03-09-2019, 08:04 AM
There was a lot said about "effort by the property owner." If a sidewalk is "passable," and, particularly, "there was an effort by the property owner to clear or treat," it is not cited to be cleared. This last part was essentially the case when it came to windrows blocking crosswalks and thrown onto curb-faced sidewalks: it's not the property owner's fault that's there, if they "made an effort" to clear it, a citation won't be received.
I was told specifically that "bare concrete" does not apply. So the standards have changed. I want to understand how, exactly. I've e-mailed my councillor to ask what guidance was given to staff in terms of where a notice is given or not. I also want to understand what the city thinks the process is to clear windrows, which I would argue are the most significant impediment to mobility.
It might be the case that there is no real process. Reading between the lines this winter, I think the City's priority has been to avoid giving notices to property owners who might be upset by them. But they are still arguing the system works, and now will argue that based in part on how few notices were given.
I was told specifically that "bare concrete" does not apply. So the standards have changed. I want to understand how, exactly. I've e-mailed my councillor to ask what guidance was given to staff in terms of where a notice is given or not. I also want to understand what the city thinks the process is to clear windrows, which I would argue are the most significant impediment to mobility.
It might be the case that there is no real process. Reading between the lines this winter, I think the City's priority has been to avoid giving notices to property owners who might be upset by them. But they are still arguing the system works, and now will argue that based in part on how few notices were given.