[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough
of Palmyra 6-11-2012 by Ord. No.
2012-19. Amendments noted where applicable.]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
A designated area within the public streets that shall be
closed for a neighborhood party or event.
A neighborhood block party, celebration, festival or event,
but shall not include a garage sale, yard sale, bazaar, rummage sale
or other similar activity having the principal purpose of fund-raising
for an individual or organization, nor shall it include a political
meeting or rally, carnival or theatrical or musical performance such
as rock concerts or similar events.
A Borough street, highway, or road.
A.
Considerations for issuing a permit are:
(1)
The applicant must have a plan to control event parking. Parking
must not create a hazard near the block party site.
(2)
No motor vehicles, inflatable children's rides, tents, canopies,
banners, stages and/or fixed barriers may block access to the street.
(3)
Sound amplification is permitted, but subject to Chapter 178, Noise, of the Code of the Borough of Palmyra.
(4)
For residents living in neighborhoods with a homeowners' association,
applicants will provide a copy of the application to their board as
a courtesy, but this is not required by this chapter.
B.
Application. The Chief of Police or his designee shall be authorized
to issue an application for the temporary blocking of a street for
the purpose of holding a party. At least 21 days before the commencement
of such party, an application for such permit shall be filed with
the Police Department by a bona fide resident (who is over the age
of 18) of the street to be blocked, and such application shall contain
at least the following information:[1]
(1)
A letter to all affected residents in the neighborhood that provides
notification of the planned event.
(3)
The date and hours the block party will be held, to include a rain
date if applicable.
(4)
Submission of a map showing the street locations and surrounding
cross streets to be temporarily barricaded.
(5)
Written assurance that accessibility to the area for emergency vehicles
will be provided.
[1]
Editor's Note: A copy of an application is included as an
attachment to this chapter.
A.
Once a determination has been made by the Palmyra Police Department
that the location is suitable to hold a block party, the application
will be forwarded to the Borough of Palmyra governing body for its
approval. The application will be recommended to be denied if the
Chief of Police finds that blocking the street or portion thereof
on the date requested in the application will unduly interfere with
the flow of vehicular traffic or upon determining that the party is
not authorized for other reasons to be disclosed. The Borough Clerk
shall advise the applicant in writing of the approval or denial of
the application.
B.
Public Works will be notified with a copy of the approved application
at least 72 hours prior to the event to drop off barricades based
on availability. It will be the responsibility of the Department of
Public Works on the next business day to retrieve the barricades.
A permit issued pursuant to this chapter shall be valid only
for the date and the hours specified thereon, which shall not be before
10:00 a.m. or after 11:00 p.m.
The applicant(s) shall be responsible for the removal of litter,
debris and other materials from the street or portion thereof used
for the party, which is attributable to or caused by the party. Failure
may result in the issuance of an ordinance violation for littering.
A street or portion thereof blocked off for a party shall not
be obstructed by obstacles which cannot be readily moved to allow
emergency vehicles to enter it in response to an emergency.
No more than two permits shall be granted by the Borough governing
body in any calendar year for the same block or blocks.
The person(s), organization(s) or association(s) to whom the
permit is issued shall be liable for all losses, damages or injuries
sustained by any person, whether a participant or spectator at the
block party or recreational event, whether or not said losses, damages
or injuries arise by reason of the negligence of the person(s), or
organization(s) to whom such permit shall have been issued. The Borough
Administrator and Chief of Police shall require the applicant(s) to
enter into a hold harmless agreement, which shall provide that the
applicant(s) agrees to save and hold the Borough of Palmyra harmless
for any and all obligations and liabilities which may arise from the
temporary street closing which represents the subject matter of the
application. The applicant(s) shall further agree, as part of these
provisions, to hold harmless the Borough of Palmyra and to defend
at his/her own cost and expense any claims or lawsuits instituted
by third parties as a result of the event. The Borough Administrator
and Chief of Police shall further have the option to require that,
prior to the issuance of a permit or commencement of the temporary
street closing, the applicant(s) submit evidence of liability insurance
in a minimum amount of $1,000 to cover damages to property and injuries
to members of the general public arising out of the temporary street
closing in such amounts as may be determined by the Borough Administrator
and Chief of Police.
Any person(s), firm(s) or corporation(s) who or which shall
violate any provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction, be subject
to a penalty of not more than $1,000, or imprisonment for a term not
to exceed 10 days, or both. Each day or event of violation shall constitute
a separate offense.
