(A) Use of sidewalks.
(1) Pedestrian use. Sidewalks, as defined herein, are for pedestrian use and are not intended for use by motorized vehicles, such as, but not limited to, motorcycles, mopeds or off-road utility vehicles.
(2) Unlawful damage. It shall be unlawful to damage or deface a sidewalk by any means.
(B) Construction standards. Sidewalks shall comply with the standards set forth herein and any supplemental engineering standards that may be adopted by the Township Board, and with Ingham County Road Commission (ICRC) standards (at the time of adoption of this chapter ICRC enforces Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) sidewalk specifications on roads under the Road Commission's jurisdiction). In the event of a conflict between standards, ICRC standards shall prevail if the sidewalk is located in a public road right-of-way.
(1) Minimum width. Five feet;
(2) Location.
(a) Sidewalks shall be located one foot off the property line in the road right-of-way, except where the planned right-of-way is greater than the width of the existing right-of-way; in which case, the sidewalk shall be located one foot inside the planned right-of-way.
(b) Sidewalks shall be aligned horizontally and vertically with existing sidewalks on adjacent properties.
(c) The Planning Commission may modify these location requirements upon finding that another location would be more appropriate because of the location of utilities, existing landscaping or trees, the location of connecting sidewalks on adjacent parcels or other site considerations.
(3) Paving. Sidewalks shall be concrete with a depth of at least four inches, except that sidewalks across a driveway or other vehicle crossing shall be reinforced and have a depth of at least six inches. Other types of paving other than concrete may be permitted, subject to Planning Commission approval. Paving shall be placed on appropriate compacted fill to provide a proper base and to prevent the pavement from uneven settling, heaving and/or cracking;
(4) Barrier-free design. Sidewalks shall comply with all state and federal barrier-free requirements. Accordingly, ramps shall be provided at curbs and other locations involving a grade change;
(5) Grading and drainage. Proposed sidewalks shall be designed to maintain the existing direction and flow of storm water and to avoid damming or flooding; and
(6) Rumble strips. Rumble strips shall be installed wherever a sidewalk approaches an intersection with a road.
(C) Maintenance standards.
(1) Maintenance responsibility.
(a) It shall be the duty of the property owner to maintain public sidewalks on or adjoining the property in accordance with this division (C). Failure to comply with any provision in this division (C) shall be considered a breach of this duty. Any damages resulting from such a breach shall be the sole responsibility of the property owner.
(b) A legally established homeowners' association or condominium association may assume the responsibility for maintenance of public sidewalks within a subdivision or condominium under its jurisdiction. The terms under which such an association assumes the responsibility, including the method of funding sidewalk maintenance, shall be specified in the recorded subdivision covenants, conditions and restrictions or condominium association master deed and bylaws, as applicable.
(2) Repairs or restoration. A sidewalk that becomes cracked or damaged to the extent that the sidewalk becomes potentially unsafe for use shall be repaired or restored in compliance with the construction standards specified herein.
(3) Obstructions. Sidewalks shall be kept free of all obstructions, including, but not necessarily limited to, obstructions from structures, vehicles, equipment, debris and vegetation. This restriction shall not apply to temporary obstructions due to maintenance or construction work on or adjacent to the sidewalk, in which case appropriate barriers and signage shall be erected to maintain public safety.
(4) Snow and ice removal. Sidewalks shall be kept free and clear of ice and snow. Snow shall not be piled in a manner that might obstruct the vision of drivers or that blocks or impairs travel on a sidewalk or road.
(Ord. passed 2-3-1998)