CSA Teardown Tools - General Teardown Information
Click here for the CSA Teardown Tools.
Across the nation a teardown epidemic is wiping out historic neighborhoods one house at a time. As older homes are demolished and replaced with dramatically larger, out-of-scale new structures, the historic character of the existing neighborhood is changed forever. Neighborhood livability is diminished as trees are removed, backyards are eliminated, and sunlight is blocked by towering new structures built up to the property lines. Community economic and social diversity is reduced as new mansions replace affordable homes. House by house, neighborhoods are losing a part of their historic fabric and much of their character.
"From 19th-century Victorian to 1920s bungalows, the architecture of America's historic neighborhoods reflects the character of our communities," said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust. "Teardowns radically change the fabric of a community. Without proper safeguards, historic neighborhoods will lose the identities that drew residents to put down roots in the first place." To date, the National Trust has documented more than 300 communities in 33 states that are experiencing significant numbers of teardowns, and that number is climbing fast. Click here for an interactive map and listing of Teardowns by State and Community.
In 2002, the National Trust began work to draw attention to this growing trend by placing "Teardowns in Historic Neighborhoods" on its list of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. To help arm neighborhood residents, preservationists and local government leaders, the National Trust has published Protecting America's Historic Neighborhoods: Taming the Teardown Trend to address the origins and impact of teardowns.
Chicago and the surrounding suburbs are not immune to this growing epidemic. In fact, the Chicagoland area has one of the highest concentrations of neighborhoods where teardowns are becoming the norm, rather than then exception. To help combat this problem, concerned citizens formed the Chicago Suburban Alliance, which consists of people from around the Chicago area who are interested in preserving historic neighborhoods, homes and buildings. This Alliance facilitates the sharing of information and ideas between Chicago communities that face the same sort of issues concerning teardowns and redevelopment.
Historic neighborhoods, like those in Lake Forest and Joliet, can be protected from teardowns through a variety of tools and approaches that manage this type of growth. Because there is no "one-size-fits-all" solution or "magic bullet" that will stop teardowns, communities should expect to use a combination of tools. To help with this process, the National Trust is working to show models and profile communities that have developed innovative strategies through the online Teardowns Resource Guide.
Concerned individuals in the Chicagoland area can look at the CSA Teardown Tools to see examples of demolition delay ordinances, zoning codes, real estate riders and more.
Go to the general Teardowns and McMansions page.
