Geneva to charge for nominating historic landmarks, districts
Building owners, architectural enthusiasts and fans of history who want Geneva to designate something as a historic landmark will have to put some money behind their desires.
The city council Monday instituted a $500 application fee for any person or group that applies for such a designation for a property. The fee will also apply to applicants who want a historic district created.
It is the first time the city has required a fee since adopting its first historic-preservation law in 1982.
Alderman Mike Bruno was the only "no" vote. He suggested postponing the fee, preferring to consider it when the council reviews similar fees it charges for plan commission and zoning board of appeals applications.
He also said the fee will discourage people from applying. Bruno said he has heard, anecdotally, that people once interested in applying for landmark designations are reconsidering their plans after hearing about the new fee. And he questioned requiring property owners to pay the fee for applying for landmark status of their own property.
But Alderman Don Cummings said that the amount shouldn't stop people. Genevans favor historic preservation so much that, if a person truly can't afford the application fee, there should be enough people willing to chip in to pay the fee, he said.
A person could also ask the city's Historic Preservation Commission to submit the application. The HPC would need city council approval to do so. If the council says "yes," the city would pay the fee.
Aldermen have said the fee is intended to cover the costs of dealing with an application, including staff time to review it, postage for notification to interested parties, advertising the required public hearing and hiring a court reporter for the hearing. Unused money would be returned to the applicant.
Among West and Northwest suburbs with historic-preservation laws, a few require nomination fees. Elmhurst charges a $100 fee to non-owners. Elgin charges $50 to $300 for applications for landmarks or historic districts, and requires a $200 deposit for the costs of recording public hearings.