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Historic-preservation panel ends review of 1750 Shore Acres Drive after oak damage, plans for new home
Summary
Architect Healy Rice told the Lake Bluff Historic Preservation Commission that a large oak fell on the 1937 cottage at 1750 Shore Acres Drive, accelerating plans to demolish and rebuild. The commission voted to terminate the demolition review, finding the house does not meet designation criteria.
The Lake Bluff Historic Preservation Commission voted Nov. 12 to terminate the demolition-review process for 1750 Shore Acres Drive after hearing from an architect that a large oak tree recently fell on the 1937 cottage and the owner plans a new, code-compliant house.
Healy Rice, the architect representing the homeowner, said the existing home sits only 6.8 feet from the road and that the owner proposes a lot reconfiguration with the new dwelling set to meet a 100-foot setback. “We are requesting permission to demolish the existing home that’s at, 1750 Shore Acres Drive,” Rice told the commission.
Commissioners discussed archival details: Rice said the cottage was built in 1937 as a Shaw construction and that some features may reflect David Adler’s design work. Rice offered the original house plans to the commission; a commissioner noted the Lake Bluff History Museum would like copies for its files.
After discussion about the condition of the building (Rice said the house had been in disrepair and the fallen oak “did the rest of the damage”) and whether more historic information could be recovered, Commissioner Jeff moved to end the demolition review. “I move to terminate the demolition review of 1750 Shore Acres Drive as a single family residence does not meet their criteria for designation,” the motion stated.
A roll-call vote recorded affirmative votes from Member Nicholl, Member O'Connor, Member Maguire and Chair Bergman. The motion passed and the commission closed its review; Rice and others said the owner will provide original drawings to the village or the Lake Bluff History Museum.
The commission’s action is procedural: terminating the review indicates the structure does not meet the commission’s criteria for landmark designation. The homeowner may proceed with demolition after applicable village timelines and permits are satisfied; the commission noted that elements salvaged from the property could be offered to the history museum.
The commission moved on to a separate demolition review later in the meeting. The meeting adjourned after further business.
