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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Historic Preservation Commission
DATE: February 16, 2021
SUBJECT:
An Ordinance Approving a Text Amendment to the Historic Districts and Landmarks Guidelines to modify certain portions being B.2.6 Existing Garages, Carriage Houses and Outbuildings; B. 2.7 Gutters and Downspouts; B.2.14 Satellite Dishes, Antennas, and Solar Panels; B.2.18 Windows; B.2.19 Wood Siding; B.3.3 New Garages and Outbuildings; B.4.1 Fences and Walls; and B.4.5 Parking (City of Aurora - 21-0024/ KDWK-21.005-TXT/HP- JM)
PURPOSE:
Attached is an ordinance amending certain sections of the Historic Districts and Landmarks Guidelines. The proposed amendments are meant to clarify areas of the Guidelines where there is ambiguity or interpretation needed of the official document and to allow for the introduction of new materials where appropriate.
BACKGROUND:
The Aurora Preservation Commission was established by the City Council in 1979 to preserve properties that reflect Aurora’s historical, cultural, artistic, social, and ethnic heritage. In October of 1982, the City Council approved the first Historic Districts and Landmarks Guidelines to provide rehabilitation and restoration guidelines for properties within the then locally designated historic district(s) (R82-1043). Those guidelines have been updated from time to time with the latest revision being approved by City Council in 2012 (R12-236).
The proposed amendments are meant to clarify areas of the Guidelines where there is ambiguity or interpretation needed of this official document. The clarifications are based on the review of previous Historic Certificate of Appropriateness to officially incorporate what had been standard procedures in approvals and to codify the variations that the Preservation Commission routinely gave. In addition, the amendments update the Guidelines to follow standard practices in the preservation field by allowing for the inclusion of materials that have been introduced or have greatly improved since the drafting of the original Guidelines in 2006 to allow homeowners additional choices. Since 2006, the building industry has seen the introduction of new materials or technology that better replicate historic fabric. When the historic fabric is not present or too severely deteriorated, the Preservation Commission and staff felt the introduction of new materials would not negatively impact the historic recourses as there are new material that can resemble the original fabric. The revisions also allow for some additional flexibility in areas that would not have a negative impact to the historic resource and will still retain the overall intent of the preservation ordinance.
DISCUSSION:
The amendments include the following:
Section B.2.6 Existing Garages, Carriage Houses and Outbuildings: This text amendment would clarify when replacement doors of substitute material are permitted by staff. The policy over the years has been to allow substitute materials when replacing garage doors as long as they incorporate architectural features found on historic doors, such as raised panels and glass windows.
B. 2.7 Gutters and Downspouts: The use of the word "should" signifies that the Commission will be more flexible on these items. The “Gutters and Downspouts” section states that gutters and downspouts of early hang-on type should be half-round rather than “K” or ogee. This text amendment provides clarification on when half-round gutters shall be required.
B.2.14 Satellite Dishes, Antennas, and Solar Panels: This text amendment allows some additional flexibility by removing the definite shall not be visible statement currently in the guidelines and softens it to allow them when they are minimally visible and then expands that with further clarification taken from the National Park Service guidelines.
B.2.18 Windows: The text amendment would allow alternative material when the original wood window is not present or is beyond repair if the detailing, dimensions, proportions, type, grill pattern, muntin profiles, and styling are consistent with that of other historic windows. In recent years, many historic preservation commissions have begun allowing alternative material for replacement windows. The allowance of alternative materials is due in part to the recognition that modern wood windows may not have the longevity of historic wood windows and that alternative material can match the details of the historic windows.
B.2.19 Wood Siding: The text amendment outlines when cement board siding would be permitted. The Commission and staff found that standard practice for many preservation commissions in the area and the country to allow cement board siding in place of wood clapboard as it has been found to simulate wood siding.
B.3.3 New Garages and Outbuildings: Just like with existing garages, the policy over the years has been to allow substitute materials on new garages as long as they incorporate architectural features found on historic doors.
B.4.1 Fences and Walls: The amendment allows up to a 72 inch fence in an interior side yard only if the portion of said fence over 60 inches is more than 50% open. The amendment is to differentiate between front yards and side yards, to codify what was often being varied by the Preservation Commission, and to balance privacy concerns with the visibility of the historical structure(s).
B.4.5 Parking: This amendment would clarify that asphalt is permitted for repaving driveways. After review staff found that it had been standard practice to approve asphalt and the Commission believed that asphalt does not detract from the houses themselves and that concrete is often cost prohibited.
POLICIES AND GUIDELINES:
The Staff’s Evaluation and Recommendation are based on the following section(s) of the City of Aurora Historic Districts and Landmarks Guidelines:
B.2.6 Existing Garages, Carriage Houses and Outbuildings
B. 2.7 Gutters and Downspouts
B.2.14 Satellite Dishes, Antennas, and Solar Panels
B.2.18 Windows
B.2.19 Wood Siding
B.3.3 New Garages and Outbuildings
B.4.1 Fences and Walls
B.4.5 Parking
RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Historic Preservation Commission recommended APPROVAL of An Ordinance Approving a Text Amendment to the Historic Districts and Landmarks Guidelines to modify certain portions being B.2.6 Existing Garages, Carriage Houses and Outbuildings; B. 2.7 Gutters and Downspouts; B.2.14 Satellite Dishes, Antennas, and Solar Panels; B.2.18 Windows; B.2.19 Wood Siding; B.3.3 New Garages and Outbuildings; B.4.1 Fences and Walls; and B.4.5 Parking.
ATTACHMENTS:
Exhibit "A" Text Amendment to Historic Districts and Landmarks Design Guidelines - REDLINE
cc:
Alderman Michael B. Saville, Chairperson
Alderman Sherman Jenkins, Vice Chairperson
Alderman Carl Franco
Alderman Robert J. O’Connor
Alderman Juany Garza
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
ORDINANCE NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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An Ordinance Approving a Text Amendment to the Historic Districts and Landmarks Guidelines to modify certain portions being B.2.6 Existing Garages, Carriage Houses and Outbuildings; B. 2.7 Gutters and Downspouts; B.2.14 Satellite Dishes, Antennas, and Solar Panels; B.2.18 Windows; B.2.19 Wood Siding; B.3.3 New Garages and Outbuildings; B.4.1 Fences and Walls; and B.4.5 Parking
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the Aurora City Council approved the Aurora Preservation Ordinance in 1979 as Section 37 of the Aurora Code of Ordinances; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with Section 37-3 of the Aurora Preservation Ordinance, design guidelines may be approved and modified by the Aurora Preservation Commission with the approval of the Aurora City Council;
WHEARAS, said the Historic Districts and Landmarks Guidelines were approved by the Aurora City Council on April 10, 2001 and revisions to said guidelines were approved by the Aurora City Council on March 28, 2006 and September 11, 2012;
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Aurora has determined that it is necessary and desirable to amend the Historic Districts and Landmarks Design Guidelines in order to update and improve certain Sections of said Guidelines to better carry out the purpose and intent of the Preservation Ordinance; and
WHEREAS, on January 14, 2021 the Aurora Preservation Commission held a meeting on the amendments to said Guidelines and recommended approval of the amendment attached hereto and incorporated herein and hereinafter referred to as Exhibit “A”; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows:
Section One: That the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois finds as fact all of the preamble recitals of this Ordinance.
Section Two: That this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect, and shall be controlling, upon its passage and approval.
Section Three: That all Ordinances or part of Ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed insofar as any conflict exists.
Section Four: That any section, phrase or paragraph of this Ordinance that is construed to be invalid, void or unconstitutional shall not affect the remaining sections, phrases or paragraphs of this Ordinance which shall remain in full force and effect.
Section Five: That the amendments to the Historic Districts and Landmarks Design Guidelines are hereby adopted as set forth in said Exhibit “A”.