POST FALLS — Post Falls is exploring whether to reduce a winter concern expressed by residents that has piled up in recent years: driveway snow berms left by plows.

The tradeoff, however, is that the service could at least double the amount of time to clear the streets.

A committee is looking at the pros and cons — and costs — of implementing snow gates, hydraulic attachments to plows that prevent snow from entering entrances to driveways as the vehicles pass.

"One of the largest complaints we get are snow berms, so I thought it would be prudent to look into it," said Paul Kinney, Public Works maintenance manager now in his first year with the city.

Kinney said it isn't unusual for the city to receive "hundreds" of complaints after a snowstorm, and the majority pertain to snow berms. The city last winter set up an email account to accept comments and concerns accessed by five different employees.

"We want folks to understand that even if we do use snow gates, it's not going to mitigate the berm entirely," Kinney said. "It will reduce it significantly."

Kinney said it takes 12 to 14 hours to clear the streets after a storm. He said it could take an estimated 24 to 36 hours if snow gates are used.

"It's not more difficult with snow gates, but it just takes more time," he said. "Drivers have to go considerably slower, especially in newer developments where driveways are so close."

The committee has met twice and will meet again in May before making a recommendation to the City Council. Kinney said the topic is being examined now so the cost can be included in the upcoming budget process.

The committee is also developing a citizen survey on snow removal.

"We're in the feasibility and investigative state," said City Councilman Steve Anthony, who is on the committee.

Post Falls offers a snow berm reduction program for residents who have a disability or otherwise can't remove the snow. Those who apply and qualify have a marker placed in their yard to notify city workers to reduce the berm. Nearly 600 households use the program.

Kinney said the cost estimates are still being explored on snow gates and he doesn't have a firm estimate to release yet.

Post Falls has 525 lane miles to plow.

Other major cities in Kootenai County, including Coeur d'Alene, Hayden and Rathdrum, already use snow gates in their operations.

Hayden City Administrator Brett Boyer said the snow gates cost about $14,000 each when they were purchased four years ago.

"They work well with the smaller, lighter snowstorms and work less well with the heavy wet storms," said Boyer, adding that using gates only extended the service time there by an hour or two. "We have found the snow gates to be a positive addition to our snow plowing capabilities, particularly in the residential areas."

Kevin Jump, Rathdrum's public works director, said snow gates have been used there about 10 years. It's been a mixed bag with the gates beneficial during smaller storms but equipment problems can arise with heavier snow, he said.

Tim Martin, Coeur d'Alene's street supervisor, said Coeur d'Alene eased into snow gates starting in 1998 to study the viability of the process. It also conducted a citizen survey that was overwhelmingly in support of investing in the equipment.

Kinney said using snow gates as a pilot project in Post Falls is a possibility, with leasing options on the table.

The city and other agencies are also looking into clearing snow from sidewalks and purchasing equipment to do so in the busiest areas of the cities, including around the library, City Hall, bus stops, grocery stores, schools and medical facilities.

In select areas where turn lanes aren't present, snow could be moved into the center of wide streets instead of on the sidewalks, Kinney said.

"There are a lot of people who walk to and from those areas so we not only want them to be safe, but to encourage people to walk in the winter," he said.