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Hinsdale panel approves demolition and conditions for new home at 305 South Garfield
Summary
The Hinsdale Historic Preservation Commission voted April 1 to approve demolition of the house at 305 South Garfield and granted a certificate of appropriateness to construct a new single‑family home, imposing conditions that require added masonry on the north facade and west gable; staff will notify the applicant and the owner must accept conditions within 10 days or appeal.
The Hinsdale Historic Preservation Commission voted April 1 to permit the demolition of a long‑vacant single‑family house at 305 South Garfield and approved a certificate of appropriateness for a new home, contingent on additional masonry details. The motions passed by unanimous roll‑call votes.
Sylvia Coss, the applicant and a Hinsdale resident, told the commission the existing house “has suffered severe water damage, mold, and long‑term neglect” and is “no longer viable in its current state,” and that she and her design team revised the plans to reduce window sizes, remove a window bridge and reorient garages to better fit the historic streetscape. Architect Brad Louis of Schwartz Architects described multiple design changes made after meetings with the village’s design review committee, including replacing expansive stair glazing with punched windows and adding a front veranda.
Commissioners and neighbors raised broader concerns about how modern fenestration trends could erode the Robbins Park Historic District’s character and, ultimately, its federal designation. Commissioners urged the applicant to incorporate warmer, traditional materials; several suggested masonry accents such as limestone lintels, a stone base or a stone‑wrapped gable. The commission’s final COA approval included explicit conditions calling for additional masonry on the north facade and the west gable end.
Chairman Bonnen opened the public hearing and the commission first voted to approve the demolition portion of HPC‑5‑2026. The subsequent motion to approve the construction COA with the masonry conditions passed by roll call (Commissioners Barkley/Barclay, Gonzalez, Elder, Olson and Chairman Bonnen voting aye). Staff explained that if the applicant does not accept the commission’s written conditions within 10 days, the action is treated like a denial and the applicant may appeal to the village board.
Commissioners also discussed construction logistics near Hinsdale Middle School; the applicant said contractors will need street‑parking permits and that deliveries would be coordinated to avoid school pickup and drop‑off times. The commission noted its recommendations are advisory and that formal appeals and village‑board review are available under the code.
The public hearing was closed following the votes. Staff will notify the applicant in writing of the conditions and next steps for permit issuance.
