The Complaint That La Grange Gets During Dry Times

LA GRANGE, IL – Since the flooding in late June, La Grange officials have taken heat for the lack of progress in dealing with the drainage problem on the south side. Officials are awaiting the outcome of litigation before beginning what they say is a major drainage project.

During dry times, the complaint that La Grange receives is a lot different, Village President Mark Kuchler said at Monday’s Village Board meeting. It’s about building standards that some residents see as overly strict for new houses, additions and paved surfaces.

The rules are meant to make up for the loss in impervious surfaces. These areas are where water cannot seep into, thus increasing the likelihood of flooding.

“In La Grange, we have pretty strict standards,” Kuchler said. “Before the flooding, I was getting a lot more calls about ‘why is your permitting process so restrictive?’”

He said residents would say things like, "I want to do just a simple addition, and you brought in inspectors that required elaborate water retention."

But Kuchler said drainage must be taken into account.

“If you’re going to build this house and new construction – whether it’s single-family, multi-family or commercial – you’re going to have to help with the water situation, not hurt it. This is really to keep the water out of the sewers during these rain events,” Kuchler said. “In the dry times, the neighbors are saying, ‘Why can’t I build a little addition. Why can’t my garage be bigger. Why can’t my driveway be wider?' Things like that we hear. We are balancing that with the concerns that happen after these major flood events.”

Village officials have been talking about stormwater rules for years. When he left the Village Board in May, Trustee David McCarty gave some words of advice at a meeting: “Please keep an eye on lot coverage and imperious surfaces. Every drop matters.”