City could restrict campers, big boats
On an increasing number of West Chicago streets, big campers and behemoth boats block the view of homes, officials say.
Under zoning code changes discussed by the Development Committee Monday, the city will relegate those vehicles to paved areas in backyards -- with no exception.
The amendments will be taken up at the next development committee meeting, in November, and then go before a public hearing. The code changes will need approval by the city council before they become law.
"This is an attempt to keep our codes current with other municipalities, to clarify our code, and to keep our neighborhoods safe and secure," Community Development Director Joanne Kalchbrenner said.
City staff began looking at zoning code updates after the development committee requested increased restrictions on new driveways that don't lead to garages. The new rules will also require vehicles stored in backyards to be 5 feet away from lot lines. Trailers and boats won't be allowed on lots that house townhomes or apartments.
The changes restrict travel trailers to 35 feet in length and 8 feet in width. Camper trailers can be at most 24 feet long and 5 feet 6 inches high when pop-up tops are collapsed. Motor homes must be no more than 40 feet long and 12 feet high; boats cannot be longer than 35 feet or higher than 12 feet, even when mounted.
The zoning changes will allow only one recreational vehicle on each lot. Travel trailers can be used as sleeping quarters twice a year, for seven out of 30 days, and sewer and water connections to the vehicles won't be allowed.
The new restrictions also call for commercial vehicles that weigh more than 8,001 pounds to be kept in enclosed structures, and only one can be kept on a lot.
In business and manufacturing districts, the zoning code changes call for delivery and service vehicles to be hidden from public right-of-ways; one will be allowed per 1,500 square feet.
Finally, the code changes allow garage sales three times a year, for three days at a time.