GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The Michigan Division of Transportation will maintain a public listening to Wednesday on proposed guidelines that may prohibit in a single day tenting and prolonged stays at freeway relaxation areas and carpool parking tons.
The principles proposed earlier this yr outline tenting as organising tents, canopies or shelters, or parking and occupying enclosed, self-contained tenting items. The proposal would ban each actions in any respect MDOT roadside amenities.
PDF: Learn the proposed guidelines
The division would additionally restrict automobile parking to 48 hours at relaxation areas, carpool tons and different freeway motorist service areas. Beneath the proposal, these amenities are supposed for “short-term visits or emergency use by motorists so that they may resume travel in greater comfort and safety.”
WASTE DISPOSAL RESTRICTIONS
The proposed guidelines prohibit vacationers from disposing of engine lubricants, gas, sewage or wastewater from leisure autos, in addition to tires, at any facility.
Vacationers may solely get rid of refuse generated throughout the course of journey and solely in containers offered by the division.
PET REQUIREMENTS
The principles would require pet homeowners to maintain animals on leashes 6 ft or shorter always. Pets would must be personally attended and exercised solely in designated dog-run areas the place established.
Pets could be prohibited inside buildings aside from service animals acknowledged underneath the People with Disabilities Act.
Pet homeowners could be required to choose up animal waste.
FACILITY OPERATIONS
Relaxation areas and carpool parking tons would stay open 24 hours every day year-round underneath the proposal. Welcome facilities would proceed working throughout scheduled hours. Roadside parks, scenic turnouts and picnic desk websites could be obtainable throughout daytime from Could 1 to Oct. 31.
MDOT would nonetheless have the ability to shut amenities or restrict entry with out discover if it determines there’s a menace to public security or if needed due to operational wants.
COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY RESTRICTIONS
The principles prohibit industrial or enterprise actions at amenities until in any other case offered by legislation. Pay telephones, merchandising machines and newspaper stands would require official permission from the division.
Solicitation of funds, sale of articles, demonstrations, organizing actions and distributing literature could be banned until confined to entrance and foyer areas with official permission and with out blocking motion of individuals.
Utilizing amenities as assembly factors for industrial, tour or shuttle providers wouldn’t be allowed with out official permission.
ENFORCEMENT
The principles would take impact seven days after submitting with the Secretary of State.
MDOT could be allowed to observe public areas to guard public security and stop misuse. Violating any of the proposed guidelines would represent a misdemeanor.
HEARING
MDOT will settle for public remark for 2 90-minute digital hearings Wednesday. They’re scheduled to start out at midday and 6 p.m. You’ll be able to be a part of via MDOT’s web site.
These not capable of attend them can submit their suggestions by sending an electronic mail to [email protected] or via MDOT’s web site.
