Title/Name/Summary
Historic Marker Program -Former Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church Marker Location
History
PURPOSE:
The purpose is to approve the location of the historic marker for the Former Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church.
LOCATION:
9999 W 143rd Street
ATTACHMENTS:
Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church Plat of Survey
PLANNING OVERVIEW:
The Village of Orland Park Development Services Department has discussed with the property owner of the former Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church (CELC) the proposed location for the building’s historic marker. The property owner has signed a license agreement to allow the Village to install and maintain the historic marker on the private property.
The text for this marker was previously approved.
DISCUSSION:
Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, 9999 W 143rd Street
Pursuant to the plat of survey submitted by the current tenant and property owner, Robert Shutay, owner of Realty Executives Ambassador, the owner prefers that the historic marker be installed in the area to the east of the former sanctuary’s main entrance which faces and directly abuts the 143rd Street right-of-way.
The old sanctuary building’s north façade is approximately 25 feet from where automobiles travel in the 143rd Street right-of-way. The 20 foot-wide sidewalk area begins at the edge of the landscape area and ends at the 143rd Street curb. The parkway is brick-paved. Because of the narrow space and the proximity of the building to 143rd Street’s traffic, the marker will be placed in the landscaped area east of the church’s old main entrance that faces 143rd Street. The marker will locate approximately 1.5 feet from the eastern-most edge of the landscaped area, which is covered in lava rock. As one is facing the church building, the marker will be posted behind a northwesterly curving hedge of knee-high bushes that follow the curvature of the sidewalk in this location. This will allow visitors to the site to observe the marker at a safe distance from the street.
Angled Marker
In order to safely maximize the marker’s visibility for pedestrians in the narrow pedestrian walkways between the building and the right-of-way, the marker will be positioned such that the text on the façade of the marker will face northeast, at 45 degrees from north. The marker will not directly face the right-of-way at right angles. The reason for this is twofold. First, there is not much space between the building and the right-of-way for a pedestrian, or a touring group, to view the marker if the marker is positioned to face directly north. With less than 20 feet to the street, this can pose a safety hazard for the pedestrians and an uncomfortable environment. Second, positioning the marker at a 45 degree angle from north allows the site visitor to view the marker and the building façade from the east while maintaining a diagonal distance of approximately 30 feet from the right-of-way.
Street Furniture
Currently in front of the proposed location for the historic marker is a street bench, owned by the Village, and a garbage can. The street bench should be moved to the west two to four feet so that the marker can be visible and accessible. The garbage can must be moved to the other side of the building on the southeast corner of West Avenue and 143rd Street. That location is currently crowded with light poles, traffic poles and traffic boxes. In its current location the garbage can will block accessibility to the marker and create an unsightly appearance for a landmark marker.
On August 4, 2009 the Historic Preservation Review Commission moved 4-0 to recommend to the Village Board of Trustees approval of the location of the Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church Historic Marker as shown on the plat of survey titled “Plat of Survey” surveyed for the Presbyterian Church of Orland Park, prepared by Stonelake Survey Company, dated April 22, 1992 and date stamped July 2, 2009 by the Development Services Department.
Recommended Action/Motion
I move to approve the location of the Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church Historic Marker as shown on the plat of survey titled “Plat of Survey” surveyed for the Presbyterian Church of Orland Park, prepared by Stonelake Survey Company, dated April 22, 1992 and date stamped July 2, 2009 by the Development Services Department.