Q: Is it legal to light a fire in the common areas or on other subdivision property for a campfire or barbque?
A: NO.
The ordinance is quite specific, even down to the detail of specifically allowing one to light a match to light a cigarette. To quote the opening section:
Sec. 12-14. Open burning prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person to cause, permit or maintain any open burning of any substance, except as provided herein. The following open fires shall be permitted, provided no noxious odors or smoke are generated:
It goes on to allow personal property grills etc. and open fires by organizations with a written permit and fires for official use, but no allowance is made for any other type of fire and therefore, in general, ground based fires are illegal.
Click HERE to read the official city ordinance (Expand Chapter 12, Article 1, then in the text at the right find Section 12-14)
Q: What days and times can construction activity (noise) take place in the city and what can I do about it if the limits are exceeded?
A: City Ordinance allows construction activity noise from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and Saturday. There is to be no noise from construction activity on Sunday or legal holidays. Special permits can be had that extend these limits. The prescribed penalty is up to $500 fine for each day the limits are exceeded. A call to the city police with a request that they intervene is often effective.
Click HERE to read the official city ordinance (Expand Chapter 18, then Article V, and look at Sec. 18-164)
Q: What about other activity such as loading and unloading of trucks (garbage) in the city?
A: This City Ordinance covers just about all types of business, land and private dwellings. It restricts loading and unloading of trucks (including garbarge trucks) to between the hours of 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and Saturday within 500 feet of any dwelling. Presumably it's ok at any time when more than 500 feet from a dwelling. There is to be no activity of this type on Sunday (it does not mention legal holidays).
Click HERE to read the official city ordinance (Expand Chapter 18, then Article V, and look at Sec. 18-165)
Q: Are the use of paintball markers (guns) allowed in the subdivision?
A: The short answer is "no."
City of Farmington Hills code defines a firearm as "...any weapon or device from which is propelled any missile, projectile, bullet, shot, pellet or other mass by means of explosives, compressed air or gas or by means of springs, levers or other mechanical device." There are specific rules for explosive firearms (including "potato guns") discussed here in another question. Paintball markers are included in the "other firearms" wording which prohibits their discharge:
(1) Within an area of one hundred (100) yards from any building, structure or edifice whether occupied or unoccupied;
(2) Upon any platted land or within one hundred (100) yards of any public or private school real property;
(3) Upon or across any public road or highway within the city.
While there may be a few feet of space at the edge of our common areas that falls outside of these restrictions, common sense dictates that paintball marker use anywhere within Olde Franklin Towne is illegal.
It may be of interest to know that the above wording was intended to include bow and arrows, slingshots and any device used to throw or propel an object through the air.
Click HERE to read the official city ordanence (Expand chapter 18, Article VII, Division 2)
Q: Is the use of "potato guns" allowed in the subdivision?
A: No.
Under the City of Farmington Hills code it is illegal to discharge an explosive firearm within the city limits except under very specific circumstances. A firearm is defined to include "...any weapon or device from which is propelled any missile, projectile, bullet, shot, pellet or other mass by means of explosives, compressed air or gas or by means of springs, levers or other mechanical device." The exceptions include use by authorized officers, when your life is in danger, or use on an approved range.
Click HERE to read the official city ordinance (Expand chapter 18, Article VII, Division 2)
Q: Why aren't the sidewalks cleared of snow along Middlebelt by the waterwheel. Isn't the subdivision responsible for that?
A: Interestingly the answer is NO.
We spoke to the Farmington Hills City Manager who explained that there has not been a requirement for any property owner to remove snow from their property for about 10 years. When asked to explain, he said that it was due to a Michigan Supreme Court ruling about that time. This is a loose (not legal) explanation: A snow covered area, even over a sidewalk, was "natural" and people walking who fell and hurt themselves did so at their own risk. But when the sidewalk was cleared it created an obligation for safety on the part of the owner and if someone hurt themselves then, the owner was libel. At that point property owners in the city complained to the Council that requiring that snow be cleared was putting them at greater risk for a lawsuit and the Council decided to drop the shoveling requirement. In the meantime, on snowy winter days, children have been seen walking along Middlebelt IN THE STREET, because the walk is covered with a foot or more of snow. (?)
Q: On what holidays is trash collected and when is it not?
A: There are ONLY five holidays days for which our Monday garbage collection might be delayed to Tuesday.
THESE TWO FOR SURE (Because they always fall on Monday--pickup is delayed to Tuesday)
THESE THREE IF THEY FALL ON MONDAY:
The only other holiday that delays service is Thanksgiving Day, but that is always on a Thursday so it won't affect Olde Franklin Towne.
To assure pickup, trash must be by the curb by 7 a.m. City ordinance says it should not be out earlier than 6 p.m. the night before and containers should be removed no later than 12 hours after collection.
Click HERE for further information on the city web site.
If you have any questions you would like answered please click HERE for instructions on how to contact "Olde Franklin Towne info" to submit your question.