Winter Walking and Cycling

[danbrotherston]

I thought that sidewalk clearing was only going to increase my taxes by $45. The survey indicates that it is going to add $100.

I believe $45 was based on typical levels of service, basically implementing what residents are already expected to do (cleared up to 24 hours after snowfall). In the pilot area the city went beyond requirements. On my street it always cleared in time to walk to work.

Do you have a source for the sidewalks being cleared at a LOS above the standard LOS, or is that only your impression? I don't believe they were achieving a standard higher than the standard LOS applied to all existing city cleared sidewalks.

Of course, this can come down to people's expectations, and the implied messages by councillors.

For homeowners the requirement to clear in 24 hours means that bylaw can only enforce after 24 (but sometimes 72) hours, and take another 72 hours to clear.

For city clearing this means the last sidewalks will be cleared before 24 hours. Most sidewalks are clear much sooner.

As for the amount, I am sure they are managing expectations here, 45 dollars it the amount it was estimated, that could be low, 100 is definitely not "light".