Newsroom
For Immediate Release
Friday, February 26, 2010
Contact: Mary Curtius 703-228-7943 (voice) 703-228-4611(TTY)
Arlington County Board Directs Manager to Prepare Permanent Snow Removal Ordinance
60-Day Emergency Snow Removal Ordinance to be considered in March
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Arlington County Board on Tuesday announced it would consider a 60-day temporary snow removal ordinance at its March 13 meeting. The Board also instructed the Acting County Manager to analyze provisions that could address snow removal and draft a permanent snow removal ordinance for consideration at its April meeting.
“The time has come to adopt a permanent snow ordinance,” said County Board Chairman Jay Fisette. “Now we must engage the community in deciding how broad it should be and address the many details of implementation.”
"We have designed our community around walkability and transit," said Board Vice-chairman Chris Zimmerman, who offered the resolution. "When roadways are cleared for cars, people need to be able to walk safely on the sidewalks."
The Board’s action came after County government received numerous complaints in the wake of February’s historic blizzards that many property owners in commercial or high-density residential zones failed to clear their sidewalks in a timely manner.
“The availability of walkable sidewalks is essential to the public health, safety and welfare,” the resolution states. "Accumulations of snow and ice that make pedestrian use of sidewalks difficult or impossible present risks to the public health, safety and welfare, and constitute a public nuisance.”
Risks associated with snow on sidewalks are greatest where there is heavy pedestrian traffic, “such as access routes to Metro stations and bus stops and areas where there are concentrations of commercial and retail uses and high density residential uses, where walkable sidewalks are essential to pedestrian safety and the economic sustainability of the County,” the resolution states.
Public hearing on emergency ordinance set for March 13
The Board also voted unanimously to consider a temporary snow removal ordinance that, if adopted, would require managers and owners of buildings in commercial or high-density residential zones to clear snow from the sidewalks or footways abutting their properties within 24 hours of the snow ceasing to fall.
A public hearing on the proposed temporary ordinance was set for the Board's March 13 meeting. If adopted, the temporary ordinance would immediately become law, and remain in effect for 60 days.
Details of proposed temporary ordinance
The proposed emergency ordinance, if adopted, would require the “occupant or other person in charge” of commercial and high-residential properties in specified zones to clear away “all snow in excess of two inches upon said sidewalk within 24 hours after the snow ceases to fall.” The same requirement would apply to ice on sidewalks or footways. Exceptions would be provided for those who are over 65, disabled or physically impaired.
In cases where owners or managers fail to remove snow and ice, they could be subject to a civil penalty of $50 for a sidewalk less than 200 feet long, or $100 for a sidewalk longer than 200 feet. If the County removes the snow, it could recover the costs of removal from the owner or person in charge.
Read the Snow Removal Resolution and draft temporary snow removal ordinance.
View the Board discussion of the issue at its Feb. 23 meeting -- you'll find the discussion begins at 3:41 p.m. on the video.
Arlington, Va., is a world-class residential, business and tourist location that was originally part of the "10 miles square" parcel of land surveyed in 1791 to be the Nation's Capital. It is the geographically smallest self-governing county in the United States, occupying slightly less than 26 square miles. Arlington maintains a rich variety of stable neighborhoods, quality schools and enlightened land use, and received the Environmental Protection Agency's highest award for "Smart Growth" in 2002. Home to some of the most influential organizations in the world - including the Pentagon - Arlington stands out as one of America's preeminent places to live, visit and do business.
