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.”