| Every three days someone is hit while walking or bicycling in Lansing, Michigan, on average. (Lansing Police Department Traffic Crash Reporting System Data) |
| In Lansing, 2.45% of trips are by foot and 0.42% by bike. vs. In Ann Arbor, 15.79% of trips are by foot, and in Madison 3.19% of trips are by bike. (U.S. Census Decennial, 2000) |
| The walkability and bikeability of our city shapes our everyday experiences. |
 |  |  |  |  |
| Corbis Royalty Free Photography |
| Photo by Heidi Potter |
| Photo by Steve Longrove |
| Lansing Walking & Bicycling Task Force, c/o Mid-Michigan Environmental Action Council P.O. Box 17164, Lansing, MI 48901 517-214-5684 |
Snow and Ice on Lansing Sidewalks
Photo by Dan Burden
Photo by CATA
Photo by Dan Burden
Photo by Dan Burden
Photo by Tim Potter
Photo by Cyclesafe
Lansing Considering New Sidewalk
Ordinance - to address snow and ice
Public Comments Are Requested!
February 16, 2009 - March 2, 2009
Greetings,
Below is information provided by Lansing City
Councilperson Kathie Dunbar regarding a new sidewalk
ordinance being considered by the City of Lansing.
You can also provide public comment at the City Council
meetings on Monday, February 23 and Monday,
March 2. If you wish to speak on this matter, it is
advised that you arrive at 6:15 p.m. to sign in for public
comment. If you unsure of which sheet to sign, simply
ask the Council staff.
Public comment begins around 7:15 p.m.
Council members will also accept written comments over
the next two weeks. This measure is slated for vote by
the City Council on Monday, March 2, 2009 at the City
Council meeting (7:00 p.m.)
Public comments will carry significant weight in
determining how the City Council will votes on this issue.
From At-Large Councilperson Kathie Dunbar,
February 16, 2009:
The City Council is considering a proposal to amend the
existing snow and ice ordinance.
It has come to my attention as the Chair of the Public
Services Committee that an e-mail was circulated among
certain neighbors regarding this proposal. To my
knowledge, that e-mail did not have the proposed
ordinance amendment attached, nor did it accurately
reflect the facts in this matter. From what I can tell, it
makes several inflammatory assumptions (which have
become more exaggerated as they travel through the
grapevine) and urges the public to contact the Council
and demand that we reject the proposal. I welcome
feedback before I vote on any matter, but feedback
based on misinformation is not helpful to me or to those
who were misinformed. I've attempted to clarify the
facts below.
The basic prohibitions in the existing ordinance (1020.06)
are as follows:
(a) No person shall permit any snow or ice to remain on
any sidewalk adjacent to any house, building or lot
owned or occupied by that person, or on the sidewalk
adjacent to any multifamily dwelling or unoccupied
house, building or lot owned by that person, for more
than twenty-four hours after the same has fallen or
formed.
(b) No person shall place or cause to be placed ice or
snow upon a right-of-way so as to impair vehicular or
pedestrian traffic.
1. How is does the proposed amendment change
the existing snow and ice ordinance?
The existing ordinance requires that property owners
remove snow from their sidewalks. That requirement will
not change. Currently, those who are not in compliance
may be issued a ticket, with fees starting at $25 for a
first offense and increasing thereafter. The proposed
amendment would allow City personnel to issue a
warning notice. Then, if the owner failed to comply after
receiving the notice, the City may remove snow and ice
from sidewalks adjacent to that owner's property.
The cost for removal would be billed to the property
owner, along with a fee to cover administrative costs
associated with enforcement. The City uses a similar
process to deal with code violations, and many Michigan
municipalities have similar provisions in their snow
removal ordinances.
2. What about seniors and the disabled who are
not physically able to shovel?
Under the existing ordinance, property owners who are
physically challenged are still responsible for clearing
their walks. In some cases, adult children,
grandchildren, friends, neighbors, or caregivers shovel
for them. In other cases, the property owner hires a
service. Elderly and disabled property owners who have
no alternative to clear their sidewalks should call the
Human Relations and Community Services Department at
483-4477 for assistance.
Seniors and other physically challenged persons who
walk and/or rely on public transportation stand to benefit
from this ordinance amendment.
Our most vulnerable populations (seniors, the disabled,
and children) often face hazardous conditions when
attempting to traverse sidewalks covered in snow and
ice. Unfortunately, when sidewalks aren't cleared, some
will attempt to find a clear path in the street, a situation
that can end in tragedy.
3. Given the current state of the economy, won't
a $250 administrative fee (on top $60/hr for snow
removal) put an added strain on those already at
risk of losing their homes?
First, the city has NOT determined what the
administrative fee will be, and there is no hourly rate for
snow removal in the proposed ordinance.
The Public Services Committee is currently reviewing
how other communities handle fees for snow removal. If
you've received any information that states otherwise, it
is factually incorrect.
Second, property owners who face financial difficulties
are not necessarily physically incapable of removing
snow from their sidewalks.
Those who are physically challenged to shovel their
sidewalks should call the Human Relations and
Community Services Department for assistance.
Third, the current economy is one of the most compelling
reasons to amend the existing ordinance. With more
than 25% of our residents at or below poverty level and
unemployment continuing to rise, many people are opting
to forego the cost of owning and maintaining a vehicle.
This means more and more of our neighbors are
commuting by foot, bike, and bus. In 2008, CATA
reported a record (and growing) number of people taking
public transportation. These are often our most
vulnerable residents, and we need to provide them with
safe passage along our sidewalks.
Finally, unlike fees associated with other code compliance
issues, outstanding charges affiliated with snow and ice
removal would be treated as a special assessment.
Special assessments require a public hearing, which
would allow any property owner charged for snow
removal to appear before the Council to plead their case
before charges become part of their property tax bill.
4. Why are you targeting homeowners? What
about all the businesses who don't clear their
sidewalks? Not to mention the number of
foreclosed properties.
The existing ordinance and the proposed amendments
are applicable whether properties are homestead, rental,
industrial, retail, or vacant. The rise in foreclosures is a
perfect example of why this ordinance amendment is
needed. The City of Lansing is predicted to have close to
1,000 foreclosed properties by the end of this month,
which means banks and other lending companies
represent a significant segment of residential property
owners. Anyone who lives near a foreclosed home
knows that the new owner (i.e., the out-of-state bank)
doesn't rush to
remove the snow in the winter or cut the grass in the
summer.
5. Why doesn't the city just enforce the existing
policy?
The current system is inherently flawed. Some property
owners ignore the ticket, particularly when the property
owner is a corporate entity or bank located in another
state. We are limited in our ability to enforce tickets
because unpaid fines for civil infractions cannot be
collected through property taxes, and it's prohibitively
expensive and often futile to pursue tickets against
commercial entities in court.
Others consider fines the cost of doing business; they
may choose to pay the ticket and still not clear the
sidewalk.
The Public Services Department has determined that the
current ordinance does not achieve its intended purpose,
as evidenced by the number of sidewalks covered in
snow and complaints received by the public. That is why
the Department is asking City Council to amend the
ordinance and
grant them the legal authority to clear sidewalks.
The majority, if not all, of the correspondence received
by councilmembers on this matter seems to be generated
by (even cut and pasted from) the e-mail referenced
above.
What is your opinion?
I'm particularly interested in hearing from those who
walk or bike during the winter, either by choice or by
circumstance. These voices are not represented in the
correspondence received.
Please write in with your thoughts.
Sincerely,
Kathie Dunbar
kdunbar@lansingmi.gov
Click here to read a summary of how
other cities handle snow and ice on
sidewalks (PDF).
Ordinance - to address snow and ice
Public Comments Are Requested!
February 16, 2009 - March 2, 2009
Greetings,
Below is information provided by Lansing City
Councilperson Kathie Dunbar regarding a new sidewalk
ordinance being considered by the City of Lansing.
- If you would like to provide comments on this
ordinance, please email kdunbar@lansingmi.gov
- If you have questions about the ordinance, please
contact Public Service Director Chad Gamble at
cgamble@lansingmi.gov
You can also provide public comment at the City Council
meetings on Monday, February 23 and Monday,
March 2. If you wish to speak on this matter, it is
advised that you arrive at 6:15 p.m. to sign in for public
comment. If you unsure of which sheet to sign, simply
ask the Council staff.
Public comment begins around 7:15 p.m.
Council members will also accept written comments over
the next two weeks. This measure is slated for vote by
the City Council on Monday, March 2, 2009 at the City
Council meeting (7:00 p.m.)
Public comments will carry significant weight in
determining how the City Council will votes on this issue.
From At-Large Councilperson Kathie Dunbar,
February 16, 2009:
The City Council is considering a proposal to amend the
existing snow and ice ordinance.
It has come to my attention as the Chair of the Public
Services Committee that an e-mail was circulated among
certain neighbors regarding this proposal. To my
knowledge, that e-mail did not have the proposed
ordinance amendment attached, nor did it accurately
reflect the facts in this matter. From what I can tell, it
makes several inflammatory assumptions (which have
become more exaggerated as they travel through the
grapevine) and urges the public to contact the Council
and demand that we reject the proposal. I welcome
feedback before I vote on any matter, but feedback
based on misinformation is not helpful to me or to those
who were misinformed. I've attempted to clarify the
facts below.
The basic prohibitions in the existing ordinance (1020.06)
are as follows:
(a) No person shall permit any snow or ice to remain on
any sidewalk adjacent to any house, building or lot
owned or occupied by that person, or on the sidewalk
adjacent to any multifamily dwelling or unoccupied
house, building or lot owned by that person, for more
than twenty-four hours after the same has fallen or
formed.
(b) No person shall place or cause to be placed ice or
snow upon a right-of-way so as to impair vehicular or
pedestrian traffic.
1. How is does the proposed amendment change
the existing snow and ice ordinance?
The existing ordinance requires that property owners
remove snow from their sidewalks. That requirement will
not change. Currently, those who are not in compliance
may be issued a ticket, with fees starting at $25 for a
first offense and increasing thereafter. The proposed
amendment would allow City personnel to issue a
warning notice. Then, if the owner failed to comply after
receiving the notice, the City may remove snow and ice
from sidewalks adjacent to that owner's property.
The cost for removal would be billed to the property
owner, along with a fee to cover administrative costs
associated with enforcement. The City uses a similar
process to deal with code violations, and many Michigan
municipalities have similar provisions in their snow
removal ordinances.
2. What about seniors and the disabled who are
not physically able to shovel?
Under the existing ordinance, property owners who are
physically challenged are still responsible for clearing
their walks. In some cases, adult children,
grandchildren, friends, neighbors, or caregivers shovel
for them. In other cases, the property owner hires a
service. Elderly and disabled property owners who have
no alternative to clear their sidewalks should call the
Human Relations and Community Services Department at
483-4477 for assistance.
Seniors and other physically challenged persons who
walk and/or rely on public transportation stand to benefit
from this ordinance amendment.
Our most vulnerable populations (seniors, the disabled,
and children) often face hazardous conditions when
attempting to traverse sidewalks covered in snow and
ice. Unfortunately, when sidewalks aren't cleared, some
will attempt to find a clear path in the street, a situation
that can end in tragedy.
3. Given the current state of the economy, won't
a $250 administrative fee (on top $60/hr for snow
removal) put an added strain on those already at
risk of losing their homes?
First, the city has NOT determined what the
administrative fee will be, and there is no hourly rate for
snow removal in the proposed ordinance.
The Public Services Committee is currently reviewing
how other communities handle fees for snow removal. If
you've received any information that states otherwise, it
is factually incorrect.
Second, property owners who face financial difficulties
are not necessarily physically incapable of removing
snow from their sidewalks.
Those who are physically challenged to shovel their
sidewalks should call the Human Relations and
Community Services Department for assistance.
Third, the current economy is one of the most compelling
reasons to amend the existing ordinance. With more
than 25% of our residents at or below poverty level and
unemployment continuing to rise, many people are opting
to forego the cost of owning and maintaining a vehicle.
This means more and more of our neighbors are
commuting by foot, bike, and bus. In 2008, CATA
reported a record (and growing) number of people taking
public transportation. These are often our most
vulnerable residents, and we need to provide them with
safe passage along our sidewalks.
Finally, unlike fees associated with other code compliance
issues, outstanding charges affiliated with snow and ice
removal would be treated as a special assessment.
Special assessments require a public hearing, which
would allow any property owner charged for snow
removal to appear before the Council to plead their case
before charges become part of their property tax bill.
4. Why are you targeting homeowners? What
about all the businesses who don't clear their
sidewalks? Not to mention the number of
foreclosed properties.
The existing ordinance and the proposed amendments
are applicable whether properties are homestead, rental,
industrial, retail, or vacant. The rise in foreclosures is a
perfect example of why this ordinance amendment is
needed. The City of Lansing is predicted to have close to
1,000 foreclosed properties by the end of this month,
which means banks and other lending companies
represent a significant segment of residential property
owners. Anyone who lives near a foreclosed home
knows that the new owner (i.e., the out-of-state bank)
doesn't rush to
remove the snow in the winter or cut the grass in the
summer.
5. Why doesn't the city just enforce the existing
policy?
The current system is inherently flawed. Some property
owners ignore the ticket, particularly when the property
owner is a corporate entity or bank located in another
state. We are limited in our ability to enforce tickets
because unpaid fines for civil infractions cannot be
collected through property taxes, and it's prohibitively
expensive and often futile to pursue tickets against
commercial entities in court.
Others consider fines the cost of doing business; they
may choose to pay the ticket and still not clear the
sidewalk.
The Public Services Department has determined that the
current ordinance does not achieve its intended purpose,
as evidenced by the number of sidewalks covered in
snow and complaints received by the public. That is why
the Department is asking City Council to amend the
ordinance and
grant them the legal authority to clear sidewalks.
The majority, if not all, of the correspondence received
by councilmembers on this matter seems to be generated
by (even cut and pasted from) the e-mail referenced
above.
What is your opinion?
I'm particularly interested in hearing from those who
walk or bike during the winter, either by choice or by
circumstance. These voices are not represented in the
correspondence received.
Please write in with your thoughts.
Sincerely,
Kathie Dunbar
kdunbar@lansingmi.gov
Click here to read a summary of how
other cities handle snow and ice on
sidewalks (PDF).
| Making Lansing, Michigan Accessible and Walk & Bike Friendly! |