In order to insure adequate vehicle access for uses, the following access control standards shall apply:
(a) Driveways. There shall be adequate provision for ingress and egress to all uses. For single- or two-family residential dwellings, driveways shall be a minimum of nine (9) feet in width. For all other uses, driveways shall be a minimum width of twenty-two (22) feet and may be located on more than one property. If loop drives are approved as part of the site plan review process, the width of an individual drive shall be at least eleven (11) feet.
(b) Numbers of Driveways. For parcels with continuous frontages under one hundred (100) feet, only one (1) driveway is permitted for ingress and egress. In the case of a corner lot, this driveway should be located on the street with the lower traffic volume. For parcels with more than one hundred (100) feet of frontage, a second driveway may be permitted following completion of a Traffic Impact Study, as described in Section 1136.17(e)(2) (Elements of Traffic Impact Study).
(c) Conditional Approval of Driveways. As part of the site plan review process, the Planning Commission may approve a site plan with a specific driveway location, with the condition that an agreement be first entered into between the property owner and the City requiring that if a service road is constructed in the future, or if the opportunity for a shared driveway should present itself with development of adjacent property, one or more approved driveways shall be closed and measurements taken to utilize such service road or shared drive. Approval of driveways may also include restrictions on turning movements, locations, or other requirements to ensure safe and efficient traffic movement.
(d) Construction and Use of Service Roads. When a service road is required, such improvement shall be constructed by the developer of the involved property before any occupancy or use permit is granted. When a service road is provided, all access to an adjacent property shall use that service road and no direct access to the main thoroughfare shall be provided, unless contrary recommendations are made in a Traffic Impact Study pursuant to Section 1136.17(e)(2) (Elements of a Traffic Impact Study).
(e) Access Control for High Traffic Volume Uses. A Traffic Impact Study may be required to document a development's impacts on internal and external circulation and vehicular safety. Based on the findings of the Traffic Impact Study and consideration given at the site plan review proceedings, a service road may be required as part of the site plan review process, or a shared drive approach may be required for adjoining parcels. Signal improvements, turn lanes, and limited direction driveways may also be required.
(1) When Traffic Impact Study Required. Where a single development, individual use, expansion, or change of existing use that would require site plan approval pursuant to Chapter 1111 (Site Plan Review Procedures) results in generating one-hundred (100) or more peak hour trip ends (as defined by the Institute of Transportation Engineers' (ITE) Trip Generation Manual), a Traffic Impact Study, is required.
(2) Elements of Traffic Impact Study. A traffic impact study shall be prepared by a qualified professional engineer at the developer's expense. The traffic impact study shall investigate the feasibility and benefits of improvements such as signals, turn lanes, driveway movement limitations, and other relevant information to the site to protect the safety of the traveling public. The traffic impact study shall include the following elements:
A. A description of the site and study area.
B. Anticipated development of adjacent parcels.
C. Trip generation and distribution, including a description of all assumptions used to generate findings of trip distribution.
D. Modal split (if applicable).
E. Traffic assignment resulting from the development.
F. Projected future traffic volumes.
G. An assessment of the impact that would result from driveway alternatives.
H. Recommendations for site access and transportation improvements needed to maintain traffic flow within and past the site at an acceptable and safe level of service.
I. An evaluation of the effects the proposed development will have on the level of service and roadway capacity.
(f) Access Control for Crossroads Boulevard.
(1) Purpose. The purpose of this policy is to provide technical guidelines for future access to Crossroads Boulevard, from US-20 north to SR-795. The boulevard represents a substantial public investment, and currently provides four high capacity, free flowing lanes for through traffic. The City is adopting this policy to preserve the safety and capacity of the current boulevard, while providing additional access points as the surrounding area develops.
(2) Access Category. The Ohio Department of Transportation’s State Highway Access Management Manual is referenced as a general technical guide. Crossroad Boulevard is classified as access category IV, an urban collector with balanced access and mobility, with moderate volumes and speeds. The design speed for access design is thirty five (35) mph.
(3) Access Principles. The preferred means of access for new developments along the boulevard will be from established crossroads (i.e. Deimling Road, Arena Road, etc.) with access to the boulevard at signalized intersections.
A. Signalized intersections will be located at the locations shown on the Access Policy Plan. The preferred signalized intersection spacing is one half (½) mile, with a minimum spacing of one quarter (1/4) mile. Offset left turn lanes will be provided in the median wherever that movement is permitted. See ODOT L&D Manual Figure 401-6.
B. Between signalized intersections, one or two stop sign controlled intersections (including a boulevard median crossing) will be permitted at the general locations shown on the Access Policy Plan A-5 (See Attachments). Stop controlled intersections will be allowed where justified by a Traffic Impact Study (TIS) to serve high volume drives and service roads. All stop controlled intersections will be two-way, with stop signs only on the crossing drives or streets. Four way stop control is not permitted.
C. All intersections shall be designed to allow U-turns by an “SU” single axle design truck, and for ninety (90) degree turns by W B-62 semi-tractor trailer design vehicles, unless otherwise approved by the TIS review. Left turn lanes will be provided where warranted by the TIS, following State Highway Access Management Manual recommendations.
D. Signalized or stop controlled intersections will only be permitted where the design accommodates current and future access to other nearby parcels, with the goal of minimizing the total number of access points on Crossroad Boulevard. All intersections shall be designed as ultimate cross intersections, even if only a tee intersection is initially constructed unless the land on the opposite side is already fully developed. Minimum spacing between intersections shall be six hundred (600) feet.
E. Between intersections, additional right in, right out direct driveways will be permitted to access to the boulevard. Traffic crossing the median island is not permitted at these locations. Minimum spacing between drives, or between a drive and an intersection shall be two hundred fifty (250) feet.
(Ord. 2008-06. Passed 4-14-08.)