Chapter 18.176
ACCESS MANAGEMENT STANDARDS

Sections:

18.176.010    Access management standards.

18.176.010 Access management standards.

(1) Purpose and Intent. This section implements the street access policies of the Crook County transportation system plan. It is intended to promote safe vehicle access and egress to properties, while maintaining traffic operations in conformance with adopted standards. “Safety,” for the purposes of this chapter, extends to all modes of transportation.

(2) Traffic Impact Analysis Requirements. The county, in reviewing a development proposal or other action requiring an approach permit, may require a traffic impact analysis, pursuant to subsection (3) of this section, to determine compliance with this code.

(3) Approach and Driveway Development Standards. Approaches and driveways shall conform to all the following development standards:

(a) The number of approaches on higher classification streets (e.g., collector and arterial streets) shall be minimized; where practicable, access shall be taken first from a lower classification street.

(b) Approaches shall conform to the spacing standards of subsections (4) and (5) of this section, and shall conform to minimum sight distance and channelization standards of the roadway authority.

(c) The county roadmaster may limit the number or location of connections to a street, or limit directional travel at an approach to one-way, right-turn only, or other restrictions, where the roadway authority determines that mitigation is required to alleviate safety or traffic operations concerns.

(d) Where the spacing standards of the roadway authority limit the number or location of connections to a street or highway, the county roadmaster may require a driveway extend to one or more edges of a parcel and be designed to allow for future extension and inter-parcel circulation as adjacent properties develop. The county roadmaster may also require the owner(s) of the subject site to record an access easement for future joint use of the approach and driveway as the adjacent property(ies) develop(s).

(e) Where applicable codes require emergency vehicle access, approaches and driveways shall be designed and constructed to accommodate emergency vehicle apparatus and shall conform to applicable fire protection requirements. The county roadmaster may restrict parking, require signage, or require other public safety improvements pursuant to the recommendations of an emergency service provider.

(f) As applicable, approaches and driveways shall be designed and constructed to accommodate truck/trailer-turning movements.

(g) Where an accessible route is required pursuant to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), approaches and driveways shall meet accessibility requirements where they coincide with an accessible route.

(h) The county roadmaster may require changes to the proposed configuration and design of an approach, including the number of drive aisles or lanes, surfacing, traffic-calming features, allowable turning movements, and other changes or mitigation, to ensure traffic safety and operations.

(i) Where a new approach onto a state highway or a change of use adjacent to a state highway requires ODOT approval, the applicant is responsible for obtaining ODOT approval.

(j) Where an approach or driveway crosses a drainage ditch, canal, railroad, or other feature that is under the jurisdiction of another agency, the applicant is responsible for obtaining all required approvals and permits from that agency prior to commencing development.

(k) Where a proposed driveway crosses a culvert or drainage ditch, county roadmaster may require the developer to install a culvert extending under and beyond the edges of the driveway on both sides of it, pursuant to applicable public works/engineering design standards.

(l) Except as otherwise required by the applicable roadway authority or waived by the county roadmaster, temporary driveways providing access to a construction site or staging area shall be paved or graveled to prevent tracking of mud onto adjacent paved streets.

(4) Approach Separation from Street Intersections. Except as provided by subsection (6) of this section, the following minimum distances shall be maintained between approaches and street intersections, where distance is measured from the edge of an approach surface to the edge of the roadway at its ultimate designated width:

(a) On an arterial street: one mile, except as required by ODOT, pursuant to Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 734-051, for state highways.

(b) On a major collector street: one-half mile.

(c) On a minor collector street: one-quarter mile.

(d) On a local street: 150 feet.

(5) Approach Spacing. Except as provided by subsection (6) of this section or as required to maintain street operations and safety, the following minimum distances shall be maintained between approaches, where distance is measured from the edge of one approach to the edge of another:

(a) On an arterial street: 1,200 feet based on speed limit or posted speed, as applicable, except as otherwise required by ODOT for a state highway, pursuant to Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) 734-051.

(b) On a major collector street: 500 feet.

(c) On a minor collector street: 300 feet.

(d) On a local road: access to each lot permitted.

(6) Exceptions and Adjustments. The county roadmaster may approve adjustments to the spacing standards in subsections (4) and (5) of this section, where an existing connection to a county road does not meet the standards of the roadway authority and the proposed development moves in the direction of code compliance. The county roadmaster may also approve a deviation to the spacing standards on county roads where it can be demonstrated that mitigation measures, such as consolidated access (removal of one access), joint use driveways (more than one property uses same access), directional limitations (e.g., one-way), turning restrictions (e.g., right-in/right-out only), or other mitigation alleviate all traffic operations and safety concerns.

(7) Joint Use Access Easement and Maintenance Agreement. Where the county approves a joint use driveway, the property owners shall record an easement with the deed allowing joint use of and cross access between adjacent properties. The owners of the properties agreeing to joint use of the driveway shall record a joint maintenance agreement with the deed, defining maintenance responsibilities of property owners. The applicant shall provide a fully executed copy of the agreement to the county for its records, but the county is not responsible for maintaining the driveway or resolving any dispute between property owners. (Ord. 303 § 1 (Exh. C), 2017)