(a) Traffic Impacts and Access Management. To promote the purposes set forth in Section 1346.01 with regard to vehicular access, to coordinate and appropriately regulate traffic, and to minimize undue traffic impacts, the following provisions shall apply.
(1) Traffic Impact Study Required.
A. A traffic impact study prepared by a civil engineer qualified in traffic engineering shall be submitted by the owner of land who submits an application:
1. To amend the Zoning Map to classify land in the O District;
2. For approval of a site development plan on land within the O District;
4. For a subdivision of land within an O District.
B. The traffic impact study shall demonstrate compliance with the O District Plan and with the following level of service standards:
1. Existing levels of service at peak hour will be maintained on all arterial and collector roads and at all intersections located within one-fourth (1/4) mile of the site; or
2. That levels of service at peak hour on all arterial and collector roads and at all intersections located within one-fourth (1/4) mile of the site will not fall below Level of Service C; or
3. If the existing level of service at peak hour on any arterial or collector road or at any intersection located within one-fourth (1/4) mile of the site is currently below Level of Service C, the Level of Service will not fall below the current level.
(2) Access Management Plan Required.
A. An access management plan prepared by a civil engineer qualified in traffic engineering shall be submitted by the owner of land who submits an application:
1. For approval of a site development plan on land within the O District;
3. For subdivision of land within an O District.
B. The access management plan shall:
1. Illustrate proposed access location(s) and design to a road other than SR 58 or US 20, or to an approved access to SR 58 or US 20. (Approved access means a public or private road, drive, curb cut, or intersection identified in the O District Plan). Control of approved access must be obtained and documented prior to final approval of a subdivision, final approval of a zoning map amendment by City Council, and prior to approval of site development plan.
2. Demonstrate compliance with the applicable O District Plan.
3. Demonstrate free-flowing access to the site, with avoidance of any undue congestion or any safety hazards in adjacent road and intersections.
4. Provide for roadway improvements, acceptable to the City, which maintain or improve the level of service of any arterial or collector road or intersection located within one-fourth (1/4) mile of the site shown by the traffic impact study to be adversely impacted by the proposed development.
(3) Waivers.
A. The Planning Commission may waive the requirement for submittal of a traffic impact study upon demonstration by the applicant that the volume and nature of traffic to be generated by the proposal will not impact the level of service. Prior to such waiver, the Commission shall receive and consider written comments of the City Engineer.
B. The Planning Commission may vary the requirements for access where it determines that:
1. A proposed alternative means of access satisfies the purpose and intent of the access requirements of this district; or
2. Access complying with these requirements in a specific case would create a negative impact upon traffic movement in the district.
(4) Standards. Traffic impact studies and access management plans shall be prepared and reviewed in a manner consistent with the standards set forth in the State Highway Access Management Manual of current adoption by the Ohio Department of Transportation, and other professional transportation references and studies acceptable to the City.
(b) O District Plan.
(1) District Plan Required. When the Planning Commission recommends an O District or approves a site development plan for land within an O District, the Commission shall adopt a new O District Plan or update a previously approved O District Plan for the area which includes the recommended O District or site development plan.
(2) District Plan Contents. The O District Plan shall be generally consistent with the adopted land use plan of the City and shall set forth at least the following:
A. Boundaries of the existing and recommended O District;
B. Areas abutting the O District which may have potential for classification as O District, if any, as shown in the adopted land use plan of the City, together with a preliminary layout of uses and roads in those areas and other abutting areas which may be affected by the O District;
C. Existing and planned public roads, private roads, easements of access and other vehicular movement facilities, which may be identified in the District Plan as specific locations or as generalized locations meeting a stated access need;
D. Existing and planned points of access from private properties to public and private roads and access easements.
(3) Owner Expense for Plan Update. The owner of land who submits an application to amend the Zoning Map to classify land in the O District or who submits an application for approval of a site development plan shall be required to pay such expenses as the City may incur for professional services to evaluate the proposed map amendment or site plan and to amend the O District Plan.
(Ord. 06-70AC. Passed 9-18-06.)
(Ord. 06-70AC. Passed 9-18-06.)