[Adopted 9-10-1998 by Ord. No. 320]
A. 
Any person or entity seeking to construct or open a new driveway entering into a township street or road shall first obtain a township street access permit from the Township Zoning Officer or, if deemed necessary, by the Township Engineer.
B. 
Any person or entity seeking to construct a new dwelling or principal structure on any land fronting on a township street or road shall first obtain a township street access permit for any driveways, including existing driveways, that will service said dwelling or principal structure.
C. 
Any person or entity, before commencing a new, or expanded use on any land fronting on a township street or road shall first obtain a township street access permit from the Township Zoning Officer.
D. 
No construction permit or zoning permit shall be issued for any dwelling, structure or use until the township street access permit required by this article in connection therewith has been issued.
The fee for a township street access permit shall be $60 for each driveway entrance onto the township street or road.
The following regulations shall govern the issuance of a township street access permit:
A. 
No driveway shall be within 10 feet of any property line unless such driveway is shared by an adjacent house.
B. 
No driveway shall be constructed in such a way as to create a drainage problem on an adjacent property or onto the township road.
C. 
Driveways shall enter the street or road right-of-way at an angle between 75° and 105°.
D. 
The portion of the driveway between the edge of the township street and the right-of-way line will be paved by the landowner applicant to match the pavement cross section of the adjoining roadway or an approved equivalent.
E. 
Any curb opening shall be properly reconstructed to the satisfaction of the Township Engineer. Where curbing does not exist and conditions warrant, an adequate drain pipe shall be installed by the owner at the owner's expense as determined by the Township Engineer.
F. 
Driveway grades shall not exceed 10%.
G. 
Driveway widths at the street right-of-way line shall, in connection with commercial and industrial uses, be a minimum of 20 feet and a maximum of 40 feet for two-way operation and a minimum of 12 feet and a maximum of 20 feet for one-way operation and shall, in connection with residential uses, be a minimum of 10 feet and a maximum of 20 feet.
H. 
Driveways shall be constructed and maintained in adequate condition to permit access by emergency vehicles. Driveways shall have an overhead clearance of 15 feet minimum. All curves and turns shall be adequate radius to accommodate a forty-foot-length truck or greater than 45°. All drain pipes and bridges shall be able to support a minimum of 40,000 pounds.
I. 
All entrance and exit driveways to a road shall be located to afford maximum safety to traffic on the road. Where a site occupies a corner of two intersecting roads, no driveway entrances or exits may be located within 50 feet of the tangent of the existing or proposed curb radius of that site.
J. 
The maximum number of driveways provided from a single lot directly to any township road shall be two driveways for that lot plus one additional driveway for each 200 feet of road frontage beyond the initial 200 feet of road frontage for that lot.
K. 
In order to apply for a township street access permit, the applicant shall submit a sketch plat providing the following information about the driveway for which the permit is sought:
(1) 
Location of driveway with regard to the property lines.
(2) 
All existing features within 50 feet of the driveway, including but not limited to the curb, utility poles, drainage swales, drainage structures, trees and driveways.
(3) 
Grading of driveway for the first 40 feet from the right-of-way.
(4) 
Any drainage structures, proposed or existing.
(5) 
Materials of construction.
No certificate of occupancy under the Land Use Ordinance[1] or under the Construction Code[2] shall be issued for any new dwelling or principal building or new or enlarged use unless and until the Township Zoning Officer or Township Engineer verifies that the driveways subject to the township street access permit have been constructed in accordance with the permit.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 75, Land Use.
[2]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 52, Construction Codes, Uniform.
As used in this article, the term "expanded use" or "enlarged use" shall not apply to the enlargement or alteration of an existing single-family dwelling house or an agricultural activity utilizing a temporary driveway.