Strong Towns Elgin

Bike Lanes!

Our voice is being heard. Keep coming to meetings and being vocal. When concerned citizens speak up, the city learns what we want. We are not the only voice in Elgin, but we raise it in chorus with all the other organizations promoting a healthier, more sustainable, and enduring city.

Thank you - keep up the good work.

For some context, we've had bike lanes for years in the downtown and other areas of the city, but last year our public works department committed to painting them green in 2024. Chicago street can be dangerous as a bike rider because you're sharing a complicated intersection with cars. We hope the green paint will bring attention to the bicycles sharing the road. We look forward to separated bike lanes, the removal of stoplights in favor of stop signs, and other infrastructure projects in the future, but paint is a low-cost investment that can easily be undone if we want to make changes.

#3 Allow Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

Did you know that the doesn't allow ADUs?

For me, that means that my aging parents will likely end up in an assisted home.😥
If I could add a small dwelling in my backyard, I could give them an accessible home and could help them with daily tasks. It would mean more time together rather than isolation. I could help with their care rather than burdening the government.

What might that mean for you?
◾ Harder to get childcare, as family isn't close enough to help.
◾ Moving out of your home when financial situations change.
◾ Aging in place is more difficult.
◾ Less affordable options for adult children in college.

#2 End Parking Mandates

Did you know that the city of still has parking requirements, despite a high volume of exceptions processed every year?

I like to ask, if everything is an exception, what good is the rule? 🤔

"Everything" is, of course, hyperbole, but the tides are turning on parking and the way we think of parking. As an example: Walmart has committed to reducing its parking lots and even hired a director of employee mobility❗

Want to learn more?
◾ Elgin, Illinois - Code of Ordinances Title 19 - ZONING (has parking requirements sprinkled throughout many of its chapters.)
◾ End Parking Mandates and Subsidies by Strong Towns
◾ The Pseudoscience of Parking Requirements by Parking Reform Network
◾ Walmart hired a director of employee mobility to change its commuting culture - HR Brew