The Shorewood Village board approved an amendment to their subdivision ordinances that will shorten the timeframe for developers to complete roadway work in new developments.

The new rules come as a result of public improvements that have been left incomplete in the wake of the economic downturn and the subsequent stalling of the new housing market.

Planning and zoning commission chair Gary Fitzgerald said that the ordinance will shorten the time that developers will have to complete the required work or face forfeiture of bonds that were put up as collateral.

“This amendment basically moves the timeframe from 5 years from date of plat to 2 years from the installation of the binder course pavement,” he said.

While the new time frame is retroactive, 5 of the 6 incomplete subdivisions had already exceeded the deadline under the old ordinance, according to economic development director Nancy Roman. The Residences, the subdivision near the Towne Center is the only development that will be affected by the new rules.

Village administrator Kurt Carroll said that courtesy letters will be sent to the developers affected by the change in ordinance. In the cases where the developers are no longer in business, Carroll said that the village would be contacting the bondholders to secure the funds needed to complete the work.

The area surrounding the village hall is planned for a mix of both commercial and residential development. About a dozen homes have been completed in the subdivision and the retail component, which was to be anchored with the construction of Kohl’s department store, has been stalled due to the economy.

A new park near the village hall is nearly complete, however, with work on a playground, splash station, and boardwalk, nearly complete, according to Parks and Recreation Chair Celene “Cene” Schwartz. A 300 seat outdoor band shell will also be part of the new park area. Schwartz said that the park would be complete sometime in August.

In other business, the village board approved the construction of an elevated deck on the site of “The Crowd Around Me.” The outdoor seating area will allow the restaurant to offer outdoor dining with views of the DuPage River.

The restaurant and bar at the corner of Routes 52 and 59 in Shorewood will construct a 1,200 square foot, elevated deck on the east side of the establishment which will offer views of the river. A privacy fence on the north side will block views of Route 52.

Planning and zoning chairman Gary Fitzgerald said that businesses have been encouraged to provide outdoor dining options for guests.

“This is going to be a very nice amenity to their building,” said Fitzgerald.

Plantings and decorative rails will border the finished outdoor dining area. An emergency stairwell will be included as part of the deck area as well.