The purpose of this section is to establish criteria, standards
and a policy for access management and traffic impact analyses that
will serve to promote public safety and lessen traffic congestion.
The intent of this section is to minimize and control the number
of curb cuts and access points serving commercial, industrial and
multiple-family developments along all state highways and town roads
and to improve upon the impact that such development has on traffic
patterns and circulation.
These regulations are applicable to:
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(a)
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All new commercial, industrial and multiple-family buildings
erected;
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(b)
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All existing commercial, industrial and multiple-family buildings
which are enlarged to an extent cumulatively exceeding 20% of the
floor area which existed on June 15, 1972;
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(c)
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All commercial, industrial and multiple-family buildings erected
after June 15, 1972, and subsequently enlarged; and
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(d)
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All commercial, industrial and multiple-family premises where
the use is changed.
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All lots shall incorporate the following site design and access
management criteria:
8.02.310 Vehicle access to a lot and
circulation thereon shall be arranged in such a manner so as to provide
safe and convenient circulation upon the lot, to safeguard against
hazards to traffic, property and pedestrians, and to avoid congestion
on the street and upon the lot.
8.02.311 Vehicular access to any commercial
or industrial lot situated in or bordered by a residential district
shall avoid traffic use of local residential streets whenever a reasonable
alternative is available.
8.02.312 Where a lot has frontage on two or more streets,
access shall be provided to the street where the potential for traffic
congestion and hazards to traffic and pedestrians is less.
8.02.313 Site improvements shall be designed to provide
sufficient capacity for all vehicular and pedestrian activity upon
the lot, including parking, loading and unloading of vehicles. Queuing
of vehicles on any street is prohibited.
8.02.314 Access management methods, including the provision
of common driveways or common access ways between adjoining lots shall
be provided upon all lots having access or frontage along arterial
and collector roadways. Provisions for immediate or future driveway
connections to adjoining lots of similar existing or potential uses
shall be made when such driveway connections will facilitate efficient
emergency response and/or when such connections will enable the public
to travel between lots without the need to travel upon a street. The
property owners' right to use and the obligation to maintain
common driveways shall be assured by a written dedication and/or agreement
to be recorded in the Newtown land records.
8.02.315 Certain drawings and bulletins shall be used
as a guide in the design and location of driveways on Connecticut
Routes 25 and 6. The traffic management reports are entitled "Bethel-Danbury-Newtown
Route 6 Traffic and Curb Cut Management Plan, HVCEO Bulletin #73,
dated 1993," "Newtown Route 25 Access Management Study, HVCEO Bulletin
#85 dated November 1995" and the "Interstate 84 Exit 9 Hawleyville
Transportation and Development Study, HVCEO Bulletin #94, dated August
1997." Such Bulletins are available in the Planning and Zoning Commission
office for the particular site in question.
8.02.316 Where the lot has frontage on an existing
street, proper provision shall be made for grading and improvement
of shoulders and sidewalk areas within the right-of-way of the street
and for provision of curbs and sidewalks as approved by the Commission
and in accordance with the pattern of development along the street.
Where necessary to provide for suitable access or for a system of
neighborhood circulation streets, provision shall also be made for
appropriate continuation and improvement of street terminating at
the property where the use is to be located.
8.02.317 Owners of contiguous lots are encouraged to consolidate their lots for the purpose of development. This provision will reduce side yard building setbacks and may reduce the amount of parking spaces required in exchange for fewer access driveways. (See Article
VIII, Section 3.)