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Elkhart historic commission approves smaller State Division historic district boundary
Summary
The Historic and Cultural Preservation Commission approved 25 HP 01 to redraw the State Division local historic district to roughly the 100–200 blocks of State and Division streets, leaving properties east of Prairie outside the district; staff said owners east of Prairie may pursue single-site designation.
The Historic and Cultural Preservation Commission on Monday approved 25 HP 01, a staff recommendation to redraw the State Division local historic district so its boundary would roughly include the 100 and 200 blocks of State and Division streets, with Prairie Street acting as the eastern edge.
The move, approved by voice vote after a staff presentation, narrows the local district to the blocks the commission said contain the highest concentration of owner-occupied and architecturally contributing buildings. City staff told the commission the change is intended to focus preservation resources and encourage reinvestment in the remaining district.
The staff presentation said the district has suffered economic disinvestment, an increase in rental properties, deferred maintenance, fires and demolitions that have produced a growing number of noncontributing structures. The proposed boundary would leave properties east of Prairie outside the local historic district; staff said owners of those properties who want local protection can be assisted in pursuing single-site historic designation.
The staff described the redesign as aligning with the commission's authority under Chapter 43-67 of the Elkhart code of ordinances to identify historic buildings and map district boundaries. Staff recommended approval; the commission moved, seconded and approved 25 HP 01 by voice vote.
The U.S. National Register listing for the State Division district would remain unchanged, the staff presentation said. The commission also noted that the proposed local boundary change does not alter the national historic district status.
Commission members asked no substantive questions following the staff presentation and no members of the public spoke on 25 HP 01 during the meeting.
The commission will forward its recommendation to the next step in the city process, per the ordinance requirements for local historic district actions.
