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Posted: 05/23/12

Ordinance amendments to go
before WT board this month

by KIMBERLY SCHERER
Observer Special Writer

      A handful of new ordinance amendments will go before the Washington Township Board of Trustees this month. There will be another look at the sign, private road and law enforcement ordinances.
       Another look at the ever-changing sign ordinance will bring about adjustments that will be more business friendly. Supervisor Dan O'Leary said allowing LED signs in the township's village district will be one of the ordinance's updates.
       Resident Helen Sergott suggested limiting the amount of businesses that can share one sign.
       "It's virtually impossible to see (them all)," she said when there are many packed onto one sign.
       O'Leary said that is another issue that will be addressed.
       Trustee Abby Jacobson said businesses will be allowed extra square footage on their sign if they include their address, which was another concern Sergott brought up.
       Another look at the private road ordinance comes after a recent discussion with a resident about his wish to add a private road to his property. The request was denied.
       The Planning Commission is currently working to clarify the private road ordinance. So far, they favor banning private roads all together except in the instance of condo associations. The ordinance will address maintenance and repair of an existing private road. The owner can maintain their private road without having to modify their road to the county's standard unless they are lengthening or asphalting.
       As for the law enforcement ordinance, O'Leary said the Macomb County sheriff approached with the request to approve five ordinances. The first one is the addition of a marijuana paraphernalia ordinance. This would make the possession of a pipe, for example, illegal to possess unless the owner is a licensed marijuana user.
       "It gives the police something to go on when they're stopping a car and they see a pipe sitting there," O'Leary said.
       The second ordinance is the addition of disorderly person.
       "Police believe this will give them more teeth than what we currently have," O'Leary said.
       The current ordinance in place is disturbing the peace.
       O'Leary said it will be particularly helpful for police with intoxication cases. He said it gives a little more clarification for police when they're sensing a problem.
       The third and fourth ordinance requests deals with the precious metal and gem dealer ordinance and pawn, secondhand and junk dealer ordinance. O'Leary said the ordinance would require such businesses to register with the state as well as register some of the items they take in. This will make it easier for police to track stolen items.
       Lastly, the sheriff is requesting Washington to approve a high blood alcohol ordinance. O'Leary said that currently such cases are handled under state law, so it's the state that receives any fees that are associated with them.
       "This ordinance helps keep the money here locally," he said, "Cops can now prosecute them under the local ordinance instead of the state's."
       The local ordinance mirrors the state's.