(A) Private roads permitted. Private roads are permitted provided they conform to the requirements of this section.
(B) Requirements. The following shall be required by the township in conjunction with a site plan:
(1) Parcel number and the name of the owner for all properties having legal interest in the private road;
(2) Plans designed by a registered engineer showing location, dimension and design of the private road. The plan shall identify existing and proposed elevation contours within the area to be disturbed or altered by construction of the private road;
(3) Location of all public or private utilities located within the private road right-of-way or easement, or within 20 feet including, but not limited to: water, sewer, telephone, gas, electricity, and television cable;
(4) Location of any significant natural features, streams, drainage ways, or wetlands, within 100 feet of the proposed private road right-of-way; and
(5) Ownership documents and maintenance agreement for the private road.
(C) Maintenance agreement.
(1) An agreement shall specify how the costs for constructing the road initially will be paid.
(2) If the maintenance agreement fails to so specify, the administrative official may apportion the construction costs via a special assessment to all benefitting property owners following a hearing at which each of the affected property owners are notified by mail at least 10 days before the hearing.
(D) Right-of-way width. All private roads shall have a minimum right-of-way easement of at least 66 feet.
(E) Cul-de-sacs. Cul-de-sacs shall meet the design specifications of the Genesee County Road Commission.
(1) Any cul-de-sac shall terminate at the property line except when precluded by a natural barrier or when the cul-de-sac terminates at the last available building envelope, lot or parcel within the development and that building envelop, lot or parcel fronts upon the cul-de-sac.
(2) Frontage measurements along a cul-de-sac shall be measured at the front setback line and at right angles to the lot depth.
(3) A cul-de-sac shall include a turn-around with a 45-foot radius; a 55-foot radius if a hammerhead or "T" turn is used.
(F) Limit on length. Private roads meeting the requirements of this section shall not be longer than 2,500 feet.
(G) Minimum standards. Private roads shall be constructed to the following minimum standards:
(1) Accessing up to 4 building units the road shall be at least 17 feet wide gravel (6 feet MDOT Z2A) with ditches on a 66-foot right-of-way;
(2) Four to 8 building units: 20 foot gravel; and
(3) Eight or more building units; the road shall meet the design and construction standards outlined by the most recent edition of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Official (AASHTO) Manual.
(H) Emergencies. Street names shall be required to assist public emergency services.
(I) Signs.
(1) All signs within the private road or access easement shall be identified on the site plan and be in accordance with the Michigan Manual or Uniform Traffic Control Devices, unless the Township Board approves another type of design for consistency with the character of the development. Street signs shall be provided at all intersection.
(2) These signs shall contrast in terms of color with public street signs, and shall clearly indicate the road is private.
(J) Road construction application.
(1) Application for private road construction shall be made prior to the meeting date for which the applicant requests consideration.
(2) Prior to approval by the Township Planning Commission, the applicant shall prepare and provide 10 sets of a general development plan.
(3) The following additional information shall be submitted:
(a) Road maintenance agreement signed by applicant/owner(s) to be recorded with the Township Clerk and Genesee County Register of Deeds providing for:
1. A method of financing the construction and maintenance of the road in order to keep the road up to properly engineered specifications and free of snow or debris;
2. A workable method of assessing the costs of maintenance and improvements to current and future users; and
3. A notice that if repairs and maintenance are not made, the township may bring the road up to established county standards for public roads and assess owners of parcels on the private road for the improvements, plus an administrative fee in the amount of 25% of total costs.
(b) Road easement agreement signed by the applicant/owner(s) to be recorded with the Township Clerk and Genesee County Register of Deeds providing for:
1. Easements to the public for purposes of emergency and other public vehicles and for whatever public utility services are necessary; and
2. A provision that the owners of the properties using the road shall refrain from prohibiting, restricting, limiting, or in any manner interfering with normal ingress and egress and use by any of the other owners. Normal ingress and egress and use shall include use by family, guests, invitees, vendors, tradepersons, delivery persons, and other bound to or returning any of the properties and having a need to use the road.
(Ord. 99, passed 11-18-1996, § 18.06)