(A) Type of street required. All subdivision lots shall abut at least 20 feet on a public street. All public streets shall be dedicated to the town, the state or the public as determined appropriate by the Council. All public streets shall be built to the standards of this chapter and all other applicable standards of the town and the State Department of Transportation. Public streets not dedicated to the town which are eligible for acceptance into the state highway system shall be constructed to the standards necessary to be put on the state highway system or the standards in this chapter, whichever is stricter, in regard to each particulate item and shall be put on such system. Streets not dedicated to the town which are not eligible to be put on the state highway system because there are too few lots or residences shall, nevertheless, be dedicated to the public and shall be in accordance with the standards of this chapter or the standards necessary to be put on the state highway system, whichever is stricter in regard to each particulate item, so as to be eligible to be put on the system at a later date. A written maintenance agreement with provisions for maintenance of the street until it is put on the state system shall be included with the final plat.
(B) Subdivision state disclosure statement. All streets shown on the final plat shall be designated in accordance with G.S. § 136-102.6 and designation as public shall be conclusively presumed an offer of dedication to the public. Where streets are dedicated to the public but not accepted into a municipal or the state system, before lots are sold, a statement explaining the status of the street shall be included with the final plat.
(C) Half streets. The dedication of half streets of less than 60 feet at the perimeter of a new subdivision shall be prohibited. If circumstances render this impractible, adequate provision for the concurrent dedication of the remaining half of the street shall be furnished by the subdivider. Where there exists a half street in an adjoining subdivision, the remaining half shall be provided by the proposed subdivision. However, in circumstances where more than 60 feet of right-of-way is required, a partial width right-of-way, not less than 60 feet in width, may be dedicated when adjoining undeveloped property is owned or controlled by the subdivider; provided that the width of the partial dedication is such as to permit the installation of the facilities as may be necessary to serve abutting lots. When the adjoining property is subdivided, the remainder of the full required right-of-way shall be dedicated.
(D) Marginal access streets. Where a tract of land to be subdivided adjoins a principal arterial street, the subdivider may be required to provide a marginal access street parallel to the arterial street or reverse frontage on a minor street for the lots to be developed adjacent to the arterial. Where reverse frontage is established, private driveways shall be prevented from having direct access to the principal arterial.
(E) Access to adjacent properties. Where, in the opinion of the Council, it is necessary to provide for street access to an adjoining property, proposed streets shall be extended by dedication to the boundary of the property and a temporary turnaround provided.
(F) Nonresidential streets. The subdivider of a nonresidential subdivision shall provide streets in accordance with F-4 of the North Carolina Subdivision Roads Minimum Construction Standards, May 1, 1983; and the standards of this chapter, whichever are stricter in regard to each particular item.
(G) Design standards. The design of all streets and roads within the jurisdiction of this chapter shall be in accordance with the accepted policies of the State Department of Transportation, Division of Highways, as taken or modified from the American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHO) manuals. The State Department of Transportation, Division of Highways' Subdivision Roads Minimum Construction Standards, May 1, 1983 shall apply for any items not included in this chapter or where stricter than this chapter. The provisions of street rights-of-way shall conform to and meet the requirements of the thoroughfare plan of the town as approved by the Planning Board and adopted by the Council and the State Board of Transportation. The urban planning area shall consist of that area within the urban planning boundary as depicted on the mutually adopted town thoroughfare plan. The rural planning area shall be that area outside the urban planning boundary.
(1) Right-of-way widths.
(a) Right-of-way widths shall not be less than the following and shall apply except in those cases where right-of-way requirements have been specifically set out in the thoroughfare plan.
Rural
|
Minimum Right-of-Way (Feet)
|
Rural
|
Minimum Right-of-Way (Feet)
|
Principal arterial | |
Freeway | 350 |
Other | 200 |
Minor arterial | 100 |
Major collector | 100 |
Minor collector | 100 |
Local road | 60* |
Private street | 20 |
*The desirable minimum right-of-way is established as 60 feet. If curb and gutter is provided, 50 feet of right-of-way is adequate on local residential streets. | |
Urban
|
Minimum Right-of-Way (Feet)
|
Major thoroughfare other than freeway and expressway | 90 |
Minor thoroughfare | 70 |
Local street | 60* |
Cul-de-sac | 50 |
*The desirable minimum right-of-way is established as 60 feet. If curb and gutter is provided, 50 feet of right-of-way is adequate on local residential streets. | |
**The right-of-way dimension will depend on radius for vehicular turnaround. Distance from edge of pavement of turnaround to right-of-way should not be less than distance from edge of pavement to right-of-way on street approaching turnaround. | |
(b) The subdivider will only be required to dedicate a maximum of 100 feet of right-of-way. In cases where over 100 feet of right-of-way is desired, the subdivider will be required only to reserve the amount in excess of 100 feet. In all cases in which right-of-way is sought for an access controlled facility, the subdivider will only be required to make a reservation.
(2) Street widths. Widths for street and road classifications other than local shall be as required by the thoroughfare plan. Width of local roads and streets shall be as follows:
(a) Local residential.
1. Curb and gutter section: 26 feet, to face of curb.
2. Shoulder section: 20 feet to edge of pavement, 4-foot shoulders.
(b) Residential collector.
1. Curb and gutter section: 34 feet to edge of pavement.
2. Shoulder section: 20 feet to edge of pavement, 6-foot shoulders.
(3) Geometric characteristics. The standards outlined below shall apply to all subdivision streets proposed for addition to the state highway system (or municipal street system). In cases where a subdivision is sought adjacent to a proposed thoroughfare corridor, the requirements of dedication and reservation discussed under right-of-way shall apply.
(a) Design speed. The design speeds for subdivision-type streets shall be:
Minimum | |||
Desirable | Level* | Rolling** | |
Minimum | |||
Desirable | Level* | Rolling** | |
Rural | |||
Minor collector roads | 60 | 50 | 40 |
Local roads including residential collectors and local residential | 50 | 50† | 40† |
Urban | |||
Major thoroughfares other than freeway or expressway | 60 | 50 | 50 |
Minor thoroughfares | 60 | 50 | 40 |
Local streets | 35 | 35‡ | 35‡ |
*Cross slope range of 0% to 8% | |||
**Cross slope range of 8% to 15% | |||
† Based on projected annual average daily traffic of 400 through 750. In cases where road will serve a very limited area and small number of dwelling units, minimum design speeds can be reduced further, but in no case, below 25. | |||
‡Based on projected annual average daily traffic of 50 through 250. | |||
(b) Maximum and minimum grades.
1. The maximum grades in percent shall be:
Design Speed
(mph) |
Level | Rolling |
60 | 3 | 4 |
50 | 4 | 5 |
40 | 5 | 6 |
30 | - | 9 |
2. A minimum grade for curbed streets normally should not be less than 0.5%, a grade of 0.35% may be allowed where there is a high type pavement accurately crowned and in areas where special drainage conditions may control.
3. Grades for 100 feet each way from intersections should not exceed 5%.
4. For streets and roads with projected annual average daily traffic less than 250, short grades less than 500 feet long, may be 150% greater.
(c) Minimum sight distances.
1. In the interest of public safety, no less than the minimum sight distance applicable shall be provided in every instance. Vertical curves that connect each change in grade shall be provided and calculated using the following parameters. (General practice calls for vertical curves to be multiples of 50 feet. Calculated lengths shall be rounded up in each case):
Design Speed MPH
| |||||
20 | 30 | 40 | 50 | 60 | |
Design Speed MPH
| |||||
20 | 30 | 40 | 50 | 60 | |
Stopping sight distance | |||||
Min. stopping distance, feet | 150 | 200 | 275 | 350 | 475 |
Des. stopping distance, feet | 150 | 200 | 300 | 450 | 650 |
Minimum K* value for: | |||||
Min. crest vert. curve | 16 | 28 | 55 | 85 | 160 |
Des. crest vert. curve | 16 | 28 | 65 | 145 | 300 |
Min. SAG vert. curve | 24 | 35 | 55 | 75 | 105 |
Des. SAG vert. curve | 24 | 35 | 60 | 100 | 155 |
Passing sigh distance: | |||||
Min. passing distance, feet (2 lane) | - | 1100 | 1500 | 1800 | 2100 |
Min K* value for crest vertical curve | - | 365 | 686 | 985 | 1340 |
Note: K* is a coefficient by 2 which the algebraic difference in grade may be multiples to determine the length in feet of the vertical curve which will provide minimum sight distance. | |||||
2. Sight distance provided for stopped vehicles at intersections should be in accordance with, "A Policy on Geometric Design of Rural Highways," and the provisions of Chapter 153, Zoning Code.
(d) Degree of curve. The following table shows the maximum degree of curve and related maximum superelevation for design speeds. The maximum rate of roadway superelevation ("e") for rural roads with no curb and gutter is 0.08. The maximum rate of superelevation for urban streets with curb and gutter is 0.06 with 0.04 being desirable.
Design Speed
(mph) |
Maximum e* | Minimum Radius (Rounded in feet) | Maximum Degree of Curve (Rounded in Degrees) |
Design Speed
(mph) |
Maximum e* | Minimum Radius (Rounded in feet) | Maximum Degree of Curve (Rounded in Degrees) |
20 | .04 | 125 | 45.0 |
30 | .04 | 300 | 19.0 |
40 | .04 | 560 | 10.0 |
50 | .04 | 925 | 6.0 |
60 | .04 | 1410 | 4.0 |
20 | .06 | 115 | 50.0 |
30 | .06 | 275 | 21.0 |
40 | .06 | 510 | 11.5 |
50 | .06 | 830 | 7.0 |
60 | .06 | 1260 | 4.5 |
20 | .08 | 110 | 53.5 |
30 | .08 | 250 | 23.0 |
40 | .08 | 460 | 12.5 |
50 | .08 | 760 | 7.5 |
60 | .08 | 1140 | 5.0 |
*Rate of roadway superelevation, foot per foot. | |||
(e) Intersections.
1. Streets shall be laid out so as to intersect as nearly as possible at right angles and no street shall intersect any other street at an angle less than 60 degrees.
2. Property lines at intersections should be set so that the distance from the edge of pavement, of the street turnout, to the property lines will be at least as great as the distance from the edge of pavement to the property line along the intersecting streets. This property line can be established as a radius or as a sight triangle. Greater offsets from the edge of pavement to the property lines will be required, if necessary, to provide sight distance for the vehicle on the side street.
3. Offset intersections are to be avoided unless exception is granted by the Division of Highways. Intersections which cannot be aligned should be separated by a minimum length of 200 feet between survey center lines.
4. Intersections with arterials, collectors and thoroughfares shall be at least 1,000 feet from center line to center line or more if required by the State Department of Transportation.
(f) Cul-de-sacs. Permanent dead-end streets should not exceed 500 feet in length unless necessitated by topography or property accessibility and in no case shall be permitted to be over 900 feet. Measurement shall be from the point where the centerline of the dead-end street intersects with the center of a through street to the center of the turnaround of the cul-de-sac. Where one cul-de-sac intersects with another cul-de-sac, the end of each cul-de-sac shall be no more than 500 to 900 feet from a through street, measured as stated above. The distance from the edge of pavement on the vehicular turnaround to the right-of-way line shall not be less than the distance from the edge of pavement to right-of-way line on the street approaching the turnaround. Cul-de-sacs should not be used to avoid connection with an existing street or to avoid the extension of an important street, unless exception is granted by the Council.
(g) Alleys.
1. Alleys shall be required to serve lots used for commercial and industrial purposes except that this requirement may be waived where other definite and assured provision is made for service access. Alleys shall not be provided in residential subdivisions unless necessitated by unusual circumstances.
2. The width of an alley shall be at least 20 feet.
3. Dead-end alleys shall be avoided where possible, but if unavoidable, shall be provided with adequate turnaround facilities at the dead-end as may be approved by the Council.
4. Sharp changes in alignment and grade shall be avoided.
5. All alleys shall be designed in accordance with State Department of Transportation Standards.
(H) Other requirements.
(1) Through traffic discouraged on residential collector and local streets. Residential collector and local streets shall be laid out in such a way that their use by through traffic will be discouraged. Streets shall be designed or walkways dedicated to assure convenient access to parks, playgrounds, schools or other places of public assembly.
(2) Sidewalks. Sidewalks may be required by the Board of Commissioners on both sides of the street in all subdivisions, multi-family developments, mixed use developments, and other areas likely to be subject to heavy pedestrian traffic such as near schools and shopping centers. Such sidewalks shall be constructed to a minimum width of five feet, and shall consist of a minimum thickness of four inches of concrete. All sidewalks shall be placed in the right-of-way, unless the development is platted as a planned unit or group development. Sidewalks shall consist of a minimum of six inches of concrete in driveway crossings. The Board of Commissioners may grant an exception to this policy in areas having very low traffic volume.
(3) Street names. Proposed streets which are obviously in alignment with existing streets shall be given the same name. In assigning new names, duplication of existing names shall be avoided and in no case shall the proposed name be phonetically similar to existing names in the county irrespective of the use of a suffix such as street, road, drive, place, court and the like. Street names shall be subject to the approval of the Council.
(4) Street name signs. The subdivider shall be required to provide and erect street name signs to town standards at all intersections within the subdivision.
(5) Permits for connection to state roads. An approved permit is required for connection to any existing state system road. This permit is required prior to any construction on the street or road. The application is available at the office of the nearest district engineer of the Division of Highways.
(6) Offsets to utility poles. Poles for overhead utilities should be located clear of roadway shoulders, preferably a minimum of at least 30 feet from the edge of pavement on major thoroughfares. On streets with curb and gutter, utility poles should be set back a minimum distance of six feet from the face of curb.
(7) Wheelchair ramps. In accordance with G.S. § 136-44.14, all street curbs in the state being constructed or reconstructed for maintenance procedures, traffic operations, repairs, correction of utilities or altered for any reason after September 1, 1973, shall provide wheelchair ramps for the physically disabled at all intersections where both curb and gutter and sidewalks are provided and at other major points of pedestrian flow.
(8) Horizontal width on bridge deck.
(a) The clear roadway widths for new and reconstructed bridges serving two-lane, two-way traffic shall be as follows:
1. Shoulder section approach.
a. Under 800 ADT Design Year. Minimum 28 feet width face-to-face of parapets or rails or pavement width plus ten feet, whichever is greater.
b. 800 - 2,000 ADT Design Year. Minimum 34 feet width face-to-face of parapets or rails or pavement width plus 12 feet, whichever is greater.
c. Over 2,000 ADT Design Year. Minimum 40 feet. Desirable 44 feet width face-to-face of parapets or rails.
2. Curbs and gutters approach.
a. Under 800 ADT Design Year. Minimum 24 feet face-to-face of curbs.
b. Over 800 ADT Design Year. Width of approach pavement measured face-to-face of curbs. Where curb and gutter sections are used on roadway approaches, curbs on bridges shall match the curbs on approaches in height, in width of face-to-face of curbs and in crown drop. The distance from face of curb to face of parapet or rail shall be one-foot six inches minimum or greater if sidewalks are required.
(b) The clear roadway widths for new and reconstructed bridges having four or more lanes serving undivided two-way traffic shall be as follows:
1. Shoulder section approach. Width of approach pavement plus width of usable shoulders on the approach left and right: Min., eight feet; Des. ten feet.
2. Curb and gutter approach. Width of approach pavement measured face-to-face of curbs.
(9) Curb and gutter. Curb and gutter shall be provided in all subdivisions. Curb and gutter shall meet the specifications in Section I.C. of the State Department of Transportation Subdivision Roads Minimum Construction Standards, May 1, 1983. Unless otherwise specified by the Board of Commissioners, curb and gutter shall be provided along the entire length of each street in the subdivision. The Board of Commissioners may make an exception of this policy in areas having very low traffic volume.
(1992 Code, § 152.44) (Ord. passed 5-5-1986; Ord. passed 3-19-2007; Ord. passed 2-11-2019; Ord. passed 3-8-2021; Ord. passed 10-11-2021) Penalty, see § 152.99