(A) All sidewalks, or portions thereof, constructed after the effective date of this subchapter from which this article is derived or repaired shall comply with the following specifications:
(1) All new sidewalks shall be at least five feet in width or as may be determined by the Township. Where replacement of a sidewalk or section adjoins a sidewalk of a lesser or greater width, the replacement section shall match the width of the adjoining sidewalk.
(2) Four inches of sand shall be used as a base when the native ground is found to be unsuitable. When fill is necessary to bring the level to the desired grade, sand fill shall be used.
(3) Sidewalks shall be constructed of concrete at least four inches in thickness, except in locations accessible to motor vehicles which shall be at least six inches in thickness. Sidewalks shall be uninterrupted across driveways in residential districts.
(4) Sidewalks shall include barrier free ramps and detectible warning domes at the curb line of each ramp and be constructed in compliance with Michigan Department of Transportation standards.
(5) Sidewalks shall be flush with abutting curbs and paved surfaces.
(6) Concrete shall be of at least 3,500 pounds per square inch compression strength within 28 days of paving.
(7) All sidewalks shall be located at the direction of the township engineer and/or township manager, or his/her designee.
(8) Grade elevations shall be established by the township engineer and/or township manager or his/her designee.
(9) All sidewalks constructed over filled trenches shall be six inches in thickness and shall be reinforced with four No. 4 bars spaced at 12 inch centers.
(10) Drainage structures shall be provided at locations as required and/or designated by the township engineer and/or township manager, or his/her designee.
(11) Expansion joints of one-half inch in size, the full depth of the sidewalk shall be placed at uniform intervals of not more than 50 feet, and at all locations where sidewalks abut paved roads or driveways and where thickness of the sidewalk changes from four inches to six inches.
(12) Construction joints shall be placed at intervals equal to the width of the sidewalk and shall be a minimum of three-fourths of an inch in depth. All joints shall be constructed at right angles to the center line of the sidewalk.
(13) Forms shall be clean and straight, composed of wood or metal. The forms shall be staked to line and grade in a manner that will prevent deflection or settlement. Forms shall be sprayed with a release agent before placing concrete.
(14) The base shall be thoroughly wetted and the concrete deposited thereon to the proper depth. Concrete shall be spaded along the forms, compressed and struck off flush with the top of the forms. The surface shall be floated with a steel float, edges and joints properly tooled, and then finished with a wood float or brush, transverse to the center line of the sidewalk to provide a non-slip surface.
(15) Concrete shall not be placed on frozen ground. When the temperature is below forty degrees Fahrenheit (40 °F), or when freezing temperatures within the next 24 hour period are forecast, concrete shall not be placed unless protection against freezing of the concrete is provided as required by the township engineer or building official.
(16) Sidewalks shall not be painted and/or carpeted.
(B) Maintenance and repair. No person shall permit any sidewalk which crosses or adjoins property owned by such person to fall into a state of disrepair.
(C) It shall be unlawful for the persons in control of any property to deposit snow from said property onto any street or sidewalk in the township.
(D) Area between lot line and street. All sidewalks and driveway approaches between the lot line and the street curb of an improved street, shall be repaired and maintained by the abutting property owner and shall comply with all requirements of this subchapter.
(E) Liability of owner for injury and damages. Any owner of any such premises who shall allow any such sidewalk to remain in disrepair shall be responsible and liable for injuries and damages arising out of the disrepair of said sidewalk, provided that such condition constitutes a condition for which liability otherwise exists under Michigan Law. Such owner shall further indemnify and reimburse the township for any and all liability, costs and expenses which the township might incur as a result of any such defective or dangerous sidewalk.
(F) Under Public Act No. 246 of 1931, as amended (MCL §§ 41.288 et seq.), the township board may construct, repair or maintain, or may order the construction, repair or maintenance of, sidewalks for the health, safety and general welfare of the residents of the township after notifying the involved property owners of the time and place of a hearing on such order. Following the hearing, the township may construct, repair or maintain the sidewalk and bill the property for the construction, repair or maintenance in the following manner:
(1) If the cost of construction, repair, or maintenance is $999.99 or less, the township shall invoice the property owner and the amount due and owing to the township shall be paid within 30 days of receipt.
(2) If the cost of construction, repair or maintenance is $1,000 or greater, the township may assess the cost over a five year period against the abutting property owners, which assessment shall be collected and treated in the same manner as taxes assessed under the general laws of the state or permit the owners within a specified time to have the sidewalk constructed, repaired or maintained according to the specifications of this ordinance at their expense.
(3) The Township Board, at its discretion, may also, after constructing, repairing or maintaining a sidewalk, authorize collection of the costs of such construction, repair or maintenance by civil process, counterclaim, or such other means as may be proper for the collection of debts by legal process.
(Ord. 17-08, passed 11-20-2017; Ord. 18-01, passed 6-18-2018)