Hinsdale commission approves demolition and new-home certificate of appropriateness for East Chicago Avenue lot

The Hinsdale Historic Preservation Commission voted to approve a demolition request and a certificate of appropriateness for a new single-family house at East Chicago Avenue in the Robins Park Historic District. The motions carried by roll call with all participating commissioners voting yes.

The property owners, James and Laura Rausch, were represented at the hearing by architect Patrick Fertelka of Moment Design, Architecture. Fertelka told the commission the design had been revised after earlier review feedback and that the team had moved from a European/English-leaning concept toward “more of an American colonial kinda Cape Cod aesthetic” with limewash or mineral-painted brick, dark-clad windows, stained cedar siding and an asphalt roof. He also said the front entry will read as a small covered porch/stoop and that some large front-window openings were reduced and spaced to better match the streetscape.

The commission’s packet included an updated streetscape study and material samples. Commissioners and staff asked for clarifications on details such as chimney cladding and whether there was a door on the Chicago Avenue side; Fertelka confirmed the chimneys will use thin-brick veneer and there is no door on the Chicago Avenue elevation. Fertelka also noted the team had added two houses to the streetscape study that had been omitted from the earlier packet.

Two formal motions were made and adopted. The first motion approved the demolition application identified in the meeting materials as HBC-14-2025304 (East Chicago Avenue) and the second motion approved the certificate of appropriateness for construction of the replacement single-family house (referenced in the packet as HPC-14-2025304). Roll-call votes recorded Commissioner Weinberger: Aye; Commissioner Elder: Aye; Commissioner Olsen: Aye; Chairman Bonin: Aye. Both motions passed.

The applicant and team said they will proceed with required village permits. Commissioners noted and complimented the design adjustments made following the design-review meeting, particularly the revised dormers and reduced fenestration bulk on the primary façade. Fertelka said he would provide additional samples and that the team would address final site items including an outstanding address-change question.

Because the Historic Preservation Commission’s recommendations are advisory to the Village Board, the approved demolition and COA will proceed to the next municipal review steps required by village procedures.