History of Wilmette design guidelines

 "The question of the architecture of the individual building is not important, excepting that it must harmonize with others and contribute to the effects of serenity."

1922 Comprehensive Plan 

Wilmettes first comprehensive plan stated on page 13; The main principle of architecture has to do with the width and direction of the streets, the placing of public buildings, the selection of sites for parks and open spaces, and with the harmonizing and beautifying of them all. The question of the architecture of the individual building is not important, excepting that it must harmonize with others and contribute to the effects of serenity. For this reason, there are suggested a few possible developments for various properties, and in accord with the founding of our village by Ouilmette, the Plan Commission recommends rural French type architecture, which is quite similar to the English type.

Illustrations are provided as a companion to the plan language. 

1950 Architectural Commission Formation

The “Study of Wilmette” was issued March 15th, 1946. This study clearly outlined the needs of the Village. It further recommended that a village Planning Board be organized which would prepare a unified plan for village betterment and advise on the execution of that plan.  

The Village Planning Board was organized September 19th, 1945, and has since been hard at work transforming the “Study of Wilmette”, its needs and opportunities, into a Plan for a Better Wilmette. In its work the Planning commission gave consideration to the Excellent 1922 Plan of Wilmette, the later rezoning studies and school studies made in the previous years. The advice of civic groups, service groups, and independent Wilmette citizens have all been sought by the Planning Board in its deliberations. From this the 20 Year Plan was created.

In 1949 the Village Trustees were “especially desirous” that the Planning Board to create an Architectural Control Committee to develop a standard of control for improvements in the commercial districts. 

On May 11th, 1950, the Planning Board voted for the creation of an Architectural Advisory Committee. ‘Mr. Dorsey moved that the Planning Board recommend that there be established by the Village Board an Architectural Advisory Committee which shall advise the Village Trustees and their staff regarding the harmonious and attractive design, or redesign, of new and remodeled buildings within the several business districts. 

1986 Comprehensive Plan

The vision underlying this plan is no different from the vision shared by Village residents for many years. The vision was well stated in the Village first plan, prepared in 1922.

One of the stated goals - Policy Five – Adopt an appearance code for commercial areas, enforceable upon the changing of a sign, exterior remodeling, or new construction.

A recurring theme within this plan is the maintenance of community character. Community character is strongly affected by the design of structures in the community. With this in mind, the Village should develop an appearance plan which will provide guidelines for the coordination of private redevelopment as well as for the selection of materials and fixtures for public improvements. 

1996 Ad Hoc Architectural Committee

In 1996 the Village of Wilmette planned to form an Ad Hoc Committee to develop a plan to outline design elements that would give the village a consistent character.

2000 West Center Village Plan

This document included many appearance and design items. 

Page 7 – discusses Design Guidelines

The use of specific design guidelines can promote the desired appearance for commercial properties as they are constructed or remodeled. Many of Wilmette’s residents, businesspeople, and officials have often stated that they would like to see a continuation of Wilmette’s “traditional” downtown look and feel. 

The Plan discusses and recommends materials, windows and doors, articulation and finally style.

Style: Styles should draw from the themes present in some of the older buildings currently in the Village Center, such as the Tudor style commercial buildings located at the northeast corner of 12th and Central Ave, or the 1920’s yellow brick building at the southwest corner of Central and 11th.

2005 Green Bay Road Corridor Study – Kretchmer

This study included even more design guideline items, starting on page 66. There is a visual reference explaining the desires architectural features stated in the suggested design guidelines. These included building design, building materials, texture, façade and windows. The design guidelines do not restrict architectural style or the ability of a property owner to express their vision and identity, provided that the proposal is a quality design that respects the distinctive visual character of the Village.

It should be noted that special note was made to encourage preserving the character of the Village in style and design with pitched roofs with articulated facades for visual interest so there is not one flat plane. Regarding the scale of the buildings the first two floors of three or four-story buildings should be at the sidewalk and the upper floors setback further so that pedestrians along Green Bay Road do not feel they are in a canyon with tall buildings going straight up from the sidewalk. The building additions should be proportionate to the existing buildings. 

2008 Urban Land Institute Study

This study again suggests the best path forward for Wilmette downtown development. The study goes on to recommend the development of design guidelines to assist developers. On Page 9 - The development of the Master Plan should define parameters around redevelopment (height, density, architectural character) in advance of private development proposals.

The Master Plan should offer clear aesthetic and architectural design guidelines to property owners in the Village Center and West Village Center so that they know what would be desirable if they did decide to pursue redevelopment. 

In developing design guidelines, the study recommends that they are created to preserve and enhance Wilmette’s small-town character. Page 17 – Any revitalization or redevelopment efforts needs to be driven by the following guiding principles: (#3)

- A recognition that Wilmette wants to preserve and enhance its small-town character, building off the environment that is uniquely Wilmette. 

2011 Village Center Master Plan

The most comprehensive master plan for Wilmettes downtown is 282 pages in length. Starting with the executive summary Executive Summary Guiding Principles to Establish a framework for changes to the Village’s development regulations that emphasizes high quality, sustainable site and building design. Create a set of planning and urban design tools that foster private-sector creativity, while establishing predictability regarding development type, scale and quality. 

The Future Vision: The Plan will act as a tool to inform current and future residents and business owners about the Village’s vision for this key district. This is critical because it specifically says current and future residents will use this plan to understand vision. 

The plan calls for the Development of a regulatory framework and process that provides a clear definition of the Village’s vision and creates predictability in the development process.

On page 5.38 it is written that there should be a zoning standard fine-tuned to the to the specific planning vision for the downtown area. The goal should be to define in a fair degree of detail the type of building and development that is desired and provide an efficient and predictable path for those who propose projects consistent with that vision. 

Then on page 5.39 design guidelines are discussed at length. A range of architectural styles is encouraged. However, all buildings should be designed with common elements: open glass storefronts; clearly defined entrances to ground and upper floors; sign bands and awnings incorporated into the design and scale of the building; upper floor windows placed in proportion to building width and height; and decorative cornices and parapets. Again, the main theme is traditional, contextual design that is in harmony to the village. The illustrations provided are all of a traditional design.

In the implantation section, the village was specifically charged with tasks. One is to Ensure that ordinances that govern development, including zoning, building codes, infrastructure and design standards support the redevelopment proposed in the Plan. 

At the end of the Village Center Master Plan an action plan matrix. One item was to develop from based codes. The other and most important to note is to develop Village Center Design Guidelines. This is listed as a high priority item to be accomplished by the Village Staff, Planning and Zoning Commission, Architectural Review Board and the design consultant. 

2014 Zoning Codes

The Village Center District zoning codes contains Section 30-10.7 which is the design guideline section of the Village Center District zoning codes. These guidelines are written for a traditional scheme and while technical there are companion illustrations. 

2023 Ready Set Wilmette

This will be the most recent comprehensive plan. While sometime is spent on issues other than architecture and the Village Center, Design Principals on page 36 must be highlighted –

Design Principles: While zoning primarily establishes the shape and use of new development, much of the character from development is in its architecture (although the zoning ordinance provides design details regarding development in the Village Center). Commercial and multi-unit residential new construction, exterior remodels, and certain other projects require an Appearance Review Certificate from the Village’s Appearance Review Commission, based on sixteen standards in the zoning ordinance. This approach has served the Village well. An additional step could be to develop a full set of Design Principles for multiple-unit residential and commercial buildings. Not regulatory or prescriptive, these can allow for flexibility but also provide a more detailed and graphic presentation of design expectations to developers. Design Principles would not identify any specific architectural style, but rather could convey desired character, provide guidelines for ensuring development is respectful of existing buildings and context, and communicate Village design goals in greater detail. 

Here again is another call for design guidelines, in greater detail then that of the existing zoning codes.

It must also be noted that the 2023 Ready Set Wilmette Comprehensive Plan adopts the 2011 Village Center Master Plan by reference, page 110.

Conclusion – 

The Village of Wilmette has design guidelines. Although the current zoning codes do not fully complete the high priority action plan item goal. The plan requests there should be a zoning standard fine-tuned to the to the specific planning vision for the downtown area. The goal should be to define in a fair degree of detail the type of building and development that is desired and provide an efficient and predictable path for those who propose projects consistent with that vision. 

The Village of Wilmette since 1922 requested traditional designed buildings in the village center. Every plan and study has either recommended or detailed design guidelines or both.