Commission approves preservation incentives for 131 North Garfield addition designed to preserve original house

Katie Raymond, owner of 131 North Garfield Street, presented plans for a rear addition to add a larger kitchen and a fourth bedroom/office. Raymond said the addition extends an existing 1970s addition and that the original portion of the house will not be altered.

Commissioners questioned rooflines, eave alignment and proposed materials (fiber cement/James Hardie). The project team said the proposed addition is right at the allowable floor-area ratio and that they selected materials to match the existing addition while blending into the original house.

Votes: The commission moved and unanimously approved (roll call) motions to grant the requested alternative zoning regulations, building-permit fee waiver and expedited processing and to recommend a property-tax rebate and matching grant to the village board.

What’s next: Staff will forward the commission’s recommendation to the village board and process the fee-waiver request; the owner said she intends to remain in the house and use incentives to help preserve its historic character.