Park Ridge council backs plan for five-home historic district

Park Ridge City Council members supported a proposal Monday to designate up to five homes as part of the new Spanish Town Historic District.

The five homes along Talcott Place and Crescent Avenue date from 1927 and were the vision of developer William Durchslag, who — inspired by a trip to Cuba — asked local architect Benedict Bruns to design a subdivision of stucco-faced, tile-topped homes.

City leaders initially were reluctant to move on the historic district designation, fearing it might limit future owners from developing their properties. Indeed, should a pending final vote approve the designation, the homes could face some restrictions on wholesale renovations. Major remodeling would have to be approved by the city’s historic commission.

However, city attorney Adam Simon pointed out there are opt-out clauses in the designation, meaning homeowners can leave the district.

Benefits of being included in the district include restoration and maintenance grants and some federal and state tax advantages.

Community Preservation and Development Director Drew Awsumb introduced the vote by noting the city has been able to designate a historic district for 15 years, but for whatever reason, never had. He added four of the homeowners supported the move, and the fifth had no objection.

“I would say all five are not opposed to creating this district,” he said.

Awsumb said there could be some benefit to the city, too. Other cities, notably New Orleans, have made historic districts major tourist draws.

“I’m almost transported to 1800s Louisiana,” he said of the city’s French Quarter. Awsumb added there are studies that show historic districts typically see more financial investments.

“There’s no right or wrong answer,” he said. “There are cities that bulldozed through their historic areas, and that was more productive, so there’s no right or wrong answer.”

Alderperson Lauren Rapisand said she would be OK with the district so long as every homeowner supported it. Alderperson Fred Sanchez agreed.

“Should we hear an objection, we can make an amendment to limit it to just the four houses,” he said.

Alderperson John Moran said he didn’t like the idea of possibly limiting future homeowners. He feared a young couple could buy a modest home, start a family and look to add on, and be forced to leave the area.

“You could be potentially forcing families out of Park Ridge because they thought it wasn’t going to be a big deal and it’s a big deal,” he said.

Ultimately, Moran was the lone no vote on Spanish Town, but the whole council asked to revisit the policy in the future.

Jesse Wright is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.