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C. Sidewalk behind curbs: Of course, ideally, a sidewalk is located 10 feet or so behind the curb, <br />leaving plenty of space for snow storage. In reality, in some cases, the sidewalk is placed directly <br />behind the curb, often to avoid additional costs, private improvements, or existing vegetation. <br />Staff suggests that future sidewalks be located as close to ten feet back of curb. For those <br />existing, staff believes these property owners should be responsible for the snow. Like property <br />owners in a cul-de-sac, there is `extra' snow they must deal with. (An argument that those <br />property owners pay a premium fox cul-de-sac lots also holds to those lots where the property <br />owner received the benefit of a sidewalk was placed near the curb, to avoid vegetation, private <br />improvements, etc.) <br />D. Snowbirds: Staff does not recommend any changes to the process as they relate to snowbirds, <br />or those that leave for extended periods of time. Not only it is impossible to know when <br />property owners leave for the winter or extended periods of time, the obligation still exist when <br />the owner leaves. Snow piles up, grass grows. These issues are part of the things that must be <br />addressed prior to leaving, like stopping the newspaper, forwarding the mail, and emptying the <br />refrigerator. <br />Clearly, there will be opposition to the proposal staff suggests, in part because the alternative <br />requires less work on the part of some of the property owners. Regardless of the opposition, staff <br />believes strongly that the solutions suggested balances the needs of all, including users of the <br />sidewalk system, property owners that clear a sidewalk because it is an obligation of being a part of a <br />community, property owners that clear a sidewalk because it's a requirement, and the City that must <br />enforce consistently the rules and regulations. <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT <br />Costs for additional press releases, door hangers, and additional staff time have not been calculated. <br />ATTACHMENTS <br />^ None <br />Action Motion by Second by Vote <br />FOllow Up <br />N:\Public Bodies\City Council\Councl RCA\Agenda Packet\OS-16-2011\Request for Action -snow process 5-16-11.docx <br />