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Staunton council debates decriminalizing sidewalk snow removal, weighs shorter timeframes for downtown businesses
Summary
Council discussed proposed amendments to the sidewalk snow-and-ice ordinance: change misdemeanor penalty to a civil violation, set a clear 'start the clock' notice for when a weather event ends, and revise timeframes (staff recommended 12/24/36 hours tiers); councilors raised liability, enforcement and downtown business concerns.
Staunton — City staff proposed rewriting the city's sidewalk snow-and-ice ordinance to remove criminal penalties and to give residents more predictable time to clear sidewalks, but councilors signaled concern about downtown businesses and enforcement logistics.
John Blair and City Manager Leslie Beauregard told the council the draft would "decriminalize this," changing a class‑4 misdemeanor and $250 maximum fine into a…
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