A plan to convert the former Evanston/Skokie School District 65 administration building into a condominium and townhouse development might run into some bumps with zoning and historic preservation requirements.

The property that includes the Joseph E. Hill Administration Building, 1314 Ridge Ave., was purchased at a May 8 auction by Vladimir Novakovic, a partner with Terra Nova Properties, Inc., with a winning bid of about $2.8 million.

Novakovic said after purchasing the property bordered by Ridge and Asbury avenues and Dempster and Greenwood streets that he plans to convert the main building into an undetermined number of condominiums. He also plans to convert two smaller buildings on the property to townhouses and build more condominiums on open space on the property.

But the developer will face problems from the city, according to Ald. Steven Bernstein (4th), whose ward includes the site. Bernstein said several meetings were held that made it clear that zoning and historic preservation requirements would allow only single-family residences on the property.

“(The development) is not going to happen,” Bernstein said. “We are going to try and keep the property pristine.”

Aside from zoning restrictions, the property also is part of the Evanston Ridge Historic District and two properties in the district are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Bernstein said he would not be in favor of voting to change any regulations to allow a condominium and townhouse development. He said such a development would detract from the historic nature of the neighborhood.

“This is probably the nicest corridor in the city of Evanston,” Bernstein said. “We are clearly not going to change that.”

If developers knew condominiums and townhouses could be put on the property, it likely would have sold for close to $10 million, he said.

But Laura Atwood, a designer with Terra Nova Properties, said the company has watched the building for five months and is aware of the restrictions. She said the company’s studies show that it can proceed with the project as planned The company has hired an architect familiar with the law who can ensure that the plans meet all restrictions, she said.

However if the city is able to prevent the building, the developer is prepared to change the plans, Atwood said. The developer would fix up the buildings as single-family residences if the city codes restrict the development to this, she said.

“The investors that we have are experienced and they will find a way to make it work,” Atwood said.

The property includes three buildings, the largest of which is a nearly 15,000-square-foot mansion built in 1917 that was used as the district’s administration building. In addition, there are two smaller buildings that were used as warehouse and food service buildings.

The $2.8 million from the sale went to District 65 to help pay for its new administration building.

This is not a large amount of money for the developer, Atwood said. Novakovic has sold more than 25 other properties, most of which are located on the North Side of Chicago. The majority of these projects are conversions of historic buildings acquired for about $10 to $15 million.

Because the cost of the administration building is so much less, Atwood said the developer would not be upset if he had to change the plan.

“The $2.8 million is really a small deal for them,” Atwood said.