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§ 82-406 APPROVAL AND MODIFICATIONS.
   (A)   The Planning Commission, upon application by the property owner of the parking area, may modify the yard and wall requirements where, in unusual circumstances, no good purpose would be served by compliance with the requirements of this article.
   (B)   In all cases where a wall extends to an alley which is a means of ingress and egress to a parking area, it shall be permissible to end the wall not more than 10 feet from such alley line in order to permit a wider means of access to the parking area.
   (C)   In addition to the requirements in this article, such parking area shall comply with such further requirements or conditions as may be prescribed by the Planning Commission for the protection of the residential district abutting such parcel in which the parking area is to be located.
(1993 Code, § 82-406) (Ord. passed 10-12-1992)
§ 82-407 ACCESS MANAGEMENT STANDARDS.
   (A)   Intent.
      (1)   The intent of this section is to establish roadway access standards inclusive of driveways, shared drives, frontage and rear access and road related roadway geometric improvements and access control features.
      (2)   The compliance standards of this section are intended to minimize potentially hazardous traffic movements and related traffic conflicts, provide effective spacing standards between driveways and between driveways and intersections and to ensure reasonable access to properties within desired public safety standards. The provisions of this section shall apply during the site plan review process before Planning Commission approval.
   (B)   Driveway spacing.
      (1)   Definitions. For the purposes of this section, a COMMERCIAL DRIVEWAY is defined as any vehicular access, except those serving single family or two family residences or serving an essential public service structure.
      (2)   Minimum spacing (commercial). Minimum spacing between 2 commercial driveways on the same side of the roadway shall be determined based upon the posted speed limit along the parcel frontage. The minimum spacings indicated below are measured from centerline to centerline.
 
Posted Speed Limit (MPH)
Minimum Driveway Spacing (Feet)
25
130
30
185
35
245
40
300
45
350
50
455
 
      (3)   Left-turn conflicts. To reduce left turn conflicts, new commercial driveways shall be aligned with existing driveways across the roadway where possible. If alignment is not possible, driveways should be offset a minimum of 150 feet from existing driveways, measured centerline to centerline, on the opposite side of the roadway.
      (4)   Minimum spacing. Minimum spacing between proposed driveways and street intersections shall be subject to the following requirements. The following measurements are from the nearest edge of the driveway throat to the nearest edge of the intersection.
 
Location of Driveway
Minimum Spacing for Full Movement Driveway (Feet)
Minimum Spacing for a Channelized Right-Turn-In, Right-Turn-Out Driveway (Feet)
On a major thoroughfare, intersecting street is a major thoroughfare
250
125
On a major thoroughfare, intersecting street is not a major thoroughfare
200
125
On a secondary thoroughfare
125
75
On a collector street
75
75
 
      (5)   Number of commercial driveways.
         (a)   The number of commercial driveways serving a property shall be the minimum number necessary to provide reasonable access and access for emergency vehicles, while preserving traffic operations and safety along the public roadway.
         (b)   Access shall be provided for each separately owned parcel. This access may be an individual driveway, shared driveway, or via a service drive. Additional driveways may be permitted for the property only as follows: 1 additional driveway may be allowed for properties with continuous frontage over 300 feet, and 1 additional driveway for each additional 300 feet of frontage, if the Planning Commission determines additional access is justified without compromising traffic operations along the public street. The applicant shall submit a traffic impact study if additional access is sought. All driveways shall comply with the spacing requirements set forth in this section.
         (c)   In making its determination on whether additional access is justified, the Planning Commission may refer to the following list of developments, that generate enough traffic to warrant consideration of additional access. Where possible, additional access points should be located on a side street, shared with adjacent uses, or designed for right-turn-in, right-turn-out only movements.
            1.   Multiple family developments with over 500 units.
            2.   Grocery store of over 30,000 square feet (GFA).
            3.   Shopping center with over 40,000 square feet (GFA).
            4.   Hotel or motel with over 400 rooms.
            5.   Industrial developments with over 300,000 square feet (GFA) or 350 employees, although a secondary entrance for trucks should be allowed.
            6.   Warehouses of over 750,000 square feet (GFA) or 350 employees.
            7.   Mobile home park with over 600 units.
            8.   General office building of 150,000 square feet (GFA) or 500 employees.
            9.   Medical office building of 60,000 square feet (GFA) or 200 employees.
            10.   Fast food restaurant of over 6,000 square feet (GFA).
            11.   Sit down restaurant of over 20,000 square feet (GFA).
      (6)   Shared driveways and service roads.
         (a)   Where the Planning Commission determines that reducing the number of access points may have a beneficial impact on traffic operations and safety while preserving the property owner's right to reasonable access, a shared driveway or service drive connecting 2 or more properties or uses may be required. In particular, service drives may be required where recommended in the Master Plan or corridor plan, near existing traffic signals or near locations having traffic volumes and along segments of roadway with a relatively high number of accidents or limited sight distance.
         (b)   Shared driveways and service drives shall be within a recorded access easement.
         (c)   The Planning Commission may allow temporary access where the service road is not completed if a performance bond or other financial guarantee is provided which assures the elimination of the temporary access upon completion of the service road. Occupancy permits shall not be issued until such financial guarantee has been submitted to the city.
      (7)   Driveway Width. The following standards shall apply unless engineering judgement determines that another dimension is more suitable for a particular site.
         (a)   The standard two-way commercial driveway design shall include 1 ingress lane and 1 egress lane with a combined width of 30 feet, measured from face of curb to face of curb.
         (b)   Where exit volumes are expected to exceed 1,000 vehicles per day, 100 during peak hours, or in areas where it is determined that undesirable motorist delays will occur, 2 egress lanes may be required. Such driveways shall include 1 15-foot wide ingress lane and 2 11.5-foot wide egress lanes (1 marked exclusively for left turns). In areas where significant pedestrian/bicycle travel is expected, the egress and ingress lanes shall be separated by a 6 to 10 foot wide median with a pedestrian refuge area.
         (c)   Where driveways are to be located on a road segment having a high accident rate or significant traffic congestion/delays, or where left run access is available through alternative means of access, the Planning Commission may require driveway design and signing which prohibits certain turning movements.
         (d)   For access arrangements which include 2 one-way driveways, such as a right-turn-in and right-turn-out only arrangements, each driveway shall be 16 feet wide, measured perpendicular to the curb, and angled to minimize the disruption of traffic flow.
      (8)   Engineering judgement. Engineering judgement shall be utilized to determine the necessary throat length, but in no case shall it be less than 25 feet.
      (9)   Angle of commercial driveways. Commercial driveways shall be on a 90 degree angle with roadway unless physical modification and/or directional signs are used to enforce intended one-way operations or restricted movements.
      (10)   Deceleration and acceleration lanes and tapers. Deceleration and acceleration lanes and tapers where warranted by either through traffic conditions or expected high driveway volumes shall be used to avoid the disruption in the flow of traffic.
(1993 Code, § 82-407) (Ord. passed 2-12-2001; Ord. passed 9-10-2001(3))
Editor's note:
   Ord. of Feb. 12, 2001, § 82-474, set out provisions intended for use as § 82-471. At the City Clerk's request, these provisions have been included as § 82-407.
§ 82-408 MARGINAL SERVICE ROADS; INTENT.
   Marginal service roads may be required by the Planning Commission, after consultation with the traffic engineer, when it is determined by the Commission that an excessive number of ingress and egress roads may occur with relation to a major or secondary thoroughfare and that reducing the number of points of access to the thoroughfare is in the best interest of the city. Unless the property owner demonstrates that an alternative design would be in the public interest, as determined by the Planning Commission, marginal service roads may be required.
(1993 Code, § 82-408) (Ord. passed 2-25-1991; Ord. passed 5-14-2001; Ord. passed 3-11-2002(1))
§ 82-409 MARGINAL SERVICE ROADS; REQUIRED CONDITIONS.
   Uses permitted in this chapter shall be subject to the following conditions.
      (1)   In those instances where the Planning Commission finds that an excessive number of ingress or egress points may occur with relation to major or secondary thoroughfares, the Commission may require marginal service roads and, to assure adequate traffic circulation on the site, may require the development of parking so that contiguous lots on abutting properties will allow traffic circulation from 1 property to another without re-entering the public thoroughfare.
      (2)   The pavement of the marginal service road shall be located 10 feet from the future right-of- way line of the thoroughfare and shall be at least 24 feet wide except in the situation where existing adjacent parking lots are to be connected by way of a common maneuvering lane and a greater width cannot be provided, the such service road shall be at least 22 feet in width. Said service road shall be an easement which will permit the use of the service road for traffic circulation from 1 property to another. Said easement shall be in a written form acceptable to the City Council prior to the issuance of a building permit and shall run with the land and benefit/burden the heirs, assigns and transferees of the properties to be served by the drives. No permanent structures shall be permitted within the easements. Each property owner shall be responsible for maintenance of the easement so that it remains usable as a means of getting from 1 property to another. The Street Administrator will cause the service road to be maintained if the property owner fails in his responsibility, and all costs will be charged to the property and added to the taxes if not paid. The easement shall be recorded with the County Register of Deeds.
      (3)   Building permits for the property to be served by the marginal service roads shall not be issued unless and until such drives have been completed, or a performance guarantee has been posted with the city for such purposes.
      (4)   When marginal service roads are required, the Planning Commission shall require that the entire 24 foot area be paved up to the abutting properties. Backing from parking spaces onto the marginal service shall not be permitted. The site plan shall indicate the proposed elevation of the marginal access service road at the property line and the Street Administrator shall maintain a record of all marginal service road elevations so that their grades can be coordinated. Marginal service road elevations shall conform to elevations established by the Council or, if not so established, be not more than 1 foot above the elevation of the adjoining property. Marginal service roads shall meet construction specifications set by the Street Administrator based on current engineering practices and principals for the construction of base, pavement and draining facilities, and the like.
      (5)   The 10 foot setback area between the future road right-of-way and the service road shall be kept in grass and landscaped in accordance with plans approved by the Planning Commission.
      (6)   Temporary entrances and exits may be approved for individual sites provided money is placed in escrow to assure elimination of temporary entrances and exits. Building permits shall not be issued until monies have been deposited with the city.
      (7)   In determining which entrances and exits will be permanent and which will be temporary, the Planning Commission shall generally be guided by the requirements of § 82-407, access management standards.
(1993 Code, § 82-409) (Ord. passed 2-25-1991; Ord. passed 5-14-2001; Ord. passed 3-11-2002(l))
§§ 82-410 – 82-425 RESERVED.
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