MP city council approves 3rd reading of snow removal, sign ordinance amendments

The Mt. Pleasant City Council approved the third readings of amendments of a snow removal ordinance and a sign ordinance during a city council meeting on Wednesday, May 8.

The amendment to the snow removal ordinance requires residents in Mt. Pleasant to remove snow from sidewalks and driveways within 24 hours of accumulation.

Jack Swarm, building and zoning administrator, said the 24-hour period begins at 11:59 p.m. from the day of the snowfall.

'If it snowed at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, you have 24 hours from 11:59 p.m. to remove it,” Swarm said. 'This ordinance gives people quite a good chunk of time to get these done.”

Mayor Steve Brimhall said the ordinance amendment was made after residents expressed concern about people not removing snow during this past winter.

Swarm said it is important to keep sidewalks cleared for people who walk and for mail carriers.

An amendment to a sign ordinance was also approved by a third reading on Wednesday. The sign ordinance allows more square footage of signage for strip malls, Swarm said. The previous sign ordinance capped the amount of signs allowed per property.

'Strip malls are coming, probably, and I want to be ready when they do,” Swarm said during a city council meeting on April 11. 'I want to welcome them to the town with an ordinance that's ready to go.”

In other news the city council approved a contractor to demolish property at 309 East Madison Street. The city purchased this 'dilapidated” house for a future parking lot for Cottrell Gym, Swarm said.

Big Creek Construction was awarded the contract as the low bidder of $5,630. The property will be demolished between June 1 and June 15. Until then, the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department will use the house for training during the month of May.

The next Mt. Pleasant City Council meeting is Wednesday, May 22, at 5:30 p.m.