(A) Intent and purpose. This section serves as the roadway access management policy of the city until such time as the city adopts a transportation system plan. It is intended to promote transportation safety and adequate levels of transportation service.
(B) Applicability. This section applies to new development and changes in land use necessitating new or expanded street access, including land divisions.
(C) Access permit required. Access to a public street (e.g., a new driveway opening or highway approach) requires permit approval by the applicable roadway authority (city, county or ODOT). The City Planning Official reviews permit requests for access to city streets through a Type I procedure.
(D) Traffic study requirements. The applicable roadway authority in reviewing a development proposal or permit request for street access may require a traffic study prepared by a qualified professional to determine applicable requirements. The scope of work for a traffic study shall be subject to review and approval by the roadway authority. Where the roadway authority is the county or ODOT, the city may defer to the roadway authority’s advice in determining the need for, and required elements of, a traffic study.
(E) Conditions of approval. Where an existing or proposed driveway approach does not meet a roadway authority’s standards, the roadway authority may require the closing or consolidation of existing such access, recording of reciprocal access easements (i.e., for shared driveways), development of a frontage street, installation of traffic control devices and/or other mitigation as a condition of granting development approval to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the street and highway system.
(F) Driveway approaches. All driveway approaches (connections to a public right-of-way) shall conform to all of the following design standards.
(1) Vehicle access onto higher classification streets (e.g., collector and arterial streets) shall be minimized; where practicable, access shall be taken first from a lower classification street.
(2) Driveways shall be designed and located to provide exiting vehicles with an unobstructed view of oncoming vehicles and pedestrians.
(3) Construction of driveway accesses along acceleration or deceleration lanes or tapered (reduced width) portions of a roadway should be avoided due to the potential for vehicular conflicts.
(4) Driveways shall be located to allow for safe maneuvering in and around loading areas.
(5) Driveway width and surfacing shall provide for required emergency vehicle access and truck/trailer turning radius, as applicable.
(6) Driveways shall have a paved asphalt or concrete surface with minimum dimensions and appropriate signage designating any restrictions on access (e.g., one-way, exit-only and the like). The city may approve use of gravel, crushed rock or a similar (durable) all-weather surface for driveways in the OS and PF Zones.
(7) Where sidewalks or walkways occur adjacent to the roadway, driveway aprons shall be constructed of concrete and shall be installed between the street right-of-way and the private drive. The roadway authority may require driveway aprons in areas without sidewalks or walkways, as needed, to protect the adjacent roadway pavement.
(8) Where the Americans with Disabilities Act, being 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101 et seq. compliant sidewalks exist, driveway aprons shall meet accessibility requirements where they join such sidewalks.
(9) Where a drainage ditch crosses under a driveway, a culvert extending under and beyond the edges of the driveway on both sides of the driveway is required, pursuant to applicable design standards.
(10) Access locations and turning movements at driveway approaches may be restricted to ensure traffic safety and operations.
(11) Access onto the state highway is subject to review and approval by ODOT.
(G) Access spacing. Driveway approaches shall be setback from street intersections in accordance with the clear vision requirements of division (K) below and in accordance with the requirements of the applicable roadway authority.
(H) Site circulation. New developments shall be required to provide a circulation system that accommodates expected vehicular and pedestrian traffic on the site.
(I) Fire access and turnarounds. Comply with the State Marshal’s Office, as applicable.
(J) Vertical clearances. Driveways, private streets, aisles, turn-around areas and ramps shall have a minimum vertical clearance of 13 feet and six inches for their entire length and width.
(K) Vision clearance. No visual obstruction (e.g., sign, structure, solid fence or shrub vegetation) between three feet and eight feet in height shall be placed in “vision clearance areas” at street intersections. The minimum vision clearance area may be modified by Planning Commission upon finding that more or less sight distance is required (i.e., due to traffic speeds, roadway alignment and the like). Light poles, utility poles, tree trunks (limbed up eight feet) and similar objects may be allowed within a required clear vision area, subject to standards of the applicable roadway authority.
(L) Exceptions and adjustments. The city may approve deviations to driveway spacing on city streets where existing driveway spacing, or driveway-intersection spacing, is substandard. The city may also approve reduced spacing on city streets where mitigation measures, such as consolidating access (shared driveways), limiting driveways to one-way or imposing turning restrictions (e.g., right in/out only), provides for adequate sight distance, traffic operations and safety.
(M) Joint use driveways. The number of driveway and street intersections with OR 42 shall be minimized. When necessary for traffic safety and access management purposes or to provide access to more than one lot, the city may require joint use driveways. Joint use driveways (i.e., driveways providing access to more than one lot) are appropriate for developments adjacent to one another where access onto the street system limited. In such cases, driveways shall be stubbed to property lines, allowing extension and joint use of driveways with future development.
(N) Joint use access easement and maintenance agreement. Where the Planning Commission authorizes a joint use driveway, the property owners shall record an easement with the deed allowing joint use of, or cross access between, adjacent properties served by the subject driveway. In addition, the property owners shall record a joint maintenance agreement with the deed defining maintenance responsibilities of property owners. The city shall not be responsible for maintaining the driveway.
(O) Construction. Except for driveways serving individual single-family dwellings, the following development and maintenance standards apply to all driveways.
(1) Protection of public ways. During site development and construction, driveways and access roads shall be graveled to prevent tracking of mud onto any adjacent paved streets.
(2) Surface options. Driveways, parking areas, aisles and turnarounds may be paved with asphalt, concrete or similar durable paving material to prevent soil compaction and erosion. All paving materials shall be subject to review and approval by the Public Works Director.
(3) Surface water management. New development and redevelopment that increases impervious surface area shall provide for surface water management, pursuant to § 153.189.
(Ord. 1267, passed 1-3-2012)