Garwood City Zoning Code
ARTICLE IX
Design Standards
§ 106-125 Purpose.
All subdivisions and site plans shall conform to the following minimum standards that have been deemed necessary to advance the purposes of appropriate and proper designs within zoning without unnecessarily adding to development costs.
§ 106-126 Streets.
A.
General. All streets shall conform in arrangement (widths, directions and alignments) with the circulation element of the Master Plan or Official Map of the Borough. For streets not shown on the Master Plan or Official Map, the arrangement shall provide for the appropriate extension of existing streets. All streets shall be designed and located to facilitate orderly circulation patterns, assure access by emergency vehicles and provide for future connections to adjoining property.
B.
Street hierarchy.
(1)
Streets shall be classified in a street hierarchy system with design tailored to function.
(2)
The street hierarchy system is defined by road function and average daily traffic (ADT) calculated by trip generation rates prepared by the Institute Transportation Engineers (ITE) or other sources accepted by the approving authority.
(3)
The applicant shall demonstrate to the approving authority's satisfaction that the distribution of traffic to the proposed street system will not exceed the ADT thresholds for the proposed street type or result in a reduction of level of service for any street.
(4)
The street hierarchy system as detailed in the circulation element of the Borough Master Plan shall serve as the classification system of Borough streets.
(5)
Minor streets shall be designed so as to discourage through traffic.
(6)
Street hierarchy for residential streets shall meet the requirements of the Residential Site Improvement Standards, N.J.A.C. 5:21-1.1 et seq.
[Added 7-10-2007 by Ord. No. 07-19]
C.
Street specifications.
(1)
Subdivisions abutting arterial streets shall provide a minor street or reverse frontage with a buffer strip for planting or some other means of separation of through and local traffic as the approving authority may determine appropriate and the governing body will accept.
(2)
Right-of-way width.
(a)
The right-of-way width shall be measured from lot line to lot line and shall not be less than the following:
[1]
Arterial street: 80 feet.
[2]
Collector street: 60 feet.
[3]
Minor street: 50 feet.
[Amended 7-10-2007 by Ord. No. 07-19]
[4]
Residential street: shall meet the requirements of the Residential Site Improvement Standards, N.J.A.C. 5:21-1.1, et seq. Culs-de-sac shall be designed with a landscaped island.
[Added 7-10-2007 by Ord. No. 07-19]
(b)
The right-of-way width for internal roads and alleys in multifamily and commercial developments shall be determined on an individual basis and shall in all cases be of sufficient width and design to safely accommodate the maximum traffic, parking and loading needs and adequate access for fire-fighting equipment and emergency vehicles.
(3)
No development showing reserve strips controlling access to streets shall be approved except where the control and disposal of land comprising such strips has been deeded to the governing body under conditions approved by the approving authority.
(4)
Subdivisions that adjoin or include existing streets that do not conform to widths as shown on the Master Plan or Official Map or the street width requirements of this article shall dedicate additional width along either one or both sides of said road. If the subdivision is along one side only, 1/2 of the required extra width shall be dedicated.
(5)
No street grade shall be less than 1/2 of 1% nor greater than 10%.
(6)
Street intersections shall be as nearly at right angles as is possible and in no case shall be less than 60º. The block corners at intersections shall be rounded at the curbline with a curve having a radius of not less than 20 feet.
(7)
Street jogs with center line offset of less than 25 feet shall be prohibited. A tangent at least 100 feet long shall be introduced between reverse curves on arterial and collector streets. All changes in grade shall be connected by vertical curves of sufficient radius to provide a smooth transition and safe and proper sight distance.
(8)
Dead-end streets (culs-de-sac) shall not be longer than 500 feet and shall provide a turnaround at the end with an outside radius of not less than 35 feet and shall have a right-of-way radius of 45 feet and tangent to the right side of the street. If a dead-end street is of a temporary nature, a similar turnaround shall be provided and provisions made for future extension of the street and reversion of the excess right-of-way to the adjoining properties. Temporary roads shall also have, at the closed end, a four-foot-high white painted barrier across the right-of-way width with reflectors in accordance with specifications determined by the Borough Engineer.
(9)
No street shall have a name which will duplicate or so nearly duplicate as to be confused with the name of an existing street. The continuation of an existing street shall have the same name. New streets shall be named by the governing body.
D.
Specific requirements for appurtenances.
(1)
All pavement, curbing and sidewalk construction/installation shall be as specified in Chapter 146 of the Borough Code and as required by the Borough Engineer.
(2)
Street identification signs are required to be installed at all intersections. Board approvals for sign locations are subject to the recommendations of the governing body and the Borough Police Department.
(3)
Traffic signs and control devices shall be designed and installed in accordance with applicable municipal, county and state regulations. Recommendations as to their need, location and installation may be made by the Borough Police Department or other competent agency.
(4)
Guard rails shall be required where it is deemed necessary by Borough officials to prevent vehicles from leaving the road. They shall be designed appropriately and installed where danger exists to the traveling public due to steep topography, narrow roadways, location of drainage ditches or other similar conditions.
(5)
Street lights shall be installed at street intersections, along vertical and horizontal curves and at the end of dead-end streets. Illumination levels shall be appropriate for the specific location in accordance with standards set forth in the current edition of the Illuminating Engineering Society IES Lighting Handbook. The maximum height of light standards shall not exceed the maximum building height in the adjacent zone, or 25 feet, whichever is less. Street lighting shall provide proper lighting without hazard to drivers or nuisance to residents, and the design of light standards shall be of a type appropriate to the development and the Borough.
§ 106-127 Blocks.
Block length and width or acreage within bounding streets shall be such as to accommodate the lot size required in the area by the Zoning Ordinance and to provide for convenient access, circulation, safety and the extension of utilities. No residential block shall exceed 800 feet in length.
§ 106-128 Lots.
A.
Lot dimensions and area shall not be less than the requirements of the zoning regulations.
B.
Insofar as is practical, side lot lines shall be at right angles to straight streets and radial to curved streets.
C.
Each lot shall front upon an approved and improved street of at least 50 feet in width.
D.
All lot measurements and setbacks shall be measured from any proposed street right-of-way as set forth in the Master Plan or Official Map. Where extra width has been dedicated for widening of existing streets, lots shall begin at such extra width line, and all setbacks shall be measured from such line.
§ 106-129 Driveways.
A.
All driveways, except those for one- and two-family dwelling units, are to be designed as one-way circulation flows.
B.
Access drives or driveways shall not be less than nine feet wide for one- or two-family residential uses or 10 feet wide for all other uses for one-way traffic heading in the same direction. No access drive or driveway shall be obstructed and no architectural feature shall project into the minimum established width of an access drive or driveway.
C.
Curbline openings for nine-foot- or ten-foot-wide access driveways shall be a minimum of 12 feet.
D.
Driveway turnaround shall be provided on all lots fronting on an arterial street, as shown on the Master Plan or Official Map. Turnarounds are not required for corner lots where access is provided from the nonarterial side street.
§ 106-130 Off-street parking.
Every parcel of land or part thereof, except for one- or two-family developments, used as a public or private parking area or parking garage, shall be developed and maintained in accordance with the following requirements in all zone districts.
A.
Size of spaces. Each off-street parking space shall measure nine feet in width by 18 feet in length, exclusive of access drives or required aisles. Parking spaces for the physically disabled shall be 12 feet wide and meet the requirements set forth in the State Department of Community Affairs, Barrier Free Subcode, N.J.A.C. 5:23-7. All parking spaces shall be marked with two-inch-wide lines.
B.
Ingress and egress.
(1)
Access to parking areas shall be designed so as not to obstruct the free flow of traffic. There shall be adequate provision for ingress to and egress from all parking spaces to insure ease of mobility, ample clearance and safety of vehicles and pedestrians. All vehicular movements into and out of parking spaces are to be contained on site.
(2)
The width of all aisles providing direct access to individual parking spaces shall be in accordance with the standards specified below. Only one-way traffic shall be permitted in aisles serving single row parking spaces at an angle other than 90º.
Parking Angle (degrees) | Aisle Width (feet) | |
|---|---|---|
30 | 12 | |
45 | 13 | |
60 | 18 | |
90 | 24 |
(3)
Parking spaces which back out directly into the street are prohibited except at one- and two-family dwellings.
C.
Setbacks.
(1)
No off-street parking area or portion thereof, including driveways and aisles, shall be permitted within 10 feet of a street right-of-way line.
(2)
No off-street parking area or portion thereof shall be located closer than 10 feet to any school, hospital, or institution for human care located on an adjacent or adjoining lot.
(3)
No off-street parking area or portion thereof shall be located closer than two feet to any side or rear property line or any principal structure.
D.
Obstructions.
(1)
Two feet of any stall length may be provided, as a landscaped overhang area, provided full depth concrete curb is installed two feet from the head of the stall. This landscaped area shall be calculated as parking space area, provided it remains unobstructed.
(2)
Full depth concrete curbing, or granite block, if installed as outlined above, shall not be construed as an obstruction. Movable concrete wheel steps are not permitted to be utilized in place of full depth poured in place concrete curbing.
(3)
Where sidewalks occur in parking areas, parked vehicles shall not extend or overhang the sidewalk, nor can that area be calculated as parking space area, unless an additional two feet of sidewalk area is provided in order to accommodate such overhang and provide a minimum unobstructed sidewalk width of four feet.
(4)
All parking areas shall be arranged and designed so as to prevent damage to fences, walls, plantings and light standards.
E.
Entrances and exits shall be well defined and clearly marked with appropriate directional arrows and signage on the pavement and/or sign posts.
F.
All parking, loading and driveway areas shall be surfaced with a bituminous concrete or concrete pavement or similar all-weather, dustless material and maintained in good condition, as specified and approved by the Borough Engineer. Porous pavements may be used in lieu of bituminous concrete or concrete pavements in parking areas if used to minimize stormwater runoff and promote groundwater recharge, if approved by the Borough Engineer, if the use of the porous pavement is being used to satisfy the BMP of a stormwater management system.
[Amended 7-10-2007 by Ord. No. 07-19]
G.
A full depth concrete or granite block defined safety island, with a minimum inside dimension of five feet, shall be provided between the ends of a parking bay and any driveway, aisle or other area as deemed necessary by the approving authority and appropriately landscaped with shade trees. Curb cuts or flush curbs may be used in place of full depth curb concrete or granite block curb if it is used to allow vegetative swales to be used for stormwater conveyance and to allow for the disconnection of impervious surfaces as part of a BMP.
[Amended 7-10-2007 by Ord. No. 07-19]
H.
Adequate pedestrian circulation shall be provided between parking areas and the buildings they are designed to serve. Such circulation shall include raised sidewalks on center islands, the use of concrete pavers to designate pedestrian areas and other methods to separate pedestrian from vehicular areas. Sidewalks shall be designed to discharge stormwater to adjacent lawns where feasible to disconnect impervious surfaces if used to meet the BMP of a stormwater management system.
[Amended 7-10-2007 by Ord. No. 07-19]
I.
All paved areas, parking, loading and drives, shall be graded and drained so as to direct all surface water away from surrounding uses to a stormwater drainage system for eventual subsurface or stream disposal, as required by the Borough Engineer. Natural vegetative swales are encouraged along the edge of a proposed road or in parking areas in lieu of inlets and pipes if they are used to meet the requirements of a BMP in stormwater management systems.
[Amended 7-10-2007 by Ord. No. 07-19]
J.
The Borough may require that certain areas be maintained for fire fighting or other emergency purposes, and those areas shall be appropriately designated.
K.
No motor vehicle repair work, service or sales of any kind shall be permitted in connection with any nonresidential off-street automobile parking facilities. Any commercial vehicles parked overnight shall be construed as storage, not parking.
§ 106-131 Off-street loading.
All uses, to which off-street loading is an accessory use, shall have off-street loading operations, designed in accordance with the following standards:
A.
On-site loading facilities may be open to the sky or enclosed in a building.
B.
Size of spaces. Each off-street loading space shall be 10 feet in width and at least 25 feet in length exclusive of aisle and maneuvering space.
C.
Each off-street loading space shall be designated with appropriate means of vehicular access to an arterial street or alley in a manner which will least interfere with traffic movement and minimize dangers or access thereto.
§ 106-132 Landscaping.
[Amended 2-25-1997 by Ord. No. 97-03]
A.
Plant standards.
(1)
All plants shall conform to the standards as set forth in the American Standard for Nursery Stock, published by the American Association of Nurserymen, Washington, D.C., and the Hardiness Zones developed by the United States Department of Agriculture.
(2)
All shade trees shall not be less than 2 1/2 inches to three inches in caliper, and 12 feet to 14 feet in height at the time of planting.
(3)
All minor deciduous/ornamental trees shall not be less than six feet in height at the time of planting.
(4)
All shrubs used for screening shall not be less than two feet in height at the time of planting.
B.
The landscape plan shall be conceived in a total pattern throughout the site, integrating the various elements of site design, preserving and enhancing the particular identity of the site and creating a pleasing site character.
C.
Shade trees shall be planted at twenty-five-foot to forty-foot centers within the public right-of-way for each development in order to advance the Borough's Shade Tree Ordinance and the Master Plan Intention to create tree-lined streets. A minimum of one shade tree shall be planted for each residential lot.
D.
In order to preserve mature trees in the Borough, no existing trees shall be removed in connection with any development which are 20 feet or more beyond any proposed driveway, parking area or building footprint. If permitted by the approving authority, whenever any tree outside of the aforementioned twenty-foot area is proposed to be or is actually removed, the applicant shall be required to plant an equivalent number of three-inch DBH trees equal to the total diameter of all trees approved for removal. If the approving authority is satisfied that the number of equivalent trees cannot be planted on the site in question, the additional trees required by this section shall be provided and planted by the applicant in public locations as directed by the Borough Shade Tree Officer.
[Added 7-10-2007 by Ord. No. 07-19]
§ 106-133 Lighting.
A.
All lighting shall be so arranged and shielded so as to direct the light downward and prevent any glare and light from shining directly on adjoining streets, residential zones and residential buildings. All lighting shall be located so that the direct source of the light shall not be visible from any adjacent property.
B.
Illumination levels shall be as follows:
(1)
An evenly distributed, average illumination level between one and two footcandles shall be maintained throughout parking areas.
(2)
An evenly distributed, average illumination level between three and five footcandles shall be maintained at loading, unloading and material handling areas.
(3)
An evenly distributed, average illumination level between two and three footcandles shall be maintained at points of ingress and egress from streets.
(4)
An evenly distributed, average illumination level between 0.5 and 1.0 footcandle shall be maintained in pedestrian walkway areas.
(5)
An evenly distributed, average illumination level of not more than 20 footcandles shall be maintained at gas station pump and service areas.
C.
A minimum of one light fixture, plus one for every 30 parking spaces, shall be installed throughout the parking lot.
D.
Site lighting poles shall meet the following standards:
(1)
All poles shall be rustproof metal, cast iron, fiberglass, finished wood or similar decorative material.
(2)
Poles and light sources in pedestrian areas shall not be greater than 15 feet in height.
(3)
Poles and other light sources in all other areas shall not be greater than 25 feet in height unless they are to be located adjacent to a residential zone or property where they shall not be greater than 15 feet in height.