Libertyville moves to preserve its history

Libertyville residents consistently say the character of the community is a big reason they came and have stayed there.

Part of that ambience is the charm of the historic buildings lining Milwaukee Avenue downtown and an appreciation for old homes and structures.

Although those traits have remained constant, the village never has had an official mechanism to protect historic or significant structures.

That likely will change with a recent village board decision to proceed with a historic preservation ordinance.

The measure initially will focus on commercial and institutional buildings in the downtown area, although neighborhoods, too, will get some attention.

“We look at this, and a lot of people do, as an investment,” said Mike Kollman, a local architect and chairman of the village's historic preservation committee. “You can't recreate these old downtowns. Either you have it or you don't.”

Other suggestions include developing a “parallel path” approach so projects can either go through the standard process now in place or a historic review. Residential areas would be considered as “conservation districts” with guidelines for restoration.

“The conservation area will give you a lot less mandatory regulation,” Kollman said.

While details are to be determined, the recommendations suggest that red tape be limited. One of the main thrusts of having a preservation ordinance is to allow for review before a property owner could demolish a structure downtown.

“Typically, you don't realize you need this until you lose a historic building,” Kollman said during a recent presentation to the village board. “This is the tool we feel is in our best interest to have on the books.”

To prevent a tear down before regulations regarding historic preservation become official, the village board Tuesday approved a six-month moratorium on demolition permits for any portion of the exterior walls and roofs of commercial buildings downtown.

“It's to ensure we don't drive up some day and see a big hole,” Mayor Terry Weppler said. “We want to protect what's there.”

Village leaders emphasized the moratorium would not prevent improvements, such as facade enhancements.

Unlike many other communities, Libertyville never has had official rules dealing with preservation issues.

“There are a lot of resources here that probably should be protected,” Kollman said.

Originally presented in 2002, the idea of a historic preservation ordinance languished for years. It was resurrected in October 2009 with the creation of the preservation commission by the village board.

Since then, the group has scoured ordinances in other communities, weighed pros and cons, received expert advice and held nine public meetings.

Advantages of a historic preservation ordinance include economic incentives, such as tax assessment freezes and tax credits, and protection of neighborhoods from “inappropriate projects,” according to the committee.

Drawbacks include a potential increase in red tape and a perceived loss of personal property rights.

“We really feel the Libertyville community wants this,” Kollman told village trustees.