A.

Purpose. The purpose of this Division is to promote safety, improved mobility, and provide for good access to abutting properties. Access management reduces the potential for accidents and improves travel conditions by minimizing conflicts between through and turning vehicles. Accordingly, access points along public streets shall be appropriately considered according to the standards of this Division.

B.

Applicability. The access management standards of this Division apply to residential and nonresidential development in the City limits and the extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ).

C.

Access Denial and Alternatives.

1.

All lots of record shall be granted at least one access point. If such access point does not meet the provisions of this Division and all options have been exhausted, the access point can be granted, to the extent possible, at the most restrictive length of measurement.

2.

Alternatives to the provisions of this Division may be considered in accordance with Section 7.1.4, Alternatives to Access Standards.

D.

State Highway Jurisdiction. For roadways owned and operated by TxDOT, or similar state-authorized transportation authority, access locations shall be governed in accordance with TxDOT standards and approval processes:

A.

Driveway Width.

1.

Single-family Detached and Duplex Residential Uses.

a.

For front-loaded lots 65 feet or smaller in width, driveway width at the right-of-way line shall not exceed 40 percent of the lot width, measured in linear feet at front building line.

b.

For front-loaded lots over 65 feet wide, driveway width at the right-of-way line shall not exceed 26 feet.

c.

For lots over 90 feet wide, circular driveways are permitted; provided however, the combined width of the two access points shall not exceed 30 feet.

d.

Rear-loaded lots have no maximum driveway width.

e.

Driveways shall be constructed of surface materials as set out in Section 8.2.4, Parking Dimensions and Parking Lot Design. However, when a residential driveway exceeds 200 feet in length, only the first 200 feet shall be required to meet the surface material requirements, provided the remaining driveway access to the residence can withstand the minimum fire truck access requirements.

2.

All Other Uses.

a.

Driveways shall be a minimum of 25 feet in width at the right-of-way line. Driveways in the DN or DT districts may be reduced to 20 feet if the Director determines the narrower width will benefit downtown pedestrian access and/or character and adequate access can be maintained.

b.

Driveways exceeding 30 feet in width at the right-of-way line shall require a center median clearly designating a separation of ingress and egress lanes. Such median shall be constructed with a mountable curb and located within the apron.

c.

Driveways shall not exceed 45 feet in width at the right-of-way line.

d.

Driveways shall be constructed of surface materials as set out in Section 8.2.4, Parking Dimensions and Parking Lot Design.

B.

Street Access Spacing.

1.

Same Side of Street. Access points shall be spaced from intersections and other access points located along the same side of the street in accordance with Table 7.1.2.A, Access Spacing, Same Side of the Street.

2.

Opposite Sides of Street. In order to prevent conflicting left-turn movements, connections on opposite sides of arterial and collector streets shall be directly opposite each other or offset by a distance of no less than 150 feet. This provision shall not apply when a permanent median protects against such turning movements.

3.

Limited-Access Driveways. The Director may consider shorter access spacing than set out in Table 7.1.2.A, Access Spacing, Same Side of Street, for limited-access driveways. Limited-access driveways include right-in/right-out only driveways, right-in only, right-out only, or hooded/protected-turn access points. In no case shall a limited-access driveway be established at a spacing closer than 200 feet to any other access point on an arterial or collector street.

4.

Sight Visibility Triangle. A sight triangle is established at all intersections with a public street where no structures, landscaping, fences, signs, etc., shall be permitted to obstruct visibility between three and eight feet off the ground. Trees are permitted if branches are maintained above eight feet. The sight visibility triangle does not apply to development in the DN or DT district that is subject to build-to requirements. As set out in Table 7.1.2.B, Minimum Sight Triangle Distance Requirements, the sight triangle area shall be measured from the corner curb, equidistant within the tangent, in each direction for the following distances and then connected to form the sight triangle. Where the intersection includes two different street types, the measurement for the higher classification street shall apply.

(Ord. No. 2019-O-05A, § II.D.1, 2, 5-21-2019)

A.

Generally. Neighboring nonresidential development parcels shall be connected through private driveway cross-access.

B.

Required Standards.

1.

The cross-access driveway connection shall be a minimum width of 24 feet, sufficient for two-way directional traffic, and should generally run parallel to the principal street.

2.

The location of the connection shall generally be within the first 60 feet of depth of the parcel proposed for development. The location may be adjusted for natural features such as terrain, heritage trees, existing hydrological resources, or other constraints such as existing development, at the discretion of the Director.

3.

Driveway stub-outs shall be constructed to the lot boundary even if the abutting development did not provide for a connection, so as to allow for the potential future cross-access connection between properties.

4.

Driveway stub-outs are not required to connect to abutting parcels zoned DN or DT that are subject to build-to requirements.

A.

Generally. The access management requirements of this Division may be modified according to the standards of this Section.

B.

Reduction of Spacing Requirements. The spacing requirements of Section 7.1.2, Street Access and Driveway Standards, may be reduced if the Director determines the following conditions apply and that the general purposes of this Division have been met.

1.

Safety and operational considerations of the proposed access point is not contrary to the purpose of this Division; and

2.

No other alternatives exist, and construction of the access point is along the property line farthest from the intersection or closest access point. To provide reasonable access under these conditions, but also the safest operation, a limited-access driveway may be required by the Director, as set out in Subsection 7.1.2.B.3, Limited-Access Driveways. In such a case, the applicant shall also demonstrate that:

a.

The inability to meet the access spacing requirements was not due to the owner subdividing the property after the effective date of these regulations without providing internal access;

b.

The abutting landowner refused a request to provide cross-access; and

c.

A recorded instrument to ensure that the connection will be provided and access will be consolidated upon the earlier of:

i.

Approval for development, substantial improvement, or redevelopment, of the abutting property, if providing such connection is a requirement of the development approval; or

ii.

The applicant's parcel and the abutting parcel coming under common ownership.