HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Receive and provide comments, corrections, and/or feedback on the updated Historic District survey forms as prepared by Ramsey Historic Consultants, Inc. (RHC)
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: Brad Iwicki, Assistant Planner
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
Submitted for Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) review.
BACKGROUND:
• The original architectural and historic survey of the Naperville Local Historic District was completed in 2008 by Granacki Historic Consultants.
• During New Business at the January 23, 2025, HPC meeting, the HPC requested that staff research the feasibility of a resurvey. A resurvey would provide notable updates that occurred between 2008 and 2025 including, new local landmarks, sites and structures of special significance, and alterations to structures and updates on their exterior conditions.
• The City of Naperville sent a request for quote to three qualified professional historic preservation consultants to select the most appropriate consultant to undertake the resurvey. Ramsey Historic Consultants, Inc. (RHC), formerly Granacki Historic Consultants, was selected and began working on the project in August 2025.
• To date, RHC has coordinated with City staff, completed preliminary research which included a letter distributed calling for property owners to provide historic information on their homes, completed field work and photography, and drafted the survey inventory forms.
DISCUSSION:
At the March 26, 2026, HPC meeting, the Commission is expected to review the draft survey forms and provide any corrections, comments or questions related to the general content and format. The HPC must provide clear and concise comments if requesting changes to the current content and format of the survey forms. The consultant will not be present at this month’s HPC meeting, but is expected to attend future meetings to discuss the survey in detail.
Next Steps
Following the March HPC meeting, RHC will review the HPC’s feedback and incorporate their comments prior to drafting a report outlining the updates made to the 2008 survey. Copies of the draft report will be submitted and provided to the HPC for review at a future meeting.
At the same HPC meeting, an item will be placed on the agenda where RHC will participate in an open house discussion to allow residents with the opportunity to ask questions, discuss their properties, and provide additional information and feedback
Project Conclusion
RHC anticipates a final presentation to the City of Naperville staff and Historic Preservation Commission summarizing the methodology and findings of the updated survey at the conclusion of the project. Final deliverables include the survey inventory database and inventory forms with updated inventory fields and local significance ratings, digital photo files, and a summary report.