I know a number of (small) independent retail businesses (food, services) that don't open until 10am-noon and don't come early to shovel. I bet their reasoning is that it is cheaper to get an occasional ticket (if any) than to come hours early (getting stuck in the morning commune) just to clear the snow or hire someone else (which is not always cheap during high demand snow days). The chance of getting a ticket is likely very low since DSNY don't have a lot of staff for enforcement and pedestrian has gotten used to walking over it.