(a) It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to build or construct any steps or other obstruction, whether temporary or permanent. If merchandise is placed on a sidewalk or public way, it shall be at the owners risk and located in a manner that will not impede pedestrians or vehicular traffic. However, under no circumstances shall such merchandise encroach upon such sidewalk or public way beyond five feet from the street right-of-way line, nor be placed beyond the right-of-way frontage of the corresponding business. Loading or unloading of merchandise may be permitted across sidewalks and public ways only for the time necessary for such loading or unloading; provided, that the City Manager may authorize the granting of temporary permits for limited times only to the construction of improvement thereon: provided further, that no such permit shall be issued for such purpose until plans for warning and safeguarding the public during such of sidewalks or public way shall have been submitted by the owner or his or her contractor and approved by the City Manager.
(b) Public appurtenances may be allowed on a sidewalk or public way and placed so as not to impede pedestrians or vehicular traffic, provided that approval is authorized by the City Manager. These may include the following:
(1) Flag poles;
(2) Trash receptacles;
(3) Benches;
(4) Planter boxes;
(5) Landscaping materials (i.e., trees, shrubs, flowers); and
(6) Other items designed to provide comfort or safety to the general public.
(Ord. 1359, passed 7-17-2001)