Hinsdale is strongly committed to the preservation of its community character and historic past. As part of this commitment, in April 2000, the Village Board of Trustees passed a Historic Preservation Ordinance, which is codified in Title 14 of the Village Code of Hinsdale. The purpose of the Ordinance is to promote historic and architectural preservation in the Village by protecting those historic structures, buildings, sites and areas valued by the Village and its residents as being significant to the Village's history, culture, and architecture. The Ordinance governs the demolition and alteration of designated landmarks and of structures in designated historic districts. The Ordinance also established the Village's first Historic Preservation Commission. Among the Commission's charges are informing and educating Village residents about the historic and architectural heritage of the Village, and making recommendations to the Village Board regarding the designation of landmarks and historic districts and the alterations or demolition of those structures.