The Village of Kenilworth had no adopted regulations specific to drainage and grading on private property. Permits for construction were issued with the charge that work be done in keeping with best engineering practices. This approach relied on cooperation of those performing work, and functioned satisfactorily. However, there was no formal review of plans to identify deficiencies, mitigate potential impacts on neighbors, or provide enforcement when problems occurred. The Village followed this same approach in regard to construction along Lake Michigan bluffs and ravines; no ordinances were in place to regulate construction on or near those environmentally significant areas.
The Village selected Teska Associates (working in conjunction with the engineers at Baxter & Woodman) to prepare Drainage and Grading and Steep Slope Regulations to be considered for adoption. There was a fundamental question in the Village as to how such codes could add value for the community and property owners while minimizing the limitations such regulations would place on owners’ use of their property. These issues were addressed in numerous ways, including a discussion facilitated by a community open house, preparation of educational white papers on this and related topics, and a series of substantive discussions of the new ordinances by the Village Board Building, Planning and Zoning Committee.
After much thoughtful deliberation, the Village adopted both ordinances as amendments to its Village Code. After adoption, Teska prepared user manuals for both ordinances to help property owners and contractors understand and apply the regulations.
