20.50.200 DW-01 – General driveway standards

20.50.200 DW-01 – General driveway standards.

This driveway standards (DW) section applies to the following zoning districts:
CO PR A1 A2 A3 A4 R1 R2 VR M1 M2 MP IS LB GC HC CP I1 I2 HI

The following standards shall apply:

1. Street Classification. All classification of streets shall be based on the Jasper County thoroughfare plan as found and maintained in the Jasper County Comprehensive Plan.

2. State Department of Transportation. Indiana Department of Transportation permit may apply.

B. Permits. A driveway permit shall be required for all driveway cuts onto public streets. State Department of Transportation permits do not override local approvals. Therefore, any driveway access from a State highway shall also require a driveway permit as well prior to construction.

C. Qualification as a Driveway. Any access facility used to convey motor vehicles, construction equipment, or farm equipment from a lot to a public street shall be considered a driveway except as described:

1. Manufactured Home Parks. Any access way to a manufactured home park with three (3) or more dwelling sites shall not be considered a driveway. These access facilities shall be established according to the regulations for a public street.

2. Single-Family Residential Developments. Any access way to three (3) or more single-family lots using a shared easement or similar legal arrangement shall not be considered a driveway. These access facilities shall be established according to the regulations for a public street.

3. Multiple-Family Residential and Condominium Developments. Any access way to two (2) or more multiple-family buildings on the same lot using a shared easement, common area or similar legal arrangement shall not be considered a driveway. These access facilities shall be established according to the regulations for a public street.

4. Excessive Vehicle Use. Any access way that is used by one (1) or more lots and that conveys over 200 vehicles per day shall not be considered a driveway. These access facilities shall be established according to the regulations for a public street.

5. Public Right-of-Way. Any access way that is established on public right-of-way shall be considered a public street and regulated as such.

6. Access to Undeveloped Land. Any access way to fields, natural areas, and forested areas shall not be regulated as a driveway or public street.

1. Between Driveways and Street Intersection. The distances shall be determined by measuring from the intersection right-of-way line to the edge of pavement of the driveway.

2. Between Multiple Driveways. The distances shall be determined by measuring from the edge of pavement to the edge of pavement (whichever is less) of each driveway.

3. Driveway Width. The distances shall be determined by measuring from the edge of pavement to the edge of pavement of each driveway at the proposed right-of-way line.

E. Paving to the Road. Under all circumstances, hard surface driveways shall be paved all the way to the edge of the public street’s pavement, across the right-of-way. However, this requirement does not apply when the public street is gravel or similarly unimproved. It shall also not apply when the driveway is not a hard surface.

F. Positioning. The centerline of two (2) driveways accessing an arterial street from opposite sides of the street shall align with one another, be within ten (10) feet of being aligned, or shall meet the minimum spacing requirements.

G. Clear Vision of Driveways. All driveways shall be located to reasonably prevent collisions with intersecting traffic. The following requirements apply in order to provide clear vision of the areas where driveways gain access to public streets.

1. Speed Limits Thirty (30) MPH or Less. Driveways gaining access to streets with a posted speed limit of thirty (30) mph or less shall be located such that they are visible by a driver for at least 100 feet after cresting a hill, rounding a curve, or passing any other physical barriers that prevent clear vision.

2. Speed Limits Thirty-five (35) to Forty-five (45) MPH. Driveways gaining access to streets with a posted speed limit of thirty-five (35) mph to forty-five (45) mph shall be located such that they are visible by a driver for at least 175 feet after cresting a hill, rounding a curve, or passing any other physical barriers that prevent clear vision.

3. Speed Limits Fifty (50) MPH or Higher. Driveways gaining access to streets with a posted speed limit of fifty (50) mph or higher shall be located such that they are visible by a driver for at least 250 feet after cresting a hill, rounding a curve, or passing any other physical barriers that prevent clear vision.

4. Discretion to Assure Safe Ingress and Egress. The Highway Superintendent or Zoning Administrator may deny a proposed driveway location or require additional separation due to other safety concerns, including but not limited to: width of the public street, condition of the public street, lack of shoulder, natural or manmade hazards, adverse shadowing from natural or manmade features, and adverse drainage on or around the public street.

H. Discretion for Requiring Public Improvements. The Highway Superintendent may require public improvements such as acceleration lanes, deceleration lanes, passing blisters, wider shoulders or approaches, frontage streets, or other improvements. For technical advice and to gain access to engineering standards, the Highway Superintendent may consult with other County staff or officials, a consulting engineer, engineering manuals or publications, qualified staff from other municipalities, or Indiana Department of Transportation personnel. This discretion shall only be exercised when public health and safety are clearly at risk according to qualified opinion, professional opinion, or published opinion. Generally, this provision is intended to apply to commercial, industrial, institutional, and dense residential development.

I. Long Driveways. Any driveway greater than 250 feet shall meet the following standards:

1. Turn-around. A loop or turn-around designed for a vehicle at least thirty (30) feet in length shall be constructed at or near the end of the driveway closest to the primary structure.

2. Weight Bearing. The driveway surface, culverts, and bridges that the driveway crosses shall be constructed to safely convey a 30,000 pound vehicle using gross vehicle weight.

3. Turning Radius. The driveway shall not have any curve or turn that restricts a thirty (30) foot long vehicle from gaining access to the primary structure without having to leave the driveway’s surface; a minimum forty-five (45) foot turning radius.

4. Free of Obstacles. The driveway shall not have tree trunks, tree canopies, sculpture, arches or other natural or architectural features that would restrict a forty-five (45) foot long vehicle that is twelve (12) feet in height from being able to utilize the driveway from the public street to the turn around near the primary structure. [Ord. 3-7-16A § 1; Ord. 12-27-11 § 5.20.]