Submitted By
Historic Preservation Commission through Emily A. Egan, Development Services Director
Reviewed By
A.M. Zayyad, Deputy Village Manager
Agenda Item Title
Title
Concur with the Historic Preservation Commission and Adopt an Ordinance Amending Chapter 7 (“Buildings”), Article 9 (“Historic Preservation”) of the Oak Park Village Code
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Overview
Overview
The Historic Preservation Commission recommends the Historic Preservation Ordinance be amended relative to voting requirements for Certificates of Appropriateness from the majority of a quorum (4 of 11 members) to a quorum (6 of 11 members).
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Recommendation
Recommendation
Support the Historic Preservation Commission and Adopt the revised Ordinance.
Background
Oak Park’s first Historic Preservation Ordinance was adopted in 1972. This Ordinance established the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) and Oak Park’s first historic district, now known as the Frank Lloyd Wright-Prairie School of Architecture Historic District. This Ordinance was relatively short in length and did not include a clear review process or specific guidelines for architectural review. Work began in the 1980s to address these concerns.
The current Ordinance was adopted by the Village Board in 1993 and came into effect in 1994, along with the current Architectural Review Guidelines. In 2005, the Village Board directed the HPC to revise the Architectural Review Guidelines. The HPC began discussing potential changes to the Historic Preservation Ordinance at a series of meetings with staff in 2006, to coordinate with the Guidelines. Following years of close collaboration with staff and an outside consultant, the HPC voted to forward the updated Architectural Review Guidelines to the Village Board for adoption.
The proposed changes to the Ordinance are to modify two sections regarding the voting protocol from the majority of a quorum, which is 4 members out of 11 seats on the Commission to a more standard procedure of a majority of the seats which is 6 out of 11, relative to Certificates of Appropriateness. This is a standard voting protocol for the other citizen commissions. The proposed change will mirror the Historic Preservation Commission’s current Rules of Procedure voting protocols and ensure the code does not conflict.
Fiscal Impact
N/A
DEI Impact
This sets expectations for a fairer and representative process.
Alternatives
Deny the revised Historic Preservation Ordinance changes.
a. If denied, this will perpetuate a system that does not reflect the majority of a commission’s decisions or recommendations.
b. If denied, this will continue a rule not typically applied to other citizen commissions and committees.
Previous Board Action
The first Oak Park Historic Preservation Ordinance was adopted by the Village Board in 1972. The current Ordinance was adopted by the Village Board in 1993 and came into effect in 1994.
The Ordinance has been revised multiple times usually related to adding Landmark approved properties to the list as well as some changes relative to the adopted guidelines.
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
The Historic Preservation Commission and staff reviewed the Ordinance modification at their October 10, 2024 regular meeting. A memorandum from the Chair of the Commission is attached to this agenda item. Also attached is a redlined version of the proposed changes to the Ordinance. See page 31, Section 7-9-12 of the Ordinance.
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
N/A
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
Historic Preservation matters are unique to the Village government within the corporate limits of Oak Park and therefore, intergovernmental cooperation opportunities do not exist.