Our family moved to Flossmoor 18 months ago not realizing the pool restrictions within Flossmoor. Having experienced the joy and ease of pool ownership as homeowners before, it has really been a piece we miss deeply. We also realize we are not alone within that space, but rather there are quite a number of families within the community (and would-be-future residents of Flossmoor) who long for a change in current ordinances prohibiting and hindering this safe and healthy family bonding experience. We know that this is possible, as Homewood has successfully implemented similar ordinances, which are being requested here, that has taken both safety and aesthetic factors into consideration and has drawn up reasonable measures to allow homeowners the pleasure of enjoying their properties and town in this way.

Currently Flossmoor's ordinances on pools are extremely limited to inground, concrete pools with no allowance for above-ground pools.  The price of an inground pool is currently astronomical (our family was quoted $125k - $175k) as well as construction being backed up by numerous seasons, not to mention that taxes increase for the homeowner with an inground pool - something no one in Flossmoor currently desires.  This places the idea of a safe, healthy and affordable home amenity out of reach for many within our Flossmoor community. Along with the price tag, labor, and highly unattainable timing, the past few years have taught many of us that simple pleasures that include the idea of health and safety are worthwhile.

Additionally, many community pools have had difficulty keeping lifeguards staffed which limits the hours of operation besides the constraints that have already been presented over the past few seasons of the pandemic. Families are stretched between safety measures, time efficiency (pools open during available family time), cost of memberships and overall convenience. The option of above-ground pools to homeowners could ease some of that and enrich the lives of Flossmoor community members while also enticing new home ownership to flourish rather than deter future buyers. 

Benefits of above ground pools include: no increase in taxes, cost efficiency in price point, safety is increased due to the pool being higher off the ground to reduce accidents, there is a natural decrease of crowds and possible transmissible infections, increased exercise, an outlet for improved mental health, taking up less space and lowering the dirt load for installation, there is an option for take down/removal, increased efficiency of maintaining heat from the sun (as inground pools lose heat to the earth surrounding it), ease of installation, and much easier and cost effective to open, close and repair. 

This petition is a show of those in our community who desire a change to the current highly limited and grossly unattainable pool ordinance to an ordinance that considers and better reflects the diversity of family make-ups (type and size of above-ground pool appropriate for their needs), income, feasibility and realistic opportunity that will continue to uphold the enrichment of family life within the Flossmoor community. 

Main Agenda:

To request the Flossmoor Board of Trustees to amend Flossmoor village ordinances around pools to include above ground/on-ground pools – loosely defined as a swimming pool meant for recreational and personal use whose exposed sides go above the natural ground – including, but not limited to heights up to 54inches or greater.