Parking, traffic changes coming to Elgin

A new stop sign on Knollwood Drive and load limits for some residential streets are the latest responses by the city of Elgin to address residents’ concerns. But a mildly unpopular change will come with the more benign ones. Daytime parking restrictions will be implemented on Tennyson Court based on difficulties delivering city services to the narrow street.

City Council members gave preliminary approval to the plans at the committee of the whole meeting Wednesday night.

Management analyst Aaron Cosentino said the parking changes come from difficulties with garbage pickup, snow plowing and fire truck access. They will be in place at this point for just a six-month trial.

“If things do not work out well or the service isn’t improved a great deal we’ll look at taking those restrictions down,” Cosentino said. “If it’s successful we’ll keep them up.”

With the changes, parking will be forbidden from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday on Tennyson Court, which runs from North to Division streets. The one-way will also be shifted to force traffic north instead of south. Cosentino said this will allow for a better turning radius from Division Street for emergency vehicles.

Parking will also be restricted on Division Street near the Tennyson Court intersection to accommodate emergency access.

The Knollwood Drive stop sign will be placed at the intersection with Brookside Drive, where there is currently only a yield sign.

The load limits will affect streets east of Liberty Street and those east of McLean Boulevard where residents have complained of trucks cutting through the side streets. Trucks weighing more than 8,000 pounds will be prohibited.

Councilman John Steffen said the changes show periodic review is important.

“This is a good result of cooperation from our citizens and our neighborhood services group,” Steffen said.

The Community Engagement Committee, composed of staff members from various departments, regularly considers neighborhood issues and recommended all the changes the council approved Wednesday.

Once the council grants formal approval and signs are purchased, the changes will go into effect.