Block circled in blue proposed to be razed and new construction of 114-unit apartment complex and 12 townhomes, Google Earth.
Benchmark Developer’s proposal (302 River PUD) to raze the northeast block of Geneva’s Historic District for a five-story apartment complex with mostly one-bed and studio apartments and twelve three-bed townhomes was not recommended to move forward by the Planning and Zoning Commission on April 25, 2024. The commission found, unanimously, that while the project aligned with the Geneva Master Plan to bring more housing downtown, the mass, scale, density, and architectural style were incompatible with those of the historic district. The concerns of Planning and Zoning mostly matched those of the Historic Preservation Commission which recommended on February 21 that “The scale of the townhomes along First Street and the scale of the apartment block should be revised to be more complementary of [the] adjacent, historic neighborhood.”[1]
The Geneva City Council, likely on May 13, 2024, will be the final decision-maker if the developer chooses not to make any changes to their proposal. The alderpersons would hear from city staff and the developer with no additional public comment. Public comments can be given to alderpersons before the council meeting directly by phone, mail, or email. See the City of Geneva’s website for their contact information.
Rendering of proposed apartment complex at 302 N. River Lane, Geneva, April 11, 2024.
At the Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing, there was consensus among both the commissioners and most of the public commenters that the historic block of the former bottling works factory needed redevelopment and that the City of Geneva needs more rental units downtown. The developer also noted that new residents would be a benefit to downtown businesses. Some residents complained that the development would bring too many people to that one block and create additional traffic and parking problems. Most residents who spoke were unhappy with the size of the buildings proposed and that the modern style of the buildings did not fit the character and charm of Geneva. The developer opposed downsizing the number of units or the building sizes because they said that such changes would be financially detrimental to them.
Further complicating the proposal for the developer was an adverse effect finding by the Illinois State Historic Preservation Office (ILSHPO). Due to the need for a stormwater permit for the project from the state, the developer submitted their proposal for what is called a “Section 707 review” last fall. This review is part of the state’s historic preservation law that requires a review of any potential impact on historic structures on or near where a state permit is required.[2] ILSHPO found that there would be an adverse effect on Geneva’s historic district if all the structures on the block were demolished. In response, the developer decided to keep one of the houses on the block, 305 N. First Street, built in 1855. A new Section 707 review has not been done yet to determine if that would be enough mitigation for the state to approve the developer’s permit.
While the all-volunteer Planning and Zoning Commission had several favorable comments about Benchmark’s proposed development at the former Geneva Bottling Works site, they did not recommend it to be approved. City Council may decide to go ahead with the project at their May 13 meeting since recommendations from city commissions are not binding. Most at the hearing agreed that downtown Geneva would benefit from an increase in residents. Those benefits will be greater with a project that balances new development with the historic charm and character of Geneva.
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[1] “Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes,” City of Geneva, February 21, 2024, https://www.geneva.il.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_02212024-2300.
[2] See Illinois State Agency Historic Resources Preservation Act as amended in 2002 at https://dnrhistoric.illinois.gov/preserve/laws.html.