Resident urges Richmond to address snow-clogged sidewalks after storm

Lucas GZnell, introduced at the Feb. 17 Richmond City Council meeting as a resident of Perry Street, told council members that recent storms left sidewalks piled with snow and ice, forcing him and others to walk in the street and creating hazards for family members who use mobility devices.

"Every time I've tried recently ... I found myself in a dangerous position multiple times. I've had to walk in the street," GZnell said, describing sidewalks covered in compressed ice and piles so large people could not use them. He said the problem preceded the storm in many locations and urged the city to look for sustainable solutions; he offered to help with the work.

Mayor Oler and staff responded that local ordinances and state law generally place the responsibility to clear sidewalks on property owners and that the city’s street department lacked the capacity to clear every sidewalk after the storm. The mayor said the issue could be folded into the ongoing recodification project for further discussion.

Council Member Jerry Purcell said he had observed residents walking in traffic and noted that plows sometimes push snow back onto cleared sidewalks, creating compressed ice that is difficult for homeowners to remove; he urged code enforcement and said the rules may need to change to allow enforcement. Council did not vote on a new policy; members agreed to continue the conversation at a later date and to explore enforcement options.

The council did not identify a specific ordinance or fine in the meeting packet; staff said there was not an immediately known ordinance that levies a fine for failing to clear sidewalks. The council’s next steps were limited to further discussion rather than a formal referral or vote recorded at that meeting.