(A) Applicability. This section applies to all driveways. A lot that is a part of an approved plat, which does not otherwise limit access, which was approved by the city and filed for record as of the effective date of this section, and which does not have sufficient frontage to meet the driveway approach spacing requirements in this section, is allowed one driveway approach.
(B) Single-family residential subdivisions.
(1) Lots occupied by single-family dwelling units shall not front on a collector or arterial street except as provided in subsections (B)(2) or (B)(3) below. Access points that permit vehicular access lots subject to this subsection (B)(1) are prohibited.
(2) Subsection (B)(1) above does not apply if:
(a) The lot is at least one acre in size; and
(b) The lot includes a permanent vehicular turnaround to prevent backing onto the collector or arterial street. This restriction shall be noted on the plat.
(3) If conditions are such that vehicular access to such lots cannot be provided other than from the collector or arterial street, the Code Enforcement Officer may permit the creation of a marginal access street or easement to serve two or more lots. The marginal access street or easement shall be designed to permit entry to the thoroughfare without requiring a motorist to execute a backing maneuver. Marginal access streets or easements shall be included on the subdivision plat.
(C) Non-residential, multi-family or mixed-use developments. Lots in all other zoning districts, or lots that are not used for single-family or duplex dwellings, are permitted vehicular access from a collector or higher-order street subject to this section. The number of access points shall not exceed one for every 200 feet of frontage.
(D) Cross access. All lots in commercial or mixed-use zoning districts that front an arterial or collector street shall provide an access connection to abutting parking areas that is at least 36 feet in width. The applicant may grant a common access easement across the lot or recorded deed covenant providing common access across the lot with adjacent lot or lots as mitigation pursuant to Division 15 of this chapter. (See Figure 153.1076(A).)
(E) Location of access points. The location of access points shall be based on the following criteria:
(1) The access point shall not conflict with vehicle turning movements; and
(2) The access point shall be located at least 50 feet from an intersection. On collector or higher-order streets in a commercial zoning district, the driveway approaches shall be located by a distance of at least 90% of the frontage length, or 125 feet, whichever distance is less.
(F) Alignment.
(1) Access points shall align with opposing driveway approaches, if any, or shall be offset by at least 25 feet. The Code Enforcement Officer may waive this requirement if the applicant provides a cross access as provided in subsection (D) above.
(2) Access points shall align with the existing median opening. No cuts through the left turn reservoir of a median are permitted.
(G) Driveway throat or vehicle storage length. For purposes of this section, THROAT LENGTH means the length extending from the entry into the site to the first left turn conflict or intersection with a parking aisle. VEHICLE STORAGE LENGTH means the length of a driveway, service lane, bay or other passageway for motor vehicles that is designed to minimize queuing onto surrounding streets. Throat length shall be designed in accordance with the anticipated storage length for entering and exiting vehicles to prevent vehicles from backing into the flow of traffic on the public street or causing unsafe conflicts with on-site circulation. Throat length and vehicle storage length shall conform to Table 5-30 unless approved by the Code Enforcement Officer. These measures apply to the principal access to the property and not to driveways where access is restricted to one driving lane or to loading or service entries.
(H) Parking approaches. Parking aisles shall be located a minimum of 20 feet from the intersection of the driveway approach and the thoroughfare.
(I) Driveway approaches. Driveway approach materials may be asphalt, concrete or other materials as provided in the IDOT specifications.
(Ord. 3020, passed 9-10-2013, § 5.23.12; Ord. 3160, passed 1-9-2018)