This article contains the construction and engineering standards
for required improvements, utilities, grading and erosion control,
survey detail, stormwater drainage, paving, curbing, pathways and
sidewalks, emergency access, bridges, signage and markings, lighting,
solid waste storage, street names, and easements.
Concrete sidewalks shall be constructed as follows:
A. Material specifications. The following materials shall be used in
the construction of sidewalks:
(1)
Subbase: three-fourths-inch stone with a depth of four inches
to a suitable grade.
(2)
Concrete: minimum pounds-per-square-inch rating of 3,500 p.s.i.
(3)
A white, liquid membrane curing compound, complying with PennDOT
Pub. 408, must be applied within 24 hours of concrete being poured.
(4)
Notwithstanding any provision contained in this chapter, ornamental
features, such as ornamental pavers, may be permitted or required
in the Downtown Business Overlay District or for any Borough streetscape
project, in the sole discretion of the Borough Council.
B. Dimensional criteria. Sidewalks shall adhere to the following dimensional
criteria:
(1)
Minimum width: 48 inches, provided that passing space is provided
at intervals of 200 feet or less which is either:
(a)
Sixty inches by 60 inches minimum; or
(b)
An intersection of two walking surfaces, providing a T-shaped
space where the base and arms of the T-shaped space spans 48 inches
minimum beyond their intersection.
(2)
Minimum required thickness: four inches.
(3)
Grass verges and sidewalk width shall otherwise be consistent with the applicable Design Standards in Article
IV, Design Standards for Residential and Nonresidential Subdivisions and Land Developments.
C. Cross slope. The cross slope of a sidewalk shall not exceed 2%. The
cross slope shall be sloped in the downward direction toward the cartway.
D. Running slope. A sidewalk may have a running slope in the upwardly
or downwardly direction at a maximum of 5% from the existing sidewalk
grade in order to accommodate driveway aprons and transitions to ramps
which are either higher or lower than the level of the sidewalk.
E. Excavation and subbase. Wherever sidewalk is replaced or installed,
the area under the sidewalk shall be excavated to a depth of eight
inches below the level of the finished walk. Four inches of three-fourths-inch
stone shall be placed and compacted in the excavated area under the
sidewalk.
F. Forms.
(1)
Wood or metal forms may be utilized in sidewalk construction
so long as the forms are set in a fashion that ensures the thickness
of the sidewalk is a full four inches.
(2)
Forms must be inspected by the Borough official prior to concrete
being poured.
G. Surface drainage prohibited. No accumulated surface, roof area or
driveway water shall be directed across the surface of a sidewalk.
All sidewalk and curb construction shall accommodate drainage of surface,
roof area and driveway water under the sidewalk where necessary.
H. Subsurface sidewalk drain specifications.
(1)
Surface drainage shall be carried under the sidewalk and through
the curb in minimum SDR 35 PVC pipe having an inside diameter of three
inches, and which shall be one piece from the street face of the curb
to six inches inside the building side of the sidewalk when applicable
or required by the Borough official.
(2)
The invert of the pipe at the street end shall be at least 1/2
inch above the bottom of the face of the curb. At a minimum, there
shall be at least 1 1/2 inches between the top of curb and the
top of pipe. The grade of the pipe to the street shall not be less
than 1/4 inch per foot.
(3)
There shall be a minimum of one such drain for each fifty-foot
interval per building lot and a minimum of two per building; provided,
however, that the aforesaid spacing requirements shall not apply to
the replacement of existing drainage facilities.
(4)
Where a storm sewer is available in the street or under the
sidewalk, the above drain shall discharge into the same. If no storm
sewer is available, the drainage shall be through the face of the
curb into the street gutters.
I. Expansion joints.
(1)
A three-fourths-inch premolded expansion joint material shall
be placed at maximum intervals of 30 feet along a sidewalk.
(2)
Wherever the sidewalk abuts against a wall, building or other
permanent structure, a longitudinal expansion joint shall be provided.
J. Finishing.
(1)
The surface of all sidewalks shall have a broom finish.
(2)
The edges of sidewalks shall be finished with a one-fourth-inch
radius and joints troweled every 48 inches or 72 inches, as required
by the Borough official.
K. Poles, trees, fire hydrants, and light standards. An opening shall
be left around all trees within the sidewalk area. All poles, fire
hydrants, light standards, or any other structure shall have an area
of concrete a minimum of six inches larger than the pertinent item,
boxed-out with an expansion joint. Signpost sleeves shall be provided
for existing or proposed signs.
L. Public utility and service boxes. Under no circumstances shall any
public service curb or sidewalk boxes for access to underground facilities
be left below the sidewalk level. Service curb or sidewalk boxes shall
be extended to the finished elevation of the new sidewalk.
M. Backfill, grading and lawn restoration.
(1)
As soon as reasonably possible, but in no event more than 12
hours after the removal of forms, any void behind the sidewalk shall
be backfilled.
(2)
Material shall be placed in loose layers not exceeding four
inches and compacted using vibrating or mechanical tampers. The topmost
four inches shall be topsoil which is raked and seeded for areas where
a grass strip is to adjoin the curb. New seed shall be watered within
24 hours of initial placement.
(3)
Where there are slopes adjacent a sidewalk in excess of 25%,
matting is required, and the Borough official may require a retaining
wall or the slope to be cut back to provide less slope.
Figure 6.2: Roadway Construction Standards
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Bicycle parking facilities for nonresidential structures shall
include a secure device to which the bicycle frame and one wheel of
the bicycle can be attached with a cable or locking device. The device
shall be suitable to keep bicycles erect when they are locked to it.
Widths and locations of easements and rights-of-way shall be
determined by the Borough Engineer or the appropriate authority or
utility company for all utilities, including stormwater facilities.
The location and design of the utilities shall be governed by the
requirements herein.
A. General standards.
(1)
Easements and required front, side or rear yards may co-occupy
the same land as utilities.
(2)
Nothing shall be permitted to be placed, planted, set or put
within the areas of an easement unless it is a portable or removable
object. The area shall be kept as lawn.
(3)
The owner of any lot, upon written request by the Borough and
at the owner's sole expense, shall remove anything placed, planted,
set or put, (with or without knowledge of these regulations) within
the area of any easement.
(4)
To the fullest extent possible, easements shall be adjacent
to rear or side lot lines, and occupying only a portion of one lot
(not centered on two lots).
B. No right-of-way or easement for any purpose whatsoever shall be recited
or described in any deed unless the same has been shown on the approved
plan. Any error found in a deed shall be immediately corrected and
re-recorded in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds for Montgomery
County at Norristown, Pennsylvania, at the sole expense of the applicant.
C. Utility easements. A minimum width of 20 feet shall be provided for
common utilities and drainage when provided in undedicated land for
one use. Multiple utility uses within one easement require additional
easement width.
D. Public utilities. All water, sewer, and gas mains and other underground
facilities shall be installed prior to street paving at locations
approved by the Borough Engineer.
E. Underground utilities. All water, sewer, and gas mains shall be installed
underground. All electric, telephone and communication services, both
main and service lines, shall be provided by underground cables, installed
in accordance with the prevailing standards and practices of the utility
or other companies providing such services, except where it is demonstrated
to the satisfaction of Borough Council that underground installations
herein required are not feasible because of physical conditions of
the lands involved. All main underground cables which are within the
right-of-way of a street shall be located as specified by the utility
company, subject to approval by Borough Council, upon recommendation
of the Borough Engineer.
(1)
In order to promote and facilitate the underground installation
of utility distribution lines, a letter of endorsement shall be required
from the suppliers of utility service (not limited to electrical,
telephone, or cable television) of the developer's choice wherein
the applicant acknowledges that underground utilities are feasible
and shall be consummated as part of the improvement plan.
(2)
A statement relative to the intent of the developer to provide
underground utility service shall be placed on the Final Plan requisite
to final approval of the plan.
(3)
The provisions in this chapter shall not be construed as to
limit or interfere with the construction, installation, operation,
and maintenance of public utility structures or facilities which may
hereafter be located within public easements or rights-of-way designated
for such purposes.
(4)
Light standards are to be placed as required by ordinance. Power
sources for such standards shall be placed underground as required.
(5)
Along arterial and collector roads, all new electrical service
shall be placed underground.