[Adopted 6-7-1954 by Ord. No. 107; amended in its entirety 9-12-1989 by Ord. No.
401 (Ch. 10, Part 4, of the 1989 Code of Ordinances)]
A.
LESSEE
NUISANCE
OWNER
PERSON
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:
Owner for the purpose of this article when the lessor holds
the lessee responsible for maintenance and repairs.
Any condition, structure, or improvement which shall constitute
a threat or potential threat to the health, safety, or welfare of
the citizens of the Borough of Port Vue.
The actual owner, agent or custodian of the property on which
machinery, equipment or materials are stored, whether individual or
partnership, association, or corporation.
A natural person, firm, partnership, association, corporation,
or other legal entity.
B.
In this article, 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 to create or maintain any
condition upon their property which could directly or indirectly cause
a nuisance or health hazard to residents of the Borough of Port Vue.
Specifically, the unsheltered storage or maintenance of unused, stripped,
damaged and generally unusable machinery or equipment or materials
shall be considered a nuisance and/or health hazard if any of the
following conditions exist:
A.
Broken glass or metal parts with sharp or protruding edges.
B.
Openings or areas which are conducive to the harboring and growth
of vermin.
C.
Storage in any manner which would allow the equipment, machinery,
material or any parts thereof to easily shift, tilt, or fall from
its original storage position.
D.
Contains any liquid or material of a hazardous or potentially hazardous
nature, including, but not limited to, gasoline, oil, battery acids,
refrigeration agents, and poisons.
E.
Any other condition which, in the opinion of the inspecting official,
shall be deemed to be a health hazard, potential health hazard or
nuisance.
A.
Storage of such items as listed in § 227-2 hereof on personal property shall be permitted only in strict compliance with the regulations provided herein or with stricter regulations in other Borough ordinances or in state or federal laws. Each person, owner or lessee desiring to store items described in § 227-2 must first apply for a permit for either temporary or permanent storage and pay a fee to the Borough of Port Vue such as may be provided from time to time by resolution of the Borough Council. The nuisance(s) must be stored within a garage or other enclosed building or outside within an opaque fence at least six feet high which is locked at all times when unattended. With the special approval of the Borough Council, 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, the machinery, equipment, or materials shall be kept free of vermin infestation while being stored, and all gas, oil or other potentially hazardous substances shall be removed. The total area of storage of such potential nuisances may not exceed 36 square feet.
A.
The Chief of Police is hereby empowered to inspect grounds on which
machinery, equipment, and/or various materials are stored to determine
if there is compliance with the provisions of this article. If noncompliance
with the provisions of this article 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 considered to be a hazard
and/or nuisance and shall require the owner to commence to remove
or otherwise rectify the condition as set forth in the notice 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 machinery, equipment, and/or
materials are stored does not comply with the notice to abate the
conditions within the time limit prescribed, the Borough of Port Vue
shall have the authority to take measures to correct the conditions
and collect the cost of such corrections, plus 10% of all costs. The
Borough of Port Vue, 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 Police Chief may request
and shall then be granted a hearing before the Borough Council, provided
he files with the Borough Council, within 10 days after notice of
the Police Chief's 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 Borough Council shall sustain, modify or
overrule the action of the Police Chief.
[Amended 5-30-1990 by Ord. No. 412]
Any person who shall violate any provision of this article shall,
upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than
$1,000 and/or to undergo imprisonment for a term not to exceed 90
days. Each day that a violation of this article continues shall constitute
a separate offense.
The remedies provided herein for the enforcement of this article,
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 Borough Council.
