Elmhurst council approves neighborhood traffic changes after divided debate

The Elmhurst City Council on Monday approved three ordinances arising from recent neighborhood traffic studies that change no‑parking zones, special stop intersections and speed limits on several local streets after a divided debate among aldermen.

The measures — ordinance 5.18 (parking restrictions), ordinance 5.19 (stop intersections) and ordinance 5.20 (speed limits) — were adopted following discussion in the Public Affairs and Safety committee and public-works analyses. The City Council recorded the following votes: 5.18 passed 13–1, 5.19 passed 12–2, and 5.20 passed 12–2.

The traffic study process produced targeted recommendations for specific blocks and intersections. Alderman Daniel Irby, who said he voted no on an earlier report and again on ordinance 5.18, said he objected to four curbside parking spaces near the Mark development because the resulting street navigational width was unsafe. “Those 4 spots, lead to a 19 foot resultant street navigational width right there,” Irby said, describing observed vehicle maneuvers near the railroad tracks.

Alderman Baker, who voted against the speed‑limit change, emphasized his ward’s concerns about Church Street and cited automated counts and neighborhood observation: “Church Street in particular … has the highest average speed East Of Poplar,” he said, noting a daily volume number he reported as 597 drivers eastbound in that segment. Baker said the stretch proposed for a 20‑to‑25 mph change has fewer stop controls than comparable streets and contains destinations used by children, such as a preschool and church parking where students walk to school.

Alderman Brennan, a public‑safety committee member, defended the studies and the broader neighborhood‑level approach, while noting limitations of particular countermeasures. “Stop signs do not control speeding. That is not what they're there for,” Brennan said, and said staff will continue to monitor speeding and consider alternatives besides stop signs, including enforcement and education.

Council members who supported the ordinances said the engineering studies apply consistent traffic principles — including MUTCD guidance — and remove ad hoc decision‑making. Alderman Talutto, who chairs the committee that reviewed the studies, told colleagues the professional process provides an objective basis for decisions and reduces the need for repeated, case‑by‑case petitions.

Discussion items raised during the debate included whether the traffic engineering analyses provided sufficient supplemental mitigation options for areas identified with high speeds, whether localized changes were properly vetted with on‑the‑ground observations, and the expectation of continued monitoring after implementation. Several aldermen who voted no said they supported the study process overall but wanted “tweaks” and more detail for their wards before formal adoption.

The ordinances amend sections of the Elmhurst Municipal Code, chapter 44 (Motor Vehicles and Traffic). The council directed staff to implement the approved changes and monitor the affected corridors; aldermen said future committee follow‑up will be scheduled if additional engineering or enforcement measures are needed.

The measures take effect under standard ordinance timelines unless otherwise posted by the city.