Old house coming down in Libertyville despite neighbors' protests

An old house that was at the center of a heated property battle in Libertyville five years ago is coming down.

The 114-year-old house at 212 W. Maple Ave. is owned by the First Presbyterian Church, which stands nearby at 219 W. Maple.

The church has been granted a village permit to raze the structure, which reportedly has fallen into disrepair. Officials want to turn the land into open green space, according to a letter sent to neighbors late last month.

Some residents oppose the demolition, but Mayor Terry Weppler said village officials legally can't stop it.

"It's a property rights issue," Weppler said. "We can't prevent them from tearing it down. We can (only) control what's built there afterward."

The church's pastor couldn't be reached for comment. Other church employees declined to comment.

The church initially planned to demolish the house in 2009 as part of an expansion project. Officials proposed putting a parking lot on the land.

Residents at the time argued the demolition would hurt the character of the neighborhood, which is just south of downtown Libertyville.

The house dodged the wrecking ball back then when officials and church leaders reached a compromise that eliminated the planned parking lot.

Maple Avenue resident Jennifer Burkart is among the people who don't want the house razed. She'd rather see it restored.

"It could be a very beautiful house," Burkhart said.

She criticized First Presbyterian for knocking down several houses in the neighborhood through the years.

Weppler said he'd like to see the house saved, too.

"But do I have any control over that? No," he said.