§ 86-3. Obstructing streets.

(a)

No person shall obstruct or endanger the free passage or proper use of the public of any street, sidewalk, alley or public place, except as may be permitted by other sections of this chapter and by subsections (b), (c) and (d) of this section.

(b)

Goods, wares and merchandise may be placed on sidewalks for such reasonable time as may be necessary while loading and unloading, provided pedestrian traffic is not obstructed.

(c)

Flower planters, tree planters and decorative lights, including light fixtures (hereinafter collectively referred to as "lights") may be placed on the sidewalks in the downtown area of the city, hereinafter described, provided that their placement, design and size has first been approved in writing by the city engineer. Under no circumstances shall the placement of any planters or their contents, or lights be allowed so as to obstruct the vision of motorists or pedestrians at street intersections within the downtown area. It shall be the responsibility of the adjacent property owner who has been authorized under this article to maintain such planters or lights in good condition and in accordance with applicable regulations. Lights shall be connected in accordance with the National Electrical Code. For the purposes of this section, the downtown area is defined as that portion of the city bounded on the south by the Illinois River, on the west by the right-of-way of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, on the north by the Illinois and Michigan Canal and on the east by Paul Street and the Fox River.

(d)

Newspaper vending machines may be placed on sidewalks as long as they meet the following criteria:

(1)

The owner of the property adjacent thereto gives permission.

(2)

The vending machine is placed as close to any building on the adjacent property as possible.

(3)

The placement of the vending machine does not materially obstruct the passage of pedestrians nor obstruct the vision of motorists or pedestrians at street corners.

(4)

The size, configuration and placement of the vending machines must be approved by the city engineer or building official prior to placement.

(e)

Waste containers for construction debris or other materials may be placed within the right-of-way of public streets with written permit from the commissioner of the department of streets and public improvements or his designee, provided that any such container is either barricaded with illumination or contains reflective material so as to be visible by operators of motor vehicles at a distance of not less than 150 feet. Such illumination or reflective material shall be placed on all four corners of such containers. Any permit issued pursuant to this provision is expressly contingent upon compliance herewith which shall be the responsibility of the applicant and/or the owner of the property for whose benefit the permit is issued.

(Code 1987, § 6.05; Ord. No. O30-2005, § 2, 8-2-2005)