(A) Nominations for historic landmarks and historic landmark districts shall be made to the HPC on a form provided by the HPC. A filing fee may be required. Illinois enabling legislation does not require owner consent for local landmark designations. Designation should be based on meeting the criteria exclusively.
(B) The HPC shall, upon investigation as it deems necessary, make a preliminary determination as to whether a property, structure or area possesses the integrity of design, workmanship, materials, location, setting and feeling and meets one or more of the following criteria:
(1) Significant value as part of the historic, heritage or cultural characteristics of the community, county, state or nation;
(2) Its identification with a person or persons who significantly contributed to the development of the community, county, state or country;
(3) Representative of the distinguishing characteristics of architecture inherently valuable for the study of a period, type, method of construction or use of indigenous materials;
(4) Notable work of a master builder, designer, architect or artist whose individual work has influenced the development of the community, county, state or country;
(5) Its unique location or singular physical characteristics that make it an established or familiar visual feature;
(6) Its character as a particularly fine or unique example of a utilitarian structure, including but not limited to: farmhouses, gas stations or other commercial structures, with a high level of integrity or architectural significance; or
(7) Area that has yielded or may be likely to yield, information important in history or prehistory.
(C) A preliminary determination as to whether a property, structure, or area meets one or more of the foregoing criteria shall be made within 15 days of filing of a nomination with the HPC.
(Ord. O-06-23, passed 8-14-06; Am. Ord. O.23.07, passed 4-24-23)