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FACADE Committee Minutes 2002 07-24-021 UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE 1 FACADE COMMITTEE MEETING WEDNESDAY,JULY 24,2002 7:00 P.M. to-30.0 a- In attendance: Richard Scheffrahn John Cordogan Johanna Byram Tom Smith Bob Ament Bill Dettmer Alderwoman Valerie Burd Mayor Art Prochaska EXPAND PROGRAM TERRITORY Chairman Scheffrahn stated that the Committee needed to address the territory the program covered. Currently it supports the downtown area from the Fox River south to Fox Road and from Morgan Street on the west and Mill Street on the east. Alderwoman Burd reported that the City Council discussed the possibility of expanding the program because requests from outside the designated area were being received. She stated that the Council felt that the increased area could cause problems in determining the qualifications of the building(building age,period, style, etc.). The Council agreed that the program should be a continuation of the improvement of the downtown area and they discussed focusing on the backs of the buildings. Alderwoman Burd and Mayor Prochaska expressed their concern's that there are businesses outside the area that would benefit from the program. The Committee discussed that fact that the Façade Program was a pilot program,which now needs to become a full program. When this is done,it could be specified if the program is just for the downtown area or citywide. Alderwoman Burd stated that she and the Mayor envisioned expanding the program. Chairman Scheffrahn commented that he would like to see this but there needed to be the requests and funding to justify expansion. The Committee discussed the use of funds not expended. Alderwoman Burd suggested the funds be expended on improvements such as streetlights for the downtown rather than being rolled over. Chairman Scheffrahn commented that the purpose of the program was to encourage property owners to improve their buildings;he did not feel that items such as streetlights followed the intent of the program. Bill Dettmer reported on the Downtown Study that Northern Illinois University(NIU)was doing. He stated that the study has not been officially released however there are some interesting conceptual ideas in it that the Committee could maybe begin addressing. He stated that he was working with the study group and that they had walked the downtown area,met with some of the business owners and viewed the backs of the buildings. He suggested having a meeting with the property owners to share the study's ideas with them. He felt that the report would be a good place for the Committee to generate interest from businesses and develop the program. He also noted that the owner of the property just south of the Fox River and west of Route 47 asked about improvements to the rear of his building. Mayor Prochaska explained that the study was looking at land use and development in the area south from the river to Van Emmon Road,between Mill and Morgan Streets, and along Main Street down to Fox Road(the Courthouse area). He indicated that they have a rough draft and the final draft should be completed soon. The Committee discussed expanding the program area. John Cordogan commented that there are many buildings throughout Yorkville that could benefit from a program and it might motivate enhancement or preservation of buildings. He felt that a larger area of the downtown could be defined or a method could be created for those not included in the boundaries to petition the Page 1 of 3 2 Committee for funding. Criteria could be established for evaluation of properties outside the existing boundaries. A core zone could be established and then a secondary zone which would be based on merit. He was in favor of expansion of the district by virtue of petitions or by creating zones. He even suggested that residential buildings could be included in the program and stated that the renovation of buildings with a historic nature should be encouraged. Tom Smith noted that there is a recycling of old residential buildings into commercial businesses so it's hard to define an area for the program. He suggested that a timeline be used. Mayor Prochaska noted that with the widening of Route 47,there could be changes in the use of properties. He asked what was the group trying to preserve. The Committee discussed this question and they agreed that the program is to preserve and enhance the character of buildings. The program's intent was discussed. Alderwoman Burd noted that the program was originally written to preserve the character of a late 1800's community. Johanna Byram stated that she understood that maintaining the integrity of an area meant restoring it so that if someone from the time period the building was built returned today he or she would recognize it. The buildings in Yorkville's downtown were built around 1850. She suggested that secondary buildings in the program would be maintain the character of the building when it was built whether it be 1920 or 1950. Mr. Scheffrahn noted the program was written for the downtown area in an effort to revitalize it and clean up the rear of the buildings for when Route 47 is widened. The Committee discussed the affects of the Route 47 widening on the businesses and the need for improving the rear entrances and parking. The possibility of patio areas in the rear was also discussed along with landscaping. Chairman Scheffrahn suggested that with the widening of Route 47 still a few years off,the Committee should focus on the rear of the buildings using the downtown study as a springboard. After this is completed,the program could be opened up to the remainder of the community as he agreed that at some point the program should be expanded. Mayor Prochaska and Alderwoman Surd stated that they have both received inquiries from property owners outside the downtown area regarding the program. Mayor Prochaska liked Mr. Cordogan's idea of prioritizing or zoning areas. The downtown area would concentrate on returning to the turn-of-the-century era whereas other properties would be restored to the original integrity of the building. Mr. Ament commented that downtown Yorkville has greatly changed through the years. He noted that anyone returning since 1935 for example would not recognize the area, there is no connection to the past. He noted things like roll down awnings were in fashion in the past and some of the facades do not have a definite time connection. Chairman Scheffrahn recommended that the Facade Committee request that city amend the original ordinance to expand the program to all of Yorkville. The ordinance should include a provision to encourage the continued renovation of the downtown to its historical nature and the balance of the community to time appropriate character. The Committee discussed setting a time frame for other buildings. Mr. Dettmer noted that other areas he has worked with targeted an area of the city and a date of construction. Mr. Cordogan noted that other programs he has seen have been area specific. He suggested using pre-World War II or 1940 construction as a cut off date because during World War II there wasn't a lot of building and it makes a clean cut-off date. He also recommended not making the program area specific to see what the demand is for. Mayor Prochaska noted that from a budgeting point of view the program should have limits. Mr. Cordogan suggested that the first priority of the program be the original downtown area,areas contiguous to the core area be second priority and the balance be third priority. Chairman Page 2 of 3 3 Scheffrahn suggested that the second priority area include areas along the major corridors of the city and he agreed that the cut-off be 1940. Mr. Cordogan made a motion requesting an ordinance amending the existing Facade Program. The revision would state that the program's first priority would be the renovation of Yorkville's downtown district,the second priority would be contiguous areas and those along Routes 47 and 34 and the balance of Yorkville would be the third priority. The program would apply to buildings constructed prior to 1940. Mr. Smith seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved by a viva voce vote. PROMOTE 02/03 BUDGET MONEY Chairman Scheffrahn stated that there were funds remaining from the previous year but Mayor Prochaska noted that these funds were applied to the funding of the NIU Downtown Study. The Mayor verified that there was$20,000.00 in this year's budget. Chairman Scheffrahn stated that since there were few requests to participate in the program in the past year,the Committee should develop a way to promote the program. He suggested promoting the Downtown Study along with the Facade Program through meetings with property owners. Alderwoman Burd suggested getting the local newspapers to do a feature on the program and the improvements that have been done with the funds or promoting the program at the Riverfront Fest with a display of before and after photos. Mayor Prochaska suggested developing a flyer to distribute to the downtown building owners. He also stated that the downtown business owners usually meet and that would be a good opportunity to remind them of the program. FACADE REQUESTS Fox Flooring Mr. Dettmer explained that the owner of Fox Flooring was ill and could not attend. He stated that they have finished the work on the facade and he will have them attend the next meeting. He stated that he went through the receipts presented because the cost came in higher than anticipated. Alderwoman Burd expressed her concern that they came to the Committee and never followed through with presenting their plans. The work on the facade of the building was done without any input from the Committee. Chairman Scheffrahn agreed with Alderwoman Burd. Mr. Dettmer stated that there was a lack of minutes from the meeting where this was discussed, there were no drawings or pictures from the property owner and he asked for input from the Committee. Mr. Cordogan stated that if something effective was done to the building, the owner should received some funds. He did feel that if further work is to be done,it should be documented with pictures or drawings. Bob Dearborn's Buildings Mr. Dettmer reported that Mr. Dearborn has not brought in any information regarding the renovation of his buildings. He is looking at doing work on the rear entrance of the Bridge Street Café. He will ask Mr. Dearborn to attend the next meeting. Dixon Building The owners of the Dixon Building on the southeast corner of Hydraulic and Route 47 have asked about renovations to the rear of their building. Mr. Scheffrahn noted that this was a 1950's era building. Mr. Dettmer stated that he would be talking to the owners regarding the program. The Committee scheduled their next meeting for August 28,2002 at 7:00 P.M. Mr. Cordogan made a motion to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Chairman Scheffrahn. Motion approved by a viva voce vote. The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 P.M. Minutes submitted by Jackie Milschewski,City Clerk Page 3 of 3 FACADE COMMITTEE July 24, 2002 PLEASE SIGN IN! NAME: ADDRESS: J-C---phavena 1r-a w\ Nth/2 ea^cio i X7 A i/ Mit4L c6aA6( SIGNIN