Kankakee council limits cultivated plants in terraces to 30 inches after safety, nuisance complaints

The Kankakee City Council on May 4 approved ordinances amending the municipal property-maintenance and nuisance codes to add “cultivated plants” as an allowed use in the terrace (the right-of-way strip between curb and sidewalk) while setting a 30-inch height limit and prohibiting vegetation that obstructs sidewalks, driveways, vehicle sightlines or hydrants.

The measures, both on second reading, were advanced after public comment and a staff presentation explaining the change is meant to align the code with long-standing neighborhood practice. Mayor Curtis and in-house counsel said the amendment recognizes existing terrace gardening but adopts objective limits to address safety and circulation concerns.

“People have gardens in the rights-of-way for decades,” in-house counsel said during the discussion, describing the change as an effort to make the ordinance consistent with current practice. Director King added the limit is intended to preserve visibility at intersections and driveways.

The ordinance requires property owners to maintain terrace vegetation the same way they maintain grass; if owners do not cut overgrown plants the code department may issue a violation and, if uncured, the city can abate and bill the owner. Council members emphasized the safety rationale: aldermen cited corners and alleys where overgrown plantings have obscured sightlines for drivers and pedestrians.

Council approved both ordinances by roll call; each measure passed unanimously (14–0).

Next steps: the city will publish the amended code language and continue to enforce maintenance responsibilities through the code department. Council members said they expect the change to reduce disputed enforcement actions by clarifying allowable terrace plantings and providing a measurable height standard.