While the City has cleared bus stops many sidewalks in Nanaimo, including this one on Bowen Rd., remain bumpy and impassable for many due to compact snow and ice. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

ICE AND SNOW

‘We try to respond to all complaints:’ Nanaimo sidewalk clearing falls on property owners

Dec 6, 2022 | 5:25 AM

NANAIMO — While most roads in the region remain mostly clear from two significant snow events within a week, sidewalks are a different issue.

Many sidewalks in front of homes and businesses remain under a thick layer of compacted snow and ice, despite City of Nanaimo bylaws requiring property owners clear areas adjacent to their property within 24 hours of a snowfall event.

Dave LaBerge, City manager of bylaw services, said rules in Nanaimo reflect many other municipalities in B.C., where the onus rests with the property owner and not the City.

“We have hundreds of kilometres of sidewalks in the city and just as we don’t have enough City resources to keep all the streets, particularly secondary arteries clear, nor do we have the investigative and enforcement capacity to check all of the hundreds of kilometres of streets.”

It means an approach from local government to educate and encourage residents to do the right thing, rather than enforce bylaws in place.

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The City does clear sidewalks in and around its facilities including recreation centres, pools and government buildings. In addition they will also clear active transportation routes, sidewalks on bridges, stairs, tunnels and around transit stops.

The rest though is up to the property owner, including Good Samaritans going the extra mile.

LaBerge said they are not out actively looking for violators and rely on residents to report areas which remain dangerous well after the snow stops falling.

“We try to give priority to the areas that have a lot of pedestrian traffic, your commercial corridors. It is a complaint driven process and to the best of the ability of our resources, we try to respond to all complaints.”

LaBerge concedes it’s not a perfect system, re-emphasizing the focus is on education as opposed to widespread ticketing.

He said City officials look to take a “thoughtful and measured” approach to enforcement. Frequent feedback from property owners includes the fact they had cleared a sidewalk but it was re-covered by passing snow plows.

Illness, extended absence or a vacant property are other common reasons for delayed clearing.

“It would be a really simple enforcement response for us to just to drive past, take a photograph of it and mail tickets to the property owner but it doesn’t really consider the nuances of every situation.”

LaBerge said a “handful of situations” in the last year resulted in tickets, however bylaw officers have sent countless letters and had direct conversations with property owners.

Improving the situation directly, with the City taking over responsibility across Nanaimo, isn’t something realistic or feasible, according to LaBerge.

“You make an investment of snow clearing equipment, you spend millions of dollars and hire more staff to operate it. You might use it half a dozen times a year and then it’s parked and not used for the rest of the time.”

Nanaimo boasts around 560 kilometres of roads with varying levels of sidewalk infrastructure.

The recently boosted Risebridge warming centre on Albert St. has seen an increase for help even accessing their services let along people walking through the door.

Jovonne Johnson, executive director, said those with mobility challenges are having a difficult time navigating the snow and slippery ice.

“If you’re using a cane, a walker, a wheelchair, you’re not able to cross the snow like those of us who have the privilege of two legs and nice warm winter boots. It’s not the reality for a lot of people. So all of us doing our part to try and clear away at least some walkway would definitely be much appreciated.”

One client of Risebridge, an elderly woman, is unable to make it down to access services because of sidewalk ice.

Others in need of community services aren’t able to get to where they need to be.

“I can think of at least a dozen people who don’t even choose to go down to (Salvation Army) New Hope for the food service, which is our only option in community right now, because they don’t have the physical means to get down there and walk down the hill,” Johnson added.

Considerable portions of sidewalks in the 1800-1900 blocks of Bowen Rd. remain covered with compacted snow, except a bus stop which was cleared by City of Nanaimo crews. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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alex@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @alexrawnsley