Baltimore Village debates sidewalk policy for existing neighborhoods; solicitor to draft clarifying ordinance

Baltimore Village officials spent more than an hour debating how sidewalk requirements should apply to existing neighborhoods versus new subdivisions, and asked the solicitor to prepare legislation that clarifies the village's position.

At the Rules Committee meeting, Gar (speaker 6) presented research and proposed a resolution to clarify that the part of the code requiring sidewalks applies primarily to newly platted areas, not to established existing neighborhoods. "What this resolution does is it clarifies that that part of our code does not apply to existing neighborhoods that apply to newly platted areas," Gar said.

Council members and residents raised practical concerns: who would be responsible if a developer failed to install sidewalks; whether homeowners on a single lot should be forced to pay for a sidewalk that does not connect to a network; and whether the village should define "established area" or "infill lot" by date or platting status. Council members noted examples on Cliff Street where both situations exist'some lots pre-date the ordinance while others were platted after it took effect.

Staff direction: the committee asked solicitor Jeff Faco and staff to draft clearer language (an ordinance and/or a resolution) with definitions for "established area" and "infill lot" and to propose options for when the village could require sidewalks. The solicitor also was asked to check application history and whether the administration has pending requests or complaints about sidewalk enforcement. The committee agreed the issue requires more drafting and will return the item to committee with an ordinance draft for further consideration.