Council rezones former Central School for planned 19-apartment conversion
The 7-0 action moves 245 W. Exchange Street into R-3 zoning, while building and civil-code review still stands between the concept and construction.
In one sentence
Sycamore approved the zoning needed for a proposed 19-unit reuse of the former school administration building, but it did not issue a building permit or approve final construction plans.
The City Council unanimously approved Ordinance 2026.07 on May 18, changing the 1.63-acre property at 245 W. Exchange Street from school, public park, and institutional use to R-3 multifamily residential.
The owner's preliminary plan shows 19 apartments inside the existing building. The controlling action is a zoning-map change, not a construction authorization.
The decision
The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval 8-0 after its May 11 hearing, where the record says no objections were raised. Seven alderpersons then voted yes on May 18.
That vote changes the permitted land use. It does not complete the separate reviews required for a building permit.
The proposed reuse
City staff described 14 one-bedroom and five two-bedroom apartments, for 24 bedrooms total, plus a common area and gym.
The application says the exterior architectural features would remain, with cleaning, tuckpointing, repainting, an accessible front ramp, and parking-lot work. Staff reported 31 parking spaces required and about 61 proposed.
What comes next
The City memo says building and civil-code compliance will be reviewed when plans are submitted and must be approved before a building permit is issued.
The preliminary drawings are labeled not for construction. An issued permit, final plans, and a certificate of occupancy would document later milestones.
What is still unclear
What the record did not yet answer
- The cited records do not establish an issued building permit or construction start.
- The final plans and unit count could change during code review.
- No opening or occupancy date is established by the zoning action.
Later developments will appear in new coverage, preserving what this story established on its publication date.
Source trail
Check the record
- 01City Council Packet and Ordinance 2026.07 (opens in a new tab)
City of Sycamore · May 18, 2026 · Official meeting packet
The packet contains the zoning application, preliminary plans, staff review, and ordinance. - 02City Council Packet, including approved May 18 minutes (opens in a new tab)
City of Sycamore · June 1, 2026 · Approved meeting record
The included minutes record the 7-0 Council vote.
