PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — In response to feedback from community members who complained of troublesome sidewalk repairs, Oregon City officials have loosened regulations.

Homeowners are typically expected to obtain a construction permit within 60 days of receiving their first sidewalk repair notice and within 30 days of receiving their second notice. But whereas officials previously gave residents 90 days to complete construction after obtaining a permit, the Oregon City Commission has approved an amendment increasing the repair deadline to 180 days after obtaining a permit.

City leaders approved a resolution to waive permit fees as well, according to Mayor Denyse McGriff and Commissioner Adam Marl.

Also during Wednesday’s meeting, Public Works Director Dana Webb noted that sidewalk maintenance enforcement is “complaint-driven” — with “voluntary compliance” expected on behalf of homeowners. A resident of the city’s Tower Vista neighborhood expressed concerns with the enforcement system.

“If I walk in any direction from my house half a mile, I’ll see at least 30 residences or houses that need to fix their sidewalk,” the homeowner said during public comment. “The fact that it’s complaint-driven is surprising. I don’t think it sets a good precedent for the city because everyone’s wondering who reported us.”

Another resident, who lives within the McLoughlin neighborhood, claimed the area has been especially “targeted” and asked officials to expand their Sidewalk Replacement Assistance Grant Program.

The program is currently restricted to residences with fronting sidewalks positioned within the public right-of-way, where street trees have damaged the panels and therefore caused trip hazards.

While commissioners debated, in a statement presented by the mayor, McGriff revealed that more than 60 residents of the McLoughlin area have been met with complaints from “an adjoining neighbor.” Although she ultimately voted against the ordinance to amend city code to roll back sidewalk repair enforcement, she contended that officials should still offer relief to the affected community members — in addition to waiving fees.

“We need to be very aware of the mental and physical stress that this whole situation has taken on our community and, in addition, there’s financial distress as well for some of the people,” McGriff said. “I feel in some cases what we have been facing has been somewhat onerous and well above what is routine and normal for sidewalk issues in our community.”

City leaders debated the expansion of the program, noting that there are limits to how much additional funding can be allocated to sidewalk panels that aren’t affected by street trees. They also expressed concern that only expanding the program to certain neighborhoods would be unfair, rather than defining a new set of criteria for eligibility.