DeKalb residents could be forced to pave their gravel driveways.

After a request from the city of DeKalb, the Plan Commission held a public hearing Wednesday for amendments to Article 12 of the Unified Development Ordinance, Off Street Parking and Loading Regulations.

Rich Fassig, chairman of the commission, said amendments will require anyone with a gravel driveway to get it paved within five years of passing the amendment, or before a house is sold, whichever is sooner.

During the public discussion, members of the community expressed concerns about the proposed amendment.

Among the possible exceptions to the proposed amendment include driveways that are not driven on, and material the driveway is made of. Also, the idea of determining a group purchase quote was suggested.

The idea behind the public hearing was to determine a situation that would fit the city and eliminate the “creeping driveway syndrome.”

Two requests without public hearings were approved, one to approve a final plat of the Meadow Ridge subdivision and another for a final plat for the Garden Estates townhomes.

Prairie Commons LLC requested approval of a preliminary plan and final plat for property on the south side of Greenwood Acres Drive east of Route 23.

Also, the Oakcrest DeKalb Area Retirement Center requested revisions to its preliminary plan and also an approval of a final plan for the property at 2944 Greenwood Acres Drive.

A final public hearing was conducted concerning sign ordinance amendments. The request was not voted on and the hearing will remain open for future meetings.

Jesse Staples photo

Plan Commission members Rich Fassig (left) and Herb Rubin discuss future construction plans in DeKalb on Tuesday night at the DeKalb Municipal Building.