(a) Purpose. To ensure that landscape materials do not constitute a driving hazard, a clear sight triangle will be observed at all street and access drive intersections.
(b) Definition. A “clear sight triangle” is the triangular area formed by a diagonal line connecting two points located on intersecting lines of a right-of- way, easement of access, or pavement edge of an access drive, each point being 20 feet from the intersecting lines. See illustration in § 1295.09(d), Restrictions Within Clear Sight Triangles.
(c) Design. The entire area of the clear sight triangle should be designed as illustrated in § 1295.09(d), Restrictions Within Clear Sight Triangles, to provide the driver of the vehicle entering the intersection with an unobstructed view to all points nine feet above the roadway along the centerline. The recommended distance depends upon the design speed of the higher-order street and therefore is greater for arterial streets than for collectors.
(d) Restrictions within clear sight triangles.
(1) Within the sight triangle no landscape material with a mature height greater than 12 inches shall be permitted with the exception of trees which conform to the following standards. Trees shall be permitted within the sight triangles as long as, except during early growth stages, only the tree trunk (no limbs, leaves, etc.) is visible between the ground and nine feet above the ground, or otherwise does not present a traffic visibility hazard. Restrictions shall not apply to the following:
A. Existing natural grades which, by reason of natural topography, rise 12 or more inches above the level of the center of the adjacent intersection;
B. Fire hydrants, public utility poles, street markers, governmental signs, and traffic control devices.
(2) The restrictions contained in this section shall also apply to any areas outside the clear sight distance triangle that fall within the sight distance requirements of the Municipal Engineer.
(Ord. 17-2013, passed 9-24-2013)