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Villa Park commissioners table plan to build Terrace Alley after parking, access concerns
Summary
Commissioners paused a planned Terrace Alley reconstruction that would improve garbage access and reduce rodent problems but would remove multiple private parking stalls for small apartment buildings; staff said the alley is TIF-eligible and could be built in May–June if owners’ concerns and emergency-access questions are resolved.
Villa Park commissioners on Thursday tabled a proposal to construct an alley behind several small apartment buildings on Terrace Avenue after hearing that the change would improve garbage collection and reduce rodent problems but would also remove private parking stalls for residents.
Staff told the commission the alley—designed at about 12 to 14 feet wide—would create a through-alley to allow commercial haulers safe access to dumpsters, a change owners and staff said is intended to reduce long-standing trash and rodent issues. Staff said the project is in finishing design, is TIF-eligible, and was budgeted for the current fiscal year; construction could begin as early as May or June if stakeholders agree on a mitigation plan.
“The commercial haulers indicated with all the parking and cars back there that they won’t go down it,” staff said, summarizing feedback from haulers and owners who described repeated refusals to enter the congested lots. Sergeant Heyman told commissioners that limited access has contributed to intermittent service and the nuisance conditions staff aims to address.
Commissioners were told two small buildings (identified in staff materials as buildings 16 and 20) would each lose four parking stalls from roughly eight existing spaces; buildings 8 and 12 would lose about two stalls but share an adjacent lot owned by the same property owner. Commissioners and owners said losing those stalls could halve on-site parking for some tenants.
Members discussed several mitigation ideas: a village-run overnight, first-come-first-served on-street permit in the immediate area; selling or reserving spaces in the village-owned metro parking lots; or asking apartment owners to subsidize reserved metro spots for tenants. Commissioners raised practical concerns about walking distance and safety to the metro lot and whether charging tenants for previously available parking would be fair. Staff confirmed the village owns both the north and south metro station lots and said those lots currently show available capacity.
Staff cautioned that assigning permits to specific vehicles could create enforcement and legal complications—especially towing liability—and recommended a first-come approach if the commission pursues on-street overnight parking. Commissioners asked staff to consult the fire and police departments about emergency access and to return with a more detailed plan and owner input.
A commissioner moved to table the item pending the additional operational reviews, owner outreach and firmer mitigation proposals; the motion carried on a voice vote.
The commission did not set a new date for the item. Staff said they will return with a deeper analysis, input from emergency services and refined options for preserving tenant parking while enabling improved solid-waste access.
