[Adopted 3-10-1986 by Ord. No. 522]
Every owner of property in the Borough of Sellersville shall,
on 60 days' notice from the Borough Council, construct or reconstruct,
either a sidewalk or curbing, or both, as specified in the notice,
which shall conform to all applicable requirements of this article
in front of or alongside of such property as said notice may require.
Every owner of property in the Borough of Sellersville shall,
on 60 days' notice from the Borough Council, repair the sidewalk
or curbing, or both, in the manner stipulated in such notice, in front
of or alongside of such property. However, where a condition exists
of an emergency nature, such repairs shall be made within 48 hours
of such notice.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Patching with concrete, or a suitable concrete patching material,
minor cracks, holes or deteriorated sections of existing concrete
sidewalk and curb.
Every owner of property in the Borough of Sellersville shall,
on 60 days' notice from the Borough Council, reconstruct any
section of sidewalk and/or curb where one or more of the following
conditions exist:
A.
Replace sidewalk sections which are not vertically aligned in excess
of 1/2 inch at any location along an abutting level section.
B.
Sidewalk sections cracked with settlement or upheaval of a portion
of the section in excess of 1/2 inch at any location along the abutting
portion.
C.
Sidewalk section spalled where surface deteriorated to a depth of
1/8 inch and concrete surface is loose, peeled, and pitted at least
25% of the sidewalk section.
D.
Sidewalk sections abutting separately installed curls which have
settled adjacent to the curb 1/2 inch or greater.
E.
Where curb and sidewalk are monolithic construction and curb is suitable
and sidewalk sections are not, the property owner has the option of:
(1)
Complete removal of curb and sidewalk and replacement as a monolithic
installation or separate curb/sidewalk construction.
(2)
Saw curb joint between curb and sidewalk; remove sidewalk; place
one-fourth-inch premoulded joint material between curb and sidewalk
section to be installed; replace sidewalk section.
F.
Sidewalk sections having cracked areas 1/2 inch or wider having no
vertical difference. Replace in entirety or repair by cleaning cracked
area and coat with epoxy; install concrete, smoothing area to blend
with surrounding sidewalk.
G.
Curb that is cracked or misaligned vertically and/or horizontally
one inch or more must be replaced.
H.
Curb surfaces deteriorated or spalled must be replaced.
J.
Granite curb stones shall be replaced if not vertically aligned with
the sidewalk surface or leaning or irregular alignment along road
gutter.
K.
Slate curb shall be removed and replaced.
Wherever existing curb or sidewalk is constructed of slate,
brick or material other than concrete and repairs are ordered under
the terms of this article, such sidewalk shall be reconstructed of
concrete with the following two exceptions:
The notice referred to in the preceding sections may be written
or printed or partially printed or partially written.
No curb or sidewalk construction or reconstruction shall be
performed by or for any property owner unless such property owner
or his agent shall have first notified the Borough Manager/Secretary
and obtained a permit for such construction or reconstruction, which
permit shall be valid for a period of 60 days. No charge shall be
made for this permit.
All sidewalks and curbing shall be constructed, reconstructed
and repaired according to sidewalk widths, curb and sidewalk design
specifications and material specifications as shall be from time to
time adopted by the Borough Council.
Any property owner, upon his own initiative and without notice
from any Borough authority, may construct, reconstruct or repair a
sidewalk or curbing in front or alongside his property, provided that
such owner shall have obtained the permit specified in this article
and shall do such construction, reconstruction or repairs in accordance
with the requirements of this article.
All sidewalks and curbings shall be constructed, reconstructed
and repaired and the grading thereof done upon line and grade established
by the Borough.
A.
Except as otherwise provided herein, it shall be the duty and responsibility
of the Borough Engineer to determine, in the case of any individual
property, whether or not the sidewalk shall be reconstructed or repaired
and, if so, the specific part or parts thereof to be reconstructed
or repaired.
B.
The Engineer may, at any time during the course of work of constructing,
reconstructing or repairing any curb or sidewalk, visit the site of
such work to ascertain whether such work is being done according to
the requirements of this article.
In all cases where sidewalks are constructed, reconstructed
or repaired over excavations or openings under such sidewalks, such
sidewalks shall be supported by iron or steel beams or girders or
stone or concrete arches of a design subject to the approval of the
Borough Engineer.
Upon the failure of any owner of property in the Borough of
Sellersville to construct, reconstruct or repair any curb or sidewalk
after notices have been given in accordance with this article, the
Borough may cause the necessary construction, reconstruction or repairing
to be done at the expense of said owner and may collect the cost thereof
and all additional charges, expenses and penalties as authorized by
Section 1805 of the Borough Code of 1966, P.L. (1965) 1656.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 46805.
B.
All construction, reconstruction and repair of curbs and sidewalks
shall be in strict conformity with said article and these regulations.
Any variation from these standards shall be made only with the expressed
approval of the Borough Council; provided, however, that the Borough
Engineer may make minor adjustments in these regulations and specifications
where special or unusual topographic or use conditions exist or under
conditions specifically indicated in these regulations.
Owners shall apply to the Borough municipal building for a construction
permit before any curb and/or sidewalk construction or alteration
is made. The Borough office will at all times direct the Borough Engineer
to furnish lines and grades for all curb construction.
Where grade stakes are necessary, the owner will protect such
stakes from being moved or removed. If the Borough Engineer is required
to survey and establish grade stakes a second time by reason of the
same having been moved or not usable due to the owner's delay
in proceeding with construction, the Borough may charge to the owner
the cost of such second survey.
B.
The Borough Council shall determine for each street or section of
the Borough the standard width of the curb-sidewalk, curb-grass or
plot-sidewalk which will apply to such street or section.
C.
A radius curb shall be constructed at all street, alley and/or vehicular
public way intersections. The arc of each radius shall be specified
by the Borough Engineer.
D.
All curb and sidewalk areas shall be constructed or reconstructed
to provide curb cut ramps for the physically handicapped, except where
a curb-cut ramp cannot be physically constructed to safe standards
because of, but not limited to, very narrow and/or very steep sidewalks
and unavoidable trees or other obstructions.
(1)
Design standards.
(a)
The curb-cut ramps should be as close to the intersection as
possible to keep the widths of crosswalks to a minimum.
(c)
The ramps at intersections with less than eleven-foot-wide sidewalks
shall be constructed as illustrated in Figure 4[3] by depressing the curbs and sidewalks to the height necessary
to achieve the necessary ramp slopes and provide safe pedestrian and
wheelchair movement.
[3]
Editor's Note: Figure 4 is on file in the Borough offices.
(d)
At existing or proposed midblock crosswalks where curbs are
constructed or reconstructed, curb-cut ramps should be provided in
the immediate vicinity of hospitals, medical centers and stadiums.
(e)
Existing driveway ramps near street intersections should be
constructed for use as wheelchair ramps where curbs are being constructed
or reconstructed.
(f)
Local conditions must be carefully evaluated along any proposed
improvement project to determine the type and extent of adjacent development
that would entail significant land use by physically handicapped persons.
(2)
Design and construction practices.[4]
(a)
Preferably, there should be two ramps at each corner (see Figure
1). However, one ramp at the middle of the curb return (see Figure
7) is acceptable, provided that the crosswalks are made wide enough
so that a wheelchair may enter either crosswalk from the ramp. Ramps
may also be provided at midblock crosswalks where the need exists.
It is important to a blind person using the sidewalk that the location
of the ramps be as uniform as possible within a general area. (See
Figure 3 for a typical layout at an intersection.)
(b)
Establish the inside crosswalk line by bisecting the intersecting
radii.
(c)
Keep the central ten-foot-long arc of the curb radius at a six-inch
height for all sidewalks (see Figure 4). This will help control the
position of the outer crosswalk line and also discourage vehicles
from jumping the curb.
(d)
Provide a minimum three-foot landing area at top of the curb-cut
ramp to allow adequate turning space for wheelchairs. To achieve this
on any sidewalk:
[1]
It will be necessary to depress the curb and sidewalk at each
outer area (see Area Z in Figure 4) of all intersection corners to
an appropriate height, not less than three inches, depending upon
the sidewalk width. The slope of this Area Z should be 24 to one.
For eleven-foot or wider sidewalks, this transition is not required.
[2]
It will be necessary to depress the curb and sidewalk (see Area
W in Figure 4) at the end of the central length arch of the curb radius
to three inches at a twelve to one slope for narrow sidewalks (generally
less than seven feet). From this point onwards, the sidewalk and curb
should be warped at a twelve-to-one slope. For wider sidewalks, as
a rule, the curb and sidewalk should be warped directly at a twelve-to-one
slope without providing the Area W, as shown on Figure 4. An eight-to-one
slope may be used for seven-foot-wide sidewalks, omitting the Area
W shown on Figure 4.
[3]
If an additional right-of-way is available, an alternate solution
would be the addition of a three-foot landing area behind the sidewalk
while maintaining a twelve-to-one ramp slope.
(e)
The outside crosswalk lines may be placed close to the edge
of the ramp if necessary. Good engineering judgment is always necessary
for minor adjustments in the ramp locations if the intersection has
corners with varying radii or the streets intersect at other than
90°. The acute angle corner is critical for ramp location (see
Figure 3).
(f)
The slope of the wheelchair ramp should be a maximum of twelve
to one. However, if the-three-foot landing area cannot be obtained
in narrow sidewalks with this slope, it may be increased, but in no
case should it exceed a maximum of eight to one.
(g)
The length of the side ramp should be measured along the curb
so that the slope is not steeper than twelve to one. (See Length X
of Figure 4.)
(h)
All curb-cut ramps should have a minimum four-foot width at
the curb. However, the top width of the ramp may be narrowed to three
feet where necessary.
(i)
If drainage conditions at a different location permit raising
the flow line in the curb return, the reduced curb height will help
shorten ramps placed in narrow sidewalks and/or reduce the slope of
the ramps. Drainage structures must not be placed in line with ramps.
(j)
When the edge of the ramp is at a distance less than four feet
from an existing object, such as a traffic signal or utility pole
or tree, reduce the height of the curb by a variable slope to such
height so that the curb-cut ramps shall be placed with the minimum
three-foot landing area at slopes acceptable. This condition may be
the rule for intersections in urbanized areas (see Figure 5).
(k)
The surface of the ramp should be rougher than the texture used
on the surrounding sidewalk and be obtained by a course brooming,
transverse to the slope of the ramp. The tougher texture will provide
a nonslip surface and help warn the blind person of the ramp's
presence.
(l)
A one-half-inch expansion joint will be required where the wheelchair
ramp joins any rigid pavement or structure. The top of the joint filler
shall be flush with the adjacent concrete.
(m)
Care should be taken to assure a uniform grade on the ramp,
free of sags and short grade changes.
(n)
A wheelchair ramp in a median strip may be provided as shown
in Figure 6.
[4]
Editor's Note: See accompanying figures on file in the
Borough offices.
A.
Where existing sidewalk and/or curb is to be removed, the contractor
shall be responsible for excavation and removal of excavated materials
from the site.
B.
Where conditions require removal of curbs and/or sidewalks adjacent
to that which is to remain, the contractor shall saw-cut at the nearest
scoring mark or remove material to the nearest expansion joint or
construction joint, as directed by the Engineer.
A.
The foundation for the bed shall be formed at a depth of eight inches
below and parallel with the finished surface of the sidewalk and 18
inches below finished grade of curb unless otherwise indicated on
the drawing or specified.
B.
All boulders, organic materials, soft clay, spongy material and other
unsuitable materials shall be removed to a depth determined by the
engineer.
C.
All fill and/or backfill shall be of suitable material and shall
be thoroughly tamped and compacted.
D.
Class 2-B stone shall be spread on the prepared foundation of sidewalk
to form a compacted bed four inches in depth, unless otherwise specified
or indicated on the drawings. This material shall be thoroughly tamped
and compacted.
A.
Forms for the curb shall be of metal, except wood forms may be used
on sharp curves and short tangent sections when approved by the Engineer.
Forms shall be straight, free from warp and of sufficient strength
when staked to resist the pressure of the concrete without springing.
At least three stakes shall be provided for each 10 feet of form.
Metal forms shall be of approved section and shall have a flat surface
on top and wood forms shall be nominal two-inch surfaced planks. These
forms shall be of a depth equal to the depth of the sidewalk pavement
or curb.
B.
Curb forms shall be designed to permit secure fastening of the face
and back forms at the top. These fastenings shall be constructed in
a manner that will not obstruct satisfactory finishing and edging
of the top of the curb but will permit removal of the inside or face
forms. The outside or back forms shall be straight from top to bottom.
The inside of the face forms shall have a batter from the top of the
curb to the finished surface line of the pavement, as indicated on
the drawing, and shall be straight from this line to the bottom.
C.
Steel templates 1/8 of an inch in thickness of the width of the curb
and not less than two inches longer than the depth of the curb shall
be used to separate adjacent sections. Forms shall be well secured
and accurately set to given lines, the upper edges conforming to the
grade of the finished work. All forms shall be thoroughly cleaned
and treated with an approved material, as required, to prevent the
concrete from adhering thereto. Oil, bituminous paper or other material
which will adhere to or discolor the concrete shall not be used. Forms
and templates which are worn, bent, warped, broken or otherwise deformed
shall not be used.
A.
Sidewalk shall be constructed in separate slabs of 30 feet in length
except for closures. These slabs shall be separated by transverse
premolded expansion joint filler, 1/4 of an inch in thickness, for
the full depth of the concrete. Transverse premolded expansion joint
filler shall also be placed adjacent to existing structures. The slabs
between expansion joints shall be divided into blocks five feet in
length by scoring transversely. Where the slabs are more than six
feet in width, they shall be scored longitudinally in the center.
Transverse and longitudinal scoring shall extend for a depth of at
least 1/4 the thickness of the concrete slab.
B.
Premolded expansion joint filler, 1/4 of an inch in thickness for
the full depth of the concrete, shall be placed longitudinally between
curb and sidewalk.
C.
Where existing trees, light standards, poles, fire hydrants and similar
structures are within the limits of the sidewalk area, a twenty-four-inch
square box made of two-foot-by-four-inch wood shall be used to separate
the above-named structures from the cement sidewalk. After the cement
has been poured, the forms are to be removed and bituminous material
placed into the opening.
D.
Curbs shall be constructed in uniform lengths of sections of 10 feet,
except where shorter sections are necessary for closures or curves,
but no section shall be less than four feet. Premolded expansion joint
filler, 1/4 inch in thickness and cut to conform to the cross section
of the curb, shall be placed at the ends of the sections of curved
curbs and at intervals of not more than 30 feet on straight sections.
Intermediate joints between sections shall be formed of two thicknesses
of one-ply bituminous paper cut neatly to the cross section of the
curb and one paper placed on each side of the one-eighth-inch steel
template. If the method of handling the work is such that the templates
cannot be removed satisfactorily, the curb shall be constructed in
alternate section.
A.
All curb and sidewalk construction shall provide for surface drainage
under the sidewalk. Plastic conductor pipes shall be placed at right
angles to the curb at locations of existing drainage facilities and/or
as directed by the Engineer.
B.
Surface drainage shall be carried under the sidewalk and through
the curb in Evanite Solid standard strength plastic pipe, or equal
approved by the Borough Engineer, having an inside diameter of three
inches and shall be one piece from the street side of the curb to
six inches inside building side of the sidewalk. The building end
of the conductor pipe shall be provided with a hub and the building
storm drains shall be properly connected to it. A piece of six-by-six
(opening's size) and at least 10-by-10 (thickness gauge) mesh
concrete reinforcing material shall be installed over the rain conductor
pipe its entire length and shall extend 30 inches on each side of
the pipe. The concrete shall be scored over the center line of the
pipe. The invert of the pipe at the street shall be exactly 5 1/2
inches from the top of the curb. The grade of the pipe to the street
shall not be less than 1/4 inch per foot.
A.
Air-entrained concrete having an air content 5% to 7% and a minimum
twenty-eight-day compressive strength of 3,300 pounds per square inch
shall be used.
B.
Cement content per cubic yard of concrete shall not be less than
six bags, and mixing water shall not exceed six gallons per sack of
cement, including that contained in the aggregates.
C.
The slump of the mix shall not be less than one inch nor more than
three inches.
D.
Test cylinders to determine the strength of the concrete shall be
furnished the Engineer when requested. Cost of transporting to the
testing lab and testing of these cylinders shall be paid by the contractor.
A.
Prior to placing the concrete, the contractor shall notify the Engineer
so that he may approve the subgrade and the line and grade of the
forms.
B.
Concrete shall be placed immediately after mixing.
C.
In no case shall concrete be placed when the subgrade is thawing
or during unfavorable weather conditions or when the prevailing atmospheric
temperature is below 40° F. and falling.
D.
The concrete for sidewalks shall be placed to a depth of four inches,
unless otherwise indicated on the drawings or specified. The curb
shall be depressed as indicated on the drawings or as directed.
E.
The concrete for the curb shall be placed in the forms to a minimum
depth of 18 inches and shall be placed in horizontal layers not to
exceed five inches and shall be spaded sufficiently to eliminate all
voids. An approved vibrator may be used when permitted by the Engineer.
F.
Curb thickness shall be a minimum of eight inches at the base tapering
to seven inches at the top.
A.
The top surface of the curb and sidewalk shall be finished true to
line and grade in a smooth, neat and even manner by means of wood
floats except where otherwise specified. The edges of the curb face
shall be rounded to a radius of not more than 3/4 of an inch while
the concrete is plastic. The top surface of all sidewalks shall slope
toward the street with a slope of 3/8 inch to the foot.
B.
On steep grades, or as directed by the Borough Engineer, the surface
of the sidewalk shall be roughened to provide better footing. This
may be accomplished by lifting a wood float straight up from the surface
or by brooming.
C.
Unless otherwise directed, an edger having a one-fourth-inch radius
shall be used for edging all joints.
D.
Coloring of cement surfaces shall not be permitted.
E.
Plastering will not be allowed, and the surface shall not be brush-coated
with cement or grout after rubbing.
A.
White-pigmented liquid membrane-forming curing compound shall be
applied to the finished surface as soon as possible without marring
the surface.
B.
The concrete shall be protected from the elements and freezing at
all times during the curing process.
C.
Curing time shall be a minimum of 72 hours after placing the concrete.
D.
Concrete injured during the curing time by freezing shall be removed
and replaced by the contractor at his own expense.
A.
The forms shall remain in place at least 12 hours after placing the
concrete.
B.
Any irregular surface shall be corrected by rubbing with carborundum
stone. Brush finishing or plastering will not be permitted, and all
rejected curb shall be promptly removed and replaced at the expense
of the contractor.
C.
All joints in the curb shall be opened from top to bottom immediately
after the forms are removed, and the edges adjacent to the joints
shall be sharp and clean cut.
D.
After forms are removed, minor defects shall be filled with mortar
composed of one part cement and two parts fine aggregate.
E.
Major honeycombed areas will be considered as defective work and
shall be removed and replaced at the expense of the contractor.
A.
After the concrete has cured for a period of not less than 72 hours,
the space between the curb and sidewalk shall be backfilled with material
approved by the Borough Engineer in layers of not less than four inches
in depth, which shall be thoroughly compacted mechanically to the
required cross section and elevations.
B.
The excavated area between the curb and the existing street shall
be backfilled with Pa. 2-A modified stone aggregate and compacted
to a level 2 1/2 inches below the finished street surface, unless
otherwise specified by the Borough Engineer.
During the excavation, construction, repair, curing and backfilling
of any curb, sidewalk or driveway, the contractor shall provide, place
and maintain adequate hazard warnings to vehicular and pedestrian
traffic by means of barricades, flares, lights or similar means.
In the process of construction or reconstruction of curb and
sidewalk, the permittee shall use diligence in protecting all public
structures, such as existing streets, drainage structures and utilities.
Any cost to the Borough for repair to damaged structures shall be
charged to the person or contractor who caused such damage.
Whenever it is necessary to open an improved street for the
purpose of installing curb forms or curbs, the street surface shall
be cut by an appropriate means to assure a straight and even paving
edge. If such edge is cut prior to the finished curb construction
and damaged in the process of construction, the damaged edge shall
be recut. In the event that the Borough is required to recut any improperly
cut pavement or correct any deficiencies in backfill, the cost thereof
shall be charged to the person or contractor.
