General Requirements.

Location. Sidewalks within street rights-of-way shall generally be located with the sidewalk edge farthest from the roadway placed one foot from the property line. Sidewalks not within street rights-of-way shall be located to provide for the most likely routes of pedestrian travel. In cases where the topography dictates or a proposed development provides for the extension of an existing street or abuts an existing street, where sidewalks have already been installed in a location other than as specified above or where such variations in sidewalk locations are needed to preserve trees or natural features, the planning board may approve alternate sidewalk locations in order to provide for the preservation of physical features or the continuation of the existing sidewalks.

Sidewalk Construction. Sidewalks shall be four feet wide and four inches thick, except crossing driveways, where the thickness shall be increased to six inches for residential uses and all drives to parking areas of less than 50 spaces and to eight inches for all other uses. Where the planning board determines that a sidewalk may be subject to unusually heavy pedestrian traffic it may require that its width be increased (to a maximum of eight feet). All sidewalk construction shall be in accordance with the applicable requirements of the standard specifications. Concrete shall be Class C, air-entrained. Preformed bituminous cellular joint fillers one-half inch thick shall be placed at intervals not exceeding 20 feet. Dummy (formed) joints shall be cut into the concrete sidewalk between the expansion joints at equal intervals not exceeding the width of the sidewalk.

The sidewalk subgrade shall be compacted prior to the placement of any sidewalk. Any unsuitable material encountered in the subgrade shall be removed and replaced with suitable material acceptable to the engineer. All six inch or eight inch sidewalk areas crossing driveways shall be reinforced at the mid-point-or-one-third points, respectively, of the sidewalk section. Reinforcing shall be welded wire fabric (66-1212), or an equivalent approved by the borough engineer.

Apron Construction. Reinforced concrete aprons shall be constructed at all driveways between the concrete curb (or combination curb and gutter) and the concrete sidewalk. Such aprons shall be six inches thick for residential uses and all drives to parking areas of less than 50 spaces and to eight inches for all other uses and shall be reinforced with welded wire fabric (66-1212), or an equivalent approved by the borough engineer, located at the midpoint or one-third points, respectively, of the apron section. Concrete shall be Class C, air-entrained. The width of the apron at the curbline shall be not less than the width of the driveway plus 10 feet or a minimum of 20 feet, whichever is greater.

Driveway Depressions. At each driveway without curb return radii, the concrete curb or combination curb and gutter shall be depressed to form a driveway opening. The depression shall be equal in length to the width of the driveway plus 10 feet, but not less than 20 feet. At driveways with curb return radii, the curb depression shall accommodate the exterior limits of the radii. The depression shall be smoothly formed to maintain a lowered curb face across the depression of at least one inch, but not more than two inches. The bottom of the curb shall be lowered to maintain full curb depth across the depression.

Alternate Sidewalk or Apron Types and/or Locations. In areas where alternate sidewalk or apron types and/or locations are proposed or desired, either for decorative purposes or because of physical restrictions or existing conditions, a detail of the type and/or location of sidewalk and apron proposed shall be submitted for approval with the preliminary and/or final plat.

Continuous slip-formed sidewalks may be permitted if such is considered to be desirable by the borough engineer. The use of continuous slip-formed sidewalks may only be permitted if the applicant submits, for review and approval, details and specifications concerning the equipment, materials and methods proposed for use; and if the borough engineer has inspected the installation and tested and approved a suitable sample section of such sidewalk. In the event the borough engineer does not approve the sample section of continuous slip-formed sidewalk, the developer shall remove the sample section and replace it with a type of sidewalk permitted by this chapter or such other alternate as may be approved by the planning board.

Curb Ramps for the Physically Handicapped. Curb ramps for the physically handicapped shall be constructed on all street curb returns and where appropriate, in parking areas. In general, two curb ramps shall be constructed at each corner (see Figure No. 7A). A single ramp at the center of the corner is acceptable when site conditions preclude the use of the two ramp system (see Figure No. 7B).[1]

Curb ramps for the physically handicapped shall be constructed in accordance with the standards shown on Figures No. 7A and 7B. If there is a grass or landscaped area between the curb and the sidewalk, side ramps need not be provided. Curb ramps shall be provided at all four corners of full intersections and at the two corners plus a location across the street from both of the ramps at "T" intersections.

The developer shall submit a detailed intersection grading plan for approval of the borough engineer prior to installation of the curbs, sidewalks and curb ramps at the intersection.

Curb ramps shall be constructed with a rough broom finish in accordance with New Jersey Department of Transportation specifications and shall be flush with the street pavement at the gutter line.