6-Year Driveway Project In Darien Presents Safety Concerns

DARIEN, IL – A Darien couple says a neighbor's 6-year-old driveway project could endanger them. They want the city to take action.

Jeanine and Tony Antiporek, who live in the 2900 block of 87th Street, said the neighbor's driveway has been moved to within a few feet of their garage and driveway.

They said the neighbor's driveway has been built up to the point where the elevation will be six feet above theirs when the project is done.

They took their concerns to the City Council on Monday.

A neighbor's driveway is now several feet above the driveway of Darien neighbors Jeanine and Tony Antiporek, who suggested a guardrail be required. (Courtesy of Jeanine and Tony Antiporek)

"We're just afraid that an Amazon truck will go into the driveway, turn around and slide off and go into my truck, my children, my house. There's a chance that our house would crumble at that corner," Tony Antiporek said. "Would you want your house to be sitting there and somebody do that to your house? It's not safe."

Jeanine Antiporek said the neighbor built a decorative landscape wall, not a retaining wall. The wall, she said, was never designed to support a vehicle's weight.

They wanted a curb or guardrail along the neighbor's driveway. And they asked the city to have its engineer review the work.

"We're not trying to delay this project any longer," Jeanine Antiporek said. "It's been going on for six years. No one wants it completed more than we do. We simply want it done safely and responsibly with consideration given to the long-term safety of the residents on the property."

Alderman Eric Gustafson, who represents the neighborhood, said he has visited the Antiporeks several times.

"Just look at the picture. There is definitely a potential for a vehicle to come over the edge here without any protection," he said. "I get concerned with the winter and the ice on the driveway."

"It's scary," Alderman Gerry Leganski said.

Dan Gombac, the city's top public works official, agreed that a safety issue probably existed.

"In my opinion, at this point, there's nothing more for the city to be involved in," he said.