Committee moves to expand exterior housing grant eligibility and explore bulk sidewalk leveling bids

The University Heights Building & Housing Committee discussed drafting an ordinance to raise the ceiling for the exterior housing grant to broaden eligibility and increase take-up, and moved forward on exploring a bulk bidding approach to reduce the cost of levelling sidewalk blocks lifted by city tree roots.

The law director said he will prepare the ordinance language to increase the grant ceiling after committee changes to eligibility were approved in principle. Committee members said few residents currently qualify for the grant and increasing the ceiling should enable more homeowners to apply.

On sidewalks, committee members discussed asking contractors for bulk bids to lower unit costs for homeowners whose sidewalks have been raised by the roots of city-owned street trees. The committee raised questions about who would decide whether root cutting is permitted, whether cutting roots could harm trees, and how much the city could contribute toward the work. The committee did not finalize those policy details and will continue discussion in follow-up meetings; committee members also planned to consider sidewalk replacement assistance for cracked blocks.

Members said a contractor bulk-bid approach could lower prices for residents and that further work is needed to finalize scope, funding share and arborist guidance.