With another winter storm bearing down on Central New York, Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh announced a plan Friday to ensure timely snow removal from city-owned sidewalks and to urge residents to follow ordinances requiring them to do the same.
The Mayor says he and leaders of the city are committed to:
- Ensuring timely snow removal from sidewalks on all city-owned properties
- Increasing awareness of existing ordinances and responsibilities for city residents
- Using city data to step up enforcement of parking regulations in priority spots and throughout the city, as well as violations by private plow operators
- Engaging city residents in reporting problem sidewalks and in developing solutions to the sidewalk snow removal issues
“Snow covered sidewalks are a serious hazard to pedestrians, and illegally parked cars during snow events create safety problems for residents and the DPW,” said Mayor Walsh. “With the city leading the way, it’s time for all of us to pull together and improve our response to dangerous snow conditions. That begins today and will continue from this day forward.”
Awareness of Existing Ordinances
Mayor Walsh reminded all city residents of the existing ordinances regarding sidewalk snow removal, parking and private plow operators:
Sidewalks: All city property owners are required to remove snow from sidewalks on their properties within 24 hours depending on weather conditions. The Mayor called on all property owners to complete their civic responsibility and ensure the safety of fellow residents.
The Mayor announced that residents can now report un-shoveled sidewalks online at a new “Snow Issue Tracker” reachable at cityline.syrgov.net. Data collected on Cityline will help the city develop long-term solutions.
Parking: Vehicles parked on the wrong side of the street or failing to comply with snow emergency parking guidelines will be ticketed and towed.
Private Plow Operators: Private plow operators are subject to a $150 fine for plowing snow into the public rights of way or for blocking sidewalks. Property owners are subject to $100 fines for this violation.
Increased Enforcement of Parking and Private Plow Operator Violations
Using information compiled by the Department of Innovation and in consultation with the Department of Public Works, the city has identified priority parking enforcement streets by quadrants of the city. The streets (see below), represent the most narrow city streets with more than 35 properties on a block and 25% or more two and three unit properties, as well as additional streets identified as problem points for DPW access in the past.
“Using historic data and other information about city streets, we can predict where snow plows will face challenges and prevent dangerous situations for the public and for our plow operators,” said Sam Edelstein, chief data officer.
The Syracuse Police Department, in coordination with DPW, will increase enforcement first around critical infrastructure, such as hospitals and public safety facilities, and on steep hills in the city. Additional enforcement will progress to the priority streets and then to other parts of the city. Enforcement will occur throughout the city. Vehicles violating alternate side of the street parking regulations will be ticketed and towed.
In the priority areas and other parts of the city, DPW supervisors and Syracuse Police will also be issuing tickets to property owners and private plow operators who illegally push snow in rights of way and who block sidewalk access.
Walsh says it’s time for everyone to pull together and collectively improve the response to dangerous snow conditions.
Snow Priority Parking Enforcement Areas
North East
100 COLLINGWOOD AVE
300 COLLINGWOOD AVE
100 DURSTON AVE
100 JASPER ST
100 MILDRED AVE
200 NICHOLS AVE
100 PAUL AVE
100 PECK AVE
South East
500 CLARENDON ST
100 REDFIELD PL
200 ROBERT DR
200 ROOSEVELT AVE
300 ROOSEVELT AVE
800 SUMNER AVE
North West
300 APPLE ST
200 BRYANT AVE
100 STEUBEN ST
200 TENNYSON AVE
South West
100 BELLE AVE
100 CALTHROP AVE
200 CALTHROP AVE
100 FERNWOOD AVE
100 MATSON AVE
300 NEWELL ST
100 OSTRANDER AVE
100 PARKSIDE AVE
100 PARKWAY DR
200 REED AVE
100 REED AVE