By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Mail carriers, dog walkers and kids trudging to schools aren’t the only ones who want sidewalks cleared of snow in Bowling Green.
The city wants sidewalks cleared within 24 hours after snowstorms stop. And if homeowners don’t shovel their sidewalks, the city will do the work and send them the bill.
This is how it works. If a citizen complains or if the code enforcement officer sees a snow-covered sidewalk, the city will send a contractor out to clear the walkway. The homeowner will then be sent a bill for about $65. If the bill isn’t paid, the charge will be placed on the property’s taxes.
If the city has to return to the same property later in the winter, the owner will be charged the snow removal rate, plus receive a civil citation. The citation fines start at $50 and increase each time, with a maximum penalty of $150.
The sidewalk regulations started out of a concern for children walking to school. “The focus was to keep kids safe walking to school, to keep them off the streets,” said Brian Craft, director of the city’s public works department.
About six years ago, city officials added another step to the process after being accused by a resident vacationing in Florida of charging him improperly. So now, the city takes “before” photographs of the snowy sidewalks and “after” photos of the cleared walkways, Craft said.
City officials would much rather landowners clear their own walks – but they also have an obligation to provide safe walking surfaces in the community.
“We’re wanting to work with the residents as much as possible,” said Assistant Municipal Administrator Joe Fawcett.
The city has had the snow removal ordinance for years, but initially hoped that residents would just comply. That didn’t happen, Craft said.
“People would call and say, ‘Why do you have this rule if you aren’t enforcing it?’” Craft recalled.
So in 2008, the city changed its system. The city started clearing walks, charging residents, and issuing citations. In most cases, that did the trick.
“People have changed their behavior,” Craft said.
The policy is reinforced each year by city announcements and by peer pressure from neighbors, Craft added.
“It’s common knowledge that you should shovel your sidewalk,” he said.
Of course, there is a learning curve each winter. “Every year we get new residents,” said Heather Sayler, city planning director.
The city checked on a few citizen complaints this past Wednesday, but found the sidewalks had been cleared, Sayler said.
Because of last year’s uncommonly snow-free winter, the city did not have to shovel or cite any property owners, Craft said.
Anyone wanting to report uncleared sidewalks may call the city public works office at 419-354-6227 or the city planning office at 419-354-6218.
