ZELIENOPLE — The borough is considering a new ordinance that will allow skateboarding in certain areas.

Under its current ordinance passed in 2003, skateboarding is prohibited in the borough with the exception of on private property with consent of the property owner.

The borough plans to advertise the ordinance and then vote on its adoption on Sept. 8, borough manager Don Pepe said.

If adopted, skateboards, in-line skates, scooters or “other like instruments” will still be prohibited on Routes 19, 288, 588 and 68. They will be prohibited on almost all the side streets within one block of Route 19, and select other streets including High Street and Clay Street.

Police Chief Jim Miller said he picked the prohibited streets based on which ones have the most vehicle traffic. On the less busy streets, it should be safe for residents to use skateboards on either the sidewalks or in the road, he said.

The borough won’t mark all the non-skateboarding zones with new signs, but will try to spread information about the new rules over the winter, Pepe said.

The ordinance also prohibits any ramps or propulsion devices from being used on the roads with specific areas of the Zelienople Community Park where skateboarding will be prohibited. It prohibits bicycles from the sidewalks in the commercial district.

That district is defined as Route 19 between Northview and Culvert Streets and parts of High and Clay streets.

Users of skateboards and bikes also are required to yield right of way to all pedestrians, vehicles and other users of sidewalks, streets and parking lots.

Borough council asked Miller to make recommendations for a new ordinance after a discussing the issue July 28, when he reported that the department had received a few complaints about skateboarders trespassing or damaging property.

He worked with members of council to arrive at the proposed regulations.

Council Member Mary Hess said Monday that the borough wants to be fair with people who use skateboards and also consider safety.

“Skateboarders always feel like they’re the outcast in the community. I want it to be cut and dried and no ambiguity in the ordinance,” Hess said. “These kids understand we’re not out to get them; it’s all for their protection and for everybody else’s protection.”

The proposed ordinance has the same guidelines as the current one about violations. Police have the authority to fine violators up to $300 and confiscate the equipment used to violate the ordinance.

Currently, the police give out warnings to violators and enter their names into their computer system before giving a ticket, Miller said.

The borough has posted the ordinance on its website and may solicit comments through its SwiftReach notification service, he said.

Also up for vote Sept. 8 will be a proposed ordinance changing traffic patterns on Marion Drive and Spruce Street to prevent potential traffic and safety issues.

Marion Drive would become one-way north only. All traffic exiting the Rosewood development would need to use Zelie Drive.

Spruce Street would become one-way west only between West Beaver Street and Linden Street.

The changes were requested by the borough and approved by the state Department of Transportation.

Residents wanting to comment on either proposed ordinance can contact Miller at 724-452-3003, Ext. 441, or chfjimmiller@zoominternet.net.