A. 
Street design and construction plans shall be designed and prepared by a professional engineer registered in the State of Maine. No construction will be permitted until the Planning Board has approved the plans. No lot in a subdivision may be sold, leased or otherwise conveyed before the street upon which the lot fronts is completed in accordance with these standards up to and including that lot. New streets may be required to reduce new driveway entrances onto highways or principal thoroughfares. (See § 121-15J.) See § 121-7H regarding acceptance of new roads and maintenance of stormwater management infrastructure. Maintenance of stormwater management facilities that are not accepted by the Town are the responsibility of the developer or homeowners’ association and are subject to annual certification per Chapter 108 of the Town’s Code.
[Amended 6-15-2009]
B. 
In addition to information described in §§ 121-31 and 121-36 above, subdivision plans which propose new streets shall include the following data:
(1) 
The beginning and ending points with relation to accepted town ways and any planned or anticipated future extensions of the streets proposed for acceptance. (All terminal points and the center-line alignment shall be identified by survey stationing.)
(2) 
The kind, size, location, profile and cross section of all existing and proposed drainage structures and their location with respect to the existing natural waterways and/or watercourses.
(3) 
Complete curve data for all horizontal and vertical curves.
(4) 
The turning radii at all intersections.
(5) 
All center-line gradients.
(6) 
The limits and location of all proposed sidewalks and curbing.
C. 
The design of streets shall provide for proper continuation of streets from adjacent subdivisions and built-up areas and proper projection of streets into adjacent unsubdivided and open land.
D. 
The Comprehensive Plan of the municipality shall serve as a guide in determining the proper distribution of pavement widths, shoulders and sidewalks within proposed rights-of-way.
E. 
The center line of the street shall be the center line of the right-of-way, except where the Planning Board approves an alternative design.
F. 
T-intersections formed on opposite sides of the same collector street shall not be closer than 200 feet, center line to center line.
G. 
All streets in the subdivision shall be so designed that, in the opinion of the Board, they will provide safe vehicular travel while discouraging movement of through traffic.
H. 
Dead ends; culs-de-sac; hammerheads.
[Amended 2-26-1990; 4-14-2015]
(1) 
All proposed dead-end streets or culs-de-sac shall not exceed 600 feet in length and shall be provided with a suitable turnaround at the closed end. When a turning circle is used, it shall have a minimum outside curb radius of 65 feet.
(2) 
All culs-de-sac shall be measured from the intersection of the cul-de-sac and the connecting road to the most distal point of the cul-de-sac.
(3) 
No existing dead-end streets or culs-de-sac shall be extended beyond 600 feet if the street will remain a dead end or a cul-de-sac. The street may be reconfigured such that it connects back to itself at a point no less than 300 feet from the current terminus, thus forming a loop, or provides direct connectivity to a second means of egress.
(4) 
A hammerhead turnaround shall be measured from the intersection of the center line of the existing and proposed street to the intersection point of the hammerhead.
I. 
All streets shall be provided with sidewalks wherever practical.
[Amended 1-27-2003; 6-15-2009]
(1) 
A buffer strip of at least five feet between curb and sidewalk may be required by the Planning Board.
(2) 
In the R3, R4, and R5 Zones, connecting recreational trails and/or sidewalks may be required. The Planning Board encourages alternate pedestrian and nonmotorized ways to help preserve South Berwick's rural character.
J. 
That portion of any corner lot which is necessary to allow twenty-five-foot sight lines between intersecting streets shall be cleared of all growth, except isolated trees, and obstructions above the level two feet higher than the center line of the street. If directed, ground shall be excavated to achieve visibility.
K. 
All changes in grade shall be connected by vertical curves of such length and radius as meet with the approval of the Planning Board so that clear visibility shall be provided for distances specified in Subsection N.
[Amended 8-26-1991]
L. 
Street intersections and curves shall be so designed as to permit adequate visibility for both pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
M. 
Street classifications.
[Amended 4-14-2015]
(1) 
Minor local street: A public or private street, serving no more than five residential units or 80 ADT trips, based on any additional nonresidential accessory uses located on the property.
(2) 
Local residential street: Any street which affords direct access to houses and places of business which do not generate significant amounts of traffic. These streets are always to be designed and constructed so as to discourage through traffic of any type.
(3) 
Collector streets: Any street which serves primarily to feed arterial roads and which collects traffic from local residential streets for circulation and access.
(4) 
Arterial street: Any street or major thoroughfare which serves primarily to carry traffic through and/or between towns.
(5) 
Commercial and industrial street: Any street that is used primarily by commercial or industrial traffic as an access route to commercial or industrial buildings and other places of business.
(6) 
The classification of a proposed street shall be made by the Planning Board when such a street is part of an application for a subdivision requiring Planning Board approval. This determination may be made by the Planning Board prior to the formal application, after submission of all information which may be required for that purpose.
N. 
Design standards. The following table provides design standards for the five classifications of streets. All proposed public or private streets shall meet the following standards as found in the Street Design table. When existing roads are pertinent to a subdivision application requiring Planning Board approval, those existing road(s) will also be improved to conform to the standards below. Where the standards cannot be met and upon a showing of undue hardship, the Board of Appeals may grant a variance from the standards of § 121-44N, Design standards.
[Amended 6-15-2009; 4-14-2015]
Description
Type of Street
Minor Local, 5 Units or 80 ADT
Local Residential, 51 to 250 ADT
Collector, 251 to 1,000 ADT
Arterial, >1,000 ADT
Industrial/
Commercial
Minimum right-of-way width
50 feet
50 feet
60 feet
80 feet
80 feet
Minimum pavement/gravel width
16 feet
22 feet
24 feet
28 feet
36 feet
Sidewalk width, one side of the street
N/A
5 feet
5 feet
5 feet
5 feet
Minimum grade
0.5%
0.5%
0.5%
0.5%
0.5%
Maximum grade
8%
6.0%
6.0%
5.0%
5.0%
Minimum center-line radius
N/A
150 feet
230 feet
800 feet
800 feet
Minimum tangent between curves of reverse alignment
N/A
100 feet
200 feet
300 feet
800 feet
Roadway crown
N/A
1/4 inch per foot
1/4 inch per foot
1/4 inch per foot
1/4 inch per foot
Minimum angle of street intersections
N/A
60°
60°
90°
90°
Maximum grade at intersection (within 75 feet of intersections)
N/A
2%
2%
2%
2%
Curb radii at intersection 90°
N/A
15 feet
20 feet
30 feet
30 feet
Minimum property line radii at intersections
N/A
10 feet
10 feet
20 feet
20 feet
Minimum width of shoulders (each side)
2 feet
3 feet
3 feet
3 feet
9 feet
Minimum Safe Sight Distances
Posted Speed Limit
(mph)*
30
35
40
45
50
55
Passenger cars
300 feet
350 feet
400 feet
450 feet
500 feet
550 feet
Single-unit trucks
415 feet
475 feet
540 feet
600 feet
675 feet
750 feet
Tractor-trailers
530 feet
615 feet
700 feet
840 feet
975 feet
1,100 feet
NOTE: Where it is impossible to meet these sight-distance standards due to physical conditions, a maximum variance of 30% may be permitted, in accordance with the waiver provisions in § 121-8. The thirty-percent variance is consistent with the absolute minimum stopping distance requirements on wet pavements established by the Maine Department of Transportation.
*NOTE: Along existing road, where new street is to intersect.
O. 
Monuments.
(1) 
Permanent monuments shall be set as all corners and angle points of the subdivision boundaries and at all street intersections and points of curvature.
(2) 
Monuments shall be stone, shall be located in the ground at final grade level and shall be indicated on the final plan. After they are set, drill holes 1/8 inch deep shall locate the point or points described above.
P. 
Street signs. Streets which join or are in alignment with streets of abutting or neighboring properties shall bear the same name. Names of new streets shall not duplicate nor bear phonetic resemblance to the names of existing streets within the municipalities and shall be subject to the approval of the Board. Street name signs shall be furnished and installed by the subdivider. The type, size and location shall be subject to the approval of the Board.
Q. 
Sidewalks and curbing. Sidewalks and curbing shall meet the minimum requirements below:
(1) 
Bituminous sidewalks.
(a) 
The gravel aggregate subbase course (MDOT 703.06 Type D) shall be not less than 12 inches in thickness.
[Amended 6-15-2009]
(b) 
The crushed aggregate base course (MDOT 703.06 Type A) shall be not less than three inches in thickness.
[Amended 6-15-2009]
(c) 
The hot bituminous pavement surface course shall be not less than two inches in thickness after compaction.
(2) 
Portland cement concrete sidewalks.
[Amended 6-15-2009]
(a) 
The gravel aggregate subbase course (MDOT 703.06 Type D) shall be not less than 12 inches in thickness.
(b) 
The crushed aggregate base course (MDOT 703.06 Type A) shall be not less than three inches in thickness.
(c) 
The Portland cement concrete shall be reinforced with six-inch-square No. 10 wire mesh and shall be not less than four inches in thickness.
(3) 
Curbing. Curbing shall be quarried granite or a suitable substitute approved by the Planning Board and Road Commissioner and shall be installed according to Section 609 Maine Department of Transportation Standard Specifications for Highways and Bridges, December 2002, or the latest revision thereof.
[Amended 6-15-2009]
(4) 
Alternate composition. The Planning Board may require any combination of alternate materials for construction of sidewalks and/or trails to include approved subbase and overlay at the discretion of the South Berwick Road Commissioner.
[Added 1-27-2003]
R. 
Construction standards.
[Amended 6-15-2009]
(1) 
The minimum thickness of materials after compaction shall be:
[Amended 4-14-2015]
Street Materials
Minimum Requirements
(inches)
Arterial
Collector
Local
Residential
Minor Local Street
Industrial
Commercial
Aggregate subbase course (maximum size stone: 4 inches)
24
18
18
12
24
Crushed aggregate base course
4
3
3
3
4
Hot bituminous pavement (after compaction)
N/A
Total thickness (after compaction)
5
4
4
N/A
5
Surface course (after compaction) (MDOT HMA, 9.5 mm) (3/8 inch) 50 GYR
2
1 1/2
1 1/2
N/A
2
Base course (after compaction) (MDOT HMA 19.0 mm) (3/4 inch) 50 GYR
3
2 1/2
2 1/2
N/A
23
(2) 
Hot bituminous pavement shall be as specified in the Maine Department of Transportation Standard Specifications, December 2002, or latest revision thereof, and shall be used on all streets in conformance with this chapter.
S. 
Bases and pavement.
(1) 
Bases. The aggregate subbase course shall not contain particles of rock exceeding four inches in any dimension. The crushed aggregate base shall not contain particles of rock that will not pass the two-inch-square sieve.
(2) 
Pavement joints. Where pavement placed joins an existing pavement, the existing pavement shall be cut along a smooth line and to a neat, even, vertical joint.
T. 
Preparation.
(1) 
Before any clearing has started on the right-of-way, the center line of the new road shall be staked and sidestaked at fifty-foot intervals. Limits of clearing shall be marked by stakes or flagging; distances from the center line shall be obtained from the cross sections.
(2) 
Before any clearing has started, erosion and sediment control measures shall be installed per the Maine Erosion and Sediment Control BMP Manual, March 2003, or latest revision thereof.
[Added 6-15-2009[1]]
[1]
Editor’s Note: This ordinance also redesignated former Subsection T(2) through (4) as Subsection T(3) through (5), respectively.
(3) 
Before grading is started, the entire right-of-way area shall be cleared of all stumps, roots, brush and other objectionable material. All ledge, large boulders and tree stumps shall be removed from the right-of-way.
(4) 
Tree stumps and other organic materials shall be removed to a depth of two feet below the subgrade of the roadway. Rocks and boulders shall also be removed to a depth of two feet below the subgrade of the roadway. Unsuitable soils shall be removed from the right-of-way to a depth of two feet below the subgrade and shall be replaced, where necessary, with soils listed by the soil suitable for road construction.
[Amended 6-15-2009]
(5) 
Side slopes shall not be steeper than a slope of three feet horizontal to one foot vertical, graded, fertilized and seeded. Planting strips to be limed at the rate of 10 pounds of a 10-10-10 fertilizer per 100 square feet or equivalent and seeded with an appropriate seed mix meeting the standards of the Maine Erosion and Sediment Control BMP Manual, March 2003, or latest revision thereof.
[Amended 6-15-2009]
U. 
Erosion control.
[Amended 6-15-2009; 5-9-2023]
(1) 
For sites that disturb one or more acres of land, including sites that disturb less than one acre of land if the site is part of a larger subdivision that would disturb one or more acres of land, the soil erosion and sediment control plan will be in conformance with Maine DEP Chapter 500 Appendices A, B, and C.
(2) 
For all other sites, procedures shall be undertaken, both during preparatory, construction and cleanup stages, to prevent soil erosion and water pollution as specified in the Maine Erosion and Sediment Control BMP Manual, March 2016, or latest revision thereof.
V. 
Cleanup. Following street construction, the developer or contractor shall conduct a thorough cleanup of stumps and other debris from the entire road or street right-of-way.
W. 
Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, construction specifications shall be in conformance with Maine Department of Transportation Standard Specifications December 2002, or latest revision thereof.
A. 
A public water supply system with fire hydrants shall be installed at the expense of the subdivider, or if, in the opinion of the Board, service to each lot by a public water system is not feasible, the Board may allow individual wells to be used. (See also § 121-22D.)
B. 
The subdivider shall demonstrate by actual test or by a signed affidavit from an authorized representative of the servicing water company that water meeting State of Maine Drinking Water Standards, can be supplied to the subdivision at the rate of at least 350 gallons per day per dwelling unit and at an adequate pressure for fire-fighting purposes.
[Amended 6-15-2009]
C. 
Storage shall be provided as necessary to meet peak domestic demands and fire protection needs.
D. 
The subdivider shall demonstrate in the form of signed affidavits from the servicing water company or by engineering reports prepared by a civil engineer registered in the State of Maine that the proposed subdivision will not result in an undue burden on the source, treatment facilities or distribution system involved or provide adequate assurance that such source treatment facility or distribution system will be modified to meet the expanded needs.
E. 
The minimum water main permitted shall be eight inches and shall be installed at the expense of the subdivider.
F. 
The water supply system shall be designed and installed in accordance with requirements of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.
[Amended 6-15-2009]
G. 
Because they are difficult to maintain in a sanitary condition, dug wells shall be permitted only if it is not economically or technically feasible to develop other groundwater sources. (See also § 121-22D.)
H. 
If a central water supply system is provided by the subdivider, location and protection of the source and design, construction and operation of the distribution system and appurtenances and treatment facilities shall conform to the applicable regulations of the State of Maine Drinking Water Program.
[Amended 6-15-2009]
A. 
A sanitary sewer system shall be installed at the expense of the subdivider, or if, in the opinion of the Board, service to each lot by a sanitary sewer system is not feasible, the Board may allow individual septic tanks to be used, which shall likewise be installed at the expense of the subdivider.
B. 
A developer shall submit plans for sewage disposal designed by a professional civil engineer in full compliance with the requirements of the State of Maine Plumbing Code and/or Department of Environmental Protection.
C. 
Where a public sanitary sewer line is located within 1,500 feet of a proposed subdivision at its nearest point, the subdivider shall connect with such sanitary sewer line with a main not less than eight inches in diameter, provided that the appropriate municipal agencies certify that extending the services will not be a burden on the system. (See also § 121-22E.)
[Amended 6-15-2009]
A. 
Where a subdivision is traversed by a watercourse, drainageway or future sewer line or where the Board feels that surface water drainage to be created by the subdivision should be controlled for the protection of the subdivision and owners of property abutting it, there shall be provided an easement or drainage right-of-way and culverts, catch basins or other means of channeling surface water within such subdivision and over the property of owners abutting upon it of such nature, width and location as the Board or Municipal Engineer deems adequate. (See also § 121-17.)
B. 
Subdivisions shall be designed, constructed, and maintained in accordance with the following:
[Amended 5-9-2023]
(1) 
For sites that disturb one or more acres of land, including sites that disturb less than one acre of land if the site is part of a larger subdivision that would disturb one or more acres of land, the soil erosion and sediment control plan will be in conformance with Maine DEP Chapter 500 Appendices A, B, and C.
(2) 
For all other sites, procedures shall be undertaken, both during preparatory construction and clean up stages, for erosion and sediment control as specified in the Maine Erosion and Sediment Control BMP Manual, October 2016, or latest revision thereof.
C. 
The developer shall provide a statement from a civil engineer, registered in the State of Maine, that the proposed subdivision will not create erosion, drainage or runoff problems either in the subdivision or in adjacent properties. The developer shall submit a surface drainage plan showing ditching, culverts, easements and other proposed improvements.
D. 
Topsoil shall be considered part of the subdivision. Except for surplus topsoil for roads, parking areas and building excavations, it is not to be removed from the site.
E. 
Except for normal thinning and landscaping and cutting of trees to provide access to direct sunlight, existing vegetation shall be left intact to prevent soil erosion. The Board may require a developer to take measures to correct and prevent soil erosion in the proposed subdivision.
F. 
To prevent soil erosion of shoreline areas, any clearing of vegetation within the Resource Protection District and Shoreland/Slope District is subject to § 140-48E of the Town’s Zoning Ordinance.
[Amended 6-15-2009]
A. 
Any development that triggers the Maine DEP Chapter 500, Stormwater Management Rules, shall incorporate low-impact development standards as outlined in the Maine Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual.
[Amended 1-12-2016]
B. 
Development projects that do not trigger the Maine DEP Chapter 500, Stormwater Management Rules may incorporate low-impact development standards as outlined in the Maine Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual, where practicable. In addition, the following provisions apply:
[Amended 1-12-2016]
(1) 
Adequate provision shall be made for disposal of all stormwater collected in streets and areas tributary to the street system and underground water through ditches, culverts, underdrain and/or stormwater drainage systems.
(a) 
All stormwater systems shall be designed to meet the criteria of a twenty-five-year storm based on rainfall data from weather bureau records in Portland.
(b) 
Appropriate conveyances for outlets to drainage systems must be provided. Asphalt-coated steel culverts and asphalt-coated steel pipes or equivalent shall be used where drainage is required.
(c) 
In any case, the minimum pipe size for any storm drainage pipe or driveway culvert shall be 12 inches. Catch basins of an appropriate size and type shall be installed where necessary and shall be located generally at the curbline. Catch basins shall be placed away from the line of traffic flow; however, they shall be adequate in design and strength to accommodate vehicle traffic.
(d) 
Appropriate stabilization of storm drain pipe inlets and outfalls needs to be designed, constructed, and maintained per the Maine Erosion and Sediment Control BMP Manual, March 2003, or latest revision thereof.
(2) 
Upstream drainage shall be accommodated by an adequately sized system for existing conditions and future potential development in the upstream drainage area or areas tributary to the proposed Town way. The adequacy of the proposed system(s) shall be determined by the Planning Board.
(3) 
Existing or future downstream drainage requirements shall be studied to determine the effect of proposed drainage. The applicant shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Planning Board that the storm drainage will not, in any way, overload existing or future storm drainage systems downstream from the proposed street.
(4) 
Where open ditches, channels, streams or natural drainage courses are used either to collect or discharge stormwater, adequately sized perpetual easements shall be provided and appropriate erosion control measures taken. No stormwater will be permitted to drain across a street or across an intersection.
C. 
Underdrainage system.
(1) 
Where subsurface soils are of the nature to require an underdrainage system, underdrains shall be installed on one or both sides of the road, as determined by the Public Works Department.
(2) 
An underdrainage system shall be installed to properly drain all springs or areas where the groundwater level is too high and would cause a hazard to the stability of the roadway base.
D. 
For other guidelines regarding stormwater management and low-impact development, reference is made to the Low Impact Development Guidance Manual for Maine Communities, dated September 25, 2006, for the Maine Coastal Program of the State Planning Office. Reference to this document is for guideline purposes only and is not considered to be part of this chapter.
A. 
All material utilized for storm drain construction shall be in conformity with the Maine Department of Transportation Standard Specifications, December 2002, or latest revision thereof.
[Amended 6-15-2009]
B. 
General construction requirements.
(1) 
Trenching shall be accomplished in accordance with all appropriate state and federal safety requirements.
(2) 
Drain alignment shall be straight in both horizontal and vertical alignment, unless specific approval of a curvilinear drain is obtained, in writing, from the Planning Board.
(3) 
Manholes shall be provided at all changes in vertical or horizontal alignment and at all junctions. In straight runs, manholes shall be placed at a maximum of three-hundred-foot intervals.
[Amended 6-15-2009[1]]
[1]
Editor’s Note: This ordinance also repealed former Subsection B(4), which immediately followed and provided for termination or riprapping of outlets and for energy dissipation.