Plan commission continues review of Terrace Alley improvements after staff outlines parking impacts

A village staff member told the Villa Park Plan Commission that the Terrace Alley Improvement Project, which would open the alley between Ardmore and Princeton to through traffic, is intended to improve access for service and garbage trucks but will reduce rear parking at several properties.

The staff member said one nearby strip-mall owner declined an overnight-sharing arrangement and emphasized two mitigation options under consideration: allowing overnight on-street parking on Terrace (which requires a code/ordinance change) or directing affected residents to the metro parking lot. Staff estimated construction bids could be solicited in about a month, with a likely start in late May and a construction period of roughly two months.

The staff presentation included projected parking losses: 8 West Terrace would lose two stalls and 12 West Terrace would lose two stalls (these two are owned by the same owner, who staff said still has enough private parking), while 16 and 20 West Terrace would each lose four stalls. During construction, the village’s policy is generally to suspend overnight parking near capital improvement projects and to coordinate temporary locations with the police department and Public Works.

Commissioners raised safety and operational issues. They asked whether angled parking or redesign would accommodate more cars; the staff member said lot widths are narrow and that alley geometry limits additional parking. The fire department reviewed the location and indicated that, if on-street parking were allowed on Terrace, staff would recommend placing it on the south side to preserve emergency access on the north.

Waste collection and utilities were a recurring concern. The staff member and commissioners discussed that current overhead Comcast and ComEd lines are low and will likely require relocation to meet clearance standards (about 13 feet) once the alley becomes passable to larger collection vehicles. Commissioners suggested consulting garbage contractors about dumpster size and placement or promoting consolidated service contracts among adjacent units to limit loss of parking.

A police representative said the department had not received reports of inoperable vehicles in the alley and would monitor the area; staff noted much of the current parking is on private property, limiting enforcement options.

After extended discussion, a commissioner moved to continue the Terrace Alley item to the next meeting so staff can provide additional details about pedestrian accommodations and other mitigations. The commission approved the motion by voice vote.

The commission asked staff to return with possible pedestrian-accommodation bullet points for the Ardmore crossing and additional options to limit parking loss or provide nearby resident parking solutions. No final ordinance or construction contract was approved at the meeting; the item was continued for further study.