With a goal of preserving its storied history while ensuring residents’ dealings with the village avoid becoming too cumbersome, Plainfield’s Village Board voted Monday to change the town’s demolition ordinance.
The new ordinance seeks to simplify the demolition process for property owners while making sure that historically significant buildings don’t get prematurely knocked down, according to a presentation by Village Planner Michael Garrigan.
Changes to the demolition ordinance include expediting demolition applications for properties not identified as 50 years old, historically significant or as a contributing structure to the village, village documents state.
If a structure is found to be historically significant or have played a part in the village’s history, a hearing will be scheduled before the Historic Preservation Commission within 30 days.
The village board will have final determination on demolition permit applications, and will be able to grant three-month delays to allow the preservation commission and the property owner to seek out a feasible alternative to demolition.
If an alternative is not found, “if the applicant so desires, a demolition permit shall be issued,” according to the presentation on the change presented Monday.
The change came about from a general discussion on the issue bandied about at a village Committee of the Whole meeting in September.
Plainfield recently granted landmark status to the Masonic Lodge building on downtown Lockport Street and is exploring ways to revitalize a historic trolley barn, also on Lockport. Elected officials have prioritized retaining the historic heritage of the downtown area.
The changes will expedite the applications of those looking to tear down historically insignificant structures, while making the process clearer for those applicants who own a potentially significant structure, according to the presentation.
Trustee Garrett Peck said Monday that the demolition issue has at times “divided” residents of the village, but that he felt the changes to the demolition ordinance made the most sense.
“It’s fair to all,” he said.
Also Monday, the village board voted to refinance $15 million in bonds issued in 2008 in order to take advantage of low interest rates.
The move will save the village about $772,000 over the life of the bonds, according to Management Services Director Traci Pleckham.
The board also approved Monday the annexation and re-zoning of a facility that sits right next to Plainfield, yet is technically in unincorporated Will County.
The move will allow Goldfish Swim School, a business offering swimming lessons to children, to set up shop in the Wolf Creek industrial park in the 12300 block of South Rhea Drive, according to village documents.
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The swim school owner sought annexation in order to access the village’s water and sewer services, according to village documents.
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