[Ord. 693, 1/19/1989, § 1]
The owner or owners of all lots fronting or abutting upon any
public street or alley shall construct, lay, set and maintain in good
repair and condition, satisfactory to Borough Council, the respective
sidewalks and curbs in front of or alongside their respective lots,
according to the elevations, grade, width, height and slope which
are now or hereafter established by the Borough, and of the materials
and specifications hereinafter prescribed.
[Ord. 693, 1/19/1989, § 3]
1. Notification and Permits. A permit must be obtained prior to any
curb or sidewalk construction. The owner or contractor should notify
the Borough: after the string line has been set to proper line and
grade; after setting the forms and before placing of concrete and
after forms have been removed prior to backfilling. The owner/contractor
is responsible for notifying all utility companies prior to the start
of work.
2. Line and Grade. Curbs and sidewalks shall be constructed in accordance
with approved development and/or Borough plans and specifications
and to lines and grades established by the Borough.
[Amended by Ord. No. 991, 4/18/2019]
3. Safety. The contractor shall leave the work area clean and neat at
the end of each day. All excess excavated material shall be removed
from the site daily, or as directed by the Borough. All work started
must be completed within seven consecutive calendar days, unless otherwise
approved by the Borough. Appropriate barricades shall be placed around
the work area in such a manner as to protect both pedestrian and vehicular
traffic while potential hazards to both pedestrian and vehicular traffic
exist or as directed by the Borough. Such barricades shall be properly
lighted during night hours or as directed by the Borough. All work
zone traffic control shall be per the current edition of PennDOT Publication
213, Temporary Traffic Control Guidelines, or as approved by the Borough.
Any road closure and subsequent detour route(s) must be submitted
to the Borough for approval at least 48 hours in advance of the proposed
construction. All traffic control devices required for road closure
and detour routes shall be the responsibility of the contractor.
[Amended by Ord. No. 991, 4/18/2019]
4. Obstructions. Where existing structures such as light standards,
utility poles, fire hydrants and the like are within the limits of
curbs or sidewalk construction, a premolded expansion joint, not less
than 1/2 inch in width, shall be placed completely around said obstruction
for the full depth of the concrete and brick. Furthermore, expansion
joint material shall be placed to form a square, 12 inches from each
side of the obstruction. No obstruction other than those listed above
shall be permitted to be placed within a sidewalk or curb without
approval from the Borough.
[Amended by Ord. No. 991, 4/18/2019]
5. Downspouts. All downspout roof leaders to be located within the area
of the sidewalk and curb shall be placed under the sidewalk in three-inch
diameter, minimum, Schedule 40 PVC pipe, or as approved by the Borough.
Construct in accordance with the detail shown on Exhibit A. A two-inch curb reveal shall remain between the downspout
invert and the finished street surface unless otherwise approved by
the Borough.
[Amended by Ord. No. 991, 4/18/2019]
6. Street Signs. The property owner's contractor is responsible for
knowing the location of existing street signs before construction
begins. Where existing street signs are within the limits of sidewalk
construction, a four-inch polyvinylchloride (PVC) pipe sleeve shall
be installed by the property owner's contractor. This pipe sleeve
shall extend the entire depth of the concrete. In addition, the sleeve
shall be installed so that the edge of the sign being installed will
be even with the sidewalk side (back) of the curb. This installation
shall not interfere with compliance with the then-current United States
Americans With Disabilities Act, as amended, PennDOT design standards
and specifications, as amended, or regulations adopted pursuant thereto.
The contractor shall contact the Borough in the event of questions
about the installation of sign sleeves. In the event that a stop sign
or other traffic control sign is involved, temporary provisions shall
be made to keep such sign erect and visible to motorists. No sign
sleeves shall be installed within the limits of the curb.
[Amended by Ord. No. 991, 4/18/2019]
7. Handicap Ramps. A minimum of one ramp shall be provided at each corner
of the intersection. Curb ramps shall have a minimum width of four
feet at the street surface unless otherwise approved by the Borough.
All ramps shall comply with the United States Americans With Disabilities
Act (refer to 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.) and all regulations
adopted pursuant thereto and shall comply with the construction details
in PennDOT Publication 72M, Standards for Roadway Construction, in
effect at the time of installation.
[Amended by Ord. No. 991, 4/18/2019]
8. Monuments. No monuments or property corners shall be covered or disturbed
by the construction of a sidewalk or curb. Where existing monuments
are either above or below the projected finished grade, the Borough
shall be notified to approve the resetting of said monuments prior
to construction.
[Ord. 693, 1/19/1989, § 4; as amended by Ord. 722,
4/16/1992, § 1; by Ord. No. 991, 4/18/2019; by Ord. No. 1007, 4/6/2023]
1. Sidewalks.
A. Where existing sidewalks extend from the building line to the curb
or are of a greater width than provided below, any repair or construction
shall be completed in accordance with the existing width of the sidewalk.
B. The whole width of any paved portion of the sidewalk area from the
building line to the curb shall be graded according to the established
grade.
C. All concrete sidewalks shall have a minimum thickness of four inches
of concrete.
D. Excavations for sidewalks shall be made to the required depth, and
a layer of crushed stone not less than four inches thick shall be
placed and thoroughly compacted prior to the laying of the sidewalk.
E. Where a sidewalk is placed adjacent to the curb, there shall be an
expansion joint placed between them for the entire length.
F. On a sixty-foot wide street, where sidewalks are being built for
the first time, 10 feet shall be set apart on either side for a forty-foot
wide cartway, of which 10 feet, four feet shall be sidewalks, 5 1/2
feet shall be lawn strip between the sidewalk and curb, and 1/2 foot
shall be curb.
G. On a fifty-six-foot side street, where sidewalks are being built
for the first time, eight feet shall be set apart on either side of
a forty-foot-wide cartway, of which eight feet, four feet shall be
sidewalk, 3 1/2 feet shall be lawn strip between the sidewalk
and the curb, and 1/2 foot shall be curb.
H. Where planting of a grass strip is provided, it shall be planted
with grass and shall at all times be kept closely trimmed. No planting
of trees or shrubs within the grass strip shall be permitted.
I. Wherever possible, property owners shall maintain a uniform design
for curb and sidewalk replacement within the block. If a grass strip
exists between the curb and sidewalk, the grass strip should be preserved
when the sidewalk is replaced, particularly when the majority of sidewalks
within a block contain grass strips.
J. Sidewalks shall have a uniform fall of no greater than 2.0% from
the building line to the curb. The grass strip between the sidewalk
and the curb, if any, shall conform to the same slope.
K. Expansion joint material must be placed no more than 20 lineal feet,
the beginning and end of the radius, a change in horizontal alignment
or property lines. Construction joints must be placed at a maximum
distance of five lineal feet. Construction joints may be hand-tooled
or saw-cut to a depth of 1/2 inch.
L. Sidewalks across private driveways shall be constructed without any
step or break in grade from the abutting sidewalks.
M. Mudjacking, Concrete Raising, or Slabjacking. Mudjacking is allowed
for correction of certain defects, such as a settled panel. It is
not permitted if the panel is cracked or damage is being caused by
a tree root. If mudjacking is unsuccessful, the sidewalk shall be
replaced. A permit and inspection are required if sidewalk defects
are corrected using mudjacking.
N. Grinding. Grinding/cutting is allowed for correction of certain defects,
such as trip hazard removal. Grinding of trip hazards with a vertical
displacement of over one inch is not allowed. Trip hazards shall be
removed by cutting a slope that is less than the ADA-compliant slope
for a ramp (8.33%). (Example: a panel which is raised 1/2 inch, the
grinding shall extend six inches, at a minimum, onto the raised panel.)
Slope shall be planar and smooth with no surface irregularities. Grinding
is not allowed if damage is caused by a tree root. If grinding/cutting
is unsuccessful, the sidewalk shall be replaced. A permit and inspection
are required if sidewalk defects are corrected using grinding/cutting.
O. Patching. Patching of sidewalk is not permitted.
2. Curbs.
A. Curbs to be installed shall be constructed of concrete with a six
inch dressed surface on top, an eight inch exposed surface or reveal
along the street side, which shall likewise be dressed and extend
a minimum of 14 below the street surface and have an eight inch base.
The exposed surface or reveal on the street side shall include a one
inch batter from the street surface to the top of the curb. Portions
of curb which are replaced between two good sections shall have the
same exposed surface or reveal as the existing curb.
B. Construction joints shall be placed at a maximum of 15 lineal feet.
The construction joints may be hand-tooled or saw-cut to a minimum
depth of 1 1/2 inches. The construction joint shall traverse
the top of the curb and continue down the face of the curb a minimum
of 10 inches on the street side. Expansion joint material may be substituted
for construction joints.
C. Expansion joint material shall be placed in curbs at the end of each
workday, at the beginning and end of a radius, at a change in horizontal
alignment or property line.
D. Excavation shall be made to the required depth, and the material
upon which the curb is to be constructed shall be compacted to a firm,
even surface. Where the subgrade is soft or spongy, a layer of crushed
stone not less than four inches thick shall be placed under the curb.
E. Street excavation for curb installation shall be parallel to the
finished curb a minimum of 12 inches and a maximum of 24 inches from
the face of the curb and shall be saw cut in a straight line. All
material excavated from the street shall be replaced with PennDOT-approved
2A stone or its equivalent, and mechanically compacted to within six
inches of the finished road surface.
F. A depressed curb shall be constructed across every private driveway
by the owner or owners. The curb shall remain at least one inch above
the finished street surface.
G. Patching. Patching of curbs is not permitted.
3. Brick Sidewalks.
A. Property owners may install brick paving in place of concrete sidewalk
as provided for in this § 103.
B. Construction of brick sidewalks shall consist of a four-inch layer
of crushed 1B or 2B stone, compacted, a three-and-one-half-inch layer
of concrete base, a one-inch mortar pad and a layer of brick. Empty
or sand-filled joints may be used following the brick layer. A construction
detail of brick sidewalk is shown on Exhibit A.
C. Where the brick paving abuts a curb, expansion joints should be provided
and [installed in accordance with § 104].
D. Replacement of a portion or all of an existing sidewalk must be done
using the construction methods and material specifications contained
throughout this Part.
E. Handicap ramps which are adjacent to or an extension of brick sidewalk
must be constructed of concrete as required by this Part.
F. Where a property owner desires to replace only a portion of an existing
brick sidewalk, the replacement portion shall be installed in accordance
with the construction methods contained herein.
G. A design that combines both brick and concrete must be approved by
the Borough Council.
H. The transition between brick paving and concrete sidewalk shall be
smooth.
4. Standard Rolled Curb.
A. Prior to a street resurfacing project, owners of properties with
existing rolled curb that is in good condition will not be required
to replace their curbs. Properties that have deteriorated rolled curb
will be required to replace the deteriorated sections with rolled
curb.
B. The following are recognized by the Borough as streets with existing
rolled curb:
(1)
Conoy Avenue. From Lime to 175 feet east of Iris Circle.
(2)
Hillside Avenue. From Watercress to Lime.
(4)
Lime Street. From Hillside Avenue to Conoy Avenue.
(5)
Oak Street. From 134 feet west of Watercress Lane to Lime Street.
(7)
Spring Garden Street. From 136 feet west of Watercress to 80
feet east of Sunrise Boulevard.
(8)
Sunrise Boulevard. From 80 feet north of Spring Garden Street
to Conoy Avenue.
(9)
Watercress Lane. From Hillside Avenue to Summit Street.
C. Prior to repaving, the Borough will "mill" off approximately one
inch of road surface on the street side of the curb. Once the street
is milled, the new paving will be placed level with the existing curb
grade as part of the resurfacing project.
D. Standard rolled curb shall be installed in accordance with Exhibit
A.
E. Construction joints shall be placed at a minimum of 10 lineal feet.
The construction joints may be hand tooled or saw cut to a minimum
depth of 1 1/2 inches. The construction joint shall traverse
the top of the curb and continue down the face of the curb a minimum
of 1 1/2 inches on the street side. Expansion joint material
may be substituted for construction joints.
F. Expansion joint material shall be placed in curbs at the end of each
workday, at the beginning and end of a radius, at a change in horizontal
alignment or property line.
G. Excavation shall be made to the required depth and the material upon
which the curb is to be constructed shall be compacted to a firm,
even surface. Where the subgrade is soft or spongy, a layer of crushed
stone not less than four inches thick shall be placed under the curb.
H. Street excavation for curb installation shall be parallel to the
finished curb a minimum of 12 inches and a maximum of 24 inches from
the face of the curb and shall be saw cut in a straight line. All
material excavated from the street shall be replaced with PennDOT-approved
2A stone or its equivalent, and mechanically compacted to within six
inches of the finished road surface.
5. Standard Slanted Curb.
A. Prior to a street resurfacing project, owners of properties with
existing slanted curb that is in good condition will not be required
to replace their curbs. Properties that have deteriorated slanted
curb will be required to replace the deteriorated sections with slanted
curb.
B. Standard slanted curb shall be installed according to the dimensions
shown on Exhibit A.
C. Construction joints shall be placed at a minimum of 10 lineal feet.
The construction joints may be hand tooled or saw cut to a minimum
depth of 1 1/2 inches. The construction joint shall traverse
the top of the curb and continue down the face of the curb a minimum
of 1 1/2 inches on the street side. Expansion joint material
may be substituted for construction joints.
D. Expansion joint material shall be placed in curbs at the end of each
workday, at the beginning and end of a radius, at a change in horizontal
alignment or property line.
E. Excavation shall be made to the required depth, and the material
upon which the curb is to be constructed shall be compacted to a firm,
even surface. Where the subgrade is soft or spongy, a layer of crushed
stone not less than four inches thick shall be placed under the curb.
F. Street excavation for the curb installation shall be parallel to
the finished curb no more than two feet from the face of the curb
and shall be jackhammered or saw cut in a straight line. All material
excavated from the street shall be replaced with 2A modified stone
or its equivalent and compacted to within three inches of the finished
road surface.
[Ord. 693, 1/19/1989, § 5]
1. Material Specifications. All materials shall conform to PennDOT Form
408, latest edition. All sidewalks and curbs shall be constructed
of 3,000 pound concrete with a 4% to 6% air entrainment ingredient
and a maximum slump of three inches, constructed level on stone backfill
with a minimum thickness of four inches. The use of calcium chloride
is prohibited from the concrete used for repair or construction. Where
slip forms are used a maximum slump of 1 1/2 inches shall be
permitted. High early concrete must be used when slip forming. No
concrete shall be placed when the air temperature is below 40°
F. Curing compound may be applied to retain moisture to allow for
the complete hydration of the concrete. No material such as asphalt,
macadam or blacktop shall be substituted for these specifications.
2. Forms. Forms shall be of wood or metal, straight, free from warp,
and of sufficient strength to resist the pressure of the concrete
without springing. If of wood, they shall be two inch planks, surfaced
on the inside and the top. Forms shall be of a depth equal to the
depth of the concrete. A front and back form shall be used for curb
except where a good concrete sidewalk, which is not removed, abuts
the new curb. Forms shall be accurately set to line and grade in such
a manner as to prevent settlement or displacement.
3. Finishing. All forms must be removed within 24 hours after the concrete
has been placed, and minor defects shall be filled with mortar composed
of one part Portland cement and two parts fine aggregate. The top
and face of the curb from the top of 10 inches below or to the top
of the street surface, when in place, shall be finished while the
concrete is still green by rubbing the surface with a carborundum
stone, soft brick or wood blocks and water until smooth, even surface
is produced. All joints in the curb shall be promptly opened from
top to bottom and edges adjacent to the joints shall be sharp and
clean cut. Sidewalks shall be finished after pouring before the concrete
sets.
4. Curbing. Concrete curbs and sidewalks shall be protected from rainstorms
with paper, burlap, canvas, or similar materials. Curing compound
may be applied to retain moisture in concrete to allow complete hydration
of the cement. Plastic, burlap, straw, or other types of moisture
bearer must be used to maintain concrete wet during the drying process
for at least seven days after pouring, if curing compound is not used.
No concrete shall be placed when the temperature is below 40°
F. To help prevent spalling and deterioration of concrete surface
from winter damage, a concrete hardener may be applied 28 days after
concrete is poured.
5. Backfilling and Sealing. After the concrete has cured sufficiently,
spaces adjacent to the curb and sidewalk shall be refilled with acceptable
material in layers of not more than four inches in depth. Each layer
shall be thoroughly compacted to the required elevation. The final
layer of back fill shall consist of topsoil previously stripped, or
new topsoil, and shall be properly seeded. On the roadway side of
all curbs, upon completion of curb installation, the contractor shall
contact the Borough. The Borough will assess trench restoration needs
and mark for restoration. The contractor shall saw cut as marked.
All material between the saw cut and curb shall be removed to a depth
of 12 inches. Excavated area will be filled with six inches compacted
depth PennDOT-approved 2A stone; four inches compacted depth 25 mm
base asphalt 0 < .3 ESALs; and two inches compacted depth 9.5 mm
wearing asphalt 0 < .3 ESALs; or as specified by the Borough. Both
edges of the bituminous surfacing material shall be sealed with a
thin coating of AC-20 sealant or its equivalent.
[Amended by Ord. No. 991, 4/18/2019]
6. Expansion Joints. Where a sidewalk abuts the curb, or a building,
wall or other permanent structure, a premolded expansion joint 1/2
inch in thickness shall be placed between the curb and sidewalk for
the full length of such permanent structure. The slabs shall be constructed
in twenty-foot maximum lengths with premolded expansion material having
a minimum thickness of 1/2 inch separating slabs transversely.
[Amended by Ord. No. 991, 4/18/2019]
7. Scoring. For sidewalks, scoring shall be done transversely at evenly
spaced intervals of not more than five feet. The depth shall be 1/5
the thickness of concrete and in no case less than 1/2 inch deep.
For curbs, scoring shall be done at no greater than fifteen foot intervals.
The scoring shall be done transversely and extend continuously down
the face of the curb 10 inches. The score shall be 1 1/2 inches
deep. Expansion joints may be substituted for scoring.
8. Blacktop Curb and Sidewalks. Where no curb and sidewalk currently
exists, blacktop curb and/or sidewalk may be installed by special
permission from Borough Council.
[Added by Ord. No. 991, 4/18/2019]
[Ord. 693, 1/19/1989, § 6]
Borough Council may, by resolution, authorize the construction
of curbs and sidewalks other than as specified herein upon written
request from the property owner.
[Ord. 693, 1/19/1989, § 7; as amended by Ord. 829,
11/15/2001]
1. Curb and Sidewalk Replacement. Prior to the bituminous concrete overlay
on any State highway route, within the Borough, the Borough shall
require, upon 120 days written notification to the property owner,
that a curb be replaced that does not have a normal life expectancy
of more than five years. Prior to the bituminous concrete overlay
on any State highway route, the Borough may require, upon 120 days
written notification to the property owner, that a sidewalk be replaced
that does not have a normal life expectancy of more than five years.
2. Curb and Sidewalk Replacement-Nonstate Highway Route. Prior to a
bituminous concrete overlay, the Borough shall require, upon 120 days
written notification to the property owner, that a curb and sidewalk
be replaced that does not have a normal life expectancy of more than
five years or does not have sufficient curb reveal in the opinion
of the Borough Engineer to provide pedestrian protection or adequately
control stormwater within the street.
3. The Borough Manager shall determine which curb and sidewalk meet
the specifications required above and notify the respective owner
of necessary action.
4. General Powers. Borough Council at any time may require installation
of curb and/or sidewalk in any area of the Borough where curb and/or
sidewalk is missing, deteriorated or does not have a life expectancy
of more than five years, or does not have sufficient curb reveal in
the opinion of the Borough Engineer to provide pedestrian protection
or adequately control stormwater within the street.
[Ord. 693, 1/19/1989, § 8; as amended by Ord. 937,
2/16/2012; by Ord. 941, 9/20/2012]
The following streets and alleys shall be exempt from the regulations
detailed in § 106, "Mandatory Installation of Curbs and
Sidewalks":
A. Entire length of Groff Avenue is exempt from installation of sidewalk.
B. Entire length of Ridge Road is exempt from installation of sidewalk.
C. Hampden Road from Ridge Road east to a point 824 feet is exempt from
installation of sidewalk.
D. East Washington Street from Spruce Street to Mount Joy Street is
exempt from installation of curb and sidewalk.
E. Entire length of Woodland Avenue is exempt from installation of curb
and sidewalk.
F. West Summit Street from Poplar Street to Peace Alley is exempt from
installation of sidewalk.
G. Entire length of Hess Avenue is exempt from installation of curb
and sidewalk.
H. Entire length of North Wilson Avenue is exempt from installation
of curb and sidewalk.
I. Entire length of Kiwanis Boulevard is exempt from installation of
curb and sidewalk.
J. All alleys existing prior to the effective date of this Part are
exempt from installation of curb and sidewalk.
K. All cul-de-sacs existing prior to the effective date of this Part
or detailed on an approved subdivision plan, are exempt from installation
of sidewalk.
L. Locust Street from Snyder Avenue to Park Street is exempt from installation
of curb and sidewalk.
M. South Chestnut Street from Ridge Road to Groff Avenue is exempt from
installation of sidewalk.
[Ord. 693, 1/19/1989, § 9; as amended by Ord. 829,
11/15/2001]
1. Borough Council may, from time to time, adopt by resolution a master plan for physical improvements in the Central Business District. The master plan shall supersede the regulations contained herein for the Central Business District as outlined in Chapter
27.
2. Property owners are responsible for the curb and sidewalk for the
width of their property. If brick paving section exists, Borough Council
will maintain and replace, when necessary, the brick portion of the
sidewalk. The Borough Council will also maintain, repair or replace
the street trees and grates within the Central Business District.
[Ord. 693, 1/19/1989, § 10; as amended by Ord. No. 991, 4/18/2019]
Prior to the laying or repair of either curbs or sidewalks by
property owners, a property owner shall apply for a permit to the
Borough to do so according to the guidelines mentioned herein. The
Borough shall issue the permit without charge if the application conforms
to the ordinances of the Borough. All required inspections associated
with the permit must be completed. The laying or repair of curb and
sidewalk without obtaining a permit is prohibited.
[Ord. 693, 1/19/1989, § 11]
Whenever the owner or owners of any property in the Borough
shall fail to comply with any of the above requirements, the Borough
Council may cause notice to be served upon such owner or owners, their
agent or tenant, in the manner prescribed by law, setting forth specifically
in what respect such owner or owners have failed to comply with any
of the above requirements and what work such owner or owners are required
to do in order to effect such compliance. In the event of the failure
or neglect of any such owner or owners to comply with the terms and
conditions of such notice within 20 days from the date of service
of such notice in the case of new work or within 10 days from the
date of service thereon in the case of repair work, the Council shall
cause such work to be done at the cost of the owner or owners of such
property, and the cost thereof and 10% additional, together with all
charges and expenses, shall be collected from such owner or owners
by the Borough, which may file a municipal claim therefor or collect
the same by action in assumpsit, as Council may direct.