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Council approves limited new parking stalls on First Street after resident concerns
Summary
The Elmhurst City Council approved adding two-hour and 10-minute parking stalls on the north side of First Street between 175 West First Street and Addison Avenue after public comments urged more study of safety and delivery access.
The City Council voted to approve additional two-hour and 10-minute parking stalls along the north side of First Street between 175 West First Street and Addison Avenue at its Sept. 2 meeting, moving the item from the Public Affairs and Safety Committee to the full council. The council’s roll call recorded 10 ayes, 1 nay and 3 absent when the motion passed.
Nut graf: Several residents told the council the proposed parking changes were a response to delivery activity associated with a new development (“the mark”) and urged the city to require the development to provide a dedicated delivery area rather than alter First Street. Council members who visited the site said the western portion of the proposed new stalls, near an art installation and a low curb/ditch area, appeared too tight for safe maneuvering and asked staff to re-evaluate striping and sight lines.
Laurie Bridal and Ellen Greer spoke during public forum about the First Street restrictions. Bridal said parking to accommodate delivery trucks in front of the new development created a “real safety concern” and questioned a line in the staff report stating that “no parking at this location will be required in the future following the roadway improvements driven by the train station project.” Ellen Greer urged the council to return the item to the Public Affairs and Safety Committee for “further discussion, documentation, and supporting data, including alternative choices.”
Alderman Irby said he inspected the site before the meeting and identified four spaces farther west, adjacent to public art and a drainage area, that he found too tight; he said a commuter parked there would need to swing into the opposing lane to exit. He said he was “uncomfortable” voting yes without revisiting those four spaces. The council nonetheless approved the report with the vote recorded above.
Ending: The report authorizes staff to prepare necessary documents and municipal code changes to implement the parking restrictions; residents who spoke asked staff to further study delivery access and long-term effects tied to planned station-area improvements.
