Residents say Grayslake violating its own snow ordinance

Grayslake resident Marty Kennedy says it would be nice if the village followed its own ordinance regarding sidewalk snow removal.

Kennedy, 32, voiced frustration Thursday with village public works crews plowing his street, and in the process covering a stretch of sidewalk with snow three to five feet deep in front of his home and others on London Court.

Mayor Rhett Taylor said he is aware of the complaint and expected Public Works Superintendent William Heinz to visit London Lane, in the English Meadows subdivision, to evaluate the snow removal. Kennedy and others say the village should clean its mess.

"If it's outside the norm, it'll be taken care of," Taylor said.

Grayslake residents are informed it's a village ordinance violation if they deposit snow from a sidewalk or driveway onto public streets.

In addition, Grayslake's December newsletter states residents are required to clear snow and ice from sidewalks adjacent to their homes within 24 hours of a storm. Residents also are asked to remove snow and ice around fire hydrants.

Kennedy said he griped about the snow piles to public works Wednesday, but received no satisfaction. He said his neighbors have been in a similar situation in past years and were threatened with a $200 fine if they didn't remove the sidewalk snow dumped by public works.

"We pulled up the ordinance on the computer and (Grayslake's) ordinance totally states nobody can block the sidewalks," Kennedy said. "But they're blocking it against their own ordinance."

Kennedy and his neighbor, Jeff McLaughlin, said they would use shovels or snowblowers themselves clear the sidewalks, but the piles are too deep.

Some young children were stymied by a large snow pile and walked onto Lexington Lane about noon Thursday. Kennedy said children shouldn't be forced onto the streets because of shoddy village snow removal.

"We just don't want our kids walking on this road," said Kennedy, whose children are 6 and 11. "That's what these sidewalks are here for. They're intended for our kids to walk to the (Meadowview) school that's three blocks away."

Taylor said he understood the residents' safety concerns. Heinz couldn't be reached for comment.

Kennedy and McLaughlin said residents shouldn't have to worry about a potential fine or whether to pay a snow-removal service to clear the walks because of a problem created by the village.

"This has happened a couple years running now," McLaughlin said. "We've got to do something about it."

On the whole, Taylor said, Grayslake has received few complaints about snow removal since the Chicago area was pounded Tuesday and Wednesday.

"I think that speaks well of the service that's been provided," he said.