(a) Authority of Fire Chief. The Fire Chief of the Village of Lordstown is authorized to establish fire lanes on either public or private property within the Village upon finding that the following conditions exist:
(1) That a fire lane is necessary for safeguarding life and property from the hazards of fire and explosion and for the use and occupancy of buildings and structures and adjacent property.
(2) That the fire lane is incident to a retail, commercial or manufacturing use or other use where it can reasonably be expected that the public will assemble in sufficient numbers so that the presence of the public and their motor vehicles, if not controlled, will interfere with the operation of fire-fighting equipment and personnel and the egress of occupants in the case of fire.
(b) Width and Markings. Fire lanes shall be of such width as is reasonably determined by the Fire Chief of the Village of Lordstown is necessary to permit access and operation of fire-fighting equipment and personnel and the egress of occupants. Fire lanes shall be suitably marked by appropriate markings on the ground, or by displaying adequate signs, or both. The markings shall be placed and maintained by the Village of Lordstown.
(c) Obstruction of Lanes. No person shall obstruct a fire lane by parking or leaving standing a motor vehicle, whether such a vehicle is attended or unattended; by constructing a fence or other barricade; or in any manner whatsoever. A barricade or fence which is readily removable or through which access may be gained by fire-fighting equipment and personnel without delay shall not be prohibited by the terms of this chapter. Any such permitted barricade or fence may not be locked in any manner.
(d) Impounding of Vehicles. Attended motor vehicles found standing or parked in a fire lane shall be immediately moved upon direction of any member of the Lordstown Village Fire Department or Lordstown Village Police Department. Any unattended motor vehicle found standing or parked in a fire lane may be impounded in a manner and subject to the penalties and charges set forth in Chapter 303 of the Codified Ordinances of the Village of Lordstown.
(e) Removal of Obstructions. Obstructions, other than motor vehicles, found in fire lanes shall be removed by the owner, occupant, or other person in charge of the premises, within three days after written notice of removal. Upon failure to comply with such notice the Village of Lordstown may cause the obstruction to be removed and the owner, occupant, or other person in charge of the premises shall pay the cost of such removal.
(f) Notice and Appeal. Whenever the Fire Chief of the Village of Lordstown designates a fire lane, written notice thereof shall be given to the owner, occupant, or person in charge of the premises. Such designation may be appealed within ten days by filing a written objection to such designation within the Fire Chief of the Village of Lordstown. The appeal shall be heard by the members of Council, a majority of whom may affirm, disaffirm, or modify the designation and whose decision shall be final.
(g) Enforcement. The powers conferred upon the Lordstown Fire Department and the Lordstown Police Department in Part 5 - General Offenses Code of the Codified Ordinances of the Village of Lordstown shall apply to the provisions of this chapter regarding fire lanes.
(h) Penalty; Waiver.
(1) Any person who is cited for a violation of this chapter for parking or leaving standing an unattended motor vehicle, in addition to the impounding provisions and charges provided by Chapter 303 of the Codified Ordinances of the Village of Lordstown, shall be subject to the penalties and waiver provisions of Section 303.99 of the Traffic Code, all of which are incorporated by reference.
(2) Except as provided in subsection (h)(1) hereof, any person who shall violate any of the provisions of this chapter, or fails to comply with any order made hereunder, shall severally for each and every such violation or noncompliance respectively be guilty of a minor misdemeanor. Each day of such violation or failure to comply shall constitute a separate offense. The imposition of a fine or penalty shall not excuse the violation or permit it to continue, and such violations shall be remedied.
(Ord. 37-2022. Passed 8-22-22.)