No Moratorium On Hinsdale Home Demolitions

HINSDALE, IL — Hinsdale trustees this week rejected a proposed six-month, village-wide moratorium on the demolition of houses, with the protection of property rights as one of their justifications.

In early March, Village President Tom Cauley expressed concern about the pace of demolitions of historic houses in town. He and some members of the Historic Preservation Commission suggested a moratorium while the village drafted regulations that would place more hurdles for tearing down houses.

In June, the Plan Commission held three hearings on a proposed village-wide moratorium. The commission voted 4-2 against the idea.

At this week's board meeting, Trustee Luke Stifflear said his review of public comments indicated that most people's comments were geared toward a village-wide moratorium, which was on the table. If it had been limited to Hinsdale's historic southeast quadrant, comments against a moratorium would likely have been more limited, he said.

"This board in particular has a general consensus, not unanimous, that it does not want to restrict property rights of individual homeowners," he said. But he added the board was interested in doing as much as it could to promote historic preservation, providing "carrots" to those who want to restore their homes.

Trustee Scott Banke was the lone trustee not opposed to the village-wide moratorium.

Later in the meeting, the village board discussed at length possible changes to its ordinances encouraging historic preservation, including tax rebates and waivers of certain fees and regulations.