Sidewalk Snow Clearing

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Consultation has concluded

This month, the City of Hamilton is launching its online Sidewalk Snow Clearing Survey to help measure and better understand the needs and wishes of residents related to sidewalk snow clearing during the winter months.

The Engage Hamilton Sidewalk Snow Clearing project comes in response to a motion approved by Council in February 2020 that directed staff to explore the challenges and benefits associated with universal sidewalk snow removal across Hamilton. Due to the restrictions of in-person consultation as a result of COVID-19, the City postponed the Sidewalk Snow Clearing Engagement Project until it could launch here, in lieu of in-person consultation.

The City is looking for resident feedback regarding the impacts to inclusivity, accessibility and the financial implications of increasing service levels.

Until September 11, 2020 the City of Hamilton is looking for resident and advisory group input into the proposed service level changes being considered. Recommendations from residents will be presented to Council and next steps will be determined in fall 2020.

Project Background
The City currently clears 397 km of the approximate 2,445 km of sidewalks across Hamilton including: sidewalks on municipally-owned property, along reverse frontage lots, formerly Ward 12 in its entirety, and sidewalks adjacent to school property, owned by either the Public or Private School Board, in conjunction with By-law No. 03-296 on a charge-back basis.

There are three potential options being discussed regarding the levels of sidewalk clearing in Hamilton.

Scenario 1: Base case, (existing Service) 397 KM of Sidewalk
Scenario 2: Priority 1 and 2A Roadways. This includes all bus routes, but does not include all residential streets.
Scenario 3: City Wide Roadways. This includes all bus routes and all residential streets.

ScenariosKM of Sidewalks% of SidewalksActivation TriggerService Level
Existing Service39716.2Snow CoveredClear and application of salt
Priority 1 and 2A Roadways1,18048.25 cm accumulation on City sidewalks on priority 1 and 2A roadways plus the existing inventorySnow packed condition with de-icing material application
City Wide Roadways2,4451005 cm accumulation on all City sidewalksSnow packed condition with de-icing material application


Mapped Sidewalk Snow Clearing Scenarios

Map of Hamilton neighbourhoodView map showing different sidewalk clearing scenarios

This month, the City of Hamilton is launching its online Sidewalk Snow Clearing Survey to help measure and better understand the needs and wishes of residents related to sidewalk snow clearing during the winter months.

The Engage Hamilton Sidewalk Snow Clearing project comes in response to a motion approved by Council in February 2020 that directed staff to explore the challenges and benefits associated with universal sidewalk snow removal across Hamilton. Due to the restrictions of in-person consultation as a result of COVID-19, the City postponed the Sidewalk Snow Clearing Engagement Project until it could launch here, in lieu of in-person consultation.

The City is looking for resident feedback regarding the impacts to inclusivity, accessibility and the financial implications of increasing service levels.

Until September 11, 2020 the City of Hamilton is looking for resident and advisory group input into the proposed service level changes being considered. Recommendations from residents will be presented to Council and next steps will be determined in fall 2020.

Project Background
The City currently clears 397 km of the approximate 2,445 km of sidewalks across Hamilton including: sidewalks on municipally-owned property, along reverse frontage lots, formerly Ward 12 in its entirety, and sidewalks adjacent to school property, owned by either the Public or Private School Board, in conjunction with By-law No. 03-296 on a charge-back basis.

There are three potential options being discussed regarding the levels of sidewalk clearing in Hamilton.

Scenario 1: Base case, (existing Service) 397 KM of Sidewalk
Scenario 2: Priority 1 and 2A Roadways. This includes all bus routes, but does not include all residential streets.
Scenario 3: City Wide Roadways. This includes all bus routes and all residential streets.

ScenariosKM of Sidewalks% of SidewalksActivation TriggerService Level
Existing Service39716.2Snow CoveredClear and application of salt
Priority 1 and 2A Roadways1,18048.25 cm accumulation on City sidewalks on priority 1 and 2A roadways plus the existing inventorySnow packed condition with de-icing material application
City Wide Roadways2,4451005 cm accumulation on all City sidewalksSnow packed condition with de-icing material application


Mapped Sidewalk Snow Clearing Scenarios

Map of Hamilton neighbourhoodView map showing different sidewalk clearing scenarios

Leave us your thoughts

Consultation has concluded

After many years being a residential tax payer it’s about time they are finally looking into this hopeful snow removal. The city should be clearing the residential sidewalks of snow. Less slips and falls and would reduce city lawsuits. I would like to see the city give back to residents that way I at least would feel like we were getting service for our tax money paid. Just a Stoney Creek (upper) residents “thoughts”

DDEBRA over 3 years ago

Student rentals are rarely cleared as well as the rentals in my area.

Sean Carter over 3 years ago

I am happy to clear the sidewalk - great exercise during winter but do not increase the taxes.

Long over 3 years ago

Do not under any circumstances increase taxes for this. If you are cutting some other services to save money to clear the sidewalks that is fine, but not one more new dollar of tax. All I do is pay almost $7000 a year in property tax, and a massive portion of my income and all I get in return is my garbage picked up once a week, roads with a few potholes and a hospital that I do not need.

Stop wasting tax dollars and learn how to be efficient like a responsible household or business must be.

Kyle over 3 years ago

Sidewalks are city property and I will not clear them

Smiley over 3 years ago

I am all for the good option, option 3. My husband and I are older. I cannot shovel snow due to physical disabilities and he is having the same physical problems.

Chris over 3 years ago

The city absolutely needs to take responsibility for clearing ALL sidewalks in the city. Many people have physical limitations that limit their ability to clear snow. Others, such as myself, work all day an may not have time or energy to clear snow every time. As a person of means, I thjnk it's totally reasonable for mr and people like me to pay a little extra in taxes so that everyone has access to safe and clear streets. This isn't a difficult concept.

Tim Anderson over 3 years ago

Questions such as income, postal code , name, racial background etc. should not be asked in such a survey because they leave themselves open for discrimination. Decisions should not be based upon perceptions of wealth, influence or status. Decisions should be based upon the need to best serve all citizens to have the highest quality of life that they are able to have.

NormaNew over 3 years ago

I believe there should be a fourth option which is any sidewalk on a bus route.

citizen over 3 years ago

I want to shovel my own sidewalk!

I love the exercise!

pleepsy444 over 3 years ago

There is a gap in the choices in the salary range question - one option $50,000-$75,000 and then jumps to over $100,000.
Not sure why entering an email address is required as that will likely turn off some potential respondents. Also wondering why a screen name is needed?
I used a junk email address that I never check, so no need to reply, just wanted to raise these concerns.

amazing over 3 years ago

I think option 3 is best. That way everything is cleared with out question.

Cdubs over 3 years ago

I believe scenario 2 is best. Also need to ticket people who dont shovel. Renters seem to think that it's not their responsibility. That also needs to change.

buelph over 3 years ago