How strict is Frankfort RE: New Construction? (Oak Park, Orland Park: for sale, homes)

[Emmy]

I cannot stand cookie cutter subdivisions and we're hoping to either do a teardown/rehab or build something 100% custom. Lately I've been doing a lot of research on Frankfort - seems like a really nice area. Does anyone know how strict they are with:

1) Custom building in new subdivisions? (e.g. rules that require everything be built in the traditional style with brick facades and over X sq. ft.)

2) Rehabs/teardowns in the older parts of town?

Thanks!

[preppyboyofIL]

I don't see too much tear downs really taking place out in Frankfort as this area is primarily new and is mostly subdivisions. There are some older areas like along Rte. 30 and La Grange Road back in the old historical district, but thats about all I know of thats really old out there. Frankfort just started to "boom" about 15 years ago, so its mostly all new. I do know that the town is very helpful though if you wish to rehab an old structure as it is trying to revive its historical district.

Another area to consider that is good for tear downs/rehabbing, is Old Orland Park or Old Tinley Park. Old Orland is located at Southwest Highway and 143rd Street. There are some really beautiful homes in there with great charm, especially along West Avenue at 144th-146th. Not to mention that there are also old homes with HUGE lots along the west side of West Avenue from 143rd Street to 151st Street and there are some current knock downs taking place in there. Also Orland's taxes believe it or not are typically low in comparison with those of the booming Will county towns.

Tinley's old town also loaded with knock downs and rehabs and is located from Harlem Avenue to east of Oak Park Avenue and from about 167th Street south to 175th Street. Again there are plenty of properties in there of which all have large lots and enjoy Tinley's relatively low taxes.

Good Luck!

[Emmy]

Originally Posted by preppyboyofIL

I don't see too much tear downs really taking place out in Frankfort as this area is primarily new and is mostly subdivisions. There are some older areas like along Rte. 30 and La Grange Road back in the old historical district, but thats about all I know of thats really old out there. Frankfort just started to "boom" about 15 years ago, so its mostly all new. I do know that the town is very helpful though if you wish to rehab an old structure as it is trying to revive its historical district.

Another area to consider that is good for tear downs/rehabbing, is Old Orland Park or Old Tinley Park. Old Orland is located at Southwest Highway and 143rd Street. There are some really beautiful homes in there with great charm, especially along West Avenue at 144th-146th. Not to mention that there are also old homes with HUGE lots along the west side of West Avenue from 143rd Street to 151st Street and there are some current knock downs taking place in there. Also Orland's taxes believe it or not are typically low in comparison with those of the booming Will county towns.

Tinley's old town also loaded with knock downs and rehabs and is located from Harlem Avenue to east of Oak Park Avenue and from about 167th Street south to 175th Street. Again there are plenty of properties in there of which all have large lots and enjoy Tinley's relatively low taxes.

Good Luck!

Thanks for the tips! We are actually talking to a builder in Tinley who is doing teardowns near the downtown area. We love him and the area but aren't thrilled that the properties are in the Tinley Park H.S. district. If he can find us a lot in the Andrew school district then we may be in business.

I haven't checked into Old Orland - I'll have to look into that. Thanks!

[NSH]

Originally Posted by Emmy

If he can find us a lot in the Andrew school district then we may be in business.

I haven't checked into Old Orland - I'll have to look into that. Thanks!

Look into Orland Hills, particularly between robinhood dr and 88th ave from 163rd to 171st. This was a subdivision built in the early 60's as ranch homes on VERY large lots. Many people are buying up these homes and either demolishing them or adding on to them It is a very charming area. This is SD230 and your kids can go to Andrew.

A keck and keck style, wright, or other mid century inspired architecture would fit perfectly here. (if that's what your into anyway)

[preppyboyofIL]

I'm sorry... You think after living in this area for years, I would remember the Orland Hills area that is real old of which someone else mentioned. It is true though, the area extending from about actually 161st St. down to 171st St. between 94th Avenue and about 86th Avenue has tons of old homes from the days of when Orland Hills was still Westhaven, and the whole area was still corn fields. Today land is too expensive around Orland Park making is nearly impossible for developers to build homes on huge lots of which forces them to squeeze as many homes as they can on a small parcel of land to make a profit.

I wanted to also mention that there are a couple of old homes along 94th Avenue at about 161st-165th which are currently for sale and can be VERY charming if fixed up. This area all around it is booming and I know that both Orland Park and Orland Hills want to try to fix this area up as 94th Avenue's homes have fallen into disrepair making this area look less than desireable, so I'm pretty sure the villages will help you out as much as possible. Check it out!