[Adopted 7-31-1930 by Ord. No. 569 (Ch. 21, Part 3, of the 1996 Code
of Ordinances)]
[Added 4-23-1951 by Ord.
No. 707; amended 9-25-1974 by Ord. No. 928]
Sidewalks for the use of pedestrians shall be built and maintained
by the owners in front of all lots abutting on all highways regularly
used by pedestrians within the Borough in accordance with the widths,
lines, grades, slopes and specifications furnished by or through the
Borough Manager. All data necessary to construct, re-lay or repair
may be obtained at the office of the Borough Manager. Sidewalks, including
all the space between the property line and the curbline or vehicular
driveway, even though the entire space be not paved as a walkway for
pedestrians, shall always be maintained in a safe, unobstructed and
usable condition by the owners, except as otherwise provided by existing
ordinance. This safety requirement shall apply to all trees, shrubbery,
structures and portable materials placed or permitted to exist under,
on or in the space between the property line and the vehicular driveway,
including the adequate safeguarding of any work done within the side
space. Sidewalks shall be kept clean and free of snow, ice, leaves
and any other structure or substance which may obstruct the view of
motorists or others or cause inconvenience or injury to pedestrians.
[Added 4-23-1951 by Ord.
No. 707; amended 9-25-1974 by Ord. No. 928]
New and relaid sidewalks or curbs, whether laid by the abutter
or by the Borough, shall be of a minimum of 2,000 pound concrete,
but an abutter may receive from Council permission to use material
equivalent in durability and usefulness to the public. Sidewalks shall
be at least four inches in thickness, with a slope of approximately
1/4 inch to a foot. Curbs shall be six inches in thickness and 24
inches from top to bottom. The sidewalk shall be so set that it shall
have proper drainage over the curb. Upon reasonable cause shown, Council
may change the foregoing specifications. At intersections or driveways,
curbs and sidewalks shall be constructed in a manner to suit the local
need, as designated by the Borough Manager or as approved by Council.
[Added 4-23-1951 by Ord.
No. 707]
The width of sidewalks shall remain as now in use until changed
by action of Council in particular cases. On new highways, the width
of sidewalks on the various streets shall conform to the following
schedule of width relative to the right-of-way widths of the several
streets, excepting in commercial zoned areas, where the width shall
extend from property line to the curb.
|
Width of Right-of-Way
(feet)
|
Width of Sidewalk
(feet)
|
|---|---|
|
50 and over
|
6
|
|
39 to 49
|
5
|
|
29 to 39
|
4
|
|
19 to 29
|
3
|
|
Up to 19
|
2
|
|
The Borough Manager shall determine the location of the sidewalk
paving in relating to the curbline, with full authority to determine
whether the paved sidewalk shall extend to the curbline or whether
provisions shall be made for a grass plot between the curbline and
the edge of the paved sidewalk.
|
[Added 4-23-1951 by Ord.
No. 707]
Where now existing, and upon application to the Borough Council
in new construction, grass plots, trees and shrubbery may be temporarily
permitted between property lines and vehicular driveways; such permission,
however, shall not in any way relieve the owner of the premises from
liability for damages arising from negligence on the part of such
owner in the maintenance of the entire sidewalk area between the curbline
and the property line in a safe and usable condition.
[Added 4-23-1951 by Ord.
No. 707]
Notice to lay, re-lay or repair sidewalks or curbs shall be
given to the owner according to legal requirements by the Borough
Manager or the Secretary of Council. The notice to construct or re-lay
sidewalks or curbs shall be 30 days, and the notice to repair sidewalks
shall be 10 days, except in the case of emergency repairs when it
shall be 48 hours.
[Added 4-23-1951 by Ord.
No. 707]
Upon the failure or neglect of any property owner to comply
with the provisions of this article, the Borough shall give notice,
as provided for in § 305, hereof, to such property owner
of his failure to do so and if such property owner fails to comply
with such notice within the designated time limit, the Borough may
cause the necessary work to be done at the expense of said owner,
and may file a lien thereon, together with all additional charges,
expenses and penalties, as authorized by law, or take such other steps
permitted by law to collect said costs and charges.
From and after the passage of this article, it shall be duty
of the occupants of property abutting on any sidewalk in the Borough
and, if there are not occupants, then the owners of said property,
to keep the sidewalk in front of their property free and clear from
weeds, dirt, rubbish, wastepaper or refuse of any kind and, in general,
to maintain the same in a safe and sanitary condition. The term "sidewalk"
is intended to include both the foot walk and the grass plot, if any,
between said foot walk and the curb.
It shall further be the duty of such occupants and owners as
aforesaid at all times to keep hedges, bushes, shrubbery and trees
so trimmed as not to obstruct the sidewalk or interfere with the free
and full use thereof or with the view of motorists at and along intersecting
streets; limbs of trees shall be deemed an obstruction if they are
permitted to overhang the sidewalk at a height of less than seven
feet therefrom.
[Amended 9-25-1974 by Ord. No. 924; 2-19-1996 by Ord. No. 1159]
Failure to comply with §§ 287-7 and 287-8 of this article will make the occupant or owner liable to a fine of not less than $2 or more than $600 plus costs and, in default of payment of said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment of not more than 30 days. Each day that a violation of this article continues shall constitute a separate offense.
