Pickup Trucks In Flossmoor? Referendum Questions Local Ordinance

FLOSSMOOR, IL — A long-standing ordinance prohibiting pickup trucks from parking outside of garages will be the subject of a referendum in Flossmoor. The village board decided to revisit the restriction that dates back to the 1960s at a meeting Monday where residents on both sides of the issue voiced their opinions, according to Mayor Paul Braun.

The pickup truck parking flap first resurfaced at a board meeting April 2. Following that meeting, board members asked village staff to compile similar restrictions within other nearby suburbs. After these rules were explored, and it was decided that village officials draft a referendum to appear on the Nov. 6 ballot, said Allison Deitch, the assistant village manager.

The specific wording of the referendum has not yet been determined but must be completed by Aug. 20 to appear on the ballot. The referendum is non-binding and meant only to advise the village board on whether or not to purse a change in the local ordinance, Deitch said.

Should residents support a change, the issue would then be sent to the planning commission for consideration. A public hearing would be held as part of this state-mandated process. Then the planning commission would make a recommendation to the village board, which would ultimately decide the issue.

"As for the referendum, the board and I think it is a good tool to judge what the community is thinking," Braun said Tuesday. He added that pickup trucks have come a long way since they were strictly considered work vehicles at the time of the original ordinance. Still, he hears from residents who continue to support the parking ban as well as those that would like to see it changed.

Believe it or not, the latest restriction is actually a scaled back version of the original ordinance that banned pickup truck parking in residential areas altogether in Flossmoor. This rule was changed in 1989 to allow residents to park pickup trucks in their garages, according to village manager Bridget Wachtel.

"Obviously, none of us were in our roles in 1961 or earlier when the ordinance was written. However, the debate has always been described as one of aesthetics," Wachtel said Tuesday via email.

Braun further acknowledged that modern pickup trucks are often expensive and commonly used by families as primary transportation. "I think the village board understands what they (pickup truck owners) want to do and why," he said. "People use pickup trucks now like cars."

The ordinance has also made an impact well beyond its stated purpose. First, several legal challenges to the pickup truck parking restriction have all sided with the village. This paved the way for similar ordinances throughout Illinois aimed at creating a uniform look, including local mandates for fencing, driveways and even how long garbage cans can be left on the street before and after pickup, Braun said.

As for the upcoming referendum, the mayor of the village that consists of roughly 9,500 people simply hopes voters provide a definitive answer either for or against the existing restrictions, allowing the board a clear direction on how to proceed.

"I just hope it is not a 50/50 split," he said.

Photos provided