Last night, council approved eight changes to its snow-clearing policy, one of them affecting Priority 3 -- or residential -- roads.

From now on, those streets would be cleared once snowpack has reached 12 centimetres.

Jordan Thompson, director of planning and operations, explains the difference.

"Snow accumulation is snowfall naturally accumulating on the roads over time... Four inches of snow could fall on the roads, but once you drive on it, it gets packed down to a couple centimeters, that's snowpack."

The change from snow accumulation will result in a lower level of service.

"Clearing based on snowpack allows us to still maintain a good quality of drivable service, without having to mobilize forces to clear snow as frequently."

Another key change included making Wolf Creek Drive from 2A to 12 a Priority 2 road, as it is an emergency access route for police.

A few other changes of note:

  • making the lane on the south side of the Lacombe Senior Citizens Lodge from C&E Trail to 58 Street a Priority 2 road
  • increasing the priority of downtown core lanes from Priority 3 to Priority 2.
  • snow removal operations may occur at anytime during scheduled work shifts, not just in the "early morning."
  • increasing the priority of Telford Crescent from C&E Trail to the lane due to the traffic and pedestrian volumes present on the road during the school year

Taking a closer look at snow-clearing from sidewalks and trails, community services director Brenda Vaughan says council suggested administration find ways on how it can meet its requirement to clear them within 48 hours.

"Tonight council discussed changing levels of service...I think we would commit to doing some level of community engagement when this item comes back to council."

Other solutions could include a review of equipment and staffing, which administration says haven't increased in years.

Council heard last night that the city has only missed its 48-hour requirement six times in the last five years.

Vaughan said while that isn't considered excessive, it is a sign the city is reaching its limit for the service it can provide.