A.

Non-residential driveways.

1.

General standard. Driveways shall be located so as to limit undue interference with the free movement of traffic, to provide the required sight distance, and to provide the most favorable driveway grade.

2.

Improvements confined to applicant's property. Driveways, including the radii, but not including right-turn lanes and tapers, shall be located entirely within the applicant's right-of-way frontage. The right-of-way frontage is determined by projecting the lot lines to the edge of the pavement of the road. The encroachment of curbs and driveway radii on adjacent property, as in the case of shared driveways, may be allowed upon written certification of adjoining property owners, the township, and the applicable review agency (Road Commission of Macomb County or Michigan Department of Transportation) when it has been determined that such encroachment is necessary to preserve safe road conditions.

3.

Distance to intersection. No non-residential driveway approach shall be located closer than two hundred and fifty (250) feet from an intersection of a major road, either adjacent to the site or on the opposite side of the road. This setback shall also apply to entrance and exit ramps. This distance shall be measured from the proposed right-of-way line of the intersecting street. This requirement shall apply to roads and railroads. For sites with insufficient street frontage to meet this requirement, the planning commission may require the construction of the driveway along a side street, a shared driveway along the property line farthest from the intersection, or a service drive.

4.

Minimum spacing between driveways. The minimum spacing between two commercial driveways shall be based upon posted speed limits of the fronting road. The minimum spacings listed below shall be measured from centerline to centerline of each throat.

In the event that a particular parcel or parcels lack sufficient arterial frontage to maintain the spacing requirements referenced above, the planning commission may allow for a reduction of the standards listed above. Any such reductions shall be based on a traffic impact study. The planning commission may require additional driveway spacing based on the recommendations of the township engineer and where it is determined that the additional spacing will promote improved access and continuity of developments recommended by the Harrison Township Master Plan. The adjacent land owners may also agree to establish a common driveway. In such case, the midpoint should be the property line between the two (2) parcels. A joint easement agreement must be entered into prior to an access permit being granted.

5.

Driveway offsets. To reduce left-turn conflicts, new driveways along non-boulevard roads shall be aligned with those across the roadway, where possible. If alignment is not possible, driveways should be offset a minimum of 150 feet from those on the opposite side roadway. Longer offsets may be required depending on the expected left-turn volumes of the driveway.

6.

Number of driveways. The number of commercial driveways serving a parcel shall be the minimum necessary to provide access for passenger cars and trucks, delivery vehicles and emergency vehicles, while preserving traffic operations and safety along the public roadway. Not more than one driveway may be provided for each separately owned parcel with less than 300 feet of road frontage. This access may be an individual driveway, shared driveway or via a service drive. For the purposes of this Ordinance, a one-way-in/one-way-out drive shall be considered the same as one driveway. The Township may permit one additional driveway for parcels with a continuous road frontage of at least 300 feet or for a corner lot which maintains frontage on two roads.

Additional drives beyond what is permitted in the above text may be permitted only after special land use approval. In allowing for the second driveway, the planning commission shall determine that the additional driveway is justified without compromising traffic operations along the public street, based upon a traffic impact study as described herein.

7.

Driveway design. All commercial driveways shall be designed accordingly to the standards of the Road Commission of Macomb County or the Michigan Department of Transportation, as appropriate. For high traffic generators, or for commercial driveways along roadways experiencing or expected to experience congestion, the planning commission may require two egress lanes.

8.

Boulevard entrances. Where a boulevard entrance is desired by the applicant or the planning commission, a fully curbed island shall separate the ingress and egress lanes. The radii forming the edges of the island shall be designed to accommodate the largest vehicles that will normally use the driveway. The minimum area of the island shall be 180 square feet. The planning commission may require landscaping on the section outside of the public right-of-way. Such landscaping shall be tolerant of roadway conditions.

9.

Setbacks. Driveway pavement shall be set back at least ten feet from the adjoining property line to help control storm water runoff. Driveways designed to be shared may encroach into the required setback. A greater setback may be required by the township engineer if necessary for drainage purposes.

The planning commission may require an access easement to provide for vehicular access to existing or contemplated adjacent parking lots to minimize the need for driveways to each facility and thereby decreasing hazards to vehicular traffic. In such instances, a reciprocal use agreement shall be signed by each owner.

Entrance and exit of a parking lot, loading area, or non-residential use, shall not be permitted across or upon land zoned as residential unless the planning commission finds that there are special circumstances which indicate that there will be a substantial improvement in traffic safety by reducing the number of driveways to a thoroughfare.

Access drives may be permitted within a required front yard or side yard so as to provide access to rear yards and/or accessory or attached structures. Any walk, driveway or other pavement servicing a like function may be permitted as an accessory structure in a required yard.

No fence, wall, shrubbery, sign or other obstruction to vision above a height of two feet from the established grades shall be permitted within the triangular area formed at the intersection of any street right-of-way lines or driveway by a straight line drawn between said right-of-way lines/driveway at a distance along each line of 20 feet from their point of intersection.

Whenever any street, alley or other public way within the township shall be vacated, it shall be classified in the same zone district as the property to which it is attached.