Glenview Makes it More Difficult to Get Sidewalks Where They're Needed: Letter

The following letter was written and submitted by Dorothy Elfring.

The Comprehensive Plan Committee of Glenview is planning to to make it harder for residents to petition for sidewalks in priority areas near schools and parks. The already onerous policy requires residents to plead and cajole their neighbors into considering sidewalks.

In my neighborhood near the Avoca West Elementary School, there is no sidewalk leading to the school. While there is a majority of homeowners who want a sidewalk it did not meet the 2/3 majority to pass--a threshold required even in high priority areas.

The committee refuses to consider lowering the threshold to a simple majority, in areas deemed high priority, an approach that equally balances the desires of those that want the status quo and those who want safe pedestrian access to schools and parks.

Instead, the committee is recommending a waiting period between ballots--a policy that rewards the hold outs. Why? The Village is putting their thumb on the scale.

Children walking to school in the street is unacceptable as is being driven when they could have walked. Common sense leadership on this issue could make a difference like: resources on the Village website that address homeowner concerns about sidewalks and leveling the playing field to a simple majority when balloting for sidewalks. Glenview should be making it easier, not harder to add sidewalks where they are needed and where there is majority of homeowner support.