§ 58-74. Sidewalks required; construction standards.

(a)

Sidewalks required. Sidewalks shall be constructed according to the provisions of subsection (b) of this section whenever a building permit for new construction, subdivision or zoning change is requested by an applicant. If in the opinion of the city engineer a sidewalk is not appropriate, the applicant shall donate 100 percent of the cost of the sidewalk construction, as determined by the city engineer, for the express purpose of constructing sidewalks at locations determined by the city engineer.

(b)

Construction standards. Residential sidewalks shall be constructed of Portland cement concrete (Illinois Department of Transportation Class SI) and shall be not less than 4½ feet wide and four inches thick, except where sidewalk repairs are being made to existing walks which are of a narrower width; such repairs may, at the discretion of the city engineer, match the width of the existing work. The thickness shall be increased to not less than five inches where driveways cross the sidewalk. The sidewalk shall have scored transverse joints at equal spacings not to exceed five feet or less than four feet spacing. The limits of all sidewalk construction shall be against sawcut joints along the scored transverse joints. Sidewalk construction of more than 50 square feet shall have expansion joint material at its limits. Any fill required under the sidewalk shall be crushed stone or bank run gravel. Pea gravel shall not be permitted. Such fill shall be mechanically compacted. Any vegetation under the sidewalk area shall be removed prior to the placement of the sidewalk or fill. The sidewalk shall be finished with a light broom finish and all exposed surfaces shall be coated with an approved curing compound immediately after finishing.

(c)

Service and carriage walks. All service and carriage walks constructed within the public rights-of-way shall be constructed in accordance with the foregoing specifications for sidewalks with the exception of widths. No service walk shall be constructed immediately adjacent to a driveway approach. Areas of impervious pavement including driveway approaches within the public rights-of-way shall not exceed 50 percent of the public rights-of-way excluding the public sidewalk, except in the Central Business District.

(Code 1968, § 20-56; Code 1996, § 58-74; Ord. No. F-0848, § 1, 10-20-2003)