Doors opening for Elgin bungalow owners

Owners of historic bungalows in Elgin can expect soon to be eligible to seek architectural grants from the city - even if they are not within historic districts - after a more than two-year initiative got the thumbs-up from city council members.

The city plans to create "thematic historic districts" for bungalows, meaning that bungalows generally dating from the early 1900s to the 1930s that meet certain architectural criteria would get the special designation, senior planner Sarosh Saher said. Thematic districts can comprise only one home and can be anywhere in town.

The unanimous vote cast without discussion by the city council's committee of the whole Wednesday was "a huge deal," said resident Len Govednik, a member of the Historic Elgin Bungalow Organization. Resident and local author Steve Stroud helped found the group.

"The bungalow has been an integral part of the American neighborhood since the early 20th century," Govednik said. "It was the ability of the American people to own a piece of America, because it was very affordable - and it is today, too."

The group is aware of about 2,000 bungalows in Elgin, many in the Southwest Area neighborhood but largely scattered throughout town, Govednik said.

Homeowners decide if they want to apply to be in a thematic historic district, Saher said. Nominations can be submitted by anyone but homeowners must give their OK for the process to start.

Once designated, homeowners will be required to comply with the city's historic preservation ordinance and design guidelines, such as when performing exterior work, Saher said.

The main benefit is homeowners will be eligible for the city's historic architectural rehabilitation grants and other benefits of the city's historic preservation program, Saher said. In the future, more thematic districts could be created for structures such as ranch houses and cobblestone houses, Saher added.

The Historic Elgin Bungalow Organization received a grant from the Chicago-based Richard H. Driehaus Foundation to pay for a consultant and informational material such as brochures, said Bill Briska, who just ended his term as chairman of the city's heritage commission. The commission will be in charge of evaluating which bungalows meet the new thematic district criteria.

Govednik said if his 1913 frame bungalow gets the designation, he might tap into the city's grant program to restore his roof. But to him, the main benefit is that future owners wouldn't be able to tamper with all the restoration work he's done on his home in the last 27 years, he said.

"I will sit back and just be happy that my house is going to be protected and is going to be recognized," he said. "For me, it's all about protecting the structure."

Anyone interested in more information can contact historic preservation planner Christen Sundquist at (847) 931-6004 or sundquistc@cityofelgin.org.