Hinsdale preservation panel approves demolition and new home at 337 East Third Street

The Hinsdale Historic Preservation Commission approved a certificate of appropriateness to demolish the house at 337 East Third Street and separately approved plans to construct a new single‑family home at the same address, the commission confirmed during a public hearing. Both final votes were recorded as 4–0 in favor.

The commission opened a public hearing on case HPC‑4‑2025 for 337 East Third Street, heard testimony from the project architect and the homeowners, then voted to permit the demolition and the replacement design. Patrick Fortelco, an architect with Moment Design, said he and the homeowners had inspected the existing building and that, "from our perspective and the homeowners, it's not a great candidate for rehabilitation," which informed the request to demolish.

Nut graf: The lot is in the Roberts Park Historic District, and commissioners said the application should respond to the block context while allowing a new design. Commissioners and staff reviewed the existing condition, design renderings and material samples before approving demolition and the new construction certificate of appropriateness.

In presentation, Fortelco described the proposed exterior materials as limewashed off‑white brick, stone veneer with a full‑thickness masonry water table, a dark slate roof and painted cedar elements on dormers and trim. The design package also lists dark, clad aluminum windows; Fortelco said the homeowners prefer a European/Belgian/Tudor‑influenced form rather than a Queen Anne scheme.

Commission discussion focused on how the new house would relate to the block. Commissioners noted a mix of architectural styles on the north side of the block and said many neighboring houses use lighter window cladding; several commissioners voiced concern that heavy use of dark window cladding would lack precedent on the block and encouraged the applicants to reconsider that element. The applicants and their design team said they would review cladding and finish choices in response to the feedback.

Votes at a glance: - Approval of minutes of the Feb. 5 meeting — outcome: approved (Aye: Commissioner Elder, Commissioner Olsen, Chairman Bonin; Abstain: Commissioner Harlow). - Case HPC‑4‑2025, 337 East Third Street — certificate of appropriateness to demolish existing single‑family home in the Roberts Park Historic District — outcome: approved (Aye: Commissioner Harlow, Commissioner Elder, Commissioner Olsen, Chairman Bonin). - Case HPC‑4‑2025, 337 East Third Street — certificate of appropriateness to construct a new single‑family home in the Roberts Park Historic District — outcome: approved (Aye: Commissioner Harlow, Commissioner Elder, Commissioner Olsen, Chairman Bonin).

After the votes the commission closed the public hearing. Patrick Fortelco and members of the design team thanked the commission; the homeowners were present during the hearing. The file will remain on the commission record as case HPC‑4‑2025 for 337 East Third Street.

Ending: The commission noted no additional sign‑code updates at that meeting and confirmed a special meeting date that was announced separately; the public hearing in this matter was closed after the approvals.