Title/Name/Summary
Coyle Schoolhouse - 14299 Wolf Road - Appearance Review
History
QUICKFACTS
Project
Coyle Schoolhouse - 14299 Wolf Road - Appearance Review
2025-0247 / AR-25-00548
Purpose
The purpose of this petition is to replace the exterior windows and gutters, replace the wood trim with siding, replace two exterior doors, structurally re-enforce and install siding on the bell tower, replace two copper roofs over the bell tower and entryway, restore the existing flagpole, install a patio, replace and re-route the walkway, and refresh the landscaping on the property located at 14299 Wolf Road.
Requested Actions: Appearance Review
Project Attributes
Address: 14299 Wolf Road
P.I.N.(s): 27-05-302-004-0000
Comprehensive Plan Planning District: Orland Grove Planning District
Comprehensive Land Designation: Neighborhood Mixed Use
Existing Zoning: BIZ General Business District
Existing Land Use: Office
Preliminary Engineering: N/A
OVERVIEW AND BACKGROUND
The Yunker Schoolhouse
The Yunker Schoolhouse is the historic name of the building that is located at 14299 S. Wolf Road, the northeast corner of the intersection. The property is no longer a school and serves as an office building. The structure was surveyed in 2009 by McGuire Igleski and Associates. The historic building survey found the building to be in “Good” condition with “High” integrity. The original construction date is circa 1910 and served as a one room schoolhouse for School District 134.
The 2009 survey also found the building to be eligible for local landmark designation and to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places. In the past, the Village has reached out to the property owner to designate the historic property as an Orland Park Landmark per Section 5-110 of the Land Development Code. The property owner, Mr. Richard Connor Riley, Esq., however, did not entertain the correspondences. As a result, this historic asset is not an Orland Park Landmark at this time. The Village does consider the structure to be part of the local heritage.
The Yunker Schoolhouse is the last remaining one room schoolhouse in Orland Park and it sits in its original location.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION & CONTEXT
The schoolhouse has a distinctive bell tower atop the structure. Constructed of wood, open-sided with a large bell affixed in the middle and topped by decorative copper roofs and a wood flagpole. The petitioner proposes to re-paint the flagpole, maintaining its original white color. The Petitioner proposes to replace the decorative copper roof with a like-for-like replacement. The replacement roof will naturally patina to a green color over time to match the existing roof. The Petitioner also proposes to cover the wood wrapping and soffits with white wood-appearing LP vinyl siding. The petitioner also states that structural re-enforcement of the bell tower is needed, however, this will be accomplished on the interior of the tower only and its appearance will be unchanged.
The Petitioner also proposes to replace the main building’s wood trim with the same white wood-appearing LP vinyl siding used for the bell tower. The color and appearance will match the existing wood trim. The Petitioner also proposes to replace the gutters with white gutters of a similar design to the existing. The current gutters are bronze-orange in color but are not constructed of those materials. The Petitioner opines the color change will improve the appearance of the structure, blending with the trim color and thus drawing one’s eyes to the structure’s more prominent features. There are no decorative elements proposed for the new gutters.
The Petitioner also proposes changes to the building’s main entryway. The Petitioner proposes to replace the copper roof with a same-for-same replacement which will naturally patina over time to match the current roof. Additionally, the Petitioner proposes to replace the wood trim of the covering with white wood-appearing LP vinyl siding, matching the main building’s trim and the bell tower. The stone columns in front are to remain as is. The Petitioner proposes to replace the existing wood door with a steel replacement featuring a matching 4 panel design. The Petitioner also proposes to install a matching door on the rear of the property. Both doors are of matching design and are proposed to be painted colonial blue, a departure from the existing red door on the main entrance.
As for the property around the main structure, the schoolhouse has a distinctive flagstone walkway connecting the main and rear doors of the schoolhouse to the parking lot, directly onto 143d street, and a public sidewalk to the east. The flagstone has remained in fair condition, but the petitioner has found the walkway prone to flooding and commonly becomes impassable with rainfall. In response, the petitioner is proposing to update the walkway by removing the existing flagstone and installing a concrete sidewalk with a stamped flagstone pattern. As a part of the replacement, the petitioner proposes changes to the sidewalk’s route. The Petitioner proposes a new route connected to the parking lot to the east. The Petitioner also proposes to eliminate the path directly to 143rd street as well as the stone pathway to the public sidewalk from the east.
Additionally, the petitioner proposes a 8‘ x 10’ patio directly off the walkway abutting the structure and the rear entrance to the building, on the east side of the building. The patio will be constructed of the same materials and feature matching stamped concrete design.
The Petitioner also proposes to replace all 7 windows on the structure with lifestyle, double hung 33.25 x 63 windows, black in color. The proposed dimensions maintain the existing window size but changes the exterior color from white to black. Of note, the window trim will not match the proposed vinyl siding and gutters.
In terms of landscaping, the petitioner is proposing to remove two trees and two bushes identified by their landscaper as deceased and provide new plantings surrounding the structure. An inspection conducted on April 2, 2025, by the Village Forester verified the plants were dead. In addition to re-planting the existing beds, the plans also propose to add new landscaping along both the eastern and western edges of the structure.
Following the removal of the two dead trees, the petitioner proposes to spade cut 175 linear feet of landscape bed edges and fill those beds with 5 cubic yards of topsoil and compost amendments topped by 13 cubic yards of premium hardwood mulch. The landscape bed will then be planted with the following:
• 2 - Arborvitae, Emerald Green (6’)
• 20 - Feather Reed Grass, Karl Foerster (2 gal)
• 5 - Hydrangea, Little Limelight (5 gal)
• 23 - Feather Reed Grass, Karl Foerster (2 gal)
• 16 - Allium, Summer Beauty (1 gal)
• 1 - Serviceberry, Autumn Brilliance (7’)
• 10 - Boxwood, Green Velvet (24’’)
• 2 - Viburnum, Chicago Lustre (5 gal)
• 18 - Lily, Pardon Me (1 gal)
• 12 flats - Sedum, Kamtschaticum
Additionally, the retaining wall on the corner of 143rd and Wolf Road has fallen into a state of disrepair. The Petitioner proposes to remove the existing retaining wall and install a 2ft. high by 55’ long retaining wall constructed of granite colored Unilock retaining wall. Additionally, the Petitioner proposes to add 3 tons of limestone screenings between the wall and the curb. This will replace the current blighted area there in very poor condition.
DETAILED PLANNING DISCUSSION
Building and Structure Design
It must be noted that while this structure is historical in nature and is considered by the Village to be a part of local heritage - this structure has not obtained protected status with the Village nor is it located in the Old Orland Historic District. Therefore, all proposed work is governed by the regulations for commercial structures in the BIZ General Business District.
The Petitioner’s proposal features materials which would not be appropriate for historically protected structures. The vinyl siding, vinyl windows, steel doors and stamped concrete pathways are significant departures to the structure’s historical integrity. Architectural features for historical structures are typically required to be repaired rather than replaced and if replacement is the only reasonable measure then the new materials are to match the existing in composition, design, color, texture and other visual qualities. Replacement doors for historical structures are typically required to be of wood construction, specifically on front facades. Metal doors are permitted on secondary facades if painted to match the wood doors. Windows for historical structures are typically required to be wood on the front facades. Metal windows may be used on secondary facades if they are painted to match the wood windows. Windows are also required to be simple double-hung windows. The metal windows on all sides, alongside the change in color, would typically not be appropriate for a historical landmark structure.
Staff opines that updating the pathway will improve accessibility through improved flood control and improved ADA access through a more stable walking surface. Additionally, while Staff always encourages connectivity and pedestrian access, Staff opines that an exception is appropriate in this case as the sidewalk ends approximately 175 ft to the east due to extensive wetlands east of the property. Staff notes that the proposed replacement does substantively depart from the existing walkway on the property which would typically not be appropriate for a historical landmark structure. The proposed replacement will improve accessibility to the site and the stamped concrete feature recalls the previous pathway.
This property holds a legal-nonconforming status with the Village and accordingly Staff finds the proposed landscaping most appropriately classified as maintenance. Specifically, Staff notes that the approval of this review does not establish an approved landscape plan for the property and reserves the right to require any modifications necessary in the future to bring the landscaping for the property into full code compliance.
Per Section 6-305.F.1.c., Continuous maintenance includes, but is not limited to, the removal of weeds; mowing; trimming; edging; cultivation; reseeding; plant replacement; appropriate fertilization; spaying; control of pests, insects and rodents by nontoxic methods whenever possible; watering/irrigation and other operations necessary to assure normal plant growth. The maintenance, repair, and replacement of all landscaping materials and barriers, including refuse disposal areas, walls, fences and other amenities upon their acceptance is also included.
Considering the structure is the last remaining single room schoolhouse in Orland Park and it’s high-integrity existing condition, this structure would be a strong candidate for obtaining contributing structure status as is. The proposed changes to the principal structure itself would typically be considered a minor change which, had this property obtained contributing structure status, would have required both Plan Commission and Board of Trustee approval.
Put simply, while the proposed work incorporates significant departures from the existing appearance and historical accuracy of the property, they are none-the-less permissible changes for commercial structures in the BIZ General Business District.
Overall, the project conforms to the Village’s Comprehensive Plan, Land Development Code and policies for this area.
Recommended Action/Motion
The Appearance Review for Coyle School House located at 14299 Wolf Road, as depicted on the plans prepared by Hartman Landscaping and Henry Coyle, has been administratively approved June 19, 2025.
Prior to any work being performed, obtain all applicable building permits and comply with Village Code and Land Development Code regulations.