NW Illinois News

City of Galena Historic Preservation Commission met June 6.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

24HPC-017- CALL TO ORDER

Brown called the meeting of the Galena Historic Preservation Commission to order at 6:30 PM on Thursday, June 6, 2024.

24HPC-018- ROLL CALL

Upon roll call, the following members were present: Craig Albaugh, Matt Carroll, Jack Dennerlein, Judy Jackson, Jeremy White, & Craig Brown.

Absent: Chuck Horton

24HPC-019 – ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM

A quorum was declared.

24HPC-020 - PUBLIC COMMENTS

None

Motion: Albaugh moved, seconded by White, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission of April 4, 2024.

Discussion: None

The motion carried by voice.

NEW BUSINESS

24HPC-034. Discussion and possible action on a request by Paul Orzeske, owner and applicant, to construct 4 new single family homes at 201 N. High St.

Paul Orzeske, 13 Reliance Ln, Lincolnshire, IL, thanked the board for having him here. He stated he purchased 201 Elk formerly the old St. Mary’s playground with the intent to develop 4 new single family homes that would be in the landmark district. It would be in compliance with any historical landmark location compliance. This would consist of 2 story homes with 2 car garages with 2600 square feet. They would face North onto Franklin and have historic colors per the Sherwin Williams color wheel. The roofs will be standing seam, including the roof over the entry ways. Plan is going back to pocket community with a common area facing north to Franklin and Pergula to the East. There would be a 5 foot / 2 tier retaining wall with a limestone look. Automobiles would have access off of High St . This part of city street is not paved. Each home would consist of 2 bedrooms and 2.5 baths with a 2 car garage.

Brown asked if this is contingent on the High St being re-paved by the city and being a through road? Orzeske said a section of High St needs to be paved as a 25 feet curb cut is needed for access to the property.

Brown said You’re saying the street doesn’t need to go through? Emergency vehicles will need to go up and down the hills?

Albaugh stated it would never happen with Dodge Street.

Orzeske said it would be up to the city to progress with High St..

Brown said I see you purchased St. Mary’s school at tax sale. What is the intention with that? Orzeske Plan is to do a small inn/ bed and breakfast. said not in conjunction as it is 2 separate properties. Brown said St Mary’s is most important to Historic Board.

Orzeske said St Mary’s will have its own off street parking in front of the old St. Mary’s. They will not rely on each other. There will be 2 parking spaces per home.

Albaugh asked if the houses would be part of a HOA?

Orzeske said Yes, condominium HOA.

Brown asked if there was any other homes that are new construction in this area?

Orzeske said Yes, a white house on Dodge. (on 300 South Block)

Miller said Shattucks house. (322 S Dodge)

Brown asked about financials

Orzeske said he has 2 separate groups of investors. He changed it from being 5 units to 4 to fit current zoning.

Brown said obvious situation putting new in historic district, may change if St. Mary’s gets restored. Orzeske said one doesn’t rely on the other.

Brown said He needs a guarantee to restore St. Mary’s before he will approve something new.

Orzeske Intent is to restore St. Mary’s after this is complete. Access to Franklin may be issue if it is not opened up.

Albaugh- The area of Franklin & Elk, has very historic houses or are near them on Elk. This is a condensed area. You want to put in condensed modern houses that don’t belong there.

White agreed. Shot gun houses are older looking as these are too modern.

Dennerlein stated he needs more information on the St. Mary’s plan.

White agreed – Does this have direct preservation? I don’t think so.

Brown said he feels St. Mary’s history, but Orzeske doesn’t.

Albaugh said they should look more like “Horton” houses. These look like modern houses. Orzeske said these are separate properties with separate plans.

Brown and White both stated they don’t understand why this came before the board?

Miller explained they are totally separate parcels. What if they had separate owners?

Brown said if 2 owners they would not pass them.

White agreed.

Albaugh said they should each stand on their own merit.

White then agreed but said a simpler design would save money. Simpler homes like 505, 507, & 509 Park. Orzeske is not familiar with the Park addresses. He asked if they were looking for a simpler design? Brown said analogy compares to Parker and Marine Hospital

We are eliminating the value of St. Mary’s.

Someone pulled a picture of the Park Ave properties up on the screen so Orzeske could see them.

Orzeske said so you want no porches and flat rear elevation seen from Elk? He asked if he needed to change the back?

Albaugh, White and Brown all said that simpler houses would be better. The ones he was showing them looked like Swiss chalets.

White said the design is not fitting, it needs to be simplified. He liked the bay windows, but thought the back needed to be simpler.

Orzeske said if he tied the 2 properties together that would be a problem because he has 2 properties / different investors and different financing.

Brown said the board needs to know what the plan is for St. Mary’s. What are they going to do with the exterior?

Albaugh said he agrees they are separate projects.

Brown said not separate projects and 4 is too many units.

Orzeske said what density would you agree to?

Denerline said he would feel better if the plans are simpler.

Motion: –Albaugh motioned, seconded by Dennerlein, to deny the request by Paul Orzeske to construct 4 new single family homes at 201 N. High St.

Discussion: Brown and White both said Orzeske must come back with an exterior plan for St. Mary’s school before they would approve this project.

Ayes: Carroll, Jackson, & Albaugh

Nays: White & Brown

Abstain: Dennerlein

Absent: Horton

The motion carried.

24HPC-035 Discussion and possible action on the 2024 Historic Preservation Award.

Discussion:

Brown asked if they wanted to discuss the award or just vote. He said they can also table this if members of the board wanted to look around for other possible properties?

Miller stated -There is only one completed Historic property this past year and that is Matt Carroll’s home at 407 Meeker. Other properties were in progress, but not completed.

Motion: – White motioned, seconded by Dennerlein, to approve the 2024 Historic Preservation Award for 407 Meeker.

Ayes: Dennerlein, Jackson, White, Albaugh, & Brown

Nays: none

Abstained: Carroll

Absent: Horton

The motion carried.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

None.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

OTHER BUSINESS

None

24HPC-036 Adjournment

Motion: – Albaugh motioned, seconded by Jackson, to adjourn at 6:58 P.M. The motion carried by voice vote.

https://www.cityofgalena.org/media/cms/HPC_Agenda_71124_reduced_file_size_3C118607C7F44.pdf