[Adopted 11-13-1995 by Ord. No. 2592 (Ch. 160, Art. II, of the 1986 Code)]
The provisions of this article shall apply to existing, replacement and new sidewalks within the Central Business District (C-2) as laid out and as changed from time to time by amendment to the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Oil City.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 310, Zoning.
A. 
Keeping sidewalks clear. It shall be the duty of all persons owning any parcel of real estate adjoining a public sidewalk within the Central Business District, whether the parcel is occupied by a structure or not, to keep such sidewalks adjoining such property in a clean and sanitary manner and free from snow and ice. Snow and ice shall be removed within 12 hours after a snowfall. During business hours, sidewalks shall be kept clear.
B. 
Severe icing. In case snow and ice on any sidewalk shall be frozen so hard that it cannot be removed without injury to the sidewalk, it shall, within the time specified in Subsection A of this section, be strewn and kept strewn with ashes, sand, sawdust or other suitable material so as to no longer be dangerous to life and limb. As soon as practicable thereafter, the sidewalk shall be completely cleared of snow, ice and other materials strewn thereon, as provided in this Subsection B.
C. 
Failure to keep clear; removal by City; costs. If such owner or occupant or other person fails to remove snow and/or ice within 24 hours after a snowfall or fails to comply with any other provisions of Subsections A and/or B of this section, the City may cause such snow, ice, dirt or other materials to be removed or covered with suitable materials. The cost of any such action taken plus a flat fine of $50 will be charged to the property owner. If not paid within 30 days, an action, as provided by general law, to recover the amount plus costs may be maintained by the City against the property owner.
A. 
Obstructions on sidewalks. No owner or occupant or other person shall place, keep, permit or suffer to be placed or kept on any sidewalk in front of, adjoining or adjacent to such premises within the Central Business District any goods, wares, merchandise, boxes, barrels, vehicles or material things of any kind or description, nor shall he in any manner obstruct any such sidewalk or in any manner obstruct or interfere with the use of any such sidewalk, except as hereinafter provided. Such persons shall be permitted to place food, wares and merchandise on sidewalks temporarily for sale and display purposes, provided that a path at least four feet wide for pedestrian movement is maintained at all times. Such persons shall also be permitted to place goods, wares or merchandise on the sidewalk temporarily while loading or unloading the same, provided that pedestrian traffic is allowed the right-of-way, provided that it is done without unnecessary delay, provided that such goods, wares or merchandise are not allowed or permitted to remain on such sidewalks within the prohibited area for a period longer than one hour, and provided that vehicles are not parked on the sidewalk at any time.
B. 
Fines for obstructing sidewalks. Any person who violates the provisions of Subsection A of this section shall be given written or verbal notification by the police or by any other properly authorized City employee to move the items and comply with Subsection A within one hour. If any person is in violation after one hour, or if the same person has received a warning within the past 10 days, he or she shall be cited for unlawful conduct and, upon conviction thereof in a summary proceeding, shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $300 for each and every offense and, in default of the payment of such costs and fine, shall be committed to the jail for a period not exceeding 30 days for each and every offense.
A. 
Maintenance and construction. The owner of any parcel of real estate within the Central Business District shall keep sidewalks in front of or adjacent to such premises in good and sufficient repair for the general use of the public and free from cracks, spalling, heaving or other deterioration. Any existing sidewalk shall not be eliminated and shall be immediately replaced upon removal in accordance with this article.
B. 
Permit for repair. Anyone planning to repair, reconstruct or replace any sidewalk regulated under this article shall first obtain a building permit for such work from the Code Enforcement Officer, as provided in § 278-11 of this article.
C. 
Failure to maintain; notice to repair. If any owner fails to comply with Subsection A of this section, the City may require the owner to repair, reconstruct or replace any sidewalk adjacent to said premises within 30 days of notification (or such other time as indicated in such notification). Any such repair, reconstruction or replacement will require a building permit as described in Subsection B of this section and shall comply with all other provisions of this article.
D. 
Noncompliance by owner; costs. If the owner fails to repair, reconstruct or replace the sidewalk within the time provided in said notice, the City shall cause the sidewalk to be repaired, reconstructed or replaced, and such costs will be charged to the owner. If not paid within 30 days, an action, as provided by general law, to recover the amount plus costs may be maintained by the City against the property owner.
E. 
Right of appeal. If the owner so notified of his obligation to repair, reconstruct or replace the sidewalk has reason to object to such obligation, he may, within 15 days of receipt of such notice, file an appeal with the Oil City Code Appeals Board, which Board shall hear appeals and make a decision on the validity of the appeal.
[Amended 10-9-2000 by Ord. No. 2654]
A. 
Construction or improvement of public curb and sidewalk in the Central Business District shall conform to the standard detail and notes included at the end of this article,[1] except that sidewalks constructed as part of the Oil City Northside Revitalization Projects or any other such project undertaken by the City (after the effective date of this article), and which contain any decorative characteristics which differ from the standard detail and notes at the end of this article, shall be maintained. Any reconstruction of these sidewalks, including patches which may be necessary for various reasons, shall conform to the most recent design plans and specifications under which the sidewalks were constructed. Any repair work requiring trenching in sidewalks shall be done in a manner which will prevent damage to adjacent sidewalks; saw cuts shall be made at existing joints, and new sidewalks shall be installed to match existing. Any nonconcrete component of such a sidewalk, such as brick, historical markers, etc., shall be removed prior to demolition of the concrete and shall be reinstalled in the new sidewalk per the design plans and specifications. Such components shall be stored in a secure location until they are reincorporated into the sidewalk.
[1]
Editor's Note: The standard detail is on file in the City offices.
B. 
Any property owner wishing to construct or reconstruct a sidewalk shall obtain a building permit from the Code Enforcement Officer and shall comply with all provisions of the Building Code of the City of Oil City,[2] which code is in force at the time of application. The Code Enforcement Officer and/or City Engineer will provide information concerning this article, including construction details for sidewalks constructed as part of a project undertaken by the City, and will inspect the work to ensure conformance with this article. If a sidewalk is not constructed according to this article, the City may take action as described under the Building Code of the City of Oil City.
[2]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 110, Building Construction, Art. II, Uniform Construction Code.