Home »
Rotary Way section identified for snow removal
City of Cranbrook council Feb. 26 directed city staff to add a section of Rotary Way to the city’s second priority classification for snow removal.
The section of Rotary Way identified is along Victoria Ave. between 2nd St North and Kootenay Street.
The four to one vote (two council members were absent) in favour followed a staff review of the requested section of Rotary Way along Victoria Avenue and based on the guidelines contained in the policy regarding sidewalk system prioritization and classification, this section of the pathway would fit within the Classification “B” SECOND PRIORITY “City sidewalks, which provide access to the hospital, schools, extended care facilities and sidewalks along major streets,” reported city Public Works’ Derrick Anderson.
“Victoria Avenue has been classified as a Classification “A” FIRST PRIORITY road for snow clearing as it is a major arterial street, which accesses emergency service facilities (hospital) and is cleared first. As Victoria Avenue is deemed to be a major street, or hospital zone, this section of pathway adjacent to Victoria would fit within the similar usage with regard to the sidewalk system prioritization, similar to the sidewalk on the adjacent side of the street.
“During heavy snowfall events this area may be used as a temporary storage area to maintain Victoria as a first priority road system. This area will have the snow removed as soon as possible after the road priority system is complete,” the staff report added.
The city’s policy provides that the Public Works Department will commence snow and ice control procedures for city sidewalks as time permits after snow plowing and ice control operations have been completed on the City Street Program.
Prior to the council vote, Coun. Mike Peabody said he had a concern that if the city beefs up snow clearing efforts on that section of the trail, more requests for other sections will come in, upping costs further.
The city staff report noted it would cost $8,000 (2018 costs) “each time snow has to be removed along Victoria.”
Peabody was the lone vote opposed to city staff being directed to amend the Snow and Ice Policy #60-15, Sidewalk System Prioritization and Classification section to include the “portion of Rotary Way along Victoria Avenue between 2nd Street North and Kootenay Street” as Classification “B” – SECOND PRIORITY, and maintain accordingly; and further, bring the policy back for council approval.
e-KNOW
