[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners
of the Township of Bethlehem 5-14-1979 by Ord. No. 3-79 (Ch. 10, Part 2, of the
1988 Code); amended in its entirety 8-15-1988 by Ord. No. 8-88. Amendments
noted where applicable.]
A.
LESSEE
MOTOR VEHICLE
NUISANCE
OWNER
PERSON
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall
have the meanings indicated, unless a different meaning clearly appears
from the context:
Owner, for the purpose of this chapter, when the lessor holds
the lessee responsible for maintenance and repairs.
Any type of mechanical device, propelled by a motor, in which
persons or property may be transported upon public street or highways,
and including trailers or semitrailers pulled thereby.
Any condition, structure, or improvement which shall constitute
a threat or potential threat to the health, safety, or welfare of
the citizens of the Township of Bethlehem.
The actual owner, agent or custodian of the property on which
motor vehicles are stored, whether individual or partnership, association,
or corporation.
A natural person, firm, partnership, association, corporation,
or other legal entity.
B.
In this chapter, the singular shall include the plural;
the plural shall include the singular; and the masculine shall include
the feminine and the neuter.
It shall be unlawful for any person, owner or
lessee to maintain a motor vehicle nuisance upon the open private
grounds of such person, owner or lessee within the Township of Bethlehem.
A motor vehicle nuisance shall include any motor vehicle which is
unable to move under its own power and has any of the following physical
defects:
A.
Broken windshields, mirrors or other glass, with sharp
edges.
B.
One or more flat or open tires or tubes which could
permit vermin harborage.
C.
Missing doors, windows, hood, trunk or other body
parts which could permit animal harborage.
D.
Any body parts with sharp edges including holes resulting
from rust.
E.
Missing tires resulting in unsafe suspension of the
motor vehicle.
F.
Upholstery which is torn or open which could permit
animal and/or vermin harborage.
G.
Broken headlamps or taillamps with sharp edges.
H.
Disassembled chassis parts apart from the motor vehicle
stored in a disorderly fashion or loose in or on the vehicle.
I.
Protruding sharp objects from the chassis.
J.
Broken vehicle frame suspended from the ground in
an unstable manner.
K.
Leaking or damaged oil pan or gas tank which could
cause fire or explosion.
L.
Exposed battery containing acid.
M.
Inoperable locking mechanism for doors or trunk.
N.
Open or damaged floorboards including trunk and firewall.
O.
Damaged bumpers pulled away from the perimeter of
vehicle.
P.
Broken grille with protruding edges.
Q.
Loose or damaged metal trim and clips.
R.
Broken communication equipment antennas.
S.
Suspended on unstable supports.
T.
Such other defects which could threaten the health,
safety and welfare of the citizens of the Township.
Any person, owner or lessee who has one or more motor vehicle nuisances as defined in § 258-2 above may store such vehicle(s) in the Township of Bethlehem only in strict compliance with the regulations provided herein. Such person, owner or lessee must first apply for a permit for either temporary or permanent storage and pay a fee to the Township such as may be provided from time to time by resolution of the Board of Commissioners. The motor vehicle nuisance(s) must be stored within a garage or other enclosed building or, outside within a opaqued fence at least six feet high which is locked at all times when unattended. With the special approval of the Board of Commissioners, motor vehicle nuisances may also be stored outside in an area enclosed by a chain link fence, at least six feet high, screened by shrubbery around the perimeter to the height of the fence, with an unobstructed gate capable of admitting fire or emergency equipment. Such gate shall remain locked at all times when unattended. In addition, all gas and oil or other flammable liquid shall be removed from the motor vehicle and it shall be kept free of vermin infestation while being stored. The total area of storage of motor vehicle nuisances may not exceed _____ square feet. Nothing herein shall be construed to permit the storage of motor vehicle nuisances contrary to the provisions of Chapter 275, Zoning.
A.
The Zoning Officer of the Police Department is hereby
empowered to inspect grounds on which motor vehicles are stored to
determine if there is compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
If noncompliance with the provisions of this chapter constitutes a
nuisance, or if any condition, structure, or improvement poses a threat
to the health, safety, or welfare of the public, he shall issue a
written notice to be served by registered or certified mail upon the
owner of said premises, or, if the owner's whereabouts or identity
be unknown, by posting the notice conspicuously upon the offending
premises.
B.
Said notice shall specify the condition or structure
or improvement complained of, and shall require the owner to commence
to remove or otherwise rectify the condition or structure or improvement
as set forth therein within 10 days of mailing or posting of said
notice, and thereafter, to fully comply with the requirements of the
notice within a reasonable time.
If the owner of grounds on which motor vehicles
are stored does not comply with the notice to abate the conditions
within the time limit prescribed, the Township of Bethlehem shall
have the authority to take measures to correct the conditions and
collect the cost of such corrections plus 10% of all costs. The Township,
in such event and pursuant to its statutory or otherwise authorized
police powers, shall have the right and power to enter upon the offending
premises to accomplish the foregoing.
A.
Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Zoning
Officer or the Police Department may request and shall then be granted
a hearing before the Board of Commissioners; provided he files with
the Board of Commissioners within 10 days after notice of the Zoning
Officer's or the Police Department decision, a written petition requesting
such hearing and setting forth a brief statement of the grounds therefor.
The hearing shall commence not later than 30 days after the date on
which the petition was filed unless postponed for sufficient cause.
B.
After such hearing, the Board of Commissioners shall
sustain, modify or overrule the action of the Zoning Officer or the
Police Department.
Any person who shall violate any provision of
this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a
fine not more than $300, and/or to undergo imprisonment for a term
not to exceed 90 days. Each day that a violation of this chapter continues
shall constitute a separate offense.
The remedies provided herein for the enforcement
of this chapter, or any remedy provided by law, shall not be deemed
mutually exclusive; rather they may be employed simultaneously or
consecutively, at the option of the Board of Commissioners.