City of Charleston Historic Preservation Commission met May 4.
Here is the minutes as provided by the commission:
1. Call to Order: Chair Bob Bertrand called the meeting to order at 8:01 a.m.
2. Roll Call: Present were Commissioners Bob Bertrand, Erin Blitz, Giuliana Dongu, Merry Lichtenberger, Blair Lord, Kit Morice, Peter Quinn and ex-officio members Matt Madigan and Nora Pat Small. Also present were City Clerk Deborah Muller, City Planner Steve Pamperin, and City Inspector Alex Winkler.
3. Introduction of Guests: Present were COA petitioner Greg Petersen and 6th Street resident Sallie Cougill.
New Business
1. Certificate of Appropriateness (COA)—900 7th Street, Greg Petersen
Property owner Greg Petersen addressed the commission with the scope of the project, the replacement of a rear stairs on the back (west) side of the house that services the upstairs apartment. The old stairs are serviceable but he would like to replace them with an updated version. His contractor removed the old stairs before it was called to his attention that this action required a COA and he apologized for the oversight.
Small asked if the stairs had the same footprint as the previous ones; Petersen answered that they would be similar but with a turn to meet current codes. He added they are not visible from the street. This
is the only entrance/exit from the upstairs apartment. There will be a lattice skirt and lattice on the handrails to match latticework in the front of the house. He has owned this property for 13 years and the vinyl siding was put upon before the establishment of the 6th & 7th Streets Historic District. Petersen submitted a list of neighbors who had signed a “Certification of Approval for Alterations at 900 7th Street” approving of his plans.
Sallie Cougill then spoke about Petersen’s reputation for maintaining his properties within the Historic District and that she can view the staircase from her back yard; her signature was included on the certification produced by Petersen.
Bertrand asked for a motion to go to a vote; Lichtenberger made the motion and Morice seconded; passed unanimously. Blitz then made the motion to approve the COA and Lord seconded; passed unanimously.
Old Business
1. Pamperin asked if anyone had information about the plaque on the Sherer Block building. There was a brief discussion about the possible time period it was placed there and who might have done it, perhaps a former business owner? It is believed the plaque was not funded by an official organization such as the DAR or the Illinois State Historical Society.
2. Cougill then addressed the HPC about her concerns with the Sigma Pi renovations at 956 7th Street. She thanked the HPC for their time spent on the matter and reiterated her concern about the density of the residents there and activity across the street from her residence. She and her neighbors are appreciative of the HPC’s efforts to maintain the integrity of the house and Historic District, and they are interested in attending more HPC meetings.
Meeting Adjournment: Blitz made the motion to adjourn and Lord seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 8:26am.
https://www.charlestonillinois.org/vertical/sites/%7B48D19AF4-26A9-444F-A5B9-99631D71D5F2%7D/uploads/HPC_Minutes_5-4-2018--Spec._Mtg.pdf
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