The purpose of this article shall be to improve
and promote the health, safety and general welfare of the community
by establishing traffic regulations within parking areas, apartment
complexes, supermarkets and any other private property devoted to
public use and access. The City of Middletown finds that improper
parking on certain private properties open to the public may impede
the accessibility of fire apparatus in fighting any potential fires
on private property. The purpose of this article is to keep fire lanes
open, so as to make private property accessible to Fire Department
and emergency service apparatus.
As used in this article, the following words
shall have the following meanings:
FIRE LANE
A passageway or roadway along which Fire Department equipment,
fire-fighting apparatus and emergency service apparatus may gain access
to private property to fight fires or give aid.
OBSTRUCTION
The prevention or hindrance of free movement along or over
a fire lane through some means other than a parked vehicle.
PARK
The standing or halting of a vehicle, whether occupied or
not, other than temporarily for the purpose of, and while actually
engaged in, loading or unloading.
PERSON
Every natural person, firm, copartnership, association or
corporation.
VEHICLE
Every device in, upon or by which any person or property
is or may be transported or carried.
No person shall park a vehicle within any area
designated and established as a fire lane. Every person violating
this provision shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of $50.
No person, firm, or corporation shall erect,
place, or allow any obstruction or prohibit access thereupon to designated
fire lanes.
The Police Department and the Fire Department
are hereby authorized to cause the removal of any parked vehicle or
any obstruction when the parking of such vehicle or obstruction is
considered to be hazardous to the safe operation of traffic or to
interfere with emergency operations of the municipality or public
service organization.
Persons desiring further information on this
subject are referred to the Vehicle and Traffic Law of the State of
New York, § 1640-a.
[Amended 4-23-2007 by L.L. No. 1-2007]
Except as otherwise provided herein, violators of this article shall be punished as provided in §
460-41 of Article
I of this chapter.