Kendall County Historic Preservation Commission met Feb. 19.
Here is the minutes provided by the commission:
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Jeff Wehrli called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Eric Bernacki, Elizabeth Flowers (Secretary) Kristine Heiman, and Jeff Wehrli (Chairman) Absent: Melissa Maye (Vice-Chairman) Also present: Matt Asselmeier, Senior Planner In the Audience: Cliff Fox, Lisa Wolancevich, Kelly Schomer, Victoria Wax, Gary Fruland, Sarah Skilton, Howard Manthei, Ken Donart, Lisa DiChiera, Jessica Gal, Joan Hardekopf, Mike Bortel, Tina Beaird, Anne Sears, Jeanne Valentine, Valerie Burd, Ken Wolf, and Johanne Byram
WELCOMING REMARKS
Chairman Wehrli thanked everybody for attending.
PRESENTATION BY CHAPEL ON THE GREEN
Howard Manthei gave the history of Chapel on the Green and their future plans. They have the original 1899 pipe organ. He offered to give the group a tour of the Chapel and the wedding dress museum.
PRESENTATION BY LANDMARKS ILLINOIS
Lisa DiChiera, Landmarks Illinois, provided a history of Landmarks Illinois and incentives available for historic preservation. She discussed the property tax assessment freeze for residential properties, the federal historic tax credit for income producing properties, the Illinois River’s Edge Historic Tax Credit, and the Illinois Historic Tax Credit Program. She also discussed the Certified Local Government Program. She recognized the work by people in Yorkville to preserve the Old Jail in Yorkville. She discussed the Most Endangered Places List.
PRESENTATION BY THE KENDALL-GRUNDY FARM BUREAU ON THE CENTENNIAL FARM PROGRAM
Victoria Wax, Kendall-Grundy Farm Bureau, explained the Centennial Farm Program. She provided a history of the program. She provided a list of centennial and sesquicentennial farms in Kendall County. She also provided an application for the program and the qualifications for applying. There is no minimum acreage requirement to qualify for the program. Discussion occurred regarding the right-to-farm clause.
ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION
Discussion occurred regarding the efforts to save the historic jail in Yorkville. They are also working on façade program in Yorkville.
Discussion occurred regarding preserving newspapers and potential copyright issues. Many newspapers are stored at the Chapel on the Green.
Mike Bortel discussed the building code event in Plainfield. He also discussed additional preservation efforts in Plainfield. He discussed the Plainfield historic building surveys. He suggested doing tours of Plainfield’s historic area to educate elected and appointed officials regarding the importance of preservation.
The Plano Historical Society is looking for a building.
Discussion occurred regarding saving a stone house in Sandwich.
Discussion occurred about the schools teaching local history in their curriculum.
Discussion occurred regarding the Conservation Foundation’s preservation efforts.
Mr. Asselmeier reported that several new Plat Maps and aerials have been added to the County’s website and the Kendall County Historic Preservation Commission awards.
Kendall County is working on obtaining Certified Local Government status.
Discussion occurred regarding older structures in Newark.
Discussion occurred about documenting events in the community and at the organizations represented at the meeting like changing a window at the Farnsworth House.
Furniture from Edith Farnsworth’s time will be temporarily displayed at the Farnsworth House.
DISCUSSION OF FUTURE MEETINGS
None
OTHER BUSINESS
None
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
ADJOURNMENT Chairman Wehrli adjourned the meeting at 9:05 p.m.
https://www.co.kendall.il.us/Home/ShowDocument?id=16793
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