Council tables proposed sidewalk/trail snow-removal changes for more study

The Lake Elmo City Council on May 6 tabled consideration of proposed changes to the citys sidewalk snow-removal ordinance after extended discussion about uneven pedestrian facilities, enforcement practicality and potential city cost and staffing impacts.

Staff presented a draft ordinance change that would clarify definitions for sidewalks and add trail segments located in road right-of-way to the citys sidewalk-clearing responsibilities. The staff list identified multiple trail segments that currently function as pedestrian routes but sit in areas without conventional concrete sidewalks, including sections on Lake Elmo Avenue near the old village, Keats Avenue, Hudson Boulevard and several neighborhood trail gaps. The presentation noted that whether a trail sits in city right-of-way, HOA land or county right-of-way affects who would be responsible for clearing it.

Council members raised equity and enforcement concerns. Several councilors and residents noted examples where a pedestrian route is concrete sidewalk on one block and asphalt trail on the next, creating inconsistent maintenance obligations for adjacent property owners. Council members also questioned the citys capacity and cost to clear long trail stretches that abut county right-of-way (examples cited included Keats and Lake Elmo Avenue sections), and asked staff to estimate labor and cost for those specific stretches before adopting broader obligations.

A motion to adopt an ordinance amendment that would update the sidewalk definition but exclude new trail-clearing obligations was moved during discussion; council then agreed to table the item to the next meeting to allow staff to return with more analysis, including cost and time estimates for clearing county-adjacent trails and clearer maps showing which segments would be affected. Staff indicated they will coordinate with HOAs, county staff and property owners to improve communication if the council moves forward.