The Elgin National Watch district may lose its historic designation as city officials undertake an in-depth review of code cases, permit numbers and other data to determine if it’s a detriment to residents financially.
Mayor Dave Kaptain said the rules involving historic properties add additional expense to the cost of property improvements, and he believes many low-income families or residents who couldn’t speak English were left out of the process when the city designated the area a historic district.
“I was involved I was with this (historic designation) process when it came to the city council,” Kaptain said. “I will tell you that I believe if this process was proposed today, it wouldn’t meet the sniff test. … The way it was done did not include (many of the) people down there.
“I will support this review and I’d love to see something different down there,” he said.
The idea of a comprehensive review of the district came up Wednesday night when Elgin City Council members were discussing the approval of amendments to the city’s Design Guideline Manual for Landmarks and Historic Districts, which is part of the Elgin Historic Preservation ordinance.
The manual details what is and isn’t allowed in a historic district, and covers such things as historically appropriate siding, windows and other building materials. Amendments being proposed should make it clearer and simpler for property owners in the city’s five historic districts to make repairs and improvements, City Manager Rick Kozal said.
For example, some changes will make it easier for residents to install solar panels on their historic homes and the update “recognizes advances of certain building materials and features” that can be used for construction, city documents said.
Council members approved the amendments with an 8-1 vote. Councilman Toby Shaw was the lone no vote, saying he believes the guidelines are restrictive for homeowners.
While in support of the amended rules, Councilwoman Rose Martinez agreed it was the right time to reevaluate the Elgin National Watch Historic District designation.
“It’s hard for people who live in this district,” she said. “I feel it is a burden, a financial burden to them (to make home improvements).”
The district is just south of downtown Elgin and encompasses the part of town associated with the Elgin National Watch Co., which operated from 1864 to 1968. Its proximate boundaries are Villa Street, Liberty Street, May Street, Wellington Avenue and National Street.
Aaron Cosentino, director of the Department of Neighborhood Services, said the city receives many complaints about the restrictions.
“We receive feedback almost daily from residents (and landlords) within the National Watch District (who talk) about the constraints they feel the historic district does impose on them, especially when it comes to things like siding,” Cosentino said.
“We are left with some options. We can be empathetic and give them extended periods of time. But when you are under financial stress, possibly living paycheck to paycheck, more time isn’t going to magically make you have $10,000 to replace windows,” he said.
Council members said they were open to looking into the possibility of dissolving or shrinking the district.
Cosentino said he will gather data on National Watch Historic District and will provide information to the council for further discussion.
Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
