Council Vetoes Sidewalk Ordinance Change in Downtown Area

An amendment to the Hellertown borough sidewalk ordinance that would have required property owners to replace existing concrete sidewalks with pavers was killed by borough council Monday.

Councilman Tom Rieger led the effort to veto the proposed change, which would have required property owners in the Town Center zoning district to redo their sidewalks whenever ownership of a building changes hands.

Councilwoman Gail Nolf said she also opposed the change—particularly because a number of downtown property owners have recently installed new concrete sidewalks.

Rieger said he opposed the move to pavers because of their tendency to heave over time.

"In 10 or 15 years, they will be going every which way," he said.

Borough engineer Bryan Smith, of Barry Isett and Associates, said all sidewalks shift and heave over time when there are tree roots underneath them.

"It’s just part of the condition of having trees in an urban setting, whether it’s pavers or concrete," he said.

Smith added that pavers can be removed and reset when they do become displaced, which is why they are considered to be easier to maintain than concrete sidewalks.

Photo: A corner sidewalk ramp in Hellertown (Patch file photo)