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A Study Session on Updating the Village’s International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) from the 2009 Edition to the 2024 Edition, and Proposed Changes to Chapter 22 (“Streets and Sidewalks”) to Adopt Regulations for Maintenance of Parkways Fronting or Abutting Parcels or Lots
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Introduction
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Village staff are proposing changes the Village’s current property maintenance code and streets code, inclusive of revisions that align with the CROP Plan.
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Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the Board provide feedback on the recommended ordinance changes.
Prior Board Action
- ORD 15-181, Amended Chapter 7 (“BUILDINGS”) of the Oak Park Village Code by adding a new Article 13 (“Property Maintenance Code”) and adopted the 2009 International Property Maintenance Code.
Background
In 2015, the Village Board adopted the 2009 IPMC with local amendments. At the time, the Village was moving from a local property maintenance code to the international standard code that aligned with the building codes that the Village was using at the time. While the Village has since updated its building codes, the property maintenance code has remained unchanged. With a decade passing since the review, staff identified the need to revisit the 2009 IPMC.
As staff reviewed the 2009 and 2024 codes, staff did not find substantial changes (see attached matrix). That said, building codes and property maintenance codes work together, with the IPMC frequently updated to align with more recent building codes. Since the Village has continued to update its ICC codes, updating the IPMC would be appropriate as well. Adopting the 2024 IPMC will result in enforcement in concert with the Village’s current building and fire codes. Moreover, using the 2024 IPMC version is necessary in order to benefit from the most up-to-date property maintenance standards and regulations.
As part of that review, staff also considered ways to advance Board goals. The 2024-2025 Board Goals include goal 5.1.h “Advance Village policies and programs to support the transition of the Village’s and community’s land to green infrastructure.” The CROP plan includes the goal “Prioritize Native Species Over Non-Native Species” with action NN01 “Adopt an ordinance allowing residents to garden on the parkways they maintain with sustainable and native plantings.”
To advance these goals, changes are needed to both the property maintenance code and the streets code. Each draft ordinance includes definitions and guidance related to cultivated gardens. The property maintenance code also includes information on pruning plants along the right of way and turf maintenance. The parkway planting ordinance clarifies the maintenance responsibilities of the Village parkways and to allow property owners to plant gardens in the parkways that are adjacent to their properties without a permit. The Village has the intent to promote, in particular, the planting of native gardens and will provide education, outreach, resources, and incentives to support native gardening in the parkways.
Timing Considerations
The West Cook Wild Ones spring plant sale pre-orders take place from March through May and residents will begin planting gardens in June. For the ordinance to influence parkway gardens in 2025 it should be adopted before the planting season begins.
Budget Impact
The 2025 budget approved by the Board includes funding for 2024 IPMC books and additional staff training in GL# 1001.46212.101.550606.0000 and 1001.46212.101.530650.0000.
The Office of Sustainability and Resilience budgeted for outreach and educational expenditures related to this item in GL# 2310.41020.101.570859.0000.
Staffing Impact
There is no staff impact for Neighborhood Services. The 2024 IPMC adoption would be similar to enforcing the 2009 IPMC.
Staff in the Office of Sustainability and Resilience will dedicate time to developing and disseminating education and outreach related to this item.
DEI Impact
Adopting the most current IPMC code supports DEI efforts by fostering safer, more inclusive, and equitable environments for residents, visitors, and patrons. It covers all socioeconomic status, race, and background promoting equity by reducing disparities in housing quality. Transparent and updated standards can build trust among Oak Park’s diverse community by demonstrating the staff’s commitment to accountability and the well-being of residents. The specific updates to the Parkway Planting Ordinance and planned related education and outreach have taken into consideration concerns expressed by the Disability Access Commission (DAC) in September 2023.
Community Input
Staff conducted extensive impact on both the IPMC changes and the Parkway Planting Ordinance.
For the IPMC, staff brought forward the potential changes to the Business Codes Advisory Commission on January 18, February 15, March 21, and April 24, 2024. At the April meeting, the Business Codes Advisory Commission voted to recommend approval of the change.
In January 2025, Neighborhood Services sought community input via the Village’s communication channels about the proposed 2024 IPMC update. Staff sent notifications directly to the Chamber of Commerce, Oak Park Business Association Council, and members of the Building Owners and Managers Association. Staff also announced and held a 4-hour Open House session on January 22, 2025, at Village Hall to allow the opportunity for public feedback. There were general property maintenance questions presented during that time and no objections to the proposed 2024 IPMC update.
For the Parkway Planting Ordinance changes, the Office of Sustainability and Resilience started seeking stakeholder input on a potential parkway planting ordinance in 2022 seeking input from regional and local stakeholders. Between July 13 and September 19, 2023 residents were able to provide input through Engage Oak Park. The survey received 314 responses. The Environment and Energy Commission (EEC) discussed the Parkway Ordinance on August 1, 2023, and November 7, 2023. On March 4, 2025, the EEC voted to recommend the Board approve the attached ordinance. The Disability Access Commission (DAC) discussed the ordinance in September 2023. Comments were incorporated into future drafts.
The Office of Sustainability and Resilience is working with West Cook Wild Ones to provide education and information to help residents design and maintain native gardens in the parkway. There is a workshop and information session scheduled for March 16 at the Main Library. The Office of Sustainability and Resilience is also working with West Cook Wild Ones to support and promote their spring plant sale.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends the Board of Trustees and the public provide feedback on the draft recommendations and objectives. The ordinances proposed by staff have the following advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages:
• Implements the CROP plan.
• Updates to current property maintenance standards.
• Helps to create safer and healthier living conditions.
• Supports DEI efforts by fostering an equitable living environment as a whole.
• Results in uniformity enforcement standards with other updated building codes.
• Clear guidelines to residents who wish to plant gardens in the parkways adjacent to their properties and reduces staff time needed to approve parkway planting plans.
• Clear guidelines for staff to address safety or access concerns related to the maintenance of the parkways.
Disadvantages:
• Creates change for existing property owners in the Village.
Alternatives
Alternative 1:
Staff will revise the ordinances based on feedback from the Board. An alternative to the proposed changes would be to not move forward with either ordinance, which would have the following advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages:
• Minimizes change for existing property owners in the Village.
Disadvantages:
• Compromises safety, as older codes may not address modern safety standards.
• The 2009 IPMC does not align with other adopted building codes.
• Properties maintained under outdated codes may negatively affect resale values and neighborhood appeal.
• Residents will continue to not have clear guidance on gardening in their adjacent parkways and staff time will continue to be needed to review parkway landscaping plans prior to installation.
• Village staff will continue to lack clear guidelines to address safety or access concerns related to the maintenance of the parkways.
Anticipated Future Actions
After incorporating Board feedback, staff will bring the draft ordinances back for adoption.
Upon adoption, the Village will be scheduling staff training to move forward with implementation, as well as education and outreach.
Prepared By: Tina R. Brown, Neighborhood Services Code Compliance Manager: and Lindsey Roland Nieratka, Chief Sustainability Officer
Reviewed By: Jonathan Burch, Assistant Village Manager/Neighborhood Services Director: and Ahmad M. Zayyad, Deputy Village Manager
Approved By: Kevin J. Jackson, Village Manager
Attachment(s):
1. PowerPoint Presentation
2. 2009 vs 2024 IPMC Comparison Matrix
3. Draft IPMC Ordinance
4. Draft Parkway Planting Ordinance
5. PowerPoint Presentation - Parkway