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Somerset introduces ordinance to revise established building line and consider town maintenance of driveway aprons
Summary
Council introduced an ordinance to change the definition of the established building line, update administrative titles, remove outdated provisions, and potentially make the town responsible for maintaining lawfully constructed driveway aprons and double sidewalks; councilors asked staff to analyze likely costs and the scope of town responsibility.
The council introduced an ordinance to amend the town code on the established building line and related provisions. The measure updates references (replacing "clerk treasurer" with "town manager"), removes outdated language and clarifies how the established building line is calculated — notably excluding intersections that exist only on paper (subdivision plats) and not in the field.
A major substantive change in the draft makes the town responsible for maintenance of lawfully constructed driveway aprons and adjoining sidewalks after initial construction by applicants. The town manager and town attorney described options: some municipalities maintain all aprons for aesthetics and standardized function, while other jurisdictions limit town maintenance to aprons that serve sidewalks to emphasize ADA and pedestrian priorities. Councilors asked staff to estimate long‑term costs and whether maintenance responsibility should be limited.
Why it matters: assigning apron maintenance to the town could have recurring fiscal implications and affect street parking and neighborhood appearance; councilors requested more data and photographs to scope the problem.
What happens next: council introduced the ordinance as drafted; staff will prepare research (including photos and counts) for a work session and later readings where the council can amend the proposal before adoption.
