Lake Bluff preservation panel approves synthetic slate for roof at 109 Moffett Road

The Lake Bluff Historic Preservation Commission voted Dec. 10 to terminate its advisory review and allow a manufactured (synthetic) slate roof at 109 Moffett Road, concluding the proposal “is not inconsistent with the criteria provided in Section 9‑14‑30” of the village code.

Homeowner Toby Davis told commissioners he had a leak and that his insurance company and several insurers have become reluctant to cover homes with cedar shake roofs. “We’re getting quite a bit of pushback from our insurance company on doing cedar roof,” Davis said, and added that true slate would require structural reinforcement the house cannot support and would cost roughly $300,000–$350,000. Davis told the commission his preferred option is a manufactured slate product the contractor and a neighbor recently used and said the contractor offers a material warranty the application lists as “20 to 50 years” with a five‑year non‑prorated installation coverage provided by the installer or manufacturer.

Commission members examined a physical sample of the synthetic slate and discussed design and preservation standards before and during the hearing. Chair Sherry Bergman read the commission’s applicable standard, noting Section 9‑14‑30 requires changes to respect distinguishing original qualities of a protected feature while allowing alterations when necessary to ensure an economically viable use of the site. Bergman and other commissioners focused on whether the manufactured slate matched the original in composition, design, color, texture and other visual qualities, and on preserving the house’s mansard roof shape and molded cornice details. Commissioners confirmed copper flashings and dormer elements would be retained or refurbished rather than discarded.

Commissioners also asked technical questions about the sample’s reveal (the visible exposure of each shingle) and whether the contractor could lay the product with a smaller reveal to better match the existing roof lines; Davis said the product as submitted could not be laid with a smaller reveal but that the chosen installer has experience on similar nearby houses. The application noted the contractor is a local cedar roofing company working in Lake Forest and Lake Bluff and referenced a manufacturer/brand abbreviated as CRC in the packet.

After discussion, a commissioner moved to terminate the advisory review, finding the proposed work is not inconsistent with Section 9‑14‑30, and a second was recorded. A roll call vote recorded affirmative votes from the present members; Member Minor was absent. Chair Bergman then announced, “We have terminated the review.”

The commission’s decision ends the local advisory review; it does not alter any private insurance terms and is limited to the commission’s review under the village’s preservation criteria. The packet and applicant materials list estimated project costs for the manufactured slate at about $168,000 and cited the higher cost of natural slate and related structural work as the primary reason true slate was not feasible for this house.

Commissioners closed the item and moved on to routine business, including adopting a 2026 meeting schedule. The commission adjourned later in the meeting.