The provisions set forth in this overlay district are intended
to establish minimum requirements for access to property and other
elements of site design to improve safety and enhance aesthetics along
the M-24 corridor in the City of Lapeer. The purposes of these requirements
are to:
A. Require greater front yard setbacks and landscaping, coordinated
signage and site layout and design, and buffered parking to foster
a planned character and to avoid a haphazard and sprawling appearance;
B. Recognize that the proliferation of direct access into properties,
specifically high-traffic-generating nonresidential uses (such as
a gas station, fast-food restaurant, auto wash and similar uses),
has long-term traffic flow consequences, as it creates traffic conflict
areas due to a stream of slowing, stopping, turning, entering and
exiting vehicles;
C. Provide for safe, efficient and continuous pedestrian accommodations
along M-24 and between properties abutting M-24;
D. Minimize disruptive and potentially hazardous traffic conflict areas
by reducing the frequency of direct access points to M-24; and to
provide efficient spacing standards between access points and between
access points and intersections to separate conflict areas;
E. Separate traffic conflict areas by requiring separation of direct
access points to M-24, and by encouraging and requiring consolidation
of existing direct access point when redevelopment is contemplated;
F. Require or encourage, wherever possible, coordinated/shared access
among several developments or redevelopments;
G. Provide reasonable access to properties, though the access may not
always be direct access; and
H. Implement the recommendations of The Access Management Guidebook,
produced by the Michigan Department of Transportation in October 2001;
and the City of Lapeer Master Plan as it pertains to the M-24 corridor.
The provisions set forth in this article shall apply to the
whole of every existing and newly created parcel or property falling
within 660 feet of the M-24 state highway center line or which abuts
the M-24 state highway right-of-way within the City of Lapeer. The
regulations apply in addition to, and simultaneously with, other applicable
regulations in the Zoning Ordinance. The regulations of this section
shall be applied by the Department of Planning and Development and
the Planning Commission during the site plan review or other applicable
process. Where regulations of this section conflict with other applicable
regulations of the Zoning Ordinance, the most stringent requirements
shall apply.
In addition to the submittal information required for site plan review in §
7-18.03, the following shall be provided with any application and illustrated on the site plan:
A. Existing access points within 500 feet of the subject property's
boundaries on both sides of the M-24 frontage, and along both sides
of any intersecting roads where access is proposed.
B. Dimensions between proposed and existing access points.
C. Where shared cross access is proposed or required, a shared access
and maintenance agreement may be required for City review. It shall
include provisions for maintenance, legal descriptions of easements,
and other elements as may be required. Once approved, the agreement
shall be recorded with the Lapeer County Register of Deeds.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. II)]
Service drives are strongly encouraged and in some cases may
be required. The following provisions shall apply:
A. A front or rear service drive may be required. The service road shall
generally be parallel to the front property line and may be located
either in front of, or behind, principal buildings and may be placed
in required yards. In considering the most appropriate location and
alignment for a service road, the Planning Commission shall consider
the setbacks of existing and/or proposed structures and anticipated
traffic flow.
B. A minimum of five feet of landscaping/snow storage area shall be
reserved along both sides of a service drive. The Planning Commission
may adjust this standard, provided it finds adequate provision for
snow storage and green space.
C. Service drive access shall be set back at least 30 feet from an intersection
of a public or private street right-of-way and the access drive to
the parcel. The service drive may curve and be parallel with the public
street and be located no less than 15 feet from the public or private
street right-of-way. The service drive shall not be established within
a public right-of-way, unless dedicated to and accepted by the applicable
public agency. A service drive shall be used for circulation and not
as parking, loading or unloading.
An applicant for site plan or other approval that cannot meet
the access standards of this section and has no alternative means
of reasonable access to the public road system, as determined by the
Planning Commission, may be issued a temporary access permit. When
adjoining parcels develop which can provide a shared driveway, shared
access via a service drive, or a cross parking lot connection, the
temporary access permit shall be rescinded and an application for
an access permit consistent with the requirements of this section
shall be met.