Chambana Sun

City of Urbana Historic Preservation Commission met May 17.

Here is the minutes provided by the Commission:

Members Present: Scott Dossett, Matt Metcalf, Gina Pagliuso, David Seyler, Trent Shepard, Kim Smith

Members Excused: Alice Novak

Staff Present: Kevin Garcia, Planner Ii

Others Present: None

1. Call To Order, Roll Call And Declaration Of Quorum

Vice Chairperson Smith called the meeting to order at 6:45 p.m. Roll call was taken, and a quorum was declared present.

2. Changes To The Agenda

There were none.

3. Approval Of Minutes

The minutes of the March 1, 2017 Historic Preservation Commission regular meeting were presented for approval.

Mr. Seyler moved that the Historic Preservation Commission approve the minutes as written. Mr. Shepard seconded the motion. The minutes were then approved as written by unanimous voice vote.

4. Written Communications

There were none.

5. Audience Participation

There was none.

6. Continued Public Hearings

There were none.

7. Old Business

There was none.

8. New Public Hearings

There were none.

9. New Business

There was none.

10. Monitoring Of Historic Properties

Mumford House 1403 East Lorado Taft Drive

Kevin Garcia, Planner II, announced that the University of Illinois has developed a new Draft Master Plan. It shows the Mumford House being removed. He had been in communication with Chair Novak and she offered to write a letter to the University of Illinois on behalf of the Historic Preservation Commission.

Mr. Metcalf mentioned that he had done research on the house. In 2009, the Board of Trustees at the University of Illinois had approved rehabilitating the Mumford House. However, after receiving some bids on how much it would cost to rehab it, the project disappeared from the map and in 2010, the Board of Trustees decided to “mothball” it. This did not mean tearing it down though.

Ms. Pagliuso commented that the University of Illinois had removed the newer addition. She had heard speculation that part of the deal of putting the bell tower up was to remove the Mumford House.

Mr. Metcalf stated the importance of the Mumford House remaining in its current location. Where it stands now, you can look in one direction and see the Morrow Plots. You can turn in another direction and see the Greenhouses, and it is not located far from the old Stock Building. The Mumford House was considered a model farm house and the plans were exhibited in the Philadelphia Centennial International Exhibition of 1876 as the way things should be done. Back then, agriculture was the University of Illinois’s number one priority, and the way the house and other elements were designed related to this.

The Historic Preservation Commission members all agreed that Chair Novak should write a letter to the University of Illinois.

Royer House 801 West Oregon Street

Ms. Pagliuso inquired about the sign that says “Clubhaus” in front of the Royer House. Mr. Garcia replied that he believed the sign was put up by tenants. He would contact the property owner and ask that it be removed.

708-710 West Green Street Ms. Pagliuso noticed that construction had begun on these two properties and inquired about an old storm drain that runs through these properties. Mr. Garcia mentioned that the property owner received approval from the MOR Development Review Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals for a variance to construct a new development on the two lots. There is a 72-inch wide brick storm sewer line that runs through the eastern portion of 708 West Green Street. The City of Urbana now has an easement for the sewer line, so it will not be disturbed.

11. Staff Report

There was none.

12. Study Session

There was none.

13. Announcements

Historic Preservation Tour

Mr. Garcia announced that he would be able to assist/join in the “Urbana’s Early 20th Century Houses” tour on Saturday, May 20, 2017 at 10:00 beginning at the Farmer’s Market.

14. Adjournment

Mr. Dossett moved that the meeting be adjourned. Mr. Shepard seconded the motion. With all Commission members in favor, the meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.

http://www.urbanaillinois.us/sites/default/files/attachments/05-17-2017_0.pdf