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Resident urges delay and greater notice after permit issued for 'Castle Eden' demolition
Summary
A longtime resident told the council the unlisted historic 'Castle Eden' (the White House) received a demolition permit mid‑July; he urged a 30‑day hold for buildings over a certain age and better neighbor notification.
Resident Bill Lyons told the council the landmark known locally as the Castle Eden or "White House" — a 1903 building associated with local history and Route 66 guidebooks — had a demolition permit applied for July 15 and issued July 16. Lyons said the Carmelites, the property owner, and the city did not adequately notify neighbors and he asked the council to consider a 30‑day hold period for demolition of large or old buildings.
Lyons said the structure is a "local landmark treasure of significant building" even though it is not formally listed, and asked the city to advise property owners to communicate with neighbors or to adopt a wait period similar to other nearby communities. He cited Glen Ellyn’s 30‑day hold for specified building sizes and Wheaton’s two‑phase demolition approval as examples. The mayor and council acknowledged Lyons’ concerns; council members said the city attorney had reviewed legal options but reported there were no clear legal grounds to block the current permit, and that the Carmelites had indicated they would proceed with demolition.
Councilmembers who spoke later said they had received communications from the historical society and residents and had asked the attorney to review possible legal challenges. No formal motion to change the demolition approval process was introduced at the meeting, but several aldermen suggested the issue warranted further study and greater community notification in future permit procedures.
