Council delays decision on Berry House demolition to July 21 after new offers and parking proposals

The City of Saint Charles City Council on Monday voted to postpone action on a certificate of appropriateness for demolition of 217 Cedar Avenue, known as the Berry House, until the council’s July 21 meeting after new offers to buy the property and proposals to relocate the house emerged and the church identified parking needs that may affect any long-term solution.

Council Member Warburg summarized developments since the Planning and Development Committee approved demolition last week, saying that in the seven days since that committee vote the church received one or more offers to buy the property and separate offers to relocate the Berry House. Warburg said the church asked the city to consider options to address its parking concerns, including changing existing parallel parking on Third Avenue to diagonal parking to create additional spaces.

Warburg and other council members described multiple parties — church representatives, preservation advocates and residents — working over the past week to find a solution that could preserve the house while addressing the church’s operational needs. Council Member Pacheva moved to postpone the item to the July 21 council meeting; Alderman Besner seconded the motion. The council carried the postponement by roll call.

The mayor and council emphasized that the 60-day postponement is intended to give time for the church, preservationists, residents and staff to negotiate options, review offers to purchase or relocate the house and consider parking changes before the council resumes formal action. The Planning and Development Committee had approved demolition for 217 Cedar Avenue pending council approval; the postponement returns the matter for further discussion at the July 21 meeting.