Historic Preservation Commission

Meetings

• 6:30 p.m.
• Third Thursday of each odd-numbered month (January, March, May, July, September, and November).
• City Hall

Members

The members shall be appointed on the basis of expertise, experience, or interest in the area of architectural history, building construction or engineering, finance, historical and architectural preservation, neighborhood organizing, and real estate. Members must be residents of Waukegan and serve three-year terms.

About the Commission

The commission is an advisory body which makes recommendations to the City Council of whether to approve or deny applications for landmarking buildings and/or structures. Further responsibilities include:

• Conduct an ongoing survey to identify historically and architecturally significant properties, structures, and areas
• Investigate and recommend to the City Council the adoption of ordinances designating properties or structures having special historic, community, or architectural value as "landmarks"
• Investigate and recommend to the City Council the adoption of ordinances designating properties or structures having special historic, community, or architectural value as "historic districts"
• Keep a register of all properties and structures that have been designated as landmarks or historic districts, including all information required for each designation
• Determine an appropriate system of markers and make recommendations for the design and implementation of specific markings of the streets and routes leading from one landmark or historic district to another
• Advise owners of landmarks and properties or structures within historic districts on physical and financial aspects of preservation, renovation, rehabilitation, and reuse, and on procedures for inclusion on the state or national register of historic places
• Inform and educate the citizens of Waukegan concerning the historic and architectural heritage of the city by publishing appropriate maps, newsletters, brochures, and pamphlets, and by holding programs and seminars
• Hold public hearings and review applications for construction, alteration, removal, or demolition affecting proposed or designated landmarks or structures or historic districts and issue or deny Certificates of Appropriateness for such actions
  • Applicants shall be required to submit plans, drawings, elevations, specifications, and other information as may be necessary to make decisions.
• Develop specific guidelines for the alteration, demolition, construction, or removal of landmarks or property and structures within historic districts
• Review proposed zoning amendments, applications for special use permits, or variances that affect proposed or designated landmarks and historic districts
  • The Planning and Zoning Commission shall make such review prior to the date of the hearing.
• Accept and administer on behalf of the City of Waukegan, upon designation by the City Council, such gifts, grants, and money as may be appropriate for the purpose of this ordinance
• Call upon available city staff members as well as other experts for technical advice
• Testify before all boards and commissions, including the Planning and Zoning Commission, Economic Development Commission, and Neighborhood Stabilization Committee, on any matter affecting historically and architecturally significant property and landmarks
• Periodically review the Waukegan Zoning Ordinance and to recommend to the City Planning Commission and the City Council any amendments appropriate for the protection and continued use of landmarks or property and structures within historic districts

Learn more about the Historic Preservation Commission.