Notice of Public Hearing

Posted

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

A Public Hearing on the following proposed Ordinance will be held before the Public Works Committee on Thursday, April 13, 2017 at 6:30 p.m., Council Chambers, 869 Park Avenue, Cranston, R.I. pursuant to Section 3.12 of the Charter.

Complete copies of all Ordinances are available for public review at the City Clerk’s Office, Cranston Central Library, and on the City’s website cranstonri.com under calendar and clicking on the meeting date.

“Individuals requesting interpreter services for the deaf or hard of hearing must notify the City Clerk’s Office at 461-1000 ext. 3197 seventy-two (72) hours in advance of the hearing date.”

Kenneth J. Hopkins, Chair Maria Medeiros Wall, JD

Public Works Committee City Clerk

ORDINANCE OF THE

CITY COUNCIL

IN AMENDMENT OF TITLE 12.16 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF CRANSTON, 2005, ENTITLED “STREETS, SIDEWALKS AND

PUBLIC PLACES”

(Snow Removal – three foot

clearance)

It is ordained by the City Council of the City of Cranston as follows:

Section 1. Title 12, Chapter 16, entitled “Snow and Ice-Removal of snow-Penalty” is hereby amended by adding the following:

12.16.010 - Snow and ice—Removal of snow—Penalty.

A. The owner, occupant or an building or lot of land bordering on any street, highway, square or public place where there is a sidewalk supported by curbing, shall, within the first twenty-four (24) hours after any snow has ceased to fall, cause the snow to be removed from the sidewalk adjoining such building or lot of land. Sidewalks must be cleared at least three (3) feet wide to allow wheelchairs to pass. All curb cuts must also be cleared.

12.16.011 - Snow and ice—Business removal of snow—Penalty.

The owner, occupant of any business bordering on any street, highway, square or public place where there is a sidewalk supported by curbing, shall, within the first twenty-four (24) hours after any snow has ceased to fall, cause the snow to be removed from the sidewalk adjoining such building or lot of land. Sidewalks must be cleared at least three (3) feet wide to allow wheelchairs to pass. All curb cuts must also be cleared.

In case of neglect so to do, the person chargeable with such duty shall pay a fine of two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) for the first offense and five hundred dollars ($500.00) for a second and subsequent offenses.

Section 2. This Ordinance shall take effect on final adoption.

Sponsored by: Councilman Stycos

ORDINANCE OF THE

CITY COUNCIL

IN AMENDMENT OF TITLE 9.08.063 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF CRANSTON, 2005, ENTITLED

“PUBLIC PEACE, MORALS AND WELFARE” (OFFENSES

PERTAINING TO PROPERTY –

BACK OF SIDEWALK PROGRAM)

It is ordained by the City Council of the City of Cranston as follows:

Section 1. Chapter 9.08.063 - Back of sidewalk” program is hereby amended as follows:

A. The “back of sidewalk” program is designed to plant new street trees in an environment that is more conducive to sustained growth. The improved growing environment provided through the “back of sidewalk” program will result in improved long-term health of the newly planted trees.

B. The purpose of the “back-of-sidewalk” program is:

1. Extend the life of tree;

2. Reduce the likelihood of the tree causing sidewalks to heave;

3. Provide trees where few exist; and

4. Expand diversity of street tree species.

5. Increase the attractiveness of small businesses in the City.

Increasing the diversity of Cranston’s street trees reduces the risk of blight (such as Dutch Elm disease), and provides a more varied look to each street. Criteria for species selection include the size of house, or small business, the width of street and the existing tree species on the street. Because this program serves primarily to enhance the streetscape, the tree must be completely visible from and planted within twenty (20) feet of the sidewalk. Trees planted in the back of sidewalk program shall be at least eight feet from the property line, unless the neighboring property owners or business owners approves the plant site in writing.

C. To participate in the “back of sidewalk” program the property owner or small business owner or authorized agent of said small business must sign and submit a consent and release form giving permission to the city of Cranston employees and/or their agents/contractors, to enter upon their property for the purpose of planting a tree and agreeing to hold the city of Cranston and its employees harmless from all claims, liability, loss or damage to person or property arising from the planting of such tree(s). The consent and release form shall include an agreement by the homeowner or small business entity to water, mulch, and maintain such tree(s). The executed consent and release form must be recorded and filed with the city of Cranston and will be enforced against the present owner or small business and all subsequent owners or successors of said business entity in the future in perpetuity. The tree warden will review the homeowner’s request and or small business owner and render a decision.

D. For the purpose of the back of sidewalk program, small businesses shall be defined as a person, partnership, corporation or other form of business entity independently owned and operated which employs fewer than 50 employees and has its principal place of business located in Cranston.

E. Small businesses will be eligible for this program only if all homeowner requests have been honored.

F. Tree plantings required by development plan review or orther governmental requirements shall not be eligible for this program

Section 2. This Ordinance shall take effect upon its final adoption.

Sponsored by Councilman Stycos

4/6/17

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