Politics & Government

Board Approves Market, 5K Race, Historic District Architect

A roundup of action taken Monday night by the Plainfield Village Board.

Flotsam and jetsam from Monday night's meeting...

FARMERS MARKET

It's full steam ahead for the , now that the board has signed off on a temporary use permit for the site at the southwest corner of Lockport Street and Route 59.

Find out what's happening in Plainfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

But the approval did not come without a word of advice for organizer Susan Bostanche, who was urged to redouble her efforts to keep the weekly outdoor sale from looking like a flea market and to increase the number of produce vendors.

Bostanche said she has more than 20 vendors lined up for 30 slots, but the problem is the seasonal nature of what's being sold. A farmer who sells sweet corn may only have enough to do six week's of the market, another farmer might be able to do only four or five, she said.

Find out what's happening in Plainfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"The people I've been able to (sign up) are more hobby farmers, like myself," she said. "Not a lot of people are willing to do the work to do the market."

Trustee Margie Bonuchi's concern was more for the look of the market.

"I certainly applaud your efforts to get more farmers and more growers," Bonuchi said. "I'd just like you to critique some of the vendors. ... I think the concern is you have to be careful. We said no to outdoor flea markets, and you're walking dangerously close with Tupperware, candles and T-shirts."

The board also briefly touched upon the market's location and the possibility of moving it elsewhere in upcoming years. It will be discussed at a future committee of the whole meeting.

The farmers market is held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday between June 16 and Sept. 29.

DOWNTOWN HISTORIC DISTRICT ARCHITECT

Oak Park architect Douglas Gilbert was hired to prepare the application needed for the village to seek National Register of Historic Places .

A grant from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency will pay for 70 percent of the expense, and the rest must be paid by the village.

Gilbert's bid was $10,920, of which the village will be responsible for about $3,000. If the designation is approved, property owners within the district will be eligible to receive tax credits for up to 20 percent of the cost of any external improvments made to their building.

Gilbert is to have the application completed by April 15, 2013.

EIKON 5K RACE

The board agreed to close 248th Street between and Commissioners Park in Naperville for about one hour to accommodate the Eikon 5K Race on April 28.

The race is a fundraiser being coordinated by Calvary Church in Naperville to help cover the expense of Eikon students who will travel and work in the Phillipines.

The city of Naperville will handle traffic control for the race, which starts at 9 a.m. Last year, roads were reopened by 9:45 a.m., according to a report compiled by the .


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here