[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6060467,"mediaKeyId","3290062-70b35285e666e81b7b3e5d68c7c2587b","parentId",3290062,"title","Planning committee clears demolition permit for Judge William D. Berry House with 90‑day relocation window","audioSeconds",503,"startMs",3371000,"endMs",2868000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3290062-70b35285e666e81b7b3e5d68c7c2587b&start=3371&end=2868","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3290062-70b35285e666e81b7b3e5d68c7c2587b/thumbnail_3371000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6060467/Illinois/Planning-committee-clears-demolition-permit-for-Judge-William-D-Berry-House-with-90day-relocation-window","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6060467-5090ef0f009ab4dbb65b45045d6cf095/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154169&Signature=CiAi33Ujox8ck0wbOO6ZmqODPJtwy~ZjGQduCdhGhfhmwnr8Ir5d3jsGVkbbsi7Ywfcl6ruNlsaVlc8tqs4RUfbKbZTkekFf1M3xk-EZ3c~OzeK7NPoFGsHa-4BJz2hzdVBfHfvB00BPcQSQqI65wdOnjcH79sgkqiJHmf~VPJOJk~fUxGXif4H~Y2Qal87qQMf5M75aPKjzS2JkXppnl0fZaMnb3rAwxCdt5mEwC5FONKjnzAFwzfxZqZ9EWN98-bfi9sFbWPHMyUwJv~piIkKIewj3oKeWkC3AGAjnad~6l5RE1To65JoHtyJFpMPcGswgbYpIWT5nope4y0Ferw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Saint Charles, IL","date","2025-05-14T05:20:37.037Z","article","The Saint Charles Planning & Development Committee voted to allow a certificate of appropriateness (COA) that would permit demolition of the Judge William D. Berry House at 217 Cedar Avenue, with a 90‑day voluntary window for anyone to propose moving the structure before demolition proceeds. The committee’s decision moves the item to the full City Council for final consideration on May 19.

The action reverses a recommendation from the Historic Preservation Commission, which had urged denial of the COA. Preservation groups including Landmarks Illinois and local advocates urged the committee to delay demolition and pursue reuse or relocation options for the roughly 180‑year‑old stone house.

Committee staff presented background on outreach and alternatives explored with Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, the property owner. “The church was open to selling the combined property,” staff said in the presentation, but city purchase was not supported at the appraised combined value. Staff described other options discussed, including the city providing off‑site parking in exchange for preserving the Berry House and the concept of relocating the house, and said the church had asked to return to the committee to press its COA request. The staff presentation noted the church offered to provide a 90‑day period for parties interested in relocating the building if a demolition COA were approved.

Brian Harris, chairman of the property committee for Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, told the committee the congregation had explored multiple options and developers for more than seven years and said demolition and redevelopment as parking is the church’s preferred path. “We've talked to multiple developers ... it just is not an option moving forward and we would like to keep the property,” Harris said. He offered that the church would cooperate in publicizing the 90‑day window and said the congregation would sell or make the house available for relocation if a viable proposal emerged: “We'll sell it to you for a buck, come get it.”

Opponents urged more time and offered preservation resources. Steve Gibson, a former Historic Preservation Commission commissioner and local historian, urged the committee not to treat the decision as routine: “Allowing demolition in this case for just a few parking spaces sends a clear message that any historic structure regardless of its significance is vulnerable.” Representatives of Landmarks Illinois and Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley also asked for delay and offered technical and funding assistance if the city and church pursued preservation or relocation.

John Hoshite, legal counsel for the church, said the congregation has cooperated with preservation requirements in the past and stressed practical constraints for reuse and relocation. Hoshite said there are outstanding city code citations related to building maintenance and that the house's stone construction makes moving it far more complex and expensive than relocating a wood‑frame building. “A stone building can't be moved that way. It would have to be cut up in sections and moved because it could cave in,” Hoshite said. He also told the committee that earlier offers and preservation proposals had not produced a funded plan.

Preservation advocates and neighboring property owners emphasized the house's age, local associations with 19th century figures and the building's listing on Landmarks Illinois' Most Endangered Historic Places for 2025. Al Watts, Community Engagement Director for Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley, read a statement from Landmarks Illinois noting the property's rehabilitation potential and urging the committee to follow the Historic Preservation Commission recommendation to deny the demolition permit.

After discussion, a committee member moved to allow demolition of 217 Cedar with a stipulation that the church provide a 90‑day period for parties to make relocation proposals; the motion also included language that any city citations would be stayed during a contained period and dismissed if the home is moved or demolition proceeds (the motion text, mover and second are on the record). The committee voted to approve the motion; committee staff said the item will advance to City Council on May 19 for final action.

The committee's action does not itself demolish the house; it forwards a recommended approval of the COA, including the 90‑day relocation period, to the council. Preservation groups and several residents requested the council use the additional time to form a working group of church representatives, city staff, preservation organizations and potential funders to explore alternatives.

If the council affirms the committee's recommendation, the church has said it will continue to share parking with the city and would proceed with redevelopment if no relocation proposal materializes during the agreed timeframe.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning & Development 5-12-25","oneSentenceSummary","The Saint Charles Planning & Development Committee voted to allow a certificate of appropriateness (COA) that would permit demolition of the Judge William D. Berry House at 217 Cedar Avenue, with a 90‑day voluntary window for anyone to propose moving the structure before demolition proceeds.","taxTitle","Saint Charles City, St. Charles County, Illinois","taxId",53340,"location","Illinois","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6060458,"Committee sets process to consider dormant Special Service Area 71 (Munhall Glen) for stormwater maintenance",110,1909000,2019000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3290062-70b35285e666e81b7b3e5d68c7c2587b&start=1909&end=2019","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3290062-70b35285e666e81b7b3e5d68c7c2587b/thumbnail_1909000.jpg","/articles/6060458/Illinois/Committee-sets-process-to-consider-dormant-Special-Service-Area-71-Munhall-Glen-for-stormwater-maintenance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6060458-8cffed121d76895b43c9d7c2b28a8b15/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154169&Signature=JmN0eiV2jTNtW0DYKwV3WFQX4~GmDBixb5C6yr-g~pVTbpgkZ7-E5A1yrmpsY-oyNC2Zb~AnHVqrUzP5YJ0KWgYsmnpmKR00nWYffHtMmbOoiE0nUvni-IHXAs~Wy1pYE~tYmfQzOepdY3gx-TA~AMozb76dMIV5KG1iFDHrn26bqYZl1l6r6d22JBtgnUwJaLboxdLs4iY9GCIx5T6JboVkyGYMR~iQjPL0FDAm~n-LpwdXTzuXEP1dwIibzrbfZGFALdZMnfqlO2lpaPyReJRBMaGw3vJKp8W3gl9fMomE976nGKw-oEu6sm2ji2yCFMb4TVnvQn781YMdof-QRg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Planning & Development Committee voted to move forward with establishing a dormant Special Service Area (SSA) for the Munhall Glen subdivision to address long‑term stormwater pond maintenance if private owners default on responsibilities.

Community Development staff explained the city monitors more than 350 private stormwater ponds and that many ponds lie within dormant SSAs created by development agreements but not finalized. A dormant SSA is a small taxing district that remains inactive unless the city activates it to collect taxes within that area to pay for maintenance if private owner associations fail to maintain facilities.

Staff described the statutorily prescribed process: if the council approves sending the matter to public hearing, staff will send notices to property owners and publish notice in the newspaper; the public hearing would be set about 60 days after council action. Following the hearing there is an additional 60‑day period during which owners may file a petition; state law requires petitions signed by 50% or more of eligible owners to block establishment. If no petition reaches the statutory threshold, the council may vote to create the SSA. Staff emphasized that a dormant SSA does not levy taxes immediately and would only be used in the future if maintenance responsibilities were not fulfilled.

A committee member asked why Munhall Glen was chosen first; staff said the developer was cooperative and that establishing the Munhall Glen SSA would help staff learn the statutory process before addressing about a dozen other undeveloped dormant SSAs from recent subdivisions. The committee approved moving the item forward to set a public hearing and start the notification process.

Committee members asked for follow‑up information including a map of active SSAs and the typical levy amounts collected in active districts. Staff agreed to provide the map and levy details at a future meeting.","The committee approved sending to council a resolution to set a public hearing to form a dormant Special Service Area (SSA) for Munhall Glen to allow the city to activate a local maintenance tax in future if private ponds are neglected; public hearing will be set ~60 days after council action",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6060462,"Committee approves $500,000 allocation from Saint Charles Housing Trust Fund for Kane County affordable housing program",119,2960000,3079000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3290062-70b35285e666e81b7b3e5d68c7c2587b&start=2960&end=3079","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3290062-70b35285e666e81b7b3e5d68c7c2587b/thumbnail_2960000.jpg","/articles/6060462/Illinois/Committee-approves-500000-allocation-from-Saint-Charles-Housing-Trust-Fund-for-Kane-County-affordable-housing-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6060462-3eac945bf974c37ef3ccbe927106a021/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154169&Signature=ZNky5YTZ6AGUGK3uEco2qiEmaEvit4tdA2ChRiz8U9vHl00rWfAfJL8hhXs21IRYoAwfUhsJ68JuBDZUyD~h~kvM4ZbdaX8ATwOUKotZPLC9yOn9tEwH6LylEDg4CafncjVJ4bzydXYOV6MHTxB~I4TItm0tcwEvS6j9M5~rYh0gk1CiO54nTFxE8MGl887NSe0SE3M301XfeAewd0x~T5~PaZrS5tkDF3h-mAbUmhrjOLeQ8Tc7nd6FuNDANg06zq2m3Yxyx-fzvISZW1plbYFGLQOcBlguz24jxQz1rX0ohvMYefgKaRqOtblt40yqKlUzrJGmU5tZfi2v7LndlQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Saint Charles Planning & Development Committee approved allocating $500,000, plus an administrative fee, from the Saint Charles Housing Trust Fund to the Kane County Affordable Housing Fund to increase the city's competitiveness for projects proposed through the county's upcoming request for proposals (RFP).

City staff said the city has participated in the county fund since 2018 and that previously allocated city funds remain in the city's trust fund until projects are proposed, approved and reimbursement is requested. Staff reported an available balance of $1,600,000 in the housing trust fund.

The Kane County Affordable Housing Fund combines federal funds administered by Kane County with city housing trust dollars to finance preservation, purchase‑rehab and new construction affordable housing projects. Last month the Housing Commission recommended allocating $500,000 from the city trust fund to the county program; the committee approved that recommendation.

A committee member moved for approval; the motion passed on a roll call vote. Staff noted that city funds allocated to the county fund typically carry over year to year and that the committee could limit an allocation to 2025 only, leaving the next allocation as a decision for spring 2026. The committee did not specify such a one‑year limit when it voted.

If the council and county process proceed, city funds would remain under local control until a specific Saint Charles project sought reimbursement through the county program and was approved by the housing commission. Committee members said the allocation could increase the likelihood of affordable housing projects being proposed in Saint Charles during the county's June RFP window.","The committee approved allocating $500,000 (plus an administrative fee) from the Saint Charles Housing Trust Fund to the Kane County Affordable Housing Fund to boost local affordable housing project competitiveness in the county RFP process","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning committee clears demolition permit for Judge William D. Berry House with 90‑day relocation window

Committee sets process to consider dormant Special Service Area 71 (Munhall Glen) for stormwater maintenance

Committee approves $500,000 allocation from Saint Charles Housing Trust Fund for Kane County affordable housing program