By Jonathan Samples | Bugle Staff
nweditor@buglenewspapers.com
@DownersGrvBugle
When the Downers Grove Historical Society revived Founders Day five years ago, it did so with the goal of celebrating the village’s unique history and highlighting the importance of preservation.
Preservation took on an even greater role this year.
Following a villagewide debate over the now-demolished Edwards House, the village of Downers Grove made significant changes to its historic preservation ordinance and historic landmark program.
“Now with the change in the preservation ordinance in Downers Grove, homes can qualify if they’re 50 years or older,” historical society President Tom Casey said.
In addition to staples such as the Downers Grove Bicycle Club’s historic bike ride and the Windy City Walkers’ self-guided walking tour, Founders Day 2016 also included a presentation designed to inform residents about the village’s updated landmarking requirements.
Stan Popovich, director of community development for the village, gave an overview of the new historic preservation ordinance during a May 7 event at the Downers Grove Public Library. Popovich outlined several changes to the ordinance and landmark program, which he described as “easier than ever.”
“The improvements to the program are that the program is now free, we’ve simplified the application requirements, and we’ve reduced the regulatory requirements,” Popovich said.
In order for a home to be designated a landmark by the village, it must meet several characteristics.
First, the home must either be at least 50 years old or be “exceptionally significant.” For example, Popovich said the latter characteristic could apply to homes that are less than 50 years old but designed by a historic architect or have some other historical significance.
If a home has one of these “A” characteristics, it must also check off at least one requirement in a second list of “B” criteria. These criteria include having significant value to the community, being previously owned by significant figure, featuring historic architectural characteristics, or being listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
“So to qualify, you have to qualify as A and one of the characteristics under B,” Popovich added.
In addition to the historic preservation ordinance, a new program offered by the Downers Grove Museum and the Downers Grove Historical Society also gives homeowners a way to see that their home or property is recognized.
Downers Grove Museum Curator Sarah Konzen said the Downers Grove Historic Home program was created as a way for homeowners to research their own property and seek an honorary recognition of its historical significance.
This recognition, which is separate from the village’s landmark program, looks to preserve the the history and integrity of homes, as well as educate the community about research and preservation.
“The research required is intense because we want to have the most accurate years,” Kozen told an audience at the Downers Grove Library. “Your hard-earned research will also be placed in the museum’s research library as permanent information that will be accessible to researchers who come to the museum to learn about certain homes, streets, families and or architectural styles that are present in Downers Grove.”
Homeowners who complete the historic home application and meet the program’s requirements would be eligible for the recognition and have the option to purchase a plaque denoting their home’s historical significance.
“What’s nice to with our program and our packet – once you complete that research and get recognized by both the historical society and the museum – your same research can also go towards the village’s landmark program,” Konzen said.
Popovich noted several similarities and differences between the two programs. While both are intended to preserve historic homes, he said that the village’s historic landmark program affords protection for historic structures and is primarily concerned with the physical traits of buildings, such as their architectural design or style.
“In order to apply for the village’s program, there’s not as much detailed research about the levels of ownership,” Popovich added.
Another difference between the two programs is the limits they place on making alterations to the home. The museum and historical society’s program does not place any limits on making changes to recognized homes.
However, the village’s historic landmark program separates different types of home improvements into three levels of review: no review, administrative review, and review by the village’s architectural design and review board. Work that does not require a review includes interior remodeling, routine maintenance and cleaning, landscaping or work performed on secondary or rear facades.
Administrative review is necessary for minor exterior modifications such as in-kind replacement of doors and windows or the constricting a porch. Review by the village’s architectural design and review board is necessary for major exterior modifications, such as demolition building additions or attached garages, or changing the roof height or pitch.
For more information on Founders Day, visit www.downersgrovehistory.org. To learn more about the histori
c home program, contact the Downers Grove Museum at 630-963-1309. For information on the village’s historic presrvation ordinance or historic landmark program, visit www.downers.us/govt/historic-preservation.