(a)

Purpose. This section is intended to provide standards for the number and placement of access points (driveways and side street intersections) in order to preserve the capacity of major roadways and reduce the potential for crashes. The standards of this section are intended to promote safe and efficient travel within the county or city and minimize disruptive and potentially hazardous traffic conflicts. Preservation of roadway capacity through access management protects the substantial public investment in the roadway system and helps avoid the need for costly capacity upgrades. Proper driveway location and design will also help maintain a safe and efficient roadway system minimizing the loss of life and property from vehicle crashes.

(b)

Driveway Location in General.

(1)

All driveways shall comply with the requirements of this section. Driveways shall also be subject to city engineering, county highway and INDOT access requirements. Where conflict occurs, the more restrictive standards shall apply.

(2)

Driveways shall be located to minimize interference with the free movement of traffic and to provide the most favorable driveway grade.

(3)

Driveways shall be located to meet safe sight distance requirements, as determined by the enforcement official. The driveway spacing requirements of this section may be modified by the enforcement official where necessary to provide safe sight distance.

(c)

Driveway Spacing Standards.

(1)

Minimum spacing requirements between a proposed driveway and an intersection either adjacent or on the opposite side of the street may be set on a case-by-case basis but in no instance shall be less than the distances listed in Table 18.04(c)(1). The following measurements are from the centerline of the proposed driveway to the near lane edge of the intersecting street or pavement edge for uncurbed sections.

Table 18.04(c)(1)
Minimum Driveway Spacing from Street Intersections (a)

a.

For sites with insufficient street frontage to meet the above criterion, the enforcement official may require construction of the driveway on a side street, a shared driveway with an adjacent property, construction of the driveway along the lot line farthest from the intersection, or require a service street.

(2)

Minimum spacing between two driveways shall be determined based upon posted speed limits along the parcel frontage. The minimum spacing indicated in Table 18.04(c)(2) are measured from centerline to centerline on the same side of the street.

Table 18.04(c)(2)
Minimum Driveway Spacing from Another Driveway (a)

a.

For sites with insufficient street frontage to meet the above criterion, the enforcement official may allow a lesser spacing where the driveway is spaced from other driveways to the maximum extent possible.

b.

For residential lots located on minor residential streets, one driveway shall be permitted per lot. One additional driveway may be where there is sufficient frontage to meet the driveway spacing requirements of Table 18.04(c)(2) above.

(3)

To reduce left-turn conflicts, new driveways shall be aligned with those across the street where possible. If alignment is not possible along major thoroughfares, driveways shall be offset from those on the opposite side of the street as follows:

a.

If the proposed drive is offset such that vehicles turning left into driveways do not pass prior to reaching the driveways, the minimum spacing shall be 150 feet.

b.

If the proposed drive is offset such that vehicles turning left into driveways will pass prior to reaching the driveways, the minimum spacing shall be 250 feet.

(4)

In the case of expansion, alteration or redesign of an existing development where it can be demonstrated that pre-existing conditions prohibit adherence to the minimum driveway spacing standards, the enforcement official may modify the driveway spacing requirements. Such modifications shall be the minimum necessary, but in no case shall spacing of two full-access driveways be less than 60 feet, measured centerline to centerline.

(d)

Number of Driveways.

(1)

The number of driveways serving a property shall be the minimum number necessary to provide reasonable access, including access for emergency vehicles, while preserving traffic operations and safety along the public street.

(2)

Access shall be provided per separately owned parcel. This access may be an individual driveway, shared driveway or via a service drive.

(3)

One driveway shall be permitted for each lot. A second driveway may be permitted for property that has sufficient frontage to meet the driveway spacing standards of subsection 18.04(c) above from the first driveway on the site and all driveways on adjacent and opposing property.

(e)

Driveway Design.

(1)

All driveways shall be designed according to the standards of the county, city or INDOT, as applicable. Driveways shall have a maximum width of 30 feet, excluding tapers or curb radii. Wider driveways shall be allowed for locations with large volumes of truck traffic.

(2)

For high traffic generators, or for driveways along streets experiencing or expected to experience congestion, the enforcement official may require two egress lanes.

(3)

For a boulevard entrance, a fully curbed island, at least 180 square feet in area, shall separate the ingress and egress lanes. The radii forming the edges on this island shall be designed to accommodate the largest vehicle that will normally use the driveway.

(f)

Shared Driveways, Frontage Streets and Service Drives.

(1)

The number of access points may be reduced where the enforcement official determines that there may be a beneficial effect on traffic operations and safety, while preserving the property owner's right to reasonable access. In this case, a shared driveway, frontage street or rear service drive connecting two or more properties or uses may be required. Service streets may be required near existing traffic signals or near locations having potential for future signalization; along major thoroughfares with high traffic volumes; and where there are a relatively high number of crashes or there is limited sight distance. Shared access or cross access shall be required between all sites that are in the same or similar zoning district (e.g. between all adjacent commercially zoned properties).

(2)

Shared driveways and service streets shall be within an access easement recorded with La Porte County. A draft of the access easement shall be provided to the county or city, as applicable, for review and approval prior to filing.

(3)

Service Street and Shared Driveway Design Standards.

a.

Location. Service streets shall generally be parallel or perpendicular to the front lot line and may be located either in front of, adjacent to, or behind, principal buildings. The enforcement official shall determine the most appropriate alignment, taking into account setbacks of existing buildings and anticipated traffic flow for the site and the corridor.

b.

Access Easement. The service street shall be within an access easement permitting traffic circulation between properties. The required width shall remain free and clear of obstructions, unless otherwise approved by the enforcement official.

c.

Construction and Materials. Service streets shall have a base, pavement and curb with gutter in accordance the applicable county or city standards for public streets, except the width of the service street shall have a minimum pavement width of 24 feet.

d.

Access to Service Street. The enforcement official shall approve the location of all access points to the service street, based on the driveway spacing standards of this section.

e.

Temporary Access. The enforcement official may approve temporary access where a continuous service street is not yet available and a performance guarantee is provided to assure elimination of temporary access when the service street is continued.

f.

Elevation. The site plan shall indicate the proposed elevation of the service street at the lot line. The county or city, as applicable, shall maintain a record of all service street elevations so that their grades can be coordinated.

g.

Landscaping. The area between a service street and the public street right-of-way shall be planted as a landscaped greenbelt, as specified in Section 18.02.

h.

Maintenance. Each property owner shall be responsible for maintenance of the easement and service drive.