25 replies to this topic

[ducky]

Until I dig up my sidewalk this summer to fix it, I've placed a large CAUTION: SLIPPERY! sign right at the edge of my lawn

That is probably a very prudent idea, cvanderveen. I believe previously there was one slip-and-fall lawsuit against the city where the homeowner was also named. I don't know what came of it.

I understand drainage wasn't really addressed in the older sections of town because many of them didn't have sidewalks, but I don't understand why builders in the newer sections were allowed to put drain pipes that drain OVER a sidewalk. I don't think it's right the city placed the responsibility on you to continue the drain under the sidewalk. I always thought the sidewalks were the city's responsibility

. I gladly keep the area in front of my house weed-free, slime-free, and swept. Beyond that, it is the city's responsibility as far as I'm concerned. Any construction-type activity related to safety for a sidewalk should be taken care of by the city - just like the wheelchair ramps they just installed in and around Montrose and School Street.

[Chad Vander Veen]

That is probably a very prudent idea, cvanderveen. I believe previously there was one slip-and-fall lawsuit against the city where the homeowner was also named. I don't know what came of it.

I understand drainage wasn't really addressed in the older sections of town because many of them didn't have sidewalks, but I don't understand why builders in the newer sections were allowed to put drain pipes that drain OVER a sidewalk. I don't think it's right the city placed the responsibility on you to continue the drain under the sidewalk. I always thought the sidewalks were the city's responsibility

. I gladly keep the area in front of my house weed-free, slime-free, and swept. Beyond that, it is the city's responsibility as far as I'm concerned. Any construction-type activity related to safety for a sidewalk should be taken care of by the city - just like the wheelchair ramps they just installed in and around Montrose and School Street.

I agree. I think the city is at fault for permitting this kind of shoddy construction. But, instead of fighting them I'll just do it myself. They said I can at least get the permit to do it for free. Hey! Thanks!

[Cinnadog]

There is one house on the lower end of John Henry Circle that has really bad slime on the sidewalk. I have slipped several times. Now I know enough to walk out into the street.

I am annoyed by it every time I walk past, but I have a hard time blaming the homeowner. I believe a slight hill rises behind his house (with "higher" neighbors behind him), and his front yard slopes down toward the street, as well. He is probably getting run-off from several different yards, all coursing through his front yard and ending up on the sidewalk. I don't know whether that kind of drainage problem is really fix-able.

[ducky]

I agree. I think the city is at fault for permitting this kind of shoddy construction. But, instead of fighting them I'll just do it myself. They said I can at least get the permit to do it for free. Hey! Thanks!

How very generous of them to cover the cost of the permit. Of course, with that permit, the city now has written proof you took responsibility for the sidewalk.

I don't blame you for just taking care of it yourself. It's probably more trouble than it's worth to fight them on it and you probably just want to get the signs out from the front of your house as soon as possible. Of course, with this weather it might take a while.

[Chad Vander Veen]

I doubt I'll even bother with the permit.

[cw68]

Odd that I found this topic. I was talking with a friend of mine in Land Park yesterday and the City won't let him dig up the sidewalk to run drainage underneath it, even with the homeowner covering all the costs.

[Chad Vander Veen]

Odd that I found this topic. I was talking with a friend of mine in Land Park yesterday and the City won't let him dig up the sidewalk to run drainage underneath it, even with the homeowner covering all the costs.

He should get that in writing so he aint responsible for the next slip and fall that happens

[Orangetj]

Funny about your friend in Land Park, particularly since residents in the older areas of Sacramento ARE responsible for the condition of the sidewalk in front of their homes. We learned this the hard way when we lived over there. A huge beautiful old Sycamore tree that the city had planted in the green space between the sidewalk and the street had started to raise the sidewalk between the tree and our house. A city inspector came by and told us that we had to repair the sidewalk or we would be liable if somebody tripped over the raised and hurt themselves. There are several companies in town the specialize in patching up these ledges in sidewalks, at the homeowners expense. In fact, the city can come by, patch up the sidewalk and then send you a bill for the work. Of course, it is illegal to remove the city's trees that cause the problem (not that I'd really want to).

[Terry]

There is one house on the lower end of John Henry Circle that has really bad slime on the sidewalk. I have slipped several times. Now I know enough to walk out into the street.

I am annoyed by it every time I walk past, but I have a hard time blaming the homeowner. I believe a slight hill rises behind his house (with "higher" neighbors behind him), and his front yard slopes down toward the street, as well. He is probably getting run-off from several different yards, all coursing through his front yard and ending up on the sidewalk. I don't know whether that kind of drainage problem is really fix-able.

The age of homes in Natoma Station (John Henry Circle) would require that the grading of each lot put that lots draining to the sidewalk. What happens after people move in though is that they do their landscaping and pool construction and the drainage routes that were graded by the builder are change by that landscaping. Check out your CC&Rs for Natoma Station and see if it doesn't require all landscaping or similar plans maintain the lot's drainage to the street. If each lots drainage were maintained the way it was designed you'd have each home with a small amount of water over the sidewalk. It appears in this case, several lots have changed their drainage to go to this single point on the sidewalk, and it builds up and never dries up enough to prevent the slime.

[cw68]

Funny about your friend in Land Park, particularly since residents in the older areas of Sacramento ARE responsible for the condition of the sidewalk in front of their homes. We learned this the hard way when we lived over there. A huge beautiful old Sycamore tree that the city had planted in the green space between the sidewalk and the street had started to raise the sidewalk between the tree and our house. A city inspector came by and told us that we had to repair the sidewalk or we would be liable if somebody tripped over the raised and hurt themselves. There are several companies in town the specialize in patching up these ledges in sidewalks, at the homeowners expense. In fact, the city can come by, patch up the sidewalk and then send you a bill for the work. Of course, it is illegal to remove the city's trees that cause the problem (not that I'd really want to).

The sidewalk is in OK condition, but he has drainage issues on his property that are quite evident with this year's rains. He wants to put drainage in and have it drain directly into the gutter and they won't let him.

[jagayman]

Funny about your friend in Land Park, particularly since residents in the older areas of Sacramento ARE responsible for the condition of the sidewalk in front of their homes. We learned this the hard way when we lived over there. A huge beautiful old Sycamore tree that the city had planted in the green space between the sidewalk and the street had started to raise the sidewalk between the tree and our house. A city inspector came by and told us that we had to repair the sidewalk or we would be liable if somebody tripped over the raised and hurt themselves. There are several companies in town the specialize in patching up these ledges in sidewalks, at the homeowners expense. In fact, the city can come by, patch up the sidewalk and then send you a bill for the work. Of course, it is illegal to remove the city's trees that cause the problem (not that I'd really want to).

At the point that the city told me I was responsible for their sidewalk, I'd start to rearrange things to be more convenient for my house. Maybe even installing a tollbooth to cover the sidewalk and street improvements.

Of course, you could have just torn out the sidewalk altogether and claimed that it was endangering the health of their precious tree.

Jason