A.
General standards. The arrangement, character, extent, width, grade, and location of all-streets shall conform to the Official Map and to the Township Comprehensive Plan, if one has been adopted, and shall be considered in their relation to existing and planned streets, to topographical conditions, to public convenience and safety, and in the appropriate relation to the proposed uses of the land to be served by such streets. Where not shown on the Official Map or Township Comprehensive Plan, the arrangement and other design standards of streets shall conform to the provisions found herein.
(1)
The arrangement of streets in new developments shall make provisions for the continuation of existing streets in adjoining areas.
(2)
Where adjoining areas are not developed, the arrangement of streets in new developments shall make provisions for the proper projection of streets.
(3)
When a new development adjoins undeveloped land appropriate for development, then the new streets shall be platted and constructed to the boundaries of the tract to be developed and accordingly offered for dedication.
(4)
Whenever any subdivision or land development adjoins, abuts, fronts, or is connected to any state route or federal highway, it shall conform to the regulations of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation at 67 Pa. Code Chapter 441, Access to and Occupancy of Highways by Driveways and Local Roads.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
B.
Alleys. Alleys shall be prohibited.
[Amended 7-12-1994 by Ord. No. 1994-2]
C.
Intersections. Intersections involving the junction of more than two streets are prohibited. Right angle intersections must be used wherever possible; however, in no case shall streets intersect at an angle of less than 75°.
D.
Intersection curve radii.
(1)
At intersections of streets, the curb or edge of pavement radii shall not be less than the following:
Intersection | Minimum Simple Curve Radii of Curb or Edge of Pavement (Feet) |
|---|---|
Collector with collector street | 35 |
Collector with minor street | 25 |
Minor street with minor street | 15 |
(2)
Radius corners or diagonal cutoffs must be provided on the property lines substantially concentric with or parallel to the chord of the curb radius corners.
E.
Intersection sight distance. Proper sight lines must be maintained at all intersections.
(1)
Where intersections occur between proposed new streets within a new development, there must be a clear sight triangle of 75 feet based on the measurement along the center line of the streets four feet above the center line. No building or obstruction shall be permitted in this area.
(2)
Where intersections occur between proposed new driveways and/or streets providing access to separate parcels of land to state highways and/or Township roads, there shall be a clear sight distance in accordance with the requirements of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
[Amended 5-10-1993 by Ord. No. 1993-2]
F.
Streets not in alignment. If streets are not in alignment, the distances between the center lines of streets opening on opposite sides of an existing or proposed street shall be no less than on 125 feet.
G.
Sight distance. Sight distance must be provided with respect to both horizontal and vertical alignment as measured along the center line of the streets, and shall be in accordance with Figures 1 and 2 of Article VII, Driveway Regulations), of this chapter.[1]
[Amended 5-10-1993 by Ord. No. 1993-2]
[1]
Editor's Note: Said Figures are included as attachments to this chapter.
H.
Curves.
(1)
Where connecting street lines deflect from each other at any one point by more than 5°, the line must be connected with a true, circular curve. The minimum radius of the center line for the curve must be as follows:
[Amended 5-10-1993 by Ord. No. 1993-2]
Type of Street | Minimum Radius (Feet) |
|---|---|
Collector | 300 |
Minor | 150 |
(2)
Straight portions of the street must be tangent to the beginning or end of curves. Except for minor streets there must be a tangent of at least 100 feet between reverse curves.
I.
Street widths.
(1)
Minimum street right-of-way and cartway widths shall be as follows:
[Amended 5-10-1993 by Ord. No. 1993-2; 7-12-1994 by Ord. No. 1994-2]
Street Right-of-Way and Cartway Widths | |
|---|---|
Street Type | Width |
Arterial streets | As specified by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation |
Collector streets | |
Right-of-way | 60 feet |
*Shoulders | 2 at 6 feet each; 12 feet |
Cartway | 24 feet |
Total: 36 feet | |
Minor streets | |
Right-of-way | 50 feet |
*Shoulders | 2 at 4 feet each; 8 feet |
Cartway | 24 feet |
Total: 32 feet | |
Cul-de-sac turnaround (diameter) | |
Right-of-way | 120 feet |
Cartway | 80 feet |
*Shoulders | Extend 4 feet from edge of cartway |
Total: 88 feet paved diameter | |
NOTES: | |
|---|---|
On all streets with curbing (except cul-de-sac turnarounds) the widths above set forth shall be increased by four feet (two feet on each side). | |
* | Shoulder areas on all streets shall be constructed with full depth cartway pavement. Shoulders shall be defined by the placement of a tape or painted line in accordance with specifications to mark the edge of the cartway. |
(2)
Provision for additional street width (cartway and right-of-way) may be required when determined to be necessary by the Township in specific cases for:
J.
Culs-de-sac or dead-end streets.
[Amended 5-10-1993 by Ord. No. 1993-2]
(1)
Culs-de-sac or dead-end streets, designed to be so permanently, shall not be less than 250 feet in length and shall not exceed 800 feet in length. The length shall be determined along the cul-de-sac from the center line of the intersecting street to the center of the turnaround of the cul-de-sac.
(2)
Cul-de-sac or dead-end streets shall be provided with a turnaround with minimum dimensions for right-of-way and cartway widths as indicated in § 295-401I(1).
[Amended 7-12-1994 by Ord. No. 1994-2]
(3)
Culs-de-sac or dead-end streets shall serve no more than 16 dwelling units.
(4)
There shall be no more than three driveways off the circular turnaround. Any lots designed with frontage with both the circular turnaround and the street leading into it shall be allowed driveway access only to the street portion of the frontage and not to the circular turnaround. A notation should be made on the plan regarding any such lots, and driveway locations shall be shown on the plan drawing for any such lots.
K.
Street grades.
(1)
The grades of streets shall not be less than the minimum or more than the maximum requirements listed below:
Type of Street | Minimum Grade | Maximum Grade |
|---|---|---|
Arterial streets | 0.5% | (As determined by Township after consultation with the PA Department of Transportation) |
Collector streets | 0.5% | 8% |
Minor streets | 0.5% | 12% |
Alleys | 0.5% | 12% |
(2)
On minor streets and alleys, grades greater than 10% shall be not more than 400 feet in length.
Vertical curves shall be used in changes of grade exceeding 1%, and shall be designed for maximum visibility. Intersections shall be approached on all sides by leveling areas. Where the grade exceeds 7%, such leveling areas shall have a minimum length of 60 feet (measured from the intersection of the center line) within which no grade shall exceed a minimum of 4%. |
(3)
The slope of the crown on all street shall be 1/4 inch per foot. Shoulders shall have a slope of 1/2 inch per foot.
[Added 5-10-1993 by Ord. No. 1993-2]
(4)
All street curve superelevation shall conform to PennDOT Guidelines for Design of Local Roads and Streets, Publication 70, as revised.
[Added 5-10-1993 by Ord. No. 1993-2]
L.
Slopes of banks along streets. The slope of banks along streets measured perpendicular to the street center line shall be no steeper than the following:
M.
Partial and half-streets. The dedication of half-streets at the perimeter of a new development is prohibited.
N.
Names of streets. Names of new streets shall not duplicate existing or platted street names, or approximate such names by the use of suffixes such as "land," "way," "drive," "court," or "avenue." In approving the names of streets, cognizance may be given to existing or platted street names within the postal delivery district served by the local post office. New streets shall bear the same name or number of any continuation or alignment with an existing or platted street.
O.
Private versus Township road.
(1)
A road may be maintained as a private roadway only for up to three lots. In the event more than three lots, including existing lots, are proposed in a subdivision, which dwelling sites are to be serviced by one road, the said road servicing the proposed sites must be approved, dedicated, and ordained as a Township Road. In any event, the right-of-way for a private road, shall be at least 50 feet wide, with, in the case of a dead-end condition, an approved turnaround. Should this private road be desired to become a public road at a future time, the road must meet all Township design and construction standards applicable at that future time.
[Amended 7-12-1994 by Ord. No. 1994-2]
(2)
Private roads as the sole means of access to and from a subdivision or land development to and from the public right-of-way are discouraged. Any application involving such a private road shall be approved only at the discretion of the Township, and not as a matter of right on the part of the applicant. Private roads for land developments involving multifamily dwellings or nonresidential uses shall not be permitted. For subdivisions containing three lots or fewer existing as of the date of this chapter, private streets may be permitted for access to and from said lots to and from the public right-of-way, provided that only one such three-lot subdivision shall be permitted for any parcel of land existing as of the date of this chapter, and provided that the following requirements are met:
(a)
All subdivision plans approved by the Township under the provisions of this section shall include the following note and shall be subject to the conditions and restrictions specified therein:
[Amended 7-12-1994 by Ord. No. 1994-2]
RESTRICTIONS AND/OR CONDITIONS RELATING TO PRIVATE ROADS |
The following conditions and/or restrictions shall be deemed to be covenants running with the land: |
[1]
Private rights-of-way shown on this plan shall remain private roads and are not being offered for dedication to Southampton Township as public roads.
[2]
Private right-of-way _____ is for the common and joint use of lots _____, for ingress, egress, regress and utility locations. The owners of lots _____, their heirs and assigns, shall be equally responsible for construction, maintenance, repair and snow removal of said private road.
[3]
The owners of lots _____, their heirs and assigns, are prohibited from creating any right or license to any adjoining landowner to use the private right-of-way for ingress, egress and regress or utility location or for any other purpose whatsoever.
[4]
Legal title to the right-of-way shall be conveyed, by separate legal description, to the owner of lot _____, subject to the joint maintenance responsibilities set forth in Note [2] hereof. All future deeds of conveyance shall describe both parcels separately and contain a reference to the limitation of use of the private right-of-way as set forth in these notes.
[5]
Southampton Township shall have no duty, responsibility or liability relative to construction, maintenance, repair or snow removal of said private road.
[6]
No further subdivision of lots _____ shall be permitted unless or until the private road has been constructed and improved so as to comport in all respects with the then-prevailing Southampton Township specifications, has been properly offered for dedication to the Township by the then owner thereof, and has been accepted by the Township as a public road of the Township. In such event, the road shall become a public road of Southampton Township and the conditions and restrictions set forth above shall become null and void.
[7]
Private rights-of-way servicing lots _____ shall not be used for ingress, egress and regress or utility location by any lot other than lot _____. Deeds of conveyance for all other lots in the subdivision shall specifically state this restriction prohibiting any use of the private rights-of-way for any purpose by the owners of such lots, their heirs and assigns, while the same shall remain a private road.
(b)
There must be full compliance with all other applicable subdivision requirements of this chapter.
(c)
All private roads must have a minimum right-of-way width of 50 feet. In addition, the following specifications must be met by the owner or developer:
[Amended 7-12-1994 by Ord. No. 1994-2]
[1]
The center of the private road must be placed on the center of the 50 feet right-of-way.
[2]
The cartway of the private road must be at least 18 feet wide.
[3]
When a private road enters a state or Township road, the entrance of said private road shall be improved, as per the specifications for public street pavement contained herein, for a distance of 45 feet from the center line of said state or Township Road.
[4]
When serving more than one lot, a minimum of six inches shale and two inches 2-A stone, 18 feet wide, shall be required for the entire length of the private road.
[5]
Dead-end private roads are prohibited, unless constructed as culs-de-sac, with a turnaround having a minimum 120 feet diameter right-of-way.
[6]
All private roads shall be geometrically designed to meet the requirements of minor streets in this chapter.
(d)
Dedications. Whenever an applicant proposes to establish a private road in accordance with the provisions of this subsection (private roads), he shall be required to execute, acknowledge and deliver unto the Township a private road agreement to be prepared at the applicant's expense by the Township Solicitor. Upon the approval, execution, attestation and acknowledgement of such private road agreement by the Southampton Township Board of Supervisors, such agreement shall be recorded, at the applicant's expense, together with the subdivision or land development plat. Such private road agreement shall establish the conditions under which the private road may later be offered for dedication to the Township, and shall stipulate, among other things:
(e)
That the private road will be in good state of repair and constructed in conformity with all applicable Township road specifications and requirements as of the date of the proposed dedication;
(f)
That an offer to dedicate the private road will be made only for the private road as a whole;
(g)
That agreement to offer the private road for dedication unto the Township by the owners or purchasers of 60% of the lots depicted in the subdivision or land development plat shall be binding upon all owners of the remaining lots;
(h)
That the applicant acknowledges and agrees that the Township shall not be obligated or required, under any circumstances, to accept a dedication of the private road unto the Township as a Township road; and
(i)
That the terms and conditions of the private road agreement shall bind the applicant, and the applicant's heirs, personal representatives, successors, and assigns, and shall constitute and be deemed to be a covenant running with the land.
P.
Driveways. All land development plans and preliminary and final subdivision plans shall clearly indicate the location of all proposed driveways for each lot proposed. The sight distance in both directions shall be indicated for each driveway.
[Amended 5-10-1993 by Ord. No. 1993-2]
Q.
Speed limits, traffic control and signage. All subdivision and land development plans proposing to construct and dedicate new public streets to the Township shall indicate the proposed posted speed limit for each street on the final plat. The developer shall also be responsible for the purchase and installation of all necessary "stop" signs, "one-way" signs or other traffic control signs and/or pavement markings on all new streets and on existing streets or roadways where changes are necessary due to the proposed development. All such signs and pavement markings shall be shown on the final plat. Either permanent or temporary "stop" signs shall be installed at street intersections as soon as the road surface is improved to a mud-free conditions. When deemed appropriate by the Township, the developer shall engage a qualified traffic consultant to prepare necessary analyses and reports supporting signage locations and proposed speed limits.
[Amended 7-12-1994 by Ord. No. 1994-2]