Doubt it would work well, not least because the bark is likely to get vandalised. Birches are also not very tolerant of the compacted soil found in these situations.

Resin

We don't know the code of your city, as it is city property. That is a question for the Forestry Dept, not us.

Dan

Here's a link to the City of Chicago's street-tree planting program, containing a link to its list of approved trees:

Here is a link that might be useful: Chicago Street Tree Program

If I were you I would go with a 'Shademaster' honeylocust. I seen they are approved by your city. They are tolerant of pollution, they grow fast, they don't lift up sidewalks, and they grow at a pretty fast rate. Plus they are drought tolerant and they make their own nitrogen using their roots.

Except that is also a quite large-growing tree. Look for something small-growing on the approved list linked to above.

Honeylocust WAAAAAAY too big for a 4' treelawn. You are stuck with small ornamentals, maybe a couple medium-sized trees. Too bad that tree list doesn't to the utterly basic and list the h x w of the tree. Sheesh. Who approved that thing?!

Dan