Adopted Village Code Amendments to Encourage Preservation of Historic or Architecturally Significant Homes

Given the recent demolition or potential demolition of a number of homes that the Landmark Preservation Commission has determined to be historic or architecturally significant, on March 16, 2021, the Village Council adopted Ordinance MC-2-2021 amending the Village Code to further encourage the preservation of historic or architecturally significant homes. The amendments include:  

  • Extending Demolition Delay Time Period. The Landmark Preservation Commission may now order the issuance of a demolition delay of a historic or architecturally significant home for a period up to, but not exceeding 270 days from the date the Commission determines that an applicant is required to submit a historic and architectural impact study for the home the applicant wishes to demolish. The demolition delay period is intended to afford an opportunity for an owner to explore and find alternatives to the demolition of a historic and architecturally significant homes.

    Prior to the adoption of Ordinance MC-2-2021,  the demolition review process, including the delay period, for a historic or architecturally significant home can typically take between 150 and 180 days from the date a complete application is filed with the Village. With the recent amendment, the typical demolition review process for a historic or architecturally significant home would be between 300 and 330 days from the date of a complete application submittal.
  • For those homes not found to be historic or architecturally significant, the demolition review process may typically take between 30 and 120 days depending upon whether a historic and architectural impact study (HAIS) is required.  (If an HAIS is not required, typically 30 to 60 days.  If an HAIS is required, but the home is not found to be significant, typically 60 to 120 days.)
  • Providing Maximum Building Size Bonus. The adopted amendments provide a 20% maximum building size bonus to any single-family home that the Commission finds to be historic or architecturally significant provided that the home is not demolished or altered in a manner that destroys the home’s historic or architectural significance. The goal of the bonus is to encourage property owners and developers to preserve significant homes rather than demolish them.

The following links will take you to copies of the Demolition Permit Ordinance, with the amendments incorporated, and the newly adopted Maximum Building Size Bonuses Ordinance.

The following links will take you to information regarding the Village Council’s discussion regarding how to encourage preservation of the historic and architecturally significant homes and its discussion of the current proposed code amendments.  

  • January 12, 2021, Village Council Study Session– Discussion leading to proposed code amendments.
  • February 16, 2021, Village Council Meeting– Discussion of draft proposed code amendments.
  • March 2, 2021, Village Council Meeting– Public hearing on proposed code amendments. 
  • March 16, 2021, Village Council Meeting- Adoption of proposed code amendments.

If you have questions regarding the amendments, please contact email David Schoon, Community Development Director, or call 847-716-3526.