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File #: 24-0826    Version: 1 Name: 5/20/24 Amendments to Snow Removal Ordinance, Chapter 49
Type: Ordinance Status: Passed
File created: 5/20/2024 In control: City Council
On agenda: 6/3/2024 Final action: 6/3/2024
Enactment date: 6/3/2024 Enactment #: ORD-24-12
Title: An Ordinance to Amend Sections 4:60 and 4:61 of Chapter 49 (Sidewalks) of Title IV (Streets and Sidewalks) of the Code of the City of Ann Arbor (ORD-24-12)
Sponsors: Dharma Akmon, Erica Briggs, Jennifer Cornell, Ayesha Ghazi Edwin
Attachments: 1. ORD-24-12 Briefed and Approved as Amended and Approved at First Reading.pdf, 2. ORD-24-12 Briefed as Amended and Approved at First Reading.pdf, 3. Amendment to Ch 47 (Streets) removal of snow and ice, issuance of citations--redline version.pdf, 4. ORD-24-12 Approval Notice.pdf

Title

An Ordinance to Amend Sections 4:60 and 4:61 of Chapter 49 (Sidewalks) of Title IV (Streets and Sidewalks) of the Code of the City of Ann Arbor (ORD-24-12)

Memorandum

The proposed amendment modifies Ann Arbor’s Snow Removal ordinance as follows:

 

It differentiates between single-family (R1), two-family/duplex (R-2), townhouse (R3) zoning districts and multi-family residential (R4), which includes apartment buildings and apartment complexes, for snow removal requirements.

 

Snow and ice that has accumulated prior to 6:00 am on sidewalks adjacent to property not zoned R1, R2, R3 (i.e. multi-family, commercial, etc.) must be removed by noon.

 

Snow, greater than 1 inch, must be removed within 24 hours after the end of each accumulation from sidewalks adjacent to property zoned R1, R2, and R3.  

 

The ordinance allows Community Standards to send 24-hour notices, and issue infractions to, an “owner’s agent” which should lead to faster response times for rental units owned by an out-of-state entity.  

 

The definition of an “owner’s agent” includes agents registered with Rental Housing under Chapter 105 (Housing Code) and Chapter 97 (Short-Term Rentals).  Those databases have better contact information than BS&A, which only lists the owner and does not include email addresses and phone numbers. 

 

It adds “electronic communication” as a method for notifying owners, agents, or occupants that the snow wasn’t shoveled.  This will allow Community Standards to email the required 24-hour notices (the first time snow or ice is not removed) to agents of rental units, instead of posting a notice which may not get their attention. 

 

It increases the fines, and has mandatory minimum fines for residential and non-residential violations, as follows:

-                     R1, R2, R3:  $60-$100 for 1st offenses; $100-$250 for 2nd offenses; $200-$400 for subsequent offenses;

-                     R4 (Multi-family) and other non-residential:  $250-$500 for 1st offenses; $400-$800 for 2nd offenses; $500-$1,000 for subsequent offenses.

Budget/Fiscal Impact:  None.     

Staff

Prepared by:                       John W. Reiser, Senior Assistant City Attorney

Reviewed by:  Jason Forsberg, Deputy Police Chief

                                            Michael Scherba, Lieutenant

                                            Chani Dixon, Community Standards Supervisor

Approved by:  Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator

Body

(See Attached Ordinance)

 

Sponsored by: Councilmembers Akmon, Briggs, Cornell, and Ghazi Edwin