Building Committee Creates Historical Overlay District

By Andrea Arens

The Peotone Building Committee, consisting of Trustees Gary Hudson, Todd Sandberg, and Nick Strba, agreed to create an “Old Town Historical Overlay” District at their meeting on March 25.

The purpose of creating the overlay district is to lay guidelines for a quality of appearance and to insure improvements of exteriors look compatible or improve the character. The goal is also to “simulate and protect public and private investment through the establishment of high standards, with respect to spatial enclosure, architectural design, building materials and appearance, and support the preservation of historically significant buildings.”

Hudson put in the work and suggested Peotone should’ve created the district a long time ago.

The overlay district would run from Crawford to Corning and from Third to West. While that may include some residential homes, in the future, it leaves the potential for businesses to expand beyond the downtown area.

Everything from restoration of historical buildings, additions, facade alterations, demolitions, installation or modification of parking, landscaping, signage, streetscape, fences, or lighting is expected to meet the design guidelines and must be approved prior to issuance of any permit.

A checklist would be used to determine what kind of review would be required. Regular maintenance wouldn’t need review, but facade improvements impacting 10 percent or more require administrative review.

Exterior facade improvements impacting more than 45 percent of the total facade would require a hearing by planning and zoning.

Restoration of historically significant buildings are expected to reflect the original architectural character of the building and keep as much of the original as possible.

Buildings that aren’t historically significant are asked to be generally compatible with the downtown area.

The guidelines also offer provisions for the handling of demolitions and require any lot vacant longer than 60 days to be landscaped, mulched and seeded, or sodded.

Lighting also prohibits LED lights and requires fixtures be downcast with warm light.

The expectation is the overlay district will provide guidelines but states the village will be open to new ideas and flexible in their interpretation of the guidelines.

“The mission was to create a document that serves as a policy guide for the physical improvement and development, within an area of boundaries, to serve as a guidance and marketing tool to promote the downtown, and to help attract desirable new investment and development to the area,” said Hudson.

Hudson also added the information for the district could be included on the village’s website. The goal would be to keep Peotone, Peotone – but ensure that the charm and character of historic buildings would be preserved.

Sandberg and Strba agreed. The document will go to the Planning and Zoning Commission next for approval before being presented to the board.