COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Extreme Heat

As summer and warmer weather approaches, the Village wants to remind residents about things they can do to prepare for extreme heat. To begin preparing, you should build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan. • Install window air conditioners snugly; insulate if necessary. • Check air-conditioning ducts for proper insulation. • Install temporary window reflectors (for use between windows and drapes), such as aluminum foilcovered cardboard, to reflect heat back outside. • Weather-strip doors and sills to keep cool air in. • Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun with drapes, shades, awnings, or louvers. (Outdoor awnings or louvers can reduce the heat that enters a home by up to 80 percent.)

• Keep storm windows up all year. • Listen to local weather forecasts and stay aware of upcoming temperature changes. • Know those in your neighborhood who are elderly, young, sick or overweight. They are more likely to become victims of excessive heat and may need help. • Be aware that people living in urban areas may be at greater risk from the effects of a prolonged heat wave than are people living in rural areas. • Get trained in first aid to learn how to treat heat-related emergencies.

Information above was prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). For more tips on what to do during and after thunderstorms and lightning, please check the FEMA’s website at http://www.ready.gov/heat

Detached Garages on Alleys

Did you know all detached garages adjacent to alleys must have address numbers on them. This will help the Police and Fire Departments respond to events such as garage break-ins, in progress crimes and medical/fire emergencies. The goal is to easily identify the correct location instead of counting houses from the corner, or identifying where a problem exists that needs to be addressed.

Garages shall have address numbers placed in a position to be plainly legible and visible from the alley fronting the property. These numbers shall: • Contrast with their background • Be Arabic numerals or alphabet letters. • Be a minimum of 4 inches in height with a minimum stroke width of 0.5 inch.

Trees & Bushes on Private Property

Did you know that the village has requirements for trees and bushes on private property that overhang sidewalks, alleys, and streets? If you live along an alley and have bushes/trees along your property line, it is your responsibility to ensure that all trees and bushes have their branches cut or trimmed so that no part thereof shall overhang the alley at a distance less than twelve feet above the alley, or any other public property.

This applies to bushes and trees along the public sidewalk as well.

Private property owners that personally trim trees standing upon their private property are permitted to place the excess branches, trimmings and other waste at the curb of their property for removal by the department of public works.

Excess branches, trimmings or other waste from the trimming or cutting of trees standing on private property that are trimmed, pruned or cut by a landscaping company or any other entity besides the property owner shall be carried away and disposed of by said landscaping company or entity.

Real Estate Sales

Did you know that the Village requires all properties to have a compliance inspection prior to sale?

The Certificate of Compliance Program is designed to help protect the lives and property of the community, along with preserving the property values in Westchester. This program monitors the life safety, fire and plumbing codes of all residential properties, which include single-family, duplex and multi-family properties and commercial properties at the time of ownership change.

If you are considering selling your property, you must apply for a certificate of compliance. You should call us as soon as possible to make sure there are no surprises when you are getting close to closing. The property owner or his/her agent must complete and submit an application. The application for a Compliance Inspection is available on our website or from the Community Development Department Staff. The inspection fee must be paid prior to scheduling the appointment.

If you are curious about what the inspector will be looking for, you can find the inspection checklist online at the Village’s website www.westchester-il.org, on the Community Development/Building page under Building Permitting.