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Trustees ask staff to study bollards for storefronts and pedestrian barriers on Route 30 after recent incidents
Summary
Trustees asked staff to research code changes requiring bollards or other physical protections at storefronts for future development, to survey existing businesses that front parking directly to entrances, and to propose near- and long-term ways to discourage dangerous crossings of Route 30 after a child’s fatality.
A member of the Montgomery board asked staff to consider requiring bollards or comparable protections at building entrances for future development and to survey existing businesses where parking abuts storefronts.
Trustee Theresa (first name in transcript) said the request followed a recent crash elsewhere and sought to reduce the risk that a vehicle could strike a storefront or outdoor seating area. Attorney Quants (counsel referenced by staff) told the board retrofitting existing commercial properties would be case-by-case and could be handled through an amortization schedule if the board chose to require retrofits on a timetable. Staff said standard spacing for bollards is typically under 8 feet — commonly about 6 feet — to allow maintenance and snow removal while preventing cars from passing between posts; costs vary by site depending on existing pavement and utilities.
Trustees asked staff to: survey existing commercial sites that have parking directly in front of customer entrances; report what the village currently requires for new construction; and propose code language for prospective developments. Staff agreed to return with findings and an implementation approach.
In the same discussion trustees asked staff to propose near-term and permanent measures after a child was killed crossing at Horsemen Trail and Route 30. Trustees suggested signage, physical barriers and lobbying the Illinois Department of Transportation for a permanent barrier (sound wall or similar) along that stretch of Route 30 where pedestrians repeatedly cross mid-block to reach businesses and Walmart. Staff was also asked to look for immediate measures to discourage mid-block crossings and report back.
Board members emphasized they would not expect measures to stop intentional acts by a motorist but said protections could reduce accidental incursions into seating areas or storefronts and lower risk for pedestrians crossing busy Route 30.
