Another Gated Hinsdale Subdivision?

HINSDALE, IL – A subdivision near Hinsdale Central High School is requesting an electronic gate because of students driving into the neighborhood.

The Hinsdale Village Board plans to consider the issue at its meeting Tuesday.

According to a village memo, the Foxgate Lane subdivision, which consists of 16 townhomes, is seeking a gate to limit traffic from Hinsdale Central. The street is a cul-de-sac that connects to 57th Street, south of the school.

The village memo said the intent of the gate is not to make the neighborhood a private gated community, but to keep high school students from using it as a turnaround or parking lot after school.

The homeowners association said it would keep the gate open most of the time, but close it after school and during events.

The Plan Commission voted unanimously for the gate.

In January, the Village Board approved a gate for a planned subdivision just south of Kensington School, which is on Ogden Avenue.

Officials said at the time they only allow gated neighborhoods in limited circumstances.

One trustee, Scott Banke, voted against the gate, which he said suggested Hinsdale was unsafe.

His other objection was philosophical.

"I'm just concerned that the development plan plays into the negative perception of Hinsdale as an elitist town," Banke said. "I think we need to be wary of adding another line item to this negative perception. And I believe this negative perception has made us an easy target and puts us on radars that we just don't want to be on."

Officials said Hinsdale contains other gated neighborhoods. In 2003, the village approved a gate at Woodland Court, which is off County Line Road.