Elmhurst officials say it is unlikely they will regulate the height or appearance of playground equipment in people’s back yards despite a resident’s request to do so.
Members of the City Council’s Development, Planning and Zoning Committee rejected a proposal to develop an ordinance that would prevent residents from erecting tall, sprawling playground equipment in their own yards because one resident complained.
The issue arose several months ago when a resident on the city’s south side, Don Alexander, complained to officials that the new, 17-foot-tall playground equipment in his neighbor’s yard was invading his privacy and creating an eyesore. He asked officials if they could regulate the height of such structures the same way the city regulates the height of garages and residences.
Committee members said the problem shouldn’t require the city’s intervention. No other area municipality is known to regulate such structures.