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Resident says Norwalk enforces 5-ft sidewalk rule inconsistently; council adds review to future agenda
Summary
Resident Gary Cook told the council he found multiple recent sidewalk replacements done at 4 ft despite the city requiring 5 ft; council agreed to place the issue on a future agenda for staff review and possible ordinance change.
Norwalk — During public comment on June 20, resident Gary Cook of 1400 Parkhill Drive asked the Norwalk City Council why homeowners are being required to replace 4-ft sidewalks with 5-ft sections while he observed recent city and private sidewalk work done at 4 ft.
"How can the city require a homeowner to replace a portion of their existing 4 ft sidewalk to now be 5 ft when the city and local businesses are not being held to this requirement as well as many other homeowners?" Cook asked. He said he found about a dozen examples of recent replacements at 4 ft, including work at Norwalk Family Dentistry and city maintenance at Richard George Drive and Cherry Parkway.
A council member responded that the council cannot take up non-agenda items for formal action tonight but explained the city code currently requires a 5-ft width when sidewalks are replaced along a property's length. The official said an ordinance change would be the proper route if council wants to allow flexibility for replacement at 4 ft.
Council moved to add the sidewalk-enforcement and sidewalk-width discussion to a future agenda so staff can gather examples and look at enforcement history; a motion to add the topic was seconded and carried.
Next steps: Staff will compile the examples and bring the sidewalk-width/enforcement item back to council for discussion and possible ordinance revision.
