(A) All private roads shall be constructed in accordance with the latest edition of the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) standards specifications for construction.
(B) Pavement, drainage and easement requirements are as follows.
(1) If the private road services two to four residences one of the following minimum construction standards must be utilized.
(a) An asphalt roadway of minimum width of 20 feet, with a minimum surface thickness of one and one-half-inch MDOT Mixture 36A and one and one-half-inch MDOT Mixture 13A, and laid on an eight-inch minimum thick base course, placed in two compacted four-inch layers of MDOT specification 22A or equivalent, as approved by the Township Engineer. Road drainage shall be obtained as described in division (B)(1)(e) below.
(b) A concrete roadway, consisting of portland cement concrete, of minimum width of 20 feet, with six-inch plain concrete MDOT Grade P1 placed on prepared subgrade. Pavement jointing shall be according to the Portland Cement Association’s recommendations.
(c) Full depth asphalt roadway, of minimum width of 20 feet, consisting of two inches MDOT Mixture 36A wearing course placed over two courses of three and one-half inches each, MDOT Mixture 13A placed over a prepared subgrade.
(d) Access roads with a fire hydrant must provide a minimum width of 26 feet along the entire length of the road for a distance of 20 feet on either side of the hydrant unless otherwise approved by the Township Board.
(e) Notwithstanding the above construction standards, with the approval of the Township Board, the asphalt or concrete roadway may be a minimum of 16 feet with two foot load-bearing shoulders. Asphalt and concrete surfaces shall meet the above specifications (division (B)(1)(a) through (B)(1)(c) above), and shoulders shall be constructed of gravel or an equivalent material capable of supporting the imposed load of fire apparatus weighing at least 75,000 pounds.
(f) Drainage for the above sections shall be provided by concrete curb and gutter, or shoulder and open ditch.
1. Concrete curb and gutter shall be MDOT detail C-4 with concrete mixture MDOT Grade P1.
2. Minimum grade shall be 0.50%, maximum grade 6.00%. Crown for all roads shall be 2.00%.
3. Shoulders shall be three feet wide by a minimum four inches thick MDOT 23A aggregate, on each side of road. Ditch section shall be seven feet wide with centerline of ditch no more than 20 inches below centerline of road. Two foot load-bearing shoulders provided under the 16-foot pavement option (43.030.B.1.d) may be included as part of the above-required three foot shoulders for drainage.
(g) The above minimum specifications shall not be construed as a substitute for sufficient pavement thickness where traffic conditions and/or soil conditions require more substantial pavement designs. Design shall be according to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) standards. Regardless of the material chosen, the design engineer shall furnish a complete design analysis of the pavement section chosen to confirm the adequacy of the design and to demonstrate that the design meets or exceeds the minimum requirements specified.
(h) The applicant must provide a layout plan of sufficient detail to show how each parcel shall be serviced by utilities:
1. The private easement for the roadway shall be a minimum of 60 feet wide in order to provide space for surface drainage, construction and maintenance of public utilities, including but not limited to, water and sewer. However, easements shall be wider than 60 feet if necessary to comply with standards of the most recently adopted version of the International Fire Code and its Appendices; and
2. If public utilities are not required to occupy the easement, a minimum easement width of 30 feet is required; however, easements shall be wider than 30 feet if necessary to comply with standards of the most recently adopted version of the International Fire Code and its Appendices.
(2) If the private road services five or more residences, then the following minimum construction standards must be utilized.
(a) An asphalt roadway of minimum width of 26 feet, with a minimum surface thickness of one and one-half-inch MDOT Mixture 36A and one and one-half-inch MDOT Mixture 13A and laid on an eight inch minimum thick base course, placed in two compacted four inch layers of MDOT specification 22A or equivalent, as approved by the Township Engineer. Road drainage shall be obtained as described in division (B)(2)(e) below.
(b) A concrete roadway, consisting of portland cement concrete, of minimum width of 26 feet, with six-inch plain concrete MDOT Grade P1 placed on prepared subgrade. Pavement jointing shall be according to the Portland Cement Association’s recommendations.
(c) Full depth asphalt roadway, of minimum width of 26 feet, consisting of two inches MDOT Mixture 36A wearing course placed over two courses of three and one-half inches each, MDOT Mixture 13A placed over a prepared subgrade.
(d) Notwithstanding the above construction standards, with the approval of the Township Board, an asphalt or concrete roadway may be a minimum of 22 feet with two foot load-bearing shoulders. Asphalt and concrete surfaces shall meet the above specifications (divisions (B)(2)(a) through (B)(2)(c) above), and shoulders shall be constructed of gravel or an equivalent material capable of supporting the imposed load of fire apparatus weighing at least 75,000 pounds.
(e) Drainage for the above sections shall be provided by concrete curb and gutter, or shoulder and open ditch.
1. Concrete curb and gutter shall be MDOT detail C-4 with concrete mixture MDOT Grade P1.
2. Minimum grade shall be 0.50%, maximum grade 6%. Crown for all roads shall be 2%.
3. Shoulders shall be three feet wide by a minimum four inches thick MDOT 23A aggregate, on each side of road. Ditch section shall be seven feet wide with centerline of ditch no more than 20 inches below centerline of road. Two foot load-bearing shoulders provided with the 22-foot pavement option (division (B)(2)(d) above) may be included as part of the required three foot shoulders for drainage.
(f) These minimum standards are not to be construed as substitutes for good engineering design for private roads where traffic loads, horizontal alignment, vertical alignment, soil conditions, intersections and other site features warrant the use of roadway standards for state or county roads. The designs shall be prepared by a licensed engineer analyzing the conditions as listed above, but not limited to those above, to determine adequate pavement thickness, width and alignment. Regardless of the material chosen, the design engineer shall furnish a complete design analysis of the pavement section chosen to confirm the adequacy of the design and to demonstrate that the design meets or exceeds the minimum requirements specified.
(g) The private easement for the roadway shall be a minimum of 60 feet wide in order to provide space for construction and maintenance of public utilities, including, but not limited to, sewer and water. However, easements shall be wider than 60 feet, if necessary to comply with the standards of the most recently adopted version of the International Fire Code and Appendices.
(h) In case of multiple-family, cluster housing and the like, a separate easement for private roadways may not be required. This aspect will be reviewed by the Township Engineer or consultant, as well as the Township Fire Chief, during the site plan review process and recommendations will be made to the Planning Commission. In all cases, access shall be provided as required by the most recently adopted version of the International Fire Code and Appendices.
(3) Site drainage: all pavement and adjacent properties shall be drained in a manner that conforms to the grading, drainage and surface standards of the township. Further, the drainage methods used shall be consistent with the county storm water management ordinance.
(4) Vertical clearance: the vertical clearance above all access roads shall be a minimum height of 13 feet and six inches and maintained as such.
(5) Design requirements: including the standards above, all access roads shall meet the following requirements to be in compliance with the Township Fire Code:
Length | Min. Pavement Width | Turnaround Required |
0—150 feet | 20 feet | None |
151—500 feet | 20 feet unless a hydrant is present, the width shall be 26 feet for a distance of 20 feet on either side of the hydrant | Turnaround required from the following: 1. 120 feet hammerhead; 2. Y turn; or 3. 96 feet pavement diameter cul-de-sac |
501—750 feet | 26 feet | Turnaround required from the following: 1. 120 feet hammerhead; 2. Y turn; or 3. 96 feet pavement diameter cul-de-sac |
Over 750 feet | Special approval required | |
(Prior Code, § XII-4.02)