Staff reports upcoming historic survey update and local period‑of‑significance change to 1987

Staff reported progress on a multi‑year update to the local historic resource survey and explained how the city's rules on period of significance will affect local classifications. Staff said the survey work (started in 2016 with historic data and existing binders) is approaching completion and that once adopted, the local period of significance would shift from the National Register benchmark of 1966 to 1987 under Geneva's 30‑year local rule. Staff explained that this is a change in time not in district boundaries: the geographical extent of the historic district would remain the same but some later properties could become eligible to be classified as contributing if they meet other integrity and significance criteria. Commissioners discussed implications: staff noted the change would require public outreach and a hearing process; it could affect how demolition and alteration requests are evaluated because more properties might meet the local period threshold. Staff said detailed property evaluations and updated contributing/noncontributing determinations are being prepared and will be brought to the commission for review prior to formal adoption and any public hearings.