Citizens for

Glen Ellyn Preservation

restore/rehab at risk environmental public policy issues teardowns for sale
 
Citizens for Glen Ellyn Preservation
is a group of citizens who want to safeguard the distinctive character,
history and architectural integrity of the Glen Ellyn community through historic preservation, planning and sensible growth.

2010 Historic Home Tour

SAVE THE DATE!
Saturday, October 16, 2010, 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS OR SPONSOR
THE HISTORIC HOME TOUR.



Glen Ellyn History Park at Risk

Dear President Pfefferman and Trustees of the Village Board,

Recently, members of Citizens for Glen Ellyn Preservation have become aware that, like local governments and businesses across the country, the Glen Ellyn Historical Society has felt the strain of declining income. There has been concern that this venerable organization may not be able to meet its obligations on the debt related to the properties acquired at Stacy’s Corners, which were for the creation of a history park on behalf of the residents of the village.

Given the historical importance of this site as the village’s original settlement, as well as, the aesthetic and cultural appeal of such an inviting space along the northern gateway to the downtown, we feel that the commercial redevelopment of any part of this property would be detrimental to the character of the village. Therefore, we urge the village board to seek a compromise that would keep this property intact and would allow the Historical Society to complete its mission.

Sincerely,
The Officers and Board of Citizens for Glen Ellyn Preservation

Click here for background on Stacy's Tavern



Lead removal

Preservationists have long been recommending that care be taken when removing lead paint and asbestos during restoration work. New EPA rules are finally in place and, while contractors may grumble about the inconvenience, this is a good thing. Contractors who work on pre-1978 homes will need to take a short certification class that applies to lead paint removal. While some contractors have always taken precautions, all will now be required to follow lead-containment procedures. Homeowners who are doing their own work do not need certification but must also follow the EPA's lead removal rules. Many in the construction industry were caught off-guard by these new health-protection policies, so if you are having work done that will disturb old paint, be sure your contractor is qualified to do the work.

Click here for work site requirements
Click for more about lead and lead-containment

tree Preservation update

As we have reported, the amendments to the villageTree Preservation Ordinance that were proposed over 4 years ago, were sent back by the Village Board to the Environmental Commission, which is still in the process of reviewing its original recommendations. At last month's commission meeting, village staff made suggestions as to how the current ordinance might be better implemented. However, there were no recommendations for actual preservation for trees on private property, which is a particular problem during demolitions and new construction. The village forester reported that there is very little evidence of unnecessary tree removal by residents on their own properties and, in fact, the majority of residents seem to be quite protective of their trees. The 2007 CGEP survey of residents, which showed 79% in favor of village protection of certain desirable varieties of healthy trees within the unbuildable area of private property, supports this view of a community-wide love for trees. Only 8% of those surveyed did not want tree protection, leaving 13% who wanted more specific information about the proposed amendments before they decided. The area covered was well-wooded with a mixture of vintage and new homes.

tree stumps

Would the recommended amendments to the
Tree Preservation Ordinance be effective?

Can you quantify the benefits of trees?
Click here to find out.


Current News

Ferris Bueller house

Here is what can happen to a historic downtown when no one speaks up.
Click here to read the article from the Chicago Tribune, Jan. 15, 2010

Ferris Bueller house A substantial number of homes built in Glen Ellyn during the 1920's and 1930's may have been catalogue homes. How can you find out if your home is a Sears house? Click here for the steps to take to find out...



Revitalizing Downtown Glen Ellyn

GLN Strategic Plan

While the original downtown plan concept drawings show attractive 2 and 3 story multi-family structures, the truth of the matter is that it proposes numerous 5 story multi-family structures similar to those already standing on the corner of Crescent and Park. This was guided by our current zoning allowances and the desire to create 450 more residential units. Read a letter to the village board that proposes a compromise more in keeping with the character of our village. (pdf)

downtown Glen Ellyn Final Downtown Plan based on current zoning problems (pdf)

Read our mission statement for the historic business district

The January 15, 2009 presentation of the concept plan for our historic downtown included exciting, creative ideas but underscored the dilema of more out-of-scale structures to come.

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Keeping the Green Glen in The Glen Plan

downtown Glen Ellyn  At the October 5 special workshop, the village president and more than one board member expressed the intention to delete a concept from the proposed Downtown Strategic Plan of a landscaped strip running along the south side of the railroad. It is this green swath of land filling the space between the railroad tracks and the Prairie Path, running through the heart of the downtown from east to west, that gave the final version of the concept plan its name: The Glen. It is the opinion of the board of Citizens for Glen Ellyn Preservation that the omission of this concept would be inadvisable and we have asked the village board to reconsider given the improvements in aesthetics, traffic flow and safety that could be provided by this feature. read more...

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tree stumps Village residents save last remnant
of historic West Babcock Grove at Ackerman Park

Visit the News Archive page to learn more about Ackerman Park, and read the June 2008 Daily Herald Editorial about the
effort from grassroots that saved trees and the April 2008 Citizens for Glen Ellyn Preservation Board letter to the Park District.
image left: Ackerman Woods, May 2008, courtesy of Brian Dykes, www.blue-echoes.com


Article of the month

Wood Window "Should Your Old Wood Windows
Be Saved?"
(pdf)
Rob Yagid weighs the options with cost, complexity, efficiency, and preservation in mind.
 

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FYI
Weatherization Guide for Older and Historic Buildings

A comprehensive guide recently released by
The National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Next citizen's meeting

Join us for monthly meeting:
Date: Thursday
, September 2nd
Time: 7:30
pm
Place
: Faith Lutheran Church
41 N. Park Blvd, Glen Ellyn

Past Meeting minutes
August 2009
September 2009
November 2009
December 2009

February 2010
March 201
0
June 2010


 
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