Hamilton will look at clearing more sidewalks by private property - but not this year

The city is looking at what it will cost to clear snow from Hamilton sidewalks in front ofcertain kinds of private properties as some councillorspush to have it do morefor pedestrians.

But othercouncillors fear making that change will create unrealistic expectations.

City council's general issues committee voted 8-5 Thursday to look at the issueby next spring.

If it's ultimately approved, the city would clear sidewalks that arein front of facilities for children or the elderly, that connect people to transit routes or are in areas that have a lot of foot traffic.

Those in favour say it's a public health issue. When sidewalks are icy, the elderly and disabledare essentially housebound, said Maureen Wilson, Ward 1 (west end) councillor. And it's not fair to plow roads but not sidewalks.

"We are valuing people who have a means to drive, and that is a values statement," Wilsonsaid. "This is about the cost of not treating people with fairness."

Others warned the change would cause endless headaches. The city already plows sidewalks in parts of Ancaster, and residents there pay for it.

"There are constant, constant complaints," said Coun. Lloyd Ferguson (Ward 12).

Sidewalks are never cleared fast enough for people, he said. And contractors can'tmake out the sidewalk boundaries in heavy snow. They take out chunks of sod or damagesprinkler systems, he said, and the city has to fix it.

"My only advice to you is be careful what you ask for," he said.

The earliest this would be implemented is 2021.

The change could be pricey. There's no estimate on what it would cost to do just those specific areas. A city report, though, shows it would cost the city about $5 million to clear the city's 2,445 kilometres of sidewalks. (The city clears 397 kilometres right now.)

Nrinder Nann, Ward 3 (central lower city) councillor, moved the motion. "We have an obligation to do a more robust job of looking at what it would take."

The Disability Justice Network of Ontario has a social media campaign encouraging municipal snow clearing. It's not unheard of Burlington, Oakville and London, for example, clear sidewalks on major and residential streets.

Edward Soldo, the city's director of transportation operations and maintenance, says London, at least, still gets complaints about slips, trips and falls, and still gets sued.

Sam Merulla (Ward 4, east end) said there's more value in having harsher punishments for people who don't shovel their sidewalks.

"On the surface, we all want to support it," he said of municipal sidewalk clearing, "but as you look at it the layers, it becomes problematic."

The report Thursday was the 17th city report on this subject since 2003.

How they voted

Who voted in favour of a report back on limited sidewalk clearing

Maureen Wilson (Ward 1),Jason Farr (2), Nrinder Nann (3), Sam Merulla (4), Tom Jackson (6), Esther Pauls (7),Terry Whitehead (14), Brad Clark (9).

Who was opposed

John-Paul Danko (8), Chad Collins (5), Judi Partridge (15), Lloyd Ferguson (12), Maria Pearson (10).

Not present

Mayor Fred Eisenberger,Arlene VanderBeek (13), Brenda Johnson (11).