VERMILION — Vermilion City Council members are considering giving Liberty Avenue property owners more time to install sidewalks after learning that required notices had not yet been sent to affected businesses.
The issue came up during Monday’s Streets, Buildings and Grounds Committee meeting, where council reviewed Resolution 2025R-8, which involves sidewalk requirements along the south side of Liberty Avenue.
The original resolution required sidewalks to be installed by 30 days after Aug. 18, 2026, or 30 days after notice was given, whichever was later. Because the notices had not yet gone out, council members raised concerns about enforcing the deadline during the current construction season.
Sidewalk Requirement Dates Back Several Years
City engineer Chris Howard said there are 19 parcels on the south side of Liberty Avenue from Vermilion Road to the railroad bridge. He said two projects already before the Planning Commission are expected to include sidewalks as part of their improvement plans, reducing the number of remaining affected parcels.
City officials said letters to property owners were being updated to reflect current ownership information. However, council members asked that those notices be held until they decided how to proceed.
The sidewalk requirement dates back several years. Letters were sent around 2019, but the process was delayed while the Liberty Avenue waterline project was being completed.
Several council members said they still support eventually requiring sidewalks along the corridor, but they did not want to penalize property owners after the city’s delay in sending notices.
Council members also noted that giving affected businesses more time would allow them to plan for the work, budget for the expense and schedule contractors.
Council Looks Toward 2027 Deadline
Council discussed setting a new deadline of July 1, 2027. A formal resolution would likely need to be prepared for council consideration at a future meeting to officially change the deadline.
The general direction from committee was to send notices to property owners, give them roughly a year to complete the work and avoid enforcement action until next year.
The committee also briefly discussed whether the city should look at outside funding for a larger pedestrian or multi-use path project along Liberty Avenue. A project in Sheffield Lake was mentioned as an example of what could be possible if grant funding became available.
For now, however, the committee’s focus appeared to be on giving Liberty Avenue property owners clear notice and more time to comply.
A final change to the deadline would still need to come back before council for formal action.