(A) The entrance/drive standards apply to the following districts: AG, R1, R2, R3, R4, MH, PB, B1, B2, TC, LI and HI. The intent of entrance and drive standards is to provide for a safe and efficient vehicular and pedestrian transportation system. All classification of roads shall be based on the applicable Lowell Thoroughfare Plan.
(1) The location of drives on or near curves and changes in grade shall be investigated individually by the town and evaluated for their sight distance and the design speed of the roadway or the posted speed limit, whichever is greater. The town may specify entrance and drive locations based on this investigation.
(a) No entrance or drive shall be permitted within:
1. 140 feet of the apex of a curve (30 degrees or greater) where the road is an arterial;
2. 120 feet of the apex of a curve (30 degrees or greater) where the road is a collector;
3. 70 feet of the apex of a curve (30 degrees or greater) where the road is a local toad.
(b) No entrance or drive shall be permitted: Within a minimum of 225 feet from the crest of a hill where the slope on either side of the crest is 6% or greater, ad the speed limit is 45 mph or less; or where the visibility to or from the desired location is determined to be otherwise impaired by the Planning Director.
(c) Curb cuts and drives are permitted within 30 feet of the crest of a hill unless the Planning Director determines the visibility to be impaired.
(2) No entrance or drive shall exceed the following pavement widths for two-way traffic (if one way, the measurements shall be one-half of the below measurements):
(a) 30 feet if from a non-residential or multi-family residential zoning district;
(b) 24 feet if from a single-family residential zoning district onto any type of street;
(c) To be determined by the Planning Director in cases where non-residential entrance drives involve more than two lanes.
(3) The Plan Commission may determine that the following are necessary:
(a) An acceleration or deceleration lane; or
(b) A passing blister at a new entrance or drive.
(B) The entrance/drive standards apply to the following districts: B1, B2, LI, HI and PB. No entrance or drive shall be permitted to begin within:
(1) 200 feet of any intersecting road for parcels having frontage of 300 feet or more;
(2) 150 feet of any intersecting road for parcels having frontage of 200 feet or more;
(3) 50 feet of any intersecting road for parcels having frontage of 100 feet or more. (The distances for the above standards shall be determined by measuring from the right-of-way line to the curb or edge of pavement (whichever is less) of the entrance or drive.)
(4) No two entrances or drives shall be within 100 feet of any intersecting road.
(Ord. 2013-02, passed 3-11-13)