Riverwoods adopts fee for fiber right-of-way permits amid private-road concerns

Riverwoods trustees adopted an ordinance amending the village fee schedule to establish a permit fee for companies seeking to install fiber-optic lines in village rights of way. Mayor Ford introduced the ordinance; Attorney Hoover said companies have the legal right to install fiber in the public right of way and the village previously lacked a specific fee to quote prospective providers.

Attorney Hoover told trustees the proposed fee was modeled on neighboring communities and would allow the village to require permits that include insurance, restoration obligations and a security deposit. He also said, where routes traverse private streets, the village would condition permits on the company securing easements or permission along the entire intended route.

Trustees discussed that more than 80% of Riverwoods consists of private roads, which could limit where companies can construct networks. Trustee Smith asked whether the ordinance would expand service into neighborhoods that currently lack fiber; staff said the ordinance does not alter companies’ legal rights to lay fiber and that whether residents gain service will be driven largely by economics and the companies’ route decisions.

Director Wood and Attorney Hoover said permit conditions — including requirements for restoration and demonstration of easements where necessary — are intended to give the village control over construction quality and to provide a mechanism for reimbursement if carriers do not maintain shared structures. Trustees voted unanimously by roll call to waive first reading, move to second reading and adopt Ordinance 25-11-13.