Rockford city ordinance mandates gravel driveways to be paved

Lezlie Hood has been living in her Rockford home for more than 15 years and now shes facing an expense she can't afford.

"I don't feel that it would be necessary to have to go into debt or get some kind of loan just for a driveway," says Hood.

For many residents like Hood, the city ordinance requiring homeowners to pave their gravel driveway is new information.

"About a week ago, I saw it on Facebook and I was questioning what is this thing," says Hood.

While the ordinance was enacted in 1973, it was only two years ago that the city council set a compliance deadline.

"What those individuals were supposed to do as their driveways deteriorated and they needed major repairs then they would convert over," says Karl Franzen, director of the community and economic development department for the city of Rockford.