Explanation
The purpose of this legislation is to repeal the current verbiage contained within Chapter 905 of Columbus City Code, Sidewalk and Driveway Construction and Repair, and replace it with revised verbiage that addresses various inadequacies within the existing code while also providing greater flexibility for its enforcement in the future. These inadequacies include the current code's failure to specify enforcement authority, or a means of providing an appeals process for those cited by the City for violation of this code. Current code also fails to provide the Public Service Director with the ability to make necessary sidewalk and driveway repairs where a property owner is unable or unwilling to do so.
Violation of Chapter 905 currently requires punitive action against the adjacent property owner as the City's only means of resolving non-compliance. The revised code language provides the Public Service Director, as an option to punitive action, with the authority to make all necessary repairs, after due notice, and assess the adjoining property owner for said repairs as a part of their annual property taxes; this action is permitted persuant to Columbus City Charter. The proposed language for Chapter 905 also specifies code violation criteria and the manner by which the City shall notify the adjacent property owner of said violations.
Title
To enact a new Chapter 905 of Columbus City Code relative to sidewalk and driveway construction and repair and to repeal the existing Columbus City Code Chapter 905 in its entirety.
Body
WHEREAS, Chapter 905 of Columbus City Code, Sidewalk and Driveway Construction and Repair, serves to protect the health, safety, and welfare of all persons by way of preventing and/or abating hazardous sidewalk and driveway approach conditions within the public rights-of-way of the City of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 905 establishes minimum standards relative to the maintenance and construction of sidew...
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