Hi Molly,
I am so very familiar with the scenario you describe, as I lived on Chicago's North Shore from 1989-2009, when speculative development was rampant and included residential teardowns that completely changed the character of many communities. One community that seemed to have the tools in place to avert unwanted change was Lake Forest, Illinois. I am not sure what year they passed their local historic preservation ordinance, but I remember that it was accompanied by strong demolition delay language that made tearing down properties very unattractive to developers. You may want to reach out to their planning office to learn more.
I am now in Kentucky, where the urban-county government that includes the city of Lexington has adopted a new Comp Plan whose focal point is maintaining the long-ago established urban growth boundary. Since the city is growing, this will require the addition of density to existing neighborhoods. Older, historic neighborhoods that have not yet taken steps to protect themselves from unwanted development and teardowns in their midst are suddenly very interested in establishing local historic district overlays. A Lexington neighborhood known as "Pensacola Park" petitioned the city to apply for a CLG grant to conduct an architectural survey and develop a National Register nomination, which became the basis for the local designation report. The neighborhood is primarily an early 20th century streetcar suburb close to downtown, and it includes over 400 properties. The designation has strong support from the residents, and it has already passed two of the three local hearing hurdles to designation (the final approval, by the Urban County Council, should happen later this week). Adjacent neighborhoods have taken notice, and are taking steps to begin organizing similar efforts as a result.
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[Vicki] [Birenberg] [AICP]
[CLG Program and Planning Coordinator]
[Kentucky Heritage Council]
[Frankfort] [Kentucky]
[(502) 892-3606]
[
vicki.birenberg@ky.gov]
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-26-2019 15:43
From: Molly Patterson-Lundgren
Subject: Historic District Designation in the face of redevelopment pressure
I'm looking for examples of historic district designation (in this case, local designation with standards) that have occurred in cities that have a strong local economy which is encouraging property owners to sell or tear down for speculative development projects. I'd love to find some positive examples of preservationists working with property owners to offset their perceived loss of property value to save resources within a district. However, even cases that were unsuccessful attempts at this may give me some ideas that would be helpful.

Molly Patterson-Lundgren, AICP
Heritage Preservation and Urban Design Coordinator
Community Development Department
City of Rochester, Minnesota
201 4th Street SE – Room 108
Rochester, MN 55904
Office: (507) 328-2956
Fax: (507) 328-2401
mplundgren@rochestermn.gov
City Vision: A vibrant, compassionate, and innovative team