SNOW

[Kurt A]

Happy Holidays Neighbors, 

The next email will be about things to do but this one is about Snow - Plowing and Shoveling. I'd like to encourage all of you to get out and shovel your walks and, to be nice, your neighbors walks. Why not take the extra 5 minutes when your already out in the cold anyway? 

I know the past two snowfalls weren't substantial but these small amounts should be cleared anyway. As someone that walks through the neighborhood, I'd like for the others to realize that these small amounts of snow tend to melt and freeze as ice on the sidewalks which is very hard to remove and becomes dangerous. 

If you are going out of town you should let your neighbors know so they can maintain your walk for you. 

If you don't want to deal with the small snowfalls spread a little ice-melt on your walk. A small amount will melt away the light dustings and keep ice from forming. 

Below is the city ordinance for snow removal and the city's policy on clearing the streets. I would also like to encourage anyone that walks East of the neighborhood to keep after the city about ticketing the Ladder Company and the Logistics Company that is in the Motor Wheel Property which have gotten away with not shoveling year after year. Contact The City Manager Ed Koryzno ekoryzno at cityofypsilanti.com (734) 483-1810 with complaints. 
Kurt 



ARTICLE V. SNOW REMOVAL* 

__________ 

*Cross references: Snow removal routes, § 102-181 et seq. 

State law references: Deposit of snow, ice or slush on roadway prohibited, MCL 257.677a. 

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Sec. 94-131. Purpose. 

The purpose of this article is to: 

(1) Ensure safe, unrestricted access to public areas for pedestrian traffic; 

(2) Ensure safe parking of vehicles in parking lots; 

(3) Prevent waste of parking space from snow covered spaces; 

(4) Prevent traffic hazards from affecting traffic flow in public streets; and 

(5) Improve the safety and general welfare of all citizens. 

(Code 1983, § 4.101) 

Sec. 94-132. Scope. 

Those areas affected by this article are sidewalks, those publicly owned rights-of-way that convey pedestrian traffic exclusively, parking lots, being those areas paved or unpaved that provide other than single-family or occupied two-family vehicular parking. 

(Code 1983, § 4.102) 

Sec. 94-133. Areas to be cleared. 

The occupant, manager or owner of every lot or parcel of land adjoining any sidewalk shall clear all ice and snow from sidewalks adjoining such lot or parcel of land within 48 hours from the first accumulation of such snow or ice. When any snow shall fall or drift upon any sidewalk, the owner, occupant or manager of the lot or parcel of land adjacent the such sidewalk shall remove such snow within 48 hours from the first accumulation. 

(Code 1983, § 4.103) 

Sec. 94-134. Removal of ice. 

When any ice shall form on any sidewalk or parking lot, the owner, occupant or manager of the lot or parcel of land adjoining such sidewalk shall, if practicable, immediately remove the ice and when immediate removal is impracticable, shall immediately cause sand, salt or other chemicals or materials to be spread upon the ice in such manner and in such quantity as to prevent the sidewalk or parking lot from being slippery and dangerous to pedestrians or motor vehicles and shall remove such ice as soon thereafter as shall be practicable. 

(Code 1983, § 4.104) 

Sec. 94-135. Removal of snow from parking lots. 

The owner or manager of any parking lot shall remove all snow from the parking lot within 24 hours from the first accumulation of such snow. 

(Code 1983, § 4.105) 

Sec. 94-136. Disposition of snow. 

No owner, manager or occupant shall remove ice or snow from sidewalks, parking lots, driveways and approaches and deposit such snow on public streets, alleys or rights-of-way. This applies to removal by manual or automated methods and especially applies to snowblowers which should be directed below range of street distance or should be pointed in opposite direction of street. Large accumulations of snow shall be placed so as to avoid vision obstruction for passing vehicles. 

(Code 1983, §§ 4.86, 4.106) 

Sec. 94-137. Failure to clear. 

If any occupant, owner or manager shall neglect or fail to clear ice or snow from a parking lot, or from a sidewalk adjoining his lot or parcel of land within the time limited and herein required, or shall otherwise permit ice or snow to accumulate on such sidewalk or parking lot, he shall be responsible for a municipal civil infraction, subject to payment of a civil fine as set forth in section 70-38. Repeat offenses under this article shall be subject to increased fines as set forth in section 70-38. Each day that the condition of accumulation of ice or snow shall continue after the first day of violation shall constitute a separate offense and shall bear a separate penalty. 

(Code 1983, § 4.107) 

Secs. 94-138--94-160. Reserved. 
CITY OF YPSILANTI SNOW REMOVAL POLICY 


The City of Ypsilanti has implemented changes to the snow removal policy. The changes were imposed by the State of Michigan’s new guidelines, reduced road funding and an increase operating costs. 

The City of Ypsilanti’s snow removal guidelines are as follows: 

Priority 1: State Trunklines (Michigan Avenue, N & S Hamilton, etc.) 

Priority 2: Major Streets (N. Huron River Drive, Catherine, Perry, etc.) 

Priority 3: Local Streets (Collegewood, Normal, N. Grove, Arnet, Armstrong, etc.) 

Priority 4: City Parking Lots ( N & S Huron Lots, etc.) 

Priority 5: City Maintained Alleys 

Priority 1 and Priority 2 streets will be maintained under the new State of Michigan winter operations guidelines, with a goal of providing a pavement surface “generally bare of ice and snow” wide enough for one-wheel track in each direction. A “generally bare of ice and snow” pavement is defined as a travel lane surface that is free from drifts, snow ridges, and as much ice and snow pack as practical. It should not be confused with “dry pavement” or “bare pavement” which is essentially free of all ice, snow and any free moisture. This work may be accomplished using overtime as necessary during a winter storm event. 

Clearing the pavement bare of ice and snow over its entire width will be accomplished as soon as reasonably possible after the winter storm event, without working overtime . 

Priority 3 and Priority 4 areas will not be cleared of snow or ice on overtime unless there is an accumulation of 3 inches of snow or more and after Priority 1 and Priority 2 areas have been completed. 

Priority 5 will be addressed after priorities 1, 2, 3 and 4 have been completed. 

As a reminder, City Ordinance 94-136 states that no owner, manager or occupant shall remove ice or snow from sidewalks, parking lots, driveways and approaches and deposit such on public streets, alleys, or rights-of way. This applies to removal by manual or automated methods and especially applies to snow blowers which should be directed below range of street distance or should be pointed in opposite direction of street. Large accumulations of snow shall be placed so as to avoid vision obstruction for passing vehicles. 

As you clear your driveways, it is suggested that snow be piled on the right side of the driveway, as you face the road. This will help minimize the amount of snow pushed back into your driveway. 

It is also recommended that residents not place trash or recycling bins on the road or shoulder area. 



As always, the safety and well being of our residents is our main focus. The City of Ypsilanti’s Public Services Department will continue to work diligently to provide safe roadways. If you have questions regarding our winter maintenance guidelines, please contact the Public Services Office at (734) 483-1421. 
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