Progress In Elmhurst Neighborhood Dispute?

ELMHURST, IL — Some steps have been taken to address an Elmhurst neighborhood dispute over a home renovation project that has taken at least three years.

In an interview this week, Elmhurst Mayor Scott Levin said the owner of the property at 374 Aberdeen Court has agreed to have contractors park on other streets besides the cul-de-sac, unless they are delivering supplies. One of neighbors' biggest objections is their street is overcrowded with construction trucks.

Levin also said the owner, Harry Hostetler, is re-installing a fence, the absence of which has become a sore spot in the neighborhood.

Last week, when Patch asked about the Aberdeen Court situation, Levin replied with passages from the city's code on building permits. Under the rules, if a building is not completed within the allotted time and the permit expires, the owner is required to pay an additional permit fee that amounts to half of the original fee and provide the city with a schedule for completion, with an ultimate deadline of 90 days.

If the project continues after the 90 days, an additional fine of $100 a day shall be imposed until the project is finished. The code says legal action may be taken to ensure all fines are paid and the project gets completed.

Patch asked the planning and zoning department Wednesday about when the permits for the Aberdeen project expire, but the department has not replied. Neighbors say the outdoor permit expires in August and the indoor one in May.

Asked about fines, Levin said, "We'll have to look at that carefully."

Last week, Levin, Ward 6 Alderwoman Emily Bastedo and other officials spoke with neighbors in a Zoom meeting.

Neighbors have complained about the contractors' trucks on their street and overflowing dumpsters. And for some reason, the owner has dug up nearly the entire back yard.

Hostetler, who has declined to comment, has longtime ties to Elmhurst and serves on the board of the Elmhurst Art Museum.

Elmhurst Patch first reported about the issues on Aberdeen Court on June 10. Recently, a planning and zoning official weighed in on the situation, saying the owner appeared to be violating the city's code of conduct for construction projects.