All lots hereafter created, and all structures hereafter created, substantially altered, or relocated to property with frontage on, or access to, a public road or street that is subject to regulation per § 155.03, shall conform to the following requirements.
(A) General standards.
(1) Access approval required. No road, driveway, shared access, parking lot cross access, service road, or other access arrangement shall be established, reconstructed, or removed without first meeting the requirements of this section.
(2) Frontage on a public road or street.
(a) Any lot created after the effective date of this chapter shall have frontage upon a public street right-of-way or private road or access easement recorded with the County Recorder that meets the requirements of this chapter.
(b) Contiguous properties under one ownership or consolidated for unified development will be considered one parcel for the purposes of this chapter.
(3) Clear vision. All access points shall maintain clear vision as illustrated in § 156.072, as amended, of the Hancock County, Indiana Code of Ordinances.
(4) Street structures. No driveway shall interfere with municipal facilities such as street light or traffic signal poles, signs, fire hydrants, crosswalks, bus loading zones, utility poles, fire alarm supports, drainage structures, or other necessary street structures. The Town Manager or designee is authorized to order and effect the removal or reconstruction of any driveway that is constructed in conflict with street structures. The cost of reconstructing or relocating such driveways shall be at the expense of the abutting property owner.
(B) Access location standards.
(1) Access point approval. No access point shall connect to a public street or road without first receiving approval of the location and cross-section specifications from the Planning Administrator or Town Engineer when on a town street or INDOT when on a state highway. No access point shall connect to a private road unless approved by the Planning Administrator or Town Engineer and by the parties with an ownership interest in the private road.
(2) Factors on location of driveway access. At a minimum, the following factors shall be considered prior to deciding on the location of a driveway or other access point:
(a) The characteristic of the proposed land use;
(b) The existing traffic flow conditions and the future traffic demand anticipated by the proposed development on the adjacent street system;
(c) The location of the property;
(d) The size of the property;
(e) The orientation of structures on the site;
(f) The minimum number of driveways or other access points needed to accommodate anticipated traffic based on a traffic analysis, as determined by the community and road agency. Such finding shall demonstrate traffic operations and safety along the public street would be improved (or at least not negatively affected), and not merely that another access point is desired for convenience;
(g) The number and location of driveways on existing adjacent and opposite properties;
(h) The location and functional classification of abutting streets or roads and the carrying capacity of nearby intersections;
(i) The proper geometric design of driveways;
(j) The spacing between opposite and adjacent driveways and from any nearby intersection;
(k) The internal circulation between driveways and through parking areas;
(l) The size, location, and configuration of parking areas relative to the driveways; and
(m) The speed of the adjacent roadway.
(3) Access point location. Each access point location shall conform to access management plans or corridor improvement plans that have been adopted by the town or INDOT, as applicable.
(4) Access points within right-of-way. Driveways including the radii, but not including right-turn lanes or passing lanes and tapers, shall be located entirely within the right-of-way frontage unless otherwise approved by the road agency and upon written certification from the adjacent land owner agreeing to such encroachment.
(5) Backing-up from parking or loading area onto a public street or service drive. Driveway access to arterials shall not be permitted for any parking or loading areas that require backing maneuvers in a public street or road right-of-way. Driveway access to collector streets, local streets, or service drives for commercial, office, industrial, or multi-family developments shall not be permitted for parking or loading areas that require backing maneuvers in a public street right-of-way or onto a public or private service drive.
(6) Relationship to lot line. No part of a commercial or industrial driveway shall be located closer than ten feet from a lot line unless it is a common or shared driveway as provided in division (F) below. This separation is intended to help control stormwater runoff, permit snow storage on site, and provide adequate area for any necessary on-site landscaping.
(7) Existing driveways. Except for shared driveways, existing driveways that do not comply with the requirements of this chapter shall be closed when an application for a change of use permit is required, or site plan requiring approval per the requirements of this chapter is submitted and once approval of a new means of access under this chapter is granted. A closed driveway shall be graded and landscaped to conform to adjacent land, and any curb cut shall be filled in with curb and gutter per the standards of the applicable road authority. See also § 155.07.
(8) Intersection sight distance. Driveways shall be located so as not to interfere with safe intersection sight distance as determined by the appropriate road authority.
(9) Adequate corner clearance. Driveways shall be located so as not to interfere with safe intersection sight distance as determined by Table 4.2 as long that distance is beyond any clear vision area owned by the road authority.
(10) Traffic signals. Access points on arterial and collector streets may be required to be signalized to provide safe and efficient traffic flow. Any signal shall meet the spacing requirements of the applicable road authority. A development may be responsible for all or part of any right-of-way, design, hardware, and construction costs of a traffic signal if it is determined that the signal is warranted by the traffic generated from the development. The procedures for the installation of the signal shall be in accordance with the criteria of the road authority with the town.
(C) Number of driveways permitted.
(1) Access for an individual parcel, lot, or building site (or for contiguous parcels, lots, or building sites under the same ownership) shall consist of either one two-way driveway or a paired system wherein one driveway is designed, and appropriately marked, to accommodate ingress traffic and other egress traffic.
(2) One driveway shall be permitted for each single-family and two-family residential lot or parcel.
(3) A temporary access permit may be issued for field entrances per § 155.06 for cultivated land, timber land, or undeveloped land, as well as for uses at which no one resides or works such as cellular towers, water wells, pumping stations, utility transformers, billboards, and similar uses. Field-entrances and utility-structure driveways will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The review shall take into account the proximity of the adjacent driveways and intersecting streets as well as traffic volumes along the roadway.
(4) For a parcel, lot, or building site with frontage exceeding 600 feet, or where a parcel, lot, or building site has frontage on at least two streets, an additional driveway may be allowed, provided the driveways meet the spacing requirement.
(5) Certain developments generate enough traffic to warrant consideration of an additional driveway to reduce delays for exiting motorists. Where possible, these second access point should be located on a side street or service drive, or shared with adjacent uses, or designed for right-turn-in, rights-turn-out only movements, and shall meet the spacing requirement of this chapter. To be considered for a second driveway on an arterial or collector street, combined approach volumes (entering and existing) of a proposed development shall be performed. Uses where a second driveway could be considered are influenced by the trip generation characteristics of uses and the volumes of adjacent roadways. Determination for a second driveway may require the completion of a Traffic Impact Study as explained in § 155.02.
(6) When alternatives to single, two-way driveway are necessary to provide reasonable driveway access to property fronting on an arterial street, and shared access or service drive are not a viable option, the following progression of alternatives should be used.
(a) One standard, two-way driveway;
(b) Additional ingress/egress lanes on one standard, two-way driveways;
(c) Two one-way driveways;
(d) Additional ingress/egress lanes on two, one-way driveways;
(e) Additional driveway(s) on an abutting street with lower functional classification;
(f) Additional driveways on an arterial street. Note: Restricted turns and roadway modifications will be considered in conjunction with alternative driveway designs.
(D) Access point spacing standards.
(1) Separation from other driveways.
(a) 1. The minimum spacing between un-signalized driveways and other access points shall be determined based upon posted speed limits along the parcel frontage (see Table 4.1), unless the appropriate road authority approves less based on the land use and restricted turns in the driveway design. The minimum spacing indicated below are measured form the centerline of one driveway to the centerline of the other driveway.
2. For sites with insufficient frontage to meet the table below, the town shall require one of the following: construction of the driveway along a side street, a shared driveway with an adjacent property, construction of driveway along the property line farthest from the intersection, or a service drive as described in § 155.05. The Planning Administrator or Town Engineer may grant temporary access approval (see § 155.06) until such a time that minimum spacing requirements can be met, or alternative access meeting the requirements of this ordinance
is approved.
Minimum Access Spacing Between Adjacent Commercial/Industrial Access Points
| |
Posted Speed Limit (mph) | Minimum Spacing Between Adjacent Access Points (feet) |
Minimum Access Spacing Between Adjacent Commercial/Industrial Access Points
| |
Posted Speed Limit (mph) | Minimum Spacing Between Adjacent Access Points (feet) |
25 | 130 |
30 | 185 |
35 | 245 |
40 | 300 |
45 | 350 |
50 | 455 |
Note: These values are considered minimums, based on the distances required to avoid conflicts between vehicles and turning right or left from adjacent driveways. | |
(b) In the case of expansion, alteration or redesign of an existing development where it can be demonstrated that pre-existing conditions prohibit adherence to the minimum driveway spacing standards, the Planning Administrator or Town Engineer shall have the authority to modify the driveway spacing requirements or grant temporary access approval until such time that minimum spacing requirements can be met, or alternative access meeting the requirements of this ordinance is approved. Such modifications shall be the minimum amount necessary, but in no case shall driveway spacing of less than 65 feet be permitted by the Planning Administrator or Town Engineer.
(2) Access point separation from intersections. All single-family and two-family driveways shall be separated from the nearest right-of-way of an intersection street by at least 50 feet. Driveways for all other land use shall be separated from the nearest right-of-way of an intersecting street, according to Table 4.2 below.
Minimum Access Point Spacing from Streets and Other Intersections | ||
Access Point | Minimum Spacing for a Full Movement Driveway or Other Access Point (feet) | Minimum Spacing for Driveway Restricting Left- turns (channelized for right- turn-in and right-turn-out only) (feet) |
Minimum Access Point Spacing from Streets and Other Intersections | ||
Access Point | Minimum Spacing for a Full Movement Driveway or Other Access Point (feet) | Minimum Spacing for Driveway Restricting Left- turns (channelized for right- turn-in and right-turn-out only) (feet) |
Along arterial or from Expressway ramps Railroad crossings Bridges Median openings | 300 INDOT determination 100 75 | 300 INDOT determination 100 75 |
Along arterial or from another intersecting arterial | 300 | 125 |
Along arterial intersecting a collector or local street | 200 | 125 |
Along a collector | 125 | 75 |
Along a local street or private road | 75 | 50 |
Note: Arterials and collectors are classified in the Thoroughfare Plan. May need to contact INDOT for site-specific determination regarding railroad crossings along arterials. | ||
(a) Access point spacing from intersections shall be measured from the centerline of the driveway to the extended edge of the travel lane on the intersecting street, as shown in Figure 4.1 unless otherwise noted.
(b) The minimum distance between an access point an intersecting street shall be based on Figure 4.1 and the following.
(c) If the amount of lot frontage is not sufficient to meet the above criterion, the driveway shall be constructed along the property line farthest from the intersection to encourage future shared use, and/or a frontage road or rear services drive shall be developed as described in § 155.05.
(d) For parcels on which an alternative means of access (shared driveway, frontage road, service drive or connected parking lots) is not feasible due to parcel size or existing adjacent development, the Planning Administrator or Town Engineer may allow a non-channelized, full movement driveway provided that:
1. The driveway is spaced no closer to the intersection than the minimum spacing allowed for a right-turn-in, right-turn-out driveway; and
2. A traffic study conducted by a registered traffic engineer shows a right-turn-in, right-turn-out driveway does not provide reasonable access or desired safety; and
3. A traffic study conducted by a registered traffic engineer provides substantial justification that the driveway operation will not create safety problems at the adjacent intersection.
(3) Access alignment. To prevent left-turn conflicts, two-way driveways shall not be across from an expressway ramp and shall be either:
(a) Offset in accordance with the minimum spacing standards in Table 4.2; or
(b) Perpendicular to the existing public street or an approved private road and shall line up with existing or planned driveways on the opposite side of the road wherever facing lost are not separated by a median, unless doing so in a particular case is substantially demonstrated by a registered traffic engineer to be unsafe.
(E) Driveway design and construction standards.
(1) Driveway or throat width.
(a) No single- or multi-family driveway shall have a width of less than nine feet or more than 16 feet at the public road right-of-way. The driveway opening, including flares, shall not be more than one and one-half times the width of the driveway at the right-of-way line.
(b) The typical commercial driveway design shall include one ingress lane and one egress lane with a combined maximum throat width of 28 feet, measured from curb face to curb face (see Figure 4.2a).
(c) Where exiting traffic volumes are expected to exceed 100 directional trips per peak hour, or in areas where congestion along the arterial may create significant delays, as determined by the Planning Administrator or Town Engineer, two exit lanes shall be required. The total width of such a driveway shall be between 37 and 39 feet, with one 15-foot wide ingress lane and two 11- to 12-foot wide egress lanes. A four- to ten-foot wide landscaped median with salt tolerant species shall separate the ingress and egress lanes.
(d) For access systems, which include a pair of one-way driveways, each driveway shall be a minimum of 16 feet wide, measured perpendicularly (See Figure 4.2c).
(e) The radii forming the edges of the median shall be designed to accommodate the largest vehicle that will normally use the driveway. Where median or boulevard driveways are located across the street from each other, the left-turn egress lanes shall be aligned directly across from one another to minimize left turn conflicts (see Figure 4.2d). Boulevard driveways should not be constructed at existing or future traffic signal locations unless there is a left-turn lane where the boulevard meets the road right-of-way. Ground or monument signs shall not be permitted in boulevards if they would block motorist vision or otherwise create an unsafe condition.
(2) Restricted access driveway. Left-turn and right-turn movements on and off roadways typically have the greatest impact on traffic flow and crash frequency. Therefore, where driveways are to be located in a segment defined in adopted corridor studies as having a high crash rate or significant traffic congestion/delays, or where left-turn access is available through alternative means of access, the Planning Administrator or Town Engineer may require driveway design and signing which discourages certain turning movements. Where driveways are intended to control specific left-turn and/or right-turn ingress and egress, the design shown in Figure 4.3 shall apply. Similar designs shall be accepted, provided that they are approved by INDOT, if applicable.
(3) Throat length or vehicle stacking/storage space. There shall be minimum of 20 feet of throat length for entering and exiting vehicles at the intersection of a driveway and pavement of public road or service drive, as measured from the pavement edge. For driveways serving between 100 and 400 vehicles in the peak hour (two-way traffic volumes), the driveways shall provide at least 60 feet of throat length. For driveways serving over 400 vehicles per peak hour (two-way traffic volume) and for all driveways controlled by a traffic signal, adequate throat length shall be determined by a Traffic Impact Study. In areas where significant pedestrian/bicycle travel is expected, the ingress and egress lanes should be separated by a four- to ten-foot wide median with pedestrian refuge area. In the absence of adequate traffic volume data, application of the commonly used values in Table 4.3 is appropriate.
Table 4.3 Minimum Driveway Throat Length | |||
Land Use | Building Site | Minimum Throat Length (feet) | |
Collector | Arterial | ||
Table 4.3 Minimum Driveway Throat Length | |||
Land Use | Building Site | Minimum Throat Length (feet) | |
Collector | Arterial | ||
Apartments | <100 units | 25 | 50 |
100 - 200 units | 50 | 75 | |
>200 units | 75 | 125 | |
Office | <50,000 sq. ft. | 25 | 50 |
50,000 - 100,000 sq. ft. | 25 | 75 | |
100,000 - 200,000 sq. ft. | 50 | 100 | |
200,000 - 500,000 sq. ft. | 100 | 150 | |
>500,000 sq. ft. | 125 | 250 | |
Retail | <30,000 sq. ft. | 25 | 50 |
>30,000 sq. ft. | 25 | 75 | |
Land Use | Building Site | Minimum Throat Length (feet) | |
Collector | Arterial | ||
Shopping Center | <250,000 sq. ft. | 25 | 50 |
250,000 - 500,000 sq. ft | 50 | 75 | |
500,001 - 750,000 sq. ft. | 75 | 200 | |
>750,000 sq. ft. | 125 | 250 | |
Supermarket | <20,000 sq. ft. | 50 | 75 |
>20,000 sq. ft. | 75 | 125 | |
Restaurant | <15,000 sq. ft. | 25 | 50 |
>15,000 sq. ft. | 25 | 75 | |
Drive-in Restaurant | <2,000 sq. ft. | 25 | 75 |
>2,000 sq. ft. | 50 | 100 | |
Motel | <150 rooms | 25 | 75 |
>150 rooms | 25 | 100 | |
Light Industrial | <100,000 sq. ft. | 25 | 50 |
100,000 - 500,000 sq. ft | 50 | 100 | |
>500,000 sq. ft. | 50 | 200 | |
(4) Construction standards.
(a) Curb radii:
1. Driveways shall be designed with minimum 25 foot radii where primarily passenger vehicle traffic is expected.
2. For sites where truck traffic is expected, the driveways shall be designed with a minimum 30-foot radii unless traffic analysis by a qualified traffic engineer reveals another radii is more appropriate for the vehicles expected to use the driveway.
(b) Deceleration lanes and tapers:
1. Where it can be demonstrated that driveway volumes are expected to exceed 100 peak hour directional trips per hour, a right-turn taper, deceleration lane and/or left-turn bypass lane may be required.
2. Where site frontage allows and a right-turn lane is warranted, a taper between 50 and 225 feet may be required. See examples in Figure 4.5.
3. Where the amount of frontage precludes the construction of a deceleration lane and taper combination entirely within the property lines of a parcel, a request shall be made to the owner of the parcel to allow the installation of a right-turn bay and taper which extends beyond the property line. If permission cannot be obtained from the adjacent property owner for an extension onto that parcel, a taper of at least 75 feet shall be constructed as shown in Figure 4.5b.
4. A continuous right-turn lane may be required where driveway spacing requirements restricts the use of consecutive turn bays and tapers, and the Town Engineer concludes it can be constructed without being used as a thru lane.
5. For driveways located along streets without an exclusive left-turn lane, a bypass lane may be required, as illustrated in Figure 4.5c. Such a lane shall be designed to INDOT standards.
(c) Acceleration lanes:
1. Generally, acceleration lanes are not permitted. However, where site frontage allows, and large semi-trucks and other slow-moving vehicles routinely access an arterial, an acceleration lane may be required in consultation with the applicable road authority.
2. The acceleration lane shall be designed by a traffic engineer to meet the needs of vehicles using it, topography, sight distance, and other relevant factors.
3. Driveway s shall not be permitted within an accelerati on lane.
(d) Grades and drainage:
1. Driveway shall be constructe d such that the grade for the 25 feet nearest the pavement edge or shoulder does not exceed (1.5%: one and one- half foot vertical rise in 100 feet of horizontal distance) whenever feasible. Where not feasible, grades shall conform to Figure 4.6.
2. Vertical curves with minimum length of 15 feet shall be provided on driveway approaches at a change in grade of 4% or more.
3. Driveways shall be constructed such that drainage from impervious areas located outside of the public right-of-way, which are determined to be in excess of existing drainage from these areas, shall not be discharged into the roadway drainage system absent the approval of the responsible agency. Storm drains or culverts, if required, shall be of a size adequate to carry the anticipated storm flow and be constructed and installed pursuant to the specifications of the responsible road authority.
(e) Surface and curb construction. Commercial and all other nonresidential driveways shall be constructed of a permanent asphalt or concrete material sufficient to provide the bearing capacity needed to carry the anticipated traffic loads as determined by the appropriate road authority unless the road authority approves use of another material. Where a driveway connects with a curbed road, it shall be paved and curbed from the edge of pavement to either the right-of-way line or point of curvature of the radius returns. All soil erosion and sedimentation requirements shall be met.
(f) Directional signs and pavement markings. To ensure smooth traffic circulation on site, directional signs and pavement markings shall be installed at the driveway(s) in a clearly visible location as required by the town as part of the site plan review process and approved by INDOT, as applicable, and shall be maintained on the permanent basis by the property owner. Directional signs and pavement marking shall confirm to standards in the Indiana Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
(F) Shared access. Shared access is strongly encouraged, and in some cases may be required. When required, one or more of the following options, and the standards of § 155.05 apply.
(1) Shared driveways. Sharing or joint use of a driveway by the two or more property owners shall be encouraged. In cases where access is restricted by spacing requirements of division (D) of this section, access point spacing standards, a shared driveway may be the only access allowed. The shared driveway shall be constructed along the midpoint between the two properties unless a written easement is provided which allows traffic to travel across one parcel to access another, and/or access the public street.
(2) Frontage roads. In cases where the frontage road exists, is recommended either in the Comprehensive Plan or in an adopted corridor study, and/or is proposed in an approved site plan for adjoining lot or parcel, access shall be provided via such frontage road, rather than by direct connection to the abutting arterial street.
(3) Rear service drives. Rear service drives shall be encouraged, especially for locations where a connection to a side street is available. In addition to access along the rear service drive, direct connection(s) to the arterial street may be allowed, provided that the driveways meet the requirement of divisions (C) and (D) of this section.
(G) Parking lot connections. Where a proposed parking lot is adjacent to an existing parking lot of a similar use, there shall be a vehicular connection between the two parking lots where physically feasible, as determined by the Planning Administrator or Town Engineer. For developments adjacent to vacant properties, the site shall be designed to provide for the future connection. A written access easement signed by both landowners shall be presented as evidence of the parking lot connection prior to the issuance of any final approval.
(H) Access easements. Shared driveways, cross shared driveways, connected parking lots and service drives shall be recorded as an access easement and shall constitute a covenant running with the land. Operating and maintenance agreements for these facilities should be recorded with the deed.
(I) Medians and median openings:
(1) The type, location and length of medians on public roads shall be determined by the entity having jurisdiction over such roads. This determination will be made in consultation with the Planning Administrator or Town Engineer and will be based on existing and projected traffic conditions; the type, size, and extent of existing and projected development and traffic generated by development; traffic control needs; and other factors.
(2) The minimum spacing between median openings shall be as shown in Table 4.4.
Table 4.4 Minimum Directional Median Opening Spacing | |
Location | Directional Crossover Spacing (feet) |
Urban | 360 |
Suburban | 900 |
Rural | 1,320 |
Note: Urban and suburban contexts are defined within the Thoroughfare Plan.
(3) Median openings intended to serve development must meet or exceed the minimum median opening spacing standards and must also be justified by a Traffic Impact Analysis approved by the entity having jurisdiction over such roads, in consultation with the Planning Administrator or Town Engineer. The cost for preparation of the Traffic Impact Analysis and construction of the median opening or openings, including installation and operation of signals and other improvements, where warranted, shall be borne by the applicant.
(Ord. 2018-2A, passed 2-20-18)