More Hinsdale Homeowners Seek Subsidies

HINSDALE, IL – In September, Hinsdale plans to review three more requests for subsidies to preserve historic homes.

Meanwhile, the Village Board is poised to provide village assistance to the owner of a $1.8 million historic home at 420 S. Park Ave.

At this week's board meeting, trustees expressed support for the pending application. They expect to vote on it later this month.

The village is trying to prevent the teardown and replacement of historic homes.

Village President Tom Cauley said the Park Avenue home is a good example of the village's incentive program for preservation.

"We at one time thought about penalties for people who wanted to tear down homes," he said.

But Cauley said families often have to sell to the highest bidder, who wants to tear down homes.

"You can't argue with that," he said. "People are happy with the (incentive) program. No one says you're detracting from our property rights."

Trustee Alexis Braden praised the work of Mimi Collins, owner of the Park Avenue house, who has already done major renovations to it.

"She really did save this," Braden said. "Some top architects and builders who are highly respected in this town said it couldn't be done. You did it."

Under the incentive program, the village may remove the village's part of the property tax bill for five years. To make that a reality, an owner must spend at least $50,000 on exterior improvements.

This year's property tax for 420 S. Park Ave. was $31,000. The village's part of the bill was $2,300, or 7 percent.

The village may also decide to pay for half of the eligible project costs, up to $10,000 per project.

Next month, the village's Historic Preservation Commission is expected to consider three more applications for incentives, officials said. The commission recommended the village approve the one on Park Avenue.