(a) The following definitions shall apply to all aspects of this section:
(1) "Snow" means any precipitation depositing any accumulation on the streets, including snow, sleet, hail, ice and freezing rain.
(2) "Snow emergency" means a state of roadway conditions that are hazardous and dangerous to vehicular and pedestrian traffic and so declared by the Mayor or Greene County Sheriff.
(3) "Snow Emergency Routes" mean all streets in the Village so designated and marked.
(4) "Chains" mean full chains, strap chains or other types of chains mounted on both rear wheels of a motorized vehicle.
(5) "Snow tires" mean tires having tread designed for use in snow, which tires must be in such condition as to serve the purpose for which they are designed.
(6) "Vehicles" mean all self-propelled motorized vehicles using Village streets and highways, excluding public transportation conveyances.
(b) All streets designated as snow emergency routes shall be posted with suitable signs or markers at intervals not exceeding 300 feet. The signs in the Downtown Historic Business and Business Districts will bear the words "Snow Emergency Route".
(c) When there is a weather forecast published over the local radio or television stations for a snowfall of two or more inches or when, in the opinion of the Mayor, the actual or expected precipitation of snow will create hazardous or dangerous roadway conditions for vehicular or pedestrian traffic, he shall have authority to declare a snow emergency.
(1) If a snow emergency has not already been issued by the Greene County Sheriff, the Mayor shall immediately inform the public of the snow emergency by the issuing of a press release to the local radio, television and news services. In addition, the Mayor shall notify the village through social media, the village website, and notify Cedarville University to issue a release through campus media.
(2) The snow emergency shall continue in force and effect until the Mayor or Greene County Sheriff declares it to be over in the same manner as provided for in this section.
(3) If the Greene County Sheriff declares a snow emergency to be over, however, weather conditions in the Village dictate that a snow emergency remain in effect, the Mayor shall notify the public of the same in accordance with the procedures in (c)(l) above.
(d) One hour after a snow emergency has been declared, and during its existence:
(1) No vehicle shall be parked on a snow emergency route unless the snow emergency route signs permit parking.
(2) Any person who drives a vehicle without chains or snow tires upon any street designated as a snow emergency route and such vehicle becomes stalled or incapable of moving under it's own power to anyone who leaves such vehicle unattended shall be in violation of this section and shall be subject to the penalty set forth in Section 303.99.
(3) Any vehicle parked, stalled, incapable of moving under it's own power or left unattended upon any street designated as a snow emergency route may be removed or towed away to any location by the Police or any person authorized by the Mayor.
(4) The Mayor may declare any snow emergency route or any part of a snow emergency route to be free from restrictions herein imposed when, in his opinion, the weather or street conditions warrant such an exclusion. The Mayor shall give notice of this determination in the manner provided for in subsection (d)(3) above.
(e) Designated snow emergency routes are as follows:
(1) Route 42 from eastern Village limit sign to western Village limit sign;
(2) Route 72 from northern Village limit sign to southern Village limit sign;
(3) All other streets designated as such by the Mayor during any snow emergency, notice of such declaration and designation to be made by the Mayor in the manner provided for in subsection (c) above.
(f) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
(Ord. 2022-05. Passed 3-14-22.)