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Record of Proceedings

Historic Preservation Commission Meeting – June 3, 2026

City Council & Commissions — Wednesday, June 3, 2026
BodyPark Ridge, Illinois
SessionCity Council & Commissions
DateWednesday, June 3, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 58:40

Original source
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0:03

Good evening and welcome to this Historic Preservation Commission meeting on Wednesday, June 3rd, uh 2026.

0:14

Could I have a roll call?

0:18

Uh Commissioner Healy is absent.

0:21

Commissioner Eggert, Habsent.

0:24

Chair Mattingley?

0:25

Present.

0:26

Commissioner McNeely.

0:27

Present.

0:28

Commissioner Pierce?

0:30

Present.

0:31

Commissioner Rowe?

0:32

Present.

0:33

Commissioner Ponticelli.

0:35

Present.

0:36

We have a quorum.

0:37

All right.

0:38

Could I have a motion with regard to the minutes from the last month's meeting?

0:43

Motion to approve the minutes from the May 6th meeting.

0:46

Second.

0:47

Second.

0:47

Thank you, Patrick.

0:48

Patrick.

0:51

I have one text change.

0:55

Page three, paragraph three.

0:59

Chair Mattingley stated that she would reach out to the local churches too.

1:02

And I think I'd like the word determined there in rather than evaluate their interest.

1:09

Anyone else have any comments or suggestions?

1:14

You can have it.

1:19

Can we don't need a roll call for okay?

1:23

Can uh all in favor of accepting the minutes as amended?

1:30

Aye.

1:31

All opposed.

1:33

All right.

1:34

We have a that has passed.

1:36

Uh let's move on.

1:38

Designation review cases.

1:39

We have none.

1:40

Action items.

1:42

We have a 100-year-old home at 911 South Washington Avenue.

1:47

Um would anybody the owner is present.

1:52

I assume you're the owner.

1:54

Uh if you want to come up to the microphone, you can.

1:57

I think your packet was awesome.

1:58

I loved the history.

2:00

I loved the old pictures.

2:02

Oh, wow.

2:04

How wonderful.

2:05

You can bring it up and we can see it closer.

2:14

I would anything, because we'll have to talk from the podium.

2:17

But if you just want to, if we could pass it around, and then if you can clarify, thank you.

2:22

It's all by itself.

2:25

How neat.

2:27

That's wonderful.

2:28

Oh my god.

2:29

And then once you all have looked at that, I can give a quick.

2:32

Oh my.

2:33

Is that beautiful?

2:35

Look at all the prairies.

2:37

And it looks, but you you've made it so pretty.

2:43

It is so proud.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Historic Preservation█████████████████████████████████████████████73%
Public Engagement███████12%
Procedural██████9%
Arts And Culture██3%
Sustainability Initiatives██3%
Summary of Proceedings

Historic Preservation Commission Meeting – June 3, 2026

The Park Ridge Historic Preservation Commission met on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included the approval of minutes, a unanimous vote to issue a 100‑year‑old home certificate, and extensive discussion on a proposed historic district in the Spanish Town neighborhood. Commissioners also received updates on the L. Hodges Addition survey, SHPO grants, and ongoing landmark projects.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Minutes (May 6, 2026): The minutes were approved as amended. Chair Mattingley requested that the text on page three, paragraph three be changed from "evaluate their interest" to "determined" in reference to outreach to local churches.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Kim Coolman (resident of Cortland) spoke in support of the proposed historic district and also raised a concern about the loss of old trees when homes are demolished, urging the commission to consider tree preservation as part of historic stewardship.

Discussion Items

  • 100‑Year‑Old Home Certificate (OH‑26‑03) – 911 S. Washington Avenue: The owner, Kathleen Arassi, presented the history of her home, built in 1924 (102 years old per Cook County records). She shared family photos, including an enlarged copy from the granddaughter of the original builder. The application met all qualifications. Commissioners praised the application and discussed plans to feature the home on the city’s social media, with Commissioner Matthew offering to digitally enhance the historic photo.
  • L. Hodges Addition – Intensive Historic Survey Update: Staff reported that the consultant is still internally reviewing the final report; no new information was received.
  • Future SHPO Grants Update: Two grant applications were submitted in May; no response has been received yet. Staff expects to hear by the end of the summer.
  • Discussion on Potential Historic District: Applicants Phil Payne (1305 S. Crescent), Emily MacArthur (430 Talcott Place), and Mike (address not stated, advising) presented a proposal to create a historic district covering five Spanish‑style homes in the Spanish Town neighborhood, all designed by architect Benedict Bruns and built in the 1920s. One of the homes (at 430 Talcott) is currently under sale with a buyer who reportedly intends to demolish it. The applicants urged expedited action to protect the properties. Staff (John Scopoletti) explained that the commission could not conduct a preliminary review at this meeting due to procedural requirements (public works review needed, agenda notice limits). However, a special meeting for preliminary review could be scheduled with 48‑hours’ public notice and at least four commissioners present. Commissioners expressed strong support for the historic district concept and offered to help coordinate a special meeting quickly to meet the applicants’ goal of a public hearing on July 1. The applicants noted that for the public hearing to be held July 1, notice must be published by June 8.
  • Council Liaison Report: Commissioner reported progress on the July 3 fountain ceremony (noon, with Mayor Maloney, John Shea, and Father Wallace participating). Music for the event is still being arranged; suggestions included contacting Maine South band students or School of Rock.
  • Landmark Plaques: Commissioner presented draft text for two landmark plaques (the Clute House and the gates of a subdivision). Members suggested using uppercase for each clause. Efforts to identify the prior vendor for plaques are ongoing.
  • Other Landmark Matters: A resident at 611 Cedar (landmarked home) wishes to install a lamp post; staff will verify if the property’s landmark status has been recorded with Cook County, as required by ordinance. Also, the lettering on the Paulding fountain is difficult to read; an antique restoration specialist may be needed to clean it without damage.
  • Bookmarks: The first historical bookmark (cost $70 for 200) was distributed. Commissioners discussed placing them at the library and at city hall, and displaying a foam‑core version at the June 27 Farmers Market.
  • Historic Preservation Awards: Staff will work with communications to promote the awards again, possibly through the Park Ridge Spokesman.

Key Outcomes

  • Motion carried unanimously to approve the 100‑year‑old home certificate for 911 S. Washington Avenue, as presented in case OH‑26‑03.
  • No formal action was taken on the proposed historic district, but the commission agreed to work with staff and the applicants to schedule a special preliminary review meeting as soon as possible, ideally before June 8 to allow time for public hearing notice by July 1. Staff will consult with the city attorney to confirm legal requirements.
  • Follow‑up: Staff will email commissioners about potential dates for the special meeting. The applicants will be notified of the schedule.
  • Next regular meeting: July 1, 2026 (quorum anticipated with at least four commissioners).

Meeting Transcript

Good evening and welcome to this Historic Preservation Commission meeting on Wednesday, June 3rd, uh 2026. Could I have a roll call? Uh Commissioner Healy is absent. Commissioner Eggert, Habsent. Chair Mattingley? Present. Commissioner McNeely. Present. Commissioner Pierce? Present. Commissioner Rowe? Present. Commissioner Ponticelli. Present. We have a quorum. All right. Could I have a motion with regard to the minutes from the last month's meeting? Motion to approve the minutes from the May 6th meeting. Second. Second. Thank you, Patrick. Patrick. I have one text change. Page three, paragraph three. Chair Mattingley stated that she would reach out to the local churches too. And I think I'd like the word determined there in rather than evaluate their interest. Anyone else have any comments or suggestions? You can have it. Can we don't need a roll call for okay? Can uh all in favor of accepting the minutes as amended? Aye. All opposed. All right. We have a that has passed. Uh let's move on. Designation review cases. We have none. Action items. We have a 100-year-old home at 911 South Washington Avenue. Um would anybody the owner is present. I assume you're the owner. Uh if you want to come up to the microphone, you can. I think your packet was awesome. I loved the history. I loved the old pictures. Oh, wow. How wonderful. You can bring it up and we can see it closer. I would anything, because we'll have to talk from the podium. But if you just want to, if we could pass it around, and then if you can clarify, thank you.

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