(a) Roadway improvements: A county- maintained road may be improved on a segment by segment basis according to the following guidelines:
(1) Access to unimproved property. A roadway to unimproved property may be improved for 1-way traffic, averaging 10 feet to 15 feet wide, in dry weather and by the most economical means possible, provided the property owner submits to the county a written request and a copy of the new home building permit or mobile home permit; but no sand, stone, or drainage facilities will be placed thereon. Improvements to county roads for the purposes of maintaining access to unimproved property used for fruit or vegetable cultivation may be performed in special cases, subject to the approval of the county engineer.
(2) Access to improved property. A roadway may be improved to full width to an existing residence by the most economical means possible, provided that at least 3 residences exist on the road section to be improved and that the density of residences is at least 1 residence per 1,500 feet of roadway, as determined by dividing the number of residences on the section to be improved by the length of the same section. Unimproved roads serving residences at the intersection of paved/unimproved roads or residences with driveways to paved roads shall not be improved.
(b) Roadway surfaces: Travel surfaces on a county-maintained road may be improved on a segment by segment basis according to the following guidelines:
(1) Installation of gravel. The following guidelines pertain to the installation of gravel surfaces:
a. Subject to the approval of the county engineer, gravel may be placed on a county road to 20 feet past the driveway of:
1. A house or business that is under construction (but not until the floor slab is complete for a slab-on-grade structure or the floor framing begins for a structure with a crawl space).
2. A modular or mobile home for which a mobile home permit or septic tank permit has been issued.
3. An unimproved lot or parcel, provided that the gravel and all other necessary materials are purchased and delivered by others.
b. Gravel surfaces placed in accordance with (1)a. above will be maintained only as long as construction of the new structure progresses at an acceptable rate or is completed as determined by the county engineer.
c. Subject to the approval of the county engineer, gravel may be placed on an uninhabited segment of through road when:
1. The average daily traffic (ADT) count on the uninhabited road segment is 15 vehicles or greater; and
2. The uninhabited road segment is determined to be the shortest route to serve an inhabited road. segment on the same road; and
3. The length of the segment to be improved is not greater than 50% of the total length (sum of all segments) of the road.
d. Subject to the approval of the county engineer, gravel may be placed on an uninhabited segment of through road if the road is critical in providing emergency services.
e. If a cul-de-sac or turnaround is within 50 feet of the last residence, gravel may be installed on the 50-foot road section and cul-de-sac or turnaround.
f. If the road extends farther than 50 feet beyond the last residence without a cul-de-sac or turnaround, the existing road. surface beyond the last residence may be maintained by scraping, but no gravel will be installed at county expense.
(2) Installation of new asphalt pavement. The following guidelines pertain. to the installation of new asphalt pavement on existing county dirt and gravel roads:
a. Under normal circumstances, an existing county dirt or gravel road may be included in the annual road paving program if it meets all of the following criteria:
1. The road has served a minimum of 3 permanent residences for a minimum of 3 years (summer homes, homes located on, connecting to, or intersecting private roads, and homes located at the intersection of paved/unpaved roads do not qualify);
2. A minimum 36-foot right-of-way has been dedicated for a minimum pavement width of 18 feet; and
3. Appropriate drainage easements have been dedicated to provide for construction, maintenance, and operation of the road drainage system and stormwater conveyance through properties located below the outfall(s).
b. Under special circumstances, and subject to the approval of the assistant county administrator for public works, an existing county, dirt or gravel road may be included in the annual road paving program, as approved by county council, if 1 of the following problems exists:
1. Deterioration of the road has resulted in drainage, erosion and/or sedimentation problems which have impacted private property; or
2. Deterioration of the road has resulted in chronic maintenance problems and excessive maintenance activities are required on a quarterly basis.
c. Upon the approval of the county engineer, an unpaved road may be paved by a private party using private funds where all construction methods, materials, inspection and permitting shall comply with county standards.
(3) Resurfacing of existing asphalt pavement. The following pertains to resurfacing of existing paved roads:
Resurfacing program. On an annual basis, the public works department shall prepare and submit a proposed resurfacing program to county council. The roads included in the proposed program shall be listed and prioritized in the order of overall structural condition, with roads having poor structural conditions receiving the higher priority.
(4) Extension of asphalt pavement: The following pertains to extension of asphalt pavement on existing paved roads:
Pavement extension. The public works department may extend the paving on an existing paved road no more than the length required to serve an occupied residence, and in no case more than 500 feet. This work may be performed as a maintenance item. County council approval for each road pavement extension shall not be required.
(c) Roadway drainage: Drainage systems on a county-maintained road may be improved according to the following guidelines:
(1) Roadside ditches. Improvements to roadside ditches including but riot limited to clearing, regrading, and/or installation of rip rap or other erosion control measures shall be performed as necessary to provide proper operation and/or to remedy drainage or erosion problems as directed by the maintenance superintendent(s) or county engineer.
(2) Pipe systems. Improvements to existing pipe systems and/or the replacement of roadside ditches with underground storm drainage systems are subject to the following conditions:
a. Installation by the county. Pipe system improvements shall be scheduled and prioritized according to the annual paving and maintenance programs. The county engineer may authorize the installation of new underground pipe systems by county crews or county subcontractors when:
1. Improvements are needed to remedy structural, traffic safety, erosion, or flooding problems on a county road.
2. Improvements are needed to eliminate deep ditches and/or narrow shoulders, and to enhance pedestrian safety. Cost-sharing (including but not limited to the purchase of materials) by property owners adjoining the improvements shall be required.
b. Installation by a private contractor. The county engineer may authorize installation of new underground pipe systems in the county right-of-way by a private contractor if the following requirements are met:
1. The private contractor shall obtain a county encroachment permit.
2. All materials and methods of installation shall comply with the SCDOT Standard Specifications for Highway Construction, latest edition.
3. The design of all proposed drainage pipes, culverts, and structures shall comply with the latest edition of the Greenville County Stormwater Management Design Manual.
4. The design of all proposed drainage pipes, culverts, and structures must be reviewed and approved by the public works department prior to installation. The contractor shall retain the services of a registered professional engineer to design the system and create construction plans if necessary, at the request of the county engineer or his/her designee.
5. All costs associated with the proposed improvements shall be borne by the permittee.
c. Under no circumstances shall the county replace an existing ditch with an underground pipe system at the request of a property owner for purely aesthetic or landscaping reasons.
(d) Driveway entrances: Installation of driveway entrances and driveway culverts are subject to the following guidelines:
(1) Installation by the county. The county may provide and install private residential driveway entrances and driveway culverts subject to the following conditions:
a. The county will provide and install not more than 24 feet of culvert up to a maximum of 36 inches in diameter, or equivalent area thereof, per driveway entrance/culvert installation.
b. Any and all work related to driveway entrance/culvert installation by a private contractor shall comply with the latest edition of the Greenville County Encroachment Permit Policy and Stormwater Management Design Manual.
c. Where additional pipe is requested and provided by the property owner on site at the time of entrance/culvert installation by the county, the county will install not more than an additional 8 feet of pipe per driveway entrance.
d. Driveway culverts shall only be installed if the culverts are necessary and essential for the proper drainage of the roadway.
e. Driveway entrances/culverts may be installed only for the purpose of providing single access to an individual parcel of land as shown on the Greenville County tax maps or a recorded plat.
f. For properties with multiple frontage (which front on a county road and additional public or private roads which are not maintained by the county), no driveway entrance/culvert will be furnished on the county road if a driveway entrance is already provided on a non-county road.
g. Prior to installing a driveway entrance/culvert for a residential property owner, the following is required from the requesting party:
1. A copy of the building permit, mobile home permit, septic tank permit or other suitable construction permit.
2. A deposit in the amount of $100, returnable upon compliance with this division.
3. The executed driveway entrance/culvert agreement form, which requires site improvements and building construction to be started and completed within 1 year; otherwise, the property owner will be liable for all costs associated with the driveway entrance/culvert installation including an additional $100 fine and court costs and attorney’s fees for collection of damages as necessary. Additionally, all costs and penalties for violating the agreement shall become a lien against the property of the owner until payment thereof.
h. The county shall not be responsible for providing a second driveway entrance to any property unless the property owner or requesting party can present evidence to the satisfaction of Greenville County in the form of encroachment permits, invoices for services rendered, and/or receipts for materials purchased that the initial driveway entrance was installed at the property owner’s expense and in accordance with county standards and policy.
i. Where both the driveway and the county road are paved, the driveway apron may be paved by the county with asphalt, limited to 2 driveways per parcel at 20 feet wide each. Asphalt driveway aprons may be installed from paved roads to unpaved roads or driveways only when necessary to protect the edge of the road or control drainage. All work must be within county rights-of-way.
(2) Installation by a private contractor: The following guidelines pertain to driveway entrance/culvert installation by a private contractor:
a. The county shall require the property owner to obtain a county encroachment permit, with work to be performed by an individual under bond and bear all material and labor costs for installation of a proposed driveway entrance/culvert in the following situations:
1. When the required driveway culvert pipe size exceeds 36 inches, or equivalent area thereof, as determined by the engineering division.
2. For proposed driveway entrances providing access to vacant lots.
3. For extra driveway entrances, in addition to a county-installed driveway entrance.
4. For entrances to private roads and shared drives, or any entrance that provides access to 2 or more properties.
5. For individual driveway entrances on summary lots created by developers.
b. Any and all work related to driveway entrance/culvert installation by a private contractor shall comply with the latest edition of the Greenville County Encroachment Permit Policy and Stormwater Management Design Manual.
(1976 Code, § 18-12) (Ord. 3571, § 1, passed 3-5-2002)