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Plan Commission tables decision on Terrace Alley parking alternatives
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Summary
The Plan Commission delayed formal action on replacement parking for residents affected by the Terrace Alley improvement project after hearing staff’s update on bids, a construction timeline and options including metro-lot permits; staff said displaced residents will be allowed overnight street parking during construction and staff will follow up on outreach to one unresponsive property owner.
The Villa Park Plan Commission on April 27 tabled a decision about alternative parking for tenants who will lose alley stalls as part of the Terrace Alley improvement project, after receiving a status update from village staff.
“We opened bids on the alley improvements earlier this week. We are still in the process of reviewing those bids but we hope to take a recommendation for a contract award to the village board at the meeting on April 27,” said Kevin Mantels, village engineer. Mantels told the commission that if a contract is awarded as planned it typically takes two to three weeks to execute and construction would likely begin after the Memorial Day holiday, with a conservative duration of two months.
Commissioners asked whether replacement parking would equal the number of stalls lost. Mantels said staff expects to issue metro-lot permits to at least as many residents as will lose alley stalls and that the metro lot should have capacity for a few additional residents. He also said staff is coordinating with a consultant on pedestrian amenities near Ardmore Avenue and the Union Pacific Railroad to address crossings that residents would use to reach alternate parking.
Mantels emphasized temporary measures for residents: “Residents who are displaced and have no parking are allowed to park overnight on the street during construction,” he said, adding that the village typically provides a grace period before strict enforcement when permanent parking changes take effect.
The commission noted outreach attempts to building owners. Mantels reported staff had contacted owners of all but one affected building and said that property’s residents could lose parking stalls (he provided both a figure of four spaces and later referenced ‘‘20 specifically’’ and committed to confirm the correct count). Commissioners pressed staff to follow up and to provide a confirmed inventory of displaced stalls at the next meeting.
Commissioner Matt D’Alessandro and others voiced pedestrian-safety concerns if displaced residents must cross Ardmore Avenue to reach a metro lot, and suggested limited overnight on-street parking closer to the affected properties until pedestrian crossings are in place. Mantels said staff does not recommend permanent overnight parking on Terrace (and to a lesser extent Princeton) but acknowledged the commission can still make that recommendation to the village board.
Because the item had not been settled and some commissioners wanted more time to explore alternatives, the commission agreed to table the matter and revisit it at the next meeting. Chair Mary Anne Gonzales said the commission would need to make a decision before construction begins so tenants are not left without notice or options.
The commission’s tabling of the matter will allow staff to confirm outreach results, provide precise counts of affected stalls, and return with additional options and timeline details for the commission and village board to consider.
