Village Board Discusses New Historic Preservation Committee

The Village of Mokena will explore setting up an historic preservation committee after recieving a request to preserve 11122 Third St. According to a letter submitted to the village board of trustees, the home was built in the 1860s in the Greek revival style popular of the era.

The house's first owner had a general store downtown, and the second owner was the first pastor at St. John's United Church of Christ. His decendants held the house until recently, Director of Economic and Community Development Alan Zordan said at the board's work session Monday.

Zordan suggested the board look to towns such as Orland Park, Lemont and Lockport for ways to run its committee. 

Mayor Joe Werner said he "wants an entity where people have a path to get local landmark status" but doesn't want to have a lot of diplomatic red tape involved. For example, the homeowner would not be limited on improvements made to the home.

The board also heard a request for a special use permit to open an indoor baseball and softball facility in Mokena. The facility would be 13,000 square feet and would be located at 8685 Spring Lake Dr. The request was made by Romeoville-based . The facility expects to have 6 batting cages and 4 pitching tunnels.

The Quarry Fieldhouse special use request will come up for review to the Site Plan/Architectural Review Committee at its April meeting.