12.500. Historic District Designation Procedures.
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1. An application for the designation of an historic district may be submitted by any interested party. A filing fee may be provided for by administrative regulation.

2. Applications for historic district designation shall be filed with the Department on a form provided by the Department and shall include the following, unless specifically waived by the Director:

a. The names and addresses of the property owners of each parcel of property to be included in the proposed district.

b. Owner Consent Form signed by all owners of record of 51% or more of the properties to be included in the proposed historic district.

c. Proof of ownership for all of the petitioning property owners.

d. Photographs of the proposed district supporting the application.

e. A written statement indicating the owners of record included on the owner consent form have received copies of the Historic Preservation Ordinance and acknowledging its requirements.

f. A map delineating the boundaries of the area proposed to be designated.

g. A written statement describing the area and properties within the historic district and setting forth reasons in support of the proposed designation.

h. A list and photographs of significant exterior architectural features of properties in the district.

i. A building survey for all buildings within the proposed district.

j. Any other information required by the Director.

3. A preliminary hearing concerning the application shall be held by the Board within thirty (30) days of the receipt of the application by the Department. The following procedure shall be used for the preliminary hearing regarding the designation of historic districts:

a. Not less than fifteen (15) nor more than thirty (30) days prior to the date of the hearing, notice of date, time, place and purpose of the public hearing shall be sent by first class mail to owner(s) of record in the proposed district and to the applicant(s), as well as the owners of all property located within two hundred fifty (250) feet of the boundaries of the proposed historic district. The public hearing notice also shall be published once in a newspaper having general circulation in the Village of Downers Grove not less than fifteen (15) nor more than thirty (30) days prior to the date of the hearing.

b. During the preliminary public hearing, the Board shall review and evaluate the application according to the criteria established by Section 12.600 and shall make a preliminary determination by majority vote regarding designation of the proposed historic district. Such preliminary determination shall be sent via certified mail to all owners of record within the proposed district.

4. The Board shall, within thirty (30) days of the preliminary determination, schedule a public hearing on the application, said hearing to be held no more than sixty (60) days after the date of the preliminary determination.

a. Not less than fifteen (15) nor more than thirty (30) days prior to the date of the hearing, notice of date, time, place and purpose of the public hearing shall be sent by first class mail to the owner(s) of record in the proposed historic district and to the applicant(s) as well as to the owners of property located within two hundred fifty (250) feet of the boundaries of the proposed historical district. The public hearing notice also shall be published once in a newspaper having general circulation in the Village of Downers Grove, not less than fifteen (15) nor more than thirty (30) days prior to the date of the hearing. The failure of any person to receive written notice shall not invalidate, impair or otherwise affect any action taken regarding the proposed historic district.

b. During the public hearing, the Board shall review and evaluate the application according to the criteria established by Section 12.600. A majority vote of the Board shall be necessary to make a recommendation to the Council regarding the application.

c. Within thirty (30) days following the date of the closing of the public hearing, the Board shall prepare its written evaluation, recommendation and all available information for submission to the Council. A resolution passed by majority vote of Council is necessary for approval of an historic district. If the Council approves or denies the application, a notice shall be sent to the property owner(s) of record via certified mail. Written copies of the decision shall be provided to the Department of Community Development and the Village Clerk. The Village shall, within thirty days of approval, cause the approved historic district determination to be recorded with the County Recorder of Deeds. If the Council denies the application, such denial shall constitute a final administrative decision subject to administrative as provided by law.

i. If a building and/or site is designated as an historic district by the Council, such designation shall be identified on the Village’s Official Zoning Map.

ii. Historic designation may be amended or rescinded by the same procedure and according to the same criteria set forth herein for designation.

iii. If an application is denied by the Council, the property may not be the subject of an application for a period of two (2) years from the date of the denial by the Council.

12.500. Historic District Designation Procedures. « Back to HISTORIC PRESERVATION

12.500. Historic District Designation Procedures.
« Back to HISTORIC PRESERVATION