Designating a historic district in the center of New Lenox would help preserve the town’s period homes, but it could also restrict homeowners’ maintenance and renovation options, according to village officials.
The next step in considering the New Lenox Historical Society’s request to create a historic district in the town’s center will be to find out which property owners in the area favor the idea.
Compiling a “map of yeses and nos” will take 60 to 90 days, according to Mayor John Nowakowski, who said last month he could support a historic district if 70 to 75 percent of the residents favor the idea.
Strict historical district guidelines can restrict homeowners’ options for painting, roofing or adding features such as sheds or garages to their houses, Trustee Dave Smith said.
But Hal Carlson, an architect who is a member of the Joliet Historic Preservation Commission, said historic district guidelines do not have to be detailed.
“The biggest thing is just to save these structures for the future,” he said.
Many residents favor historic preservation, said Sharon Merwin, who also serves on the Joliet commission.
“I think communities are looking for this,” Merwin said. “They’re looking for a heart.”
According to New Lenox Historical Society member Ed Leech, the goal is to preserve the town history embodied in the collection of vintage homes near Haven Avenue and Hickory Street.
The board is scheduled to discuss the issue again in February.
