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Item 6.3. <br />MEMORANDUM <br />TO: City Council <br />FROM: Planning Manager, Jeremy Barnhart <br />DATE: February 7, 201 1 <br />SUBJECT: Sidewalk Snowplowing Ordinance <br />Mayor Dietz requested the City Council review the sidewalk snowplowing ordinance. <br />City Code X46-34, addresses Public Nuisances Affecting Peace and Safety-The following shall be <br />declared to be nuisances affecting public peace and safety: <br />Section (a)(8) "Sidewalks that are not kept free of snow and ice during normal <br />business hours in commercial and industrial zoned districts and within 24 hours after <br />a snowfall within residential districts" <br />History <br />This section was part of the 1982 City Code. In 2008 Council directed staff to enforce the <br />abatement ordinances based on complaints. In winter 2008 the city started enforcing the <br />sidewalk ordinance, but because the code enforcement process was developing, zero <br />complaints were received. In 2009, with greater awareness of the ordinance, the city received <br />additional complaints: <br />Year ~ Complaints/Letter Written- I Properties Abated <br />2009 10 p <br />2010 76 11 <br />2011 31 3 <br />On January 19, 2011 staff received a complaint regarding the sidewalk on the north side of <br />Highland Avenue. Code enforcement staff investigated and found that the sidewalk had not <br />been cleared. As is practice, staff sent letters to other properties on the same block, <br />recognizing that enforcing a snow removal requirement on one parcel, but not addressing it <br />at their neighbors, is a waste of resources and time and does not address the original <br />complaint. Seven notices were sent. On January 22, 2011 a property owner received the <br />letter and contacted the Mayor. A request to appeal has not been received by staff from the <br />property owner. <br />C:\UsersMallard\Desktop\Sidewalk Ord Mem.doc <br />