Plainfield approves historic-design update; residents raise equity and parking concerns as center-of-excellence deals move forward

The Plainfield City Council unanimously approved a contract to update the city’s historic-design guidelines and approved a set of redevelopment actions that include a designation of an area in need of redevelopment and agreements tied to a proposed recreation-and-cultural center and associated housing.

Economic development staff told the council they will retain Barton Ross Partners LLC to update the historic-design guidelines and produce outreach materials; council then voted to move the item to the voting meeting and later adopted the resolution as part of the agenda. The guidelines update will be administered with the Historic Preservation Commission and will be available online for public review.

Why it matters: updated design guidelines will clarify preservation standards in Plainfield’s historic districts, informing homeowners, contractors and the public about what exterior (and, in some cases, interior) work requires review and how preservation standards will be applied. Separately, the redevelopment actions the council approved include a non-condemnation designation of an area in need of redevelopment intended to…