Politics & Government
Historic Preservation Committee Nears End of Its Work
Only two sections of the ordinance are left to discuss, then it will go to the village board for approval.
The Historic Preservation Committee is nearing the end of its work, said Chairman Michael Kollman at a recent meeting.
The committee will either disband or become a commission after the village board reviews and discusses the merits of their ordinance. The change is not expected to happen for at least one month.
The committee worked on what Kollman called ‘the teeth’ of the ordinance. If the ordinance is approved, home or business owners will have to appear before the Historic Preservation Commission for any modifications to the outside of the building.
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The Community Development Department will schedule a meeting within 45 days of receiving an application. If the building owner’s proposed changes are approved, the owner will receive a Certificate of Appropriateness and will have one year to begin the work. The certificate is non-transferable.
Committee members struggled with a timeline for allowing appeals. If they approve a change in a building, neighboring homeowners must be given a suitable amount of time to appeal the change, but according to staff members, building permits are usually given the next business day. Committee members are considering a delay of up to 10 business days to give the permit.
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Committee members also discussed the use of the word ‘compatible’ when used in conjunction with allowing changes. Some members felt the word too restrictive and that buildings would end up being too similar to one another. They agreed to further define the word by saying changes must be ‘in balance’ and should ‘harmonize’ with other adjacent buildings.
The commiettee will review and discuss Conservation Districts and Property maintenance at the May 18 meeting.
The committee is using an Illinois State statute, the Lake Forest ordinance, and a draft ordinance written for the village in the 1980s as references in creatinga Historic Preservation ordinance for the village. They have also been referencing information from several cities throughout the United States.
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