Township of Middle Smithfield, PA Article IV General and Design Standards

§ 162-17 General standards.

Hereafter all streets and/or roads proposed for dedication for public use and maintenance within the corporate limits of Middle Smithfield Township shall conform to the following general standards, requirements and specifications.

A. Application. The standards, requirements and specifications contained in this article are intended as the minimum for the preservation of the environment and promotion of the public health, safety and general welfare and shall be applied as such by the Middle Smithfield Township Planning Commission and the Middle Smithfield Township Board of Supervisors in reviewing and evaluating plans for all streets and/or roads intended for dedication to the Township for public use and maintenance.

B. Other ordinances and regulations. Whenever other Township ordinances and/or regulations impose more restrictive standards, requirements and/or specifications than those contained herein, such other ordinances and/or regulations shall be observed, otherwise the standards, requirements and specifications of this chapter shall apply.

C. Modifications. The Middle Smithfield Township Planning Commission may recommend and the Middle Smithfield Township Board of Supervisors may, subject to appropriate conditions, modify the design and construction standards as follows to preserve the environment and to protect the public health, safety and general welfare:

(1) Waive any standards which in their opinion are inappropriate because of the inadequacy of connecting facilities or because of specific site or design situations.

(2) Require more restrictive or higher standards necessary in their judgment to secure the objectives or provisions of this chapter under certain unique site or design situations.

§ 162-18 Design standards.

Hereafter all street and roads proposed for dedication for public use and maintenance within the corporate limits of Middle Smithfield Township shall conform to the following design standards:

A. Unusable land.

(1) Land subject to flooding and land deemed by the Planning Commission and/or the Board of Supervisors to be unusable for other reasons shall not be plotted for streets or roads in such a manner as may increase danger to health, life or property or aggravate the flood hazard.

(2) When encroachment of such land is necessary, the applicant shall be responsible to obtain all permits and approvals from all applicable agencies and to submit copies of the permits and approvals to Middle Smithfield Township upon receipt. Failure to obtain such permits and approvals shall result in the Township approvals and/or acceptance of any such street or road null and void with no further action on the part of Middle Smithfield Township.

B. Comprehensive Plan and Official Map requirements. All streets and roads proposed shall conform to any applicable provisions of any Township Comprehensive Plan or Official Map which is promulgated by Middle Smithfield Township. All streets or roads must be coordinated with existing nearby streets or roads to permit a harmonious development of all streets or roads.

C. Soil protection. Prior to land proposed for streets or roads being developed or changed by grading, excavation or by removal or destruction of the natural topsoil, trees or other vegetative cover, the applicant shall be required to submit an erosion and sediment pollution control plan prepared by a person trained and experienced in erosion and sediment pollution control methods and techniques as provided under Title 25, Rules and Regulations, Chapter 102, issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and any rules or regulations promulgated by Middle Smithfield Township.

D. Streets and topography. Proposed streets and roads shall be adjusted to the contour of the land so as to produce minimum cuts and fills and street of reasonable gradient.

E. Stormwater management and drainage systems. All proposed streets and roads shall have a stormwater management and drainage system in accordance with the requirements of the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance and as follows:

(1) Natural drainagecourses shall be maintained whenever possible.

(2) Drainage easements shall be provided where deemed advisable by the Township.

(3) No stormwater or natural drainage shall be so diverted as to overload existing drainage systems or to create flooding or the need for additional drainage structures on other private properties or public lands without complete approval by all parties of the provisions proposed by the applicant for handling such conditions.

(4) Storm drainage facilities shall be so designed not only to handle the anticipated peak discharge from the proposed street or road but also the anticipated increase in runoff that will occur when all the property at a higher elevation in the same watershed is fully developed.

(5) All streets and roads shall be so designed as to provide for discharge of surface water runoff from their rights-of-way.

(6) All proposed surface drainage structures shall be indicated on the stormwater management and drainage plan.

(7) Drainage plans shall include all appropriate design details and dimensions necessary to clearly explain proposed construction materials, grades and elevations.

(8) Whenever storm sewer drains are proposed or required by the Planning Commission and/or the Board of Supervisors, such storm sewer system shall be separate from any existing or proposed sanitary sewer system. Storm drains or storm sewer facilities may be required for any street or road where the Planning Commission and/or the Board of Supervisors determine that surface drainage facilities are inadequate to prevent excessive erosion and/or road maintenance problems.

(9) Drainage structures located on state highway rights-of-way shall be approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, and a letter or approved permit from that agency indicating such approval shall be furnished to the Township prior to acceptance of the subject road.

F. Streets. The location, width and classification of all streets shall conform to the Township's Official Plan or to such parts thereof as may have been or will be adopted by the Township, with classification as follows:

(1) Arterial street. Arterial streets are designed primarily to carry traffic and generally should not provide access to land or uses which would interfere with their primary functions.

(a) Arterial streets are designated as "limited," "controlled" or "partial" access streets.

(b) Arterial streets serve an unlimited number of dwelling units and uses and unlimited average daily traffic.

(2) Connector street. Connector streets collect traffic from local access, minor and collector streets and also provide a connection to arterial streets and expressways and between towns and villages. Connector streets serve an unlimited number of dwelling units and uses and unlimited average daily traffic.

(3) Collector street. Collector streets gather traffic from local access and minor streets and feed this traffic to connector and arterial streets and expressways.

(a) Collector streets carry heavier traffic volume than minor streets although they also provide direct access to lands and individual uses located along them.

(b) Collector streets serve up to an ultimate of 500 dwelling units and/or uses and/or up to an average daily traffic count of 4,000 vehicles.

(4) Minor street. Minor streets provide direct access to lands and individual uses located along them and gather traffic from local access streets and feed this traffic to collector streets. Minor streets serve up to an ultimate 150 dwelling units and/or uses and/or up to an average daily traffic count of 1,200 vehicles.

(5) Local access street. Local access streets primarily provide direct access to lands and individual uses located along them and serve to provide the connecting link between the beginning or end of a trip and the higher categories of streets and are further classified as follows:

(a) Cul-de-sac street. A cul-de-sac street is permanently terminated at one end by a vehicular turnaround and intersects another street at the other end.

[1] Cul-de-sac streets shall not furnish access to more than 25 dwelling units and/or uses and/or ultimately have an average daily traffic count in excess of 200 vehicles.

[2] All cul-de-sac streets shall terminate in a circular right-of-way with a minimum diameter of 120 feet or a tee-type turnaround with each leg at least 75 feet in length as measured from the street center line. (See Figures 3-3, 3-4, 3-5 and 3-6.[1])

[1] Editor's Note: Said figures are included at the end of Ch. 170, Subdivision and Land Development.

(b) Loop street. A loop street intersects other streets on each end and may intersect a cul-de-sac or other loop street at some point between each end. Loop streets shall not furnish access to more than 75 dwelling units and/or uses and/or ultimately have an average daily traffic count in excess of 600 vehicles.

(6) Marginal access street. Marginal access streets are minor streets parallel and adjacent to high traffic streets. Marginal access streets provide access to abutting lands and/or uses and control intersection with high traffic streets.

G. Intersections. All intersections of streets shall be designed in accordance with the following:

(1) Center lines of streets shall intersect as nearly at right angles as possible.

(a) Any center-line intersection less than 75º shall be allowed only upon approval by the Board of Supervisors of a written request by the applicant.

(b) Center-line angles of less than 60º shall not be approved under any condition.

(2) Intersections of more than two streets at one point shall be allowed only upon approval by the Board of Supervisors of a written request by the applicant.

(3) Where streets intersect other streets, offsets shall not be created except as follows:

(a) The minimum offset or distance between center lines of parallel or approximately parallel streets intersecting a cross street from an opposite direction shall be as follows:

[1] One hundred fifty feet for minor or local access streets.

[2] Three hundred feet for connector or collector streets.

[3] Six hundred feet for arterial streets. The street of the highest classification involved shall determine the intersection offset.

(4) At intersections of minor or local access streets, the right-of-way or property line shall be rounded by arcs with a radii of not less than 25 feet.

(5) For intersections involving collector, connector or arterial streets, the Township may require a larger radii at the right-of-way or property line.

(6) For typical intersections and designs, see Figures 3-1 and 3-2.[2]

[2] Editor's Note: Said figures are included at the end of Ch. 170, Subdivision and Land Development.

H. Street right-of-way widths. Minimum street right-of-way widths, measured from property lines shall be as shown on Table 3-1.[3]

[3] Editor's Note: Table 3-1 is included at the end of Ch. 170, Subdivision and Land Development.

I. Street travelway widths. Minimum street travelway or pavement widths shall be as shown on Table 3-1.[4]

[4] Editor's Note: Table 3-1 is included at the end of Ch. 170, Subdivision and Land Development.

J. Street shoulder widths. Minimum street shoulder widths shall be as shown on Table 3-1.[5]

[5] Editor's Note: Table 3-1 is included at the end of Ch. 170, Subdivision and Land Development.

K. Street alignment. Street alignment shall be designed as follows:

(1) Whenever street lines are deflected in excess of 5º within 100 feet, connection shall be made by horizontal curves as set forth on Table 3-1.[6]

[6] Editor's Note: Table 3-1 is included at the end of Ch. 170, Subdivision and Land Development.

(2) Streets shall be so laid out that there will be unobstructed sight distances along the center line thereof as set forth in Table 3-1.[7]

(a) Sight distances shall be measured from a point 3.75 feet above the road surface to a point 0.5 feet above the road surface.

(b) Sight distances at stop intersections shall be measured from a point 3.75 feet above the road surface to a point 3.75 feet above the road surface.

[7] Editor's Note: Table 3-1 is included at the end of Ch. 170, Subdivision and Land Development.

(3) Between reverse curves, the following minimum tangents will be provided:

(a) Two hundred feet on arterial streets.

(b) One hundred feet on connector or collector streets.

(c) Fifty feet on minor and/or local access streets.

L. Street grades. Street gradients shall be designed as follows:

(1) Center-line grades shall not exceed the gradients set forth on Table 3-1.[8]

[8] Editor's Note: Table 3-1 is included at the end of Ch. 170, Subdivision and Land Development.

(2) The minimum center-line grades shall not be less than 0.5%.

(3) The maximum grade across the turnaround in a cul-de-sac street shall not exceed 8%.

(4) To provide adequate drainage, the minimum grade of any street gutter shall not be less than 0.5%.

(5) To provide adequate drainage, the minimum grade of any paralleled ditch along a street shall be not less than 1%.

(6) A leveling area for all street intersections shall be provided as follows:

(a) The tangent grade of the through street at the point of intersection of the center lines of the two streets shall not exceed 8%.

(b) The tangent grade of the connecting street(s) shall not exceed 4% within the right-of-way lines of the through street. No point of vertical curvature shall be within the through street right-of-way.

M. Vertical curves. Vertical curves shall be used at changes of grade exceeding 1% and shall be designed as follows:

(1) Crest vertical curves shall be designed in relation to the design speed to provide vertical sight distances consistent with the horizontal sight distances as set forth in Table 3-1.[9]

[9] Editor's Note: Table 3-1 is included at the end of Ch. 170, Subdivision and Land Development.

(2) On minor streets and local access streets, sag vertical curves shall have a minimum length of 15 feet for each one-percent algebraic difference in tangent grade with an absolute minimum length of 75 feet. (Example: 1% to 5% = 75 feet v.c., 5.1% to 6% = 90 feet v.c., etc.)

(3) On collector, connector or arterial streets, sag vertical curves shall have a minimum length of 25 feet for each one-percent algebraic difference in tangent grade with an absolute minimum length of 100 feet. (Example: 1% to 4% = 100 feet v.c., 4.1% to 5% = 125 feet v.c., etc.)

(4) Vertical curve sight and length calculations shall be shown on the profile sheets with the curve.

N. Intersection sight distances (clear sight triangles). At intersections, any obstructions of any type, including vegetation and earth, shall be removed (by excavation if necessary) so that clear and unobstructed sight is provided from a point on the center line of the intersecting road distant 15 feet from the nearest edge of the travelway of the through road to a point on the center line of the through road a distance of:

(1) Seven hundred feet if the through road is an arterial street.

(2) Five hundred feet if the through road is a connector street.

(3) Four hundred feet if the through road is a collector street.

(4) Three hundred feet if the through road is a minor or local access street.

O. Requests for modification of street requirements. The Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors recognize that the preceding Subsections G to N are not applicable in all circumstances because of unusual topography or property line layout and may consider deviations or variations therefrom on an individual case-by-case basis.

(1) In recommending and granting a request for such a modification, the Planning Commission and/or the Board of Supervisors may impose such requirements and conditions as it deems fit and proper in each case to maintain the integrity of this chapter and to assure safety of the traveling public.

(2) Any and all requests for such a modification shall be in writing and, if recommended by the Planning Commission and granted by the Board of Supervisors, shall be entered in the minutes of the meeting of the Board of Supervisors when granted, and the request shall be attested to and signed by the Township Secretary and a copy submitted to the Planning Commission prior to the Commission's action on the submitted plan.

(3) Requests for modifications shall be on the form in Appendix D-8 of this chapter.[10]

[10] Editor's Note: Appendix D-8 is included at the end of this chapter.

P. Street names. All streets shall be named in compliance with the following:

(1) Proposed streets which are obviously in alignment with others already existing and named shall bear the same of the existing streets.

(2) In no case shall the name of a proposed street be the same as or similar to an existing street name in the Township, irrespective of the use of the suffix "street," "road," "avenue," "boulevard," "drive," "place," "court," "lane," etc.

Q. Driveways. Existing driveways along a proposed street or road shall be designed and constructed to prevent stormwater drainage from sheeting onto or across the street or road.

R. Embankment and excavation design. Embankments and excavations shall be designed as follows:

(1) The maximum slope of any embankment or earth excavation shall not exceed one foot vertical to two feet horizontal.

(2) The maximum slope of any rock excavation shall not exceed four feet vertical to one foot horizontal.

(3) All embankments and excavations shall have a continuous slope to the point of intersection with the natural grade with a slight rounding of the top of the slope of excavations to help prevent erosion.

(4) Where embankment is to be constructed on a slope of more than 10%, the natural slope shall be benched to allow the embankment to be placed in horizontal layers.

(5) Where the embankment foundation is to be situated in water or swamp areas or is saturated or unstable, the embankment shall be designed for a rock fill to a height not less than the existing high-water table. Alternate methods of stabilization of these areas may be approved by the Board of Supervisors.

S. Street cross sections. The finished travelway and shoulders of all streets and roads shall be designed as follows:

(1) Shoulder surfaces shall be graded away from the paved travelway at a slope of 1/2 inch per foot.

(2) The finished paved travelway surface of tangent sections and curved sections not required to be superelevated shall be crowned at 1/4 inch per foot away from the center line.

(3) Properly superelevated cross sections shall be required on arterial, connector and collector streets when the curve radii are less than 500 feet.

(a) The maximum permissible superelevation shall be 0.08 feet per foot across the travelway pavement.

(b) When the superelevation rate is over 1/2 inch per foot, the shoulder on the low side shall be sloped at the same rate as the pavement superelevation.

T. Bridges and stream crossings. Bridges and other stream crossings which are part of the proposed street system shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the current Pennsylvania Department of Transportation standards and specifications. Evidence of compliance with an approval of the Division of Dams and Encroachments, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, shall be provided when applicable.

U. Guide rails. Guide rails shall be provided in accordance with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation standards. Guide rails shall be provided at locations where a fill slope of less than three feet horizontal to one foot vertical has a height of five feet or more from natural ground to the outside edge of the shoulder for a distance of 30 feet or more.

V. Ground cover requirements. Exposed slopes on all streets and roads shall be protected with a vegetative growth that is capable of preventing soil erosion. The vegetative cover shall not be poisonous in nature.

W. Driveway entrances. All driveway entrances shall be in accordance with Township standards as set forth in the Driveway Ordinance.[11] All driveway entrances shall contain provisions for adequate parallel drainage facilities.

[11] Editor's Note: See Ch. 102, Driveways.

X. Drainage. Parallel and cross drainage facilities shall be properly located and designed to maintain proper drainage of all completed streets and roads.

(1) Stormwater runoff shall be calculated and drainage facilities designed in accordance with the requirements of the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.

(2) The minimum diameter of any cross drainage or culvert pipe shall be 18 inches.

(3) All cross drainage or culvert pipe shall be either reinforced concrete pipe, asphalt coated corrugated metal pipe or an approved equal.

(4) All drainage pipe shall have concrete headwalls and concrete endwalls or an approved equal. (See Figures C-1, C-2 and C-3.[12])

[12] Editor's Note: Said figures are included at the end of this chapter.

(5) Consideration shall be given for subgrade drainage of those soils subject to frost heave as itemized in the following subsection:

(a) The Soil Conservation Service has reported the following soils as having moderate or high potential for frost heave: Albie, Albrights, Aldens, Bartle, Boynton, Braceville, Fredon, Mardin, Middlebury, Morris, Pekin, Troy, Volusia, Watson and Wellsboro.

(b) Design of the road bed in such locations may require that subgrade drains and/or pipe underdrains be installed to properly stabilize the subgrade. The Township may require that such drainage facilities be provided.

(c) The design of subgrade drainage facilities shall be subject to the review and approval of the Township Engineer and/or the Township Planning Commission consultant.

(6) All parallel drainage ditches shall have a minimum bottom width of 18 inches with slopes not to exceed one foot vertical to two feet horizontal. Pipe outlet ditches shall be the same design as parallel ditches.

Y. Curbs and gutters. Curb and gutter design shall be in accordance with the standards of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Gutter requirements shall be in conformance with good engineering practice and subject to the approval of the Township Engineer and/or the Township Planning Commission consultant.

Z. Street name signs. The applicant shall provide the street or road with adequate name and number signs at all intersections. Sign style and characteristics, including color and lettering, shall be acceptable to the Board of Supervisors.

AA. Streetlighting. Streetlights may be required when the Board of Supervisors deems them necessary or advisable to provide safe auto and/or pedestrian traffic circulation. Such lights shall be subject to approval by the Board of Supervisors.

BB. Traffic signs. Traffic signs shall be required as necessary or advisable to provide safe auto and/or pedestrian traffic circulation. Such traffic signs shall meet design standards as established by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (Bulletin No. 43).