§ 26.06 ACCESS MANAGEMENT STANDARDS.

   Access points (not including driveways that serve a single-family home, two-family home, or essential service) shall comply with the following standards. The spacing standards specified in this section apply to existing and proposed roads and driveways , with the exception of single-family residential driveways . If there is a change in use from single-family residential to another use, the existing access point shall be brought into compliance with the requirements of this section, where feasible.

   A.    One access point permitted. Each lot shall be permitted one access point . This access point may be an individual driveway , a shared access with an adjacent use, or access via a service drive or frontage road subject to the standards that follow. An individual driveway may be permitted where the standards of this Article are met, provided that such driveway is located to facilitate shared access by adjacent parcels .

   B.    Shared access  easement . The location of the access point shall comply with the standards of this section and shall provide the opportunity for shared access with adjoining lots , where applicable. Each lot developed under this Ordinance shall be required to grant shared access  easements to adjoining lots to allow for future shared access . Where a proposed parking lot is located adjacent to the parking lot of a similar use, there shall be a vehicular connection where feasible.

   C.   New driveway permit. A new driveway may be permitted by the Planning Commission upon finding the conditions (l) or (2), below exist. The additional driveway may be required to be along a side street or a shared access with an adjacent site.

      1.    The site has adequate frontage to meet the spacing standards between driveways specified herein, and the new driveway will not prevent adjacent lands from complying with the access spacing standards when such lands develop or redevelop in the future; or

      2.   A traffic impact study, prepared in accordance with accepted practices as described in this Ordinance, demonstrates the site will generate over 300 trips in a peak hour or 3,000 trips daily, or 400 and 4,000 respectively if the site has access to a traffic signal, and the traffic study demonstrates the new driveway will provide improved traffic conditions (e.g., less congestion, safer ingress/egress) and will not negatively impact through traffic flow.

   D.    Driveway spacing. Driveways shall be separated from other driveways along the same side of the public street the distances specified in Table 1 (measured from centerline to centerline as shown in the figure), based on the posted speed limit. Required spacing along M-43 is greater than on other roads , consistent with MDOT access guidelines, because M-43 is intended to primarily accommodate through traffic, rather than provide access to properties. For the purposes of subsections D, F, and G, driveways that serve a single or two-family residence shall be disregarded.

Table 1 Minimum Spacing Between Driveways Located on the Same Side of M-43
Posted Speed (mph)	Driveway Spacing (in feet) *
25	130
30	185
35	245
40	300
45	350
50+	455

 

*Unless greater spacing is required by MDOT or ICDTR or is required to meet other standards herein.

   E.   Service to adjoining sites. Where feasible, access points shall be located to ensure the adjacent site( s) can also meet the access location standards.

   F.   Alignment of driveways on opposite sides of road . Driveways shall either be aligned directly across from driveways on the opposite side of the street or offset the distance indicated in Table 2, measured centerline to centerline. The Planning Commission may reduce the offset to not less than 150 feet where the offsets are aligned to not create left-turn conflicts.

Table 2 Spacing Between Driveways on Opposite Sides of M- 43
Posted Speed (mph)	Driveway Spacing (in feet) *
25	255
30	325
35	425
40	525
45	630
50+	750

 

*   Unless greater spacing is required by MDOT or ICDTR, or is required to meet other standards herein.

   G.   Driveway spacing from intersections. Spacing of driveways from intersections shall comply with the distances specified in Table 3 (measured from pavement edge to pavement edge as shown in the figure).

 

Table 3 Minimum Driveway spacing from Intersections *
Location of Access Point	Type of Intersecting Road	Minimum Spacing for a Full Movement Driveway **	Minimum Spacing for a Driveway Restricting Left-turns
Along M-43	Another arterial	300	125
	Collector or local	200	125
Along a county road	M-43	Ingham County Department of Transportation and Roads

*    Unless greater spacing is required by MDOT or ICDTR, or is required to meet other standards herein.

**    Greater spacing may be required based upon the posted speed of the road and the spacing distances required by Table 1.

   H.   Service drives . Where direct access consistent with the previous standards cannot be achieved, access should be via a shared driveway or service drive , and/or a side street . The Planning Commission may require a front or rear service drive where such a facility can provide access to signalized locations, or where such a facility can minimize the number of driveways , and provide safer ingress and egress .

   I.   Shared access with public or private roads . Where a new public or private road is proposed to intersect with M-43, the road shall be designed to facilitate shared access with adjacent parcels . Where a private road is proposed to adjoin a side lot line , an access  easement shall be granted to allow the adjoining parcel to have driveway  access to the road . The township may require construction of stub roads to allow future shared and lateral cross access to adjoining lots .

   J.    Service drive standards. Where the Planning Commission determines that reducing the number of driveways may have a beneficial impact on traffic operations and safety while preserving the property owner’s right to reasonable access , a shared driveway , or front or rear service drive connecting two or more lots or uses may be required. In particular, these facilities may be required where recommended in the M-43/M-52 Access Management Plan or Township Master Plan ; near existing traffic signals or near locations having potential for future signalization; along major arterial roadways with high traffic volumes; and along segments having high accident rates; and where there is limited sight distance . Service drives shall be constructed in accordance with the following standards:

      1.    Service drives shall generally be parallel with or perpendicular to the front property line and may be located either in front of, adjacent to, or behind, principal buildings . In considering the most appropriate alignment for a service drive , the Planning Commission shall consider the setbacks of existing buildings , anticipated traffic flow for the site, and the M-43 Corridor Plan .

      2.    The service drive shall be within an access  easement permitting traffic circulation between properties. This easement shall be at least 24 feet wide and recorded with the Ingham County Register of Deeds. The required width shall remain free and clear of obstructions, unless otherwise approved by the Planning Commission . Each property owner shall be responsible for maintenance of the easement and service drive on the owner’s property.

      3.    Service drives shall be set back as far as reasonably possible from the intersection of the access  driveway with the public street (see figure). A minimum of 20 feet shall be maintained between the public street  right-of-way and the pavement of the frontage road . A minimum of 60 feet of throat depth shall be provided at the access point , measured between the public street  right-of-way and the pavement of the parallel section of the service road .

      4.    Service drives shall have a minimum pavement width of 20 feet and shall be constructed with the curb and gutter in accordance with public street standards. The Planning Commission may modify these standards based upon site conditions, anticipated traffic volumes, and anticipated types of traffic.

      5.    Service drives are intended to be used exclusively for circulation, not as parking maneuvering aisles. The Planning Commission may require the posting of “no parking” signs along the service drive . However, one-way or two-way service drives constructed with additional width for parallel parking may be allowed if it can be demonstrated through a traffic impact study that parking along the service drive will not significantly affect the capacity, safety or operation of the service drive .

      6.    The site plan shall indicate the proposed elevation of the service drive at the property line and the township shall maintain a record of all service drive elevations so that grades between adjoining sites can be coordinated.

      7.    The alignment of the service drive can be refined to meet the needs of the site and anticipated traffic conditions, provided the resulting terminus allows the drive to be extended through the adjacent site(s). This may require use of aerial photographs, property line maps, topographic information, and other supporting documentation

      8.   Where it is not possible to develop a separate service drive (for example, on shallow sites or on redevelopment sites), the Planning Commission may require a drive connecting parking lots.

   K.   Temporary direct access . Where the Planning Commission determines that shared access is needed, but it is not yet available, temporary direct access may be permitted, provided the plan is designed to accommodate a future service drive , and a written agreement is submitted that the temporary access will be removed by the applicant when the alternative access becomes available. This may require posting of a financial performance guarantee .

   L.    Safe sight distance . Driveways shall be located to provide safe sight distance , as determined by the applicable road agency.

   M.   Interference with municipal facilities. No driveway shall interfere with municipal facilities such as street lights or traffic signal poles, signs , fire hydrants, crosswalks, bus loading zones, utility poles, fire alarm supports, drainage structures , or other necessary street  structures , unless the applicant makes provisions for relocation of such facilities.

   N.    Timing of improvements. Road or intersection control or driveway design improvements shall be made to improve overall traffic operations prior to the project completion or occupancy of the first building .

   O.    Subdivision and condominium  roads. Roads to serve new subdivision or condominiums shall comply with the driveway spacing requirements in the previous subsections D through G.

(Ord. passed 7-9-2013)