May is National Preservation Month!

The Highland Park Historic Preservation Commission joins the National Trust for Historic Preservation to commemorate the fourth annual National Preservation Month in May 2008. And while the theme of this year's National Preservation Month--This Place Matters--is new, the idea behind preservation month remains the same: celebrating the country's diverse and irreplaceable heritage by participating in local events throughout the nation.

Throughout May, the National Trust and its thousands of partners across the country will demonstrate the importance of our nation's heritage as they focus on many aspects of the preservation movement including historic travel, heritage education, historic homeownership, and community revitalization. We celebrate the unique culture and traditions of different areas of the country, and the National Trust strongly encourages people to participate in National Preservation Month events being held in their communities.

Mayoral Proclamation
HISTORIC PRESERVATION MONTH
May 2008

WHEREAS, historic preservation is an effective tool for managing growth, investing in neighborhoods, fostering local pride and teaching future generations about local history; and

WHEREAS, in 2008 the City of Highland Park celebrates the twenty-fifth anniversary of its historic preservation ordinance, which has introduced 126 local landmarks and three historic districts while encouraging community partnership, local development, and distinctive, attractive places; and

WHEREAS, the rehabilitation of historic buildings is a wise investment in our economy, supporting local architects, craftsmen and builders, suppliers and community businesses, contributing overall to the value of our property and the financial strength of the City; and

WHEREAS, many important contributions in the fields of architecture, landscape architecture, and American history are found in Highland Park; and

WHEREAS, through historic preservation we recognize that the greenest building is the one already built, which promotes reduced land consumption and the preservation of our built environment in order to save the critical resources that sustain our natural environment; and

WHEREAS, we celebrate the role of history in our lives and the contributions made by past events, eras, movements and structures with respect to those who created our shared heritage; and

WHEREAS, appreciation for our physical past helps inspire expectations for the future and enhances our quality of life; and

WHEREAS, stewardship of our historic built environment, its natural setting, and the meaning and memory of our community is a shared responsibility for Americans of all ages, all walks of life and all ethnic backgrounds; and

WHEREAS, “This Place Matters” is the theme for National Preservation Month 2008, cosponsored by the Highland Park Historic Preservation Commission and the National Trust for Historic Preservation

NOW, THEREFORE, I, MICHAEL D. BELSKY, Mayor of the City of Highland Park, Lake County, Illinois, do hereby proclaim May 2008, as

NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION MONTH

and call upon the people of Highland Park to join their fellow citizens across the United States in recognizing and participating in this special observance.

Dated this 28th day of April, 2008.

Architectural Surveys

• Index Map of Surveyed Neighborhoods
• Central East Survey Report
• South Central Survey Report
• Northeast Survey Report
• Westside Reconnaissance Survey Report
• Braeside Survey Report
• Bob-O-Link Survey Report

Did you know all residential demolitions in Highland Park are reviewed for historic significance by the Historic Preservation Commission? Read the Demolition of Dwellings Ordinance for an in-depth understanding of the process.

It is the responsibility of the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) to make recommendations to the City Council on matters concerning historic preservation.

Since its inception, the Historic Preservation Commission has actively researched local properties which may be eligible for landmark designation by the City Council. The Commission's other activities include the review of proposed exterior alterations to landmarks or to contributing features in historic districts, as well as promoting community awareness of historic preservation through public education programs such as tours and lectures, and sponsorship of the annual Highland Park Preservation Awards.

Do you think your home is eligible for landmark nomination? If you are a Highland Park resident and would like to have your home listed as a local landmark, please fill out our form. City staff will perform additional research and present the nomination to the Historic Preservation Commission.

Rules of Procedure
The Open Meetings Act requires the members of the Historic Preservation Commission to discuss public business in an open, public forum. This law requires that, whenever a gathering of three or more Commissioners occurs during which public business is discussed, such meetings must be advertised (through a posted agenda) and be open to the public. The Historic Preservation Commission meets the second Thursday of every month.

Membership
The Historic Preservation Commission consists of seven (7) voting members, all of whom are appointed by the Mayor with the consent of the City Council. Additionally, there are at least two ex officio non-voting members, one designated by the Director of Community Development and the second a City Council member. All Historic Preservation Commission members are Highland Park residents who are appointed for terms of four years and may be reappointed to a second consecutive four year term. No Commission member may serve for more than two full consecutive terms, however, terms will not expire until a successor has been appointed, confirmed, and qualified.

Current Membership List
James Fraerman, Chair	Term expires 2008
David Robbin	Term expires 2011
Mary Seyfarth	Term expires 2008
Jean Sogin	Term expires 2008
Elayne Baum	Term expires 2008
Lewis Butterman	Term expires 2011
Mary Curran	Term expires 2011
Lawrence Silberman	City Council Liaison
Mike Evans	Park District Liaison
Julia Johnas	Library Liaison
Leah Axelrod	Citizen Advisor
Susan Benjamin	Citizen Advisor
Jason Berry	Staff Liaison