MCA Meeting Recap: March 2021
The March 2021 Master Community Association (MCA) Delegate Forum revolved around snow removal, specifically what worked and what did not. Please note the following information is simply a recap of what was discussed, and future meetings will delve further into creating solutions to facilitate the clearing of streets amid future snow storms, including those with record-breaking snowfall, such as the one the Front Range Region recently experienced. Again, this is merely a recap, not a detailed plan, and is not to be taken as such.
Key Takeaways
· The City of Denver is responsible for plowing the streets.
· The MCA is responsible for plowing the alleyways via streets.
· Individual homeowners are responsible for clearing sidewalks.
· Impediments such as abandoned cars, etc. stalled progress.
· The MCA has not issued sidewalk violations for this storm.
Meeting Introduction
The meeting began with an overview of the community, which includes 65 lane miles of roadway, 454 unique alley configurations, and 11,000 addresses. To plow the grounds, it was estimated the MCA’s trucks traveled upwards of 80 miles as they navigated all the streets and alleyways. In storms like the one we just had, a single alley may take several passes, not simply one, hence the remarkable mileage and extended wait times in the farthest reaches of the neighborhood, e.g., The North End, Beeler Park, etc.
Snow Level Triggers
Typically, the MCA does not plow the alleyways unless there is a major snow event, e.g., 8” to 10”. The reason for this is two-fold, first plowing can result in damage, e.g., in the early days of Central Park an oversized snowplow took out multiple communication boxes in a single alley, second, when the community was constructed, there was no consideration given to snow removal, and even with a light snowfall there is a risk of snow piling too high, etc. However, it is understood that clearing the alleys is essential, hence it is done with caution in off hours.
That said, it is worth noting that over the course of many years, the HOA has gone from responding to 10” - 12” or more to as little as 6” or less. This, however, has resulted in higher costs, though the MCA’s dues are remarkably low when compared to older, smaller communities. Again, the MCA typically plows the alleys in the late night and or early morning to avoid confronting other vehicles entering or exiting driveways, and this storm arrived later than expected, thwarting the efforts of plow drivers.
A Highly Unusual Event
The MCA’s snow removal forces—its fleet of trucks with frontend plows—is designed for relatively modest storms, which are frequent across Colorado, in fact, the City of Denver, which is far larger and better funded, is not prepared for storms of the magnitude we recently experienced. To be sure, 27” of heavy wet snow is above and beyond what the HOA is prepared for, and is more than local municipalities are prepared for.
Cars & Other Impediments
It is important to note that stopped cars delayed the process of clearing the alleys as the MCA’s crews spent valuable time working to free up stranded residents. Also, the MCA, like other communities across the state, believed the snow would fall on Saturday night, but it came on Sunday, and the result of the late surge was an unusually heavy, wet snowfall that rendered the city streets and alleys impassable. At this point, the HOA turned to slow-moving skid-steers, aka Bobcats, which took additional time to allocate across the community.
Moving Forward & Looking Ahead
The MCA is going to consider what to do in cases of 20” or more of snow, for as of now the MCA’s trucks cannot move until the snow is cleared. One suggestion that was made is to coordinate with the City of Denver, as they are responsible for clearing the roads, i.e., the idea is to create a plan—a systematic method of operating—so that residents know, with some degree of certainty, what to expect, e.g., which roads will be cleared first by the city, and potentially which alleys will follow suit, creating viable routes to major thoroughfares.
Another point that was raised is the Northern exposure of Beeler Park and The North End neighborhoods as the wind blows in unobstructed from the prairie and creates massive snowdrifts. When these snowdrifts reach 10’ or more, and extend for dozens of yards, it is truly problematic. Again, the City of Denver is responsible for clearing the streets, and the MCA can only reach the alleyways via the city roadways. If high-centered (frozen) cars are blocking the streets, as was the case recently, the alleys will remain impacted longer than expected.
Defining Responsibilities & Grace Periods
There is currently a discussion underway to more clearly define on the MCA’s website, specifically who is responsible for what, from the City of Denver to the MCA to individual residents. As it stands, the City of Denver is responsible for clearing the streets, the MCA is responsible for clearing the alleys, and individual homeowners are responsible for clearing the sidewalks in front of their homes. Only homeowners are obliged to clear the sidewalks within 24 hours of a storm as it is a tripping hazard to leave them covered in snow and or ice.
Thank you for reading this message. Over the course of several days, the MCA received hundreds of emails from residents, many of whom were understandably frustrated, and many who expressed their appreciation for all that was done to clear the snow. Please note the MCA is working tirelessly to address every concern, and is taking steps to improve its services. On behalf of all who volunteer their time to the community we share, thank you for your patience, thank you for your understanding, and thank you for your thoughtful suggestions.