(A) The standards in this chapter apply to private and public land along road rights-of-way that are under the jurisdiction of the town or INDOT. The requirements and standards of this chapter shall be applied in addition to, and where permissible shall supersede, the requirements of INDOT or Chapter 154 of this Code.
(B) The standards of this chapter shall be applied by the Planning Administrator or Town Engineer during subdivision and site plan review, as applicable. The Planning Administrator shall make findings of nonconformance, conformance, or conformance if certain conditions are met, with the standards of this chapter prior to disapproving or approving a site plan per the requirements of this chapter. The town shall coordinate its review of the access elements of a plan with the appropriate transportation authority prior to deciding on an application (see division (C) below). The approval of a plan does not negate the responsibility of an applicant to subsequently secure driveway permits from the appropriate authority, either the Planning Administrator, Town Engineer, or INDOT (depending on the roadway).
(C) To ensure coordination, applicants are required to submit a site plan or a preliminary plat to the town and INDOT, as applicable. The Planning Administrator or Town Engineer may require submittal of a Traffic Impact Study as described below:
(1) At a minimum, the Traffic Impact Study shall contain the following:
(a) Analysis of existing traffic conditions and/or site restrictions using current data;
(b) Projected trip generation at the subject site or along the subject service drive based on the most recent edition of the Institute of Transportation Engineers Trip Generation Manual. The town may approve use of other trip generation data if based on recent studies of at least three similar uses within similar locations in Indiana.
(c) Illustrations of current and projected turning movements at access points. Include identification of the impact of the development and its proposed access on the operation of the abutting streets. Capacity analysis shall be completed based on the most recent version of the Highway Capacity Manual published by the Transportation Research Board (TRB), and shall be provided in an appendix to the Traffic Impact Study.
(d) Description of the internal vehicular circulation and parking system for passenger vehicles and delivery trucks, as well as the circulation system for pedestrians, bicycles, and transit users, where applicable.
(e) Justification of need, including statements describing how the additional access will meet the intent of this section, will be consistent with the Thoroughfare Plan, will not compromise public safety and will not reduce capacity or traffic operations along the roadway.
(f) Qualifications and documented experience of the author, describing experience in preparing Traffic Impact Studies. The preparer shall be either a registered traffic engineer (P.E.) or professional transportation planner (P.T.P.) with experience preparing Traffic Impact Studies in Indiana. If the Traffic Impact Study involves geometric design, the study shall be prepared or supervised by a registered engineer with a strong background in traffic engineering.
(2) The town may utilize its own traffic consultant to review the applicant's Traffic Impact Study, with the cost of the review being borne by the applicant per § 155.09.
(D) Failure by the applicant to begin construction of an approved road, driveway, shared access, service drive, or other access arrangement within 12 months from the date of approval, shall void the approval and a new application is required.
(E) The Planning Administrator or Town Engineer shall inspect the driveway as constructed for conformance with the standards of this section and any approval granted under it, prior to issuing an occupancy permit. The Planning Administrator or Town Engineer shall coordinate with the appropriate INDOT construction inspector to avoid dual inspections on applicable facilities.
(Ord. 2018-2A, passed 2-20-18)