Kitchener cracks down on sidewalk shovelling — hundreds get notices
KITCHENER — Bylaw officers in Kitchener have inspected thousands of sidewalks and issued hundreds of notices for failure to shovel after a snowstorm.
It’s all part of a new proactive approach that’s being tested.
In late November, four bylaw officers were hired to inspect sidewalks across the city.
The city requires property owners to clear sidewalks within 24 hours after a snowfall.
Previously, bylaw officers only responded to complaints from the public. But the complaints-only approach meant clearing the city’s 1,200 kilometres of sidewalks was often patchy.
Sidewalks were often impassable, especially for those with a disability.
The city has had two major snowfalls since it began proactive enforcement.
four officers have inspected sidewalks in all 10 city wards, focusing on high-traffic areas near schools, shops and other pedestrian destinations, said Gloria MacNeil, director of bylaw enforcement.
They’ve inspected the sidewalks in front of 1,700 homes, and issued 381 notices when they felt the walks weren’t properly cleared.
The first notice issued is a warning.
Officers return a day later. If the sidewalk is cleared properly, the file is closed.
But if snow remains, the city calls a contractor to clear it and bills the homeowner — a cost that averages about $280 but can run as high as $400.
Of the 381 properties that got notices, a contractor was called in for just one, MacNeil said — confirming the city’s belief that a first warning leads to cleared walks in the vast majority of cases.
MacNeil added the program has been a good way to educate residents who may not realize they’re obligated to shovel.
But she conceded it has led to some angry reaction from property owners whose shovelling efforts weren’t up to city standards.
“Generally our biggest conThe cern is ice,” she said.
“Somebody could have done a fantastic job but there was one section where there was some ice, and we issued a notice. There are people who are very frustrated about that.”
In addition to the proactive inspections, bylaw officers are also responding to complaints.
The city has received 861 complaints about unshovelled walks, which led to 35 referrals to contractors. That compared to about 1,600 complaints last winter.
The snowfall last week sparked almost 500 complaints.
MacNeil is hoping to find a more balanced approach for those homeowners who genuinely made an effort to clear sidewalks but still got notices.
A report on proactive sidewalk enforcement, which cost $170,000, will go to council in late spring.
Somebody could have done a fantastic job but there was one spot where there was ice, and we issued a notice. There are people who are very frustrated about that. GLORIA MACNEIL