Chapter 10.20
REGULATING INTERSTATE TRUCK TERMINAL DESIGNATION AND TERMINAL ACCESS

Sections:

10.20.010    Intent and purpose.

10.20.020    Definitions.

10.20.030    Application process.

10.20.040    Cost recovery.

10.20.050    Revocation of route.

10.20.060    Appeals procedure.

10.20.070    Retrofitting ramps, intersections and roadways.

10.20.010 Intent and purpose.

A. It shall be the intent and purpose of this chapter to provide for the public necessity, health, safety and general welfare through the establishment of procedures for terminal designation and truck route designation to terminals for interstate trucks.

B. Since the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982 (STAA1982) and AB866 revised current state law on truck combinations’ length and width, and implements federal requirements dealing with access to the federally designated system by interstate trucks, it is required that the city enact an ordinance delineating the process of application for terminal and route designation within the bounds of the city limits by citizens/business establishments requiring the service of such interstate trucks off the federally designated system (i.e., I‑8). (Ord. 384 § 1, 1985).

10.20.020 Definitions.

“Terminal” and “interstate truck” as used in sections of this chapter shall be defined as follows:

A. “Terminal” means a facility at which freight is consolidated to be shipped or where full load consignments may be loaded and off-loaded or at which vehicles are regularly maintained, stored or manufactured.

B. “Interstate truck” means tractor semis or doubles with unlimited lengths as regulated by California Vehicle Code Sections 35401.5(a)(1) and (2). (Ord. 384 § 1, 1985).

10.20.030 Application process.

A. Those persons or business establishments qualifying as a terminal as defined in HMC 10.20.020(A) and requiring terminal access from federally designated highways shall submit an application and appropriate fees to the city clerk, city of Holtville, 121 West Fifth Street, Holtville, California. The application is Attachment “A” attached to the ordinance codified in this chapter, on file in the office of the city clerk.

B. Upon receipt of the application, the city engineer shall determine the applicant’s conformance with the terminal criteria for designation and, if so approved, will then determine the capability of the route requested and/or alternate routes. Capability will be determined by the adequate turning radii and lane width of ramps, intersections and highways. Also a determinant factor will be general traffic conditions such as sight distance, speed and traffic volumes for safe operation. Access off the federally designated highways will require CalTrans (District 11) approval.

C. If the requested route passes through several jurisdictions (i.e., county or other municipality), the applicant shall comply with that jurisdiction’s application process. Coordination will be the responsibility of the applicant. (Ord. 384 § 1, 1985).

10.20.040 Cost recovery.

A. Fees/Costs for the Application of a Terminal Designation. The application fee is to cover the cost of reviewing route(s) and terminal designation and is to be established by city council resolution. The application fee is nonrefundable.

B. If the application for a terminal designation is approved, the applicant will be required to pay for the purchase and installation of terminal access signs and trailblazer signs. Trailblazer signs will be required at every decision point on the route to the terminal. The costs to be determined by the superintendent of public works of the city. (Ord. 384 § 1, 1985).

10.20.050 Revocation of route.

The city engineer is authorized to revoke any approved route if the route proves to be a safety hazard for any vehicular traffic. A safety hazard is defined as inability of the interstate trucks to negotiate route and/or the trucks causing unsafe driving conditions for other vehicular traffic and/or pedestrians. (Ord. 384 § 1, 1985).

10.20.060 Appeals procedure.

A. If the city engineer denies terminal designation and/or route feasibility or revokes a previously approved route in accordance with HMC 10.20.050, the applicant/terminal owner, within 10 days following the date of a decision of the city engineer on a revocation of terminal access or terminal designation, may appeal such decision to the city council. An appeal shall be made on a form prescribed by the city (Attachment “B” attached to the ordinance codified in this chapter, on file in the office of the city clerk.) The appeal shall state specifically wherein there was an error or abuse of discretion by the city engineer or wherein his decision is not supported by the evidence in the record. Within five days of the filing of an appeal, the city engineer shall transmit to the city clerk the terminal application, the sketches of the revoked route and all other data filed therewith, the report of the city engineer, the findings of the city engineer and his decision on the application.

B. The city clerk shall give notice to the applicant and the appellant (if the applicant is not the appellant) and may give notice to any other interested party of the time when the appeal will be considered by the city council.

C. If CalTrans (District 11) and not the city engineer denies or revokes terminal access from federally designated highways, no appeal may be made to the city council, but must be made to CalTrans (District 11). (Ord. 384 § 1, 1985).

10.20.070 Retrofitting ramps, intersections and roadways.

If all feasible routes to a requested terminal are deemed unsatisfactory by the city engineer, the applicant may request retrofitting the deficiencies, but all costs of engineering, construction and inspection will be borne by the applicant. Upon request, the city will form a benefit district to assist in cost recovery by any other terminal(s) using the improved route. The benefit district costs would be in proportion to the section of the route utilized. (Ord. 384 § 1, 1985).