ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — St. John’s city council made some preliminary decisions on Wednesday that will affect pedestrians and motorists this winter.
The decisions were made during a committee meeting, so they still require final approval at a regular council meeting, typically in two weeks’ time, or via an e-poll if the decision is required sooner.
Council decided to revise the sidewalk snowclearing priority system.
Deputy city manager of public works Lynnann Winsor explained to councillors that the city has so many high-priority sections of sidewalks that it’s too long to be clear them.
She said the length of time for high-priority sidewalks to be cleared was identified as an issue in the sidewalk snowclearing public engagement completed this year.
The city uses a numbered system to designate the priority a sidewalk receives when it comes to the level of snowclearing service, with Priority 1 sidewalks being highest priority, and Priority 4 the least. Currently, 79 per cent of sidewalks cleared by the city are considered Priority 1.
“If your whole system is Priority 1, then you have no Priority 1s,” explained Winsor.
City staff proposed bringing the percentage of Priority 1 sidewalks down to 54 per cent.
“Let me sum up how I feel about this: no, heck no.”
The change will essentially be made by only clearing sidewalks on one side of the street for Priority 1 streets, but clearing them in such a way that they’re connected in a system so pedestrians can still get from Point A to Point B.
School zones will get top priority, with sidewalks on both sides of the street cleared as usual. Then Priority 1 sidewalks would include the first side of arterial roads and the downtown business district; Priority 2 would include the second side of multi-lane arterial roads and the downtown business district, and the first side of collector streets; Priority 3 would include the second side of remaining arterial roads with both sides serviced; and Priority 4 would include the second side of collector streets with both sides serviced, and any remaining sections of sidewalk in the program.
Deputy Mayor Sheilagh O’Leary said this will improve sidewalk connectivity in the winter, which is an ongoing issue.
“We just want to ensure that once people get on a sidewalk they won't suddenly come to a barrier and be forced out on the road,” she said.
Council unanimously approved the change.
Changes to winter parking
Council also unanimously approved two changes to winter parking rules.
First, they changed the hours for the downtown winter parking restriction, used when streets are scheduled for snow removal. Previously, the restriction was from 12:30-7:30 a.m., but now it will be from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Second, they provided leeway for the city to extend the overnight parking ban for streets outside the downtown area when it’s required. This restriction would apply when Winsor determines it’s necessary, on a case-by-case basis during snow events.
Winsor said any time there’s a snow event that requires full snowclearing crews out on the roads, the city could communicate to the public a 24-hour parking ban for areas outside the downtown, enabling crews to clear roads more effectively, eliminating multiple runs in which cars parked on the street impede operations.
The ban would apply for the duration of the storm, and for 24 hours after the storm ends. For example, if a storm lasts 36 hours, the ban would apply for that 36 hours plus another 24 hours afterward.
City staff also wanted council to change the start date of on-street parking restrictions to Dec. 1 every year, instead of the current practice of beginning sometime in early January and giving flexibility to start earlier if there’s a storm that warrants it. Staff said a regular start date of Dec. 1 would ensure consistency.
However, council was not in favour of the idea.
“Let me sum up how I feel about this: no, heck no,” said Coun. Sandy Hickman.
He said this would impede Christmas visits, and it especially shouldn’t be implemented during an already difficult year, when families will be looking forward to visiting one another.
Hickman motioned to reject the recommendation from staff, and the rest of council, except Coun. Ian Froude, agreed.
Coun. Dave Lane and Coun. Maggie Burton were absent from Wednesday’s meeting.
Juanita Mercer reports on municipal politics in St. John’s.
