Plan commission approves rezoning and 7‑lot subdivision at former Hinsdale Baptist site with stormwater review condition

The Hinsdale Plan Commission on June 11 approved an application by Oaks Hinsdale LLC to rezone and subdivide the former Hinsdale Baptist Church property at 620 North Oak Street into seven single‑family lots, with a condition that village engineering work with the applicant on inspection and long‑term maintenance of on‑lot stormwater detention features.

The commission's vote follows a public hearing at which the applicant's attorney, Patrick McGinnis of Donatelli, Coolas, McGinnis & Froeter, described plans to demolish existing structures on the 1.7‑acre site, rezone the entire parcel to R‑4 single‑family residential, and install new public improvements including a water main on Fuller Road, new or repaired sidewalks on Fuller and Oak and a fee in lieu for Franklin Street sidewalk and parkland. Commissioners emphasized stormwater, parkland tradeoffs and neighborhood fit during lengthy discussion.

Commissioners and staff said the proposal replaces an unused institutional property with residential lots that they said would be code‑compliant. Bethany, planning staff, explained the village's subdivision code and parkland‑donation calculation, noting the ordinance would require roughly 2,600 square feet (about 0.06 acres) of parkland for the development; the applicant proposed a fee in lieu because the required parcel would be too small and costly for village maintenance. Bethany also outlined the public‑improvement package the applicant offered: Fuller Road water‑main replacement and sidewalk work on Fuller and Oak; the applicant agreed to a fee in lieu for Franklin Street sidewalk because construction there would remove parkway trees.

A number of commissioners and residents focused on stormwater. Commissioners asked technical questions about underground detention chambers shown on the civil plans, long‑term access for maintenance, pretreatment and whether tree plantings or fences could impede future servicing. Commissioner Mark (last name on file) and Commissioner Willoughby urged engineering oversight; resident Alan Flennard said Fuller and Franklin already flood during heavy rains and asked whether the design would worsen nearby flooding. The applicant and civil engineering representatives said the design yields a net decrease in impervious area compared with existing conditions, includes multiple storm inlets and that DuPage County and village engineering had been engaged in pre‑application reviews. The commission added an explicit condition that village engineering work with the applicant to review the individual stormwater features and their ongoing maintenance plans.

Commissioners also asked about construction phasing and neighborhood compatibility. Oakley Home Builders, the project builder, told commissioners they plan to develop the southern lots first and not to build all seven simultaneously; estimated sale prices discussed in the meeting ranged roughly from $2.5 million to $3.5 million depending on lot and finishes. Commissioners said the proposed sidewalk on Fuller is a positive improvement for pedestrian connectivity in an area with known park access gaps.

Motion and vote: Commissioner Willoughby moved to approve the map amendment, exterior appearance/site plan review and the tentative/final plat with the stated engineering/stormwater maintenance condition; Commissioner Moore seconded. The roll call vote was unanimous in favor.

The plan commission action completes its formal review; per the commission's process the site plan, subdivision approval and the map amendment record will proceed through final administrative steps required by village code.