Downers Grove Close to Landmarking First Home Since a Revised Ordinance

Photo credit: www.mcnees.org

After revising its historic preservation ordinance to make the historic landmarking process easier, the Downers Grove Village Council expressed its unanimous support of an application for a house on Benton Avenue during the March 8 council meeting. A final vote by the council is expected during its next meeting.

If approved, the house at 5320 Benton Ave. would be the first home to complete the historic landmark application process. The council approved an amended historic preservation ordinance meant to simplify the landmarking process. A revised ordinance reduces the amount of restrictions it would place on doing renovations.

Amy and David Gassen, owners of the home, applied to landmark their home because it is an example of a Prairie-Style American Foursquare design.

Community Development Director Stan Popovich told the council that the house qualifies as a landmark because it is more than 50 years old (built around 1924) and represents the distinguishing characteristics of a Prairie-Style American Foursquare.

Amy Gassen got the chance to experience the process she helped revise after serving on the ad-hoc historic preservation committee that helped revise the historic preservation ordinance.

“We have found it to be a very simple and straightforward process,” she said.

Amy and David said they want to landmark their home to maintain the historical character of their neighborhood.

For more information, including applications for landmarks and historic districts, visit the Historic Preservation page.

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