Plainfield Historic Preservation Commission Meeting - May 14, 2026

The Plainfield Historic Preservation Commission met on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Village Boardroom. The meeting covered public comments, two Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) applications, and an update on enforcement in the East Side Historic District. All votes were unanimous.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Leif Hendrickson (15022 S. Bartlett Ave.) addressed the commission regarding the replacement of a historic carriage walk in front of his property. He explained that after the streetscape project, the village required a hold harmless agreement for new carriage walks, which he found onerous due to insurance and title implications. He requested the commission to recommend to the village board that he be allowed to install the walk at his own expense without the hold harmless agreement, noting that 11 other properties on the same street had village-provided service walks. He provided historical documentation and expressed willingness to follow Secretary of the Interior standards.

Discussion Items

• 23842 W. Main St. (Case 040726.COA) – Staff presented a COA request to replace ground-floor windows, second-floor doors, and shutters on a locally landmarked property (Moravek Orthodontics). The applicant was not present. Commissioners noted insufficient detail on window and door specifications, including number of lights, grid configuration, shutter proportions, and color (proposed dark bronze vs. existing green). They also recalled a prior application with similar concerns. A motion to continue the item to the June 11, 2026 meeting passed unanimously on a roll call vote (Commissioners Derrick, Failing, Rapp, Schmidt, Scholz, and Chairman Bortle all voting yes).
• 14925 S. Bartlett Ave. (Case 2132-042326.COA) – Staff presented a COA request to replace siding and garage doors on a detached accessory structure in the East Side Historic District (contributing, non-landmarked). The applicant proposed LP SmartSide fiber cement lap siding with a 4–5 inch reveal. Commissioners discussed the reveal width, noting that a 3–4 inch reveal would be more historically appropriate and consistent with the neighborhood. They also addressed installation style (overlapping clapboard, not ship lap). For the garage doors, commissioners expressed general support for the carriage-style doors shown in the rendering but requested a separate COA with manufacturer cut sheets for final approval. A motion passed unanimously to recommend approval of the COA, conditioned on the siding being overlapping lap board with a 3–4 inch reveal (as opposed to the proposed 4–5 inch), and requiring a future COA for the garage doors with detailed specifications.
• Division Street Property Update – Staff reported that a property at Route 59 in the East Side Historic District changed ownership. The new owner was informed of historic district requirements, but later work was done without a permit or COA. A stop work order was issued, and the COA application is pending. Commissioners noted new garage doors and a bright white appearance.

Key Outcomes

• 23842 W. Main St. – Continued to the June 11, 2026 meeting pending additional information on window, door, and shutter specifications.
• 14925 S. Bartlett Ave. – COA recommended for approval with conditions: siding must be overlapping lap board with a 3–4 inch reveal (using LP SmartSide or equivalent), and garage doors require a separate COA with cut sheets. The motion passed unanimously (6-0).
• Division Street – Enforcement action ongoing; owner must submit a COA application before further work.
• Chairman's Comment – Commissioner Schmidt is finalizing a landmark nomination that will bring the total to 30 landmarks; new properties are being sought.
• Next Meeting – The Historic Preservation Commission will meet next on June 11, 2026 at 7:00 PM.