Geneva considers rules for land near downtown

Geneva officials are close to approving land-use regulations for areas in and next to the downtown business district that would create transitional areas to the surrounding single-family homes.

The city is also worried some of the old houses that were converted to business use in the district could be redeveloped into more-intense things, like storefront buildings found along State Street.

The matter is expected to be on the city council's committee-of-the-whole agenda Monday night and come up for an official vote June 16.

The proposed regulations would prohibit someone from building something big and tall (over 37 feet) and right up to the lot line, and encourage any houses being used for businesses to maintain the building's residential looks.

The three areas are on the north side of James Street between Fifth and Seventh streets; the north side of Hamilton Street between First and Sixth streets; and the south side of Hamilton between Fourth and Sixth streets.

Thirty-nine buildings are affected by the plan.

The plan was reviewed by the Geneva Downtown Partnership committee, the historic preservation commission and the plan commission.

A PDF of the city's plan, including a map, can be found on the city Web site.