SideWalks

Current Position

In 2012, City Council approved a 50/50 cost share between the City and the property owners for installation of new sidewalks on full blocks where none currently exist. A “block” is defined as one side of a street. Unusual block configurations will require staff review and approval. In areas where it has been determined by the procedure below that sidewalks will be constructed, a Special Service Area (SSA) will be established to support financing for the project. The City will advance 100% of the project cost. The City will cover an appropriate period of time be reimbursed for 50% of the project cost by the residents through an SSA via the County collecting the appropriate property tax over that time period based upon assessed value of each lot affected. The Public Works and Buildings Committee and Elmhurst City Council will select and approve the appropriate period of time but in no case shall that period of time be greater than ten years. Additionally, the City would be reimbursed for any interest that the City would forego by providing the “up-front” payment for the project.

Resources

Nationally

National Association of City Transportation Officials - here

Complete Streets

Illinois

Snow and Ice Removal Act (“Act”) 745 ILCS 75/2  - case law reporting

The court further stated that since the late 1800s, the Illinois Supreme Court has made it clear in cases involving other statutory interpretations of the word “sidewalk” that a “sidewalk” is public property, and has interpreted that word as a statutory term.

This might change some lots property tax EAV due to reduced size of the lot?

Locally

Elmhurst Sustainability Action Plan – March 2018

Appendix 1  - page 1

Appendix 2  - page 7

1Roads - Appendix 2  - page 6

Elmhurst Building Code – Chapter 5

Elmhurst has a permit fee of $35 to build a sidewalk under Chapter 5.24

Chapter 5.22  - covers sidewalk construction

Chapter 5.25  - Sidewalk Contractors are covered