Wheaton reminds residents of new snow removal ordinance

Snow hasn't caused much of a burden in the suburbs this winter, but when it inevitably arrives some Wheaton residents will need to make changes to the way they remove the white stuff.

Earlier this year, the city council approved an ordinance that prohibits residents - especially those who hire plowing services - from pushing snow from their driveway into the street or onto the parkway or private property of a neighbor.

City Manager Don Rose said the change was in response to an increase in complaints about snow removal after the brutal winter of 2013-14.

City officials say plowing, blowing or shoveling snow into the roadway or across the street creates narrower traffic lanes, resulting in safety hazards for drivers. It also can become a nuisance to other property owners and cause plows to hit and damage the curb.

Plow drivers are being urged by the city to instead place the snow along the homeowner's driveway, or in the parkway of the home where the snow is being removed.

The city will have the authority to remove any snow or ice that is wrongly deposited and charge the property owner for the cost of removal.

City officials said the provision most likely will only be enforced in response to specific complaints.

While the ordinance may create a bit of a new hassle for residents, the city council also agreed to remove a section of the city code that required property owners to remove snow from the portion of the sidewalk encompassing their driveway.

Rose said the provision was never enforced and the only place in the city where the removal of snow from sidewalks is required is the central business district.

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