[Adopted 6-20-1978 by Ord. No. 970]
All sidewalks, curbs, areas between the curb and sidewalk and
private driveways within the area of the public right-of-way shall
be maintained in good repair, safe condition and reasonably even and
free from all hazardous depressions, irregularities and projections
by the owner of the abutting property. Any block or section of curb
or sidewalk or driveway that is cracked or disintegrated so as to
present an unreasonable hazard must be repaired or replaced by the
owner of the abutting property. All new construction and repairs must
conform to the specifications and other provisions of this article.
[Amended 4-17-2013 by Ord. No. 1282]
The owner of the abutting property must keep the sidewalk, the curb, the area between the curb and sidewalk and private driveways within the area of the public right-of-way free and clear of vegetation (except grass between curb and paved sidewalk), trash or rubbish and all other obstructions and the space above the sidewalk free and clear of any growth or projection of any kind to a height of at least eight feet; provided, however, that if the paved portion of the sidewalk exceeds four feet in width, window boxes or other containers of living plants placed and maintained in the space between the buildings and the longitudinal center line of the paved sidewalk will be allowed as long as four feet of paved sidewalk width remains completely open and unobstructed for the full length of the sidewalk. After the adoption of this article, no trees, shrubs or bushes shall be planted between the curb and sidewalk; provided, however, that trees may be planted between the curb and sidewalk of any property located within the Borough’s Transit-Oriented Design Overlay District or any Neighborhood Business District as set forth in the Borough’s Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 330), and provided, further, that any such tree shall not impede or interfere with the minimum clearance required by this article, the Americans With Disabilities Act or the Accessibility Code as in effect in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The width of all sidewalks constructed after the effective date
of this article shall be at least as wide as the greater of four feet
or the widest sidewalk to which the subject sidewalk connects. All
blocks of sidewalks and sections of curb must be laid to line up with
blocks or sections on both ends to which they abut or connect.
The owner of the abutting property shall be responsible that
all utility vents and boxes placed within the sidewalk are level with
the sidewalk and kept in good repair so as not to present an unreasonable
hazard. In regard to new building construction, no utility vents or
boxes nor any kind of device may be placed within the paved sidewalk.
All sidewalks, curbs, private driveway aprons within the area
of the public right-of-way and any paved area between the curb and
sidewalk constructed or repaired after the effective date of this
article must be constructed of concrete in accordance with the following
specifications:
A.
Concrete sidewalks shall be constructed at a minimum of four inches
thick, a minimum of six inches thick in driveway areas and shall have
a minimum strength of 3,500 pounds per square inch. Joints shall be
continuous both longitudinally and transversely. Joint filler shall
be pre-moulded strips of bituminous treated fiber 1/2 inch thick.
Expansion joints shall be provided when necessary approximately every
32 feet. All sidewalks shall be built on a four-inch stone bed.
[Amended 8-18-1999 by Ord. No. 1156]
B.
Concrete sidewalks shall be constructed at a minimum slope of 1/4
inch per foot in the direction of the street in order to provide proper
drainage.
C.
Concrete curb shall be 20 inches deep, seven inches wide at the top,
eight inches wide at the bottom and shall have a batter of one inch
from the top of the curbing to the surface of the street. Curbing
shall be constructed in ten-foot lengths and a suitable joint shall
be used every 10 feet with an expansion joint every 40 feet. All curbing
shall have a minimum strength of 3,500 pounds per square inch.
The grade of all sidewalks constructed or replaced after the
effective date of this article shall conform to the established line
and grade of the Borough street on which it abuts.
Upon failure of any property owner to grade, excavate, construct,
pave, repave or repair the curb and/or sidewalk and/or driveway abutting
owner's property for more than 30 days after notice to do so
by the Borough Council, said Council shall have the right to permanently
grade, excavate, construct, pave, repave and repair the same as the
case may be, in accordance with the provisions of this article, and
collect the costs thereof, with the penalty of 10% added plus all
charges and expenses from the owner of said property in the manner
provided by law, including the filing of a municipal lien and/or a
suit in assumpsit.
The notice provided for in this article shall be served:
A.
On the owner of the property if a resident of the Borough, or if
the owner is not a resident of the Borough, then upon the agent or
tenant of the owner or the occupant of the property by personal service
within the Borough.
[Amended 9-17-1986 by Ord. No. 1058]
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, association or corporation,
whether as owner or contractor or otherwise, to construct, repair
or begin to construct or repair any curb or sidewalk or driveway unless
a permit shall first be secured from the Borough Secretary. There
shall be no fee for this permit. Every permit issued hereunder shall
be conditioned on faithful compliance with all provisions of Borough
ordinances.
[Amended 9-21-1988 by Ord. No. 1080; 6-16-1999 by Ord. No. 1155]
Any person, firm or corporation who or which violates any of
the provisions of this article shall, upon conviction thereof before
a Magisterial District Judge, be fined not more than $600, plus costs
of prosecution, and in default of payment of such fine and costs be
imprisoned for not more than 30 days.
