Woodstock council approves sidewalk removal and driveway variance for 147 S. Hill

At the request of a member of the public, item D1 (a parking-pad/driveway variance for 147 S. Hill) was removed from the consent calendar for separate consideration. Property owner Ninel Salih asked council to allow removal of a short section of sidewalk north of the existing front steps so she could install an at-grade paved parking pad that would allow two vehicles to park on site.

Staff noted the site’s steep front slope and the planning commission recommended a smaller pad but not removal of the sidewalk. Council members examined imagery and discussed retaining-wall, grade and visibility implications. Several council members observed that the sidewalk segment in question is discontinuous and that extending a sidewalk north along that block would be impractical given the embankment.

Councilman Segers moved to allow the petitioner to remove the portion of sidewalk north of the existing steps and to permit a 20-foot-wide by 25-foot-deep paved parking pad within the required front-yard setback, with a waiver of the enclosed-parking requirement; the motion made approval subject to final design and grade review by the city engineer. Councilwoman Ziemba seconded. The mayor called the roll and the motion passed unanimously among those present.

Owner Ninel Salih said the dimensions reflect on-site constraints (a nearby utility pole limits width) and that she would construct a paved pad with appropriate retaining walls. City staff (planning and engineering) will review final plans and ensure the pad is paved and that vehicles will be kept off the public right-of-way.

Next step: the petitioner will submit engineered plans for the city engineer’s approval before construction.