§ 15-305. Vehicle Size Restrictions .

   1.   Biscontini Distribution Centers, 175 South Main Street, Plains Township, Luzerne County, PA, is engaged in the business of storing, handling and transporting goods and merchandise.

   2.   It is necessary for Biscontini Distribution Centers to transport said merchandise to Biscontini Distribution Centers located at 175 South Main Street, Plains Township, Luzerne County, PA.

   3.   Both Biscontini Distribution Centers and its customers utilize trailers being 48 feet long by 102 inches wide and 53 feet long by 102 inches wide because these are now the common size trailers used in the trucking and distribution industry.

   A.   That the Plains Township Board of Commissioners do hereby grant to Biscontini Distribution Centers, 175 South Main Street, Plains Township, Luzerne County, PA, permission to use the above stated trailer types for ingress and egress to that certain section of South Main Street in Plains Township beginning with the border of Wilkes-Barre City and Plains Township up to the entrance to Biscontini Distribution Centers, 175 South Main Street, Plains Township, Luzerne County, PA, being a total distance of four-tenths of one mile.

   B.   That Plains Township Board of Commissioners thereby grant to Biscontini Distribution Centers, 175 South Main Street, Plains Township, Luzerne County, PA, permission to use the same sized trailers on Maffett Street beginning at the end of the Cross-Valley Expressway Exit Ramp (Exit 5) also known as Route 309-North and proceeding along Maffett Street to East Ann Street then along East Ann Street across South Main Street to Biscontini. Distribution Centers being a total distance of eight-tenths of one mile.

(Res. 1996-34, 6/13/1996)

§ 15-306. Restriction of Truck Traffic and Limits on Vehicle Weight on Posted Ways.

   1.   Purpose and authority. The purpose of this Section is for the restriction of truck traffic and to set limits on vehicle weight on posted ways. Also, this enacted Section will prevent damage to Township roads, streets and alleys which may be caused by vehicles of excessive weight; to lessen safety hazards and the risk of injury to the traveling public; to extend the life expectancy of the Township roads, streets and alleys; and to reduce the public expense of their repairs and maintenance. This Section is adopted pursuant to 75 Pa. C.S. 4902, et seq.

   2.   Definitions. For purposes of this Section, the following words shall have the following meanings. Any word that is not specifically defined herein shall have its ordinary, common meaning.

      Trailer–the attachment to the motor vehicle, when in combination with the said motor vehicle, or cab, shall total 30 feet or more. This shall also be meant to describe any large transport conveyance designed to be pulled by a truck, a tractor or other motor vehicle.

      Truck–any large commercial motor vehicle which is, or maybe, used for attaching or pulling a trailer. This term shall also refer to any large commercial motor vehicle, dump truck, tri-axle vehicle, tractor trailer, and/or any heavy motor vehicle designed for carrying or pulling heavy loads.

      Truck trailer–any motor vehicle which attaches to a trailer and which is primarily used for the transportation of materials, and which, when in combination, or on their own, total 30 feet or more. This term is commonly referred to as a “tractor trailer” or any “18 wheel” vehicle. This term is not meant to include vehicles which are making local deliveries in permitted areas.

   3.   Restrictions.

      A.   No person shall operate, move or park a truck tractor or trailer or tri-axle dump truck on any road, street or alley owned and maintained by the Township of Plains for which restrictions for operating truck traffic is posted by the Township, except as provided in Subsection D. below.

      B.   The operation, moving or parking of such vehicles are not intended to restrict the use of these vehicles on roads, streets or alleys in a commercial or industrial zone area of the Township wherein such roads, streets, or alleys lie wholly with that zone.

      C.   No motor vehicle, with a total length, including any attachment thereto (e.g., trailer) of 30 feet and/or any vehicle or combination vehicle registered for a gross weight of 23,000 pounds, shall be prohibited from use on Sunset Drive or any other Township road, street or alley as determined by the Township of Plains Commissioners.

      D.   Nothing in this Section shall be intended to prohibit the following trucks, trailers, or motor vehicles, and are therefore exempt:

         (1)   School buses;

         (2)   Emergency vehicles;

         (3)   Commercial vehicles for home deliveries;

         (4)   Garage and/or refuse trucks owned by the Township or operating on behalf of the Township;

         (5)   Local municipal or state motor vehicles or those trucks, trailers or a combination thereof that may be authorized by the Township for maintenance of the public roads or appurtenances thereto.

   4.   Erection of signs and enforcement. The Township of Plains shall erect, or cause to be erected and maintained, traffic signs designating the restrictions set forth in this Section. The Township of Plains Police Department, pursuant to any and all legislative authority, is confirmed as having full regulatory powers to enforce all provisions of the Vehicle Code and all provisions of this Section, according to, and as permitted by, the terms and provisions of said Vehicle Code and this Section.

   5.   Violations and penalties. Any persons operating a truck, trailer, combination truck or motor vehicle upon Sunset Drive in the Township of Plains or any other Township road, street or alley posted restricting such vehicles as imposed under this Section shall be guilty of a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $100, nor more than $500, and in default of payment may result in imprisonment for a term not to exceed 30 days.

(Ord. 2-2023, 4/13/2023)

Part 4 Stopping, Standing and Parking

§ 15-401. Parking Prohibited at All Times in Certain Locations .

   1.   Parking shall be prohibited at all times in the following locations:

   A.   On any roadway or edge of any curb line.

   B.   On any sidewalk.

   C.   Within an intersection.

   D.   Within a crosswalk.

   E.   Alongside or opposite any street excavation.

   F.   At any place where official signs and/or markings prohibit parking.

   G.   At any place that would hinder the free flow of traffic.

Street	Side	Between
Abbott Street [Res. 2010-6]	North	From South Main Street to Mill Street
Abbott Street [Res. 1997-20]	South	From a point 20 feet west of the intersection of Abbott Street and Stadium Alley along the entire length of the front of the new elementary school
Amesbury Street	Both Sides	South Main to Maffett Street
Amesbury Street [Ord. 1996-6]	East	Wyoming Street to north corner of Township Park
Bailey Street	East	Entire Street
Bank Street [Res. 2009-19]	South	From Hudson Road to the alley behind SS Peter and Paul School
Bank Street	South	Entire Street
Bowl Complex Road [Ord. 1998-3]	Both	Beginning at the vehicle gate, south for the entire length of road.
Brader Street [Res. 1997-4]	North
Brader Street [Ord. 1997-2]	West	North from intersection with Powell Street for 41 feet.
Center Street [Res. 1997-3]	North	West of the intersection with North Street for a distance of 20 feet from the intersection
Center Street [Ord. 1997-2]	North	West from intersection with North Street for 25 feet.
Clark Lane [Res. 1997-21]	Both	The entire length of the service road(s) south of the entrance gate for those fields and facilities located in the lower level (pit) of the park
Clark Lane [Res. 1997-21]	Both	The main entrance road online from the rear of the Jescavage property, east to the paved pedestrian crosswalk
Clark Lane [Ord. 1998-3]	Both	Beginning at east side of intersection of Clark Lane and South Beech Road East to first pedestrian crosswalk inside Birchwood Municipal Park.
Cleveland Street [Ord. 1996-6]	South	Entire length fronting Township Park
Cook Street	North	Entire Street
Cottage Avenue	North	Entire Street
Courtright Street [Res. 2009-7]	South	The entrance of River Ridge Development-Hollywood Drive to house number 83-85-87 Courtright Street
Diana Street	South	Entire Street
Dingwall Street [Res. 1997-3]	West	South of the intersection with Amesbury Street for a distance of 20 feet from the intersection
Dingwall Street [Ord. 1997-2]	West	South from the intersection with Amesbury Street for 22 feet
Driftwood Street	South	Entire Street
East Ann Street [Res. 1995-22]	North	30 feet of the stop sign, 30 feet of South Main Street, 20 feet of the alley
East Ann Street [Res. 1995-22]	South	30 feet of the stop sign, 30 feet of Maffett Street, 20 fee of the alley
East Carey Street	South	Entire Street
East Charles Street	Both Sides	Entire Street
East Main Street	Both Sides	Entire Street
East Mountain Drive	Both Sides	Entire Street
Farrell Lane	North	Entire Street
Farrell Lane	South	Entire Street
Gouge Street	West	Entire Street
Harriet Street	North	Entire Street
Helen Street	South	Entire Street
Hudson Road [Ord. 1996-6]	West	William Street to Crow Alley
Jones Street	South	Entire Street
Laurel Street [Res. 2001-10]	North
Maffett Street	Both Sides	Mercer Street to Ann Street
Maffett Street	West	Entire Street
Main Street (SR 2024) [Ord. 2009-10]	North	Approximately 100 feet south of Main Street’s intersection with West Carey Street
Main Street (SR 2024) [Ord. 2009-10]	North	Approximately 325 feet south of Main Street’s intersection with West Carey Street
Main Street (SR 2024) [Ord. 2009-10]	South	Approximately 325 feet South of Main Street’s intersection with West Carey Street
Martin Street	Both Sides	Entire Street
McCullough Street	North	Entire Street
Michelle Street [Res. 2005-14]	East
Mill Street	East	Entire Street
Mill Street	West	Entire Street
Miner Street	South	Entire Street
New Street	North	Cotton to Tulip
New Street	South	Tulip to Garden
North Main Street	Both Sides	Carey Street to East Saylor Avenue
North Street [Ord. 1997-2]	East	South from the intersection with Cleveland Street for 172 feet
North Street [Ord. 1997-2]	West	North from intersection with Center Street for 20 feet.
Oak Street	Both Sides	Miner to Stark
Perkins Street	East	Entire Street
Poplar Street	Both Sides	Entire Street
Powell Street	East	100 feet
Powell Street [Ord. 1997-2]	North	West from intersection with Brader Street for 24 feet
Powell Street [Res. 1997-4]	West
Railroad Street	Both Sides	Entire Street
Ridgewood Road	Both Sides	Entire Street
School Street	West	Entire Street
Short Gouge Street	North	Entire Street
South Main Street	East	Entire Street
South Main Street	West	Entire Street
St. Mary Street	West	Entire Street
Stadium Alley	East	Entire Street
Stadium Alley	West	Entire Street
Stark Street	North	Entire Street
Stark Street [Ord. 1996-6]	South	15 feet East of driveway at 55 Stark Street to 15 feet West of driveway at 55 Stark Street
Stocker Street	West	Entire Street
Union Street [Ord. 1996-6]	Both sides	C&P Railroad tracks to Laflin Borough boundary
West Ann Street	North	Entire Street
Westminster Road (SR 2039) [Ord. 2014-4]*	North and West	From the PP&L right-of-way along Pennsylvania American Water land to the northerly side of Jumper Road (SR 2020) to lands of Michael J. Pasonick, Jr. a distance of 1,745 feet more or less
Westminster Road (SR 2039) [Ord. 2014-4]*	South	From the lands of Thomas Bowman a distance of 647 feet more or less along Westminister Road to a one lane tunnel
Westminster Road (SR 2039) [Ord. 2014-4]*	West	Along the south side of Jumper Road (SR 2020) to the lands of the Pennsylvania American Water driveway off of Jumper Road a distance of 1,304 feet more or less
Wyoming Street [Ord. 1996-6]	Both sides	Entire Street

 

   2.   Any person who violates any provision of this Section shall, upon conviction be sentenced to pay a fine of $50 plus costs. [Ord. 2009-10]

   3.   *Any person who violates disobeys or refuses to comply with Ord. 2014-4 shall be guilty of a summary offense and upon conviction shall be fined not less than $50 or more than $300. [Ord. 2014-4]

(Ord. 1993-12, 12/30/1993, § 401; as amended by Res. 1995-16, 8/18/1995; by Res. 1995-22, 11/16/1995; by Res. 1996-37, 10/10/1996; by Ord. 1996-6, 11/14/1996, § 1; by Ord. 1997-2, 6/12/1997, § 1; by Res. 1997-3, 2/13/1997; by Res. 1997-4, 2/13/1997; by Res. 1997-20, 8/14/1997; by Res. 1997-21, 8/14/1997; by Ord. 1998-3, 5/14/1998, § 1; by Res. 2001-10, 11/8/2001; by Res. 2005-13, –/–/2005; by Res. 2005-14, 12/8/2005; by Res. 2009-7, 5/14/2009; by Res. 2009-19, 8/13/2009; by Ord. 2009-10, 9/10/2009, Articles 1 and 2; and by Res. 2010-6, 5/14/2010; and by Ord. 2014-4, 8/4-2014)

§ 15-402. Parking Prohibited in Certain Locations Certain Days and Hours .

   1.   Parking shall be prohibited in the following locations at all times on the days and between the hours indicated in this Section, as follows:

 

Street	Side	Between	Days	Hours
Diana Street [Res. 2007-21]	North	Signs access from 13 Diana Street	not less than 60 days or more than 90 days
12 East Carey Street [Res. 2007-17]		Along the curb line in front of 12 East Carey Street	not less than 60 days or more than 90 days	30 minutes
South Main Street [Res. 1997-14]		216 feet north (the north curbline of Abbott Street) of Abbott Street along the east curb		15 minute parking 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
St. Marys Street [Res. 1998-9]	East	No parking here to corner, at the intersection with St. David Street, South, for a distance of 30 feet	not less than 30 days or more than 90 days

 

   2.   Any person who violates, disobeys or refuses to comply with this Section shall be guilty of a summary offense and upon conviction shall be fined not less than $25 nor more than $300. [Ord. 2007-4]

(Ord. 1993-12, 12/30/1993, § 402; as amended by Res. 1997-14, 5/8/1997; by Res. 1998-9, 5/14/1998; by Res. 2007-17, 4/12/2007; by Ord. 2007-4, 7/19/2007; and by Res. 2007-21, 8/9/2007)

§ 15-403. Standing and Parking .

   No person shall park or stop any motor vehicle, tractor or semi-trailer in any of the following locations:

   A.   In front of a public or private driveway.

   B.   Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.

   C.   Within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.

   D.   Within 30 feet upon the approach to any flashing signal, stop sign or traffic control device located at the site of a roadway.

   E.   Within 20 feet of the driveway entrance to any fire station or the side of the street opposite the entrance of any fire station within 75 feet of said entrance.

   F.   In a designated “Loading-Unloading” Zone, unless loading or unloading such vehicle, and loading or unloading such vehicle, then for a period not to exceed 45 minutes.

   G.   No angle parking unless otherwise permitted by official signs or markings.

   H.   At any place where official signs prohibit parking.

   I.   At any place that would hinder the free flow of traffic.

(Ord. 1993-12, 12/30/1993, § 403)

§ 15-404. Special Purpose Parking Zones Established; Parking Otherwise Prohibited .

   1.   Handicapped person zones. It shall be unlawful for any person to park, or allow to remain parked, any vehicle in any space reserved as a “Handicapped Parking Zone” unless said vehicle is displaying handicapped registration plates or severely disabled veteran handicapped parking placards as authorized by § 1338 of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code, 75 Pa.C.S.A. § 1338. This Section shall apply to designated “Handicapped Parking Zones” on both public and private property, as authorized by 75 Pa.C.S.A. § 3354(D)(3), when so posted in accordance with PennDOT regulations after a traffic study has been completed.

   2.   Fire lanes. The Board of Commissioners and the Fire Chief, may require the owners of shopping centers, businesses or other commercial property owners to establish fire lanes around the buildings and structures on their property. Fire lanes shall be at least 20 feet in width, with the road edge closest to the structure at least ten feet from the structure. It shall be unlawful for any person to park or allow to remain parked, any vehicle in an area about any commercial establishment, or other buildings which have been designated as a “fire lane”. This Section shall apply to areas designated as a “fire lane” on both public and private property. The property owner will provide the required signs and pavement markings. All designated fire lane signs and markings shall be maintained in a clean and legible condition at all times and replaced when necessary to ensure adequate visibility. “Fire lane” signs required are to be 12 inches by 18 inches with a white background with red lettering “No Parking Fire Lane”. Pavement markings must be yellow in color. Any Plains Township law, ordinance or Code Enforcement Officer may enforce this provision. [Ord. 1998-4]

   3.   Parking on private property or quasi-public property. No person shall park or leave unattended any vehicle, tractor or semi-trailer on private property or quasi-public property without the proper consent of the owner or other person in control or possession of the property, or in any of the following locations on such property:

   A.   Within any fire lane, where posted by official signs.

   B.   Within any “trafficway”. A “trafficway” is the entire width between property lines or other boundary lines of every way or place of which any part is open to the public for the purpose of vehicular travel as a matter of right or custom.

   C.   In a designated “Handicapped Parking Zone” unless the vehicle bears registration plates or an official placard issued to handicapped or disabled persons and is being operated by or for the transportation of the handicapped or disabled person.

   D.   At any place where official signs and/or markings prohibit stopping, standing or parking.

   E.   In a designated “Loading-Unloading” zone unless loading or unloading such vehicle, and if loading or unloading, then for a period not to exceed 45 minutes.

   4.   Citations. The Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief and Fire Inspectors shall be allowed to issue citations for any if the following violations:

   A.   Parking or leaving unattended any vehicle within a fire lane legally posted or lawfully marked as such.

   B.   Parking or leaving unattended any vehicle within 25 feet of any fire stations unless lawfully marked or posted.

   C.   Parking or leaving unattended any vehicle within 15 feet of any fire hydrant.

[Ord. 2003-2]

(Ord. 1993-12, 12/30/1993, § 404; as amended by Ord. 1998-4, 6/11/1998, § 1; and by Ord. 2003-2, –/–/2003, § 404)