BANFF – An increase in winter snow and ice clearing of a Middle Springs neighbourhood sidewalk has been turned down because it may be too much of a slippery slope.
A resident request to expand the winter route by an additional 0.17 kilometres of sidewalk on the south side of Middle Springs Drive running adjacent to Sundance Court condominiums to the intersection of Middle Springs Drive and Fairholme Place was defeated by council on a tie 2-2 vote.
With snow clearing always a big topic in Banff, officials say there is already sidewalk snow removal on the north side of Middle Springs Drive.
“I feel it is a bit of a slippery slope,” said Coun. Barb Pelham.
“We are already providing that core access and I think that’s where our responsibility lies and I believe that we’re fulfilling that responsibility.”
In 2022, council approved increased winter snow and ice clearing on a .25 km section along the 100 and 200 block of Middle Springs Drive by Sulphur Court condominiums.
Subsequently, another resident requested winter pedestrian maintenance for the 0.17 sidewalk adjacent to their condominium property, also situated on Middle Springs Drive.
The cost to do this work would increase the budget by $3,600, primarily made up of labour costs to the tune of $3,400 for wages and benefits.
Town officials say most streets only have one sidewalk on one side of the road cleared.
Agustina Rocha-Jaje, manager of municipal parks for the Town of Banff, said doing the section by Sundance Court condominiums would mean there would be two municipally maintained winter routes in parallel with one another, one of which does not provide a direct route to Mountain Avenue.
“Should this newly proposed section of sidewalk be added, it is likely that the municipality could expect further requests for increased sidewalk maintenance that would require further changes,” she said.
The Town maintains several sections of sidewalks around town, mainly where there is no private property adjacent to the public sidewalk.
In all other areas, property owners adjacent to public sidewalks are required to clear sidewalks of snow and ice within 24 hours of snowfall.
Mayor Corrie DiManno and Coun. Hugh Pettigrew were in favour of expanding the sidewalk clearing on Middle Springs Drive.
“I just feel we missed this link when we addressed the other side of the street this time last year,” said the mayor.
“I see them as a package deal and I think this small stretch would go a long way to ensure seamless and safe access to the transit stop up there at Middle Springs.”
