Commission advances Zone 2 neighborhood safety study; consultant proposal to go to village board in April

Commissioners reviewed an updated Zone 2 neighborhood traffic and pedestrian safety recommendation that would prioritize school zones and park areas, notably Monroe School. Alex, staff, said the proposed boundaries for Zone 2 are North Street, Monroe Street, Chicago Avenue and Lincoln Street and that the commission’s previous feedback led staff to slightly expand the zone to include Monroe School’s west side.

Commissioners suggested moving the western boundary one block to Adams to capture more walking routes to and from Monroe School and nearby sidewalks. “If we're looking for that school safety component, maybe moving that to Adams might help… kids are walking more than one block,” one commissioner said. Staff confirmed funds are budgeted for the Zone 2 study and said the consultant will be asked to prepare a formal proposal for the village board; staff expects to bring that proposal to the village board in the second board meeting in April. Field work is planned to begin in May to capture conditions while schools are in session.

The commission did not adopt a final boundary at the meeting; commissioners asked staff to incorporate suggestions, circulate an updated map and return with a consultant proposal and timeline for board review.