Policy Resolution Number -- SNOW REMOVAL 14-11-25

Effective date November 26, 2014

Ashburn Village Community Association (AVCA) is responsible for clearing snow from private streets, courts, Recreational Facility parking areas, common area sidewalks and trails. The Association will sand and treat roads as conditions warrant at the discretion of management. Sidewalks adjoining and touching the property in front, rear or either side abutting homeowner's lots are the responsibility of the homeowner. A complete list of private streets and courts are available online at www.ashburnvillage.org.

AVCA is not responsible for treating or removing snow from state or county maintained (VDOT & Loudoun County) roadways. To contact VDOT please call 703-383-VDOT (8368).

Please allow at least 18 hours for every 6" of snow accumulation for the roads to be cleared. If you're essential personnel, or are required to be available for work around the clock, please make private arrangements or park on a VDOT street.

The standards for snow removal for AVCA are as follows:

• 0 - 2 inches of snow - The Association will patrol the roads but will not plow most streets and Exceptional circumstances may require special treatment of certain areas. Parking places, designated sidewalks and trails will not be plowed

• 3 - 10 inches of snow - The Association will normally begin plowing during the storm and will continue as needed after the storm Roads, where conditions permit, will be plowed in two directions to achieve a lane as wide as possible. Parking places will not be plowed. Designated sidewalks and trails will be plowed after the storm ends.

• 10 + inches of snow -- The Association will normally begin plowing during the storm and will continue as needed after the storm Roads, where conditions permit, will be plowed in one direction to achieve a lane approximately one car wide. Parking places will not be plowed. Designated sidewalks and trails will be plowed after the storm ends.

All snow removal equipment must maintain a minimum of thirty-six inches (36") of clearance from all parking spaces. The snow that accumulates within the thirty-six inches (36") is the sole responsibility of the person(s) assigned to or using the parking space. Curbside and open parking spaces will not be cleared.

The Association and its contractor have limited numbers and types of snow removal equipment. Accordingly the Association will not collect and lift snow from private streets and courts and move the collected snow to another location.

Vehicles parked curbside in the townhome areas must be moved to allow for snow removal. Failure to do so will result in a less efficient snow removal process and parked vehicles could become stuck due to snow deflecting off plows. Owners that find themselves in this situation due to an unmoved car will be responsible for clearing these areas

Please do not clear snow from driveway entrances, parking areas or vehicles and place in/on the street, thinking a plow can/will remove it. The pile will become packed and may not be cleared. If not cleared it will be the responsibility of the resident to clear this snow.

AVCA takes the safety of each resident, staff and contractor seriously. Residents shall not approach any plow or treatment vehicle during its operation. All vehicles are equipped with cameras to ensure the safety of all residents and operators.

The Loudoun County ordinance which requires county residents to clear the portion of public sidewalks through and abutting their property as stated:

1022.01 REMOVAL OF SNOW AND ICE. 

a.  Removal Required. Every occupant, owner or other person in charge of any property in the

County which has a sidewalk or a footway of stone, brick, gravel, cinder, wood or other substance, when such walk is publicly owned or maintained, and is adjoining and touching the property in front, rear or either side thereof, shall have all snow and ice, and any combination thereof, removed from such sidewalk or footway within six hours after such snow or ice, or a combination thereof, has ceased

falling, unless the same has fallen during the night, in which case it shall be removed before 12::00 noon following the night in which the snow or ice, or combination thereof, has fallen. In the event snow or ice, or a combination thereof, falls upon Sunday, such occupants, owners or other persons in charge shall have until 12:00 noon Monday to comply with this requirement. 

b.  When Removal Not Required. The requirements of subsection (a) hereof shall not apply when such snow or ice, or a combination thereof, cannot be removed without injury to the sidewalk or In such an event, however, such sidewalk or footway shall be covered within the applicable period of time as specified in subsection (a) hereof with sand, ashes or some other substance that will render it safe for travel. 

c.  Exceptions. This section shall not apply when the occupant, owner or other person in charge of a property is prevented from fulfilling the requirements of subsections (a) and (b) hereof because of physical or mental disability or is sixty-five years of age or older, and said occupant, owner or other person in charge has made reasonable efforts to undertake alternative means for fulfilling said requirements.