ARTICLE X
PUBLIC WAYS AND SIDEWALKS

Section 1001 Control of Public Ways

(a)    The City shall have control of all public ways in the City except such as may be under the jurisdiction of the State. Subject to the laws of the State of Maryland and this Charter, the City may do whatever it deems necessary to establish, operate and maintain in good condition the public ways of the City.

(b)    The City shall have the power to require and order the owner of any property abutting on any public way in the City to perform any projects authorized by this section at the owner’s expense according to reasonable plans and specifications. If, after due notice, the owner fails to comply with the order within a reasonable time, the City may perform the work, and seek compensation from the owner by imposing a lien on the property, which shall be collectible in the same manner as are City taxes, or by suit at law.

Section 1002 Powers as to Public Ways

The City shall have the power:

(a)    To establish, regulate, and change from time to time the grade lines, width, and construction materials of any City public way or part thereof, bridges, curbs, and gutters.

(b)    To grade, lay out, construct, open, extend, and make new City public ways.

(c)    To grade, straighten, widen, alter, improve, or close up any existing City public way or part thereof.

(d)    To pave, surface, repave, or resurface any City public way or part thereof.

(e)    To install, construct, reconstruct, repair, and maintain curbs and/or gutters along any City public way or part thereof.

(f)    To construct, reconstruct, maintain, and repair bridges.

(g)    To have surveys, plans, specifications, and estimates made for any of the above activities or projects or parts thereof.

(h)    To abandon public ways.

(i)    To issue permits, licenses, and franchises, and charge reasonable fees therefor, for the use of City public ways for the installation or placing of pipes, lines, wires, cables, and telecommunication devices of any nature on, in, over, or under any City public way.

Section 1003 Powers as to Sidewalks

The City shall have the power:

(a)    To establish, regulate, and change from time to time the grade lines, width, and construction materials of any sidewalk or part thereof on City property, along any public way, or part thereof.

(b)    To grade, lay out, construct, reconstruct, pave, repave, repair, extend, or otherwise alter sidewalks on City property, along any public way, or part thereof.

(c)    To require that the owners of any property abutting on a sidewalk keep the sidewalk clear of all ice, snow, and other obstructions.