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City Council reverses landmarks board, denies demolition application for Building 90 at American Car Foundry complex
Summary
After a public hearing, the St. Charles City Council voted to reverse the Historic Landmarks Preservation and Architectural Review Board’s finding and denied Bax Engineering’s demolition application for Building 90 at 900 Main Street. The motion passed with one dissent and one abstention.
The St. Charles City Council voted on March 17 to reverse the Historic Landmarks Preservation and Architectural Review Board’s finding that preservation of Building 90 at the American Car Foundry complex is not technologically and economically feasible, and denied the demolition application filed by Bax Engineering Company.
The motion, made by Councilmember Bill Otto and seconded by Vince Ratchford, passed on a roll call with seven votes in favor, one against and one abstention. The tally recorded: Aye — Brian Gould, Mark Hollander, Denise Mitchell, Bill Otto, Vince Ratchford, Mary West and Michael Galba; Nay — Steve Hollander; Abstain — Justin Foust. The council’s action effectively denies Bax Engineering’s Certificate of Demolition application in Case No. D-2025-020.
The hearing followed procedures outlined by City Attorney Holly Magdziarz under Section 400.1310 of the City Code. The City of St. Charles appeared as the appellant and presented witnesses sworn under oath, including Assistant Director of Community Development and Planning Manager John Boyer, Historic Preservation Planner Taylor Moore and Acting Building Commissioner Brad Kerans. Bax Engineering’s representative Michael Durham also testified for the respondent.
Council admitted a set of exhibits into the record, including the transcript of the Landmarks meeting, sections of the City Code addressing demolition and appeals, staff reports and prior decision letters. During public comment, multiple members of the public spoke for and against the Landmarks Board decision; speakers included Amy Senter, Matt Thomason, Randy Schilling, Joe Ancmon, Scott Shipman, Chris Goellner, Tom Besselman and April Moxley.
Councilmembers posed questions to both sides during presentations and after public comment. Following rebuttals by the appellant and respondent, the Council voted to reverse the Board’s prior finding and to deny the demolition application. The Council later voted to close the evidence and adjourned the meeting.
The decision was recorded in the Council’s minutes and the denial of the demolition application is reflected in File #49423. The hearing concluded at approximately 9:33 p.m.
