09-16-2004 Regular Meeting, Public Hearing, and Workshop Meeting of the La Porte Planning and Zoning Commission

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• CHAPTER 7 DRIVEWAY AND ACCESS REQUIREMENTS 7.01 GENERAL A. These standards describe the general requirements for driveways access. Specific requirements, in addition to these Standazds, may be required by the City of La Porte and, if applicable, can be found in the paving chapter of PICM, Chapter 6. B. The Planning Department shall approve all driveway locations, widths and geometrics that connect to a public street, prior to construction, within the La Porte city limits or extraterritorial jurisdiction. C. A traffic impact study may be required at the discretion of the Director of Planning or his designated appointee as a part of the approval process for driveways and other roadway access. A Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA), when required, shall be prepared by an individual, group, firm or corporation having demonstrated professional emphasis and experience in transportation planning, engineering and in the prepazation of similaz analyses. The TIA document shall beaz the seal and signature of a Texas Registered Professional Engineer. See Appendix A. D. All driveways shall be constructed in accordance with the La Porte Standard Construction Details. E. On a case-by-case basis, the City of La Porte, acting through its Director of Planning or his designated representative, reserves the right to allow deviations from these design criteria. Extreme extenuating circumstances and the geometric and engineering inability to conform to these criteria must be demonstrated in order to receive a waiver from these design criteria. F. These criteria shall in no way be construed to supercede the La Porte Comprehensive Plan. If there aze implicit or explicit conflicts between the Comprehensive Plan and this document then the Comprehensive Plan shall govern. Anywhere the Comprehensive Plan calls for limited access to a public street, right-of--way, thoroughfare, arterial, collector or local road shall not be abridged by these criteria. G. These criteria shall in no way be construed to supercede Chapter 106 (Zoning) of the Code of Ordinances. If there azise implicit or explicit interpretive conflicts between the Zoning Ordinance and these criteria, then the Zoning Ordinance shall govern. 7.02 DEFINITIONS For the purposes of this manual, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section. Access Easement -Aright given by the owner of a parcel of land to another person, public agent or private corporation for specific and limited use of that parcel for free flow of vehicular ingress and egress. Commercial Driveway Approach -The portion of a driveway within the public right-of--way that provides access to property on which an office, retail or commercial center is located, or a multifamily complex having four or more dwelling units is located or any driveway approach which accesses property that is primarily used fora non- residential purpose. Development -The process of converting land within the City's jurisdiction from its natural state, or its existing usage to residential, commercial or industrial use. The term development includes subdivisions as defined in the Development Ordinance. Driveway -Entrance to and exit from premises where it is possible to pazk completely off the street, and which is not open for vehicular traffic except by permission of the owner of such private property. Driveway Approach -Away or place including paving and curb returns between the street travel lanes and private property that provides vehicular access between the roadway and said private property. Driveway Requirements Page 1 of 10