As Blacksburg sits under the thickest blanket it has seen since 1996, enforcement of the town’s code for snow removal has been relaxed.
According to section 21-112 of the town code, property owners are required to “remove the snow from the paved sidewalk in front of his or her property” within 24 hours of snowfall.
As of Thursday afternoon, some sections of walkway along North Main Street remain covered with several inches of snow.
David Darnell, senior code inspector for Blacksburg’s office of housing and neighborhood services, has been walking around town handing out notices to property owners failing to follow the town code.
Darnell estimated that his office received a record of more than 400 complaints from town residents, up from 155 complaints last year. Darnell said the number would have been higher, but he was out of town during the Christmas holiday when Blacksburg received a heavy amount of snow.
Darnell said the heavy amount of snow required some changes in enforcement.
“One has to make some allowances for the sheer volume we’ve seen,” Darnell said.
Instead of expecting people to clear an entire sidewalk, Darnell said he hoped property owners would clear one shovel width through the sidewalk “so people can walk single-file.”
Darnell said he had been walking high traffic areas around Blacksburg, from the intersection of North Main Street and Patrick Henry Drive all the way down to the First & Main shopping complex on South Main Street. Other areas receiving attention are Toms Creek Road, Prices Fork Road and the downtown neighborhoods of Roanoke Street and Lee Street.
While the number of complaints has reached record levels, the town has no system for fining property owners not in compliance with the rules. One reason for this has been the timing of handing out notices.
“Usually by the time you’d do some type of enforcement the snow would be melted,” Darnell said.
Darnell also noted he didn’t want to pressure those physically unable to clear the snow on their walkways.
“A lot of people are unable to shovel, and we don’t want to get into a situation where we are punishing the elderly and the disabled,” Darnell said.
He said those who are found to be physically unable to clear the snow on their sidewalks are placed on a list and later helped by a team of volunteers.
Darnell said he was impressed with people taking the time to do their part.
“It’s voluntary compliance, but we try our best to persuade people to do their civic duty, and make the sidewalks safe for pedestrians,” Darnell said. “People this winter, more than in past winters, are realizing how important that is.”
A version of this article appeared in the Feb 12 issue of the Collegiate Times.
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It's a shame that the town will punish its residents for not clearing the snow on their sidewalks when the town won't even clear the snow off of the side walks that border town property.
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Let me rephrase this: I clean my sidewalks off but the town doesn't clean off their side walks. I enjoy cleaning off my side walks infact.
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Actually, it isn't a shame at all.
Every property owner (town code or not) has a 'responsibility' to shovel the patch of sidewalk in front of their property. If everyone spent 20 minutes clearing the 20 or 30 feet running in front of their home or business then we'd be all cleared! Folks who 'complain' about it are just lazy and don't want to do it - which may keep you cozy and warm inside but hinders everyone else. It's called being a responsible member of society and having respect in your community. Plain and simple.
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It's not my responsibility, my property my rules. If that sidewalk is on land I own I will keep as much snow on it as I choose and if it its just outside of the land then I don't see how anyone could hold me accountable for it.
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Being from an area that gets more regular snow, I have been shocked at the laziness of Blacksburg residents. I can't believe people don't even bother to shovel some of the snow on their sidewalks. It's rude and self-centered. Get off the couch, get some exercise, take other citizens into consideration and shovel the sidewalk. If you can't, find some highschool kid that wants to make a few bucks and get them to do it.
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Spoken like a true lib accuse others while making no contribution of your own.
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Being from Wisconsin and knowing that people around here are not used to this amount of snow does not still make it right for people to not shovel their sidewalks. When I'm trying to walk to class down Toms Creek and have to walk most of the way in the street, something is wrong here. It has been the exact same portion going towards campus on the right side just before the church that has not been cleared in any of our snow storms we have had this winter. I do not think you'd enjoy having to walk through huge piles of snow going shopping or anything, so please clear your snow piles up.
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Solution: Slip on someone's sidewalk and call 911. Note the date and time and take a picture of the sidewalk. Request to go to the hospital and claim that you have neck and back pain. Finally when you get discharged get a personal injury lawyer and sue the property owner for millions.
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spoken like a true liberal...sue sue sue
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There are plenty of litigious people out there of all political stripes.
Some cities send out notices with garbage collectors who have to be out there anyway. There are ways of handling this. People should not have to be walking in the main roads to get to bus stops. The town needs to have plans for this kind of weather. It is not like we have not had it before. It was just as bad back in the 80s when I had to walk to my downtown job. Some towns have a 4-8 hour deadline and neighbors who cannot do it help one another...Non resident landlords also need to be held accountable.
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People like this are the reason our country has so many problems. Instead of lending a helping hand - Sue!! Just plain stupid.
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Please also be aware that not all streets in town have sidewalks. For example, the 600-700 block of Church St. does not, on either side.
So on the side streets, there may not be anything under that snow pile
that the plow left, to shovel down to. Not complaining about the snow piles either - our plowing staff have literally worked day and night to get us passable driving conditions and they deserve praise for their hard work. I have friends up in MD who have yet to see any plows on their roads at all, just to give us some perspective.
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