Title
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A Motion to Concur with the Transportation Commission’s Recommendations for Traffic Calming at the 500-600 Block of Belleforte Avenue
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Introduction
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At the April 13th and July 13th Transportation Commission (TC) meeting, the TC reviewed a traffic calming petition at the 500-600 block of Belleforte Avenue. The TC voted to concur with the staff recommendations for temporary speed feedback signage and targeted speed enforcement. Recommendations will be implemented by Public Works crews using existing equipment.
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Recommended Action
Adopt the Motion.
Prior Board Action
There is no prior Board action associated with this item.
Background
On September 13, 2025, the Village of Oak Park received a petition to implement traffic calming measures on the 500-600 block of Belleforte Avenue. The residents expressed concerns regarding excessive speeds along 500-600 Belleforte Avenue between Chicago Avenue and Augusta Street.
See Attachment A for a copy of the letter of explanation. Public testimony was received. See attachment B for public testimony. See Attachment C for the aerial imagery of the area.
The petition was reviewed by the Transportation Commission at its April 13, 2026, meeting. Staff gave a presentation on the issues, including: background on the petition, history of the area, analysis of the collected traffic data, collision diagram, and recommendations. Residents provided public testimony on the items. After hearing the staff’s presentation and public testimony, the Transportation Commission deliberated on the items. Relevant pages from the Transportation Commission meeting minutes are included as Attachment F.
At the April 13th, 2026 meeting, the Transportation Commission voted five to zero to:
• Install paint-and-post pinch point (also known as a neckdown) with two 20-foot-long bump-outs on the northern side of the block.
• Targeted speed enforcement
• Install temporary radar speed feedback sign for northbound traffic
• Install high visibility crosswalk marking along the north leg of Belleforte Avenue at Chicago Avenue
• Install signage to daylight the corners at Augusta and Chicago on Belleforte Avenue and the parking on the north side of Chicago Avenue at Belleforte Avenue
In advance of presenting this item to the Village Board for consideration, staff was notified by the petitioner that roughly half of the residents on the block were not if favor of the recommendations regarding the pinch point. Staff notified the residents on this block regarding the prosed treatments recommended by the Transportation Commission (TC) and invited the residents to attend the July 13th TC meeting where this item would be reconsidered.
At the July 13th TC meeting, the original petitioner indicated that based on their Google poll exactly half of the residents were against the pinch point. Based on this information, and input received at that meeting, the TC voted five to zero to revise their recommendations to:
• Targeted speed enforcement
• Install temporary radar speed feedback sign for northbound traffic
Staff concurs with these recommendations. Previous recommendations for improvements at Chicago Avenue will be implemented with the Chicago Avenue Safety Improvement Project planned for 2027. Current recommendations for speed feedback signage will be implemented by Public Works crews using existing equipment.
Timing Considerations
Pending Village Board approval, staff will install the speed feedback signage and pavement markings as part of normal operations with existing equipment.
Financial Impact
There is no cost associated with these recommendations.
Operations Impact
This is a core service responsibility of the Engineering Division of the Public Works Department. Implementation of this item has minimal staffing impact. Preparing the materials for the Transportation Commission for this traffic calming petition took around 60 hours, including obtaining and analyzing traffic data, preparing exhibits, and presenting at the commission meeting.
DEI Impact
The Vision Zero plan highlights that traffic accidents disproportionately affect minority communities within the Village. Traffic calming improvements will enhance safety for all users, with particular benefits for these vulnerable groups.
Community Input
On September 13, 2025, the Village of Oak Park received petition to implement traffic calming measures on the 500-600 block of Belleforte Avenue. The petition organizers were notified of the April 13th TC meeting regarding these petitions and public comments from residents were heard at the TC meeting. TC meeting minutes from April 13th are attached for reference.
At the April 13th, 2026 meeting, the Transportation Commission voted five to zero to:
• Install paint-and-post pinch point (also known as a neckdown) with two 20-foot-long bump-outs on the northern side of the block.
• Targeted speed enforcement
• Install temporary radar speed feedback sign for northbound traffic
• Install high visibility crosswalk marking along the north leg of Belleforte Avenue at Chicago Avenue
• Install signage to daylight the corners at Augusta and Chicago on Belleforte Avenue and the parking on the north side of Chicago Avenue at Belleforte Avenue
In advance of presenting this item to the Village Board for consideration, staff was notified by the petitioner that roughly half of the residents on the block were not if favor of the recommendations regarding the pinch point. Staff notified the residents on this block regarding the prosed treatments recommended by the Transportation Commission (TC) and invited the residents to attend the July 13th TC meeting where this item would be reconsidered.
At the July 13th TC meeting, the original petitioner indicated that based on their Google poll exactly half of the residents were against the pinch point. Based on this information, and input received at that meeting, the TC voted five to zero to revise their recommendations to:
• Targeted speed enforcement
• Install temporary radar speed feedback sign for northbound traffic
Staff Recommendation
Staff concurs with the Transportation Commission’s recommendations for traffic calming on the 500-600 block of Belleforte Avenue. Staff recommends adopting the motion.
Advantages:
• Traffic calming improvements will be installed per the Transportation Commission’s recommendation, which will slow traffic on the 500-600 block of Belleforte Avenue.
Disadvantages:
• None
Alternatives
Alternative 1:
The Board can delay to gain additional information.
Advantages:
• The Board can be presented with the requested information.
Disadvantages:
• None
Alternative 2:
The Board can vote down the Motion.
Advantages:
• None.
Disadvantages:
• Misalignment with the Transportation Commission and Staff’s recommendation to address resident concerns.
• Potentially unsafe traffic conditions would persist.
• Resident concerns would not be addressed.
Anticipated Future Actions
Staff will continue to bring Transportation Commission Traffic Petition Recommendations to the Village Board in the future.
Prepared By: Jenna Holzberg, Transportation Commission Chairperson; Bill McKenna, Village Engineer/Assistant Public Works Director
Reviewed By: Rob Sproule, Public Works Director
Approved By: Kevin J. Jackson, Village Manager
Attachment(s):
1. Attachments - 500-600 Belleforte