Historic Preservation Ordinance Recommended for Libertyville

After months of research and work on a draft ordinance, the Historic Preservation Committee is recommending a historic preservation ordinance in the .

This is not the first time a draft ordinance like this has been presented to the Village Board, said Committee Chairman Mike Kollman. A similar ordinance was presented in 2004, but nothing further happened, according to Kollman.

Although no date is set for the presentation of the draft ordinance to the Village Board, Kollman is confident this time will be different.

“They asked for the ordinance. They want it,” he said of the current Village Board.

Ordinance Offers Village More Control

The Historic Preservation Committee also then would become a commission. The six members who serve on the committee could be asked to serve on the commission, said Kollman.

According to the draft ordinance, building permits would be required to make changes to historic, cultural, architectural or archaeological features in structures or property. However, the ordinance only applies to the outside features on those sites.

Historic Preservation Districts

Historic preservation districts could be created in two ways, according to the draft ordinance. A group of homeowners could have their homes declared a historic preservation district if at least 51 percent of the homeowners agree. That process would begin with a petition. Or the commission, if created, could declare an area to be of historic significance through public hearings. 

Committee members used the Illinois state statute and ordinances from Lake Forest, Ill., Dallas, and Portland, Ore., for reference. They also studied a draft ordinance that was created about seven years ago but never approved.

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Guide to Libertyville's Proposed Historic Preservation Ordinance