The OSC Design Manual assists developers, architects, Village staff, property owners, and the community to develop creative, attractive, and appropriate design solutions throughout the OSC District. To this end, the guidelines emphasize the following:

• Maintaining and enhancing existing architectural styles, details, and streetscape that collectively make up the unique character of the District.
• For new construction, the guidelines provide information on how to relate new buildings to the existing historic nature of the District.
• For contributing structures, the guidelines provide assistance to encourage historically appropriate building restoration and repair.

Additional information regarding architectural requirements within the OSC District can be found in the OSC Overlay District section of the Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 154), the OSC Design Manual, and within the U.S. Secretary of the Interiors Standards for Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings.

Architectural Review Process

Here are the typical steps to be followed when a property owner wishes to:

• Build a new structure
• Make an alteration to an existing structure
• Demolish an existing structure
• Designate an existing structure as a local landmark building

1. Contact staff in the Community Development Department, who can provide the necessary OSC Application and instructions.

2. The project must be reviewed by the Olde Schaumburg Centre Commission (OSCC) and approved by the Village Board. Normal maintenance of buildings within the OSC District does not normally require formal board review, but the property owner should verify with the Community Development Department prior to commencing work.

3. Since the OSCC only performs architectural and signage review, any new construction within the District may also require site plan review and recommendations from the Zoning Board of Appeals before approval by the Village Board.

Evaluation Criteria

Please be aware that village staff, the OSCC, and the village board will use the following criteria when evaluating an architectural project in the OSC District:

• Overall Building Design
• Building Material Selection
• Overall Site Design
• Compatibility with Surrounding Properties

Once a project has been approved by the village board, the applicant can apply for a Village Building Permit through the Community Development Department.

For further information about the OSC architectural review process, please contact the Community Development Department at 847-923-4430.