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If your application is approved, you will receive a copy of the actual Building Permit, a Hard Card including a list of required inspections, and a copy of the approved plans. The Hard Card should be posted at the job site so that it is visible from the street. The approved set of construction drawings should be kept at the job site for you and the inspector to refer to until the project is completed.
The City Council meets at City Hall, 400 Sixth Street.
If your Carbon Monoxide detector emits an alarm, do not panic. Complete a check of yourself and your family to make sure everyone is fine. Find out if anyone is feeling ill (dizzy, lightheaded, headache, fatigue, etc.). If someone is not feeling normal, evacuate the house and call 911. The Fire Department's ambulance will be dispatched with medical equipment to treat your symptoms, and CO monitoring devices to survey your residence. If everyone is feeling normal and there are no complaints of sickness, investigate the matter further. Start with the detector, make sure it is operating properly and check the battery. Next, check anything that produces heat. Make sure these items are in proper working order, vented properly, and clean. You should call Consumers Energy at 1 (800) 477-5050, or a licensed contractor to detect and fix the problem.
The reservation form is available at City Hall, along with an information sheet that includes the fee structure. After the form is filled out, it will take about a day to process.
Once the application has been approved, the applicant will pay the associated fees and pick up a copy of the approved form. At that time, the reservation will be entered onto the calendar. Note that whether the shelters are involved or not, any group of one hundred or more people intending to use any Rochester park must obtain City Council approval. Contact the Park Superintendent at (248) 651-9061 for details and available dates.
Any trees in the green belt are the City's responsibility to maintain. The City has guidelines as to the species of trees that are planted in the green belt and the minimum distances between trees, which includes sight distance requirements at intersections and minimum distances from hydrants and streetlights.
The City does have a tree-planting program. If a homeowner does not want to wait for the next City planting, they can arrange to plant their own tree. However, the City must approve the location and tree species of any planting in the green belt before any work is completed. Contact the Park Superintendent at (248) 651-9061 for details.
The Planning Commission also reviews all new residential developments (new subdivisions) and recommends either approval or denial to the City Council.
The Planning Commission is assisted by the City Planner, City Attorney, and Building Official.
The Planning Commission is guided by the Master Plan for the City, which can be purchased at City Hall.
The application, application fee, and 18 individual packets with all required information must be submitted a minimum of four weeks prior to the next scheduled meeting. The City Planner will review your submittal and provide a written recommendation to the Planning Commission.
Applicants are required to supply all items of information listed on the application form. This would include, at a minimum, sealed site plans, sealed architectural plans, and a cover letter stating your request.
When you have submitted a site plan or sign permit application for review by the Planning Commission, you or your representative must be in attendance at the appropriate meeting(s) to present your application and to answer questions of the Planning Commission.
Please contact the Building Department at (248) 651-9061 for any additional information that you may require.
Failure to clear snow and ice in accordance with the City Code may result in the issuance of a civil infraction, and a fine of up to $500 against the property owner, without notice from the City. Additionally, the City Manager may have the snow and/or ice cleared at the owner's expense; again, without notice.
Property owners who are on vacation during the winter months must make sure to arrange for the timely removal of snow and ice (on sidewalks adjoining their property) in their absence.
Water and sewer bills are normally due 18 days from the billing date. If 18 days from the billing date falls on a holiday or weekend, then the due date is extended to the next business day. This is taken into consideration before bills are printed so that the due date printed on the bill is always a business day. A 5% penalty is applied if bills are not paid by the due date.
Failure to receive a bill does not waive any of the past-due penalty. Since the bills are mailed on a quarterly basis, it is recommended that your mark your calendar on the date when water bills are due to be mailed.
In regard to alleged errors, the Zoning Board of Appeals hears and decides the outcome of appeals from citizens regarding any order, requirements, decision, or determination made by an Administrative Official charged with the enforcement of the Zoning Ordinance.
The Zoning Board of Appeals reviews applications for variances, which must be granted according to the terms of the Zoning Ordinance. Variances are only granted where, owing to special condition, a literal enforcement of the provisions of this ordinance would result in either:
Fifteen complete packets of the Zoning Board of Appeals application are required with your application. At minimum, you must provide the following in each packet: