[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors
of the Township of Uwchlan 1-13-1992 by Ord. No. 92-02. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
This chapter shall be known as the "Uwchlan
Township Parking Ordinance."
As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated except where the content or language
clearly indicates or requires a different meaning:
An individual duly appointed as such by the Township Board
of Supervisors.
A single unit providing complete, independent living facilities
for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living,
which normally include provisions for sleeping, eating, cooking and
sanitation; each room in a rooming house; also as defined in the Uwchlan
Township Zoning Ordinance.[1]
Fire companies and emergency service organizations performing
services in the Township.
As described in § 174-3 hereof.
An individual duly appointed as such by the Township Board
of Supervisors.
Parking spaces as prescribed by the Building and Zoning Officer,
in accordance with ANSI standards and requirements of the Pennsylvania
Department of Labor and Industry, and shall be marked with the proper
sign in front of the space and like markings in the confines of the
parking space itself, as is detailed in the Uniform Manual on Traffic
Control Devices ("UMTCD").
A vehicle which is self-propelled, except one which is propelled
solely by human power or by electric power obtained from overhead
trolley wires, but not operated upon rails.
A momentary stopping area that has been designated by the
Building and Zoning Officer and marked for use by vendors or the general
public for the loading or unloading of goods, merchandise or the like.
Vehicles may not be parked in a parcel pickup/loading zone for longer
than five minutes.
An area used for the express purpose of parking or standing
of a vehicle and/or motor vehicle, whether on private property or
a public street.
An individual duly appointed as such by the Township Board
of Supervisors.
A way intended for general public use to provide means of
travel for vehicles and pedestrians. The word shall include words
such as: "alley," "road," "highway" and "thoroughfare."
Uwchlan Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania.
An individual or firm duly appointed as such by the Township
Board of Supervisors.
A.
Whenever the Fire Marshal, in conjunction with the Police Chief and Building and Zoning Officer, shall determine that the parking of motor vehicles upon any public or private street, lane, alley or any private parking area, including but not limited to commercial and industrial complexes, apartment and multifamily residential areas, schools, institutions, shopping centers, or other private areas, is liable to interfere with the operation of the Fire Department or seriously hamper egress of occupants from a building in case of fire, they shall designate the area to be established as a fire lane, which designation shall be finally approved by the Building and Zoning Officer. Fire lanes shall be of sufficient width (as provided in this chapter) to permit the ingress, egress and mobility of fire and emergency equipment. In the case of private property, within 90 days (weather conditions permitting) from the notice of such designation of a fire lane or lanes to the property owner or the owner of any building located within the property, the owner shall, at his expense, install the fire lane (where applicable) and post the area(s) so designated with signs identifying the areas as a fire lane (as detailed within Subsection F hereof) and specifically prohibit all stopping, standing or parking within these fire lanes. Such signs shall be of specifications as described within this chapter and/or as shown in any nonconflicting provisions of the UMTCD, and shall read: "NO PARKING, STANDING OR STOPPING at any time." Parking lines and signs identifying the area as a fire lane shall be provided by the owner.
B.
For structures with building setbacks greater than
30 feet, fire lanes shall extend from existing and improved public
streets, and shall have a minimum unobstructed right-of-way width
of 24 feet, within which there shall be constructed an all-weather,
well-drained cartway not less than 20 feet in width. The Building
and Zoning Officer may authorize variations in the fire lane design
standards for existing sites and structures that cannot practically
comply with the design standards.
C.
Fire lanes which curve from or change direction shall
have a minimum radius of 55 feet and a minimum tangent length of 50
feet between curves.
D.
Dead-end fire lanes shall not exceed 400 feet in length
and shall be terminated with an unobstructed vehicular turnaround
or cul-de-sac with a minimum surface radius of 40 feet, for all new
sites.
E.
Fire lanes shall be shown on all subdivision and land
development plans and must be reviewed by the Township Engineer, Building
and Zoning Officer, Fire Marshal and Police Chief.
F.
Signage and pavement markings designating fire lanes are required in accordance with standards set forth in the UMTCD. Where physical characteristics of the site dictate a need to vary from the Manual's recommendations, the Building and Zoning Officer shall have discretion to waive strict compliance with the Manual's recommendations and adapt them to the site, provided that the changes will promote the public safety and welfare. Generally, signs shall be of red letters on a white reflective background. The wording will be as stated in Subsection A hereof. Placement will be at individual parking spaces or along lanes at intervals not exceeding 50 feet. Double-faced signs shall be installed where deemed necessary.
G.
Fire lanes shall at all times remain unobstructed
except for emergency vehicles and equipment used in emergency situations
as provided in the Vehicle Code of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
H.
The requirements of this chapter shall apply to all existing and proposed uses described in Subsection A above.
I.
The design for the construction of fire lanes will
be as set forth in this chapter and shall be finally approved by the
Building and Zoning Officer.
A.
No person shall be permitted to park a motor vehicle
in or along the side of any Township street:
(1)
After a snowfall of one or greater inches in depth.
(2)
As posted by the Uwchlan Township Road Department
for cleaning.
(3)
During the time of a declared local emergency.
(4)
During adverse weather conditions that require the
salting/cindering of roadways.
(5)
During special events as provided for and authorized
by the Police Chief and the Township Board of Supervisors.
B.
Parking, stopping and standing of vehicles on a street
shall comply with the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code and all applicable
Township ordinances.
C.
Placement of trash containers, dumpsters and utility-construction
trailers shall be permitted as approved by the Building and Zoning
Officer prior to installation.
A.
No person or entity shall park, stop or stand any
type of motor vehicle:
[Amended 3-24-1997 by Ord. No. 97-05[1]]
A.
An owner or operator of a motor vehicle stopped, standing
or parked in violation of any provision of this chapter shall be subject
to a criminal fine in an amount not to exceed $1,000, payable to Uwchlan
Township within 14 calendar days of issuance of such notice, plus
all costs of prosecution, including reasonable attorneys' fees. Enforcement
of this section shall be by action brought before a Magisterial District
Judge in the same manner provided for the enforcement of summary offenses
under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure. The Township Solicitor
may assume charge of the prosecution without the consent of the District
Attorney. Upon failure to pay the fine, the defendant may be sentenced
to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 90 days.
B.
It shall be the duty of the Fire Marshal and police
officers of Uwchlan Township to report all violations of any provision
of this chapter, indicating in each case the section thereof violated,
the location of the violation, the time of such violation and any
other facts necessary to secure a clear understanding of the circumstances
attending such violation. Each officer/official shall also place on
such vehicles such notice of violation to the owner or operator thereof
that such vehicle has been parked, stopped or standing in violation
of the provisions of this chapter.
C.
Any vehicle parked, stopped or standing in violation
of this chapter shall be subject to being towed, at the owner's expense,
by the order of the Fire Marshal or a police officer of Uwchlan Township
in addition to any penalties imposed by any other section of this
chapter. Payment of storage and towing charges, set by the private
contractor used by the Township, shall be the sole responsibility
of the registered owner/operator of the vehicle. Accumulation of fees
related to storage, regardless of time, shall be the responsibility
of the registered owner of the vehicle. Neither the Township or private
contractor have any obligation to contact the owner of the vehicle
that has been towed.
D.
Any person who violates the requirements of § 174-3 hereof shall be subject to a criminal fine in an amount not to exceed $1,000, plus the costs of prosecution, including reasonable attorneys' fees. In default of payment thereof, the defendant may be sentenced to a term not exceeding 90 days. Each twenty-four-hour period that a violation continues shall constitute a separate offense. Enforcement of this section shall be by action brought before a Magisterial District Judge in the same manner provided for the enforcement of summary offenses under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure. The Township Solicitor may assume charge of the prosecution without the consent of the District Attorney.
E.
Nothing herein contained shall preclude the Township
from seeking enforcement of this chapter in any action at law or in
equity.
The regulations and standards of this chapter
shall be applicable within the political boundaries of Uwchlan Township.
In the event any provision of the chapter conflicts
with any other ordinance of Uwchlan Township, the provisions of this
chapter shall prevail.
