Stricter Rules For Elmhurst Downtown Projects

ELMHURST, IL — Elmhurst aldermen on Monday approved new standards for construction projects in downtown and elsewhere, which one official said would keep disturbances at a "reasonable level."

For the last few years, downtown construction projects have been a sore spot for residents, who have complained during council meetings from time to time.

The new standards cover issues such as use of public rights-of-way, location and condition of dumpsters, litter, dust control, site fencing and security, and worker parking.

Last year, Ward 1 alderwomen Marti Deuter and Jennifer Veremis asked the city to look into the issue, saying they received complaints about downtown construction.

"Construction is universally inconvenient, and much of that inconvenience is unavoidable," Deuter said at the council meeting. "But downtown development has unique challenges. As we worked with staff to try to address the concerns raised, it became clear that our code was written to address single-family building and did not have provisions that adequately addressed large-scale development."

Deuter said she and Veremis asked for a more standardized code enforcement system to address violations when they occur. The new standards, she said, require a site plan for construction.

"Enforcement actions should be well-documented, applied consistently and sufficient to encourage compliance," Deuter said. "I think this (set of standards) puts the city in a position to more effectively and efficiently manage construction sites and keep the disturbances caused by construction at a reasonable level."

Ward 3 Alderwoman Dannee Polomsky said the standards would ensure construction sites are maintained and that processes are followed to reduce interruption to neighbors and "hopefully, move projects along."

One residential project that may not be moving along is at 374 Aberdeen Court. Patch has written stories about the years-long home renovation on Aberdeen, which has been the target of neighbors' complaints to the city.

Patch submitted a public records request to the city on Nov. 23 for the latest documents related the Aberdeen project. More than two months later, the city has not provided the records.

The council's vote for the new standards was unanimous. No one was absent.