Elgin parking ban extended for more debate

Elgin leaders have extended their even-odd parking trial for four neighborhoods until May 31 - and it has nothing to do with the Chicago area's penchant for snow when it should be spring.

RuthAnne Hall, city management analyst, said the move will give new council members time to debate and digest the issue.

Richard Dunne, John Prigge and Mike Warren will be sworn into office next week.

The city staff plans to make its recommendations at a city council retreat on May 13.

"With three new city council members, this gives us a chance to look at it at length," Hall said.

The test restrictions in Randall Ridge, the southern part of Cobblers Crossing, the Gifford and Summit park area and Southwest Area Neighbors Association region up to Gertrude Street were set to expire at the end of March.

City leaders initiated the trial even-odd schedule in September in an effort to improve leaf collection and snow removal.

Hall said at least 400 people have responded to a survey on the city's Web site, cityofelgin.org. People still can chime in through the end of April.

During the campaign, all three new council members said the city should look at expanding the odd-even schedule on a neighborhood by neighborhood basis instead of imposing a blanket city policy.

Mayor Ed Schock also has said he is not sold on a citywide ban.

Councilman David Kaptain said the city needs to do something and that city services are better and more efficient in areas with the parking restrictions.

Kaptain said he has not closed the door to an across-the-board ban but is open to expanding it by neighborhoods as long as the city doesn't have to constantly revisit it.

"I don't want it to be a can of worms that we're going to have to look at house by house, block by block," he said. "We're one of the only communities in the area that doesn't have some sort of restriction. The important thing here is to provide better services at a better cost."