Sidewalks & Snow

This most recent snow storm was unusual and sudden. I appreciate that. However, it does not seem that the sidewalks were touched by the snow removal team. The snow is becoming ice. This is a hazard. Is this a new policy?

 

No same policy we have always had. We do not do anything with the sidewalks for snow less the 3 inches . Never have

Staci

 

So if the HOA does not do sidewalks for less than 3", how does this not violate the county ordinance 1022.01 ?

 

It is not just the number of inches. It is also the likelihood of ice on the sidewalks for days.

This has been unsafe for many days.

I do appreciate that the words of Everitt Dirksen when speaking of the defense budget, "A billion dollars here, a billion dollars there and soon you are talking about real money." (quote from memory).

A call was made with many factors in mind. I respect that the call was made with limtied information and the best of intentions. I just want to bring this to everyone's attenion. Walking is my major Broadlands amenity.

 

I agree. I walk my dog daily. And have needed to walk in the street as it is not slippery like the sidewalks.

 

Please call the HOA Office with the location of the icy sidewalks. If they are HOA maintained, we can look into it. If they are a homeowners responsibility, then you can forward a complaint to the county.

 

I'm confused. If the HOA takes no action if the snow is less than 3", why is a homeowner expected to do so? It seems like the rules should be the same for everyone.

 

There are many walking trails that Broadlands does not plow regardless of how much snow we get. I don't know what sidewalks the person is concerned with, who is responsible for them, and they issue can't be looked into unless the HOa has the specifics.
And I don't necessarily agree with the 3" statement as an absolute. The first snow we got this year was less than 3" and I saw them plowing the path behind my house.

 

The sidewalk along Demott amd Vestals Gap were not touched.

Nor was the path along Claiborne.

 

The HOA would be "a person in charge" of the HOA property and owns the property. I do not see how it does not apply.

Code states:

1022.01 REMOVAL OF SNOW AND ICE.
(a) Removal Required. Every occupant, owner or other person in charge of any
property in the County which has a sidewalk or a footway of stone, brick, gravel, cinder,
wood or other substance, when such walk is publicly owned or maintained, and is adjoining
and touching the property in front, rear or either side thereof, shall have all snow and ice, and any combination thereof, removed from such sidewalk or footway within six hours after such snow or ice, or a combination thereof, has ceased falling, unless the same has fallen during the night, in which case it shall be removed before 12:00 noon following the night in which the snow or ice, or combination thereof, has fallen. In the event snow or ice, or a
combination thereof, falls upon Sunday, such occupants, owners or other persons in charge
shall have until 12:00 noon Monday to comply with this requirement.

 

Yes it might apply, although HOA sidewalks are privately, not publically, maintained. There were times during last year's snowmageddon that we simply chose NOT to do it. Example: Broadlands Blvd sidewalk after VDOT deposited all of the snow from the road over the sidewalk, burying it under a 12 foot wide, 6 foot deep pile. This was, of course, after the HOA paid a ton of money to have it cleared once.
Yes, anyone could file a complaint, and yes, the HOA could be fined. Or we could have spent untold thousands of dollars clearing it. Either way, the HOA ( read: residents) will pay for it.

 

I just found it interesting that a lot of folks complained about sidewalks in front of homes not being cleare during snowmagedon, but not one seemed to hold the HOA responsible for "their" sidewalks.

I understand their complaints, but it was unusual circumstances.

 

Mr. linux - the post you referenced was not actually directed ast me, but a home 2 doors down that did not do any snow removal on their property for over a week.

I was not actually complaining about the HOA not clearing specific areas or sidewalks, or trails. I do think it makes sense for certain areas to be cleared where there would be a gap so the kids could have safe passage to/from the bus. i would not be in favor of increased costs to clear all the trails even if thst would meet the letter of the law.

My only point was that during the storms last year people got very upset about this topic and started pointing at homeowners, but never the HOA. One of the complaints was tha sidewalks were not cleared so people could walk their dogs. Quite frankly, I was not going to spend 2 days shoveling so you can walk your dog and pee on my lawn. You can shovel your yard for that. I will shovel so kids can safely get to the bus.

 

Believe me, your assumption here is incorrect. You just have no way of knowing the number of calls and complaints the HOA receives about snow removal.
In addition to calls to the HOA Office, some residents felt the need to call my home at 2am because their street had only been plowed once and it's been a few hours and it needs it again!

 

Let the HOA office know so they can get in touch with the contractor

Staci