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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05102012 ZPC Agenda Item 4 ZPC AGENDA ITEM 4 x , , to 05-10-2012 Agenda Item 4 Driveways and Curb Cuts Table 7-5a: General Rule: Every building site, vehicular area and related structure Parking, driveways, etc. must conform to the applicable regulations shown, by District, in this table. ("N/A" means the rule does not apply.) Exceptions/Special Rules: (1) See special rules noted in table. (3) See Article 9 regarding Planned Development Districts. (3) See Note 7 regarding special exceptions. (4) See Article 10. Item Regulation SF-1 SF-2 SF-3 TH GR-1 GR-2 C Off-street Number, Depends on land use, layout, etc. See this Table, Table 7-4a, and parking spaces location, size, Article 10 (including maneuvering areas, design requirements, "same and parking design site"rule, yards, street areas, loading spaces, etc.). areas Other regulations apply; see, e.g. Article 10 Maneuvering See Article 10. areas Grouping or Not allowed, except in a QMDS platted parking reserve serving two or sharing. more DU's. But see Note 2. Use of parking Parking spaces for non-SFD uses may only be used for motor vehicle areas parking. See Note 3. Emergency Minimum 20 ft, via public or private street, to each principal building and each accessway width. See DU (or to an adjacent open area accessible to firefighters and Note 1. equipment). Other regulations also apply, e.g, fire code. Driveways and Minimum For SFD use: nine ft. private streets width. See For non-SFD residential use: 10 feet, or 17 feet if two-way and serving Other Note 1. three or more DU's. regulations Maximum For SFD use: (i) Driveway serving any single-bay garage: 12 feet. (ii) apply; see, e.g. width (in front Driveway in a front yard serving rear garage or side-facing garage: 12 Article 10. yard or street feet. (iii) Driveway in side street area of a corner site serving a side- area) facing garage with three or more bays: 30 feet; (iv) Any other See Note 1. driveway: 20 feet. For other residential uses: 24 ft. (or 35 feet if connecting to a major thoroughfare). For all other uses: 30 feet (or 35 feet if connecting to a major thoroughfare). Maximum For non-SFD uses: 160 feet, driving distance to the nearest street length area, measured along centerline from farthest end point. A longer driveway is allowed if there is an approved turnaround or second means of egress, or if the drive-way is platted as part of the common area in a QMDS. Route, See Note 6. N/A location Spacing For non-SFD uses: There must be at least 40 feet between the "inside" apron edges (at their narrowest points) of driveways serving the same building site. Pavement Required type For SFD use: Hard-surfaced or pervious pavement required for each See Note 4. required driveway and parking space; twin "ribbons" of pavement are permitted. For all other uses: Reinforced concrete, with curbs and drains required for all vehicular areas. Exceptions: (i) See Table 7-3 05-10-2012 Agenda Item 4 Driveways and Curb Cuts (pervious pavement) and Note 4, below. (ii) See Article 10 regarding "overhang." Markings; wheel Required type For non-SFD uses: Parking spaces must be clearly marked on the stops. pavement, and wheel stops are required. See Note 12. Curb cuts Number For SFD use: Maximum one per subdivided lOt designated building site Other abutting the street. For non-SFD uses: Maximum one per 50-ft. regulations segment of street line. See Note 5. apply, Max. width per Four feet (for aprons) plus the maximum driveway width allowed. see, e.g. 50-ft. segment Each curb cut must be confined to the part of the street area that Article 10 and of street line directly abuts the building site(s) served. See Note 1. Chapter 70 of the Code of Ordinances. Visibility Forbidden The following are forbidden on parts of a building site within a triangles structures, visibility triangle: structures, plants or other things taller than 2.0 ft. See definitions plants and or shorter than 8.0 ft. This does not require removal of trees in in Article 2 other things existence on July 1, 1992, if kept pruned. Table 7-5a, cont. General Rule: Every building site, vehicular area and related structure must conform to the applicable regulations shown, by District, in this table. ("N&A" means the rule does not apply.) Exceptions/ Special Rules: (1) See special rules noted in table. (3) See Article 9 regarding Planned Development Districts. (3) See Note 7 regarding special exceptions. (4) See Article 10. Item Regulation PDD- PDD- PDD- PDD- PDD- PDD- PDD- PDD- SF1 SF2 TH1 TH2 TH4 TH5 TH7 C1 Off-street Number, Depends on land use, layout, etc. See this Table, Table 7-4a, and parking spaces location, size, Article 10 (including maneuvering areas, design requirements, "same and parking design site"rule, yards, street areas, loading spaces, etc.). areas Other regulations apply; see, e.g. Article 10 Grouping or Not allowed, except in a QMDS platted parking reserve serving two or sharing. more DU's. But see Note 2. Use of parking Parking spaces for non-SFD uses may only be used for motor vehicle areas parking. See Note 3. Maneuvering See Article 10. areas Emergency Minimum 20 ft, via public or private street, to each principal building and each accessway width DU (or to an adjacent open area accessible to firefighters and See Note 1. equipment). Other regulations also apply, e.g, fire code. Driveways and Minimum For SFD use: nine ft. private streets width For non-SFD residential use: 10 feet, or 17 feet if two-way and serving Other See Note 1. three or more DU's. regulations Maximum For SFD use: (i) Driveway serving any single-bay garage: 12 feet. (ii) Ar�lcles10� e.g. width (in front Driveway in a front yard serving rear garage or side-facing garage: 12 yard or street feet. (iii) Driveway in side street area of a corner site serving a side- area) facing garage with three or more bays: 30 feet; (iv) Any other 05-10-2012 Agenda Item 4 Driveways and Curb Cuts See Note 1. driveway: 20 feet. For other residential uses: 24 ft. (or 35 feet if connecting to a major thoroughfare). For all other uses: 30 feet (or 35 feet if connecting to a major thoroughfare). Maximum For non-SFD uses: 160 feet, driving distance to the nearest street length area, measured along centerline from farthest end point. A longer driveway is allowed if there is an approved turnaround or second means of egress, or if the driveway is platted as part of the common area in a QMDS. Route, See Note 6 NEtA location Spacing For non-SFD uses: There must be at least 40 feet between the "inside" apron edges (at their narrowest points) of driveways serving the same building site. Pavement Required type For SFD use: Hard-surfaced or pervious pavement required for each See Note 4. required driveway and parking space; twin "ribbons" of pavement are permitted. For all other uses: Reinforced concrete, with curbs and drains required for all vehicular areas. Exceptions: (i) See Table 7-3 (pervious pavement) and Note 4, below. (ii) See Article 10 regarding "overhang." Markings; wheel Required type For non-SFD uses: Parking spaces must be clearly marked on the stops. pavement, and wheel stops are required. See Note 12. Curb cuts Number For SFD use: Maximum one per 5413441,4ded-let designated building site Other abutting the street. For non-SFD uses: Maximum one per 50-ft. regulations segment of street line. See Note 5. apply; see, e.g. Article 10. Max. width per Four feet (for aprons) plus the maximum driveway width allowed. 50-ft. segment Each curb cut must be confined to the part of the street area that of street line directly abuts the building site(s) served. See Note 1. Visibility Forbidden See Chapter 82 of the Code of Ordinances. triangles structures, plants and other things Note 1. Width measurement methods.Minimum driveway width refers to unobstructed vehicular access path and,for non-SFD use,pavement.Maximum driveway width refers to maximum width of pavement in a front yard or street area,excluding complying curb cut aprons.Maximum curb cut width refers to the width of the driveway plus aprons,measured at the edge of the roadway. Note 2.Grouped or shared parking.Article 10 also provides for a special exception,in certain circumstances. Note 3.Parking exclusivity(non-SFD uses).Required parking spaces must be kept open,readily accessible and used for parking only,with no sales,dead storage,display,repair work,dismantling or servicing of any kind.Required guest parking spaces must be kept open and reserved for that use only. Note 4.Pavement.The ZBA may issue a special exception to allow other materials if it finds that they will provide equal or better durability. 05-10-2012 Agenda Item 4 Driveways and Curb Cuts Note 5.Curb cuts.The ZBA may issue a special exception for additional curb cuts.Two curb cuts for circular driveways specifically allowed by Chapter 70 of the Code of Ordinances another ordinance are not prohibited and do not require a special exception. Note 6.Route;Alternating Driveways.Each driveway must connect garage space to the street by the most direct route.On narrow sites where alternate side yard areas apply(see"Yards"table),the following special restrictions also apply:(A)there must be a driveway located as nearly as practicable to one side of the site;(B)the side is determined in accordance with the established driveway pattern for the block face in question,if there is such a pattern;and(C)if there is no such pattern,and if there is an adjacent driveway on one adjoining building site but not the other,the driveway must be on the side farthest from the adjoining driveway. Exceptions:(i)this paragraph does not prohibit circular driveways specifically permitted under another ordinance of the City,and(ii)a driveway may be curved or moved away from the most direct route to the extent reasonably necessary to avoid destroying or seriously injuring a tree. Note 7.Special Exceptions.The ZBA may issue a special exception for a parking area,garage or driveway(or other maneuvering area)in another location or with a different design than prescribed by this ordinance,if it finds that:(i)the other location or design will not unreasonably interfere with available light and air and will not significantly alter access for fire-fighting and similar needs;(ii)the other location or design will prevent the destruction of a qualified tree;(iii)in the case of the remodeling of a principal building,the location requested is the same location as an existing parking area,garage or driveway;or(iv)the location or design requested is necessary for safety considerations. Note 8. Curb Cuts in PDD-TH1.(i)If a building site abuts both Bellaire Boulevard and another street,then all vehicular access shall be from the other street,and no more than two curb cuts shall be allowed.However,in the case of the development of Lots 6,7,8,9 and the east ten feet of Lot 10,Block 1,Kent Place Addition,if Lot 6 is included in the same building site or in a joint development with the other lots,vehicular access shall be limited to one curb cut on Mercer Street.(ii)If a building site abuts only Bellaire Boulevard,vehicular access shall be limited to two curb cuts. Note 9. Curb Cuts in PDD-TH5.(i)If a building site abuts both Academy and Bissonnet,no curb cuts on Bissonnet and no more than two curb cuts on Academy are permitted.(ii)If a building site abuts only Bissonnet,there may be no more than two curb cuts. Note 10. Driveways in PDD-TH7.Cul-de-sac driveways in PDD-TH7 may not exceed 50 feet in length,or 200 feet if a terminus is provided with dimensions adequate for turning. Note 11. Curb Cuts in PDD-TH2.(i)If a building site abuts both Kirby Drive and another street,there may be one curb cut on Kirby Drive and on each other abutting street.(ii)If a building site abuts only Kirby Drive,vehicular access shall be limited to two curb cuts. Note 12. Curbs as Wheel Stops.Curbs may be used as wheel stops.Area outside a curb-wheel stop counts toward minimum parking space dimensions if actually usable as"overhang"and not needed for maneuvering area. 05-10-2012 Agenda Item 4 Driveways and Curb Cuts Semi-Circle noun 1 (GEOMETRY) one half of a circle 2 the line that forms the edge of a semicircle 3 a thing, or a group of people or things, shaped like a semicircle. Semi-circular adjective. Sec. 70-27. - Curb cuts and driveways; concrete. (a) Curb cuts, etc. Only one curb cut and only one driveway is allowed along the front street line of any building site less than 60 feet wide, measured along the front street line. (b) Two or more curb cuts. If there are two or more connected curb cuts or driveways on a building site (for example, when there is a circular or semi-circular driveway), the following apply: (1) At the front street line, no part of a curb cut or driveway may be closer than two feet to a side property line. In the street area, no part of the curb cut or driveway may cross the imaginary extension of a side property line, unless the affected neighboring owner consents in writing. The building official may make exceptions to these rules when there is no practical alternative or when necessary to prevent harm to a tree. (2) Measured along the edge of the main traveled roadway: a. The opening width of the driveway and curb cut shall be 16 feet for a rear loading garage; 24 feet for a 2-car garage, and 34 feet for a 3-car garage; b. The inside edges must be at least 24 28 feet apart; and c. The width of the "island" area may be covered with hard surfaced material; and, d. The curb cuts must be located along the front street line. {3) No driveway may be wider than 14 feet. (34) Within the street area, the edges of each driveway must be perpendicular to the edge of the main traveled roadway. (c) "Open ditch"areas, culverts. If a driveway is connected to a roadway where there is no curb and gutter, there must be a concrete culvert beneath the driveway. The inside diameter of the culvert must be at least 12 inches, and the length must be at least 14 feet. The public works director may eliminate or modify the culvert requirement at a specific location, but only to the extent the specified culvert is not necessary for adequate area drainage. (d) Reinforcement. All concrete used in constructing driveways shall be reinforced by using, at a minimum, one of the following: (1) #3 deformed steel reinforcing bars spaced 12 inches or closer; or (2) #4 deformed steel reinforcing bars spaced 16 inches or closer. Sidewalks outside driveway areas may be reinforced by one of these methods or by 6x6x6 wire mesh, at a minimum. (e) Certain temporary driveway permits. The director is authorized to issue permits for temporary driveway access to a site, if primary access to the site is interrupted by construction or another temporary condition. In addition to the requirements of section 8-104 of the zoning ordinance, appended in this Code, such a permit must require: 05-10-2012 Agenda Item 4 Driveways and Curb Cuts (1) Barricading or removal of any temporary driveway on a residential street within 24 hours following resumption of primary access to the site; and (2) Restoration of each area affected by temporary driveway access to its pre- existing condition, within 14 days following resumption of primary access to the site. Such a permit may also contain additional restrictions and conditions designed to reduce impacts on street areas, utilities, nearby land uses or traffic. Section 10-102. - Minimum Dimensions; Design. Parking Spaces. All parking spaces must be at least nine feet wide and 18 feet long in order to be counted toward the minimum required number. In addition, the following regulations apply in the indicated circumstances: (1) Ninety-degree angle parking: Maneuvering space shall be not less than 23 feet in length or breadth. (2) Sixty-degree angle parking: Each parking space shall be not less than nine feet wide perpendicular to the parking angle and not less than 18 feet in length when measured at right angles to the building or parking line. Maneuvering space shall be not less than 18 feet perpendicular to the building or parking lines. (3) Forty-five-degree angle parking: Each parking space shall be not less than nine feet wide perpendicular to the parking angle and not less than 18 feet in length when measured at right angles to the building or parking lines. Maneuvering space shall not be less than 15 feet perpendicular to the building or parking lines. (4) Wheelchair-accessible parking spaces: Must be installed and maintained with numbers and sizes prescribed by applicable regulations. (b) Walkways. A private walkway, if provided adjacent to a non-SF building, shall be not less than five feet in width and shall be in addition to the minimum requirement for parking and maneuvering space herein required. In a QMDS, there must be a paved walkway (at least 3.0 ft. wide) to the curb from each main entrance oriented toward a street area. (c)Maneuvering areas. In addition to the minimum dimensions for parking spaces, there must be sufficient driveways and other maneuvering areas to allow ordinary, practical use of each required parking space. Maneuvering areas for non-SFD uses must also comply with the following: (1) To facilitate access to each required garage parking space, there must be a maneuvering area immediately outside the garage opening. The minimum dimensions are 24 feet long and two feet wider than the garage opening, and the area must be located entirely on the building site. (2) Maneuvering areas may not be counted toward the required number of parking spaces. (3) Maneuvering areas (except those serving only one or two dwelling units) must be provided, sized and arranged so that a large vehicle can enter and exit the required parking areas in a forward motion, without backing into the street area leave the street driving forward, enter any requi-red parking space driving forward, park in that 05-10-2012 Agenda Item 4 Driveways and Curb Cuts stops to change directions. As used in this section, "large vehicle" means a truck 18 feet long, with a turning radius of 24 feet (outside of bumper). (4) Reasonable, usable "overhang" above low landscaping and similar areas may be counted toward required maneuvering area. (d) Traffic Engineering Handbook. All parking spaces, maneuvering areas, loading areas and other vehicular facilities must comply with the applicable provisions of the Traffic Engineering Handbook, 5th Ed. (1999), including, in particular, Chapter 14. Where multiple standards are provided, the highest standard shall apply. Example: "Parking Class A" standards in Table 14-6 would apply. Where this Ordinance provides specific numerical criteria different from the same criteria in the Traffic Engineering Handbook, this Ordinance controls. (e) Other criteria. See Article 7 for additional criteria, including driveway, parking and garage regulations.