The Village of Orland Park takes great pride in its landmarks and works hard at preserving the historic pieces of the community. Through the Village’s Historic Preservation Program, the Old Orland Historic District and landmark properties continue to be unique assets that promote Orland Park’s economic, educational, and cultural well-being.

Project Review Process

Certificate of Appropriateness
The Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) review process is designed to protect historic properties from insensitive alterations and to ensure new buildings are compatible in design with the Old Orland Historic District. Per the Village's Land Development Code, all property owners, residential or commercial, must obtain a COA before the construction, alteration, demolition, or removal of any structure within the District or to a landmark property. Below describes the COA review process:

1. Pre-Concept Meeting: Prior to applying, petitioners must meet with the Development Services Department staff to discuss the proposed project.
2. COA Training: The completion of a one (1) credit hour training session is required, covering the Village's historic preservation codes, requirements and policies. The credit hour of training can be earned by reading the Historic Preservation Resident Handbook, provided below, and signing a COA affidavit to faithfully execute the proposed project.
3. Application Submittal: The Certificate of Appropriateness Petition Form may be downloaded below or can also be obtained from the Development Services Department. All applications must be accompanied by the items detailed on the application.
4. Project Review and Approval: Depending on the scope of work, a COA may either be administratively reviewed and approved by the Development Services Department or taken before the Plan Commission for an advisory recommendation.

Applications requiring additional approval are reviewed by the Plan Commission at the next scheduled meeting, which are generally held on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month. The Plan Commission weighs the proposal against the Land Development Code and Village Code then votes on a recommendation for the Committee of Trustees. The Committee reviews the project and provides an additional recommendation to the Board of Trustees. Based on the staff, Plan Commission, and Committee recommendations, the Board of Trustees decides to approve or deny the COA in a final review.

Please refer to Land Development Code Section 6-209 and the Resident Handbook for additional information regarding the proper treatment of historic buildings as well as code requirements. If you have any questions about the historic review process, please contact the Development Services Department at (708) 403-5300.

Resident Handbook

The Resident Handbook was created to assist property owners, residents, business owners, architects, and developers in planning the appropriate repair, rehabilitation, and new construction of properties in the Old Orland District and designated historic landmarks. As part of ongoing training alongside COA applications, the manual provides an overview of the Village's historic preservation program, ordinance, code requirements, and project review process. It also includes additional resources and techniques to help guide sensible and compatible changes.

Plan Commission Handbook

The Plan Commission Handbook provides information and resources to commissioners reviewing the appropriate repair, rehabilitation, and new construction of properties within the Old Orland District and designated historic landmarks. The manual serves as an overview of the Village's historic preservation program, ordinance, project review process, landmark designation, as well as the Certified Local Government and other local preservation programs. The information will help assist commissioners in making well-informed decisions that are essential to protecting and maintaining the overall character of the District as well as the architectural integrity of individual buildings and other locally designated Landmark structures.

Architectural and Design Guides

The following handouts provide additional guidance for planning and implementing rehabilitation and new construction projects that are appropriate to the styles of the original buildings as well as compatible with the architectural and aesthetic character of the neighborhood.

• Additions
• Building Colors
• Canopy and Awnings
• Commercial Storefronts
• Commercial Use of Residential Buildings
• Doors and Entrances
• Exterior Building Materials
• Foundations
• New Construction
• Outbuildings
• Porches
• Roofs, Gutters, and Downspouts
• Windows

Downloads

• Certificate of Appropriateness Petition Form
• Resident Handbook
• Plan Commission Handbook

Historic building surveys allow the village to:

• Learn about its buildings and determine their age and style
• Inventory the materials that were used originally in the building’s construction and what materials are currently being used on the building
• Note the architectural style of the building for educational purposes, architectural / structural maintenance purposes, and posterity
• Preserve the building by assisting builders and planners to choose appropriate architectural styles, materials, and methods for construction

Inclusion

Inclusion in a historic building survey does not necessarily mean designation in a historic district. It does mean the building has been inventoried by the village.

Survey Files

Past historic building surveys.

• Survey for the Creation of an Old Orland Historic District of "Local Significance" 1984
• Historic Building Survey of 1991
• Orland Rural History Survey of 1995
• Contributing Structures Survey of 2005
• Residential Area Intensive Survey 2008
  • Appendix A - Properties Listed Map Key Address Order
  • Appendix B - Properties Listed Style Order
  • Appendix C - Properties Listed Year Built Order
  • Survey Forms Pictures and Descriptions
• Stellwagen Farm Survey 2008