Plans to improve Elmhurst pitch pedestrian, commercial improvements
A consultant's plans to improve five areas of Elmhurst call for new plazas and gateway signs; more multifamily housing; new or wider sidewalks and bike lanes; real-time downtown parking information; and a pedestrian bridge over Route 83.
The ideas, contained in a draft report prepared by the city and consultant Houseal Lavigne Associates, were made public this week during an open house.
For the past year, Elmhurst has been working on plans to guide redevelopment at five sites chosen by the city council: the business district at York and Vallette streets; the Lake Street corridor between Route 83 and York Street; a one-block area at First and York streets downtown; several blocks along Butterfield Road west of York Street; and the intersection of North Avenue and Route 83.
Some residents who saw the plans said they are optimistic the proposed changes could improve access to forest preserves and ease walkability across major intersections. Others said they worry about flooding, annexation and traffic.
Residents can share feedback about the 45-page planning document by emailing Eileen Franz, assistant planning and zoning administrator, at eileen.franz@elmhurst.org, by 5 p.m. May 18.
The plans also will be open for comment during meetings of the zoning and planning commission and the development, planning and zoning committee. Both groups are set to weigh in before the council considers final approval, Franz said.
"This is just the beginning," Franz told one concerned resident during Wednesday's open house.
Resident Mary Oehler said she likes some of the pedestrian connectivity ideas for the intersection of North Avenue and Route 83, which is about two blocks southwest of her house. Oehler's street, Shady Lane, is a dead end, and she said it's not pleasant to walk along North Avenue or turn out driving onto the busy road.
"We really need walkways," she said. "I can't even walk my dog."
The plan in that area suggests moving sidewalks back a few feet from North Avenue, wherever possible, and building a pedestrian bridge over Route 83 to connect residents on the east to Cricket Creek Forest Preserve on the west.
The plan for the Butterfield Road area west of York Street worries Ann Swies, who lives in an unincorporated area near Elmhurst Hospital. In that area, consultants suggest more multifamily housing - potentially assisted living - and mixed-use buildings with commercial and residential components. They also suggest annexation of unincorporated properties, when available, to allow for consistent services and standards.
"We have concerns about being forced into annexation," Swies said. "We want to be able to continue to have control of our homes."
Annexing properties one-by-one could change "the whole complexion of the neighborhood," she said, making fellow unincorporated residents on Lexington and Harvard streets or Kendall Avenue uneasy.
"We have a very nervous community," Swies said. "I hope Elmhurst will continue to seek our input and take our concerns and needs into consideration."
Plans to improve Elmhurst
Here's a look at preliminary plans to improve five sections of Elmhurst. The full 45-page draft is available at <a href="https://www.elmhurst.org/1555/Elmhurst-Subarea-Plans">https://www.elmhurst.org/1555/Elmhurst-Subarea-Plans</a>.
York and Vallette
Goals: Take advantage of history as former commuter station district and location next to Illinois Prairie Path.
Suggestions: Replace single-story commercial with multistory residential over retail; ensure buildings have views of Prairie Path; use city-owned parking lot for special events; widen sidewalks to 10 feet; remove curbside parking; bury utility lines; standardize lighting.
Lake Street
Goals: Increase desirability of business district; improve appearance of public and private properties; increase safety and mobility.
Suggestions: Remove frontage road on south side of Lake east of Walnut Street; Install 6-foot-wide sidewalks on both sides of Lake at least five feet from street; add gateway feature at Lake and Grand Avenue.
First and York
Goals: Spur redevelopment of multistory, mixed-use buildings to complement new Metra Station, to be built beginning in 2019.
Suggestions: Build walkway and alley system to divide block into six units; clean, restore and upgrade facades; convert city parking lot into temporary social space for events; build new Schiller Square plaza.
Butterfield west of York
Goals: Better mix of institutional, commercial and residential uses; integrate Elmhurst Hospital into neighborhood.
Suggestions: Introduce multifamily housing - potentially assisted living; make bicycle improvements; complete network of sidewalks; annex unincorporated properties.
North Avenue and Route 83
Goals: Promote strategic redevelopment at northwest and southeast corners; improve pedestrian access for nearby residents; create gateway into city.
Suggestions: Install 6-foot-wide sidewalks at least five feet from street; limit driveways; landscape "leftover" open space; add gateway sign.