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Hinsdale board reviews new sidewalk policy; requires unanimous adjacent-owner support for new sidewalks
Summary
A proposed sidewalk policy would replace older guidance and require unanimous written support from adjacent property owners before a new sidewalk may be approved; staff said the policy is intended to prevent unanticipated impacts to parkway trees and landscaping.
The Hinsdale Village Board on April 22 reviewed a proposed update to the village's sidewalk policy that would replace the 2002 policy and the 2010 plan map and establish new steps for approving sidewalks.
Under the proposed policy, before the village approves new sidewalk construction there must be unanimous written support from adjacent property owners; if any adjacent owner objects in writing, the sidewalk would not be approved. The policy also requires staff to confirm technical feasibility (considering parkway trees, underground utilities and ADA compliance) and requires Village Board financial approval before projects proceed.
Staff explained policy categories: locations recommended by staff through a future neighborhood traffic and pedestrian safety study would be 100% village-funded; locations proposed by residents with demonstrated financial support would be a 50/50 cost share between the village and residents. The policy is intended to be permissive rather than mandatory: it does not require the village to install sidewalks but provides rules for incremental consideration when installation is permissible, feasible and financially viable.
Trustees discussed placing the policy on the consent agenda for a second read, noting the subject can be controversial in neighborhoods where trees and long-established landscaping may be affected. Staff said the policy could be revisited after completion of the neighborhood safety study.
