[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township
of Coolbaugh 5-5-1980 by Ord. No. 57 (Ch. 21, Part 2, of the
1999 Code of Ordinances). Amendments noted where applicable.]
The Coolbaugh Township Board of Supervisors find that it is
in the public interest to regulate the design, location and construction
of access driveways in such a manner so as to facilitate the safe
and unobstructed movement of vehicular traffic on Township roadways.
[Amended by Ord. No. 10-3-1996B]
The following words and phrases when used in these regulations
shall, for the purpose of these regulations, have the following meanings,
respectively, except in those instances where the context clearly
indicates a different meaning:
Any means for passage of vehicles between property abutting
on a Township road and the road. It shall be deemed to include only
that part of the driveway that lies within the established right-of-way
limits of the Township road. It will also include such drainage structures
as may be necessary for the proper construction and maintenance thereof.
The distance, at an intersection of two roadways between
the near edge of the access driveway approach and the point of intersection
of the pavement edges or the curbline extended.
That section of the roadway right-of-way between the pavement
edge or curb and the property line, which occurs between driveways.
The placement of a hard, homogenous surface, stabilized with
bituminous material, portland cement concrete or other similar material.
The edge of the main traveled portion of any street or roadway,
exclusive of shoulder or berm.
Plain or reinforced concrete, bituminous concrete or macadam
of required thickness.
Any natural person, firm, copartnership, association or corporation.
The distance measured along the pavement edge or curb between
the property frontage boundary line and the near edge of the driveway.
Any public way generally not less than eight feet or more
than 20 feet in width, located within a built-up area, which affords
access to the side or rear of buildings in such block.
That section of curb forming an arc beginning at end of driveway
and continuing to throat of driveway.
The lateral distance between the right-of-way line and the
roadside business building, liquid fuel pump island, display stand
or other object, the use of which will result in space for vehicles
to stop or park between such facilities and the right-of-way line.
The intersection of the shoulder slope with the side slope
or ditch slope.
A permanent hard paved walkway, continuous for a reasonable
distance and integral part of the roadway development, solely for
use of pedestrians.
Any aggregate such as gravel, stone, slag or mixtures of
such aggregates with soil, placed in such a manner as to provide a
smooth, stable, all-weather surface not subject to undue raveling.
All roads taken over by Coolbaugh Township as Township roads.
Any device in, upon or by which any person or property is
or may be transported or drawn upon a public roadway.
[Amended by Ord. No. 10-3-1996B]
A.
These regulations shall apply to all access driveways that enter
Township roadways.
B.
Any person desiring to construct, lay out, reconstruct, pave and/or
repave such driveway shall make application to the Township for approval
of the location, design and construction procedure for such work,
and for permission to proceed.
A.
All driveways shall be located, designed and constructed in such
a manner as not to interfere or be inconsistent with the design, maintenance
and drainage of the Township road.
B.
Access driveways should be located in such manner that they will
not cause the following: interference to the traveling public; a hazard
to the free movement of normal traffic; areas of undue traffic congestion
on the roadway. In accordance with this principle, driveways should
be located where the roadway alignment and profile are favorable;
i.e., where there are no sharp curves, or steep grades, and where
sight distance in conjunction with the driveway access would be adequate
for safe traffic operation.
C.
Access driveways should not be located at intersections or locations
that would interfere with the placement and proper functioning of
roadway signs, signals, detectors, lighting or other devices that
affect traffic control. The location of a driveway near a signalized
intersection that has an actuated traffic signal may include a requirement
that the permittee provide (without expense to the Township) additional
detectors for the control of traffic movement from his establishment
or for relocation of existing detectors.
D.
Where roadway curbs exist, driveway approaches shall be installed
1 1/2 inches above the adjacent roadway or gutter grade to maintain
the proper drainage.
The permissible number, arrangement and width of driveways shall
be governed in part by the roadway frontage of abutting private property.
The number of driveways permitted shall be the minimum number required
to serve adequately the needs of the abutting property. Frontages
of 80 feet or less shall be limited to one driveway. Normally not
more than two driveways need to be provided to any single property
tract or business establishment. Exception may be made where the frontage
exceeds 500 feet in length. In such instances, requests for additional
driveways shall require prior approval from the Township Office.
A.
The location and angle of an access driveway approach in relation
to the roadway intersection shall be such that a vehicle:
B.
Where the access driveway approach and roadway pavement meet, flaring
of the approach may be necessary to allow safe, easy turning of the
vehicle when entering or departing from the driveway.
C.
No part of any access driveway shall be constructed outside of the
applicant's frontage.
D.
Each roadside business establishment shall provide sufficient parking
or storage space off the right-of-way to prevent the storage of vehicles
on the driveway or the backing up of traffic on the traveled roadway.
E.
No part of the roadway right-of-way shall be used for servicing of
vehicles, displays or conducting a private business. The area between
the edge of the pavement and the right-of-way line shall be kept clear
of all buildings, sales exhibits, business signs, parking areas, service
equipment, etc.
F.
Improvements on private property adjacent to the right-of-way shall
be so located that parking, stopping and maneuvering of vehicles on
the right-of-way will not be necessary in order for vehicles or patrons
to be served properly. For example, liquid fuel pump islands installed
in service stations adjacent to the roadway shall be located not less
than 12 feet outside of the right-of-way line, when a driveway is
established and the permit is issued. A greater distance is recommended
to provide sufficient space for large vehicles.
A.
Angle of access driveway approach.
(2)
Single-access driveway approaches shall be positioned at right angles
(90°) to the roadway or as near thereto as site conditions permit.
When two access driveways are constructed on the same property frontage
and used for one-way operation, each of these driveways may be placed
at an angle less than a right angle, but not less than 45° to
the roadway.
C.
Property line clearance. No access driveway shall be located within
10 feet of the property frontage boundary line, except in those cases
where an access driveway is common to two adjacent properties.
D.
Setback.
(1)
Recommended control dimensions.
(a)
Fuel pump islands: 12 feet minimum outside the right-of-way
line.
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(2)
It is recommended that all liquid fuel service stations, business
establishments and other roadside developments other than private
residences shall be located a sufficient distance from the right-of-way
line as to provide ample driving area and parking off the right-of-way,
prevent storage of vehicles on the access driveways and the backing
up and turning of vehicles on the highway pavement.
E.
Width of access driveway approaches.
(2)
The width of access driveways shall not exceed the above dimensions
when measured at right angles to the center line of the driveway.
Where a commercial access driveway approach and the highway pavement
meet, flaring of the driveway shall be required to allow safe and
easy turning of the vehicle either into or out of a commercial development.
Service station driveways shall not have a flared width greater than
65 feet.
F.
Sight distance. Access driveways shall be located at a point of optimum
sight distance along the roadway within the property frontage limits.
The profile of the driveway and the grading of the right-of-way area
shall provide a maximum sight distance so that the operator of a vehicle
departing from such a driveway will have optimum visibility in either
direction along the roadway. Where adequate sight distances cannot
be attained, the location of the driveway will be at the discretion
of the Township Engineer.
G.
Slope of access driveway.
(1)
All driveways shall be constructed in such a manner as not to impair
drainage within the roadway right-of-way, alter the stability of the
roadway subgrade or materially change the drainage of adjacent areas.
Where open shoulders or berms exist, the grade of a paved access driveway(s)
shall slope away from the highway pavement at the same rate as the
existing shoulder (unless advised to the contrary by the Township
Engineer) for the prevailing width of the shoulder. The gradient of
a driveway beyond this point (within the roadway right-of-way) shall
not be less than 1/2 inch per foot.
(2)
Where a drainage ditch or swale exists, adequate pipe shall be installed
under the driveway (by the permittee) in accordance with Township
specifications. Minimum diameter of such drainage pipe shall be 15
inches unless otherwise specified by the Township Engineer. Under
no circumstances shall the diameter of such drainage pipe be less
than 12 inches.
H.
Access driveway pavement. Access driveways shall be appropriately
surfaced between the traveled road and the business or service area
with a stabilized material or a higher material when specified by
the Township Engineer.
I.
Deceleration and acceleration lanes.
(1)
The shoulder or berm area leading to the entrance driveway of a business
establishment or other roadside developments may be paved for a suitable
distance, to permit vehicles to decelerate or accelerate in safety
when entering or leaving the property. Such paving shall be limited
to the area in front of the abutting property and shall be done by
the property owner, at his expense, in accordance with Township and/or
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation specifications.
(2)
Special attention will be given to permit requests for the construction
of access driveways to large business establishments, shopping centers,
outdoor theaters, etc., particularly when the volume of traffic generated
may necessitate acceleration and deceleration lanes, standby lanes,
"jug handles," channelization, etc. In all such cases, the permittee
will be advised that costs incident to the construction of such additional
roadway improvements shall be at no expense to the Township. Such
work shall be constructed under the supervision and inspection of
the Township.
All driveways, adjacent areas and areas between such driveways
including channelization, paving, drainage, etc., installed by the
permittee shall be maintained by the property owner in such a manner
as not to interfere or be inconsistent with the design, maintenance
and drainage of the Township roadway or the safe and convenient passage
of traffic upon the Township roadway. The term "adjacent area" shall
apply only to that area within the permittee's property or property
line extended.
A.
Work authorized by a Township occupancy permit for construction of
an access driveway shall be performed at such time and in such manner
as to conform to all requirements and standards specified therein.
Such work will be inspected by a representative of the Township immediately
upon receipt of the completion notice from the permittee or at the
date of expiration of the permit.
B.
If an inspection of the work discloses that it is not being or has
not been properly performed, the permittee will be notified, in writing,
by the Township to take immediate steps, at his own expense, toward
placing the work in such condition as to conform to said requirements
and standards. Proper distribution of the completion report to be
made immediately following the inspection.
[Amended 2-16-1999 by Ord. No. 97]
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision
of this chapter, upon conviction thereof in an action brought before
a Magisterial District Judge in the manner provided for the enforcement
of summary offenses under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure,
shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $1,000 plus costs
and, in default of payment of said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment
not to exceed 90 days. Each day that a violation of this chapter continues
or each section of this chapter which shall be found to have been
violated shall constitute a separate offense.
Fees shall be established by resolution of the Board of Supervisors
of Coolbaugh Township and may be changed as necessary by resolution
of the said Board.
