The type and arrangement of streets within a development under this article shall be in compliance with and coordinate with the county's thoroughfare plan. Principal vehicular access points to the subdivision shall be designed to encourage smooth traffic flow and minimize hazard to vehicular traffic, pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Accommodation for controlled turning movements into and out of the subdivision and improvement of the approach street should be considered where existing or anticipated heavy traffic flows indicate need. Safe and convenient vehicular access shall be provided for emergency, service and school bus vehicles.
(a) Roads. The arrangement, character, extent, width, grade, and location of all roads should be designed in relation to existing and proposed transportation patterns, topographical and other natural features, public convenience and safety, and proposed uses of lands to be served by such roads and existing and potential land uses in adjoining areas. Private roads not within a minor subdivision or planned unit development shall:
(1) Be limited to a nonthrough road;
(2) Be paved;
(3) Meet the road construction standards for a private road as set out in the county design manual; and
(4) Be ensured proper maintenance through the establishment of a homeowners' association or a road maintenance agreement.
All public roads shall meet the design and construction standards as specified in the county design manual.
(b) Relationship to adjoining properties. New streets or roads shall be appropriately related to, and coordinated with, adjoining properties and existing and proposed roadways. Roadways within a proposed subdivision may connect with adjoining properties where necessary to permit the convenient, efficient and safe movement of traffic. All roads that extend to adjacent properties shall be designated as public roads.
(c) Access to streets. Every subdivided lot shall front on, or have direct driveway access or dedicated easement to, a public or private street meeting the standards of the county design manual.
(d) Direct residential driveway connections. Subdivisions located on an arterial or collector road shall be so designed so that no new subdivided lot shall have a direct driveway connection onto an arterial or collector road, unless it can be demonstrated that the proposed subdivision cannot be feasibly designed, or that no reasonable alternative exists, to prohibit driveway access onto an arterial or collector street.
Major subdivisions to be located on a local road shall be so designed that there shall be no more than one direct residential driveway connection per 500 feet along the same side of the local road, unless it can be demonstrated that the proposed subdivision cannot be physically designed, that no reasonable alternative exists, or it would create an unreasonable hardship without a corresponding public benefit to prohibit individual driveway access onto a local road.
(e) Subdivision access. A second full-service access built to county standards for the purpose of ingress and egress or emergency access easement will be required when meeting or exceeding the following thresholds:
For subdivisions proposing between 100 and 200 lots, the developer has the option of providing a second full-service access built to county standards for the purpose of ingress and egress or a dedicated "emergency vehicle access." This "emergency vehicle access" is to be constructed of any all-weather surface and kept cleared at all times in case the main entrance is blocked and emergency vehicles need to access the development.
For subdivisions proposing 201 lots or more, a second full-service access built to county standards for the purpose of ingress and egress will be required. In lieu of installation of a second full service access, a dedicated emergency vehicle access must be approved by the Planning Board and constructed as described above with a full service access approved by the Planning Board planned within the subdivision proposal for future development.
Note: For determining when a second access is required, the count will be cumulative.
(f) Subdivision road standards.
(1) Land use permits will be issued until 75 percent of the lots have been permitted. Once this threshold has been met, no more land use permits will be issued for lots within the subdivision until the North Carolina Department of Transportation District Engineer has accepted the subject road into the state maintained road network.
(2) The developer shall be responsible for ensuring that all dedicated public subdivision streets are successfully accepted by NC DOT for maintenance. The developer shall be responsible for maintenance of all streets and protection of rights-of-way until such streets are accepted into the state road system.
(3) Where streets are dedicated to the public but not accepted into the state system at the time the plat is recorded, a statement explaining the status of the street shall be included on the final plat. Said statements shall explain that the developer is ultimately responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of all streets until such time that the streets are included in the state system.
(4) In lieu of the discontinuation of permits, the developer may provide a maintenance guarantee where roads have not been accepted by or conveyed to NCDOT. The amount of the maintenance guarantee shall be equal to 15% of the total estimated cost of street construction and stabilization of shoulders and drainage swales. The estimated cost shall be based on a certified engineer's or licensed contractor's estimate, provided such engineer or contractor is independent of the developer.
(g) Stubout streets. All stubout streets shall be posted with a sign at least 24 inches X 36 inches in area but no greater than 36 inches X 48 inches with a minimum height of three feet and a maximum height of five feet stating the following: Road subject to future extension for additional lots.
(h) Sidewalks. Sidewalks shall be provided where necessary to provide efficient pedestrian access to school site and commercial centers.
(Ord. of 7-10-2000, § 5.10.5; Ord. of 7-9-2001; Ord. of 11-12-2001, § 5.10.5; Amend. of 5-12-2003(2); Amend. of 7-7-2003; Amend. of 11-8-2004; Amend. of 5-5-2008(2); Amend. of 10-6-2008(2); Amend. of 6-1-2009(2); Amend. of 1-6-2014; Amend. of 2-3-2014)