Riverwoods trustees debate Portwine Road no-parking signs; ask staff to explore temporary and targeted options

The Village of Riverwoods Board of Trustees heard a staff proposal to install no-parking signs along Portwine Road to reduce safety risks at village events and to improve emergency access. Director Witt presented two quotes and recommended SE Enterprises Inc. for an amount not to exceed $6,000 to install about 26 standard 12-by-18 no-parking signs along both sides of Portwine Road from Lake Cook Road to Deerfield Road.

Several trustees opposed the plan as presented. Trustee Clayton called the idea of a ‘‘tunnel’’ of signs a visual blight; Trustee Eastman and Trustee Smith suggested temporary signage or limiting permanent signs to major entrance points to preserve village appearance and community access to events. Trustee Jamerson and others warned that a permanent ban could reduce attendance at village events and complicate public meetings where residents need to park nearby.

Chief (name not provided) told the board that the village ordinance prohibits parking where signs are erected but that parking cannot be enforced without signs; he emphasized officers’ concern about pedestrian safety at large events and cited past gatherings where people walked in the middle of Portwine Road. Staff suggested alternatives including placing signs only at major entrance points and making some signs coverable for events the village wants to allow parking.

After discussion the board did not make a motion to approve permanent signage. Instead trustees directed staff to explore lower-impact options — temporary sandwich-board signs, signs at primary entrances that could be covered for permitted events, remote parking with shuttle service, and possible boardwalk-mounted signs — and to return with recommendations.