City of Ithaca, NY Chapter 285 Streets and Sidewalks

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Common Council of the City of Ithaca as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]

CHARTER REFERENCES

Streets, highways, bridges and sidewalks — See Art. V, § C-71.

Sidewalks — See Art. V, § C-73.

GENERAL REFERENCES

Assemblies and parades — See Ch. 132.

Commons — See Ch. 157.

Garbage and refuse — See Ch. 196.

Numbering of houses — See Ch. 206.

Taxicabs — See Ch. 232, Art. VI.

Newsracks — See Ch. 237.

Peace and good order — See Ch. 250.

Shopping carts — See Ch. 268.

Signs — See Ch. 272.

Trees and shrubs — See Ch. 306.

Recreational vehicles — See Ch. 316.

Street and sidewalks — See Ch. 342.

Vehicles and traffic — See Ch. 346.

Article I Brick and Masonry Paving Materials [1]

[Adopted 10-7-1998 by Ord. No. 98-25[2]]

[1] Editor's Note: Former Art. I, Merchandise Displays, adopted as Ch. 65, Art. V, of the 1974 Municipal Code, as amended, was repealed 5-6-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-05; said ordinance also redesignated former Arts. II and III as Arts. I and II, and corresponding sections accordingly.

[2] Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Art. II, Brick and Masonry Paving Materials, adopted 10-3-1984.

§ 285-1 Duties of Common Council.

The Common Council shall:

A. Identify all existing brick- and masonry-paved streets and appurtenances in the City of Ithaca, including those with an asphalt overlay, and evaluate the condition of all brick and masonry streets and appurtenances.

B. Document the type of base, cushion and size of brick or masonry on each street and appurtenance and record the date of installation and known repairs.

C. Establish a system of categorizing brick and masonry streets and appurtenances and set priorities for which streets and appurtenances will be retained, for example:

(1) Local streets and appurtenances within National Register eligible historic districts or on which National Register buildings are located.

(2) Local streets and appurtenances in neighborhoods with local historic districts or proposed districts.

(3) Streets and appurtenances in residential or commercial areas that have undergone considerable revitalization efforts and that retain their original integrity.

(4) Streets and appurtenances with unique paving patterns or materials.

§ 285-2 Duties of Board of Public Works.

The Board of Public Works shall:

A. Establish stockpiling methods which conform to the following:

(1) All reasonable salvageable brick and masonry materials should be carefully removed from the site and transported to a reasonably secure storage area.

(2) All such paving materials are to be cleaned and piled in an orderly and retrievable manner, preferably on pallets, in an economically feasible fashion, the methods of cleaning and stockpiling to be investigated by the Board of Public Works.

(3) Usable paving materials shall be piled according to size and recorded to ensure that an adequate accounting of these valuable resources is made.

B. Cross-train Department of Public works personnel to repair/maintain such streets and appurtenances in order to keep the bricklaying skill within the Department.

C. Require that all utility and other openings are repaired in kind with identical paving materials and replacement techniques.

D. Prepare model specifications and contract documents that reflect current technologies in brick paving.

Article II Snow, Ice and Other Obstructions on Sidewalks and Ramps [1]

[Adopted 3-4-1992 by Ord. No. 92-4[2] ]

[1] Editor's Note: Former Art. II was redesignated as Art. I 5-6-2009 by Ord. N. 2009-05; said ordinance also redesignated this article, former Art. III as Art. II.

[2] Editor's Note: This ordinance also provided that it shall take effect 8-1-1992.

§ 285-3 Duty of owner to keep clear.

It shall be the duty and responsibility of all persons owning property on a public street to keep the sidewalks surrounding such property substantially clear of snow, ice and other obstructions, including but not limited to free-flowing water from drains, ditches and/or downspouts located on such property. The sidewalks shall be cleared of such obstructions within 24 hours of when the obstruction initially occurs. For properties that abut the intersection of two streets, the sidewalks which must be kept substantially clear of snow, ice and other obstructions shall include that portion of the sidewalk which runs to the curbline of any street and shall include access ramps located therein.

§ 285-4 Performance of work by City; costs.

[Amended 12-2-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-07]

Upon the failure of the owner of such property to clear any such sidewalk or access ramp within 24 hours of when the obstruction initially occurs, the sidewalks and/or access ramps may be cleared by employees or agents of the City at the expense of the property owner. In such event, the property owner will be charged the actual out-of-pocket cost to the City of such work plus an additional 50% for overhead and administration charges. Such charge shall be paid to the City within 30 days from the date the bill is sent to the owner. Bills remaining unpaid after such thirty-day period shall accrue a late penalty of 12% per annum from the date of the bill or $3 per month, whichever amount is greater.

§ 285-5 Penalties for offenses.

Any owner of property who shall fail to keep sidewalks and access ramps clear of snow, ice or other obstructions as above provided shall be subject to punishment as provided in Chapter 1, General Provisions, Article I, Penalties.