Council upholds Historic Preservation Commission approval for Gorton Center terrace

The Lake Forest City Council on April 1 denied an appeal of the Historic Preservation Commission’s decision to grant a certificate of appropriateness for a replacement terrace at the Gorton Center, effectively upholding the commission’s 6–0 vote.

City Attorney Tappendorf reminded the council that the council’s review is limited to the standards applied by the Historic Preservation Commission and that the council may deny the appeal (uphold HPC), grant the appeal (overturn HPC), or remand the matter back to the commission. "You will remember that on February 20, this city council approved an update to the Gorton Center Special Use Permit," staff said, noting the SUP adds 12 conditions intended to set parameters on events and terrace uses.

Neighbors who filed the appeal urged the council to remand. Mary Sanders, speaking for adjacent homeowners, called the situation "unique," warned that the developer is not "an ordinary developer," and argued for remand to ensure impartial consideration of the terrace’s visual and neighborhood impacts. Chris Drasca, who lives at 381 East Deerpath, said adding outdoor alcohol service and a larger terrace "is gonna be an unbelievable headache for me, for my family, for my kids," citing noise, music and other disturbances. Lana Winnett (389 Deerpath) said the terrace would be too close to bedrooms and incompatible with adjoining historic residential structures.

Director Cerniak, designated by the Historic Preservation Commission, summarized the HPC review: the terrace replacement responds to drainage and deterioration, will follow the existing footprint with a maximum width of 16 feet to accommodate two round tables for passive use, and includes stairs directed toward the parking lot to minimize pull toward neighboring homes. He said the HPC reviewed the applicable standards, determined 12 of 17 standards applied, and voted 6–0 to approve the certificate of appropriateness.

Cerniak and other staff noted the SUP approved by the council requires that doors from interior event rooms remain closed during events and calls for on-site monitoring by Gorton staff to ensure compliance with conditions intended to limit active uses on the terrace. The HPC’s review, as presented, did not consider use restrictions because they fall under the SUP and not the HPC’s narrow design purview.

A councilmember moved to deny the appeal and uphold the Historic Preservation Commission’s decision. After a roll call in which multiple members voiced approval, the motion carried and the appeal was denied. The council then moved into executive session to discuss personnel matters.

What this means: the replacement terrace design approved by the HPC may proceed, subject to the existing SUP conditions intended to limit active uses and require on-site monitoring; if the council had granted the appeal it would have required staff to return with draft findings. Neighbors remain able to raise operational or enforcement concerns under the SUP should monitoring or conditions be violated.