Hinsdale May Reverse Denial In Historic Area

HINSDALE, IL – A Hinsdale committee may reverse its denial of a proposed house to replace a demolished historic home in the Robbins Park Historic District.

Two weeks ago, the Historic Preservation Commission approved the demolition of the house at 223 E. Eighth St., built in 1978. But a 3-1 majority rejected the proposed replacement home.

At the meeting, commissioners expressed concern with the arrangement of windows on the proposed new house. They thought the windows would occupy too much space, saying it was a bad fit for the historic neighborhood.

On Wednesday, the commission is set to look at a changed plan. The owner is now proposing to replace the center panels in the large arched windows in the front with brick, according to village documents.

In the documents, the village said its code did not anticipate a scenario in which the commission would reconsider a denial.

With a denial, the matter must come before the Village Board within two months. The board's vote is advisory only. Homeowners can still get permits if their plans meet the village code.

The village's code is designed to ease the process for owners who want to preserve historic homes and make it harder for those who seek to demolish them.