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Second historic district in Geneva?

Geneva history didn't happen just in the 19th century.

The proposed new South Geneva Historic District would reflect that, with buildings from the late 19th to mid-20th century. Italianate, Colonial Revival, Spanish Eclectic and Prairie Style-influenced houses dot its streets.

Including one Karla Kaulfuss, the city's historic preservation planner calls "mid-century 'Brady Bunch' Eclectic."

Kaulfuss explained the new district to the city council Monday at its committee of the whole meeting, and it agreed unofficially to let staff proceed further on establishing such a district. The formal vote will come next week.

City staff have identified an area roughly bounded by Cheever Avenue, Meadows Road, Fargo Boulevard and the Fox River. Until recently, the proposal was known as the Batavia Avenue Historic District.

"While the downtown district preserves the history of (the founding) of Geneva, the proposed new district is equally important to Geneva history, as it shows how Geneva has developed over time," Kaulfuss said.

With the city council's permission, staff will conduct a more in-depth survey of the 86 properties in the proposed district. It will present information about the district at a hearing for property owners. When an application is ready, a 60-day notice will be given, then a public hearing will be conducted by the Historic Preservation Commission. If that body decides the area meets city standards for a historic district, it will pass a recommendation on to the city council, which would conduct another public hearing on the matter before voting.

If approved, it would be the city's second historic district. The first encompasses much of downtown Geneva.

Ultimately, if the area is made into a historic district, properties in it would be subject to some special rules when it comes to additions, exterior renovations and demolitions. The HPC would get to review such changes to see if they met standards set by the Secretary of the Interior. Properties in a district that follows those standards may be eligible for property tax freezes and other fiscal breaks on renovations.

The creation of the district gained steam after the teardown in 2004 of a 100-year-old limestone cottage, one of two matching houses built on Shady Avenue by Henry Bond Fargo, former mayor of Geneva and a co-founder of the Wells-Fargo company.