The purpose is to implement the access management policies of the City of Carlton, Transportation System Plan. Access control standards manage access to land development while preserving the flow of traffic in terms of safety, capacity, functional classification, and level of service. Major roadways, including highways, arterials, and collectors serve as the primary network for moving people and goods. These transportation corridors also provide access to businesses and homes and have served as the focus for commercial and residential development. If access points are not properly designed, these roadways will be unable to accommodate the needs of development and retain their primary transportation function. To achieve this purpose, state and local roadways have been categorized in the City of Carlton, Transportation System Plan by function and classified for access purposes based upon their level of importance and function. Regulations are applied to these roadways for the purpose of reducing traffic accidents, personal injury, and property damage attributable to poorly designed access systems, and to thereby improve the safety and operation of the roadway network. This protects the substantial public investment in the existing transportation system and reduces the need for expensive remedial measures. (Ord. 619, 2003)

This title shall apply to all arterials and collectors within Carlton and to all properties that abut these roadways. (Ord. 619, 2003)

A hierarchy of spacing standards is established that is dependent on the functional classification of the street.

(Ord. 619, 2003)

A. Lots that front on more than one street shall be required to locate motor vehicle accesses on the street with the lower functional classification.

B. When a residential subdivision is proposed that would abut an arterial, it shall be designed to provide through lots along the arterial with access from a marginal access or local street. Access rights of these lots, to the arterial shall be dedicated to the city of Carlton and recorded with the deed. A berm or buffer yard may be required at the rear of through lots to buffer residences from traffic on the arterial.

C. Subdivisions with frontage on the state highway system shall be designed to share access points to and from the highway. If access off of a secondary street is possible, then access should not be allowed onto the state highway.

D. Wherever a proposed development abuts unplatted developable land within the urban growth boundary, street stubs shall be provided to provide access to abutting properties or to logically extend the street system into the surrounding area.

E. Local streets shall connect with surrounding streets to permit the convenient movement of traffic between residential neighborhoods or facilitate emergency access and evacuation. Connections shall be designed to avoid or minimize through traffic on local streets. Appropriate design and traffic control such as four-way stops and traffic calming measures are the preferred means of discouraging through traffic.

F. In all cases reasonable access or the minimum number of access connections, direct or indirect, necessary to provide safe access to and from a street shall be granted.

G. New connections shall not be permitted within the functional area of an intersection as defined by the connection spacing standards of this title, unless no other reasonable access to the property is available. (Ord. 619, 2003)

A. Adjacent commercial properties classified as major traffic generators (i.e. shopping plazas, office parks), shall provide a cross access drive and pedestrian access to allow circulation between sites.

B. Systems of joint use driveways and cross access easements shall be established wherever feasible and shall incorporate the following:

1. A continuous service drive or cross access corridor extending the entire length of each block served to provide for driveway separation consistent with the access management classification system and standards;

2. A design speed of ten (10) mph and a maximum width of twenty (20) feet to accommodate two-way travel aisles designated to accommodate automobiles, service vehicles, and loading vehicles;

3. Stub-outs and other design features to make it visually obvious that the abutting properties may be tied in to provide cross-access via a service drive;

4. A unified access and circulation system plan for coordinated or shared parking areas is encouraged.

C. Pursuant to this section, property owners shall:

1. Record an easement with the deed allowing cross access to and from other properties served by the joint use driveways and cross access or service drive;

2. Record an agreement with the deed that remaining access rights along the roadway will be dedicated to the city of Carlton and pre-existing driveways will be closed and eliminated after construction of the joint-use driveway;

3. Record a joint maintenance agreement with the deed defining maintenance responsibilities of property owners.

D. The city of Carlton may reduce required separation distance of access points where they prove impractical, provided all of the following requirements are met:

1. Joint access driveways and cross access easements are provided in accordance with this section;

2. The site plan incorporates a unified access and circulation system in accordance with this section;

3. The property owner enters into a written agreement with the city of Carlton, recorded with the deed, that pre-existing connections on the site will be closed and eliminated after construction on each side of the joint use driveway. (Ord. 619, 2003)

Legal access connections in place as of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title that do not conform with the standards herein are considered nonconforming features and shall be brought into compliance with applicable standards under the following conditions:

A. When new access connection permits are requested;

B. Change in use or enlargements or improvements that will increase trip generation.

(Ord. 619, 2003)

A. Applicants for site design reviews impacting access shall submit a preliminary site plan that shows:

1. Location of existing and proposed access point(s) on both sides of the road where applicable;

2. Distances to neighboring constructed access points, median openings (where applicable), traffic signals (where applicable), intersections, and other transportation features on both sides of the property;

3. Number and direction of lanes to be constructed on the driveway plus striping plans;

4. All planned transportation features (such as sidewalks, bikeways, signs, signals, etc.);

B. Development reviews shall address the following access criteria:

1. Access shall be properly placed in relation to sight distance, driveway spacing, and other related considerations, including opportunities for joint and cross access;

2. The road system shall provide adequate access to buildings for residents, visitors, deliveries, emergency vehicles, and service vehicles;

3. The access shall be consistent with the access management standards in the most current adopted City of Carlton, Transportation System Plan.

C. Any application that involves access to the State Highway System shall be reviewed by the Oregon Department of Transportation for conformance with state access management standards. (Ord. 619, 2003)