Franklin Township Chester County
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
PART 18
HIGHWAY CORRIDOR STANDARDS
§ 27-1801 Purpose.
[Ord. 95-07, 12/14/1995, § 1700]
1.
This Part has been established to manage access along Pennsylvania Routes 896 and 841 within Franklin Township, as authorized by the Municipalities Planning Code, § 604(1), 53 P.S. § 10604(1), and the Franklin Township Comprehensive Plan (1991) by:
A.
Implementing the recommendations set forth in the Comprehensive Plan for transportation and circulation.
B.
Preventing additional access points along Routes 896 and 841 where alternative access points are available to maintain safe and efficient flow of traffic.
C.
Applying design standards for new access points along Routes 896 and 841.
D.
Establishing uniform access management provisions within the Route 896 and 841 corridors.
§ 27-1802 Applicability.
[Ord. 95-07, 12/14/1995, § 1701]
1.
The provisions of this Part shall apply to the following lots within Franklin Township:
A.
Lots with frontage along Routes 896 or 841.
B.
Lots with existing or proposed access to Routes 896 or 841, whether by fee simple or easement arrangements.
§ 27-1803 Frontage on Effective Date.
[Ord. 95-07, 12/14/1995, § 1702]
For the purpose of enforcement and applicability of the standards contained herein, the measured frontage of each lot adjacent to Routes 896 and 841 shall remain as it existed at the effective date of this chapter.
§ 27-1804 Access Preferences.
[Ord. 95-07, 12/14/1995, § 1703; as amended by Ord. 2008-04, 11/19/2008, § 1]
1.
For lots adjacent to Route 896 or Route 841, access to Routes 896 and 841 shall depend on whether alternative access points are available as well as sight and environmental conditions. The applicant shall consider all of the options for accessing Route 896 or 841 a lot and their feasibility in accordance with § 27-1806. The preferences of the Township for providing access to lots adjacent to these corridors are listed below and ranked in order of desirability. It shall be the burden of the applicant to demonstrate why Preferences #1 and #2 cannot be achieved before #3 or #4 shall be considered.
A.
Preference #1. No new access to Routes 896 or 841. New access points along Route 896 and 841 shall not be established where access to a lot could otherwise be provided from a lower-functioning road or reverse frontage. If a lower-functioning road is accessed or reverse frontage is established, the design standards set forth in § 27-1806, Subsection 1B, shall apply.
B.
Preference #2. Connection to existing access point. New access points along Routes 896 and 841 shall not be established where access to a lot could otherwise be provided from an existing access point which is either on-site or on a site adjacent to the lot. If access is provided through the use of an existing access point, the design standards set forth in § 27-1806, Subsection 1B, shall apply.
C.
Preference #3. Creation of an internal access road. Where access to a lot cannot be provided as described in Subsection 1A or B above due to sight conditions, environmental constraints, or other reason, then an internal access road shall be established in accordance with the provisions of §§ 27-1805, Subsection 3, and 27-1806, Subsection 1A.
D.
Preference #4. Individual access. Where access to a lot cannot be provided as described in Subsection 1A, B, or C above due to sight conditions, environmental constraints, or other reasons, then access may be provided to Route 896 or 841 subject to the provisions of §§ 27-1805, Subsection 3, and 27-1806, Subsection 1A.
§ 27-1805 Administration.
[Ord. 95-07, 12/14/1995, § 1704]
1.
Access points to Routes 896 and 841 shall be established in accordance with the access preferences order set forth in § 27-1804.
2.
Access Preference #1 and 2 Standards. Where access is provided to a lot as described in § 27-1804, Subsection 1A and B, the following provisions shall apply:
A.
For subdivision and land development proposals, it shall be the burden of the applicant to demonstrate to the Township during preliminary plan review that such access will be established and in accordance with Township regulations. For shared access points, the applicant shall submit an ownership and maintenance agreement.
B.
For all other proposals, it shall be the burden of the applicant to demonstrate to the Township that such access will be established and in accordance with Township regulations upon application for a building permit. For shared access points, the applicant shall submit an ownership and maintenance agreement.
3.
Access Preferences #3 and 4 Standards. Where access cannot be provided as described in § 27-1804, Subsection 1A and B, and a new access point as necessary, the following provisions shall apply:
A.
It shall be the burden of the applicant to demonstrate to the Township that access cannot be provided in accordance with the access preference as set forth in this section.
B.
All proposals shall be reviewed in accordance with Chapter 22, Subdivision and Land Development.
C.
In addition to all other materials, documents and information required by Chapter 22, Subdivision and Land Development, the applicant shall submit a property access plan. The plan shall include:
(1)
Proposed access point(s).
(2)
Plan for providing access to remaining portions of the lot, including schematic layout for future lots.
(3)
Existing access points on adjacent lots.
(4)
Adjacent secondary roads.
(5)
The location and width of the cartway Route 896 or 841 as well as the shoulders, right-of-way and any reserve area for future right-of-way.
(6)
Sight distance within the right-of-way at proposed access points.
(7)
Environmental constraints, including floodplains, steep slopes, wetlands and streams within the right-of-way and within 75 feet of proposed access points.
D.
Access points for properties which are on the other side of Route 896 or 841 and directly opposite the property of the applicant.
E.
Coordination with Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). The Township has an arrangement with PennDOT unless it has a letter from the Township acknowledging the proposal.
§ 27-1806 Design Standards.
[Ord. 95-07, 12/14/1995, § 1705; as amended by Ord. 2008-04, 11/19/2008, § 1]
1.
Driveways and local roads proposed to intersect Route 896 or Route 841 shall be designed in accordance with the standards set forth in this section.
A.
Number of Access Points Per Lot.
(1)
The total number of access points along Route 896 and Route 841 shall be restricted. The maximum number of access points permitted per lot, including spin-off within the Agricultural District, shall be determined in accordance with the following standards:
(a)
Within the Village District. No more than one access point shall be established per lot.
(b)
Route 896 and Route 841 outside the Village District.
Lot Frontage | Maximum Number of Access Points |
|---|---|
Less than 400 feet | 1 |
400 to 1,200 feet | 2 |
Over 1,200 feet | 3 |
(2)
At the discretion of the Township, the total number of access points permitted in Subsection 1A(1), above, may be reduced due to the limitations of the site including, but not limited to, topographic, hydrologic, or other environmental constraints, and sight distance.
B.
Lot Width at Street Line. Where a driveway or local road is to access Route 896 or Route 841, the minimum lot width at street line shall be as follows:
(1)
Within the Village District. To preserve the development pattern within the Village of Kemblesville, the minimum lot width required for the Highway Corridor Overlay District and the Village District shall be the same.
(2)
Route 896 and Route 841 Outside the Village District. The minimum lot width shall be 200 feet.
(3)
Separation Distance Between Driveways. The minimum distance between driveways along Route 896 or Route 841 shall be as follows:
(a)
Within the Village District. The minimum separation distance shall be 50 feet.
(b)
Route 896 and Route 841, Outside the Village District. The minimum separation distance shall be 200 feet.
(4)
Separation Distance Between Local Roads. The minimum distance between local roads along Route 896 or Route 841 shall be as follows:
(a)
Within the Village District. The minimum separation distance shall be 300 feet.
(b)
Route 896 and Route 841 outside the Village District. The minimum separation distance shall be 1,000 feet.
[Amended by A.O.]
(5)
Separation Distance Between Driveway and Local Road Intersections.
(a)
Excluding the Village District, the minimum distance between a driveway and the intersection of an existing local road with Route 896 shall be 150 feet.
(b)
Including the Village District, the minimum distance between a driveway and the intersection of an existing local road with Route 841 shall be 100 feet.
(6)
Future Access for Adjacent Properties. When a new access point is designed for Route 896 or Route 841, consideration shall be given to establishing a joint accessway with a future adjacent use. The Board of Supervisors may require the establishment of a right-of-way extending to the properly line to provide such future access.
(7)
Variation of Standards. Where sight distance, floodplain, wetland, or steep slope areas prevent the design of a driveway or local road in accordance with the standards set forth in this section, the applicant may request a variance from the Zoning Hearing Board in accordance with § 27-2204. It shall be the burden of the applicant to prove to the Zoning Hearing Board in accordance with this Part that the driveway or local road cannot be designed in accordance with said standards.
