Kenilworth Eyes Summer Road Construction, Updates Signage Code

Leicester Road and Ivy Court summer construction are on the top of the Village of Kenilworth’s list for reinvestment, according to village manager Brad Burke. Plans would uniformly widen Leicester from 14 to 20 feet and correct crumbling, as well as deterioration of the roadways.

Renovations would include re-pavement and the addition of curbs to “helps preserve and extend the life of the road [and] . . . to direct storm water run-off more efficiently,” Burke told Patch. The road repair was just one of three upcoming projects highlighted at the village’s Tuesday board meeting.

Also on the table were the amendments to signage zoning codes and a tree trimming services contract. Kenilworth's current signage codes haven't been updated since 1969, and are “in need of modernization—they are very brief, only a page or so in length, and not detailed in regard to sign approaches that different businesses have,” Burke told Patch. The first draft of the amendment was presented in March of last year following 20 discussion meetings. A research group used the sign codes of Glencoe, Lake Forest, Winnetka and Oak Park as their primary references, while the Architectural Review Commission also provided input and advice.The sixth and final draft was presented to the village board around mid-December.

The current ordinance amendment is 60 pages and includes specific definitions of signs, the level of sign illumination—according to the amendment Kenilworth's lighting is “subtle and understated”—the placement, as well as physical characteristics of signs and diagrams of acceptable signage.

The statement of purpose and intent for the initiative says that the updated sign ordinance will “preserve the unique character of the community, protect the property values within the village [and] enhance the beauty and aesthetic character” of the village. Under the newly proposed ordinance no neon, scrolling or flashing signs, or “distracting” signs on roadways will be allowed.

In addition to the above projects, the board of trustees voted to award Winkler Tree Services the $15,000 contract for parkway tree trimming. Parkway tree trimming services were deferred from the budget the last two years, but Burke said “maintaining the urban forest is a core component of what the public works department is charged with” and “if you defer too long you can have some additional expenses in the long run as trees mature and grow in a fashion that isn't appropriate.” Burke cited low branches or dead trees as “posing a risk or public safety hazards ”and stressed “it's not beautification in any sense, it is trimming those branches that can be bad to the long term viability of the tree.”