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Your Snow Removal Questions Answered
KMPUD provides optional snow removal services, on a contractual basis to Homeowner's Associations in Kirkwood. Kirkwood received 94 inches of snow through Sunday, December 4 (measured at the Community Services Building on Loop Road). To track snowfall and temperatures, visit kmpud.com and then weather under the Community menu.
Q: What are Residency Notifications and how do I sign up?
A: If you have driveway snow removal supported by your HOA in East Meadows, Kirkwood Meadows, Juniper Ridge, or Palisades, please utilize the online Residency system to let us know when you are arriving and departing your Kirkwood home at least 24-hours prior to your arrival departure. This voluntary option will place your driveway on the District's priority Residency List which is generated early each morning and distributed to Operators at the beginning of their shift. When there is heavy snow and/or available equipment shortfall, the Residency list is used to advise the operators. Please do not overestimate or exaggerate your planned stays in Kirkwood as it only hurts other customers truly in residence. In order to be included on the Residency List the next time you or your guests plan to be at your Kirkwood home, follow these instructions:
1. Login to your account on www.kmpud.com
2. Hover your curser over the My Account tab (on the left side of the screen) and click Manage Snow Removal in the dropdown menu.
3. Under Residency Notification set you arrival and departure dates in the drop-down menus and enter customer notes if needed.
4. Click Set Notification
Q: Why does the Snow Removal Operator sometimes skip my driveway?
A: There are a number of reasons that a Snow Removal Operator will skip a driveway. They may include, but are not limited to:
-The Operator is completing driveways on the Residency List first.
-The Operator is removing snow from the roads so driveways can be accessed.
-There is a vehicle or other object in the driveway preventing snow removal equipment from operating safely.
-There are vehicles parked on the road close to your driveway preventing snow removal equipment from safely entering your driveway.
-Your garage door is open.
-The Operator believes that an unsafe condition exists, in or adjacent to the removal area.
Q: Why is there a berm of snow in front of my garage door?
A: Each driveway is different with various nuances that Snow Removal Operators must be aware of in order to prevent damage to your property and the snow removal equipment. District equipment is not designed to "scrape" the pavement, so there will invariably be some amount of snow remaining after plowing. Additionally, if your driveway has uneven surfaces, posts, overhangs, etc., the Operator must take care to prevent damage to your driveway and property and might not remove the snow as low as other situations. In an effort to reduce property damage, it is the policy of the District to train Snow Removal Operators to remain a safe distance from your house and garage door. Depending on the snow load in your driveway, keeping this safe distance can result in a berm of snow left in front of your garage door.
Q: Is there special snow removal emphasis during big storms to help people reach their Kirkwood home?
A: During big storms Snow Removal Operators focus on keeping roads clear for emergency access and will remove snow from private driveways and parking pads as time, equipment, and staffing permit. If the rate of snow fall is greater than what the Operators and equipment can safely keep up with, they will focus on roads only and remove snow from private driveways and parking pads once the roads can be maintained.
Q: Why are Operators plowing multiple feet from my snow stakes line but then sometimes plowing so close to the snow stakes line that they hit some of the snow stakes?
A: After a large snowfall, Operators will plow a vehicle-wide path to your garage and return later to remove snow along the edges as time permits. Sometimes, homeowners allow the snow to build up behind the stakes, bending them into the normal plow area, thereby reducing the snow removal footprint. Homeowners should periodically inspect and correct these deficiencies. Another reason Operators vary in distance plowed from snow stakes is poor visibility. If the Operator cannot see well due to extreme wind or snow fall, the operator will do the best they can to clear a vehicle wide path to your garage, intending to return later under better conditions to clean up.
Q: Why do Operators blow snow on fire hydrants that they need to clear for fire safety?
A: Operators always try to do their best not to blow snow onto fire hydrants but sometimes visibility is poor due to wind and snowfall and they just can't see the fire hydrant.
Q: Why do Operators sometimes blow snow into my pathway from the road to my house?
A: While Operators make every attempt to avoid these pathways to homes, sometimes conditions or necessity exist such that snow is blown into these pathways. Clear marking of the pathways with brightly colored orange snow stakes helps Operators see and avoid the paths, when possible. Please note that when some subdivision maps were approved, snow storage easements along roadways were a condition of the subdivision map approval and the District will place snow in these easements as necessary.
Q: When will the snow that I removed from my car or deck be cleaned up?
A: Please plan on removing snow from your car or deck within 24-hours after a storm and moving your car with great regularity. If you remove snow from your car or deck into your driveway or parking pad more than 24-hours after the storm is over, Operators may not be back to clear the snow until the next storm cycle.
Snow Removal is a difficult job that occurs during the most extreme weather and snow conditions. The District thanks you for your patience and understanding! If you have further questions or comments, please email the District at info@kmpud.com or call (209) 258-4444.
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