By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
It is more than a request on the part of Nephi City that snow be removed from walkways in front of businesses and homes and that cars not be left parked in front of homes or businesses overnight. “Can we do something to get cars out of the way of graders trying to remove snow?” asked Kent Jones, city council member. “Our code enforcement officer has been notifying people that they must obey the city ordinance,” said Seth Atkinson, city administrator. Nathan Memmott, council member, said that he was concerned about the sidewalks and asphalt in front of businesses on the route to Red Cliffs Elementary. “Students are being forced to walk in the road because no path has been cleared,” he said. The same problem seemed to be happening as students tried to reach Nebo View Elementary on foot. Nephi City does have an ordinance making it illegal not to remove snow from walks in front of residences and businesses. “It is unlawful for any property abutting a paved sidewalk, commercial property, business property or residential property, to not remove snow within a ‘reasonable time,’” said Kasey Wright, city attorney. He said that, according to the ordinance, a reasonable time frame was approximately three hours on the same day. The city ordinance, 7-1-2: Removal of Snow is available online at the Nephi City site. “A. Failure To Remove Unlawful: It shall be unlawful for the owner, occupant, lessor or agent of any property, abutting on a paved sidewalk, to fail to remove, or have removed from such paved sidewalk, all hail, snow, or sleet thereon within a reasonable time after such snow, hail or sleet has fallen. In the case of a storm between the hours of 5 p.m. and 6 a.m., such sidewalks shall be cleaned before 9 a.m. of the same day. “B. Depositing In Gutter Unlawful: It shall be unlawful for any person removing snow from the sidewalk, to deposit snow, dirt, leaves, or any other material, in the gutter so as to clog or prevent the free flow of water therein. (1979 Code § 11-361)” It is not the city’s responsibility to remove snow from walkways. City crews are kept busy just trying to keep up with snow removal on the streets of the city and at the city airport. If there is a person in a neighborhood who is incapable of removing snow, and lacking family or a church member to help, that person should be assisted with the task without asking by those able-bodied individuals living nearby. Good neighbors should be willing to help. Homeowners are not off the hook either. They can also be fined for failure to clear walks in front of residences. Private property, residential or commercial property owners and occupants are required to clear the sidewalks abutting their property of snow or ice within 24 hours after the snow and ice have stopped falling. Violators of the ordinance who are reported to the city are issued a notice to clear the walk. Homeowners and business owners should realize that there is a possible fine for failure to comply with the ordinance. Snow is also not to be pushed from the walkway into oncoming traffic. “In the past, we have sent letters to business owners,” said Memmott. Those letters informed all business owners that they were responsible for removing snow from in front of their businesses. “Our code enforcement officer has been visiting business owners and has been informing them of the ordinance,” said Atkinson. “She has even issued some warning tickets.” Those who refuse to comply will be issued tickets and will be fined.
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