Some Elmhurst officials, worried about setting an unwelcome precedent, are leery of requiring homebuilders to construct sidewalks for new homes.
The proposal, which was to be approved Monday night, was returned to the City Council’s Public Works and Building Committee for further review after some aldermen objected.
They said some newcomers to town, just like the existing population, might not want a sidewalk. Though the ordinance would have mandated sidewalks only for new homes that adjoin properties with existing sidewalks, opponents said a better approach would be to conduct a block-by-block poll of residents to learn where they stand.
The ordinance called for builders to pay for the sidewalks, a cost that in theory would be incorporated into the home’s price. In the past the city has helped foot the bill for sidewalk installation, splitting the cost in blocks where most households indicated support.
Under that arrangement, homeowners typically paid about $500, said Ald. Janice Vanek. If a majority of a given block opposed sidewalks, none were built on that block.
“It’s not our public policy to give everybody a sidewalk,” said Vanek, the first to voice concerns on Monday. “It’s our policy to give people” what they want.
Mayor Tom Marcucci said the ordinance “would have very little effect” and “would start to add some order” to new construction. But Ald. Susan Rose disagreed.
“I think this is chaos,” Rose said. “We have no idea what the unintended effects of this would be.”
Also among those expressing concern was Ald. David Noffs, who said his neighbors in the North Graue Woods area generally are adamant in their opposition to sidewalks.
“I am concerned about [the ordinance] setting a precedent,” he said. “This kind of ordinance can get out of hand.”
