KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Beginning Monday, March 4, the city of Kansas City, Mo., will begin enforcing its sidewalk clearing ordinance. The ordinance requires property owners to remove snow and ice from sidewalks in front of and around their property.
FOX 4’s Monica Evans reported from the Valentine neighborhood on FOX 4 News on Sunday, almost a week since mother nature blanketed the city in snow.
Valentine resident Dennis Cummings was out early Sunday morning shoveling his sidewalk. He said he waited almost a week after the snowstorm to clear his walkway because he spent five hours clearing his driveway during the first snow storm and another two hours clearing his driveway during the second snowstorm.
If you live in Kansas City, Mo., and your sidewalk is still covered in white, you could face fines between $25-$100.
Monica Evans and photographer Colton White found plenty of sidewalks still packed with snow; some as high as 6 inches.
The snow-covered sidewalks had one couple walking in the street and they were not alone.
“You just have to walk a little more careful, so i stick to the streets because it’s a lot easier because they’re all clear,” said Amanda Tamayo.
“It is a pain in the neck,” said Michael Sherwin.
Sherwin said he’s glad the city is cracking down on property owners for not clearing their sidewalks.
“I feel sorry for the people that haven’t been able to get out and maybe it’s a possibility that they have age and, or handicaps. Maybe some of the neighbors should help. Maybe reach out,” Sherwin suggested.
Austin Nixon and his five roommates haven’t cleared the sidewalk of their rental home even though they have a shovel right on the front porch.
“In all my years of living in Kansas City, I’ve only seen it this bad once so it’s kind of intimidating to come out and shovel 6 to 12 inches of snow,” Nixon said.
Nixon said clearing off the sidewalk is on his to-do list and he plans to tackle it soon..provided his roommates help too.
If you know someone who hasn’t cleared their sidewalk and you want to file a complaint the city urges residents to call the 311 action center.
