Businesses Still Struggle With Sidewalk Snow Removal; Some Step Up
By STEPHEN SIEGEL
Falls Church Times Staff
February 9, 2010
Some city businesses that failed to shovel their sidewalks in earlier storms are trying to do better following last week’s storm of the century. But many others still don’t appear to be aware of, or interested in, the requirements.
All businesses — and residents — are required by Falls Church City ordinance to clear snow from the sidewalks surrounding their property; residents have 12 hours after snow stops falling, but businesses have only six. If the snow falls at night, businesses and residents need to clear their sidewalks within six hours after sunrise.
The big storm finally ceased Saturday afternoon, but as of late Tuesday, 72 hours later, many sidewalks remained untouched. Because of the record-breaking quantity of snow that fell, it may take more time for businesses and residents to complete the task.
“This time will be a little longer,” said Robin Dickerson, store manager at Rite Aid, which had two men working on its Broad Street sidewalk Tuesday at 5 pm. That’s several days after they had cleared the store’s parking lots and front doors, but a lot better than some other businesses.
At Wachovia Bank, at the northwest corner of Broad and West, branch manager Jamin Olney had insisted to the Times last week that they weren’t responsible for the sidewalks on the two major thoroughfares surrounding their facility. But he got them cleared quickly when a bank employee interjected that they are indeed responsible.
Mr. Olney was on the phone inquiring why they weren’t cleared this time when a Times reporter came into the branch Monday afternoon. They were still untouched at 5 pm Tuesday.
Some businesses have successfully cleared their sidewalks, despite the prodigious quantities of snow. At Taco Bell, at the southeast corner of Broad and West, both sidewalks were cleared by late Monday afternoon. The restaurant was closed all weekend, so they got to it when they reopened, store manager Carolyn Rhue said.
While some businesses have expressed surprise that they’re required to clear the sidewalks, and suggested to a reporter that it’s the City’s responsibility, Ms. Rhue is clear that it’s the restaurant’s job. “My area coach told me,” she said.
Jiffy Lube, which was an offender last time, cleared its sidewalk Tuesday. But many other businesses remain blissfully unaware, and the cash-strapped city government seems unwilling or unable to do any code enforcement.
Bringing revenue to the city shouldn’t be the primary reason for the enforcement, but the combined penalties could add up to significant money. First offenders are charged $100, and three-time scofflaws are relieved of $750.
Using a back of the envelope calculation, the block between West and Birch alone would be a veritable gold mine, let alone adding in the rest of the city. Sunoco, Wachovia, the defunct Falls Church Cabinetry (where building owner Broad Street Realty Trust would be responsible), 7-Eleven, West End Shopping Center, FC Auto, and Ammoury Auto, among others, could all be on their third fine by now.
If they had been penalized just once, that would be $100 each or $700 total. If each had been fined three times, the total would balloon to $1,150 each or $8,050. If that were duplicated around the city, the amount could rise to the level of a city employee’s salary.
By Stephen Siegel
February 9, 2010
Ultimately, this issue comes down to cost for the businesses. The City has fines in place in order to encourage businesses to clear the sidewalks, not to generate revenue.
I know last time I was kind of joking, but instead of fining businesses (which it seems like the City doesn’t plan to do) why don’t we work out a program where businesses just pay the cost of having the sidewalks cleared? I’m guessing the City could contract out this job to someone. Businesses could opt in or opt out – and if they opt out they would be subject to the fines as they currently exist. It seems like a City-wide contract would ensure a good price for snow removal so most businesses would opt in.
I do think the ordinance should make some sort of exception (not sure what sort) for sidewalks that are adversely affected when the streets are plowed.
Right now the businesses pay property tax, real estate tax, sales tax, meals tax, bpol tax to name a few. The city doesn’t collect their trash, their recycling, never catches thieves, blocks driveways, limits parking, delays permits, and so on. Perhaps the city could at least shovel the sidewalks for the few people who risk their lives walking down broad street with cars speeding and dodging left turners
The Wachovia and the Jiffy Lube each have completely cleared parking lots and drivewasy. Fines can be effective but what about a regulation that every plowing contract for a business has to include clearing the sidewalks?
Both Wachovia and Jiffy Lube have sparkling clear driveways and parking areas. I see private trucks with plows and each has a snowblower in the back.
Every plowing contract should be required to cover walks as well as parking lots.
Stacy, have you heard about the new potentially proposed business overlay tax to raise funds for redeveloping downtown walkability and transportation? Now I don’t think the city should pay to shovel the sidewalks, but you are correct, there are many streams of money flowing out of business pocketbooks, and snow removal is yet another, and boy is it expensive!
Those snow removal crews that are supposed to miraculously clear the walks within 6 hours are doing it at multiple locations across the region – there are only so many to go around. Also, don’t forget that many of the sidewalks are right up to the street and the snow that was once on the street is now compacted on the walks. To the writers of this story, it seems that everyone, residences and businesses, should be cut a break because of the shear amount of snow that fell.
Snow, Snow go away,
Come again another day.
It looks like Lloyd got part of his wish (the come again another day part… not the go away part).
All three of the Quinn men were out shoveling and blowing the snow from our Falls Church Antiques, Broad St. side on Saturday, and got us cleared . On Sunday, Paul was working to make the rear access better. Along came Councilman Dave Snyder who took the shovel and finished it off. We were happy to have him in for a cup of hot chocolate and conversation with folks who dropped in.
AN EDITOR RESPONDS (with tongue firmly implanted in cheek): Our February 8 story on City Council candidates noted that Mr. Snyder had not yet announced whether he would run for re-election, and would only say that he is “seriously leaning toward it.” If he’s out shoveling snow for his constituents, it sounds like he’s made up his mind!
Dave Snyder shows up for many activities in the CITY of Falls Church, whether or not he’s running for office.