A. Formal Application Requirements: Any person proposing an alteration, demolition, signage, or any other physical modifications to the exterior architectural appearance of a designated landmark, or the demolition, relocation, or removal of an existing residence located in the Robbins Park Historic District, or construction of a new residence located within the Robbins Park Historic District, shall submit a formal application for a certificate of appropriateness as a precondition to commencing such action or obtaining such permit. The filing of a preliminary application, subsequent Design Review Meeting, and receipt of a recommendation and comments from the Ad Hoc Historic District Design Review Team are necessary prerequisites to filing a full formal application for a certificate of appropriateness in cases where such preliminary application, Design Review Meeting and recommendation are mandatory pursuant to section 14-5-3. A formal application for a certificate of appropriateness shall be filed with the director of community development, on forms provided by the community development department. The application form shall be completed in its entirety and shall include such information as determined to be necessary by the Village to allow consideration of the application by the Commission. In the case of a demolition, relocation or removal of an existing residence, or construction of a new residence, plans and specifications for the proposed new or replacement structure, including information pertaining to landscaping, massing, relationship to site and streetscape, scale, and signs shall be included as part of the application. No formal application for a certificate of appropriateness requesting demolition or construction of a new residence shall be deemed complete without inclusion of such information absent a waiver of this requirement by the Commission. In the event that the Commission denies a requested waiver of the requirement to provide such information, the applicant may appeal the Commission's denial of the waiver to the Village Board by filing an appeal in writing to the village manager within fifteen (15) days after the Commission's denial. The Village Board may affirm the decision not to waive the application requirement, or may overturn the Commission's decision, with or without conditions. If the waiver is granted, an otherwise completed application for a certificate of appropriateness shall be considered by the Commission; and
B. Historic and Architectural Impact Study: In cases involving the demolition, relocation or removal of any existing residence within the Robbins Park Historic District, where a majority of the Ad Hoc Historic District Design Review Team determined that the existing residence has sufficient architectural or historic merit to warrant conducting a full Historic and Architectural Impact Study, such study shall be provided, at the applicant's sole cost and expense, as part of a formal application. The study shall be prepared by the Hinsdale Historical Society or one or more persons who are qualified to render opinions on the architectural style and merit of buildings, the historical significance of buildings, or both. In no event shall an applicant be required to pay in excess of two hundred and fifty dollars ($250) to the Hinsdale Historical Society for preparation of the Impact Study. If the Historical Society quotes a price in excess of two hundred and fifty dollars ($250) for preparation of the Study, the applicant may decline to include an Impact Study as part of the formal application. The study shall include the following information where available from the Hinsdale Historical Society or other readily available sources:
1. Information on Preparers. The names, addresses, qualifications and experience of all persons who prepared any part of the study.
2. Ownership History of the Property. The Historic and Architectural Impact Study shall trace the ownership of the property since its construction and identify any owner who had or has a significant role in the history of the Village, State of Illinois or United States, or who is tied to a significant event in the history of the Village, State of Illinois or United States.
3. Construction History of the Property. The Historic and Architectural Impact Study shall provide a narrative description of all alterations made to the exterior of any building and open space on the property since the date of original construction, including the addition or removal of accessory structures, including the dates of such work and the architect(s) involved.
4. Architectural Significance of the Property. The Historic and Architectural Impact Study shall identify the original and all subsequent architects, providing information on the importance and range of influence of each. The Study shall also evaluate the architectural style, including detailing materials, craftsmanship, methods of construction and rarity, and shall include interior and exterior photographs to illustrate such characteristics.
5. Landmark Status of the Property. The Historic and Architectural Impact Study shall state whether the property or structures have been:
a. designated a landmark pursuant to this title;
b. included in the most recent Illinois Historic Structures Survey conducted under the auspices of the Illinois Department of Conservation; or
c. listed on the National Register of Historic Places or the Illinois Register of Historic Places.
6. Impact on Immediate Neighborhood. The Historic and Architectural Impact Study shall also consider the contribution of the residence to the neighborhood, the existence of a particular grouping of similar styles, periods or types of property relating to the structure, and the resulting impact that the proposed demolition will have on the immediate neighborhood.
7. Historic or Architectural Features Warranting Preservation. The historic and architectural impact study shall specifically identify any critical exterior historical or architectural features of the residence that warrant preservation.
C. Receipt of Formal Application/Setting of Consideration of Application: Following the proper filing of a complete formal application, the director of community development shall cause such application to be referred to the Commission for placement on the agenda of the next Commission meeting held thirty (30) days or more after the date of its filing for consideration of the application. Notice of such meeting shall be given in accordance with section 14-1-4 of this title.
D. Review Of Formal Application:
1. Public Meeting If No Demolition, Relocation or Removal: After the filing of a properly completed formal application for a certificate of appropriateness that does not include any request for demolition, relocation or removal, or construction of a new residence the Commission shall conduct a public meeting on the application. Notice of the meeting shall be given in accordance with section 14-1-4 of this title. The meeting shall be commenced, conducted and concluded, and a decision on the certificate of appropriateness issued by the Commission as soon as practicable, but in no event later than sixty (60) days after the properly completed formal application has been filed, unless such time is extended by agreement of the applicant or the applicant failed to appear. Unless such time is extended by agreement of the applicant, or the applicant failed to appear, the failure by the Commission to render a decision within sixty (60) days shall be deemed approval by the Commission of the certificate of appropriateness.
2. Public Hearing If Demolition, Relocation, Or Removal: After the filing of a properly completed formal application for a certificate of appropriateness that includes a request for demolition, relocation, or removal, or construction of a new residence, the cCommission shall conduct a public hearing on the application. Notice of the hearing shall be given in accordance with section 14-1-4 of this title, and the hearing shall be conducted in accordance with section 14-1-5 of this title. The applicant, property owner and design professional must be in attendance at the public meeting to ensure both receive and understand any comments provided by the Commission. The hearing shall be commenced, conducted and concluded and a decision on the certificate appropriateness shall be made by the Commission as soon as practicable, but in no event later than sixty (60) days after the public hearing on the application has commenced, unless such time is extended by agreement of the applicant or the applicant, property owner and/or design professional failed to appear. Unless such time is extended by agreement of the applicant, or the applicant, property owner and/or design professional failed to appear at a meeting or meetings as required by this section, the failure by the Commission to conclude the hearing and render a decision within sixty (60) days shall be deemed approval by the Commission of the certificate of appropriateness. (Ord. O2024-07, 4-2-2024)