight’s meeting.
Motion made by Committee Member Roxworthy to table, due to non-representation. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Hunter.
The motion passed unanimously.
612 Douglas Ave – Reconstruction of 2nd floor egress stairs
The property owner has submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) to rebuild the side (north elevation) two-story egress stairs on the building.
The structure is visible from the street. Details of the porch reconstruction are included in this packet.
Elgin Design Guideline Manual Specifications:
Porches
A. Should be maintained in their original design with original materials and detailing
B. Should be repaired or replaced to match the original in design, materials, scale and placement
C. Should be screened only if the structural framework for the screen panels is minimal and the open appearance of the porch is maintained. Screen panels should be placed behind the original features such as columns or railings and should not hide decorative details or result in the removal of original porch materials.
D. Should have steps of the same material as the porch floor (e.g. porches with wood floors should also have steps made of wood, not concrete or brick)
E. Should have poured concrete steps if the porch, patio or terrace floor is made of concrete (see section on Porch Steps).
F. Should have wood tongue and groove flooring running perpendicular to the façade, if the porch floor is made of wood.
G. Should have trellises made of wood, if trellises are appropriate.
H. Should be filled in as traditional for the type and style of the house or with decorative wood framed skirting, vertical slats, or lattice panels, if open areas in the foundation exist.
I. Should not be removed if original to the dwelling
J. Should not be enclosed with wood, glass, or other materials which would alter the porch’s open appearance.
Porch Columns and Railing
A. Should be preserved and maintained. Where repair is required, use materials to match the original in dimensions and detailing.
B. Should be rebuilt in historic designs if the original columns and railings have been removed or replaced
C. Should have new balusters for the railing, if required. Porch balusters (also called spindles) should be appropriate for the building’s style and period. The height of the railing should be in line with the window sill level, if present, and no greater than 30 inches in height.
Porch Staircases and Steps
A. Should be retained in their original location and configuration, if original to the property. Wood and concrete steps should be repaired with materials to match the original.
B. Should be replaced with wood rather than brick or concrete, if the porch floor is made of wood.
C. Should have their tread constructed in either 5/4x12 or 2x12 lumber. The ends of the treads should be bull-nosed and overhang the riser by no less than 1 inch.
D. Should have newel posts and balusters, treads and risers, to match original porch construction.
Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the Certificate of Appropriateness as submitted and with the following conditions:
1. The built up handrail shall have a 2x4” (cut 2x6 to 4” length) top rail with chamfered edges, a 5/4” bullnosed edge piece shall be placed under the top rail and then below that a ¾” cove (rot resistant wood or pvc) installed on both sides of the spindle or use ¾” subrail, 2x2 (1 ½” x 1 ½” actual) square spindles with sharp corners, with a maximum of 4 inch on center. That the bottom rail is a 2x4” (cut 2x6 to 4” length) with chamfered edges with a 5/4” bullnosed edge piece shall be placed under the bottom rail, installed 3 inches above finished floor.
2. That the stair treads shall 5/4” x 12 (recommended) or 2x12 and bull-nosed on 3 sides and overhang the risers a minimum of 1 1/4”. A ¾” cove molding (rot resistant wood or pvc) shall be installed under the lip of the tread and wrap all 3 sides. Pressure treated wood or composite material is acceptable for the tread. When using pressure treated wood for the stair treads, paint every side with porch/deck enamel to deter any future cupping of the board. Use 3-4 deck screws (ceramic coated preferable) to adhere board to framing.
3. The decking shall be 1x4 tongue and groove synthetic material made for open air scenarios (preferred) or 5/4” pressure treated decking or 5/4” solid synthetic decking spaced and installed perpendicular to the house. The decking shall extend past the porch skirting frame board by 1 inch.
4. The structural posts and newel posts shall be 6x6.
5. The newel posts shall be capped with a rot resistant wood, pyramidal cap.
6. All egress stair details shall be of rot resistant wood and be primed and painted. *****
John Roberson (architect) was present for tonight’s COA discussion:
Architect acknowledged the top decking was replaced by the property owner prior to receiving a COA for the project. Width of staircase is currently only 33”; building code requires 36”. Additionally, there are no risers present, nor spindles on the existing staircase.
Various modifications required by staff for the project as discussed (ex: post size, bullnosed treads, ¾” coving could be made of PVC, cap design for posts, etc.).
Motion made by Committee Member Crist to approve with staff recommendations. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Wiedmeyer.
The motion passed unanimously.
ADDITIONAL STAFF COMMENTS:
• Historic House walk attendance was around 850 people (higher than expected with the COVID still being active).
• Cemetery walk will be happening September 25th & 26th.
• Anticipating two new committee members to replace Roxworthy & Wiedmeyer, as their terms have come to an end.
CORRESPONDENCE:
None
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion to adjourn was made by Committee Member Roxworthy.
The motion was seconded by Committee Member Crist.
The motion passed unanimously.
The meeting of the Design Review Subcommittee was adjourned at 6:20 p.m.
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