PineRidge Snow Removal/Winter Safety Guidelines

1.  Snow Removal.  Representatives from the PineRidge, Villa/Carriage, and Lifestyles Boards of Directors will coordinate snow removal when there is 4 inches of new fallen snow or significant drifting exceeding 4 inches in the majority of the community.  The representatives will coordinate decision-making in order to ensure proper sequencing of snow removal efforts (i.e., walkways and driveways first if required, followed by plowing the streets, etc.).  The representatives will continually make every effort to take weather predictions and other factors into account to make reasonable, prudent, cost-effective decisions based on their best judgment.  The boards now have designated three options (previously there were only two – streets only or everything) for snow removal in the community to allow greater flexibility in reaching time and cost efficient and effective decisions.  Snow removal will generally begin once the snow has come to an end to alleviate the need to remove snow more than once for each snow event.  The exception to this would be more than one plowing of the streets during a storm to allow passable ingress and egress to the development.  Please note the level of snowfall and the requested levels of snow removal have differing staging requirements for manpower and machines.  The representatives will use their best judgment to select one of the three following options for snow removal in the community.

            a. Streets Only.  The snow plow truck is driven through to clear the community streets.  This option will typically be used to provide access to all homes within the community when conditions are less severe and expected to clear.

            b. Driveways and Streets.  Small tractors are used to first “drop and drag” the snow away from the garage, clear the entire driveway, and provide a snow-removed access route to the street from garages.  The snow plow truck is then used to clear the community streets.

            c. Driveways, Streets, Sidewalks, Steps, and Entryways.  Along with the actions above, snow removal personnel hand shovel sidewalks, steps, and entryways.  (SIDEWALKS:  The snow removal company has been told not to dump snow from the streets onto the sidewalks.  Please note, however, that sidewalks can be particularly hazardous since even after snow is removed, snow from nearby areas can melt during the day and refreeze as ice on the sidewalk.  Since our community is composed primarily of resident traffic, and the streets are normally much clearer than the sidewalks (snow and ice melts more quickly due to dark color), the streets may actually be the safest route to take to other locations in the community.    

2.  Additional Safety Issues.  Homeowners should also be cautious when pulling up to the stop sign at the main entrance while exiting onto Castle Pines Parkway.  This corner is prone to ice buildup that makes stopping extremely difficult.  The Mail Kiosk is another area that can be icy and slippery.  Buckets with ice melt will be positioned near both areas and concerned homeowners are welcome to spread ice melt when ice buildup is of concern.