Waterloo Considers Stricter Snow and Ice Removal Rules for Downtown Area
Waterloo City Council is considering implementing stricter rules for snow and ice removal in the downtown area. A proposed ordinance will be discussed during the council meeting, aiming to amend the city code and impose new regulations on business and property owners regarding sidewalk maintenance. The current code requires downtown property owners to remove 2 inches or more of snow and ice from sidewalks within 24 hours.
Under the proposed ordinance, property owners in the defined downtown business district, bounded by Franklin, Sixth, Jefferson, and First streets, would have additional responsibilities. In addition to clearing 2 inches or more of snow and ice within 24 hours, they would also be required to use salt or abrasive materials to ensure safe foot traffic. Moreover, the entire length and width of their property’s sidewalk would need to be cleared.
To facilitate snow removal, property owners would be required to clear the snow from the building to 2 feet past the curb and place it in the parking area for removal by city crews. It is important to note that if additional snow events occur, the timeframe for removal from the original snowfall will not reset.
However, the proposed ordinance maintains the existing regulations for property owners within a three-block radius of schools and hospitals, who would still have to remove 2 or more inches of snow within 24 hours. All other areas of the city would have a 48-hour timeframe for snow removal, which remains unchanged from the current rules.
In addition to the snow and ice removal discussions, the City Council will hold public hearings on various topics. This includes hearings on reallocating up to $300,000 in unspent proceeds of general obligation bonds for repairs to City Hall’s roof and temperature controls, as well as a public hearing on a $7.1 million bid for the Byrnes Aquatic Center project.
Furthermore, the council will consider selling a property to M&MB Legacy, LLC for $1, which would be used for a truck repair facility. The property, located south of 2330 GT Drive, consists of a 5,000-square-foot building and a 4,000-square-foot future expansion potential. The minimum assessment agreement for this property stands at $265,000.
The proposed stricter snow and ice removal rules aim to enhance pedestrian safety and ensure better sidewalk maintenance in the downtown area. The City Council will carefully consider the ordinance and its potential impact on property owners and the community as a whole.
