Despite Clashes, Hinsdale Sees Progress On Preservation

HINSDALE, IL – Hinsdale's effort to preserve homes has resulted in disputes at times, but officials on Tuesday pointed to steady progress.

At a meeting, the Village Board unanimously approved the 100th property for the list of historically significant sites.

"It's only been 2½ years. I feel like this program has been bustling for a lot longer than that," said Trustee Alexis Braden, who has long been involved in preservation issues. "So in 2½ years, 100 people have willingly applied for the historical overlay district."

The latest addition is the house at 208 E. Sixth St.

Built in 1927, the five-bedroom home sold for nearly $4.5 million last month, according to real estate websites.

The home's previous owner, Braden said, asked why the property wasn't included on the historical list shortly after the village launched the program.

"I let her know that it's certainly voluntary and you have to apply," Braden said. "So I applaud the new owners and the previous owners, who took great care of this home for so many generations."

She added, "(I am) just happy to see the passing of the baton to younger folks who are cognizant of preservation."

Under the village's preservation program, owners of historically significant properties can propose things such as rear additions while keeping the historic character of their houses.

In return, the village gives grants and property tax rebates, exemptions for square footage limits, building fee waivers and sped-up processing of applications.

Village President Greg Hart, who took office after the April election, expressed support for the program.

"This is positioning our town as a leader in taking action on this," he said.

The village's pro-preservation stance sometimes doesn't sit well with developers. Last month, one told a real estate publication that Hinsdale "can't stop me" in his plan to tear down a house that many residents saw as iconic.

In early 2024, members of the local historic preservation commission expressed their unhappiness with a developer who wanted to demolish a historic home and replace it with a modern-looking one.

"This home looks like it landed from space," member Frank Gonzalez said at the time. "Certainly, the owners have no respect for the historical significance of the village. They just want to do things their way and screw the rest of the neighborhood."