If not you could be facing having to pay for all such service to be brought into the area of the project as well as roads and sidewalks possibly needed. 

Take out the hedge as Nicole suggested because it creates a visual blockage to the front door, but you also need to widen the sidewalk to make your entranceway more important.  

I'm with Jeff, sometimes opportunity knocks, sometimes it just walks past you and you have to run to the sidewalk, stop him and invite him in for a drink!

Just getting that side walk clean will do wonders.

I'd like to frame and screen in the porch, while not obscuring the columns or masonry and include a double screen door for access, similar to this: https://www.homedepot.com/p/36-in-x-80-in-Wood-Cla...Fence - I'm considering a low picket fence immediately in front of the structure to the sidewalk for security and to allow for landscaping.

The road that I live on also has a sidewalk everywhere except for in front of my house and I don't want them to suddenly decide that it needs one as well as dealing with all the sewer stuff.

The sidewalks are broad, paved and pedestrian-friendly.

They get out there and they mow their lawns, they have the brick repointed when the mortar wears out, they get guys up on their roofs to replace their shingle, they get on the municipality to redo the sidewalks, and they resolutely hang out their decorations for Halloween and Christmas every year (look for dedicated efforts block-by-block during the holidays).

Have any concrete sidewalks or uncovered patios you could switch to pervious pavers?

Yes Chicago is a great city, although the winters can be harsh, they make us appreciate how wonderful our summers are with baseball, the lake, the sidewalk cafes all over.