Flood Plain

Q: What is the 100-year flood plain?

A: The 100-year flood plain, or Special Flood Hazard Area, is an area of land that has been determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as having a 1% chance of flooding in any given year.  The flood plain is composed of a flood way and a flood fringe. The flood way is typically determined to be the channel of a river or stream and the overbank areas adjacent to the channel. The flood fringe is the area to either side of the flood way that is subject to flooding, but conveys little or no flow.

Q: What is the base flood elevation?

A: The base flood elevation for the 100-year flood event, throughout most of Winnetka, is 625.5. Any grade that is at or below this elevation is considered in the flood plain. This elevation is referenced from the National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD) of 1929.

Q: When is my house considered in the flood plain?

A: If any grade adjacent to the foundation of the house is at or below the base flood elevation, then the entire house must be considered in the flood plain.

Q: My property was never in the flood plain before, why is it in the flood plain now?

A: On November 6, 2000, FEMA remapped the flood plain in Winnetka. The old base flood elevation was 624.8. However, because of increased rainfall intensities and various other topographic changes, the base flood elevation rose to 625.5.

Q: When do I need to buy flood insurance?

A: Anyone in Winnetka can purchase flood insurance, even if the property (a building and/or its contents) is not located within the flood plain. However, if your property is located within the 100-year flood plain, and you have a federally backed loan or mortgage on the property, you are required by law to purchase flood insurance. 

Q: Can I build in the flood plain?

A: The residential districts within Winnetka are within the flood fringe rather than the flood way.  Therefore, construction is permitted in accordance with the Village of Winnetka’s Flood Hazard Protection Ordinance. Improvements to existing homes are permitted as long as the total cost of the improvements are less than 50% of the current market value of the structure, excluding the land.

 New construction of a home with a basement may be permitted in the flood plain, if a Letter of Map Revision – Fill is first obtained from FEMA. The Letter of Map Revision – Fill can be obtained if engineered fill has been placed and compacted on the site to create a clay building pad for the home. All work must be done in accordance with the Village’s Flood Hazard Protection Ordinance.  A Letter of Map Revision – Fill technically removes that portion of the property that was filled from the flood plain, thereby allowing a home to be constructed with an engineered basement. 

 Compensatory storage must be provided for any fill that is placed in the flood plain.

Q: What is compensatory storage?

A: Compensatory storage is an artificially excavated, hydraulically equivalent volume of storage within the 100-year flood plain that is used to balance the loss of natural storage capacity when artificial fill or structures are placed within the flood plain. Compensatory storage is required for all fill within the flood plain.

Q: How can I find out if my property is located within the flood plain?

A: If you call the Public Works Department at (847) 716-3568 and ask for Susan Chen, the Flood Plain Manager, she will be able to read the Flood Insurance Rate Maps and give an approximation on the flood zone. However, in order to make an exact determination, a topographic survey would need to be obtained by either an Illinois Licensed Land Surveyor or Professional Engineer. 

DRAINAGE

A: For the past few years, the Village of Winnetka has required that all new downspouts splash at grade rather than tie into the storm sewer system. There are two reasons for this requirement. First, it allows the storm water to pass over vegetated areas prior to entering the storm sewer system, allowing some pollutants to be filtered out into the vegetation. Second, by requiring the discharge to flow overland prior to entering the storm system, the delay in the surface runoff from entering the sewer system helps equalize the system, minimizing peaks and surcharging in the storm sewer.

Downspouts will only be permitted to tie into the storm sewer system if not doing so would create an adverse drainage condition for the adjacent properties. Downspouts must not be directed to drain toward or onto adjacent properties (this includes all existing downspouts, as well).

Storm sewer sump pumps are permitted to connect to the storm sewer system because the sump pump discharge at grade can cause severe erosion and drainage problems. However, you must ensure that the storm sump pump connects to the storm sewer and not the sanitary sewer

Can these connections remain under some type of "Grandfather" rule?

A: No. All downspouts connected to the sanitary sewer system are illegal and must be disconnected immediately. As noted above, all downspouts, unless approved otherwise, must discharge at grade.

A: The Village of Winnetka has in the past required grading plans to be submitted in conjunction with construction permit applications. However, it has become necessary to require permits for all types of grade changes in order to protect homeowners from the hazards of stormwater runoff resulting from grading activities on neighboring properties. (Ordinance MC-193-97) A separate land grading permit will not require the payment of a permit fee.

The following types of grading will not be required to obtain a land grading permit:

1. Placement of soil for gardening purposes provided that all of the following are met:

   • The location of the soil placement is more than 3 feet from a property line;
   • The soil placement is less than two inches in height;
   • The soil placement affects an area less than 100 square feet;
   • The placement of the soil is not located within the 100-year flood plain.

   Repair or restoration of lawns, provided that the lawn grade is not raised; and

2. Planting, landscaping and/or mulching along the property lines that effectively change elevations, creates a berm and/or displaces water at the property line will not be permitted. Landscaping/planting finished grades must be at the existing grade, or lower, along the property lines. Landscaping plans must meet and comply with the approved engineering and grading plan for the site.

   [Please note that for any proposed change in grade within the 100-year flood plain, a land grading permit will be required which will need to be accompanied by certification from an Illinois Licensed Professional Engineer that no net fill has been placed within the 100-year flood plain.]

A: Standing or ponding water in a yard means that there is an existing low lying area that is not drained. This problem can be solved in a few ways. One way is if the property has adequate pitch from the area in question toward a public right-of-way or drainage structure, then a drainage swale can be constructed to convey the storm water to an appropriate point of discharge. Damming or displacing water onto adjacent properties is not permitted. A second method would be to construct a storm inlet at the low lying area and then connect it to either the property’s existing storm sewer service or, if there is not an existing storm service to the home, a new service can be constructed. Filling in the low lying area and displacing the water onto adjacent properties is not a permitted solution.

A: As part of the building permit review process, a grading plan that has been designed and certified by an Illinois Licensed Professional Engineer must be submitted for review and approval by the Village’s Engineering Department. All new construction must provide some form of storm water management on site. The proposed grading must not increase the rate or amount of storm water discharge as compared to the existing conditions, and any pre-existing drainage problems must also be addressed. As a result, most new home construction requires the installation of one or all of the following: drainage swales, storm sewer inlets and service and possibly, storm water detention.

LEAF COLLECTION

When does the Village's Annual Leaf Collection begin?

The Village's annual leaf collection normally begins in October and runs through November. 

What is leaf collection?

Leaf collection is a free service to residents provided by the Village of Winnetka Public Works Department.  Every year the Public Works Department will collect leaves from the parkwaysin residential neighborhoods. The leaves do not need to be bagged during the program, but residents are asked to rake leaves onto the parkway so that the Public Works crews can efficiently and effectively collect the leaves.

How often do the Public Works Crews collect the leaves from my house?

The Public Works Crews generally complete the entire Village about once every seven days. It is possible that the crews will be by each house at least four times.

What happens if I forget to place my leaves on the parkway and the Public Works Crews have already passed?

Due to the high demand for leaf collection and the limited time to collect the leaves, the Public Works Department will not be accepting any callbacks. Residents can keep the leaves in the parkway until Public Works Crews return. However, if the program has ended and residents forgot to place the leaves in the parkway, then they will need to be placed in yardwaste bags, which may be purchased at Village Hall for $2.00. 

SNOW PLOWING

AND WINTER CONDITION QUESTIONS

SNOW PLOWING

Throughout the winter months, the Public Works Department is committed to keeping the streets clear and traffic moving. Our snow-fighting team is primed and ready, dedicated to providing the most efficient and thorough snow removal possible. Your safety and convenience are our #1priority.

Residents sometimes call during major snow storms with questions regarding snow removal procedures. Unfortunately, we are often unable to give completely answer all questions when snow removal operations are in high gear. At such times, snow-fighting has to come first. The following are some of the most commonly asked questions.

Q. How is the Snow Plow and Ice Control Plan implemented?

A. The Village has a limited number of plows and drivers so we must assign the routes so that priority is given to the main streets such as Hibbard Road, Green Bay, Sheridan Road, etc. These routes receive much of the traffic within the Village and must be kept clear for traffic safety and emergency access.  Minor streets receive next priority, and cul-de-sacs and alleys are addressed last. Public sidewalks are usually plowed when streets are plowed, unless the demands of keeping streets clear takes precedence. Plowing activities begin with snow accumulations of about 2 inches on sidewalks and streets.

Q. How often does the Village use salt?

A. The Village uses salt and plowing in combination on the main streets, but tries to limit salt use in residential areas to intersections and to those locations where traffic is heaviest or where there are inclines, in order to reduce both the cost and salt damage to the environment. Salt is generally less effective at very low temperatures and so a combination of salt, sand and liquid calcium chloride may be spread during these periods to maintain traction.

Q. Can you send a snowplow back to clear the end of a driveway?

A. There are approximately 4,000 driveways in the Village.  Unfortunately, we are not able to compromise our priority on public safety by devoting resources to clearning driveways.  One thing you can do to minimize the possibility of the driveway being blocked is to pile snow that has been shoveled from the driveway on the "down-stream" side of the drive so that if the snow plow hits the pile, it will be moved onto the grass or sidewalk rather than the driveway.

Further questions may be directed to the Public Works Department at 716-3568.  While we may not be able to immediately respond to your call in the height of a snow emergency, we will promptly return all phone messages. 

SPRING CLEANUP

What's Spring Cleanup?

The Annual Spring Cleanup Program is a free service to residents provided by the Public Works Department. The program provides residents an excellent opportunity to clean out their attics, basements, garages, etc of materials that can easily catch fire. The Public Works Crews collect almost anything that two men can reasonably lift from the parkway. 

Is anything and everything collected?

No. Yardwaste, dirt, stones, construction material, logs, paint, paint thinner, stains, chemicals, gasoline, oil, pesticides or herbicides, propane tanks, and other liquids or hazardous materials are not collected and should not be placed at the curb for collection.

What if I place my stuff at the curb after the crews have passed?

Due to a high demand and limited time the Public Works Department will not respond to callbacks. Residents can call the Public Works Department at (847) 716-3568 to request a special pick up.

PAINT DISPOSAL

How do I dispose of paint and paint cans?

Oil based paint; stains or finishes are considered a household chemical waste by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) and are properly disposed via household chemical waste collections sponsored by the IEPA and available to all Illinois residents.  The "Illinois Environmental Protection Agency - Household Chemical Waste" web page will take you to the IEPA's web page which includes information concerning collections and a complete schedule of upcoming collection events.

Latex Paint -- Latex paint  is non toxic and will not be accepted at Household Chemical Waste collections.  Let the paint dry out completely.  After the paint has dried, dispose of it in your regular garbage with the lid off so the garbage hauler knows the can is empty.   You can add shredded newspapers, kitty litter or Waste Paint Hardener (available at most hardware stores) to your latex paint if needed.

Paint Can Disposal -- A paint can which previously contained oil-based or latex based paint may be disposed of in the  regular trash. If the paint can is of an acceptable  recyclable material  such as  steel,  tin, or a  plastic container stamped recyclable 1 - 5, the can may be recycled in the community’s recycling program. In order to be accepted for recycling, the container must have the lid removed and  be wiped clean with a paper towel until  the bottom of the container is dry and can be plainly seen.

Flood Plain | Leaf Collection | Snow Plowing | Spring Cleanup