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Brookfield clarifies parkway encroachment rules, confirms village replaces sidewalks with concrete unless resident pays for decorative pavers
Summary
Trustees approved an ordinance clarifying permitted encroachments in residential parkways, including rules for brick paver aprons and a license agreement process. The village will replace disturbed sidewalks with concrete unless a resident requests and pays for brick pavers under a license agreement.
The Village of Brookfield board on June 23 approved an ordinance amending rules for permitted parkway encroachments in residential districts to clarify when decorative materials may be installed and who bears replacement costs.
Under the ordinance and the related license agreement discussed at the meeting, the village will generally replace disturbed public sidewalk sections with concrete. If a property owner has an approved license agreement and wants brick pavers instead of concrete, the resident will be responsible for the additional cost of the decorative material and for maintaining that specific installation. The board emphasized the license agreement process will include a survey and clear description of the area allowed to encroach on village property.
Trustees questioned language in the draft ordinance that repeatedly used the term “sidewalk,” which some said could create confusion about whether the rule applied to parkway aprons, private driveway aprons or the public sidewalk. Staff explained that the existing ordinance and the earlier license agreements referred to the specific parkway/driveway apron areas and that the new language is intended to restore consistent application of the rule. The board asked staff to consider clearer definitions during the broader zoning code update.
The motion to adopt the ordinance was moved and seconded and passed on roll call. The change is intended to reduce ambiguity about maintenance responsibility and to streamline how the village handles sidewalk and apron replacements when road or utility work requires removal of decorative materials.
Next steps: staff will finalize license agreement language and continue refining definitions of “sidewalk” and “walkway” as part of upcoming zoning code updates.
