Hinsdale Condos Clear Key Village Hurdle

HINSDALE, IL – A proposed Hinsdale condominium complex received approval Wednesday from a key committee.

Some of the discussion during a Plan Commission meeting was about the late addition of an outdoor TV.

The condos are set for the old Zion Lutheran School building at 125 S. Vine St., which has been largely vacant since 2009. The project is proposed by South Bend, Indiana-based Holladay Properties, which also has an office in Clarendon Hills.

During the meeting, Gerald Jablonski, a plan commissioner, spoke about his personal experience with outdoor TVs.

"I have the misfortune of being on the 500 block of West Hickory Street, next to someone who has two TVs, two subwoofers, four speakers and a swimming pool in their backyard," Jablonski said. "I know all the college football games they're watching until 11 o'clock at night."

Jablonski said it gets "really loud," with neighbors five houses down hearing the noise. He said he has not called the police, but neighbors have.

He said that as soon as he saw the proposal for the outdoor TV at the condos, he figured that would be tough on neighbors.

Drew Mitchell, a partner with Holladay, said his company was open to restrictions on the TV such as limited hours and volume control.

"At some point, we're just going to be good neighbors," he said.

He said he had spoken with neighbors and that they did not seem like a "bunch of complainers."

He said he was advised not to "die on the hill" of the TV.

"I want it bad because it's part of how I live," he said.

Resident Tom Heinz, who lives across the street from the project, praised the plan. But he said he was concerned about the TV.

"I have been to every meeting on this," said Heinz, who has lived in his house for 45 years. "This is the first I've heard of the TV situation. For what it's worth, I vote it down."

The Plan Commission unanimously voted to recommend the project, including the TV. The proposal next goes to the Village Board.

The project is age-restricted. At least 80 percent of condos must have at least one person who is 55 or older.