Three resident-petitioned propositions will appear on the November 3 ballot regarding sidewalks. The amendments are the result of a heated battle between residents over adding new sidewalks in Bellaire. A group called Bellaire Citizens for Sidewalk Choice submitted the petitions which call for specific regulations controlling the process of installing a new sidewalk.

Another group of residents opposes these amendments and has campaigned against them under the name SafeBellaire. These residents believe the proposed amendments will kill sidewalks in Bellaire because the process will be too difficult to navigate. They also believe the City Charter is not the place to regulate sidewalks or public safety.

You can read more about each group’s position on their websites, SafeBellaire.com and SidewalkChoice.com.

Propositions appearing on the ballot:

PROPOSITION A

SHALL THE CHARTER BE AMENDED TO PROVIDE THAT THE CITY OF BELLAIRE MUST, PRIOR TO CONSIDERATION OF ANY ORDINANCE BY THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF ANY SIDEWALK ON ANY BLOCK ZONED BY THE CITY FOR RESIDENTIAL USE, DELIVER BY CERTIFIED MAIL TO EACH OF THE OWNERS OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED ON SUCH BLOCK, DETAILED WRITTEN INFORMATION CONSISTING OF THE EXACT LOCATION OF SUCH SIDEWALK IN RELATIONSHIP TO ALL TREES, LANDSCAPING, FENCING, SPRINKLER SYSTEMS, AND DRAINAGE LINES, AND A HYDROLOGICAL STUDY PERFORMED BY AN INDEPENDENT ENGINEER NOT OTHERWISE AFFILIATED WITH THE CITY OR THE PROJECT, SUCH WRITTEN INFORMATION TO BE PROVIDED TO EACH SUCH OWNER ON OR BEFORE THE DATE THAT IS SIX (6) MONTHS PRIOR TO THE CITY COUNCIL’S CONSIDERATION OF THE ORDINANCE FOR CONSTRUCTION OF SUCH SIDEWALK.