Planned Teardown Sparks Elmhurst Movement For Preservation

ELMHURST, IL – The nearly century-old house at 292 S. Arlington Ave. in Elmhurst is likely to be torn down.

It's in a neighborhood with large, older homes. Over the last 15 years, many of them have been torn down, making way for new houses.

But the Arlington house was too much for neighbors. Since the new owners unveiled their demolition plan, signs calling to "preserve Elmhurst" have popped up in the neighborhood and elsewhere.

Residents also have formed a group called Citizens for Preserving Elmhurst, which created a Facebook page.

"Preserve Elmhurst" signs are popping up in an Elmhurst neighborhood where a nearly century-old house is set to be demolished. (David Giuliani/Patch)

On Monday, a City Council committee unanimously approved the consolidation of two lots at 292 S. Arlington, which would allow the construction of a larger house.

Committee members heard from a neighbor, Jim Schuetz, who argued for preserving historic homes. He said local leaders and the public have lost focus on the economic benefit of historic preservation.

"We learned the public shares culpability in the loss of historic homes," he said. "Unfortunately, residents have adopted a defeatist attitude and settled for quietly complaining in the background."

The new group, he said, looks to awaken the public and "productively" share a voice with city officials. He pointed to Hinsdale as among the suburbs that work hard to preserve historic buildings.

The council committee's chairwoman, Alderwoman Marti Deuter, said she appreciated the advocacy of neighbors, saying they raised important questions. She said the city couldn't change its policy midstream for the Arlington house.

"That doesn't mean there aren't valuable policies to consider," Deuter said.

Alderwoman Tina Park said she hoped the latest case would build awareness for historic preservation.

"In order to get a historic district like Hinsdale, we need to have that come from residents. Residents need to buy into that," she said.

The zoning change next goes to the City Council, possibly as early as its meeting Monday.

In March, Richard "RJ" and Alyssa Parrilli bought the house for nearly $2 million. They asked for a zoning change, so they could consolidate the lot containing the house with a vacant parcel to the north.

Demolitions are approved by city staff, not the City Council. A couple of weeks ago, a construction-type fence was put around the trees in the parkway, which is a requirement before a house is torn down.

The new preservation group can be reached by email.

Elmhurst resident Jim Schuetz tells a City Council committee Monday that the community has lost focus on historical preservation. (David Giuliani/Patch)

A construction-type fence surrounds the parkway trees in front of the house at 292 S. Arlington Ave. in Elmhurst. Such a fence is one of the requirements before demolition. (David Giuliani/Patch)