Geneva closer to new zoning rules
New zoning districts that call for transitional areas between Geneva's downtown business district and the houses surrounding it inched closer to reality Monday night, as the city council gave informal approval to the plan.
The new districts would prohibit someone from building something more than 37 feet tall or right up to the lot line in three areas: 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 properties are included.
Geneva's downtown district contains typical commercial buildings along State Street, built out to the sidewalks, and many stores, restaurants and offices in converted older houses on State and along streets north and south of State. The proposed new regulations call for converted houses in the new districts to retain a residential appearance.
No one spoke against the plan at the committee of the whole meeting Monday night, and three people spoke in favor.
"I think those of us who live here don't realize on a day-to-day basis what we've got," said Colin Campbell, who lives in an affected house on South Sixth. He noted that the charming appearance of Geneva's downtown district is good for business, and that businesspeople are attracted to the area because of that. "Geneva is a wonderful place -- not just to live, but to do business."
Dave Shepherd, of North Fifth Street, gave the aldermen a copy of a recent Chicago Agent real estate magazine that listed seven towns that agents should pay attention to as "up and coming." An agent quoted in it called Geneva "possibly the most charming town in the Chicago area."
"It is because of the uniqueness of our downtown," he said.
The council agreed to put the zoning changes on the agenda for next Monday's council meeting.
A PDF of the plan can be viewed on the city's Web site, www.geneva.il.us, on the Building and Zoning division page in the community development department section.