In Brief: New Peddling Ordinance Passes on First Reading

The Royal Oak City Commission worked four and a half hours to complete its agenda at Monday night’s regular meeting.

City approves public hearing on vacating Sagamore Boulevard

Commissioners approved a request to set public hearing in four weeks to vacate Sagamore Boulevard and abandon easements. The hearing on Sept. 17 will allow residents and businesses near the at 30776 Woodward Ave. to provide comments for and against vacating the right-of-way.

The owners of the in its place on the site near Woodward Avenue and Coolidge Highway. The owners are exploring options to expand the footprint of the site before finalizing their plans, said Mayor Jim Ellison. 

At the September public hearing, Mayor Pro Tem Patricia Capello said it will be important to hear from the t to make sure there is adequate access to a string of apartments near Sagamore Boulevard, should the street be vacated. 

Commissioner Peggy Goodwin said she would like to see conceptual plans for the development the new owners have in mind, and Commissioner Mike Fournier asked for financial metrics on the proposed vacation.

Peddling ordinance passes the first reading

City Attorney Dave Gillam introduced language to a proposed amendment to the city's peddling ordinance on Monday night that would prohibit commericial solicitors from entering onto to a property that is on a "Do Not Knock" registry. A peddler that violates the ordinance could be fined up to $500. 

Under the new ordinance the City Clerk would be responsible for establishing the registry. Anyone who wished to be placed on the list would have to submit a written request form. The registry would be provided to anyone issued a peddler's license and would would also be made available on the city's website.

The ordinance would not prevent political, religious or non-profit door solicitors.

In February, saying they believed residents are weary of door-to-door salespeople. 

Commissioners Jim Rasor, Kyle DuBuc and Mike Fournier argued the registry would create a lot of paperwork for the City Clerk and would be unreliable. The list could be issued to a peddler and outdated within minutes, argued Rasor, who proposed the city issue an official "Do Not Knock" sticker instead, which included a warning of the $500 fine for knocking.

Commissioner DuBuc agreed the new ordinance created excessive bureaucracy and would not discourage criminals.

"There is only one thing worse than doing nothing, and that is doing nothing and calling it something," DuBuc said.

The mayor was a "yes" vote on first reading of the ordinance, saying he believed it is the essence of what residents want and that there is still time to look at "tweaking it" at the second reading.