Historic Preservation Commission

City Hall, Second Floor

Agenda — 23 items

1. I. ROLL CALL AND DETERMINATION OF QUORUM:
2. 2 Present: Amanda Becker, Maureen Kirschmann, Frank St. Angel, James Hoeft, Brad Benedict, Valerie Olafson Absent: Alderman Mark Bonne Staff: Scott Capovilla Other: Kevin Haas, David Byrnes, Danielle Puhl, Peter Herdklotz, Joshua Copher, Charles Shumaker, Jeanie Shumaker, Brandy Salivar, Brandon Jones
3. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
4. 4 Meeting of June 9, 2026
5. III. PUBLIC HEARINGS
6. 7 Chairperson Amanda Becker requested to delay the public hearing to later in the meeting and take the applications for the Certificates of Appropriateness first. Commissioners agreed unanimously by a voice vote. A & E Tool & Gage Company at 1202 Eddy Avenue – Request for Landmark Status The owner, Peter Herdklotz, presented his application for landmark status to the commission. Mr. Herdklotz stated this building was constructed in 1949 and the architecture is considered Streamline Moderne. He stated the curvilinear geometry and block glass are signatures of this style. He stated this was also a significant site as it was one of only 3 toy manufacturers in Rockford. Commissioner Olafson agrees that this site does meet Criteria B, “Exceptional example of a historic or vernacular style, or one of the few remaining in the City of Rockford” but did not agree that this site met Criteria F for “the property most closely associated with the life or activities of a major historic person, organization or group (including ethnic groups)”. Commissioner Olafson stated that the toy factory would not qualify under this criteria. She requested that criteria be removed if this application is to be approved. Commissioner Becker stated that Midgetoys were very popular in northwest Rockford. Commissioner Benedict stated that Studio GWA gave it credibility with their work on the application. Commissioner Olafson reiterated that this property would still qualify for landmark status under Criteria B. Approved
7. IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
8. 10 Otis Eddy Homestead at 2520 North Main Street
9. 11 The commissioners continued their discussion on this landmark application. Commissioner Olafson wanted to know if the application was updated. Commissioner Becker stated photos were taken. Commissioner Olafson said they need to be numbered and labeled on the site plan. Tabled
10. V. NEW BUSINESS
11. 13 1. Certificate of Appropriateness - Jackie Reuber - 705 Regan Street - install sections of 4 ft. vinyl picket and privacy fencing and 6 ft. vinyl privacy fencing.
12. 14 2. Certificate of Appropriateness - Michael Puhl - 1364 Brown Hills Road - replacement of an existing asphalt driveway with matching material.
13. 15 3. Certificate of Appropriateness - Brandon Jones - 414 South Second Street - reconstruction of a garage in the rear yard as described on the submitted application.
14. 16 4. Certificate of Appropriateness - Charles & Jeanie Shumaker - 326 South Second Street - replacement an existing driveway with asphalt.
15. 16 Install sections of 4-foot vinyl picket and privacy fencing and 6-foot vinyl privacy fencing. Joshua Copher is the owner and explained how the overgrown hedges were removed. The proposed fence would replace the hedges. They are proposing vinyl picket for the front and vinyl privacy in the rear. Commissioner Kirschmann stated the fence should be made of wood not vinyl to be historically correct. Approved
16. VI. COMMUNICATION AND STAFF REPORT
17. 18 No Report
18. VII. ADJOURNMENT
19. 19 Replacement of an existing asphalt driveway with matching material. Danielle Puhl was present on behalf of her husband and requested they be able to replace their existing asphalt driveway with asphalt. Commissioner Kirschmann said this was a straight forward application and was happy to see the driveway being replaced. Approved
20. 20 THE CITY OF ROCKFORD INTENDS TO COMPLY WITH THE INTENT AND SPIRIT OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT. IF A SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER, PERSONAL P.A. SYSTEM, OR OTHER SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS ARE NEEDED, PLEASE CALL THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT AT (779) 348-7391 AT LEAST 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE, SO WE CAN BE PREPARED TO ASSIST YOU.
21. 22 Reconstruction of a garage in the rear yard as described on the submitted application. Brandon Jones is the contractor and was hired to replace a garage that had burned down. He stated it will need a new slab as well. Mr. Jones said they would use wood lap siding, architectural shingles and install a single man door. He did state the old garage had one metal door and the other one was original carriage wood door. He was requesting to allow both new doors to be metal. Mr. Jones said the garage and garage doors would be painted to match the colors of the house. Commissioner St. Angel stated that the garage was setback to the rear of the property and not visible from the road.
22. 25 Replacement of an existing driveway with asphalt. Jeanie Shumaker explained why they cannot do concrete for the driveway replacement. She stated the existing driveway is actually asphalt but it is so worn and torn up it is hard to tell. Commissioner Olafson asked staff what type of material the city was using for alleys. Scott Capovilla stated it depended on the current material as well as the needs of the area but is mostly asphalt. Commissioner Olafson asked if they could soften up the approach from the street and match the first 8 or 10 feet of the concrete driveway to align with the concrete driveway of the Nordic Center. Ms. Shumaker stated they would have to hire two different contractors and this would add to the cost. She stated they wanted to keep it simple and they are working with their neighbor, Brandy Salivar to just pave to the portion of the driveway to the north of Ms. Salivar’s garage. Ms. Shumaker stated there are two properties north of them that access their properties via this driveway but they are not participating in the cost so that portion would not be paved. Approved
23. 31 The meeting was adjourned at 6:35 pm