Politics & Government

Village Will Reconsider Demolition for Route 59 Home

Plainfield homeowner's son speaks out after board OKs permit to tear down another home along the same corridor.

Three months after , the Plainfield village board gave a local business the OK to tear down another.

Village officials and staff will take another look at the proposal to tear down the property at the Jan. 14 Committee of the Whole meeting.

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On Monday night, Thomas Carey spoke up, asking the village board why Overman-Jones Funeral Home was given approval to tear town a century-old house to accommodate additional parking, while his parents were told they have to wait to demolish their home at 14927 S. Division St./Route 59.

“Another individual came before this board and was immediately granted a demolition permit,” Carey said.

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Meanwhile, his parents were told they would have to wait until the Route 59 Visioning study is completed. The study, which looks at the future of Route 59 from Main Street south to Union Street, was originally scheduled to be completed in the fall, but now it’s looking like completion will happen closer to February or March, according to planner Michael Garrigan.

Garrigan said Phase I of the study, which included getting feedback from the community via social media and other means, is completed. Phase II will provide village officials with 3-D concepts of suggestions made during the first phase, Garrigan added.

Carey said his parents plan to turn the site of the home into a lot so it can be sold.

"My mother is 91 and she would like to know when" a demolition permit will be issued, Carey added.

Mayor Mike Collins, who said he understood the Careys’ frustration, noted that the homeowners haven’t had any success selling the home, and the property could be more attractive to buyers as a lot.

Trustee Bill Lamb, however, said he’d prefer to see a plan for the site before approving demolition — a sentiment that trustee Dan Rippy echoed.

Noting that Overman came to the board with a planned project for their home site, Rippy advised Carey, “Come in with a plan — we’ll give it full consideration and we’ll be happy to do it.”

“We have enough vacant lots in the downtown area,” Lamb said.

Fellow trustee Garrett Peck stood by his vote to delay demolition, adding that while he would prefer to have the Route 59 Visioning study completed before the home is torn down, he’s willing to take another look at the proposal.

The Committee of the Whole meeting is set for 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 14, at Village Hall. Another Committee of the Whole workshop is scheduled for Jan. 28, and the next village board meeting is at 7 p.m. Feb. 4.

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