New historic district is unlikely in Elgin

The city of Elgin has three historic districts.

If it's going to have a fourth, it probably won't be because of a push from the New West Neighbors Association if the group's Thursday night meeting was any indication.

A handful of residents voiced their objections to any possible move in that direction, none supported it, and a city preservationist who was to make a presentation about it failed to show.

"I'm still against it," said John Martin, who opposed historic district discussion back in 2000. "I want to do what I want to do with my home. As long as it meets code, no one should say anything about it."

The issue first surfaced in 1999, when the city declared landmark status for the Grace Methodist Church, which is in the NWNA area.

But the church's national leaders threatened to sue, saying the landmark status could hurt their prospects in the long run if they ever decided to sell the site. City leaders removed the landmark status and suggested the neighborhood move toward forming a historic district.

NWNA President Chuck Keysor recalled on Thursday that the idea provoked some of the most mild-mannered neighbors to be furious. The issue was eventually dropped.

Keysor, who lives in an 1883 Victorian that was renovated in 1929. said city leaders often suggest the NWNA should for a historic district.

"I love old houses and I hate to see people do things to mess them up," said Keysor, who said he personally opposes a historic district because it would prohibit him from restoring his home to its 1883 condition.

Generally speaking, historic districts carry more prestige and usually higher property values. But the trade off is less freedom to improve or renovate the exterior of one's home or erect an addition.

Even the most mundane repairs require approval from a special city board and then the city council.