March 10 public hearing to discuss potential snow and ice removal ordinance in Charlotte

The Charlotte City Council has set a public hearing for March 10 to discuss the proposed amendment to the city’s current ordinance regarding sidewalks, streets and other public places. The proposed amendment would require property owners or occupants to have all snow and ice cleared from their sidewalk within 48 hours of a snowfall. The City of Charlotte in the past has not had an enforceable snow removal ordinance outside of the Downtown Development Authority.

“We’re kind of behind the eightball on this,” said Mayor Carrie Burch. “Most communities in Michigan have snow removal ordinances in place.”

Burch said she is concerned for the safety of residents as well as students that choose to walk to their destinations during the winter months.

“We have many people who walk to work and with the increased walk radius to our schools we have a duty to provide safe walkways for our kids and our residents,” Burch said. “Unfortunately we have too many people, who in good faith, aren’t taking care of their walkways.”

City Manager Gregg Guetschow said he has proposed the city monitor major streets and school routes to enforce the ordinance if passed by city council. He said the city would rely on residents to file complaints throughout the remainder of the community.

“That really makes it more manageable than expecting our crew to be out inspecting 40 miles of sidewalk after each time it snows,” Guetschow said.

His proposal also includes following a similar model to the city’s enforcement for residents that do not mow their lawns. He said the typical fine runs close to $150 when you factor the cost to have someone mow the lawn in violation and administrative costs that are entailed.

“We want to make sure the cost structure is set up to where it is much easier for a person to pay the kid next door to shovel their walk than to have the city come out and do it,” Guetschow said. “We have the ability to write tickets, but tickets don’t get the snow removed.”

The council will listen to community input on the matter March 10 during the public hearing, which will be held during the council’s regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m. on council’s chambers.