"On Jan. 25 - 15 days ago today - New York City had its worst snowstorm in years. We've endured bigger dumps from Mother Nature, but rarely do temperatures remain below freezing for so long, not only keeping the snow in place, but hardening it into immovable bergs that block bus stops, sidewalks and bike lanes - and make a mockery of the notion of getting around on foot, in a wheelchair or on a bike."
"Was the city under-prepared? Or did the new mayor blow it? Let the debate begin. This month, the City Council will hold two hearings on the city's snow response, starting on Tuesday at 10 a.m., as two committees hold a joint hearing on the 17 New Yorkers who died in the cold. Another hearing has been promised by Council Member Shahana Hanif (D-Park Slope) to focus on snow clearing effort at bus entrances, crosswalks, and sidewalk accessibility."
"City law requires property owners to shovel the sidewalks outside their buildings to create a four-foot walking path. If snowfall ends between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., property owners have four hours to get shoveling. If the snow ends between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m., they have 14 hours. And if it ends between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m., property owners must clear the sidewalk by 11 a.m."
On Jan. 25 New York City experienced a severe snowstorm followed by prolonged subfreezing temperatures that hardened snow into immovable bergs, blocking sidewalks, bus stops, and bike lanes. Seventeen New Yorkers died from cold, prompting City Council hearings and a promised hearing focused on bus entrances, crosswalks, and sidewalk accessibility. Snow clearing responsibilities are split among property owners and the city departments of Transportation, Sanitation, and Parks. City law requires property owners to clear a four-foot walking path within timeframes tied to when snowfall ends, with overnight storms requiring clearance by 11 a.m.
Read at Streetsblog
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