Politics & Government
Elmhurst To Mull Sidewalk Mandate
A proposal would require sidewalks to be built in front of new homes.
ELMHURST, IL – The Elmhurst City Council agreed this week to look into a proposal to require builders of new homes to construct sidewalks.
The idea was presented by aldermen Jacob Hill of Ward 2, Chris Jensen of Ward 3, Brian Cahill of Ward 4 and Emily Bastedo of Ward 6.
In the last three years, at least 15 homes were built in areas without sidewalks, according to the aldermen's memo. The city does not require builders to include sidewalks if there are no adjacent ones.
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The aldermen said a requirement to build sidewalks in front of new homes would, over time, fill in gaps in the city's network. And the rule would make sidewalk construction more likely because there would be fewer feet to install, they said.
Other towns, including Western Springs, have such a requirement.
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Elmhurst's northside Wards 2 and Ward 3 have the fewest sidewalks in the city.
The council voted to assign the sidewalk issue to its Development, Planning and Zoning Committee.
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