(A) Before an approach or drainage modification is constructed under the provisions of this chapter, an application for a permit for such construction shall be made to the County Highway Department office. The application shall be on a form approved by the County Highway Department and shall be accompanied by a site plan, supporting analyses and designs certified by a professional engineer licensed in the state, unless the requirement for certification is waived by the County Highway Department. The application shall be signed by the applicant and by the owner of the property.
(B) When a proposed access crosses one or more parcels to provide access to an additional parcel, an access easement must be properly obtained and recorded in the office of the County Recorder. The proposed access easement for such an access shall be submitted with the application. A copy of the recorded easement shall be submitted to the County Highway Department prior to completing the construction of the work.
(C) The applicant for each permit to construct an access or modify a drainage ditch as provided by this chapter shall pay a fee of $50 to the County Highway Department to defray the cost of processing the permit application and inspecting the construction of the work.
(D) (1) The following information shall be shown on the site plan or attached to the application:
(a) Property lines;
(b) Road right-of-way;
(c) Distance from intersecting roads;
(d) Width and type of road surface;
(r) Existing drainage features, including ditch cross section, culvert type and size and other drainage features;
(f) Proposed drainage features, including hydraulic analyses of any proposed improvements;
(g) Locations of existing driveways and structures;
(h) Locations of proposed driveways and structures;
(i) Width and type of surface of proposed driveway;
(j) Copy of plat for platted parcels;
(k) Name, address and telephone number of the constructor;
(l) Copy of a proposed easement for ingress and egress when the proposed driveway crosses property other than the parcel where the drive terminates (the easement shall be recorded and a copy of the recorded easement delivered to the County Highway Department after the permit application is approved and before the construction is completed); and
(m) Other pertinent information requested by the County Highway Department.
(2) Applications for driveways or mailbox approaches serving multi-family residential, commercial or industrial property shall also include the following information in addition to the information prescribed above:
(a) Proposed parking locations and arrangements.
(b) Proposed traffic control devices.
(c) Proposed limitations on the use of driveways, such as entrance only, exit only, employees only, trucks only, etc.
(d) Location of any loading docks or other special access features.
(E) Within 30 days of the receipt of a complete application as set forth in this chapter, the County Highway Department shall either issue a permit for the construction of the approach or deny the application and inform the applicant the reasons for denying the application. Permits may be issued with modifications to the proposed site plan or other restrictions. No work shall commence on the construction of the approach until the permit has been issued. The permit shall be retained at the site of the construction and shall be displayed to any county official requesting to see the permit.
(F) The County Highway Department shall retain in their files all applications and a copy of all permits issued. All permits issued in compliance with this chapter shall be an original and two copies. The original shall be issued to the applicant, one copy shall be retained by the County Highway Department and the other copy shall be forwarded to the County Building Department.
(G) The County Highway Department, with approval of the Board of Commissioners, shall adopt written specifications for access or drainage improvements, which shall be minimum requirements, unless a design prepared and certified by a licensed professional engineer and approved by the County Highway Department determines that lesser standards are appropriate for a particular situation. These standards may be increased when determined by an engineering evaluation that particular situations will require greater standards.
(Ord. 1998-5, passed 7-20-1998)