Politics & Government
Pittsfield Township Introduces Ordinance Changes with New Snow Removal Requirements
Trustee Michael Yi opposed the amendment due to measures he thought were "too stict."
The Pittsfield Township Board of Trusteeswill vote a new snow removal project when it meets at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.
At its first meeting in October introduced for first reading of an ordinance which pertains to the Clean Streets program and includes new language for residents to clear their sidewalks of snow. The ordinance drew several critiques from Trustee Michael Yi before the language was voted on for final review at Wednesday's meeting.
The ordinance pertains to the creation, repair and maintenance of roads and sidewalks in Pittsfield Township. While a good deal of the ordinance is already in effect, the first reading from Wednesday night introduced some adjustments and new language that drew questions from Trustee Yi. His main point of concern was dealing with the new language surrounding the clearing of sidewalks and access points by residents. The ordinance states that residents will clear their respective areas within 24 hours of the end of any accumulation of snow over one inch in depth. The accumulation can come from snowfall or drifting.
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“Our neighborhood doesn’t start to plow until one and half to two inches, and Ann Arbor’s website says four inches. One inch is not much,” said Yi at the meeting.
The ordinance would also put into effect the ability for Pittsfield Township to clear residents’ sidewalks if they are not cleared within the 24 hour period. The resident would be responsible for the cost of the clearing, which would consist of time, materials and a $50 administrative fee. If the cost remains unpaid through the first of October, a lien may be established on the subject property and added to the tax rolls for the property.
Find out what's happening in Salinewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The caveat to this is that enforcement is mainly dependent on complaints from other residents and ample notice will be given to non-compliant residents before the township will take measures onto themselves.
The language of the ordinance was passed with a 5-1-1 vote, with Trustee Yi voting No and Trustee Gerald Krone absent. The final review and adoption of the ordinance will take place at the next Board of Trustees meeting on October 26 at 6:30 p.m.
