HomeMy Public PortalAboutOrdinances-2003-260 CITY OF TIFFIN ORDINANCEtN0. 2003- 260
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AN ORDINANCE REGULATING ACCESS TO ADJACENT
•PROPERTIES FROM PRESCRIBED ROADWAYS WITHIN THE
TIFFIN CITY LIMITS AS SHOWN ON THE CITY OF TIFFIN'S
"ACCESS REGULATION ORDINANCE MAP-PRESCRIBED
ROADWAYS'
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City of Tiffin Access Regulation Ordinance
January 22, 2003
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City of Tiffin
211 Main Street
P.O. Box 259
Tiffin, IA 52340
Phone: (319) 545-2572
Fax: (319) 545-4147
City of Tiffin Access Regulation Ordinance
1. Title, Introduction, and Background
A. Title
This Ordinance shall be known as and may be referred to as the"City of Tiffin
Access Regulation Ordinance."
B. Introduction
Any highway system must perform the dual functions of carrying large volumes
of through traffic, as well as providing access to adjacent land uses. These dual
functions,which are necessary,may have conflicting roles. Unplanned land
development and uncontrolled access connections reduces highway capacity and
safety. Unregulated access also increases delay and congestion to the motoring
public using the roadway system.
The regulated limitation of ingress and egress is called access regulation,which
is achieved through the regulation of public access to and from properties
abutting highway facilities. The principal advantages of access regulation are the
preservation of a high quality of service and improved safety. In order to
minimize accidents and assure the best overall use of the roadway, it is necessary
for the City of Tiffin to establish controls regarding the number, location and
geometrics of access points to various City of Tiffin roadways.
C. Background
1. Objectives
a. Efficient Services
To provide safe and efficient transportation services which link
the various parts of the city with other areas.
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b. Planning Coordination
To coordinate transportation planning with land use
development and provide a framework around which various
land development activities can take place.
2. Policies
A. Cooperative Development
Maintain a continuing, cooperative relationship with regional transportation
agencies for the development of a coordinated system to serve the transportation
needs of all residents.
B. Ordinance Leadership
Provide leadership in developing ordinances,and plans for limiting access points
and requiring parallel access or reverse frontage collector roads along prescribed
roadways.
C. Future Growth Emphasis
Emphasize the aspects of prescribed roadways, and develop a system of streets
and prescribed roadways to serve present and future needs.
An essential element in meeting these objectives and policies is,in general, the
maintenance and enhancement of the City of Tiffin roadway system, and in
particular, the protection of the limited access nature of the city roadways
designated as prescribed roadways.
D. Authority and Jurisdiction
1. Jurisdiction
The proposed City of Tiffin Access Regulation Ordinance shall apply to
all prescribed roadways within the city limits of Tiffin as detailed by the
attached "Access Regulation Ordinance Prescribed Roadways Map".
2. Authority
This ordinance provides allowance for access roads to be used by public
and private use onto a city roadway only upon the issuance of a permit
by the City of Tiffin in accordance with regulations adopted by the City
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of Tiffin City Council. This Ordinance implements the law but does not
limit nor restrict the City of Tiffin insofar as other sections of the Iowa
Code pertaining to access to and use of roadways within the city limits of
the City of Tiffin.
3. Plat Approval
To obtain written approval for access to a prescribed roadway, a
signature certificate shall be placed on the final plan of subdivision
having the wording as shown in the following section.
E. Wording for City of Tiffin Final Plat Approval Block
1. When dealing with a development consisting of a single or multiple lots
adjacent to a prescribed roadway, which includes an approved entrance
location,the following wording shall be used:
STATE OF IOWA
CITY OF TIFFIN
Approved this day of ,AD , as to roadway
access to
City of Tiffin,Mayor City of Tiffin Planning and Zoning,
Chair
2. When dealing with a development adjacent to a prescribed roadway,
which includes only an approved exclusive right in/right out only access
entrance, the following wording shall be used:
STATE OF IOWA
CITY OF TIFFIN
Direct Access to , from Lot(s) is
prohibited. Access shall be limited to one(1)right in/right out only
access subject to final design approval from the City of Tiffin.
Approved this day of ,AD
City of Tiffin,Mayor City of Tiffin Planning and Zoning,
Chair
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3. When dealing with a development adjacent to a prescribed roadway,
which does not include an entrance, the following wording shall be used:
t
STATE OF IOWA
CITY OF TIFIN
Direct Access to , from Lot(s)
is prohibited.
Approved this day of ,AD
City of Tiffin,Mayor City of Tiffin Planning and Zoning,
Chair
5. When dealing with a development adjacent to a prescribed roadway,
which includes only an approved common access entrance, the following
wording shall be used.
• STATE OF IOWA
CITY OF TIFFIN
Direct Access to , from Lot(s) shall be limited
to one(1)common access subject to final design approval form the City
of Tiffin.
Approved this day of ,AD
City of Tiffin,Mayor City of Tiffin Planning and Zoning,
Chair
3. Definitions
A. Purpose
It is the purpose of this Article to define words, terms, and phrases contained in
this ordinance.
B. General Word Usage
In the interpretation of this Ordinance, the following provisions shall be
observed and applied except when the context clearly requires otherwise:
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1. Words used or defined in one tense or form shall include other tenses
and derivative forms.
2. Words in the singular shall include the plural, and words in the plural
shall include the singular.
3. The masculine gender shall include the feminine, and the feminine
gender shall include the masculine.
4. The word "shall" is mandatory.
5. The word "must" is mandatory.
6. The word "should" is advisory.
7. In the event of any difference of meaning or implication between the text
of this ordinance and any caption,illustration, or table,the text shall
control.
C. Abbreviations
Abbreviations are used in this Ordinance and shall have meanings as set forth in
Section 3.D.
D. Definitions
Words,terms,and phrases underlined in the definitions are those,which are
themselves defined in this Section. The following words, terms,and phrases area
hereby defined and shall be interpreted as such throughout this Ordinance.
A.A.S.H.T.O: The American Association of State Highway and
Transportation Officials.
Abutting: Having a common border with, or being separated from
such common border by an alley or easement.
Access: A means of vehicular entry to or exit from a property.
Access Facility: A private or public driveway or road providing service
to and/or from abutting property to a highway.
Access Permit: A permit issued by the City of Tiffin granting access to a
prescribed roadway from abutting property and
allowing construction or reconstruction of an access
facility in accordance with the provisions of this
Ordinance.
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Access Point: The location of an access described from its centerline
location.
Adjacent Access Point: An adjoining access facility,which may be on either side
of the highway, either upstream or downstream of a
proposed access point.
Average Daily Traffic(ADT):
The number of vehicles using a road(in both directions)
during a twenty-four(24)hour period, specified as the
average traffic by the Iowa Department of
Transportation.
Certify or Certification: The act or process of attesting that the specific
inspections, calculations, or tests,where required,have
been performed and that they comply with the
applicable requirements of this Ordinance.
Certificate of Insurance:An executed, completed,original document providing
evidence that the developer or contractor has insurance
in the amounts required.
City: City of Tiffin, Iowa
Contractor: A person or firm engaged in construction, landscaping
maintenance on a contract basis.
Corner or Return Radii: The pavement radius of the arc between the edge of
pavement of the access facility and the edge of pavement
of the abutting road used to facilitate vehicular turning
movements.
County: Johnson County
Dedication: The transfer of property interests from private to public
ownership for a public purpose.
Design Speed: The speed to which a road is being or has been designed.
Developer: The legal or beneficial owner of a lot or parcel of any
land proposed for inclusion in a development, including
the holder of an option or contract to purchase. The
developer may also be the owner.
Development: The division of a parcel of land into two(2)or more
parcels;the construction,reconstruction, conversion,
structural alteration,relocation,or enlargement of any
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buildings;any use of land or any clearing, grading,
excavation, or other movement of land.
Discharge: The outflow of water,silt,or other mobile substance
passing along a conduit,watercourse, or a channel, or
released detention storage.
Drainage: The removal of surface water or groundwater from land
by drains,grading,or other means. Drainage includes
the control of runoff to minimize erosion and
sedimentation during or after development and includes
prevention or alleviation of flooding.
Drainage Area: The area contributing runoff water to a water course,
drainage,system, or detention basin. Also commonly
referred to as a watershed.
Drainage way: A watercourse identified by the presence of an
intermittent or perennial flow of water.
Driveway: A private or public way for the use of vehicles providing
service between a prescribed roadway or abutting
property.
Driveway Throat: The width between points on a driveway at which the
corner returns are tangent to the driveway.
Engineer: An engineer registered as such and licensed to practice
in the State of Iowa.
Engineering Plans: A set of design plans,specifications,and estimates of
cost containing all engineering elements necessary to
construct an access facility or highway improvement.
Erosion: The detachment and movement of soil or rock fragments
by water,wind, ice,or gravity.
Frontage: The distance, as measured along the highway right-of-
way line,between the property lines of the abutting
property.
Frontage Road: A road which is adjacent to or included in the right-of-
way of a highway or railroad,and which provides access
to abutting properties and separation form through
traffic.
Highway: A prescribed roadway with a high volume.
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Highway Capacity Manual:
The most recent edition of the Highway Capacity
Manual and all amendments thereto and successor
documents as published by the Transportation Research
Board.
IDOT: The Iowa Department of Transportation
Improvements: Any manmade changes to any land, structure, or
highway.
Improvements,Public: Any improvement necessary to provide for public
needs.
Intersection: The general area where an access facility and a road or
two or more roads or two access facilities join or cross.
Intersection Sight Distance:
The distance, either right or left, at which a drive
stopped at an intersection,can see an approaching
vehicle.
Island: A defined area between traffic lanes for control of
vehicle movements or for pedestrian refuge.
ITE: The Institute of Transportation Engineers.
ITE Trip Generation: The Most recent edition of any supplements thereto of
the informational report ITE Trip Generation, and any
successor documents.
Land-Use: See Use
Land-Use Density: An intensity measurement usually expressed in terms of
the number of units or square feet of a particular land-
use permitted to be built, constructed, or placed on a
defined parcel of land.
Lot: A single legally divided parcel of land.
Lot,Corner: A lot abutting on two roads at their juncture.
Median: A portion of a divided highway or divided driveway
separating the traveled ways for traffic flowing in
opposite directions. A median can either be raised or
flush with the pavement.
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Median Opening: A gap in a median provided for crossing and turning
vehicles.
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Other Street: A road under the jurisdiction of another public agency
and not under the jurisdiction of the City.
1 Owner: The person having the right of legal title or beneficial
interest in or a contractual right to purchase a lot or
parcel of land. This person may also be the developer.
Parcel: Any legally described piece of land.
Peak-Hour Volume: The highest hourly vehicular volume observed, or
anticipated, at the point of analysis during a normal day.
Performance/Maintenance Guarantee:
A financial guarantee to insure that all highway
improvement access facilities, or work required by this
Ordinance will be completed or maintained in
compliance with this Ordinance.
a
Person: Any individual,public or private firm or corporation,
the State of Iowa and its agencies or political
subdivisions, and the United States of America, its
agencies,and instrumentalities, and any agent, servant,
officer,or employee of any of the foregoing.
Plat: A plat of survey defines the boundaries of a parcel of
land.
Preliminary Plan: A plan,preliminary in nature, showing proposed
development, driveway and road intersection
geometrics, and all engineering and physical planning
elements.
Prescribed Roadway: Any roadway within the city limits of the City of Tiffin
in which the Planning and Zoning Commission has
recommended and the City Council has approved as a
roadway in which access will be restricted and
regulated.
Private Road: A road in which there is no public interest and for which
no public agency has jurisdictional or maintenance
responsibilities.
Public Works Committee:
lThe Public Works Department of the City of Tiffin or its
successor committee.
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Right-of-Way: A strip of land occupied or intended to be occupied for
public road purposes:
Right-of-Way Line: The boundary between the land acquired for or
dedicated to highway use and abutting property.
Road: A private or public way,however designated, for
vehicular and pedestrian or bicycle travel.
Shared Access: An access facility used jointly by two or more properties.
Shoulder: The portion of the highway contiguous with the traveled
way for the accommodation of stopped vehicles and for
emergency use.
Standard Specifications:
The most recent edition of the"Standard Specifications
for Road and Bridge Construction" and also included by
reference to the standard specifications,the most recent
editions of the"Supplemental Specifications and
Recurring Special Provisions," the"Standard
Specification for Traffic Control Items," and all
amendments and successor documents to the
aforementioned documents as published by IDOT.
Stopping Sight Distance:
The distance, assumed for design purposes, that a
vehicle traveling at the design speed can stop.
Storm Sewer: A closed conduit for conveying storm water.
Storm Water Drainage Facility:
Any element in a storm water drainage system, which is
made or improved by people.
Street: See Other Street
Structure: Anything constructed, erected, or placed which has
location in or on the ground or is attached to something
having a location on the ground.
Subdivider: Any person subdiving land.
Subdivision: Any division or redivision of a parcel of land into two or
more parts by means of mapping,platting,conveyance,
change,or rearrangement of boundaries.
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Surveyor: A person registered and licensed as a land surveyor in
the State of Iowa.
"T" Intersection: An intersection consisting of three approaches.
Traffic Control Devices:
All signs,signals, markings, and devices placed or
erected by authority of a public body or official having
jurisdiction for the purpose of regulating,warning, or
guiding traffic.
Traffic Engineer: An engineer whose principal professional practice is in
the field of traffic engineering.
Traffic Impact Study: A comprehensive collection and analysis of all
information necessary to accurately evaluate the effect
and impact or traffic generated by a development on the
current and future road network surrounding the
development.
Turnaround: An area utilized by vehicular traffic to change direction
of the right-of-way.
Turning Lane: An auxiliary lane,including tapered areas,primarily for
the deceleration and queuing of the vehicles leaving the
through lanes.
Turning Movement: Vehicles making a designated turn.
Use: The purpose or activity for which land,or any structure
thereon,is designated, arranged,or intended,or for
which it is occupied or maintained.
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4. Access Regulation Policies
In order for the techniques and policies of access regulation to be effective, they must be
applied in a coordinated fashion to:
The prescribed roadway
The access point, i.e. the driveway or road
The abutting property and its associated development
A comprehensive access regulation program will preserve prescribed roadways and •
prescribed roadway capacity,reduce delays and allow for compatible land use and
economic development within the prescribed roadway corridors.
The following policies shall be applied to all types of access.
A. The Prescribed Roadway
Roadway capacity and safety are adversely affected by uncontrolled or poorly
designed traffic operation. These operations shall be controlled through the
development of turning lanes,medians, turning restrictions,traffic signals,
roadway lighting, and other design criteria.
1. Turning Lanes and Medians
a. For all industrial,commercial,and residential subdivision
development, or as determined by the City of Tiffin, turning lanes
(consisting of a taper and a full width auxiliary lane) for either right
or left turns into an abutting property shall be provided.
b. The cost of providing turning lanes shall be the responsibility of the
property owner. Where the width of any road right-of-way is
insufficient to permit the construction of a turning lane, the property
owner shall provide any necessary additional right-of-way to the
City of Tiffin or the Iowa Department of Transportation which ever
is applicable.
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c. Right-turning lanes should generally be constructed entirely within
the frontage of the property being served,unless the length of the
turning lanes as required by the'DO' T or City of Tiffin necessitates
additional property.
d. On an undivided roadway or a divided roadway with a median
width inadequate for a left-turn lane, the property owner will be
required to widen the prescribed roadway to accommodate the
turning lane.
2. Turning Restrictions
a. If warranted by a traffic study, or as determined by the City of
Tiffin, turning movements to or from a prescribed roadway may
be restricted under the following conditions:
i. Where numerous low-volume access points exist and
the spacing between them does not permit adequate left-
turn tapers and storage bays for inbound vehicles
without blocking adjacent access points.
ii. At access points close to an intersection where
inbound or outbound left-turns would have to be made
within areas where traffic is queued during any period
of the day.
iii. Where other conditions such as sight distance prevent
turns from being made safely.
iv. Where a particular parcel is provided with more than
one access point and volumes do not justify left-turn
access into and/or from both access points.
v. When a parcel has access provided by both a
signalized access point and an unsignalized access point,
left turns shall be prohibited at the unsignalized
location.
vi. When the median opening for left-turning vehicles
would be too close to another median opening, left turns
may be prohibited at one of the access points.
vii. When other capacity, delay, operational,or safety
conditions make specific left turns detrimental to the
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public interest. These conditions will be identified on a
site-specific basis.
3. Traffic Signals
a. If warranted by a traffic study,or as determined by the City of Tiffin,
traffic signals shall be installed at high-volume crossroads or
accesses to facilitate outbound left turn and through traffic
movements. Signalization shall meet the warrants set forth in the
Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
b. Signalized intersections shall be spaced to maintain the efficiency of
traffic flow in the through prescribed roadway. Signals where
isolated operations are proposed shall generally be spaced one-half
mile or more apart. Where spacing is less than one-half mile, or
other considerations warrant or are anticipated to warrant such,
adjacent signals shall be interconnected to provide an efficient
prescribed roadway traffic flow.
c. Where traffic signals are required to serve a private development,
and are anticipated to meet traffic warrants, the entire cost for the
installation,interconnection, and modernization,for the signals shall
be the responsibility of the property owner.
d. To prevent excessive green time allocated to the driveway at the
expense of the prescribed roadway through movements,vehicle
detection devices should be used on the driveway approaches.
e. Whenever possible;intersections to be signalized must fit into the
signal progression patterns along the prescribed roadway. Hence,
the decisions for locations of signalized intersections should be made
according to The City of Tiffin.
4. Roadway Lighting
a. Roadway lighting shall be provided as warranted by a traffic study,
or as determined by the City of Tiffin. The lighting units shall meet
standards and specifications approved by the City as per City of
Tiffin Design Standards lighting requirements.
B. The Access Point or Driveway
An access point or system of access points must be located so as to provide:
the most favorable vision,grade and alignment conditions for users of
the prescribed roadway and the access point
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No undue interference with the free arid safe movement of prescribed
roadway traffic
Maximum safety and convenience for pedestrians and other users of the
road right-of-ways
In the interest of public safety and convenience,the City of Tiffin may restrict the
number and location of access points in addition to reviewing internal traffic
circulation for proposed developments and access improvements during
prescribed roadway reconstruction projects.
1. The Number of Access Points
a. Each development or property,regardless of the number of
parcels,shall be limited to one access point to prescribed
roadways unless proper spacing warrants a second access.
b. One additional right in/right out access point may be permitted if it
is demonstrated by a competent engineering analysis that the
level of service at the approved access point would be
substantially improved by the addition of a second access point,
and will not adversely affect traffic safety or operations on the
prescribed roadway.
c. If the approved access point is to be signalized,no additional full
access points will be permitted (unless proper spacing warrants
a second access).
d. For access to an abutting property located at the intersection of two
prescribed roadways,one access point shall be permitted on the
prescribed roadway having the lower volume of traffic,as
determined by the City of Tiffin. The requirements for the access
point shall comply with all applicable provisions of this policy.
e. For corner lots at an intersection where only one of the abutting
roads is a prescribed roadway, and if access is available from the
local intersecting street, access to the prescribed roadway may be
prohibited by the City of Tiffin. The requirements for the access
point if permitted,shall comply with the agency having
jurisdiction of the proscribed roadway.
2. The Location of Access Points
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a. Access points shall be located so that ingress and egress maneuvers
will not severely degrade safe and efficient traffic movements
and operations on the on specified access restricted prescribed
roadways or other roadways as specified by the Planning and
Zoning Commission and the City of Tiffin City Council.
b. Access points shall be located, to the maximum extent feasible, at the
point of optimum sight distance along the abutting property
frontage. Placement of an access point on a horizontal curve or
just below the high point of a crest vertical curve should be
avoided.
c. Any vehicular operations for which sight distance is inadequate(e.g.
left turn entry or exit)will be prohibited. If a safe sight distance
is not available at any point along the frontage of a property,one
of the following procedures shall be utilized:
i. Develop access to another roadway
ii. Develop indirect access via a frontage road
iii. Develop indirect access via the acquisition of an access
easement from an adjacent property.
d. Whenever possible, access should be provided via existing cross
street in lieu of additional prescribed roadway access points.
e. Access to a prescribed roadway should be provided via existing
cross street in lieu of additional prescribed roadway access
points.
f. Where an existing access facility is on the opposite side of the
prescribed roadway from an abutting property from which
access is being requested which has inadequate frontage along
the prescribed roadway to allow for the proper alignment with
the existing access facility
i. the proposed access would not comply with other conditions
of this policy
ii. the abutting property for which access is being requested
has inadequate frontage along the prescribed roadway
to allow for the proper alignment with the existing
access facility
iii. the alignment of the existing and proposed access
facilities would be detrimental to traffic flow,result in
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unacceptable delays,impede traffic operations,or
impair traffic safety on the prescribed roadway.
g. Adjacent access points shall be spaced to insure that conflicting
movements as adjacent access points do not overlap and that
safe and efficient traffic movements and operations will be
maintained.
h. The minimum spacing between a given access point and an
intersecting street or another access point shall be determined by
the distance required to provide full left turn tapers and storage
bays along the prescribed roadways for both the given access
point and the intersecting prescribed roadway or adjacent access
point,regardless of the present need for said tapers and storage
bays. Storage bay lengths should be determined by using
projected traffic volumes that will be experienced when the
development(s)using the access point are fully in service.
i. If an abutting property has inadequate frontage to meet these
minimum spacing requirements,The City of Tiffin shall
determine the location of the access point using the applicable .
provisions of this policy. The City of Tiffin may require the
development of joint(shared)access facilities, the development
of indirect access,the restriction in the case of adjacent low
volume access facilities, the installation of a two-way untapered
left turn lane.
j. Access points in the vicinity of interchanges, interchanges ramp
terminals,crossroads,frontage roads and service drive
connections shall be restricted to minimize hazardous and
congested conditions. Sufficient spacing between interchange
ramps and access points or crossroad intersections shall be
provided to permit the development of turning lanes and proper
signing of the prescribed roadway facilities.
3. Internal Circulation Within Developments
a. When property abutting a prescribed roadway is to be
developed, direct access to a prescribed roadway shall not be
used in lieu of an adequate internal traffic circulation system.
b. No access shall be permitted to a development if internal
traffic patterns are not acceptable based on overall traffic
circulation, drive-in reservoir and parking space capacities,
internal turning movements, and projected trip/parking
generation rates.
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c. No access shall be permitted if such access would
require backing or turning maneuvers onto a prescribed
roadway. Provisions for turnarounds shall be made outside the
prescribed roadway right-of-way.
d. No access shall be permitted if such access would result
in parking on a prescribed roadway or within the right-of-way of
a prescribed roadway. Provisions for parking shall be made
outside of the right-of-way of a prescribed roadway,unless
created for public use by the City of Tiffin.
4. Roadway Reconstruction
a. During the planning and design of roadway reconstruction and
widening projects,abutting property owners and The City of Tiffin
shall be required,to the extent feasible, to:
i. comply with all applicable provisions of this access
regulation policy
ii. consider,if warranted,the development of continuous .
two-way left-turn lanes and frontage roads
iii. eliminate unnecessary access points
C. Abutting Property Land Use and Site
Development Characteristics
In addition to positive regulation over prescribed roadway features and access
locations,the development characteristics of abutting property are an integral
part of an effective access control program. Technical and physical
improvements to the prescribed roadway and driveway system alone can do
very little to improve the orderly and safe movement of traffic when adjacent
land uses have poorly located or planned access, or when such land uses
generate large increases in traffic volumes without regard to the traffic
characteristics of area roadways. Adjacent land use plans should be coordinated
with roadway characteristics through land uses and zoning ordinances or
subdivision regulations.
The following policies, including considerations of land use,internal circulation,
aesthetics and pedestrians/mass transit, shall be considered,to the extent
feasible, in the development of property abutting a prescribed roadway.
1. Land Use Characteristics
a. When land uses along the prescribed roadway change or
renovation of an area is proposed,the existing access and
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internal circulation of the site shall be reviewed and upgraded as
if it were a new development.,
b. The cooperation and coordination between the City of Tiffin and
developer/owner shall be encouraged to benefit effective land
use development along prescribed roadways. Please see
attached "Access Regulation Ordinance Prescribed Roadways
Map" for more detail on accesses affected by this ordinance.
c. Corridor development in the vicinity of a freeway ramp
interchange should yield the maximum utilization of the
surrounding areas potential land use. Community input should
be encouraged with regard to planned developments adjacent to
freeway interchange ramps.
d. Potential land use should be determined from the access needs
that it requires. Should projected trip generation values warrant
access needs that cannot be accommodated without
compromising the safety and efficiency of highway operation, a
change in density or of land use should be made. Land uses
which benefit from and preserve the traffic accessibility and
roadside exposure should be encouraged.
e. Prescribed roadway corridor land use should complement or
reduce the impact to surrounding properties. Adjacent
developments should be evaluated in terms of land use, access,
arrangements, pedestrians and vehicle circulation,and type of
signing.
f. The consideration of wider right-of-ways, conservation
easements,and deeper setbacks(50 ft.minimum) should be
made in order to reduce strip commercial development and
unnecessary traffic congestion.
2. Internal Circulation
a. The subdivision of land fronting prescribed roadways shall be
discouraged unless an internal or integrated access plan for each
property is provided. Such a plan should identify the type of
internal or integrated access used (ring road, access easement
from an adjacent property,access to another roadway,etc.)and
should consider overall traffic circulation, drive-in reservoir and
parking space capacities,internal turning movements,and
projected trip-parking generation rates.
b. The consolidation of parcels into a single development should be
encouraged,especially in areas where there are many narrow or
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{
odd-shaped parcels and where access control procedures would
be difficult to apply.
c. Expansive parking areas for developments shall be discouraged.
With the use of berms,walls,fences, or depressed parking lots,
smaller parking arrangements can be placed on the side and
back areas of the developments,reducing the non-aesthetic
qualities that large-scale parking lots have on the surrounding
environment. These small parking areas should be
interconnected with a "ring road" to enhance effective internal
circulation.
3. Landscape/Architectural Considerations
a. Aesthetic and landscaping improvements along the prescribed
roadway shall be encouraged during prescribed roadway
reconstruction projects. The underground placement of
overhead utility lines shall be considered whenever major road
construction occurs. Affected property owners and developers
shall contribute to the utility relocation and burial. If burial
cannot be performed, aesthetic utility poles should be •
considered.
b. Where adjacent land uses change(i.e.residential to nonresidential),
buffer and screening regions shall be used to provide the
appropriate noise and visual shield.
c. Whenever possible, landscaping for small adjacent parcels shall be
blended together to form a more homogeneous appearance.
d. Where distant frontage roads are used, it shall be encouraged to
have complete landscaping, architecture, and aesthetic building
materials all the way around the development. This will prevent
the"back side"of the development from occurring on either the
prescribed roadway or frontage road side. Proper buffer
treatment between properties and land uses beyond the distant
frontage road shall be promoted.
e. Careful selection of building material and landscaping techniques
for developments shall be strongly encouraged not only to
enhance the aesthetic meshing of the proposed development
with the desired corridor appearance,but aid in the reduction of
vibrations and noise caused by highway traffic.
f. A detailed landscaping and signage plan should be included with
each-proposed development.
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g. Advertising and business signs for the highway frontage properties
should be monitored with regard to their size,number, aesthetic
appeal,and location. The character and placement of these signs
should maximize side road sight distance and motorist reaction
time. Signage for a development should be evaluated
individually and with signage from adjacent developments to
address potential sign pollution. No signage other than that for
roadway purposes will be allowed within the prescribed
roadway right-of-way. All proposed signage is subject to City of
Tiffin Sign Ordinances as detailed by the City of Tiffin Zoning
Ordinance.
4. Pedestrian/Mass Transit Considerations
a. Pedestrian traffic within the corridor should be directed to and
from major crossroad intersection where crossings can be
accommodated by the existing traffic signals and mass transit
connections can be provided from either roadway. The
development of sidewalks or walkways where pedestrian traffic
between adjacent land uses is expected shall be promoted.
Internal circulation of pedestrian traffic within the development.
shall be encouraged.
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5. Access Permits
A. An access permit is a legal document granting permission to construct and
operate a driveway of a certain basic design at a specified location on a
prescribed roadway. The permit is required for the construction of any new
access or the modification of any existing access within the right-of-way along a
prescribed roadway. The driveway constructed or reconstructed under a permit
must be performed by or for the developer/owner at the expense of the
developer/owner.
1. Permit Application Process
a. Initial Request
Upon request for an access permit application thru the City of
Tiffin,the developer/owner shall be:
i. Informed of the requirements and procedures for
obtaining the necessary access permit along the
prescribed road right-of-way.
ii. Given a copy of this Ordinance if requested and
purchased. (The City of Tiffin Access Regulation
Ordinance.)
iii. Encouraged to contact the City of Tiffin City Clerk for
assistance if necessary.
b. Preliminary Submittal
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The initial submittal by a developer shall include,but not be limited to,a
letter of explanation and request for access,and Preliminary Plat.
c. Final Submittal
Upon review and requests for revision of the items required in Section
5.A.1.b above,the developer shall submit the final plat, and the engineering
plans,specifications, supplemental studies,and an estimate of cost and time
for the proposed access and any associated improvements to a prescribed
roadway in order to accommodate traffic using the access.
d. Access Permit Issuance
Upon receipt and approval of the engineering plans, specifications,estimate
of cost and time,performance guarantee, and Certificate of Insurance and
permit fee as set by resolution of the City of Tiffin,the City of Tiffin shall
issue an Access Permit and construction work may begin. In addition, a
copy of any recorded dedication of right-of-way for the development shall
be submitted to the City of Tiffin before any permit will be issued.
e. Field Inspections
The City of Tiffin will conduct periodic field inspections during the course
of construction. The inspection will be performed by the City of Tiffin
designated engineer, and all cost associated with required inspections will
be the sole responsibility of the permittee.
f. Final Inspections
A final inspection shall be performed by the City of Tiffin. If any deficient
work is noted it shall be the responsibility of the developer to correct the
deficient work. Once all work has been completed satisfactorily to city
standards,the construction work shall be accepted and approved.
2. Submittal Requirements
a. Preliminary Plan Requirements
The preliminary plan shall be submitted with the initial request for an
access driveway. The following information shall be included on the
plan.
i. Drawn at a Scale: of 1"=100' or smaller
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ii. The name, address, and telephone number of the
developer/owner(s).
iii. The name of the property or development
iv. The location of the property in relation to municipal and
township boundaries and all adjacent roads. A location
map with an appropriate scale shall be used to indicate
the location of the property with respect to the region.
v. The boundaries and parcel number(s)of the property in
addition to the proposed layout of roads, lots, and
blocks.
vi. A description of the current and proposed land uses and
the existing and proposed zoning.
vii. The existing use of the abutting properties. All existing
roads and access driveways within 1000 feet of the
property.
viii. The identification of any legal right-of-ways or
easements affecting the property as it relates to the
prescribed roadway.
ix. The number, location, and dimensions of proposed
access driveways.
x. The existing prescribed roadway right-of-way width and
proposed right-of-way acquisitions, if appropriate.
xi. The existing and proposed dimensions of the prescribed
roadway including through and turning lanes,
shoulders, curbs,medians, etc.
xii. Proposed culvert or sewer grades with sufficient
elevations upstream and downstream to show the extent
of flow across the proposed development and to the
proposed outlet. All City of Tiffin Storm Water
Standards apply.
xiii. All site characteristics such as existing structures,
utilities,natural drainage, floodplains, and wetlands
within 1000 feet of the prescribed roadway.
xiv. Existing and proposed topography and contours at not
greater then two foot intervals with 1000 feet of the
prescribed roadway.
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xv. Any other information required by the City of Tiffin that is
deemed necessary to provide a complete review of a proposed
access driveway for a property or development.
xvi. The City of Tiffin may waive any of the above-required
information for a minor access, if it is determined that any of
the information mentioned above is not needed to secure an
access permit.
xvii. Fee,as required by the City and set in resolution by the City
Council
b. Engineering Plans, Specifications,and Estimates of Cost&Time
Engineering Plans, Specifications, and Estimates of Cost&Time shall
be required for any access located on prescribed roadway right-of-way,
which satisfy the definition of a major access. The following
information shall be included on the engineering plans.
i. A cover sheet showing the name of the development,
location map, length of roadway improvement, index of
sheets,other general information,and the telephone number
and the stamp of the preparing registered engineer with the
engineer's signature affixed over the stamp.
ii. A summary of quantities for individual work item
materials
iii. General notes and specifications.
iv. Typical cross sections.
v. Detailed construction plan and profile sheets at a scale of
1"-20'. Also shown will be angles of intersection,sight
distances,the location of utilities,and the distances from
intersecting roads and property lines.
vi. The preliminary plan of the site with approved revisions if
applicable.
vii. A traffic control plan detailing traffic control stages, if
applicable,to be implemented during construction.
viii. Traffic control devices for the final improvements,such
as fixed signs,pavement markings,and traffic signal layout
plans should signalization be warranted.
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ix. A Drainage Plan of the development and a NPDES
Permit No.2 if applicable as it relates to the prescribed
roadway right-of-way.
x. Any miscellaneous details,as necessary or required
by the City of Tiffin.
xi. An estimate of cost shall be prepared and shall be
based on unit prices for individual work items.
xii. An estimate of time to complete the project shall be
submitted to the City of Tiffin for approval. Once
approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission and
the City Council a progress schedule shall be developed
and submitted.
c. Soil Surveys
Soil surveys may be required as deemed necessary by the City
Engineer. Such surveys shall be conducted prior to the
completion of the final engineering plans and specifications to
determine the existence of unsatisfactory subgrade materials or
the need for remedial underground drainage. The results of the
soil survey shall be submitted along with the engineering plans
and specifications for review by the City of Tiffin.
d. Drainage Study
i. U.S.G.S.map delineating the site and the boundaries
and area of all watershed and subwatershed areas
affecting the site.
ii. A drainage plan of the site delineating existing and
proposed watershed and subwatershed areas;proposed
drainage facilities;and design volumes and velocities of
all structures,systems,and ditches.
iii. Computation as per the IDOT Manual,supporting
the desigri of all proposed facilities,including,but not
limited to:drainage areas,runoff coefficients,
frequencies,volumes,velocities, methods of design,and
other,as required by the City of Tiffin.
e. 'Traffic Impact Study
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The City of Tiffin shall request that a traffic impact study be
prepared for the proposed development access,which will
include,but not be limited to:
Introduction—A description of the development
including its size,location, the roadway network in the
vicinity of the site,the boundary limits of the study area
and any other information needed to aide in the review
of the developments traffic impact.
ii. Laid uses—A description of the existing and
proposed land uses of the development. If alternative
land uses are being proposed, the highest trip generation
uses shall be assigned for each land use.
iii. Roadway Network—A description of the roadway
networklin the vicinity of the development shall include
the roadway and intersection geometrics, existing 24-
hour volume counts,A.M./P.M.peak hour counts at
intersections, and traffic control devices. The area of
influence shall be determined by the traffic generated
from the site,the trip distribution of traffic, and the trip
assignment of the traffic generated by the development
over the surrounding area road network.
iv. Peak-Hour Trip Generation and Volumes—The
average trip generation rates for both total daily traffic
and A.M./P.M.peak hours plus the total number of trips
generated ifor each type of proposed land use shall be
determined. The trip generation rates for average total
daily traffic and A.M.peaks shall be calculated from the
latest data'available contained in the Institute of
Transportation Engineer's Trip Generation Manual. If
trip generation rates for a specific land uses are not
available, the City of Tiffin shall approve the rates.
v. Trip Distribution and Assignment—The most
logically traveled routes in the vicinity of the
development shall be used for trip distribution and
assignment purposes. The directional distribution of
site-generated traffic approaching and departing the
development should be shown on both graphic and
tabular form. All assumptions used in the
determination of distribution and assignment shall be
clearly stated.
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vi. Existing and Projected Traffic volumes—The
following traffic volumes for access driveways,
intersection,and the roadway network in the site
•
vicinity shall be displayed on a roadway network map:
a. Existing A.M./P.M. peak hour traffic volumes.
b. Existing total daily volumes within the site
vicinity.
c. A.M./P.M.peak hour site generated traffic
volumes.
d. Total daily site generated traffic volumes.
e. A.M./P.M.existing plus site generated traffic
volumes.
f. Total daily existing plus site generated traffic
volumes.
To determine A.M./P.M.existing traffic volumes
machine counts and/or manual counts shall be
conducted between the hours of 6:00 A.M.-9:00 A.M.,
and 3:00 P.M.—6:00 P.M. All A.M./P.M.counts
machine or manual,shall be recorded and
summarized in fifteen-minute increments for the
three-hour period,and included in the Appendix of
the traffic impact study. Manual turning movement
counts shall include vehicle classifications, i.e.
passenger cars single-unit,multi-unit trucks and
busses. (Note:Vehicle classification counts are
referred under item 5.A.3.f.)
Traffic volume shall show both entering and existing
traffic at the proposed access points in addition to
turning and through traffic movements at critical
intersections.
The improvements shall be designed for a projected
traffic volume of twenty years beyond the expected
year of conE struction.
vii. Capacity Analysis—Proposed access and influenced
intersections shall be subject to a capacity analysis.
Projected traffic conditions shall include the effects of
any proposed developments within the influenced area.
The existing and projected levels of service derived from
1
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the analysis shall be used to aide in the evaluation of
design and operation alternatives of the access and
influenced intersections. The improvements shall be
designed to a Level Of Service C or better for all traffic
movements.
vii. Signalization Warrants—If it is anticipated that the
development's access will satisfy signalization warrants
soon after the development has been completed, a
warrant analysis will be conducted using the projected
volumes determined from the trip generation. The
results of such an analysis shall be tabulated in the
traffic impact study.
ix. Additional Access Facilities—Requests for additional
access other than the allowed in Section 4.B.1 of this
Ordinance shall be analyzed. The analysis shall
recognize the standards set forth in this ordinance and
shall evaluate the other forms of access including
restricted access, indirect access, access to other streets
or roads, signalized versus unsignalized access, and
other factors on which a determination can be made
concerning the number of access facilities.
x. Traffic Control Measures—The type and extent of traffic
control measures shall be examined. These may include,
but are not limited to,regulatory signage,signalization,
and pavement markings.
xi. Conclusions and Recommendations—Clear,concise,
descriptions of the findings shall be presented. These
findings shall include all recommended improvements
for access facilities,intersections, and the area roadway
network.
f. Preparation of Plans
An engineer shall prepare the necessary preliminary plans, soil
and drainage studies, engineering plans and specifications,
estimate of cost and time for the development, and traffic impact
study. The mentioned documents shall be stamped with the
engineer's seal and the engineer's signature affixed over the seal.
3. Developer/Owner Cost for Access and Improvements to Prescribed
Roadways
All costs associated with the design and construction of an access
driveway and any associated improvements to a prescribed roadway to
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accommodate the access driveway and the traffic using the access shall
be paid completely by the developer/owner. Costs to the
developer/owner may include but are not limited to the following:
a. Preliminary Plan -The preparation of the preliminary plan
including any associated revisions.
b. Engineering Plans,Specifications, and Estimates of Cost and Time—
The preparation of engineering plans,specifications,and
estimates of cost and time including any associated revisions.
c. Plans,Studies, and Other Required Data—The preparation of any
plans,studies, information, or other data required by the City of
Tiffin for the review of an access request including any
associated revisions.
d. Drainage Study—The preparation of a drainage study including any
associated revisions.
e. Traffic Impact Study—The preparation of a traffic impact study
including any associated revisions.
f. Traffic Counts—The collection of traffic counts and vehicle
classification counts.
g. Construction Materials—The furnishings,transporting, and
installation of all materials necessary to complete the driveway
construction as specified.
h. Tools, Equipment,and Labor—The purchase or use of all tools,
equipment,labor,and incidentals necessary to complete the
driveway construction as specified.
i. Traffic Control Devices—Traffic control signage,pavement marking,
markers, and all other traffic control devices.
j. Traffic Signalization—The installation, interconnection,
modernization,maintenance, and energy charges for traffic
signalization.
k. As-Built Plans—The preparation of as-built plans to be submitted to
the City of Tiffin prior to the release of any performance
guarantee. The as-built plans must be submitted on disk. The
City of Tiffin currently uses AutoCAD 2000.
I. Performance Guarantees and Certificates of Insurance—The securing
and posting of performance Guarantees(Bonds)and Certificates
of Insurance.
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m. Fees—All fees required for this Ordinance shall be established by,
and amended from time to time by, a separate resolution of the
City of Tiffin.
n. Inspection—All engineering expenses associated with inspection
shall be paid by the developer/owner.
o. Miscellaneous Costs—All other costs associated with an access
driveway and improvements to the prescribed roadway as
required by this Ordinance.
4. Variations
a. General
Where the City of Tiffin finds that extraordinary hardships or
practical difficulties may result from strict compliance with this
Ordinance, the City of Tiffin City Council may approve
variations to the requirements of this Ordinance so that
substantial justice may be done and the public interest subserved
thereby,provided that such variations shall not have the effect of
nullifying the intent and purpose of this Ordinance.
The City of Tiffin may require that a Traffic Impact Study as set
forth in Section 5.A.2.e or other information,studies, or data be
submitted when reviewing a request for a variation from the
provisions of this Ordinance.
b. Variations Requests
A petition for any variation shall be submitted in writing to the
City of Tiffin by the developer/owner. The developer must
prove that the variation will not be contrary to the public interest
and that a practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship will result
if it is not granted. In particular,the developer shall establish
and substantiate that the variation conforms to the requirements
and standards as set forth in Section 5.A.4.a
c. Standards for Variations
No variation in the strict application of the provisions of this
Ordinance shall be granted unless it is found that the following
relevant requirements and conditions are satisfied. This City of
Tiffin may grant variations whenever it is determined that all of
the following have been met:
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•
The granting of the variation shall be in harmony with the
general purpose and intent of the regulation imposed by this
Ordinance and shall not result in undue delay,congestion or
be detrimental to the safety of the traveling public using the
prescribed roadways.
ii. There must be proof of unique or existing special
circumstances or conditions where the strict application of the
provisions of this Ordinance would deprive the developer of
reasonable access. Circumstances that would allow
reasonable access by a road or street other than a City street,
circumstances where indirect or restricted access can be
obtained,or circumstances where engineering or construction
solutions can be applied to mitigate the condition shall not be
considered unique or special.
iii. There must be proof of practical difficulty or unnecessary
hardship. It is not sufficient to show that greater profit or
economic gain would result if the variation would be granted.
Furthermore,the hardship or difficulty cannot be self-created
or self-imposed;nor can it be established on this basis by the
owner who purchases with or without knowledge of the
provisions of this Ordinance. The difficulty or hardship must
result from the strict application of this Ordinance and it must
be suffered directly and solely by the owner/developer of the'
property in question.
iv. The variation is the least deviation from the provisions of
this Ordinance which will mitigate the hardship or practical
difficulty.
d. Action by the City of Tiffin
Upon receipt of all the relevant information, facts,data,permit
fees,and a review by the City of Tiffin, or designees thereof,
shall render a decision in writing to the developer. The City of
Tiffin,may,in the decision for a variation, stipulate conditions
or impose requirements in granting of a variation from the
provisions of this Ordinance.
5. Guarantees and Escrows
a. Performance Guarantee
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•
To protect the City of Tiffin against the cost of completing
construction or correcting deficiencies, a performance guarantee
in an amount equal to one hundred twenty-five percent(125%)
of the approved estimate of cog'
ost for the proposed access and any
associated improvements to a prescribed roadway shall be
received from the developer prior to the issuance of the access
permit. The period in which the performance guarantee will be
in effect shall be specified by the City of Tiffin. Either an
individual performance guarantee or a specific permit,or a
blanket guarantee covering all permits may be used on a site-
specific basis. Upon final inspection, approval and receipt of the
as-built plans,the performance guarantee will be returned to the
developer. A Performance guarantee may be taken out in the
form of a bond from any bank or surety company licensed in
Iowa.
b. Maintenance Guarantees
To protect the City against any failures in the access and
associated improvements to the City streets, a maintenance
guarantee in an amount equal to fifteen percent(15%)of the
original amount of the performance guarantee shall be
submitted by the developer upon satisfactory completion of all
access improvements and prior to the release of the performance
guarantee. The length of term for the maintenance guarantee
shall be for two years following the completion,approval,and
acceptance of the access improvements. All failures,which
occur during the two-year period, shall be corrected by the
developer and restored to satisfactory condition,subject to the
approval of the City Council. A Maintenance guarantee may be
taken out in the form of a bond from any bank or surety
company licensed in Iowa.
c. Escrow Accounts
If it is determined that future improvements to a City street may
be necessary as a result of the construction of an access(i.e.a
traffic impact study prepared for a development staged or
phased over a period of years concludes that a traffic
signal/signal interconnection is not currently warranted but will
be as subsequent stages or phases are completed). The
developer/owner shall be responsible for all costs of the future
improvements to a prescribed roadway as a result of the access.
Funds sufficient for the future improvements to the prescribed
roadway shall be deposited with the City Clerk in escrow to pay
such costs. The deposit shall occur no later than the satisfactory
completion of all improvements and the release of the
performance guarantee. The amount to be in escrow shall be
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equal to the current estimated cost of the improvement plus
thirty percent(30%)of the cost for the City of Tiffin to
administer the future improvement.
If the funds within the escrow accounts have not been used
• within a period of five(5)years,the funds within the escrow
account,minus any interest income earned,shall be returned to
the developer and any further obligation of the developer for the
future improvements shall be terminated. The initial escrow
account period may be extended upon the written approval of
the City of Tiffin.
6. Certificates of Insurance
Certificates of Insurance shall be provided to the City of Tiffin prior to
the Issuance of an access permit for the construction or reconstruction of
all types of access as provided for in these regulations. This requirement
may be waived for certain minor access by the City of Tiffin upon receipt
of written application from a property owner substantiating good and
reasonable cause.
The owner/developer shall indemnify and save harmless the City of
Tiffin and its officers,agents,employees and servants against all loss,
damage or expense that it or they may sustain as a result of any suits,
actions or claims of any character brought on account of property
damage,injury to or death of any person or persons,including all
persons performing any work under the access permit, which may arise
in connection with the work to be performed.
The access permit is not intended by any of the Provisions of any part of
the access permit to create the public or any member thereof a third
party beneficiary,or to authorize any one not a party to the access permit
to maintain a suit for personal injuries or property damage pursuant to
the terms or Provisions of the access permit. The duties,obligations and
responsibilities off the parties to the access permits with respect to third
parties shall remain as imposed by law.
The owner/developer,prior to the issuance of the access permit,shall file
with the City of Tiffin copies of completed Certificates of Insurance,
satisfactory to the Development of streets to afford protection against all
claims for damages to public or private property, and injuries to persons,
arising out of and during the progress of the work to its completion,
approval,and post approval maintenance corrections. The policy of
insurance shall include the City of Tiffin as an additional insured or
provide separate coverage with an owner's protective policy. The
minimum amounts of insurance shall be determined as specified in the
Iowa Department of Transportation Standard Specifications for Road
and Bridge Construction as amended for the following types of
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insurance. (a)Bodily injury liability and (2)property damage liability.
There shall be no restrictions on occurrence limits.
All such insurance shall include an endorsement whereby the insurer
agrees to notify the City of Tiffin at least 30 days prior to nonrenewal,
reduction,or cancellation. The owner/developer shall cease, or cause to
be ceased,operation,work, and construction of an improvement if the
insurance is cancelled or reduced below the required minimum amount
of coverage as determined by the City of Tiffin.
Prior to the issuance of an access permit by the City of Tiffin, the
owner/developer shall furnish to the City of Tiffin Certificates of
insurances covering Workmen's Compensation, or satisfactory evidence
that this liability is otherwise taken care of in accordance with Section 4.
(a)Of the"Workmen's Compensation Act of the State of Iowa".
Such insurance,or other means of protection as herein provided,shall be
kept in force until all work to be performed under the terms of the access
permit has been completed and accepted in accordance with this policy
and it is hereby understood and agreed that the maintenance of such
insurance or other protection,until acceptance of the work by the City of
Tiffin is a part of the access permit. Failure to maintain such insurance,
cancellation by the Industrial Commission of its approval of such other
means of protection as might have been elected,or any other act which
results in lack of protection under the said "Workmen's Compensation
Act"may result in the revocation of the access permit.
7. Inspection
The construction or reconstruction of an access driveway and any
associated improvements of the City of Tiffin shall be inspected by a
representative of the City of Tiffin. The number of inspections shall be
determined by the City of Tiffin and reflect the complexity and
magnitude of the access and improvements made to the City of Tiffin.
8. Enforcement
If the developer fails to perform the work with sufficient work force and
equipment or with sufficient materials to insure the completion of said
within the specified time,or performs the work unsuitably as
determined by the City of Tiffin,or neglects or refuses materials or
performs anew such work as shall be rejected as defective and
unsuitable,or discontinues the execution of the work, or for any other
cause whatsoever does not carry on the work in an approved manner,
the City of Tiffin shall give notice by registered mail to the developer and
his/her Surety of such delinquency, said notice to specify the corrective
measures required. After said notice,the City shall call upon the
Performance Guarantee to have the work completed in accordance with
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the terms of the Performance Guarantee. The City of Tiffin shall request
a deposit into the appropriate fund. The City of Tiffin may then take
over the work,including any or all materials or equipment on the
ground as may be suitable and acceptable and may complete the work
with his/her own forces or any such other methods as in his/her opinion,
shall be required for the completion of the work in an acceptable
manner.
9. Local Regulations
Permit requests should be reviewed for conformance to existing land use
and zoning plans. The Planning and Zoning Commission will be
provided an opportunity to comment on all driveway applications. The
applicant,however,is responsible for insuring compliance with local
building codes,setback requirements,minimum lot sizes, density of
building,provision for adequate parking, and all other City of Tiffin
adopted ordinances and regulations. Permits will not be granted by the
City Council for entrances if the Planning and Zoning Commission
indicates that the development does not conform to the City of Tiffin
land use and zoning plans.
10. Construction of Access
a. Access Permit Terms and Conditions
All work performed on a prescribed roadway under the terms of
an access permit is subject to the conditions on the permit itself
and all accompanying plans,specification, drawings, sketches,
or other attachments. The permittee or his contractor shall have
a copy of the permit available at the site during construction.
b. The Protection of Workmen and Traffic
During the period of time the access driveway is being
constructed,care must be taken to insure the protection of
workmen and traffic. The work shall be accomplished in a
manner that will minimize interference with normal prescribed
roadway operations. All warning signs,pavement markings,
and traffic control during construction shall be in compliance
with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices(MUTCD).
Special care must be taken during the construction of driveways
and development of the property to avoid tracking mud or other
material onto the prescribed roadway. Mud or other material
tracked onto the prescribed roadway shall be removed
immediately.
11. Maintenance of Access
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Property owners having access to a prescribed roadway are fully
responsible for the maintenance of their access. This maintenance
responsibility includes the removal of snow and ice and keeping the
portion of the access within the prescribed roadway right-of-way in a
safe condition for the general public Where the owner of a commercial
or industrial property is required to construct turning lanes on the
prescribed roadway,the City of Tiffin may in the interest of public
convenience provide maintenance and remove snow and ice on the
portions of those lanes constituting an integral part of the street. Once a
culvert is properly installed and approved, it will become public
property.
6. Access Design Standards
A. Design Standards
1. Designs Publications
The design of access and accompanying roadway improvements shall'
comply with the standards and specifications set forth in these access
standards, and as shown by the adopted "Access Regulation Ordinance
Prescribed Roadways Map". In the absence of specific guidance, the
latest version of the IDOT and AASHTO policies shall govern.
2. Definitions and Classification of Accesses
a. Minor Access
A minor access is one which serves property abutting a
prescribed roadway which,has an anticipated daily normal two-
way traffic volume of no more than 50 trips, and has no regular
use by vehicles or vehicle combinations of three axles or more
(personal recreational vehicles excluded).
Examples of land uses served by a minor access include farm
entrances, small residential developments (e.g., one to three
houses), an apartment complex with six or fewer units, or an
office building with less than 2,500 gross square feet.
b. Major Access
A major access is one that serves property abutting a prescribed
roadway and has an anticipated daily two-way traffic volume of
more than 50 trips. Since higher volume access facilities to
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highways have an impact on the capacity,use,and traffic flow of
the highway,and because of the uniqueness of the traffic
generation and characteristics of each access facility,it is difficult
to establish universal standards or requirements for such access
facilities. It is the responsibility of the developer/owner to
design the access facilities to suit the proposed development
needs and the needs of the prescribed roadway in accordance
with this Ordinance. Preliminary meetings and/or conversations
between the developer and the city street should be held to
discuss locations,basic requirements, and future changes or
plans for the prescribed roadway and other adjacent streets.
Examples of land-uses served by major driveway access facilities
include regional shopping centers, multiple-unit, single-family,
or multi-family residential developments, and office or
industrial complexes.
3. Design Speed
The design speed to be used for designing improvements on prescribed
roadways and adjacent accesses shall be considered to be a value 5 MPH
above the 85th Percentile speed of the street to which the improvements is
being made. The design speed may be adjusted at the discretion of the
City of Tiffin City Council.
4. Sight Distance Requirements
a. Access intersection Sight Distance Requirements for at the intersection with the
prescribed roadway.
An access shall be located at the point of optimum sight distance
along a property frontage. The placement of an access on a
horizontal curve or just below the high point of a crest vertical
curve on the prescribed roadway shall be discouraged.
Safe access Sight Distances are presented in Table 6A. These
values shall be goals to meet or exceed when positioning an
access along the property frontage. Should these sight distances
be physically unobtainable,then the access shall be at a location
that provides the sight distance closest to that required in Table
6A provided that the minimum stopping sight distance in Table
6B is met or exceeded.
Table 6A
Intersection Sight Distance Requirements for Prescribed Roadway Access
Design Speed(mph) Distance Required (Feet)
25 300
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30 335
1 35 390
40 445
45 . 500
50 555
55 610
Notes: 1. Driver's eye height shall be 3.5 feet above pavement edge.
2. Driver's eye shall be 17 feet from pavement edge.
3. Object height(approaching vehicle)shall be 4.25 feet above center
of traffic lane.
4. Sight distances based on vehicle leaving intersection frontward,not
backing out onto highway.
Table 6B
Minimum stopping sight distance for access
Design Speed (mph) Distance Required (Feet)
25 190
30 200
35 250
40 305
45 360
50 425
55 495
Notes: 1. Driver's eye height shall be 3.5 feet above pavement edge.
2. Driver's eye shall be 17 feet from pavement edge.
3. Object height(approaching vehicle)shall be 4.25 feet above center
of traffic lane.
4. Sight distances based on vehicle leaving intersection frontward,not
backing out onto highway.
For such cases,it will be at the discretion of the City of Tiffin
City Council to determine on whether adequate sight distance
exists regardless if the requirements in Table 6B are met or
exceeded. The City of Tiffin Planning and Zoning Commission
and the City of Tiffin City Council shall review the sight distance
constraints on a site-specific basis and may require the use of
acceleration lanes to benefit the access in connection with the
prescribed roadway. If it is determined that inadequate sight
distance exists for any turning/crossing movement(s), the access
shall be designed to prohibit such movements by the use of
channelizing islands,signs, and pavement markings as required
by the City of Tiffin.
If it is determined that safe sight distance is not available at any
point along the frontage of a property,access may be allowed, at
the developer's expense, in one of the following ways:
Page 41 of 60
i. Redesign or reconstruction of the existing prescribed
roadway to correct sight distance deficiency
ii. Develop an access to another roadway
I .
iii.
Develop indirect access via a frontage road
iv. Develop indirect access via the acquisition of an access
easement from an adjacent property.
5. Minor Access Design Elements
a. Width of Access
All minor access shall have a width between the minimum of 24
feet. This width shall be measured at right angles to the center
lie of the access. The width may be increased by permissible
radii to allow for smooth ingress and egress at the highway
connection. Where an access is to be used by large farm
equipment, a width of 24 feet should be considered. When
applicable permits may be issued for common residential .
entrances to serve adjacent properties. These entrances shall be
centered on the property line or applicable easement. The
permit will be issued jointly to the two owners and must be
executed by both owners.
b. Radius Return
The radius returns used for residential accesses should be 25
feet. The radius returns may be increased too 30 feet in cases
where the right-of-way is narrow, traffic volumes are large,
speeds are high,or long trailers use the entrance to allow for
more efficient use of the access.
c. Angular Placement
The access centerline should generally be at a right angle to the
pavement edge and follow this angle from the roadway to the
right-of-way line. If the size and shape of the property are such
that the access must be at an angle to the pavement, this angle
should be parallel to the property line. However,no access shall
be placed that will have a centerline angle measured from the
roadway must be less than 60 degrees.
d. Distance to Adjacent Property
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No part of an access including its radius return should encroach
on the frontage of the adjacent property.
e. Distance to Intersecting Roadway
Where a proposed access services a corner property, a minimum
distance shall be maintained to the public road intersection. The
minimum distance shall be measured parallel to the edge of
pavement or curb of the prescribed roadway from the edge of
the intersection road to the beginning of the access radius return.
This distance shall be a minimum of 150 feet. No part of any
access entering a crossroad or street, which intersects a
prescribed roadway, shall be closer than 100 feet to the edge of
the through-traffic lane of the prescribed roadway. Special
provisions may be needed in cases involving IDOT.
f. Throat Length
The access should be long enough, such that a passenger car will
park completely clear of the highway,sidewalk, proposed
sidewalk,and right-of-way line of the prescribed roadway. A
minimum throat length of 50 feet from the highway edge of •
pavement shall be maintained. The throat length should also be
influenced by the typical number of vehicles, which will use the
access, and a minimum setback of 50 feet from the right-of-way
line for garages and carports. It is strongly urged to provide
facilities to permit vehicles to turn around within the access clear
of the prescribed roadway right-of-way line. Accesses,which
allow vehicles to back out onto the highway, shall not be
allowed.
6. Major Access Design Elements
High volume,major access facilities should meet the design standards
for public road intersections with corresponding traffic volumes.
a. Width of Access
Major access facilities shall have a minimum width of 35 feet.
Larger widths may be required as directed by the City of Tiffin
Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council. The
number of lanes exiting from the development and turning in
one direction shall not exceed the number of proposed traffic
lanes on the prescribe roadway in that direction. For two-way
access facilities that restrict left-turn movements (right-in/right-
out driveways), the width(measured parallel to the prescribed
roadway)and length of the channelizing island should be
according to the standards as set forth by the Iowa Department
Page 43 of 60
of Transportaion. Variance form these values may be justified
by the requirements of the design vehicle. The offset from the
edge of prescribed roadway pavement and the island curb face
should be 5 feet.
b. Radius Return
The radius returns used to connect the access to the prescribed
roadway shall fall entirely within the right-of-way. It may be
permitted to go outside the right-of-way if raised curbing
extends into the private property. The radii will generally be
between 30 and 50 feet, except for three-centered-curves, which
may have larger radii. The entrance to the development should
have adequate radius returns, driveway widths, and if
applicable, deceleration and turning lanes to avoid backing up
traffic on the prescribed roadway. Smooth and unrestricted
entry for access traffic shall be the goal.
c. Angular Placement
The centerline of an access should either be at a right angle to the
highway or parallel to the development's property line. The
angle between the access and highway centerline may be
reduced to a minimum of 60 degrees for one-way and two-way
access.
d. Access Location
A minimum distance of 10 feet shall be maintained
between a property line and any part of the access flare.
Where volume projections indicate a need,sufficient
distance from adjacent roadways or property lines
should be allowed for the construction of right-or left-
turn lanes, acceleration or deceleration lanes.
ii. If multiple accesses are provided for facilities, sufficient
distance must be allowed between entrances for the
construction of turning lanes,or other additional lanes
needed. This will also result in separating the points of
conflict created by such entrances and will encourage
internal circulation. A minimum distance of 440 feet
between the centerlines of adjacent entrances will be
required for these purposes,unless a more restrictive
minimum distance is specified by the Iowa Department
of Transportation Design Manual.
Page 44 of 60
I i
e. Medians
Where a divided entrance separating entering and exiting traffic
is utilized,the barrier median shall be a minimum of 4 feet wide
and extend into the property as far as necessary to promote
smooth traffic patterns. The median shall begin at the edge of
the normal shoulder in an uncurbed section or 5 feet from the
face of the curb in a curbed section. (Only where needed or
proposed.)
f. Throat Length
At major access facilities,a queuing analysis using expected
arrival and departure rate should be conducted to determine the
appropriate throat length. A minimum length of 150'should be
used for high volume generators such as shopping centers,office
or industrial parks.
7. General Design Elements
a. Access Profile
i. All access constructed on rural section prescribed
roadways locations shall have a grade that slopes away
from the highway surfaces at a rate equal to the slope of
the shoulder but not less than 3/16 inch nor greater than
1 inch per foot. This slope shall continue for a distance
equal to the prevailing shoulder width. The maximum
difference between the downward cross slope of the
shoulder and the upward slope of the access towards the
right-of-way line should not exceed 8.0 percent. It is
desirable that the access slope upward from the edge of
shoulder on a straight slope be at least 10 feet long for
residential access and 40 feet long for commercial and
industrial access. The same physical limitation should
apply to roadways with a curb and gutter cross section
with the access grade beginning at the gutter line. The
grades used for rural and urban access shall permit
facilities that will accommodate the flow of the drainage
in the vicinity of the access and should be designed so
that future widening would not require reconstruction
of the intersection. Such facilities shall be the
responsibility of the applicant.
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ii. Should an additional change in grade be needed or
required to complete the access beyond the right-of-way,
Figure 7A shows desirable and suggested maximum
grade changes to be used on the access.
FIGURE 7A
Guidelines for Grade Changes on Access
Maximum Grade
Changes on A:cess
Edge of Pavement yrr D
- or Shoulder
Tangent
10' for Residential
40' for Commercial or Industrial
Ao_essT1pe Suggested Maximum Grade Change (D)
Derable Maximum
High Volume A:cess 0% +3%
Low/Medium Volume Access +3% +6%
Low Volume Ao:ess +6% +15%
Controlled Vehicle Clearance
For grade changes more abrupt than those shown in
Figure 7A, vertical curves at least 10 feet long should be
used to connect tangents. For industrial access, vehicle
clearances with respect to the access profile may become
critical. The City of Tiffin City Council may require the
use of vehicle templates to ensure proper clearance on
the access.
b. Drainage
The proposed access must be constructed so that it does
not adversely affect the prescribed roadway or drainage
Page 46 of 60
of the adjacent property. The drainage and the stability
of the highway sub grade must not be impaired by
access construction or roadside development. In no case
may the construction of an access cause water flow
across the highway pavement, or to pond on the
shoulders or in the ditch,or result in erosion within the
right-of-way. Detention basins,berms, or detention
outlet facilities shall not be allowed within the
prescribed roadway right-of-way.
ii. Additional drainage collected by ditches,gutters, or
pipes on private property shall not be discharged into
the highway drainage system unless expressly approved
by the City of Tiffin City Council. The permittee may be
required to submit a drainage study to the City of Tiffin
justifying the drainage system proposed and the pipe or
sewer sizes to be used. Natural drainage patterns and
practices must be observed. Drainage for the access
shall be designed in accordance with the requirements of
the IDOT Manual and a NPDES permit must be
acquired if necessary.
iii. Where the construction of an access necessitates crossing
a highway ditch,a culvert pipe or any required storm
sewer shall be installed by the permitee. The low point
of the access profile shall be at or close to the ditch line.
Under no circumstances shall the ditches or gutters be
filled without adequate alternate provisions for drainage
being made. Headwalls shall not be used at access
culverts.
iv. Culvert pipe for proposed accesses shall be of a size
adequate to carry the anticipated flow in the ditch as
determined by the City of Tiffin City Council and shall
not be smaller than 15 inches inside diameter.
v. The structural material and gauge of the access culvert
pipe shall be able to withstand the loads from the
anticipated vehicular traffic across the driveway. The
culvert shall meet the requirements of the Iowa Standard
Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction. The
length of the culvert may be determined as the sum of
the width of the access(surfaced width and shoulder)at
the ditch line and the length needed to accommodate a
side slope of at least 1 vertical to 4 horizontal from the
access grade to the ditch. Along sections of highway on
which some end treatments on entrance culverts were
provided on original construction or by reconstruction,
Page 47 of 60
culverts installed under permit shall have the same or
similar end treatment as specified by the City of Tiffin.
Installation of end treatments on culverts shall be
required.
c. Shoulders
The prescribed roadway shoulders adjacent to the
access being constructed shall be reconstructed to match
the shoulders in the immediate area. Where more than
one surfaced commercial or industrial access is being
constructed, the City of Tiffin may require the shoulder
area between the adjacent entrances to also be surfaced.
In order to establish well-defined traffic flow patterns,
curbing may be required at the edge of the shoulder.
ii. The shoulder in the area of the access shall not be
used as an auxiliary lane. The property owner shall
assist in prohibiting the parking or commercial use of
the roadway shoulder or right-of-way.
iii. Should a paved access connect with a prescribed
roadway,which has unpaved shoulders, the access
should be constructed with aggregate shoulders to the
right-of-way line.
iv. Should a paved access connect with a prescribed
roadway,which has paved shoulders, the paved
shoulder shall be continued throughout the radius
returns and to the right-of-way line. The width of the
access shoulders shall be at least 4 feet. The transition in
paved width between the access and the prescribed
roadway shoulders shall be in accordance with Iowa
Department of Transportation Design Standards.
d. Curb and Gutter
Should an access connect with a prescribed roadway
which has an urban cross section complete with curb
and gutter,the access shall be provided with a concrete
curb and gutter for full length of curb return to at least
the right-of-way line.
ii. If drainage requirements or restricted right-of-way
would warrant the use of a curbed radius return on a
prescribed roadway with curbless shoulders, the access
curbing should be terminated at the shoulder edge and
Page 48 of 60
the curb height transitioned as indicated by Iowa
Department of Transportation requirements.
iii. Where curbs are required to be cut for the construction
of access the curb shall be ground. Cut curb ends shall
be tapered from full height to ground level in a distance
of approximately 2 feet. Where drainage is carried along
the curb, the flow line to the gutter through the access
shall be retained.
iv. Where a sidewalk is located close to the curb line and
the access opening is to be provided across a depressed
or cut curb, the sidewalk should be removed and
replaced with access pavement and be warped to
conform to the access profile. One or both edges of the
sidewalk may be depressed across the access provided
the resulting sidewalk cross slope does not exceed lh
inch per foot. In some cases, it may be necessary to
discontinue the sidewalk across the access and to
construct a curb along each access edge. However,
curbed access must meet the necessary requirements
established to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA).
e. Cross Section and Material
Access must be surfaced and well maintained to ensure
that the original profile is retained, that operational
speeds are not reduced by pot holes or rough surfaces,
and that no damage to or deterioration of the prescribed
roadway pavement is caused by the condition of the
access. All accesses shall be surfaced from the roadway
edge to the right-of-way line. Unsuitable material must
be removed and replaced with the proper base material.
The type of material and thickness will be approved by
the City of Tiffin and will depend primarily on the
intended use of the access as well as the proposed
volume and types of vehicles using the entrance.
Granular material past the right-of-way line,will only be
allowed for field entrances.
ii. Minor accesses will be required as a minimum, to be
surfaced with 12" of gravel or crushed stone base course
and 3.0" of bituminous asphalt surface. The only
exception to this is a field entrance, which does not have
to be paved,but will be required to have 6" of granular
material.
Page 49 of 60
_ t
iii. For major accesses and when existing streets are to be
widened to accommodate proposed access the design of
the access and prescribed roadways shall be in
accordance with the Iowa Department of
Transportation's,most recent revisions and supplements
thereto,subject to the discretion of the City of Tiffin City
Council.
iv. When portions of existing prescribed roadways are to be
widened to accommodate proposed access facilities, the
following requirements shall be met:
1. The existing edge of pavement to be widened shall
be saw cut full depth to obtain a clean vertical face.
2. When the widening will alter striping through traffic
travel paths, the existing pavement shall be
resurfaced with a minimum of 1 1/2 inches,or as
otherwise determined by the City of Tiffin,of
Bituminous Concrete Surface Course over the entire
width, to obliterate wheel paths and pavement
markings,and as per IDOT and MUTCD standards.
v. The shoulder area between accesses may also be
required to be surfaced as outlined in Section 6.A.7.C.
vi. The cross slope shall be 3/16" per foot for paved
driveways and 1/4" per foot for unpaved driveways.
vii. The asphalt material shall meet the current IDOT
requirements for prescribed roadways.
f. Auxiliary Lanes
Auxiliary lanes may be required to provide additional capacity
at the proposed access for heavy right or left turning movements
and increased operational safety by removing turning vehicles
from the path of through traffic. The improvements shall be
designed to a Level Of Service C or better for all traffic
movements. The improvements shall be designed for a
projected traffic volume of twenty years beyond the expected
year of construction.
Acceleration Lanes—The use of acceleration lanes with
driveway is seldom;however,they should be
considered for use when roadway speeds are 40 mph or
more,and/or the access right turn volumes are heavy.
Acceleration lanes should be used in conjunction with
Page 50 of 60
flat angles exit access since such access encourages high
speed exit maneuvers and restrict the access users view
of approaching traffic. When acceleration lanes are
used, attention should be given to the design of access
channelization, merging lengths, and pavement
markings to ensure safe entry onto the prescribed
roadway.
ii. Deceleration Lanes
Deceleration lanes,which are generally referred to as left
or right turn lanes,will be designed on the basic
requirements of storage, deceleration,or a combination
of both. For urban areas,where roadside frontage is
available,both acceleration and deceleration design
requirements may be necessary. In rural areas,
deceleration requirements may suffice.
1. Right turn deceleration lanes should be installed at
an access on a prescribed roadway if the average
daily two-way volume at the access is at least
1000 vehicles per day and the average peak hour
entering right turn volume is at least 40 vehicles
per day. Other factors such as the prescribed
roadway design speed, the number of
prescribed roadway approach lanes,
composition of access traffic,and adjacent
highway alignment should influence the need of
a deceleration lane regardless if the volumes
mentioned above are not met.
2. When a deceleration lane is installed at an access no
other access should intersect the street within
the deceleration lane or approach taper to the
lane.
iii. Left Turn Lanes
A left turn lane is an auxiliary lane for storage speed
change for left turning vehicles. This type of auxiliary
lane is located at the left of one-directional pavement
within a median or divisional island. Serious hazard,
inconvenience, and considerable loss in efficiency of
operation are evident on highways where such lanes are
not available. Left turn lanes, therefore,will be
mandatory for all industrial,commercial and residential
development.
Page 51 of 60
1. Channelizing Islands
When an exclusive left turn lane is to be used for
a driveway, channelizing islands shall be used
for delineation. The minimum width of the
channelizing island shall be 4 feet. This can be
provided within a median 4 to 6 feet wide and a
turning lane width of 12 feet. Curb and/or
painted channelizing islands may be used
subject to the design speed of the highway.
2. Island Nose Offsets
For curbed islands 4 feet or more in width, the
curbed nose can be offset from the opposing
through traffic lane 2 feet or more,with gradual
taper beyond to make it less vulnerable to
contact by through traffic. The shape of the nose
for curbed dividers 4 feet wide should be
semicircular,but for wider width the ends are
normally shaped to a bullet nose pattern to
conform with the paths of turning lanes.
3. Approach and Lane Tapers
The tapering of exclusive left turning lanes and
the approach tapers for medians shall be in
accordance with current Iowa Department of
Transportation polices.
4. Storage Capacity
The left turn lane should be sufficiently long to
store the number of vehicles likely to
accumulate during a critical period. The storage
length should be liberal to avoid the possibility
of left-turning vehicles stopping in the through
lanes. The storage length should be sufficiently
long so that the entrance to the left lane is not
blocked by vehicles standing in the,through
lanes waiting for a signal change or for a gap in
the opposing traffic flow.
At unsignalized intersections the storage length,
exclusive of taper,may be based on the
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composition and number of turning vehicles
likely to arrive in an average 2-min.period
within the peak hour. As a minimum
requirement, a 200-foot storage space shall be
used.
At signalized intersections the required storage
length depends on the signal cycle length, the
signal phasing arrangement, and the rate of
arrivals and departures of left-turning vehicles.
The storage length should usually be based on
two times the average number of vehicles that
would store per cycle,which is predicated on
the design volume. This length will be sufficient
to serve heavy surges that occur from time to
time. Both types of intersections are subject to
IDOT regulations.
5. Drainage Consideration
Special care must be addressed to surface
drainage in the vicinity of channelizing islands;'
surface runoff must not be impeded on the
roadway or driveway throat.
6. Island Visibility
Channelizing islands shall be highly visible by
both day and night. The curbing of raised
islands and medians dividers should be painted
with beaded paint. Raised reflectorized
markers,object markers,and warning or
regulatory signs may be required to aid in
visibility and traffic channelization. There
should also be natural color contrast between
the pavement and the island.
7. Regulatory Signing for Islands
Regulatory signing and/or pavement markings
must be used along with channelizing islands to
effectively and legally prohibit particular access
movements. Signage will be provided by
permitee.
iv. Gaps Between Widening Improvements
1
Page 53 of 60
If the limits of construction of widening and improving
a prescribed roadway to provide an access falls within
250 feet of an existing widened section of city street(or
as determined by the City of Tiffin City Council), the
widening and improvement required for the access shall
be extended to connect the existing widening section of
prescribed roadway to maintain continuity and lane
alignment.
v. Through Lane Widths
All prescribed roadway widening and improvements
required for an access shall yield through lane widths of
12 feet. At improvements to intersections with existing
lane widths less than 12 feet, widening to 12-foot lanes
shall be required. An adjustment to the limits of
construction on the prescribed roadway may be needed
to accommodate pavement width transition lengths, and
will be provided by permitee.
g. Traffic Control
Access traffic control devices such as signs,pavement markings,
and traffic signals shall be used in accordance with the Manual
on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for streets and highways
(MUTCD). Some additional guidelines on the use of traffic
control devices for access are included.
Signalization
1. Signalization of an access should only be
considered if traffic volumes or past accident
experience warrant a signal at the access. Traffic
signal warrants appropriate for access are
presented in the MUTCD. Traffic signals shall
only be installed if the warrants established by
the MUTCD are met. A traffic impact study
shall be prepared by permitee to determine if
signalization warrants are met and shall clearly
demonstrate that the traffic signal will not
impede coordinated traffic flow,result in undue
delay,or impair traffic operations or safety, on
prescribed roadway.
2. A proposed access may be subject to immediate
traffic signalization if the projected traffic
generated by the development would meet the
Page 54 of 60
1
warrants established by the MUTCD. This must
be documented as part of a traffic impact study.
3. Although the signalization warrants may be
satisfied for an access, the City of Tiffin shall
have the final decision on whether a traffic
signal should be installed. Such a decision will
be based on whether the proposed traffic signal
would be detrimental to coordinated traffic
flow, result in undue delay, impair traffic
operations, or impair traffic safety on the city
street.
4. All cost associated with traffic signal installation
shall be the sole responsibility of the developer.
Prior to approval of an access facility with a
traffic signal, the developer shall enter into a
formal joint agreement with the City of Tiffin.
The joint agreement shall delineate the
responsibilities of the city and the
responsibilities of the developer and shall
include but not be limited to, paying, or causing
to be paid,all costs revisions, modifications,
and/or modernizations provisions related to the
traffic signal installation. If a traffic signal is
required to be part of an interconnected traffic
signal system, the developer shall also be
responsible for all costs associated with the
interconnection. If signal interconnection is not
presently warranted but is anticipated to be
warranted in the short term, the developer may
be required to install interconnection accessories
(i.e.underground cable,hand holes, etc.)during
initial access construction in order to facilitate
future interconnection. All controllers must be
fully compatible with the existing signals
throughout the city system.
5. At all signalized driveways, a separate left turn lane
shall be provided on the street for traffic turning
left into the access. Access signals shall be semi-
actuated,with detector loops provided for left
turn movements entering the access and for all
exiting movements from the access. Access
signals within 2500 feet of a signalized street
intersection should be interconnected and
coordinated with the intersection signal.
Page 55 of 60
6. At signalized accesses where there is significant
pedestrian traffic or such traffic is anticipated
when the development(s)if fully operational,
pedestrian signals should be included as part of
the signal installation. Guidelines for pedestrian
indications are presented in the MUTCD.
ii. Signing
Signage for access operation is most beneficial when the
intent of the signage is enforced by the design and
layout of the accesses and parking area. Access signage
shall not encourage motorists to make difficult or
hazardous maneuvers in to or out of the driveway.
iii. Pavement Markings
A white stop bar should always be used in conjunction
with stop signs at commercial and industrial accesses.
For one-way exit accesses a white stop bar placed across
the full width of the access may be used to discourage
illegal entries. However, due to the limited visibility of
access pavement markings when observed from the
prescribed roadway,it is recommended that signs
should be used in conjunction with pavement markings
to convey information to entry traffic at accesses.
8. Lighting
Lighting major accesses used extensively after dark may be helpful to
assist motorists in easily location the entrances. Such lighting must be
erected on private property unless the access permit specifically provides
for units to be located on the right-of-way.
In the cases of some major developments, it may be determined
necessary to have the developer place prescribed roadway or street
lighting units to illuminate a part of the prescribed roadway facility.
Provisions for such lighting may be included in the permit and/or
agreement. The units must meet standards and specifications approved
by the Department of Highways.
All costs associated with roadway lighting installation shall be the sole
responsibility of the developer.
9. On-Site Parking
On-site parking should be designed so that parked cars on a property do
not obstruct the sight distance at an access or conceal an access to
Page 56 of 60
{
prescribed roadway. Parking within the street right-of-way or on the
street shoulder is prohibited.
10. On-site Traffic Circulation
Internal traffic patterns for a development should take into account the
overall traffic circulation, drive-in reservoir and parking space capacities,
internal turning movements, and projected trip/parking generation rates.
The traffic circulation pattern must be consistent with the type access
operation and should not require on-site traffic to cross or conflict with
access traffic or to use the highway via an access as part of the pattern.
11. Service Fixtures
Service Fixtures such as gasoline pumps, mailboxes, and drive-up
windows,should be placed as far from accesses as practical so that traffic
using the service fixtures does not interfere with normal access
operation. Adequate and well-defined storage areas should be provided
for service fixtures where the queuing of traffic may occur. These
storage areas should be positioned on the development so that waiting
vehicles do not block or impede the movement of access traffic.
a. Service Stations
One of the more common and conspicuous service fixtures is the
gasoline pump and its foundation island. The minimum
distance between the highway right-of-way line and the edge of
the gasoline pump island shall be 25 feet, unless zoning
regulations specify a greater distance.
b. Drive-up Windows, Car Washes and Similar Service Fixtures
Favorable operation at drive-up windows and similar service
fixtures is heavily dependent on the provision of adequate and
well-defined storage areas for the drive-up window traffic. All
waiting traffic must be stored on private property clear of
accesses. Applicants for access permits to drive in service
developments will be required to furnish the following data, in
addition to other information deemed necessary by the City of
Tiffin.
i. Traffic flow pattern for the facility and, if included,of
the service station operation.
ii. The total number of off-street storage spaces for the
operation.
Page 57 of 60
1
iii. Information regarding the type of equipment,including
the expected hourly output.
iv. The number of service operations anticipated during
peak periods.
v. The number of service operations anticipated during
peak periods.
vi. The hours and days of operation.
12. Right-of-Way Requirements
City designated prescribed roadways which are considered to be arterial
streets shall have a minimum right-of-way width of 150 feet, 75 feet half
right-of-way width. Other prescribed roadways shall have a minimum
right-of-way width of 100 feet,50 feet half right-of-way width.
However,some prescribed roadways may require right-of-way widths
of up to 150 feet, 75 feet half right-of-way widths (right-of-way width
will be determined by the Tiffin City Council). If the property abutting a
prescribed roadway is to be subdivided,or an access is being requested,
the developer/owner shall dedicate,at no cost to the city,the sufficient
land to satisfy the right-of-way requirement.
A minimum 50-foot corner clip shall be provided at intersecting right-of-
way lines. This means the legs of the triangle formed by the two
intersecting right-of-way lines shall be 50-foot each.
Upon completion of any construction work within the right-of-way,the
right-of-way shall be restored to a condition acceptable to the City of
Tiffin. No new objects, trees,planting,bushes, landscaping, fences,
rocks, debris, or any such materials shall be permitted within the right-
of-way. In those instances where additional right-of-way is being
dedicated as required by this policy,brush, fences, rocks, landscaping,
objects,and other such obstacles shall be removed or relocated beyond
the new right-of-way lines.
B. Violations and Penalties
Whoever shall construct any access facility in violation of the requirements of
this Ordinance shall be subject to a fine of not less than$100.00 and not more
than$500.00 for each access facility so constructed. Each day that the access
facility is in place in violation of this Ordinance shall constitute a separate
offense, subject to the above penalties. This violation includes access facility to
prescribed roadways built without permit approval,as well as approved
facilities built with substandard designs and specifications.
Page 58 of 60
Whenever it shall come to the knowledge of the city that any of the provisions of
this Ordinance have been violated, it shall be his/her duty to notify the City of
Tiffin. The provisions of this Ordinance shall not be deemed exclusive and shall
not be deemed to prevent the maintenance of any other action or proceeding in
law or equity to enforce the provisions of this Ordinance or to vacate and remove
any access facility constructed in violation of this Ordinance.
B. Enactment, Repealer and Savings,Interpretation and Separability
1. Enactment
a. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its
passage according to law except for all access requests submitted
prior to the adoption of this Ordinance and which have received
written preliminary approval. All requests submitted prior to
adoption of this Ordinance which have not been given written
preliminary approval and all requests submitted after the
adoption of this Ordinance shall be governed by the provisions
of this Ordinance.
2. Repealer and Savings Clause
a. Policies
The policies establishing rules and regulations governing access
to prescribed roadways are hereby repealed, provided such
repeal shall not affect the right of the city to institute any action
at law or in equity to require compliance or prosecute violations
hereunder,it being the city intention to preserve all such causes
of action and not to excuse any violation under the prior rules
and regulations.
b. Ordinances and Resolutions
All ordinances and/or resolutions or parts thereof in conflict
with this ordinance are repealed to the extent of the conflict,
provided such repeal shall not effect the right of the city to
institute any action at law or in equity to require compliance or
prosecute violations hereunder, it being the city's intention to
preserve all such course of action and not to excuse any violation
under the prior rules and regulations.
3. Interpretation
The City of Tiffin City Council with assistance from staff shall render any
interpretation of this Ordinance,which is necessary to promote efficient
administration and review of access requests. This Ordinance shall be
interpreted strictly and in accordance with the standards set forth herein.
Page 59 of 60
Whenever any provision of this Ordinance overlaps, contradicts, or
covers the same subject matter as any other provision of this Ordinance
or any other City Ordinance regulation, or rule,the more restrictive or
higher standard shall control.
4. . Separability
Each article, section, subsection,paragraph, subparagraph,sentence,
clause, phrase,word,provision,regulation, or restriction established by
this Ordinance or any amendments thereto is hereby declared to be
separable and independent, in accordance with the following.
a. If any court of competent jurisdiction shall adjudge any
provision of this ordinance to be invalid, such judgment shall
not affect any provision of this Ordinance not specifically
included in the judgment.
b. If any court of competent jurisdiction shall adjudge invalid the
application of any provisions of this Ordinance to a particular
property, access,highway improvement, or access facility,such
judgment shall not affect the application of the provisions to any
property,access,highway improvements, or access facility not
specifically included on the judgment.
Page 60 of 60
I - _
No. 2003-260
Penalty Provision. The city may elect, at its sole discretion, to prosecution any
violation either as simple misdemeanor or a municipal infraction.
Repealer. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with the provisions of
this Ordinance are hereby repealed.
Severability. If any section, provision, or part of this ordinance shall be adjudged to
be invalid or unconstitutional, such adjudication shall not affect the validity of the ordinance
as a whole, or any section, provision, or part thereof not adjudged invalid or
unconstitutional.
61 of 61
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No. 2003-260
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No. 2003-260
No. 2003-260
•
Effective Date. This ordinance shall be in effect after its final passage, approval, and
posting as provided by law.
On the 12' day of February 2003, at a regular meeting of the Tiffin City Council, Tiffin,
Iowa, Councilperson Gericke introduced Ordinance No. 2 00 3-2 60 , and
moved that it be given its first reading. The motion was seconded by Councilperson
Dils •
Ayes: Huedepohl, Bartels, Gericke, Shaffer, and Dils
Nays: None.. Absent: None
members of the council being present and having voted "Aye",Mayor Glenn R. Potter
declared the motion carried, and Ordinance No. 2 0 0 3-2 6 0 , was read the first time and
discussed and placed on record.
Thereupon, it was moved by Councilperson n; is and seconded by
Councilperson g t 1 s that the laws and rules providing
that ordinances be consideree and voted on for passage at two council meetings prior to the
meeting at which it is to be finally passed be suspended and dispensed with and that
Ordinance No. 2 00 3-2 6 0 be placed on its last reading.
Ayes: Bartels, Gericke, Shaffer, Dils and Huedepohl
Nays: ,lone_ Absent: None
F i v&nembers of the council being present and having voted "Aye",Mayor Glenn R. Potter
declared the motion carried, and Ordinance No. 2 00 3-2 6 0, was then placed on its last
reading and was read the last time.
Thereupon, it was moved by Councilperson Huedepohl and seconded by
Councilperson Bartels that Ordinance No.
2 00 3-2 6 0 be placed upon its final passage and adopted.
Ayes: Shaffer, Huedepohl, Gericke, Dils and Bartels
Nays: None_ Absent: None_
F i vglembers of the council being present and having voted "Aye",Mayor Glenn R. Potter
declared the motion carried, and the ordinance was passed and adopted.
Whereupon the mayor declared that Ordinance No. 2 00 3-2 6 0 be adopted and
signified his approval of same by fixing his signature thereto.
Passed by the council on the 12th day of February 2003 and approved by the mayor on the
12thdayof February 2003.
GLENN R. POTTER,Mayor
62 of 3622 .-3
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No. 2003-260
--ATTEST:
• ' B. R III N,City Clerk
I, Clerk of the City of Tiffin, Iowa, state that an ordinance entitled: AN
ORDINANCE REGULATING ACCESS TO ADJACENT PROPERTIES
FROM PRESCRIBED ROADWAYS WITHIN THE TIFFIN CITY LIMITS
AS SHOWN ON THE CITY OF TIFFIN'S "ACCESS REGULATION
ORDINANCE MAP-PRESCRIBED ROADWAYS and known as No.
2003-260 was duly passed by the council on the 12th day of February
2003, and signed by the mayor on the 12th day of February 2003, and
published on the 19thday of February 2003, by posting copies
thereof in three public places within the limits of the City of Tiffin, Iowa.
That I posted copies of Ordinance No. 2003-260 in the following places:
Morgan's Service
On the Go Convenience Store
Solon State Bank of Tiffin
MAR t A B. RE 1 0` ' ,City Clerk
63 of 63
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