'Lovely' Hinsdale Home Plan Bad Fit: Officials

HINSDALE, IL – Hinsdale officials said this week they liked the design for a house in the Robbins Park Historic District, but considered it a bad fit for the neighborhood.

Last month, 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.

They met again after the owners, Jon and Jessica Springer, made changes to the design. But the commission took no vote.

Last September, the Springers bought the two-story house for $1.8 million.

During Tuesday's Village Board meeting, Trustee Alexis Braden said the biggest myth was that the village limited architectural styles in the historic district to Victorian and Queen Anne.

In 2007, she said, the village found more than 20 different architectural styles in the district.

As for the Eighth Street house plan, she said it contained no known architectural style.

"The design still lacks a more traditional feel," Braden said.

She said she "immensely" respected the work of the architect, Patrick Fortelka of Moment Design.

"It's a fine design, a lovely home, but in my opinion, not for the historic district," Braden said.

Trustee Scott Banke, who said he recalled the 1978 house being built, agreed. He said he opposed the design for the historic district.

"This board has gone to great lengths to try to preserve the character of what's in that neighborhood," he said.

Fortelka said the design reflects "current motifs" that are popular. The house would be attractive and an asset to the neighborhood, he said.

"My client wanted a house that he liked and wasn't interested necessarily in creating an older-looking house," the architect said. "They wanted something that looked up-to-date, but still worked within the context of the neighborhood, so that's where we came up with the design."

Trustee Luke Stifflear said the trustees should wait another month to vote on the design, noting the village's preservation ordinance gives the board 60 days.

"You could have one of the applicant's best friends come and talk to them about how important Robbins Park is, and it may change their mind," Stifflear said. "That may be a very small probability, but in my opinion, if we're going to stay true to the ordinance that we passed, we should let as much time elapse before we move on this."

Village President Greg Hart disagreed.

"Obviously, the applicants have worked in good faith," he said. "If we know where our heads are at, why don't we just vote on it, especially if it's going to delay their ability to get a permit?"

The board, however, indicated it wanted to wait a month.

Under the code, the board's vote is advisory. The homeowners can still get permits if their plan meets the village code.