The floodplain districts established for the Town of Manchester is listed below:
Table 30-1: Floodplain Districts
District Name
Map Symbol
Floodplain overlay
FPO
A. 
Purpose. The purpose of the Floodplain Overlay (FPO) District is to provide special controls over land development located in sensitive environmental areas within the Town of Manchester. This district and its associated regulations are designed to preserve and protect unique environmental features within the Town as much as possible, including, but not limited to, floodplains and watercourses.
B. 
Intent. Certain areas of the Town of Manchester are subject to periodic flooding that can result in loss of life, property damage, health and safety hazards, disruption of commercial and governmental services, extraordinary public expenditure for flood protection and relief and impairment of the tax base, all of which adversely affect the public health, safety and general welfare of the residents of this Town. These flood losses are caused by the cumulative effect of obstructions in the floodplain causing increases in flood heights and velocities and by the occupancy in flood hazard areas by uses that are inadequately elevated, flood-proofed, or otherwise protected from flood damage. It is the intent of the FPO District to prevent public and private losses due to flood conditions in certain areas with regulations designed to:
1) 
Protect the health, safety and welfare of the residents of the Town;
2) 
Minimize public expenditure for flood-control projects;
3) 
Minimize the need for relief and rescue efforts;
4) 
Minimize prolonged business interruptions;
5) 
Minimize damage to public facilities and utilities;
6) 
Help maintain a stable tax base by minimizing flood damage to private and commercial property; and
7) 
Identify those structures and properties that are located in areas of special flood hazard and maintain such information for public inspection.
A. 
The official set of maps delineating all significant environmental features within the Town shall be known and may be cited as the "Official Town of Manchester FPO Maps" and shall include, with latest revisions the official flood insurance rate maps (FIRM) for the Town, prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Additionally, all areas further identified by the Federal Insurance Administration in the latest version of their report entitled "The Flood Insurance Study for the Town of Manchester, New York" shall be included in the FPO District with accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Map and Flood Hazard Boundary Map.
B. 
The aforementioned maps and reports shall be used for reference purposes and not be used to delineate specific or exact boundaries of the various overlay districts. Field investigations and/or other environmental analyses may be required in order to determine whether or not a particular piece of property is included within the Floodplain Overlay District.
A. 
CEO interpretation. The Code Enforcement Officer shall be responsible for interpreting Floodplain Overlay District boundaries based on the review and interpretation of the Official Town of Manchester FPO Maps (as previously outlined in § 325-30.3). The Code Enforcement Officer may request the assistance of the Town Engineer, County Engineer or other appropriate department or agency in making such a determination.
B. 
Underlying districts. Where the Floodplain Overlay District superimposes a principal zoning district delineated on the Official Zoning Map of the Town of Manchester, the requirements of the Floodplain Overlay District shall be met in addition to the requirements specified for development in the respective principal zoning district.
A. 
Permit required. An FPO development permit shall be required prior to the commencement of any regulated activity or the issuance of any Building Permit for regulated development in the Floodplain Overlay District within the Town of Manchester.
B. 
Exempt activities. The following activities are exempt from the permit procedures of this article, subject to a determination by the authorized Town official that such activities involve necessary normal maintenance and upkeep of property, and/or are clearly incidental to the principal use on the property, and/or involve public health, safety, or emergency situations.
1) 
Lawn care and maintenance.
2) 
Gardening activities.
3) 
Tree and shrub care and maintenance.
4) 
Removal of dead or deteriorating vegetation.
5) 
Removal of structures.
6) 
Repair and maintenance of structures.
7) 
Repair and maintenance of faulty or deteriorating sewage facilities or utility lines.
8) 
Reconstruction of structures damaged by a natural disaster.
9) 
Customary agricultural activities, except structural activities.
10) 
Public health activities, orders and regulations of the New York State Department of Health, Ontario County Department of Health, or other agency, undertaken in compliance with the New York State Environmental Conservation Law.
11) 
Activities subject to the review jurisdiction of the New York State Public Service Commission or the New York State Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment, under the provisions of Article 7[1] of the New York Public Service Law.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Article VII of the New York Public Service Law.
12) 
Any actual or ongoing emergency activity that is immediately necessary for the protection and preservation of life, property or natural resource values.
C. 
Application requirements. Applications for FPO development permits shall be made in writing to the Code Enforcement Officer on forms made available by the Town Clerk. Such an application shall be made by the property owner or their agent and shall be accompanied by any materials or information deemed appropriate by the Code Enforcement Officer, Town Engineer, or Consulting Engineer, including, but not limited to, a scaled (one inch equals 50 feet or one inch equals 100 feet) site plan prepared and certified by a licensed engineer or land surveyor that contains the following minimum information:
1) 
A location plan and boundary line survey of the property;
2) 
The location of all Floodplain Overlay District boundaries, designated Town open space, and any publicly owned parkland.
3) 
The location of all existing and proposed buildings, structures, utility lines, sewers, water and storm drains on the property or within 200 feet of the proposed work site.
4) 
The location of all existing and proposed impervious surfaces such as driveways, sidewalks, etc., on the property or within 200 feet of the proposed work site.
5) 
Existing and proposed contour levels at one-foot intervals for the property, unless such property is located within a steep slope protection district whereby contour levels may be shown at two-foot intervals.
6) 
The location and types of all existing and proposed vegetation and shrub masses, as well as all trees with a diameter of six inches or more within and/or adjacent to the property.
7) 
The location of all existing and proposed drainage patterns, drainageways, swales, etc., within and/or adjacent to the property.
D. 
Fees. Each application for an FPO development permit shall be accompanied by the appropriate fee(s) as determined by the Town Board. Said fee(s) shall be in addition to any other fees required for the development under the Town Zoning Law and/or Municipal Code.
A. 
FPO-I floodway zone. There is hereby established an FPO-I zone to accomplish the purposes of this section. The boundaries of this zone include all areas within the floodways as delineated in the Flood Insurance Study for the Town of Manchester. The following are not permitted in the FPO-I zone:
1) 
New structures (temporary or permanent); any addition or substantial improvement to existing structures; filling of land; excavation; deposits, obstructions or outside storage of materials or equipment.
2) 
The temporary or permanent placement of a mobile home, manufactured home, or similar structure.
3) 
The construction or operation of an on-site sewage disposal system.
4) 
Any other activity that as demonstrated through a technical evaluation will result in any increase in flood levels during the occurrence of the base flood discharge.
B. 
FPO-II floodplain zone. There is hereby established an FPO-II zone to accomplish the purposes of this law. The boundaries of this zone include all areas within the ten-year floodplain but does not include any portion of the FPO-I zone. The following are not permitted in the FPO-II zone:
1) 
New structures (temporary or permanent); filling of land; excavation; deposits, obstructions or outside storage of materials or equipment.
2) 
The temporary or permanent placement of a mobile home, manufactured home, or similar structure.
3) 
The construction or operation of an on-site sewage disposal system.
4) 
Any activity that is not in compliance with the standards and requirements set forth in other sections of this law.
5) 
The following activities shall not be allowed in whole or in part in an FPO-II zone without first requesting and receiving a permit from the Code Enforcement Officer as outlined in § 325-30.5 of this article:
i. 
Addition or substantial improvement to structures.
ii. 
Subdivision of land.
iii. 
Any person-made change to improved or unimproved real estate including, but not limited to, buildings or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations located within the area of special flood hazard.
C. 
FPO-III floodplain zone. There is hereby established an FPO-III zone to accomplish the purposes of this law. The boundaries of this zone include all areas within the 100-year floodplain as delineated in the Flood Insurance Study but does not include any portion of either the FPO-I or FPO-II zones. The following activities are not permitted in the FPO-III zone:
1) 
The temporary or permanent placement of a mobile home, manufactured home, or similar structure.
2) 
The construction or operation of an on-site sewage disposal system.
3) 
Any activity that is not in compliance with the standards and requirements set forth in other sections of this law.
4) 
The following activities shall not be allowed in whole or in part within an FPO-III zone without first requesting and receiving a permit from the Code Enforcement Officer as outlined in § 325-30.5 of this article:
i. 
Additions or substantial improvements to structures.
ii. 
New structures.
iii. 
Outside storage of materials and equipment.
iv. 
Subdivision of land.
v. 
Any person-made change to improved or unimproved real estate including, but not limited to, building or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations located within the area of special flood hazard.
A. 
CEO authority. The Code Enforcement Officer shall have the authority to grant or deny an FPO development permit, subject to the standards, criteria, and other regulations contained in this law, regulations contained in Town of Manchester Municipal Code, and the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA). The Code Enforcement Officer may also request a report from the Town Engineer or Consulting Engineer in acting on such permit applications.
B. 
Permit conditions. Any development permit issued by the Code Enforcement Officer in accordance with the provisions of this article may be issued with conditions. Such conditions may be attached as are deemed necessary to ensure the preservation and protection of environmentally sensitive areas and to ensure compliance with the policies and provisions of this article. Every permit issued pursuant to this article shall contain the following conditions:
1) 
The Code Enforcement Officer, Town Engineer, Consulting Engineer and/or other appropriate Town officials shall have the right to inspect the project at any reasonable time;
2) 
The permit shall expire if it is not acted upon within one year; and
3) 
The permit holder shall notify the Code Enforcement Officer or other appropriate Town official of the date on which project construction is to begin, at least five days in advance of such date of construction.
C. 
Suspension. The Code Enforcement Officer may suspend a permit until such time as the Town Board reviews the suspension. The Town Board may, upon recommendation of the Code Enforcement Officer and after having provided the permit holder five days' written notice, suspend or revoke a development permit issued in accordance with the provisions of this section where it has found evidence that the applicant has not complied with all terms or conditions of such permit, has exceeded the authority granted in the permit, or has failed to undertake the project in the manner set forth in writing with its findings and reasons for revoking or suspending a permit issued pursuant to the section. The Code Enforcement Officer shall forward a copy of said findings to the applicant. Permitted work shall immediately cease upon suspension of a permit.
D. 
Areas of special flood hazard. The areas of special flood hazard identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in a scientific and engineering report entitled "The Flood Insurance Study for the Town of Manchester, of Ontario County, New York" with accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Maps and Flood Boundary-Floodway Maps is hereby adopted and declared to be part of this law. The Flood Insurance Study and maps and amendments and revisions thereto, are on file at the Ontario County Planning Offices.
E. 
Permit review. When reviewing an application for an FPO development permit for a regulated action in any zone, the Code Enforcement Officer shall consider all technical information available, all relevant factors and standards specified in the section, and shall determine that:
1) 
The requirements of this law have been satisfied; and
2) 
That the proposed development does or does not adversely affect the area of special flood hazard (for the purposes of this law "adversely affect" means physical damage to adjacent properties). An engineering study may be required of the applicant for this purpose.
i. 
If there is no adverse effect, then the permit shall be granted consistent with the provisions of this law.
ii. 
If there is an adverse effect, then flood damage mitigation shall be made a condition of the permit.
iii. 
All development shall be reviewed for compliance with § 325-30.7(I), Encroachments, of this article.
F. 
Development standards. No FPO permit shall be granted for a regulated activity within any floodway or floodplain zone unless the applicant submits a plan certified by a registered professional engineer and shows evidence of the following:
1) 
The structure will be constructed with its lowest floor elevated to at least one foot above the base flood level.
2) 
The structure will not affect the efficiency or the capacity of the floodway or increase flood heights.
3) 
The structure will be placed on the site so as not to cause increased velocities or catch or otherwise collect debris that will obstruct flow under flood conditions.
4) 
The structure shall be firmly anchored to prevent flotation, collapse, or lateral movement that may result in damage to other structures, restrictions of bridge openings, and other narrowings of the watercourse.
5) 
All new and replacement water supply and sanitary sewer systems shall be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of floodwaters into the system and discharge from the systems into floodwaters.
6) 
Service facilities, such as electrical and heating equipment, shall be constructed at or above the base flood level for the particular area or shall be floodproofed.
7) 
New construction and substantial improvements shall be constructed using materials, methods, and practices that minimize flood damage.
8) 
Base flood elevation data shall be provided for subdivision proposals and other proposed developments.
9) 
Such other data or evidence may be requested by the Town Board, Planning Board, Zoning Board, or Code Enforcement Officer pertaining to flooding and site plan information.
10) 
Information and/or a description regarding the extent to which any watercourse will be altered or relocated as a result of any proposed development.
11) 
Plans indicating any walls to be used to enclose space located below the base flood level.
12) 
That there is no reasonable alternative for the proposed regulated activity on a site which is not in a flood hazard area.
G. 
Considerations. When taking action on an application for an FPO development permit for a regulated action in any Floodplain Overlay District zone, the Code Enforcement Officer shall consider all technical information available, all relevant factors and standards specified in this section, as well as the following:
1) 
The danger that materials may be swept onto other lands to the detriment of others;
2) 
The danger to life and property due to flooding or erosion damage;
3) 
The susceptibility of the proposed facility and its contents to flood damage and the effect of such damage on the individual owner;
4) 
The importance of the services provided by the proposed facility to the community;
5) 
The necessity to the facility of a waterfront location;
6) 
The availability of alternative locations not subject to flooding or erosion damage for the proposed use;
7) 
The compatibility of the proposed use with existing and anticipated development;
8) 
The relationship of the proposed use to the Town Comprehensive Plan and floodplain management program for that area;
9) 
The safety of access to the property in times of flood for ordinary and emergency vehicles;
10) 
The expected heights, velocity, duration, rate of rise and sediment transport of the floodwaters and the effects of wave action, if applicable, expected at the site; and
11) 
The costs of providing governmental services during and after flood conditions, including maintenance and repair of public utilities and facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical and water systems and streets and bridges.
H. 
Additional standards for approval. The Code Enforcement Officer may require that the applicant adequately demonstrate that one or more of the following conditions be met before granting a permit for land use within any of the zones:
1) 
Anchorage to resist flotation and lateral movement.
2) 
Reinforcement of walls to resist water pressure.
3) 
Installation of watertight doors, bulkheads and shutters.
4) 
Use of paints, membranes or mortars to reduce seepage of water through walls.
5) 
Addition of mass or weight to resist flotation.
6) 
Installation of pumps to lower water levels in structures.
7) 
Pumping facilities to relieve hydrostatic water pressure on external walls and basement floors.
8) 
Elimination of gravity flow drains.
9) 
Construction to resist rupture or collapse caused by water pressure or floating debris.
10) 
Compliance with other environmental regulations found in the Code of the Town of Manchester.
I. 
Encroachments.
1) 
In all areas of special flood hazard in which base flood elevation data is available pursuant to the Town of Manchester Flood Insurance Study and no floodway has been determined, the cumulative effects of any proposed development, when combined with all other existing and anticipated development, shall not increase the water surface elevation of the base flood more than one foot at any point.
2) 
In all areas of the special flood hazard where floodway data is provided or available, the requirements of § 325-30.6(A), FPO-I, shall apply.
3) 
All proposed development in riverine situations where no flood elevation data is available (unnumbered A zones as indicated by the Town of Manchester Flood Insurance Study) shall be analyzed to determine the effects on the flood-carrying capacity of the area of special flood hazards set forth in this law. This may require the submission of additional technical data to assist in the determination.
4) 
When base flood elevation data has not been provided pursuant to the Town of Manchester Flood Insurance Study, the Code Enforcement Officer may obtain, review, and reasonably utilize any base flood elevation and floodway data available from federal, state or other sources.
J. 
Administration. In addition to the other duties and responsibilities specified in this chapter, the Code Enforcement Officer is authorized to administer the following provisions of this chapter. The Code Enforcement Officer shall:
1) 
Secure from the applicant all information necessary for a complete review of the proposed development by the appropriate boards and officials. The information necessary for submission shall be the same as required for site plan approval as specified in Article 62 of this chapter, plus any additional information that may be required by the Code Enforcement Officer to adequately review a request for a permit.
2) 
Review all applications to determine that all necessary permits have been obtained from those federal, state or local governmental agencies from which prior approval is required.
3) 
Obtain and record the actual elevation (in relation to sea level) of the lowest habitable floor (including basement) of all new or substantially improved structures and whether or not the structure contains a basement.
4) 
For all new or substantially improved floodproofed structures:
i. 
Verify and record the actual elevation (in relation to sea level).
ii. 
Maintain the floodproofing certifications required in this section.
5) 
Maintain for public inspection all records pertaining to the provisions of this section.
6) 
Notify adjacent communities and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation prior to any alteration or relocation of a watercourse and submit evidence of such notification to the Federal Insurance Administration.
7) 
Require that maintenance is provided within the altered or relocated portion of said watercourse so that the flood-carrying capacity is not diminished.
K. 
Restrictions. Where this section imposes greater restrictions than are imposed by the provision of any law, ordinance, regulation or private agreement, this section shall control. Where there are restrictions by any law, ordinance, regulation or private agreement greater than those imposed by this section, such greater restrictions shall control. All uses presently permitted in the zoning districts within the Town of Manchester that also fall within the FPO Zones shall continue to be permitted uses for these districts, except where otherwise restricted by this section.
L. 
Appeals. Appeals for variances to the requirements of this section shall be based upon Section 80.6 (formerly Section 1910.6)[1] of the National Flood Insurance Program Regulations. Any applicant to whom a variance is granted shall be given written notice that the structure will be permitted to be built with a lowest floor elevation below the base flood elevation and that the cost of flood insurance will be commensurate with the increased risk resulting from the reduced lowest floor elevation.
[1]
Editor's Note: So in original.
M. 
Degree of protection. The degree of flood protection required by this chapter is considered reasonable for regulatory purposes and is based on scientific and engineering considerations. Larger floods can and will occur on rare occasions. Flood heights may be increased by person-made or natural causes. This chapter does not imply that land outside the area of special flood hazards or uses permitted within such areas will be free from flooding or flood damages. This chapter shall not create liability on the part of the Town of Manchester, any officer or employee thereof or the Federal Insurance Administration for any flood damages that result from reliance on this section or any administrative decision lawfully made thereunder.
The purpose of the Route 96 Corridor Overlay District (COD) is to manage access to property along Route 96 in a manner that preserves the safety, efficiency, development potential, and character of the highway corridor and the individual communities along it. Specific purposes are as follows:
A. 
To protect the safety of motorists traveling Route 96 and its crossroad intersections and preserve the efficiency of traffic flow along the corridor;
B. 
To protect the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists and provide for pedestrian facilities in appropriate locations;
C. 
To encourage development on the corridor that is compatible with or does not detract from the traditional character of the villages and the rural character of the towns along the corridor;
D. 
To preserve and enhance development options along the corridor and to promote development of unified access and circulation systems that serve more than one property;
E. 
To ensure that driveways and street connections along Route 96 are designed according to standards for safe entry and exit and are adequately spaced; and
F. 
To promote cooperative planning and coordination between area property owners and the many agencies that have an interest in the Route 96 corridor, including, but not limited to, Ontario and Seneca Counties, the various towns and villages, and the New York State Department of Transportation (NYS DOT).
A. 
The COD shall apply to all parcels within 500 feet of the centerline on Route 96 within the Town limits.
B. 
These regulations shall be in addition to all other existing regulations of the Town. Persons with property divided by the COD or that do not have frontage but request an access connection in the COD area must comply with the district standards. This district does not change the zoned use of property. Permitted, conditional, or specially permitted uses in the overlay district shall be as provided for in the existing underlying zoning districts.
C. 
Connections permitted prior to the adoption of the COD shall be allowed to remain and will be considered legal and conforming until such time as there is a significant change in the use of the property (including the development of land, structures or facilities) that results in any increase in the trip generation of the property. If the principal activity on a parcel with access connections that do not meet the regulations herein is discontinued or out of service for a period of one year or more, then that parcel must comply with all applicable access requirements of this overlay district.
D. 
Where the requirements of this article conflict with the requirements of § 325-51.5, the more stringent requirement shall apply.
All site plans shall include the location and dimensions of streets, driveways, turn lanes, access drives, inter-parcel connections, bicycle and pedestrian access, parking areas, landscaped areas and other relevant information. Site plans should include access connection locations and spacing within 500 feet of the subject property on both sides of the roadway.
Access to Route 96 shall be provided by direct or indirect means, consistent with the following requirements:
A. 
Number of access points. Each tract of land recorded prior to effective date shall be permitted one point of direct or indirect access to the public roadway system, provided that such access conforms to the minimum driveway spacing and corner clearance requirements the COD. Where the roadway frontage of a tract of land is greater than 500 feet, an additional access point may be permitted, if it is determined in consultation with NYS DOT that such access will not be detrimental to highway safety, capacity, or function. Any such additional access shall comply with all applicable sections of this law. Individual property access shall not be provided to NYS Highway System where alternative access is available. Where multiple parcels are developed as a single project, such as a shopping center or similar use, they shall be treated as a single parcel for the purposes of determining the permitted number of access points.
B. 
Minimum driveway spacing.
1) 
Minimum driveway spacing is to be measured from the closest edge of the driveway to the closest edge of the nearest driveway (see Figure 31-1). All direct access connections to Route 96 shall meet or exceed the minimum connection spacing requirements, excluding single-family residences, listed in Table 31-1 below:
Table 31-1: Minimum Driveway Spacing
Speed Limit
Spacing
(feet)
35 mph or less
125
36 to 44 mph
250
45 mph or greater
500
2) 
There are no minimum driveway spacing requirements for the development of four or fewer single-family dwelling within the COD. However, the access drive or local street that serves a development of five or more single-family residences must meet these standards.
3) 
Where the existing configuration of properties and driveways in the vicinity of a parcel or site precludes spacing of an access point in accordance with those listed above, the Code Enforcement Officer, in consultation with NYS DOT, may waive the spacing requirement if all of the following conditions have been met:
i. 
A joint use driveway will be established to serve two or more abutting building sites;
ii. 
The building site is designed to provide cross access and unified circulation with abutting sites with cross access easements; and
iii. 
The property owner signs an agreement to close any pre-existing curb cuts that do not meet the requirements of the COD after the construction of both sides of the joint use driveway and agrees to enter a joint maintenance agreement defining maintenance responsibilities of property owners that share the joint use driveway and cross access system.
4) 
In the event that the characteristics or layout of abutting properties would make development of a unified or shared access and circulation system impractical, the Planning Board may modify or waive these requirements during site plan review.
C. 
Joint and cross access.
1) 
Adjacent commercial or office properties and compatible major traffic generators (i.e., shopping plazas, office parks, apartments, etc.) shall provide a cross access drive and pedestrian accessway to allow circulation between sites (see Figure 31-2). This requirement shall also apply to a new building site that abuts an existing developed property unless the Planning Board finds during site plan review that this would be clearly impractical. Property owners shall record a cross access easement and a joint maintenance agreement with the public records office.
2) 
Property owners that provide for joint and cross access may be granted a temporary driveway connection permit, where necessary, to provide reasonable access until such time as the joint use driveway and cross access drives are provided with adjacent properties. All necessary easements and agreements shall be recorded with the deed to the property, including:
i. 
An easement allowing cross access to and from the adjacent properties;
ii. 
An agreement to close and eliminate any pre-existing driveways provided for access in the interim after construction of the joint-use driveway; and
iii. 
A joint maintenance agreement defining the maintenance responsibility of each property owner that shares the joint use driveway and cross access system.
D. 
Minimum corner clearance. Minimum corner clearance is to be measured along the road from the closest edge of the right-of-way of the intersecting road to the closest edge of the proposed driveway (see Figure 31-1). At signalized intersections, corner clearances in excess of the minimum dimensions of Table 31-2 may be required, in consultation with NYS DOT.
Table 31-2: Minimum Corner Clearance
Intersection
Corner Clearance
(feet)
Driveways connecting to state highways
220
Side streets connecting to state highways
110
E. 
Outparcels. An outparcel can be described as a parcel of land, generally located on the perimeter of a larger parcel of land that is subordinate to the larger parcel for access, parking and drainage purposes. All access to outparcels shall be internalized utilizing the main access drive of the principal commercial center (see Figure 31-3). Access to the outparcel shall be as direct as possible, avoiding excessive movement across the parking aisles and queuing across surrounding parking and driving aisles. In no instance shall the circulation and access of the principal commercial facility and its parking and service be impaired.
F. 
New residential subdivisions. New residential subdivisions consisting of more than five units without direct access to Route 96 shall include an internal street layout that shall connect to the streets of surrounding developments to accommodate travel demand between adjacent neighborhoods without the necessity of using the highway.
G. 
Shared access and reverse frontage. Inter-parcel connections shall be provided to facilitate the local movement of traffic and minimize demand for local trips on the highway. Based on consultation with the NYS DOT, inter-parcel access may take the form of direct driveway connections or reverse frontage roads.
H. 
Pedestrian access. On-site pedestrian walkways shall be incorporated into each project and shall be coordinated with on-site landscaping so as to minimize conflicts with vehicular traffic. Pedestrian circulation systems shall be provided to connect multiple uses within individual projects and shall be extended to adjacent parcels where inter-parcel vehicular access is required. Where pedestrian access crosses an access drive (such as crossing from a parking aisle to a building entrance), crosswalk improvements shall be required. In the event that a public sidewalk is adjacent to the property, the pedestrian circulation system shall connect to the existing sidewalk system.
A. 
Driveway connections shall be located and designed to provide adequate sight distance. NYS DOT standards for sight distance shall apply.
B. 
The NYS DOT, in coordination with the municipality, may require turn lanes where deemed necessary due to traffic volumes or where a safety or operational problem exists. The design of left turn and right-turn lanes shall conform to NYS DOT design standards.
C. 
Construction of driveways along turn lanes and tapers is prohibited unless no other access to the property is available.
D. 
Driveways with more than one entry and one exit lane shall incorporate channelization features to separate the entry and exit sides of the driveway. Double yellow lines may be considered instead of medians, where truck off-tracking is a problem.
E. 
Driveways shall be designed with adequate on-site storage for entering and exiting vehicles to reduce unsafe conflicts with through traffic or on-site traffic and to avoid congestion at the entrance.
F. 
Guidelines for driveway throat length are provided in Table 31-3 below.
Table 31-3: Driveway Throat Length
Use
Drive Length
(feet)
Developments over 200,000 square feet
125
Developments under 200,000 square feet
With signalized access drive
75 to 95
With no signal at the access drive
40 to 60
Residential subdivisions of 5 or more units
40 to 60
A. 
Figure 31-1. Corner clearance and driveway spacing.
325 Figure 31-1.tif
B. 
Figure 31-2. Cross access stub outs.
325 Figure 31-2.tif
C. 
Figure 31-3. Internalized access to outparcels.
325 Figure 31-3.tif