A new City Council proposal would move a costly responsibility for sidewalk repairs from homeowners and other property owners to the city, with certain exceptions.
The proposal, by Ald. Aram Ayalon (D-3), would remove the provision of the city ordinances (local laws) that require that homeowners and other property owners, for sidewalks in front of their properties, “Repair all defects in the sidewalk which in any way endanger or hamper the movement of public traffic.”
Instead, Ald. Ayalon proposes that, “Whenever any sidewalk is determined by the director of public works to be in need of repair or replacement, the City shall bear the cost of such repairs or replacement,” with certain exceptions.
Those exceptions would include damage caused by trees on the sidewalk owner’s land or water runoff from the owner’s property deemed the responsibility of the property owner. Damage caused by delivery trucks or similar damage would also be the responsibility of the property owner rather than the city.
Under the proposal repairs to sidewalks over driveway aprons would still be the owner’s responsibility.
The proposal is on the agenda of the May 22, 2019 City Council meeting.
As a proposed change in the city ordinances, the proposal will be sent from the full Council to a committee. Ordinance proposals are presented for a public hearing in committee, and can later be reported back to the full Council for final approval.
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