Council hears ADA edits to obstruction ordinance; first reading reset, vote next month

The council reviewed a revised ordinance intended to prohibit obstructions of public alleys, sidewalks and rights-of-way. Staff member Abby Van Meter, filling in, said she had added ADA accessibility guidance to the draft and highlighted a new requirement for a 60-inch-by-60-inch passing zone at least every 200 feet.

Council members asked whether driveways count as passing zones and whether gravel driveways qualify; the consensus was that passable driveways do count. Members said the ordinance is intended to provide law enforcement with tools to knock on doors and request removal of obstructions rather than immediate punitive action. The edits reset the item to a first reading; council expects to bring the ordinance back for a vote next month.