Mo' snow: Sidewalks clearer in Jan than 'snowpocalypse'

Three weeks after Snowpocalypse, this sidewalk at the major intersection of Ridge and West Main was impassable in a wheelchair.
PHOTO BY KEVIN COX

For weeks after December’s massive volume of snowfall ceased, snow remained on sidewalks in violation of Charlottesville’s City Code and causing frustration for both able and disabled citizens who use sidewalks.

The latest 10.5 inches officially recorded at McCormick Observatory for the January 30 snow brings a different grade to city efforts: much improved.

"The city has done a terrific job of cleaning curb ramps and crosswalks," says sidewalk watchdog Kevin Cox. "Ramps that weren't cleared for weeks at the last storm– crews were there. City crews went out of their way clearing some ramps that were private property."

"It was a smaller storm so not necessarily apples to apples, but much of what we did differently seemed to pay off with neighborhoods and pedestrian safety advocates," writes city spokesman Ric Barrick in an email.

The city’s poor job of clearing its own sidewalks was a factor in why Charlottesville police declined to issue citations weeks after the big snow, even though City Code requires walkways be cleared within 12 hours after snowfall ceases.

“I think any person who received a citation would have a defensible argument that Judge [Robert] Downer would dismiss,” says Police Chief Tim Longo. “If the city is not fulfilling its responsibilities and not shoveling snow,” he suggests a citizen might ask, “ââ?¬Ë?Why are you fining me?’”

An innovation proposed by Kevin Cox, endorsed by the Mayor, and quickly made reality.
PHOTO BY HAWES SPENCER

Another good defense, says Longo, could be for residents who shoveled snow and then had city or contractor snowplows push it back on the sidewalk.

The Pedestrian Safety Committee met January 26 to address concerns from the pre-Christmas Snowpocalypse.

As a result, the city made some changes. The parks and recreation department, which is responsible for clearing city-owned walks– except for schools– has purchased additional snowblowers.

So has the school system, which now has a plan for public sidewalk snow removal during weekends and holidays, according to Superintendent Rosa Atkins.

"Parks and Rec did a much better job," observes Cox. "And CTS kept the bus routes running. Keeping the routes open really helped." In the December snow, for several days only two of the city's 16 transit routes were running.

And Friday, January 29, the city banned parking on Market, Water and West Main streets for easier plowing.

"There's still a problem with some private parking lots pushing snow onto the sidewalk and blocking it," says Cox.

Besides the lesser volume of snow, he notes one other difference from the last storm: a greater number of volunteers turned out to help people who couldn't shovel snow. "I saw many folks on Sunday cleaning their walks and helping others get the job done," says Cox.

The city posted and advertised a number–- 970-3333–- for volunteers to call, and Cox says he'd like to help organize a database of would-be snow shovelers. He's meeting with assistant manager Maurice Jones to work on that in anticipation of this weekend's predicted heavy snow. "The city is being proactive," says Cox.

Helping those who can't clear walkways, such as the elderly and disabled, is one aspect the city considers as it contemplates current snow removal code. “We’re looking at the whole ordinance,” says Chief Longo.

One possibility might be to have Neighborhood Development Services handle unshoveled walks as it does with uncut grass. It would issue warnings, and if the snow isn’t cleared, the city would remove it and charge the property owner, says Longo.

Failure to comply with the current city ordinance is a Class 1 misdemeanor, which carries up to 12 months in jail and up to a $2,500 fine. “I think it’s ridiculous it’s a Class 1 misdemeanor,” blasts Longo.

Cox is sympathetic to the chief's position– to a point. "City parks and rec and public works weakened Longo's argument that he can't enforce the ordinance because the city's sidewalks weren't cleared," says Cox. "It's not his decision on how the code is classified. He's not a legislator."

As far as Cox is concerned, some enforcement is still warranted. "They've got to do something about these private property owners who push snow on to sidewalks," he declares.

And with more snow predicted for this weekend, says Cox, there's not enough time to change the ordinance.

Updated February 2. Original story below.

Update 2:10pm: Downtown parking will be restricted on Market and Water streets from Ridge to 10th streets starting at 6pm today and on West Main at 10pm until the upcoming snow is cleared. Free parking is available at the Market Street and Water Street garages.
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For weeks after December's massive volume of snowfall ceased, snow remained on sidewalks in violation of Charlottesville's City Code and causing frustration for both able and disabled citizens who use sidewalks. And with more snow forecast for this weekend, pedestrians wonder: Will the city clean its sidewalks and enforce its code?

"I think they will do a better job," says pedestrian activist Kevin Cox. "It's almost inevitable they'll learn something from this last snow."

The city's poor job of clearing its own sidewalks was a factor in why Charlottesville police declined to issue citations weeks after the big snow, even though City Code requires walkways be cleared within 12 hours after snowfall ceases.

"I think any person who received a citation would have a defensible argument that Judge [Robert] Downer would dismiss," says Police Chief Tim Longo. "If the city is not fulfilling its responsibilities and not shoveling snow," he suggests a citizen might ask, "'Why are you fining me?'"

Another good defense, says Longo, could be for residents who shoveled snow and then had city or contractor snowplows push it back on the sidewalk.

The Pedestrian Safety Committee met January 26 to address concerns from the pre-Christmas Snowpocalypse. "We're looking at the whole ordinance," says Longo, including how to handle the elderly and disabled who might have trouble shoveling.

One possibility might be to have Neighborhood Development Services handle unshoveled walks as it does with uncut grass. It would issue warnings, and if the snow isn't cleared, the city would remove it and charge the property owner, says Longo.

Failure to comply with the current city ordinance is a Class 1 misdemeanor, which carries up to 12 months in jail and up to a $2,500 fine. "I think it's ridiculous it's a Class 1 misdemeanor," blasts Longo.

The city has made changes in anticipation of the predicted storm based on feedback from the December snow, says city spokesman Ric Barrick. The parks and recreation department, which is responsible for clearing city-owned walks– except for schools– has purchased additional snowblowers.

So has the school system, which now has a plan for public sidewalk snow removal during weekends and holidays, according to Superintendent Rosa Atkins.

Clearing bus routes will be a priority, and a CTS truck will make sure bus stops are cleared.

Barrick says that unattended cars in travel lanes– a huge problem during the last storm– will be towed at owners' expense. He reminds those plowing private lots that it's illegal to push it onto public sidewalks. And when the city plows streets, it's inevitable that snow will block driveways, and the city will not be back to clear it.

Kevin Cox remains optimistic that the city's snow removal will improve. "I think there will be better awareness of leaving curb ramps open and not pushing snow on sidewalks," he says.

And there's one other thing, says Cox, "I think they'll get a lot less snow to deal with."

Updated 11:45am with city changes.