A new inspection program in Elmhurst could help keep large new homes on old lots from causing flooding in neighboring yards, city officials agree.
Building Commissioner Bruce Dubiel announced a proposed grade inspection that his staff would perform on new construction sites after the rough grading has been done but before foundations and driveways have been poured. The inspection would ensure that the new yard configuration is graded properly and the driveway is not tilted toward neighboring lots enough to drain stormwater into them.
The inspection specifically addresses land where old homes have been torn down to make way for new structures.
“Putting percentage numbers into the zoning code is a good way to control things, but it doesn’t always work. Someone covering 30 percent of a large lot affects the neighbors much more than someone covering 30 percent of a 50-foot lot,” Dubiel said.
Improperly directing runoff can cause more flooding issues than simply paving over more land would, said Ald. Dennis Reboletti (2nd). Adding the grade inspection would be fairer to homeowners than lowering the lot percentage that can be covered, he asserted.
“You have the right to put in as much concrete as you can, as long as you’re not impacting neighboring properties,” he said. “I cringe when I hear people trying to legislate aesthetics.”
The Development Committee is slated to discuss the proposed inspection again Monday.
