The Oak Brook Village Board has granted a one-year extension to the Mayslake Peabody Mansion renovation project but warned the DuPage County Forest Preserve District that it still will have to come before the board for an amendment to the original special-use permit.
The board had tabled the matter from last month’s meeting, expressing concern that the project’s scope had changed from its original intent.
The project has received additional extensions in 1998, 1999 and 2000.
Meanwhile, the district has decided not to demolish a 50,000-square-foot, three-story wing adjacent to the mansion that would include offices and a museum.
Although the project’s uses have stayed the same, the village has found that an amendment is required to reflect the structure’s different physical makeup, which affects parking, storm-water management and the impact on neighboring property, said Village Manager Stephen Veitch.
“Because of these factors, the special-use amendment process will be more complicated than a simple change in the legal description,” Veitch said.
Mike Palazzetti, program services division manager for the DuPage County Forest Preserve, said the district is expected to meet soon with village staff members to set up a timeline for the process.
“We are going to work with the village and keep within the village’s zoning regulations. And we will be meeting with the Trinity Lakes subdivision [adjacent to the property] to let them know more about the project,” Palazzetti said.
He added that going through the amendment process should not keep the district from opening the mansion to the public in January as planned.
The Mayslake Landmark Conservancy group, which originally applied for the permit under a license with the DuPage County Forest Preserve District, has since changed its charter and is now the project’s fundraising and advisory arm.
New plans developed over the last year call for renovation–not demolition–of the mansion’s retreat wing, a structure that was built by the Franciscan Order, which owned the property after coal baron Francis S. Peabody’s death in 1922.
The wing would house offices for the mansion, as well as a museum, tea room, community meeting rooms and warming kitchen for catering uses.
The chapel adjacent to the retreat wing also was spared and would be leased out to a Shakespearean theater group for winter performances. It also would be used for banquets.
Trustee Gerald McInerney expressed his displeasure at the slow progress of the renovation.
“I do not think this is what was envisioned in the referendum. I would like to see more movement. As far as I am concerned, this is the last extension,” McInerney said.
