Springville City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XIX
Road Access Standards
[Added 2-9-2004 by L.L. No. 1-2004]
§ 200-142 Purpose.
The purpose of this article is to provide for safe and efficient travel along public roads in the Village of Springville and to prevent the adverse social and aesthetic impacts associated with strip road frontage development, and promote development which harmonizes with the objectives of the Village of Springville by providing clear and consistent access management standards for the development of properties abutting public roads. This article is enacted pursuant to the authorization provided by Article 7 of the Village Law of New York State.
§ 200-143 Applicability.
This article shall apply to all properties abutting public roads or with direct access or common connections to public roads within the boundaries of CIP Districts created by this chapter. The provisions of this article may also be considered and applied as deemed appropriate by the Planning Board in any site plan review associated with the use or modification of use of real property in any other zoning district of the Village of Springville.
§ 200-144 Conformance.
The location and design of driveways and other site layout, parking and access management conditions shall conform to all federal, state, and local requirements, including and not limited to those established in this article. Further, the requirements of this article are not to be substituted for the zoning subdivision and site plan approval provisions provided in this chapter or any other chapter of the Code of the Village of Springville but are to be superimposed over such provisions and should be considered as additional requirements.
§ 200-145 Definitions.
Words used in this article if needing further definition beyond their usual and ordinary meanings shall be given their meanings as used in standard highway construction and safety reference manuals and regulations of the New York State Department of Transportation unless otherwise defined in this chapter. The following words when used in this article shall have the following meanings:
A way or means of approach to provide vehicular or pedestrian entrance or exit to a property.
Any driveway, street, turnout, or other means of providing for the movement of vehicles to or from the public road system or between abutting sites.
The process of providing and managing reasonable access to land development while preserving the flow of traffic in terms of safety, capacity, and speed.
A building or other improvement to which vehicle access is managed by the provisions of this article.
The distance from an intersection of a public or private road to the nearest access connection, measured from the closest edge of the driveway pavement to the closest edge of the road pavement.
A service road or driveway providing vehicular access between two or more contiguous sites so a vehicle need not enter the public road system.
Any entrance or exit used by vehicular traffic to or from land or buildings abutting a road.
A driveway connecting two or more contiguous properties to the public road system.
The area beyond the physical intersection of two roads that comprises decision and maneuver distance plus any required vehicle storage length.
A system used to group public roads into classes according to their purpose in moving vehicles and providing access to abutting properties.
Features of the access system of a property that existed prior to the effective date of this article and that do not conform with the requirements of this article.
A weighted average vehicle trip generated rate during the hour of highest volume of traffic entering and exiting the site in the morning (a.m.) or the afternoon (p.m.).
The minimum number of access connections, direct or indirect, necessary to provide safe access to and from a public road, as consistent with the purpose and intent of this article and any other applicable plans and policies of the Village of Springville.
A physical barrier in the roadway that separates traffic traveling in opposite directions, such as a concrete barrier or landscaped island.
A way for vehicular traffic, whether designated as a "street," "highway," "thoroughfare," "parkway," "through-way," "avenue," "boulevard," "lane," "cul-de-sac," "place," or otherwise designated, and includes the entire area within the right-of-way.
A road serving comparatively large volumes of high-speed (45 miles per hour or greater), long-distance or through traffic and which also provides access to abutting properties.
A road which provides access to abutting properties and which links development roads, collector roads, or other local roads to major traffic roads.
A road which is specifically constructed or intended to provide access to abutting properties for residential purposes or other high-density uses as determined by the underlying zoning.
A public or private road, auxiliary to and normally located parallel to a controlled-access facility, that maintains local road continuity and provides access to properties adjacent to the controlled-access facility.
Provision of direct access to a road until that time when adjacent properties develop in accordance with a joint access agreement or frontage road plan.
The length of a driveway from the road to the parking area; or the length of a collector road from the road to another collector road or service road, or the length of a service road from the road to another service road or collector road.
§ 200-146 Standards and requirements.
Access requirements.
General.
The site layout, location and design of driveways, parking, and other access management requirements should be based on full permissible development of a property.
Driveways should be limited to one per property. More than one driveway may be permitted if:
Driveways to properties with frontage on two or more roads shall be provided to the road with the lowest functional classification serving the proposed use of the property.
Properties with frontage on two or more roads do not have the right to driveways to all roads.
Driveways may be required to be located so as to provide shared driveways and/or cross-access driveways with an abutting property or properties.
Shared driveways and/or cross-access driveways shall be of sufficient width (minimum 20 feet) to accommodate two-way travel for automobiles and service and loading vehicles. Wider driveways may be required to serve traffic to major traffic generators and/or large vehicles.
Shared driveways, cross-access driveways, interconnected parking, and private roads constructed to provide access to properties internal to a subdivision shall be recorded as an easement and shall constitute a covenant running with the land. Operating and maintenance agreements for these facilities shall be recorded with the deed.
Driveway spacing standards.
Driveway spacing standards shall apply to driveways located on the same side of a road.
Driveway spacing is to be measured along the road from the closest edge or curbline of the driveway pavement to the closest edge or curbline of the next driveway.
Driveways shall be located so as to meet or exceed the driveway spacing standards shown in Table 1.
Table 1 Minimum Driveway Spacing Standards | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Development Size in Peak-Hour Trips (PHT) | ||||
Road Type | Small | Moderate | Large | |
0-150 PHT | 151-300 PHT | greater than 300 PHT | ||
Arterial | 330 feet | 440 feet | 550 feet | |
Collector | 220 feet | 330 feet | 440 feet | |
Access or development | 60% of the minimum lot width requirement | |||
PHI (peak-hour trips) will be determined through application of the most current Institute of Transportation Engineers Trip Generation methods and statistics. In general, the determination of peak-hour trips is obtained by multiplying the average vehicle trip end rate for the proposed development during the am. or p.m. peak hour of adjacent road traffic, whichever is greater, times the appropriate multiplier for the development as determined by the type and scale of development. Another methodology or other statistics for determination of peak-hour trips may be used with permission from the Village Planning Board.
PHT (peak-hour trips) should be based on full build-out of the property.
The larger of the minimum driveway spacing standards for the proposed development or for existing developments at abutting properties will apply. Driveways for in-fill development must meet the driveway spacing standards to abutting properties on both sides.
Corner clearance.
Corner clearance is to be measured along the road from the closest edge or curbline of the driveway pavement to the closest edge or curbline of the road pavement.
Where road widening is planned or anticipated, corner clearance should be increased to provide for the width of the additional lane or lanes.
Driveways for corner properties shall meet or exceed the minimum corner clearance requirements as specified in Table 2.
Table 2 Minimum Corner Clearance Requirements | ||
|---|---|---|
Type of Driveway | Minimum Clearance (feet) | |
Partial access: right turns in and/or out only | 110 | |
Full access: all directional movements | 220 | |
Driveway location.
Driveway location will be based on a site plan which has been approved by the Village Planning Board in consultation with the Village Engineer and Superintendent of Public Works.
For the purpose of driveway locations, restrictive median openings shall be treated as intersections and driveways to properties opposing a median opening shall be located so as to exceed the minimum corner clearance standards. This requirement shall be waived where the median opening is specifically constructed or reconstructed to provide vehicular access to such properties.
Driveways shall be located so as to meet or exceed the minimum driveway spacing standards and the minimum corner clearance standards.
The Village Planning Board may allow the location of driveways at less than the minimum driveway spacing standards or corner clearance standards if:
A dual-driveway system, cross driveway system or shared driveway is proposed and this improves the safe and efficient movement of traffic between the property and the road; or
A driveway or driveways could be located so as to meet the minimum driveway spacing standards and corner clearance standards, but the characteristics of the property or the physical or operational characteristics of the road are such that a change of location will improve the safe and efficient movement of traffic between the property and the road; or
Conformance with the driveway spacing standards or corner clearance standards imposes undue and exceptional hardship on the property owner that outweighs the essential purposes of this article.
For properties unable to meet the minimum driveway spacing standards or corner clearance standards, a temporary access may be granted.
For properties unable to meet the minimum corner clearance requirements, driveways shall be located as far as practicable from the intersection. In such cases, driveway movement may be restricted and only one driveway will be permitted along the road frontage not meeting the minimum corner clearance requirement.
Proper alignment of a driveway with another driveway or road situated or likely to be situated across the road being accessed shall be given consideration by the Planning Board in the site plan approval process.
Driveway design.
Driveways shall be designed so as to provide for the safe and efficient movement of traffic between the roadway and the site, and to eliminate the potential for the queuing of vehicles along the roadway due to congestion in or at the driveway.
Vehicle circulation systems on the site shall be designed so as to provide for the safe and efficient movement of traffic between the driveway and the site.
Driveway width, flare, radii, throat length, internal circulation systems, and other design elements for driveways to developments generating more than 150 peak-hour trips shall be based upon traffic, engineering and design data provided by a traffic engineer/consultant who is recognized and accepted by the Village Planning Board. In the event that a traffic engineer/consultant is not provided, the Village shall have the right to retain such traffic engineer/consultant at the cost of the applicant.
Driveways and roadway and access connections shall be subject to and comply with Chapter 150 of the Village Code.
Driveway movements (cross, left turn in, left turn out, right turn in, and right turn out) may be restricted so as to provide for the safe and efficient movement of traffic between the road and the property.
Each driveway is to be designed and constructed to provide only the allowable movements and physically discourage prohibited movements.
Interconnection of parking areas.
Adjacent properties may be required to provide a cross-access driveway and pedestrian access to facilitate circulation between sites.
Shared parking is encouraged. Shared parking shall be permitted a reduction in required parking spaces if peak parking demand periods at interconnected developments do not occur at the same time.
On-site vehicular circulation systems shall be designed so as to facilitate use of cross-access driveways.
Cross-access driveways shall be recorded as an easement and shall constitute a covenant running with the land. Operating and maintenance agreements for these facilities shall be recorded with the deed.
Intersection spacing.
Intersection spacing shall be measured from the center line of the proposed connecting roadway to the center line of the next connecting roadway or to the center line of a signalized driveway, whichever is closest.
Minimum intersection spacing standards are established so as to provide for efficient movement of traffic. Minimum intersection spacing shall be as set out in Table 3.
Table 3 Minimum Intersection Spacing Standards | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Road Type | Signalized Intersection (feet) | Unsignalized Intersection (feet) | |
Arterial | 2,640 | 1,320 | |
Collector | 2,640 | 1,320 | |
Development | 1,320 | 660 | |
Maximum intersection spacing standards are provided to ensure an orderly pattern of land-use development and the creation of a safe and efficient traffic circulation system serving development.
The establishment of intersections at locations at less than the maximum spacing standard shall be applied as an element of the site plan review process, or as part of the subdivision approval process, or prior to subdivision or site plan approval on the Village Official Map.
Maximum intersection spacing shall be as set out in Table 4.
Table 4 Maximum Intersection Spacing Standards | ||
|---|---|---|
Road Type | Approximate Spacing (feet) | |
Arterial | 5,280 | |
Collector | 2,640 | |
Access or development | 1,320 | |
Medians and median openings.
The type, location and length of medians on public roads shall be determined by the entity having jurisdiction over such roads. This determination will be made in consultation with the Village Planning Board and will be based on existing and projected traffic conditions; the type, size, and extent of development and traffic generated by development; traffic control needs; and other factors.
The minimum spacing between median openings shall be as shown in Table 5.
Median openings intended to serve development must meet or exceed the minimum median opening spacing standards and must also be justified by a traffic impact analysis approved by the entity having jurisdiction over such roads, in consultation with the Village Planning Board or by the Village Planning Board where driveways are proposed to connect to Village roads. The cost of preparation of the traffic impact analysis and construction of the median opening or openings, including installation and operation of signals and other improvements where warranted shall be borne by the applicant.
Table 5 Minimum Median Spacing Standards | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Median Opening Type | |||
Posted Speed | Restrictive (limited directional movement) | Nonrestrictive (all directions) | |
Less than 45 mph | 660 feet | 1,320 feet | |
45 mph or more | 1,320 feet | 2,640 feet | |
Large developments.
Large developments are developments which generate more than 300 peak-hour trips. For purposes of this subsection, large developments shall include residential and mixed-used subdivisions whose combined trip generation from all properties exceeds 150 peak-hour trips and such other uses as will in the opinion of a qualified transportation engineer detrimentally impact the safe and efficient movement of traffic.
Large developments shall be required to mitigate the traffic impacts of their development. Required mitigation may include but is not limited to the construction of signals, turning lanes, medians, combined and shared driveways, and service or access roads as well as implementation of transit improvements and/or traffic demand management strategies.
Required mitigation will be established by the Village Planning Board through a SEQRA review and/or transportation impact study (TIS) as determined by the Village Planning Board.
It shall be the developer's responsibility to provide the SEQRA review and/or transportation impact study, as directed by the Village Planning Board.
It shall be the developer's responsibility to provide the required mitigation.
Phased mitigation may be allowed where phased development is proposed.
Subdivisions.
Planned access shall be provided for properties which are the result of subdivisions occurring after the effective date of this article.
Planned access shall address the provisions of this article, other state and local requirements, and the following:
Properties which are the result of a subdivision do not have the right of individual and exclusive access to state and local roads. The number of driveways or other connections shall be the minimum number necessary to provide reasonable access to these properties, not the maximum available for the frontage.
Access shall be provided to the road with the lowest functional classification serving the proposed development.
Access should be internalized. Access to properties within a subdivision should be obtained from an access road or interior road.
If the property which is proposed to be subdivided has frontage on two or more roads, internal properties should share access to such roads.
The access system for the proposed subdivision should be coordinated with existing, proposed and planned roads outside the subdivision.
Shared driveways, cross-access driveways, interconnected parking, and private roads constructed to provide access to properties internal to a subdivision shall be recorded as an easement and shall constitute a covenant running with the land. Operating and maintenance agreements for these facilities shall be recorded with the deed.
Changes in access.
Conditional requirements, for developments taking place after the effective date of this article.
The Village Planning Board may establish provisions for and require future alteration of the property layout, the location and design of driveways, parking, and other access features based on phased development, additional development or a change in use of a property, or development of or a change in use at an abutting property.
On completion of a side, access or service road abutting a property with a driveway connection to a major traffic road, the Village Planning Board may require a driveway or driveways to the side, access or service road and closure of the driveway connection to the major traffic road.
The Village Planning Board may waive this requirement if:
The property shares a driveway or dual-driveway system to the major traffic road with an adjacent property or properties: and/or
Driveway movements from the driveway to the major traffic road are restricted or the Village Planning Board determines that road improvements are warranted and the property owner agrees to construct such improvements.
For any change or upgrade of use on a property which requires a Village permit or approval and increases peak-hour trips, the Village Planning Board may:
Require the closure and relocation or consolidation of driveways so as to meet the minimum driveway spacing standard for the new level of peak-hour trips;
Require shared driveways and cross-access driveways with abutting properties; and
Impose property layout and parking requirements which allow for the circulation of traffic between abutting properties.
Nonconforming access.
When a property owner of a property with an existing nonconforming driveway or driveways, as of the effective date of this article, applies for a permit to upgrade or change the use of the property, the Village Planning Board shall determine whether it is necessary and appropriate to retrofit the existing driveway or driveways.
The property owner may be required to establish a satisfactory retrofit plan. The objectives of the retrofit plan will be to minimize the traffic and safety impacts of development by bringing the number, spacing, location, and design of driveways into conformance with the standards and requirements of this article, to the extent possible without imposing an undue or inequitable hardship on the property owner that outweighs the essential purposes of this article. The retrofit plan may include:
Elimination of driveways;
Realignment or relocation of driveways;
Provision of shared driveways and/or cross-access driveways;
Reversal of access (e.g., installation of a driveway to a rear access road);
Restriction of vehicle movement (e.g., elimination of left turns in and out);
Relocation of parking;
Traffic demand management (e.g., a reduction in peak-hour trips);
Signalization; and
Such other changes as may enhance traffic safety.
The requirements of the retrofit plan will be incorporated as conditions to the permit for the change or upgrade of use, and the property owner shall be responsible for all costs connected with the planning, design, construction and approval of the retrofit.
Incentives.
In order to ensure the safe and efficient movement of traffic along a road and between the road and properties abutting the road, shared driveways, cross-access driveways, access and service roads, internal circulation systems, and interconnected parking are encouraged.
The Village Planning Board may grant a property owner adjustments to the permissible bulk, area and coverage requirements, including setbacks, density, area, height, or open space otherwise required in the zoning district, when such property owner elects to provide and maintain shared driveways, cross-access driveways, access and service roads, internal circulation systems or interconnected parking.
The Village Planning Board reserves the authority to determine, in its discretion, the adequacy of the access management amenities to be accepted and the particular bonus or incentive to be provided to a property owner.
Variance standards.
The granting of a variance shall be in harmony with the purpose and intent of this article and shall not be considered until every reasonable option for meeting the provisions of this article is explored or unless the variance is in the public interest.
Applicants for a variance must provide proof of unique or special conditions that make strict application of the provisions of this article impractical. This shall include proof that:
Indirect or restricted access cannot be obtained; and
No reasonable engineering or construction solution can be applied to mitigate the condition; and
No reasonable alternative access is available from a road with a lower functional classification than the primary road; or
The variance is in the public interest.
Under no circumstances shall a variance be granted unless not granting the variance would deny all reasonable access, endanger public health, welfare or safety, or cause an exceptional and undue hardship on the applicant that outweighs the essential purposes of this article. No variance shall be granted where such hardship is self-created.
