Aurora Historic Preservation Minutes 2012 11-20 Minutes

AURORA HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION (AHPC) Minutes November 20, 2012 CALL TO ORDER: Chair Cynthia Bean opened the meeting and noted the presence of a quorum.

ROLL CALL Present: Cynthia Bean Kevin Bean Brett Fehrman Chris Powell Cindy Rottinghaus Jo Ann Ruehl Seth Elder - Staff Rick Grubbs - Code Enforcement Officer Press was represented by Chandra Mattingly Upon motion by Ruehl, seconded by K. Bean, the October 16, 2012 minutes were approved as emailed.

HEARING OF VISITORS: There were no visitors.

COA REVIEW: 2012-01 - The Scharf property on 4th St, just purchased by Wayne House.

Upon motion by Fehrman, seconded by Ruehl, a conditional COA was approved for Mr. House to work with Staff until there is actual work to be approved by AHPC. 2012-02 – Great Crescent Brewery Upon motion by Rottinghaus, seconded by Ferhman, changing the existing garage door to make an entry door, and putting on an awning (on the alley side of the building) was approved.

2012-03 – 231, 233, and 235 2nd Street - Tony Conley would like to replace the original plate glass windows with double-hung windows, plus put on new storm doors (existing doors will remain). According to Elder, this is a non-contributing building and has been re-build in modern times (pre-AHPC). Upon motion by Fehrman, seconded by Rottinghaus, the COA was approved.

Note: the COA for the work adjacent to St. John’s Church is number 2102-00.

OLD BUSINESS: There was no Old Business

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NEW BUSINESS: There was no New Business.

OTHER BUSINESS Discussion took place regarding COA violations, as well as work done that was different than that approved by AHPC. Elder had discussed this with someone at Landmarks, who had experience with Historic Preservation Commissions in other cities. The gist of what Elder said follows: “Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of very positive options. She said that, when her commissions have acted on violations – i.e., passed citations along to the city attorney or code enforcer – the issue ended there, because it took very low priority. [This might be something to have a conversation about with Rick and the mayor, since we currently have two violations.]

In situations where the city has acted, it seems that they came to compromises on larger, ongoing projects. She mentioned where someone who installed bright white vinyl windows in violation of a COA worked with the commission to make sure the storm windows were more color- and detail-appropriate as a compromise. I’m not sure how a similar compromise would work in these situations.

She also mentioned that the enabling ordinance gives some leeway in having contractors who knowingly perform jobs in violation of HPC rules bear some of the costs of rectifying violations. [Rick might have more information to offer on how something like that would actually work. ]“ ANNOUNCEMENTS There were no Announcements ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the November 20, 2012, meeting of the Aurora Historic Preservation Commission was adjourned.

The next meeting will be December 18, 2012.

Minutes respectfully prepared and submitted by Cindy Rottinghaus, Secretary

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