Geneva offers design guidelines for historic properties

The city of Geneva has completed a draft of "Design Guidelines for Historic Properties." The draft guidelines are available on the city's Web site under Historic Preservation at geneva.il.us. An online form is provided for public comments.

The Historic Preservation Commission was formed in 1982 with the goal to preserve and protect historic structures and sites. The city adopted the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation of Historic Properties in 1995 as the standards that the HPC uses when reviewing exterior improvements to historic properties.

Design Guidelines provide illustrations and further details on how property owners and tenants can address the SOI Standards when undertaking exterior improvements to designated historic properties. The Design Guidelines use photographs of Geneva buildings to highlight past improvements to historic properties which have advanced the goal of preservation.

The guidelines will be presented to Geneva City Council's Committee of the Whole on Monday, Jan. 11, and to the Geneva Downtown Partnership on Tuesday, Jan. 12. The Design Guidelines are available on the city's Web site until Feb. 5.

For questions, contact Karla Kaulfuss, preservation planner, at (630) 938-4541 or kkaulfuss@geneva.il.us.