ROLL CALL AND DETERMINATION OF QUORUM:
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A MOTION was made by Commissioner Olafson to APPROVE the April 14, 2026 meeting minutes. The MOTION was SECONDED by Commissioner St. Angel and CARRIED by a vote of 4-0-1, Commissioner Hoeft abstained from voting.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Certificate of Appropriateness – Francois Moret – 304 South Second Street –construction a new attached structure to cover the existing cellar door.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Certificate of Appropriateness – UEP Chick House LLC – 119, 121, & 123 South Main Street – replace existing street facing and rear windows with new aluminum single hung windows with slash and brick mold details, and new exterior paint as described on the submitted application.
COMMUNICATION AND STAFF REPORT
ADJOURNMENT
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.
Present: Valerie Olafson, Amanda Becker, Frank St. Angel, James Hoeft, and Brad Benedict
Absent: Alderman Mark Bonne, Maureen Kirschmann
Staff: Rudy Moreno, Scott Capovilla
Other: Charles & Jeanie Shumaker, Jesse Carmona
Meeting was called to order at 5:30 PM by Chairperson Amanda Becker
Rudy Moreno, HPC Secretary, informed the HPC that Francois Moret, homeowner, could not make this meeting, but did provide a rendering as requested at the April 14, 2026 meeting.
Commissioners discussed the door orientation and height of the proposed structure. Commissioner St. Angel shared a picture of a preferred layout.
Commissioner Olafson asked City staff if the HPC is allowed to request changes to a proposed design. Scott Capovilla, Planning and Zoning Manager, clarified the HPC is allowed to suggest modifications to a proposed design.
Commissioner Olafson made a motion to approve the structure under the condition it is constructed with gable roof facing the structure entrance and has a pitch matching the front porch roof.
Jesse Carmona, Permit Expediter with UEP, described the proposed changes to the to the windows and exterior modifications.
Mr. Carmona shared old photographs of the exterior of the building and clarified they will be rebuilding the balcony and railings, at some point in the future, to match the original but it will not be occupied by residents as shown in the photographs.
Mr. Carmona and the HPC discussed the original balcony rails.
Commissioner Olafson asked if they will have to do tuckpointing. Mr. Carmona affirm they will have to tuckpoint and repair or replace damaged brick before applying the paint.
Commissioner Olafson asked if this work was presented to Darius Bryjka at the Illinois State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). Mr. Carmona confirmed these alterations were approved by SHPO.
2. Request for Certificate of Appropriateness – Charles & Jeanie Shumaker – 326 South Second Street– replace a section of existing wooden fencing and construct a wooden deck and gazebo over an existing concrete pad in the rear yard.
Mr. Capovilla mentioned the submittal of landmark applications for the Briggs Mansion and Otis Eddy Homestead. Mr. Capovilla also clarified any HPC member can submit landmark applications.
Mr. Capovilla explained the next step is to schedule a meeting within 60 days of the landmark applications. Commissioner Olafson suggested having a discussion during the next HPC meeting in June.
Mr. Capovilla briefly described the landmark application processes.
Commissioner Benedict mentioned he will not be willing to vote or endorse a landmark nomination when the property owner objects to landmark designation.
Commissioner Hoeft agreed with Commissioner Benedict’s position on landmark designations and explained the wants of the HPC to be more of a resource to the community.
HPC further discussed existing landmark nominations and property owner consent.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:34 pm