BLUFFTON COUNCIL'S FINAL MEETING OF 2013 IS MONDAY, DEC. 23. THE MEETING AGENDA IS IN AN ATTACHMENT AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS STORY.

Now that Bluffton has experienced its first significant snowfall of the year, an annual
review of snow removal issues is due.

Each year the village has a small handful of residents who use their snow blowers to clear the snow from their sidewalk and driveway into the street.

Already this winter season the village ha had one resident blow the entire contents from his driveway across Main Street, creating a driving hazard.

Snow removal rule number 1 (common sense):

When removing snow from sidewalks and driveways, ensure that the snow is not placed into the roadway by utilizing yards and tree lawns.

Additionally, the village does have regulations requiring that owners and/or
occupants clean sidewalks of snow and ice "within a reasonable time" following a
snow event.

As a reminder, the following is an excerpt from a previously published article that
appeared in the Icon regarding snow emergencies:

What is a Snow Emergency?
According to Village Ordinance 03-99, passed by Council in March of 1999, "The Bluffton Village Council shall consider the Village in a snow emergency when freezing rain or 2" or more of snow has fallen whereas constituting a serious public hazard."

So, if we get freezing rain or two or more inches of snow, we are technically under a snow emergency. The Village will be advise the Icon when the Village is under a Snow Emergency and utilize these outlets to notify residents.

What do I do with my vehicle during a snow emergency and why do I have to do
it?
The Ordinance states that, during a snow emergency, "vehicles will be legally
parked on all Village streets except for the downtown business districts between
College Avenue and Jefferson Street and Jackson Street and Vance Street, and
any streets which currently restrict parking to one side of the street only, when:

A. On odd-numbered calendar days, vehicles are parked on the side of the street
which has odd-numbered building addresses, and

B. On even-numbered calendar days, vehicles are parked on the side of the street which has even-numbered building addresses." Additionally, "no vehicles shall be permitted to park in Village parking lots or in the downtown business districts between College Avenue and Jefferson Street and Jackson Street and Vance Street, or any streets which currently restrict parking to one side of the street only, for a longer
continuous time than 24 hours until such time that the snow has been
cleaned up."

The reasoning behind the Ordinance is so that the Village streets may be properly cleaned. By restricting parking to one side of the street one day, and the other side of the street the next, it makes it possible for the snowplows to clean the entire street within a two-day period.

Especially during this time of the year, when the snow we get tends to stay with us for a while, it is important to be able to get the snow off of the streets before we receive additional accumulation. Otherwise, there will be no place to push the new snow.

How long is the snow emergency in effect?
The snow emergency is in effect until the freezing rain or the two or more inches of snow is cleaned up. 

What happens if I don't follow the rules of the snow emergency? 
The Ordinance provides that "whenever any police officer finds a vehicle parked in violation of this Ordinance, such officer may require the driver or other person in charge of the vehicle to move the same, to a position off the street or parking lot, or such officer may cause the vehicle to be moved or impounded at the owner's expense." Additionally, a violation of the Ordinance is a minor misdemeanor with a possible fine of $100. 

How long do I have to move my vehicle?
Ideally, if snow is in the forecast, residents should take action to either remove their vehicle from the street in advance of the snow or at least park it on the required side ofthe street. If a vehicle is not moved in accordance with the provisions of the snow emergency ordinance within a reasonable amount of time, the vehicle will be moved.