The Village of Bensenville is seeking the text amendments described herein to refine and clarify the Zoning Ordinance. In 2018, the Village underwent a complete overhaul of its current Zoning Ordinance, which had been adopted in 1999. Since adoption of the current Ordinance, Staff has identified certain shortcomings through administration and enforcement of the zoning regulations.
Regulating the width of driveways is necessary and desirable to prevent front yards in residential neighborhoods from resembling parking lots. However, the current limit of 10-feet is somewhat onerous and was enacted in response to the practice of residents widening their driveways by adding brick pavers or other hard-surface material as “edging” to accommodate family vehicles. Village staff is of the opinion that driveways should be wide enough to accommodate two cars abreast, with enough room to allow passengers to open the car doors without having to step off the driveway to do so. Hence, the recommendation to increase the maximum driveway width from 10- to 20-feet.
With respect to paved parking areas (“parking pads”), Village staff is of the opinion that requiring a detached garage on the premises in order to have a parking pad does not serve the community interest since providing a hard surface for parking autos is the objective. The maximum size and minimum setbacks are not being changed.
The proposed amendments are summarized as follows:
- Clarify the components included in the measurement of driveway width.
- Increase the maximum permitted width of one-way driveways for single-unit, two-unit, and townhouse dwellings from 10 feet to 20 feet, as measured at the lot line.
- Allow paved parking areas in the rear yard on zoning lots with alley access where no detached garage is present.
Staff recommends Approval of the Findings of Fact consistent with all standards being met, and therefore recommends approval of the Zoning Text Amendment to Municipal Code Section Title 10 (Zoning Ordinance), Chapter 8 (Off-Street Parking and Loading).