Sidewalk Snow Clearing Service Levels in Niagara Falls
The City of Niagara Falls would like to better understand the needs and opinions of residents related to sidewalk snow clearing during the winter months.
Telephone Survey
The telephone survey is now complete. Thank you to those who participated!
ERG National Research (905-367-6188) conducted a telephone survey to learn about your preferred approach to sidewalk snow clearing. Telephone surveys allow us to connect directly with community residents and give you the opportunity to engage in a direct and meaningful consultation.
The phone survey consisted of approximately four questions:
- Do you own a house in the City of Niagara Falls or rent a house in which you are responsible for maintaining the property?
- Do you feel that all sidewalks in Niagara Falls should be cleared from snow and ice in the winter?
- The City is weighing options to keep all sidewalks cleared, either by enacting a sidewalk snow clearing by-law or by increasing the level of service through additional resources and equipment. Do you believe there should be a by-law similar to St. Catharines and Welland, including fines for property owners who don’t clear the sidewalk within 48 hours of the end of a snowfall?
- Would you pay up to a 2% tax increase for the city to clear all city sidewalks during winter like Grimsby and Fort Erie, including sidewalks in front of houses?
Background
In 2022, the City of Niagara Falls launched an online sidewalk snow clearing survey to better measure and understand residents' needs and opinions regarding sidewalk snow clearing during the winter months.
The engagement was held in response to a motion approved by Council on October 26, 2021, that directed staff to gather public input from residents and members of the Seniors Advisory Committee as we look to update our current level of service, considering the impacts on inclusiveness, accessibility, and the financial implications.
At the Tuesday, October 1, 2024, Council meeting, the City of Niagara Falls Director of Operations, James Sticca, discussed options for improving the City's approach to clearing snow from sidewalks during the winter. The City is responsible for maintaining around 600 kilometres of sidewalks, with approximately 200 kilometres maintained in the winter through mechanical clearing.
Various options were presented, with the Staff preferring to extend the current snow-clearing service to sidewalks along Class 2 and Class 3 roads. Council approved this enhancement and requested further feedback from the community through a refined survey. After reviewing the survey results, Council will consider implementing a new by-law.
