The purpose of this section is to establish criteria, standards
and a policy for access management and traffic impact analyses that
will serve to promote public safety and lessen traffic congestion.
The intent of this section is to minimize and control the number
of curb cuts and access points serving commercial, industrial and
multiple-family developments along all state highways and town roads
and to improve upon the impact that such development has on traffic
patterns and circulation.
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These regulations are applicable to:
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(a)
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All new commercial, industrial and multiple-family buildings
erected;
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(b)
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All existing commercial, industrial and multiple-family buildings
which are enlarged to an extent cumulatively exceeding 20% of the
floor area which existed on June 15, 1972;
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(c)
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All commercial, industrial and multiple-family buildings erected
after June 15, 1972, and subsequently enlarged; and
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(d)
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All commercial, industrial and multiple-family premises where
the use is changed.
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8.02.210
A traffic impact analysis,
prepared by a professional engineer with expertise in traffic management
licensed to practice in the State of Connecticut, is required as part
of any site development plan or special exception application involving
20 or more dwelling units or any development project that requires
50 or more parking spaces either in a new or existing parking lot
or for any use that will generate 100 or more vehicle trips per day.
8.02.211
The Commission shall have
the discretion to require a traffic impact analysis for any application
regardless of size if it feels that one is warranted. Likewise, an
applicant may request that the Commission waive the requirement for
a traffic impact analysis if an application does not involve an increase
in vehicle trips, curb cuts or parking spaces.
8.02.212
The analysis shall include, at least, the
following information:
(a)
The present roadway conditions (road classification,
road widths along the lot frontage, roadway capacity, level of service,
sight lines);
(b)
Existing traffic conditions on the roadway (average
daily traffic volumes, peak hour traffic volumes, accident history);
(c)
Impact of proposal upon traffic flow and safety
at the point(s) of roadway access and within 1/2 mile of the project
(existing and projected trip generation, effect upon peak hour traffic
and level of services, proposed sight lines);
(d)
Description of improvements that are necessary
to mitigate identified traffic impacts (proposed recommendations);
(e)
Description of access management options;
(f)
All existing uses upon the lot and/or the driveway
servicing the lot, not merely any new proposed use inclusive of delivery
vehicles.
8.02.213
Where it is projected that the additional
traffic resulting from a proposed project will reduce the level of
service to D or below, the Commission shall not approve the project
unless and until the applicant has made provisions for the improvement
of said condition.
8.02.214
The street giving access to any lot shall
have the capacity to absorb the additional traffic or it shall be
suitably improved to accommodate the amount and types of traffic generated
by a proposed use.
8.02.215
Where necessary to safeguard against hazards
to traffic and pedestrians and/or to avoid traffic congestion, provision
shall be made for turning lanes, traffic directional islands, frontage
roads, driveways and traffic controls within the lot and upon the
streets.
8.02.216
The Commission shall have the discretion to
require a peer review of the applicant's traffic impact analysis
if it determines that one is warranted. The cost of the peer review
shall be borne by the applicant. Payment shall be made to the Town
prior to the decision by the Commission on the application.
All lots shall incorporate the following site design and access
management criteria:
8.02.310
Vehicle access to a lot and
circulation thereon shall be arranged in such a manner so as to provide
safe and convenient circulation upon the lot, to safeguard against
hazards to traffic, property and pedestrians, and to avoid congestion
on the street and upon the lot.
8.02.311
Vehicular access to any commercial
or industrial lot situated in or bordered by a residential district
shall avoid traffic use of local residential streets whenever a reasonable
alternative is available.
8.02.312
Where a lot has frontage on two or more streets,
access shall be provided to the street where the potential for traffic
congestion and hazards to traffic and pedestrians is less.
8.02.313
Site improvements shall be designed to provide
sufficient capacity for all vehicular and pedestrian activity upon
the lot, including parking, loading and unloading of vehicles. Queuing
of vehicles on any street is prohibited.
8.02.314
Access management methods, including the provision
of common driveways or common access ways between adjoining lots shall
be provided upon all lots having access or frontage along arterial
and collector roadways. Provisions for immediate or future driveway
connections to adjoining lots of similar existing or potential uses
shall be made when such driveway connections will facilitate efficient
emergency response and/or when such connections will enable the public
to travel between lots without the need to travel upon a street. The
property owners' right to use and the obligation to maintain
common driveways shall be assured by a written dedication and/or agreement
to be recorded in the Newtown land records.
8.02.315
Certain drawings and bulletins shall be used
as a guide in the design and location of driveways on Connecticut
Routes 25 and 6. The traffic management reports are entitled "Bethel-Danbury-Newtown
Route 6 Traffic and Curb Cut Management Plan, HVCEO Bulletin #73,
dated 1993," "Newtown Route 25 Access Management Study, HVCEO Bulletin
#85 dated November 1995" and the "Interstate 84 Exit 9 Hawleyville
Transportation and Development Study, HVCEO Bulletin #94, dated August
1997." Such Bulletins are available in the Planning and Zoning Commission
office for the particular site in question.
8.02.316
Where the lot has frontage on an existing
street, proper provision shall be made for grading and improvement
of shoulders and sidewalk areas within the right-of-way of the street
and for provision of curbs and sidewalks as approved by the Commission
and in accordance with the pattern of development along the street.
Where necessary to provide for suitable access or for a system of
neighborhood circulation streets, provision shall also be made for
appropriate continuation and improvement of street terminating at
the property where the use is to be located.
8.02.410
Where street geometry, traffic
volumes or traffic patterns warrant, the Commission may:
(a)
Limit the number of driveways that provide access
to a lot from the street;
(b)
Designate the location of any street access;
(c)
Require the use and/or provision of a common driveway
with an adjoining lot, an access easement to an adjoining lot for
shared access; and
(d)
Limit access to a major street and require access
from a minor street.
8.02.420
As part of an application
approval, the Commission may require an applicant or owner to:
(a)
Establish mutual driveway or other easements to
provide a single point of access for two or more abutting lots in
a location acceptable to the Commission;
(b)
File such easements on the land records in favor
of the abutting lot owners and/or the Town of Newtown as shall be
acceptable to the Commission and the Town Attorney; and/or
(c)
Utilize a mutual driveway or other easement that
exists on an abutting lot in lieu of having a separate curb cut onto
a road or street.
