NW Illinois News

City of Galena Historic Board of Appeals met Sept. 5.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

24HPC-046- CALL TO ORDER

Brown called the meeting of the Galena Historic Preservation Commission to order at 6:30 PM on Thursday, September 5, 2024.

24HPC-047- ROLL CALL

Upon roll call, the following members were present: Matt Carroll, Chuck Horton, Jeremy White, & Craig Brown.

Absent: Jack Dennerlein & Judy Jackson

24HPC-048 – ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM

A quorum was declared.

24HPC-049- PUBLIC COMMENTS

None

24HPC-021 – APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF April 4, 2024

Motion: Horton moved, seconded by White, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission of July 11, 2024.

Discussion: None

The motion carried by voice.

NEW BUSINESS

24HPC-051. Discussion and possible action on a request by Arrow Energy Solutions, applicant, and Fred Bonnett, owner, to install a 36 all black solar panel roof mounted solar array on the roof of 213 N. Main St.

Discussion:

Jeff West, 229 Council Fire Circle, Galena. Representing Arrow Energy Solutions. Explained that they wanted approval to put the solar array on the roof at 213 N Main St.

Brown stated This can’t be seen from street level nor from the firehouse steps.

Horton said Not any more visible than City Hall.

Brown said It would only be visible from high up.

Horton said You’d have to work hard to see them. It would not be an unhandsome roof. White said Would not see them from the Commerce Street side.

Brown stated Tin roofs look terrible and wanted to know if this would start something? West stated that they looked at a lot of places and some don’t work.

Horton said You have a good idea of where they can go.

West said From above you would only see the edges of the panels.

Brown said They would be black on black, right? Black doesn’t seem as shiny.

Horton said Matte black is good. The panels on Franklin are more noticeable.

Motion: –Horton motioned, seconded by Carroll, to approve the request by Arrow Energy Solutions, applicant, and Fred Bonnett, owner, to install a 36 all black solar panel roof mounted solar array on the roof of 213 N. Main St.

Ayes: Horton, White, Carroll, & Brown

Nays: none

Absent: Dennerlein & Jackson

The motion carried.

24HPC-052 Discussion and possible action on a request by Mad City Windows, applicant, and James and Mary O’Connor, owners, to replace the windows at 408 Broadway St. with new vinyl windows.

Discussion:

Jeff Hall from Mad City Windows explained the work was already completed before they knew that vinyl was not allowed. The owners inherited the property and lived in Florida, so they did not know it was in historic district. It should not have happened. Hoping to keep the windows in. Mad City Windows was excited to start working in this area and will make sure all future projects meet the standards of the city.

Brown said Let’s have the 2 contractors on this board comment on this.

Horton said There is a sign as you enter Broadway that states this is a historic district. It’s right in the middle of the street. The permit process was completely missed. We just don’t allow vinyl windows, they cannot stay.

Hall stated In most cities, replacement windows do not need permits. When we started in Davenport we got licensed and bonded. We can put in for permit now. Future projects will be done correctly. Homeowners are looking at paint colors.

Horton stated the solution is not painting. The material is against the historical district.

White said the material is not allowed in most historic districts.

Brown said we need to make a distinction between this and the Ridge St. house.

Horton said there is a 2nd comparable which is the homeowner on 3rd St had to remove the siding. White said Book World had to remove vinyl windows years ago.

Horton said This is right in the heart of the historic district.

Brown said he had concerns for the homeowner’s cost.

Horton said he felt bad too for the 3rd St homeowners. They had the high cost of siding. Carroll said He agreed with their opinions.

Brown said thanks for making things right for the future. There is no way we can do this, it sets a precedence for the future. I hope Mad City and the homeowners can agree on something.

Horton told Hall he needs to have a conversation with Jonathan on what is acceptable. He said they were custom sizes.

Motion: –Horton motioned, seconded by White, to deny a request by Mad City Windows, applicant, and James and Mary O’Connor, owners, to permit to replace the windows at 408 Broadway St. with new vinyl windows. Vinyl windows that are installed must be removed.

Ayes: Horton, White, Carroll, Brown

Nays: none

Absent: Dennerlein & Jackson

The motion carried.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

None.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

OTHER BUSINESS

None

24HPC-053 Adjournment

Motion: –Horton motioned, seconded by Carroll to adjourn at 6:48 P.M.

https://www.cityofgalena.org/media/cms/HPC_Agenda_10324_0550102ADFC14.pdf