Driveways providing access to off-street parking spaces shall be from an improved street, alley or other right-of-way, and shall be designed, constructed, and maintained as follows:
A. Number of Access Points. One driveway access for each ownership shall be allowed unless the public works director determines that more than one access is required to handle traffic volumes or specific designs, including residential circular driveways. Additional access shall not be allowed if it is determined to be detrimental to traffic flow and the safety of adjacent public streets. Whenever a property has access to more than one road, access shall be generally limited to the lowest volume road where the impact of a new access will be minimized. Construction of access from private property to a public street shall require an encroachment permit in compliance with Chapter 14.08 of the Municipal Code.
B. Adjacent Site Access. Applicants for non-residential developments should be encouraged to provide cross-access to adjacent non-residential properties for convenience, safety, and efficient circulation of motor vehicles.
C. Location of Access.
1. Distance From Street Intersections. No portion of a driveway access shall be allowed within curb returns. The edge of the access shall be more than 10 feet from the end of curb return for single-family residential developments. For all other developments, this distance shall be more than 100 feet. Where the parcel size does not permit the access to be located 100 feet from the end of curb return, the access shall be located the maximum distance possible from the end of the curb return, subject to the approval of the public works director. This distance does not include the 3-foot transition or wing sections on each side of the driveway. Access in proximity to a controlled intersection shall be subject to the approval of the public works director.
2. Driveway Spacing. Driveways shall be separated at the street frontage as follows:
a. Single-Family and Duplex Residential Development. Where two or more driveways serve adjacent single-family or duplex residential parcels, the nearest points of the two driveways shall be separated by at least 6 feet, unless a shared, single driveway is approved by the Director. The 6-foot separation does not include the 3-foot transition or wing sections on each side of the driveway.
b. Multi-Family and Non-Residential Development. Where two or more driveways serve the same or adjacent multi-family or non-residential development, the centerlines of accesses shall be separated by at least 200 feet on streets with design speeds at or below 30 mph and 300 feet on streets with design speeds above 30 mph. Any exception to these standards shall be subject to the approval of the public works director.
c. Corner and Double Frontage Parcels. For corner and double frontage residential parcels, other than single-family and duplex residential, one access on each frontage may be allowed if it is determined by the public works director that two driveways are needed to provide safe access for traffic entering and leaving the parcel because of sight distance and geometric design considerations.
3. Driveway Alignments - Commercial Development. Where commercial parcels are not large enough to allow accesses on opposite sides of the street to be aligned, the center of driveways not in alignment shall be offset a minimum of 150 feet on all collector roads, and 300 feet on all major and arterial roads. Greater distances may be required, if needed, for left-turn storage lanes. Exceptions to these standards shall be subject to the approval of the public works director.
D. Driveway Width and Length.
1. Residential zoning districts. Driveway dimensions in the residential zoning districts shall be consistent with Title 18R (Design Criteria and Improvement Standards). The minimum length of a single-family driveway shall be 20 feet to permit a vehicle to park in the driveway without blocking the sidewalk. Where access to a garage, carport, or open parking space is perpendicular (90 degrees) to the driveway, a minimum 24-foot deep unobstructed back-out area shall be provided.
2. Commercial and Manufacturing Zoning Districts. Driveway dimensions shall be consistent with Title 18R (Design Criteria and Improvement Standards).
E. Clearance from Appurtenances. The nearest edge of any driveway curb cut shall be at least 3 feet from the nearest property line, except where the review authority has approved a shared driveway between two parcels, the centerline of a fire hydrant, utility pole, drop inlet, and/or appurtenances, traffic signal installations, light standards, or other facilities. The nearest edge of any driveway shall also be at least 5 feet from the nearest projection of this type of installation.
F. Sight Distance at Driveways. At least 150 feet of clear sight distance shall be provided for all access onto local streets, 250 feet for collector streets, and 450 feet for arterial streets, or as approved by the public works director.
G. Fire Department Access. For multi-family residential and non-residential development, minimum clear turning radii shall be provided within parking lot and access aisles for Fire Department vehicles.
H. Signs. All exits from parking lots shall be provided with adequate traffic control as approved by the public works director.
(Ord. 2442, Ord. 2494 §44, Ord. 2519 §29)