Historic Commission Meeting – August 18, 2026

The Janesville Historic Commission met on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at 5:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. Six members were present, constituting a quorum. The meeting covered a debrief of the Tallman Arts Festival, a continued discussion on a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) application for 121 East Van Buren Street, and commission announcements.

Approval of Minutes

• The minutes of the August 4, 2026 regular meeting were approved with a motion and second, though one commissioner abstained.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No written or in-person public comments were received.

Discussion Items

• Debrief on Tallman Arts Festival: Commissioners discussed the festival's low attendance, largely attributed to heavy rain on Saturday. Concerns were raised about reduced marketing due to an executive director transition and changes to booth pricing (no required weekend commitment, suggested donation entry). Many vendors withdrew on Saturday to protect artwork. The commission also reflected on their own outreach: the history sleuths' table drew more visitors by displaying tangible objects. Discussion expanded to updating walking tour pamphlets (some from 1986–1987) and exploring digital media, including potential video partnerships with JATV and CLG grant funding for future pamphlet updates. Staff noted that a grant cycle begins in September, but the commission would not be ready until at least September 2027.
• COA 2026-08 – 121 East Van Buren Street (Terrill/Corro Project): The commission continued review of remaining project elements: replacing non-original aluminum siding with vinyl siding and wrapping second-story wood window casings with aluminum.
  • Siding: The applicant proposed white vinyl siding with a 4-inch reveal and wood grain finish (sample provided). The contractor confirmed a smooth finish was also available. Commissioners expressed that the wood grain option was an improvement over the existing smooth siding and economically reasonable. The siding portion was approved unanimously.
  • Window Casings: The applicant sought to wrap the upper window casings with coated aluminum to avoid maintenance issues (peeling paint, need for a lift). Several commissioners were reluctant to approve aluminum cladding, noting it does not meet historic standards. They preferred exploring alternative materials like PVC but lacked input from the absent contractor. The commission voted to deny the aluminum wrapping portion, with the understanding that a future meeting with the contractor and Commissioner Terrell (who has expertise but was absent) could be arranged to discuss alternatives. The applicant was informed that a new COA application would be needed for any revised window proposal.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: The siding portion of COA 2026-08 (white wood grain vinyl siding) was approved unanimously.
• Denied: The request to wrap window casings with aluminum was denied unanimously.
• Next Steps: Commission members will coordinate with the contractor and Commissioner Terrell to schedule an on-site meeting to explore alternative window casing materials. The applicant may submit a new COA application for any revised window work.
• Future Planning: The commission will consider applying for a CLG grant in the next cycle (starting September 2027) to update walking tour pamphlets. Staff will also explore digital media options with JATV.
• Announcement: Commissioner Stethem noted a workshop on proposed changes to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act on August 27, 2026, and encouraged attendance.