Macomb, IL – It appears a city ordinance in Macomb is headed for the dust heap of history.
The 10-year old law would have required all driveways and parking lots to have dust free surfaces by November of this year. In other words, they would have to be paved.
But there's been a public outcry over the measure and aldermen are also confounded by it. Second Ward Alderman Ed Lavin says it appears either no one knew about the rule or no one remembered it was on the books.
Aldermen agreed on Monday June 11 to send the ordinance to the Macomb Planning Commission for its review and possible revisions. The commission could hold a public hearing on it next month.
You can listen to the entire discussion from the city council's committee meeting by clicking on the audio button.
Additional information:
*The ordinance was created because of concerns that there were no guidelines for parking lot surfaces. The city says gravel was being dumped into side yards and front yards to provide parking lots at homes converted for multi-family use.
*Alderman At Large Dennis Moon believes the idea behind the law was to set a community standard. He says a hard surface is more appealing than a gravel driveway or parking lot.
*Alderman At Large Chris Senn called it an unfair and unnecessary law. He's concerned that more hard surfaces will cause more storm water to run off into the city's antiquated and overburdened storm water system.
*In general, it appears aldermen are in favor of extending the deadline for compliance with the ordinance.
*A handful of residents and business owners spoke out against the ordinance during Monday's meeting. No one from the public spoke in favor of it.