Too Late To Form Elmhurst Historic District?

ELMHURST, IL – Many Elmhurst residents expressed outrage two years ago when the city helped pave the way for a historic home's demolition.

They formed Preserve Elmhurst to push the city to change its approach.

At the time, Mayor Scott Levin acknowledged the teardown was a "wake-up call" for him.

He found that little was going on with the city's Historical Preservation Commission. He overhauled its membership.

In July 2024, the city approved the zoningto combine two properties at 292 S. Arlington Ave., so the owner could tear down the historic house and build a bigger one.

For months, the commission has compiled ideas for changing the city's historical preservation ordinance. They were presented Monday to a City Council committee.

According to the document, Elmhurst's sole protection for historic homes from demolition is to have them designated as landmarks.

"The existing Ordinance does not provide any tangible benefits or incentives for a property that is recognized as a Landmark, but it does impose significant restrictions and burdens," the commission said.

The commission also noted that some towns designate historic districts. But it said many historic homes on Arlington and Kenilworth avenues have already been torn down.

Because of that, the panel said that designating the neighborhood as a district may be of little significance at this point.

Some suburbs have promoted historic preservation for years.

Under a 4-year-old Hinsdale incentive program, homeowners can propose things such as rear additions while keeping the historic character of their houses.

In return, the village grants property tax rebates, building fee waivers and sped-up processing of applications.

By contrast, Hinsdale has a slower, more involved process for reviewing proposals to demolish historic houses.

At Monday's Elmhurst committee meeting, aldermen said they would review the ideas over several meetings.

Alderman Guido Nardini said he wanted to study what other towns do. He said Elmhurst could "rob" from them what works well.