[Adopted 9-26-2019 by Ord. No. 19-02]
:
FIRE LANES
A lane to provide access to firefighting personnel, equipment and apparatus to buildings, structures, fire hydrants or connections to automatic sprinkler or stand pipe systems, in connection with firefighting activities. Driveways, parking lot travel lanes, delivery lanes, and private roadways shall be permitted to be used as fire lanes if they meet the requirements of this section.
Fire lanes may be designated:
1. 
By the Borough by resolution, pursuant to recommendation of the Sharpsburg Fire Department (or any successor fire company in Sharpsburg Borough) Fire Chief (the "Fire Chief"), on public property which will include any highway, roadway, alleyway, driveway, parking area, pathway, cul-de-sac or any other area deemed necessary for fire protection.
2. 
By written agreement between the Borough and any school board, hospital, church, property owners' association, commercial or industrial facility, shopping center or apartment complex owner, or entertainment facility owner, which controls a parking area located within Sharpsburg Borough, empowering the Borough to designate and enforce fire lanes on such parking area, including enforcement of the maintenance of the designated fire lanes. The agreement shall become effective and enforceable three days after it is duly executed and delivered.
3. 
By the decision of the Sharpsburg Borough or the Sharpsburg Zoning Hearing Board pursuant to any planned residential development approval, conditional use approval, special exception approval or the granting of a variance.
4. 
By the provisions of the Sharpsburg Borough Land Development Ordinance and/or the Sharpsburg Borough Zoning Ordinance,[1] as the same may be amended from time to time.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 22, Subdivision and Land Development, and Ch. 27, Zoning, respectively.
The specifications for fire lanes shall be as follows:
1. 
Fire lanes shall be constructed of a hard, all-weather surface designed to support any fire apparatus within the legal load limits of the jurisdiction.
2. 
The grade from a fire lane to the exterior wall of the grade level floor of a building shall not exceed 10%.
3. 
Fire lanes connecting to roadways shall be provided with curb cuts extending at least two feet (0.6 meters) beyond each edge of the fire lane.
4. 
Fire lanes intended for one-way travel of fire apparatus shall provide a minimum of 14 feet in width of traveled way. Fire lanes providing two-way travel of fire apparatus shall be a minimum of 24 feet in width of traveled way.
5. 
Fire lanes intended only for the unimpeded access of firefighters and equipment or for the emergency egress of building occupants shall be a minimum of eight feet in width, providing all of the following conditions are met:
A. 
One side of the fire lane directly abuts a structure or a sidewalk that directly abuts a structure; and
B. 
The other side of the fire lane directly abuts a parking lot travel lane; and
C. 
There is no physical separation such as a curb, median or other encumbrance between the fire lane and the parking lot travel lane.
6. 
The Borough shall be permitted to allow a reduction in fire lane width where without such reduction a property owner would be prevented from the use or enjoyment of said property, providing the fire lane will allow for emergency access and operations and the safe egress of the public.
7. 
Fire lane widths shall not include shoulders, sidewalks, or drainage.
8. 
Extra width shall be provided where the Fire Chief determines such width is necessary to position apparatus for operations during an incident.
9. 
Turns in fire lanes shall be constructed to provide sufficient width to accommodate the largest piece of fire apparatus available to be operated on the fire lane, but in no case shall the radius to the outside curbline be less than 50 feet.
10. 
All grades in fire lanes shall meet the requirements of the Sharpsburg Borough Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance and/or the Sharpsburg Borough Zoning Ordinance,[1] as the same may be amended from time to time.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 22, Subdivision and Land Development, and Ch. 27, Zoning, respectively.
11. 
At least 13 feet, six inches (4.2 meters), nominal vertical clearance shall be provided and maintained over the full width of a fire lane.
12. 
Dead-end fire lanes that exceed 300 feet in length shall be provided with an adequate turnaround at the closed end of the fire lane, as approved by the Fire Chief.
1. 
Fire lanes shall be marked with signs that measure no less than 12 inches by 18 inches that read "No Parking — Fire Lane" or similar language. The lettering of such signs shall be red on a white background. Such signs shall be placed at intervals of no more than 50 feet apart or, where this is not possible, at locations designated or approved by the Fire Chief. Posting of fire lanes in accordance with any applicable requirements of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation shall be an acceptable alternative. Additionally, curbing adjacent to the fire lane, if provided, shall be painted with red traffic paint and pavement comprising the fire lane shall be striped with red traffic paint to delineate the fire lane. Pavement shall also be marked to read "No Parking — Fire Lane." Such markings shall be placed at intervals of no more than 50 feet apart or, where this is not possible, at locations designated or approved by the Fire Chief.
2. 
All fire lanes shall also be posted as a "tow zone."
3. 
All designated fire lane signs and markings shall be maintained in a clean and legible condition at all times and replaced when necessary to ensure adequate visibility.
4. 
All required posting and marking, and maintenance of the same, shall be the responsibility of the owner of the property where located.
It shall be unlawful for any person to:
1. 
Stop or park a vehicle in a fire lane, whether the vehicle is occupied or not at the time.
2. 
Store, sell or display supplies, equipment, shopping carts, inventory, merchandise or any other items in a fire lane.
3. 
Obstruct a fire lane.
4. 
Engage in any other acts which would substantially interfere with the access of fire officials, personnel and/or firefighting equipment to, over, in and/or upon a fire lane.
1. 
This chapter shall be enforced by action brought before a District Justice in the same manner provided for the enforcement of summary offenses under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure. Any person, partnership, corporation or other entity who or which violates or permits a violation of the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction in a summary proceeding, pay a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000 per violation, plus all court costs and reasonable attorneys' fees incurred by Sharpsburg Borough in the enforcement proceedings, and/or be imprisoned to the extent allowed by law for the punishment of summary offenses. Each day or portion thereof that a violation exists or continues shall constitute a separate violation. Each section of this chapter that is violated shall also constitute a separate violation. Further, the appropriate officers or agents of Sharpsburg Borough are hereby authorized to seek equitable relief, including injunction, to enforce compliance with this chapter. All fines, penalties, costs and reasonable attorneys' fees collected for the violation of this chapter shall be paid to Sharpsburg Borough for its general use.
2. 
In addition to but not in limitation of the foregoing, any motor vehicle or other obstruction within a fire lane which is designated as a "tow zone" shall be subject to removal by a towing service at the direction of the Fire Chief, Sharpsburg Borough Codes Official, Sharpsburg Borough Fire Marshal or other appropriate officials of Sharpsburg Borough, and the owner shall be responsible for all towing and storage costs.
The Fire Chief, the Sharpsburg Borough Fire Marshal, Sharpsburg Borough Zoning Officer, or their designees are hereby authorized to issue citations for the violation of this chapter. Among other methods, issuance of the citation may be effectuated by placing the same on the vehicle or other obstruction in the fire lane.
1. 
Garnier, Curb from Penn to Altmeyer: Right side in front of St. Mary's Courtyard.
2. 
6th and High Street: Left side going around the bend to the Korean Church.
3. 
Clay Street, Linden to 11th Street: From Watson Institute to the Linden Gym.
4. 
11th and North Canal: Across from LaNova Pizza to include the two parking spaces.
5. 
School Street at North Canal: Left side where it is currently marked NO PARKING.
6. 
19TH at Main: Current yellow line on right side should be converted to fire lane.
The Borough of Sharpsburg Council may establish by resolution, adopted from time to time, a revised list of streets identifying fire lanes when deemed necessary.