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ALLEY PAVING POLICY
EFFECTIVE: January 1, 2022
PURPOSE
The City of Muskegon maintains alleys within every neighborhood of the city. A majority of the existing
alleys are gravel, with very few having been improved to a paved surface. To facilitate improved access
in the alleys and to reduce maintenance expenses on the gravel alleys the city is adopting the below policy
to facilitate paving of alleys where it is in the best interest of all parties.
GOALS
The City of Muskegon maintains this policy with the goals of:
• Improving access to and use of the existing network of alleys
• Optimizing the use of a traditionally underutilized public space
• Fostering relationships amongst block neighbors towards a common goal
• Reducing maintenance cost and expense of gravel alleys
• Reduction of blight associated with underutilized alleys
APPLICATION PROCESSING & FEES
Applications will be accepted year round on the attached form. Each application shall be prepared and
submitted by a designated Block Captain whom shall be the single point of contact relative to the paving
request.
Staff will review all applications and annually make a recommendation on alleys to be targeted for paving
in a given year. The number and location of alleys selected for paving will be based on staff availability
and staff concurrence that the alley is a good candidate for paving. Staff will review the alley for access
issues, ownership, utility conditions, use types/frequency, neighbor support for the paving, and other
features.
Once an alley has been determined eligible for paving the City will contact the designated Block Captain
and inform them of the decision. The Block Captain is then responsible to collect fees from the block and
provide payment to the DPW offices before paving can be scheduled.
Fees for Alley Paving will be as follows:
• $300 / Residential Parcel
• $1,000 / Non-Residential Parcel
For the purposes of this policy “Residential Parcel” shall be defined as any parcel with a Zoning Code that
includes the term “Residential” in the Zoning Code and/or Description. Non-Residential Parcel shall refer
to any other parcel not captured by the above definition of a Residential Parcel. Municipally owned
parcels are exempt from payment, all other parcels including non-profit and religiously operated are
subject to the fee requirements.
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Fees for alley paving are designed to offset a portion of the cost for the asphalt material used to pave the
alley. This figure is competitively bid on an annual basis with the current (2021) price being $69.50/Ton.
A typical 400 FT long alley requires approximately 60 Tons of asphalt to pave ($4,170 – Material Costs).
Fee collection and submittal shall be the sole responsibility of the Block Captain. No special assessments
will be executed by the City to support fee collection.
ALLEY PAVING PROCESS
The City will schedule paving throughout the traditional paving season depending on when fees are paid
and when staff is available. Alley paving carries less priority than repairs to roadways, and schedule will
be subject to change throughout the typical paving season (May 1 – October 31).
City staff will communicate with the Block Captain approximately one (1) week ahead of the paving to
inform them of the planned schedule. The Block Captain shall be responsible to inform the neighbors of
the schedule.
From start to finish paving will take approximately 3-5 days to complete depending upon the complexity.
To the greatest extent possible the City requests that residents arrange for alternative access to minimize
their need to use the alley. Residents of the block will need to park on adjacent streets whenever possible
to ensure the alley is free and clear for work to proceed.
Alley paving will include paving of a single twelve (12) foot wide lane. No flare out or widening of the
pavement will be made to meet adjacent driveways or provide additional space for parking, storage of
trash cans, or any other use. Any additional paving requested shall be the responsibility of the requesting
property owner. The alley will be graded and paved with an approximately two (2) inch thick layer of
asphalt. Any utility manhole covers will be adjusted flush with the surface of the alley pavement.
The pavement will be maintained by the City of Muskegon for its useful life. When the useful life of the
pavement has expired and full replacement is required a new application shall be submitted and payment
due.
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Return completed application to the following:
City of Muskegon Public Works Department
1350 East Keating Avenue
Muskegon, MI 49442
►ALLEY PAVING FEES
RESIDENTIAL PARCEL $300 Per Parcel
NON-RESIDENTIAL PARCEL $1,000 Per Parcel
► I. DESIGNATED BLOCK CAPTAIN
NAME
ADDRESS
PHONE
EMAIL
► II. ALLEY INFORMATION
CROSS STREETS
PARALLEL STREETS
EXISTING ALLEY MATERIAL
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
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► III. NEIGHBOR / PARCEL INFORMATION
RESIDENTIAL / SUPPORT
NON-RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS (YES / NO)
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► IV. LIABILITY WAIVER
APPLICANT(S) voluntarily agree, understand and recognize that participants will have no right to make a
claim or file a lawsuit against the City in relation to the alley paving operations.
► V. REQUIREMENTS OF ALLEY PAVING
1. Applicant shall comply with all rules and regulations of the City of Muskegon Alley Paving
policy.
2. Applicant shall comply with all City of Muskegon Ordinances.
3. Applicant shall save the City of Muskegon harmless from all claims.
4. The appointed fees must be collected by the Block Captain and paid in full to the City prior to
any work being scheduled.
5. Block Captain shall be the sole point of contact for the project and shall be responsible to
coordinate and communicate with other alley users on the project details.
6. The City reserves the right to make final determination on which alleys are suitable for paving
and to prioritize the paving schedule.
7. Alley paving shall include a single twelve (12) foot wide lane at two (2) inches thickness from
cross street to cross street. No additional paving requests will be considered. Residents are
responsible to separately arrange for any additional paving requests.
With my signature, I certify that I have read and agree to the City of Muskegon Alley Paving Policy
and all items listed on this application. I further certify that I have contacted all parcels on the
affected block with alley frontage and have indicated their address and noted their
support/opposition to the alley paving as outlined in the form.
I agree to abide by all applicable ordinances & regulations.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Signature of Block Captain Date
CITY STAFF USE ONLY: APPROVED / DENIED
NAME/TITLE:_________________________________________________________
DATE:_____________ FEE:_________________
NOTES:______________________________________________________________
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