Title/Name/Summary
Twin Towers Chapel Exterior Work - 9967 W. 144th Street - Certificate of Appropriateness
History
QUICKFACTS
Project
Twin Towers Chapel Exterior Work - 9967 W. 144th Street - Certificate of Appropriateness
Legistar ID: 2025-0707
Project ID: PPA-25-0034
Petitioner
Mikolaj Chlopicki, Elite Exteriors LLC (Contractor)
Purpose
The petitioner is seeking approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness for minor work on a landmark and contributing structure in the Old Orland Historic District.
Requested Actions: Certificate of Appropriateness
Project Attributes
Address: 9967 W. 144th Street, Orland Park, IL (also known as 9955 144th Street)
P.I.N.(s): 27-09-205-012-0000 & 27-09-205-013-0000
Comprehensive Plan Planning District: Downtown Planning District
Comprehensive Land Designation: Community & Institutional
Existing Zoning: OOH Old Orland Historic District
Contributing Structure: Yes
Landmark: Yes
Existing Land Use: Place of Worship
Surrounding Land Use:
North: OOH Old Orland Historic District - Single-Family Detached Residential
South: OOH Old Orland Historic District - Single-Family Detached Residential
East: OOH Old Orland Historic District & R-3 Residential - Single-Family Detached Residential
West: R-3 Residential - Single-Family Detached Residential & Place of Worship (St. Michael Catholic Church)
OVERVIEW AND BACKGROUND
According to the 2008 Residential Area Intensive Survey by McGuire Igleski and Associates, the Twin Towers Sanctuary (c. 1898 by William Arthur Bennett) is a contributing structure to the Old Orland Historic District in the Queen Anne style and is listed in good condition with a high degree of integrity. The building is also an Orland Park Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Old Orland Heritage Foundation has rehabilitated and maintained the Twin Towers over the years. From 2013 to 2019, they obtained Certificates of Appropriateness for maintenance work to re-paint the siding on the chapel and front doors, repair stairwells and the foundation, and re-roof the two steeples among other maintenance work. Overall, the buildings have been kept in good condition.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
Downtown Orland Park is centered around the LaGrange Road and 143rd Street intersection and served by the 143rd Street Metra station. The Downtown is separated into four Character Districts, each with a distinct identity, but all integrated via a well-connected transportation network. The subject property is within the Old Orland Subdistrict, which includes the Old Orland Historic District, an established neighborhood immediately to the south of the 143rd Street Metra station which served as the original downtown of Orland Park. This area developed primarily as single-family homes but also includes small scale multi-family buildings, mixed use, commercial and office uses. The Comprehensive Plan identifies community and institutional as an ideal use for this site. Overall, the proposed use is consistent with the intent of the Comprehensive Plan for this area.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION & CONTEXT
Per Section 6-209.G.1, the review and approval process for Contributing Structures and Landmarks for minor work require Plan Commission and Board approval. Minor work is defined as changes that do not have a substantial impact on the exterior appearance of the structure or site, including alteration, addition, or removal of exterior architectural elements such as doors, windows, fences, skylights, siding, exterior stairs, roofs, tuck-pointing etc. The proposed work includes a complete tear-off and re-roof, replacing the gutters and downspouts, replacing the siding in certain areas, and painting the siding. The current scope of work only includes the newly replaced siding and the siding on two sides of the building to be painted. However, as discussed at the Plan Commission meeting on September 16, 2025, the petitioner would prefer to paint the siding on all four sides of the building.
The existing asphalt shingles are a dark gray color, and the proposed shingles will be Owens Corning shingles in the color Estate Gray. The gutters and downspouts will remain white to match the existing as well. The siding will only be replaced on the top of the steeples. Cedar siding will be used. The new siding will be painted to match the existing. All materials will match existing and the appearance of the building will not be changed.
Overall, the proposed minor work conforms to the Village’s Land Development Code and policies for this area.
PLAN COMMISSION DISCUSSION
The Plan Commission meeting was held on September 16, 2025. Present at the Plan Commission public meeting were 7 commissioners, the petitioner, members of the public, and staff. One of the commissioners joined the meeting virtually. The petitioner presented their project to Plan Commission and let them know that they were interested in changing their scope of work to include painting all four sides of the building, whereas the insurance had only approved funding for painting two sides of the building. Following the staff presentation, the commissioners had a lengthy discussion about the project scope and whether or not the painting of only two sides of the building would have an impact on the structure’s appearance and historic character. Since painting was not originally within the scope of work, the Plan Commission decided to amend the Staff Recommended Action as written in the Staff Report to the Plan Commission to add a condition that the entire building be repainted. Overall, they were supportive of the proposal as it will not change the appearance of the structure and is necessary maintenance work to preserve one of the Village’s most prominent landmarks.
The Plan Commission unanimously recommended approval of the Certificate of Appropriateness with a condition that the entire building be repainted, with 7 ayes and 0 nays.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES DISCUSSION
The Board of Trustees meeting was held on October 20, 2025. Present at the Board of Trustees meeting were the Village President, all 6 trustees, the Village Clerk, the petitioner, members of the public, and staff. The project was not discussed during the meeting and was immediately brought to a vote based on the Plan Commission’s recommended action.
The Board of Trustees unanimously approved the Certificate of Appropriateness with a condition that the entire building be repainted, with 7 ayes and 0 nays.
Recommended Action/Motion
The Certificate of Appropriateness for the Twin Towers Chapel Exterior Work at 9967 W. 144th Street, case number 2025-0707, as depicted on the scope of work and specification sheets submitted by the petitioner and discussed throughout this report, was approved by the Board of Trustees on October 20, 2025, subject to the following conditions:
1) Meet all Building and Land Development Code requirements;
2) Obtain a building permit prior to construction;
3) The entire building will be repainted.