The Board of Trustees of the Village of Great Neck Estates hereby finds
that it is necessary for the Village to establish procedures so that fire
lanes be designated on private property located within its jurisdiction. The
Board of Trustees further finds that it is necessary to control ingress and
egress in connection with these fire lanes. The Board of Trustees believes
that these actions are essential in connection with the protection of life
and property and that they are an appropriate exercise of the Village's police
power.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
FIRE LANE
A right-of-way for the passage of fire vehicles and equipment, as
well as the entrances and exits associated therewith.
The Superintendent of Public Works of the Village is authorized to designate
fire lanes on private property located within the Village when he finds that
such action is necessary to ensure the adequate passage of fire vehicles and
equipment on the property. In designating a fire lane, the Superintendent
shall define its precise location and dimensions and shall have the power
to require the owner of the property to grade and pave the fire lane, provide
for drainage and make such other improvements as are necessary to permit the
ingress and egress of fire vehicles and equipment. The Superintendent shall
also have the power to require the owner of the property to provide signs
and such other markings as are suitable to assure public notice of the existence
of the fire lane.
The Superintendent of Public Works, prior to designating a fire lane,
shall be required to notify the owner of the property of the proposed designation
and any improvements that will be required in connection therewith. Such notice
shall be given not less than 14 days prior to any such designation and shall
be given either personally or by certified mail, return receipt requested,
to the owner's last known address. The notice shall also advise the owner
that if he requests the right to appear before the Superintendent to discuss
the proposed designation, then he shall be given the opportunity to do so,
provided that he so notifies the Village Clerk by certified mail, return receipt
requested, posted on or before the proposed date of designation.
If the owner of the subject property appears before the Superintendent of Public Works as provided in §
123-4 above, then he shall be given an opportunity to present such information as he deems relevant to the designation, including but not limited to the impact that the designation will have on his use of the property and the cost, if any, that will be incurred by him in connection with the improvements associated therewith.
An area designated as a fire lane pursuant to the provisions of this
chapter shall be kept unobstructed at all times by the owner of the property,
as well as all other persons.