A.
Purpose. The purpose for establishing regulations governing the construction
of driveways serving private property is to maintain the physical
integrity of existing Town roads and future Town roads located within
an approved subdivision; to protect the public from adverse situations
that may otherwise endanger their health, safety and welfare; and
to establish basic standards for providing access by emergency service
vehicles. This section of the Design and Construction Standards shall
serve as the specifications adopted by the Board of Selectmen in the
Town Driveway Ordinance.[1]
B.
General. A driveway or access road serving private property and intersecting
with a Town or private road shall be constructed and/or reconstructed
in such a manner that it does not interfere with the existing drainage,
movement of traffic, or removal of snow from the abutting road. No
person, firm or corporation shall conduct work or make improvements
of any kind within an existing or future Town road or associated right-of-way,
including but not limited to clearing, excavating or grading, until
a permit has been obtained from the Land Use Department at least 72
hours prior to the commencement of any work. A driveway or access
road serving private property and intersecting with a state road or
roadway within an adjacent Town shall also meet the standards of the
applicable governing authority. Driveways serving more than one lot
shall conform to the standards established in this section, except
as may otherwise be required by the Old Lyme Subdivision Regulations.[2]
C.
Application. Application for a permit shall be made on forms provided
by the Land Use Department and/or Board of Selectmen and shall be
accompanied by a sketch or drawing showing the proposed work to be
done. The sketch or drawing shall be in sufficient detail to facilitate
an inspection of the work by Town personnel. The Town Engineer or
Director of Public Works may require the submission of detailed plans,
specifications and other engineering data with the application when
he shall deem it to be necessary. No permits shall be issued unless
all proposed work conforms to the requirements outlined in this section
and the Standard Detail Drawings.
D.
Application fees; certificate of insurance; driveway completion bond.
Application fees, in an amount prescribed on the most current Town
Fee Schedule, shall be submitted with all applications. In addition,
prior to approval of the permit, a certificate of insurance conforming
to current Town requirements with respect to the types of coverage
and limits of liability shall also be submitted. No permit shall be
issued until the application fee has been paid and the certificate
of insurance received.
E.
Repair of pre-existing driveways. The permit requirements and driveway criteria included within this section are not intended to preclude the routine maintenance, repair, or reconstruction of driveways constructed prior to the adoption of these Design and Construction Standards. As such, the Town Engineer or Director of Public Works may, at their discretion, waive any permit requirement and driveway criteria included within §§ 187-70 and 187-71, respectively, except that the application required in Subsection C shall be submitted.
F.
Inspection.
(1)
All construction work covered by a driveway permit shall be subject
to the inspection and approval of the Town Engineer or Director of
Public Works or their authorized representative. It is the responsibility
of the owner to notify the Town Engineer or Director of Public Works
at least 72 hours prior to each of the following inspection points
and for ensuring that the contractor performing the work completes
the required CBYD pre-marking and notification call:
(2)
If, in the opinion of the Town Engineer or Director of Public Works
or their authorized representative, there is some question if the
driveway exceeds the maximum grades permitted in this section, then
it is the responsibility of the owner to retain the services of a
licensed land surveyor to prepare a profile based on an actual field
survey. Any driveway that is not found to be in conformance with the
requirements in this section shall be reconstructed at the owner of
record's expense as required to conform.
G.
Completion time. All proposed construction work shall be completed
within 180 calendar days after the date of issuance of the driveway
permit or at the time of issuing a certificate of occupancy unless
an extension of time is granted by the Town Engineer or Director of
Public Works, upon written request by the owner for such extension,
and for good cause shown. Any such extension of time shall be limited
to a maximum additional period of 180 calendar days. No extensions
of time shall be permitted beyond 360 calendar days from the date
of issuance of a driveway permit.
H.
Final approval.
(1)
The Town Engineer or Director of Public Works or their authorized
representative shall have final approval of the completed driveway.
If, due to the time of year or other extenuating circumstances, the
driveway paving cannot be completed prior to issuance of a certificate
of occupancy, a driveway completion bond shall be provided to the
Town of Old Lyme to ensure that all work is completed no later than
July 31 of the next paving season. Driveway completion bonds shall
be in the form of a certified check in an amount determined as follows,
plus any additional amount deemed necessary by the Town Engineer and
Director of Public Works due to unusual or difficult site conditions
such as ledge, surface and subsurface drainage problems, sight line
improvements, etc. The base rates established are:
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Driveway apron serving a single residential lot
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$1,000(1)
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Driveway apron serving more than one residential lot
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$2,000(1)
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Driveway apron serving a commercial business or industrial lot
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$3,000(1)
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Additional amount required for driveway culvert
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$750(1)
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Additional amount required for driveway length to high point
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$2 per square foot(1)
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Driveway repairs
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No bond required
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NOTES:
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(1) The base rates may be adjusted
on an annual basis as determined by the Board of Selectmen.
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(2)
Should the owner fail to complete the driveway improvements by July
31 of the following paving season or within any extension of time
as specified above, the bond shall be forfeited, and the Town shall
utilize the funds to complete the required work. Any excess funds
remaining after completion of the improvements shall accrue to the
Town of Old Lyme.
I.
Waivers and appeals. Requests for waivers from the specifications, and appeals, when any party or individual is aggrieved by a decision or determination made by the Town Engineer or Director of Public Works, shall be made to the Board of Selectmen, who shall determine waivers on a case-by-case basis. In the event the provisions of the Design and Construction Standards conflict with Code of Ordinances Chapter 34, Driveways, this document shall control.
A.
Driveway aprons. Paved bituminous concrete driveway aprons shall
be provided at each intersection of a driveway with an abutting road.
The driveway apron is that portion of the driveway extending from
the Town road pavement to the right-of-way line of the Town road or
to a distance of 15 feet in from the edge of the Town road pavement,
whichever is greater. In the case of uncertainty as to the true location
of a Town road right-of-way line, for the purposes of this section
a reference right-of-way line shall be established by measuring 25
feet from the center line of the existing road pavement. However,
this clause shall not be construed as establishing any rights in ownership
of land, its purpose being merely to establish a reference line for
driveway improvement purposes. Where a Town road adjacent to a proposed
driveway does not have any type of bituminous surface course, the
Director of Public Works may waive the requirement for a bituminous
concrete driveway apron.
B.
Driveway lip. All paved driveway aprons along curbed roads, or where
otherwise required by the Town Engineer or Director of Public Works,
shall have a minimum lip of 1 1/2 inches at the Town road gutter
line. If a driveway apron is constructed prior to the placement of
the top or surface course of a subdivision road to be dedicated to
the Town of Old Lyme at some future date, then the driveway lip shall
be increased in height so that after completion of the road construction,
a minimum lip of 1 1/2 inches is maintained.
C.
Driveway width. Driveways serving a single residential dwelling unit
shall have a minimum pavement width of 10 feet and a maximum pavement
width of 20 feet. Common driveways, which shall serve a maximum of
three lots, shall have a minimum width of 16 feet and shall be constructed
to the same road cross section shown in the Standard Detail Drawings
for a local road. The minimum corner or curb radius at the intersection
of a Town road and driveway shall be five feet. All brush, trees and
any other obstructions shall be cleared and removed for a distance
of three feet beyond the edge of pavement along both sides of the
entire length of the driveway and to a height of 12 feet above the
driveway surface.
D.
Side line setback. Unless otherwise permitted by the Board of Selectmen
or Commission, the side or edge of a driveway shall not be located
any closer than five feet from an adjacent property line. In addition,
the point at which the driveway curb radius intersects the edge of
pavement or curbline of a Town road shall not encroach beyond the
point where the extension of the property line meets the Town road.
E.
Vertical alignment. To facilitate access for emergency service vehicles,
driveway grades shall have gradual transitions so as to prevent bottoming
out on a crest and bumper drag in sags. Such transitions shall be
sufficient to permit transit by a vehicle with a twenty-foot wheel
base and four-foot front and six-foot rear bumper overhang.
F.
Sight distance. The visibility at driveway intersections with Town
roads shall be such as to allow a stopped vehicle on the driveway,
located 10 feet back from the gutter line, to see, and to be seen,
from a vehicle approaching from either direction along the Town road,
a distance of not less than 150 feet, based on a height of eye and
object of 3.5 feet. The Town Engineer or Director of Public Works
may require the removal of sight obstructions, including but not limited
to trees, bushes, shrubs, boulders, rocks, stone walls, and adjustments
of cut slopes adjacent to intersections of a private driveway with
a Town road in order to assure an adequate sight distance and to ensure
a safe and efficient means of access for emergency vehicles.
G.
Gradient. Driveway grades within the road right-of-way shall not
exceed 8%, and within private property shall not exceed 15% and shall
be designed so as to not cause erosion and sediment onto the right-of-way.
The Town Engineer may, at its discretion, require bituminous asphalt
pavement for a portion of the driveway. Unless otherwise approved
by the Town Engineer or Director of Public Works, driveways shall
be cross-sloped so as to establish sheet flow drainage and avoid the
discharge of concentrated runoff into Town roads.
H.
Descending driveways. For driveways which descend into private property,
driveway aprons shall rise in elevation from the Town road gutter
line to the Town road right-of-way line a minimum of six inches before
descending into the property.
I.
Drainage. Driveways shall be constructed in such a manner that they
do not permit the runoff of water from the abutting Town road to enter
into the property of the owner, or adjacent properties, thereby creating
a nuisance to the Town and the property owner, unless an easement
in a form satisfactory to the Town of Old Lyme is granted by such
owner to the Town for such runoff. Under no circumstances shall a
driveway apron be constructed so as to obstruct or alter the free
flow of water in the road gutter line or other drainageways of the
Town of Old Lyme. In addition, if in the opinion of the Town Engineer
or Director of Public Works, discharges from concentrated surface
runoff or groundwater seeps will adversely impact upon a Town road
or associated right-of-way, then they shall require the installation
of a storm drainage and/or subdrainage system to intercept and convey
such discharges to an acceptable outlet location.
J.
Driveway culverts. Where culverts under driveways are required by the Town Engineer or Director of Public Works within the Town road right-of-way, such culverts shall be constructed of reinforced concrete pipe, or when the cover over top of the culvert exceeds 24 inches, high-density corrugated polyethylene smooth interior pipe. Culverts shall be of such size, not less than 15 inches in diameter, as to adequately convey under the driveway all surface runoff which may reasonably be expected to reach the culvert inlet during a storm with a ten-year recurrence interval. All culverts shall be of such design to withstand AASHTO HS20 loadings and shall have a minimum cover over the top of the culvert of one foot, unless otherwise approved by the Town Engineer or Director of Public Works or their authorized representative. Culverts shall be installed in accordance with the standards established in § 187-59. Inlet and outlet ends of culverts shall have flared end sections of the same type of material as the culvert, except when high-density corrugated polyethylene smooth interior pipe is utilized, metal culvert ends shall be provided.
K.
Private bridges. When a driveway crosses a watercourse or other feature such that a bridge is required, plans shall be prepared and sealed by a licensed professional engineer registered in the State of Connecticut who is competent in the field of structural engineering. Such plans shall be accompanied by a written statement from the engineer certifying that the bridge has been designed to withstand AASHTO HS20 live loads, and that any waterway opening conforms to the standards established in § 187-50K of these Design and Construction Standards. Upon completion of construction of a private bridge, the licensed professional engineer shall be required to provide a written statement to the Town Engineer or Director of Public Works that the bridge was constructed in substantial conformance with the design drawings and specifications.
L.
Removal of guide rails. To the extent possible, driveways shall avoid the removal of existing guide rail systems. Any driveway installation which requires the removal of a portion of a guide rail shall be secured with concrete end anchorages on each side of the driveway. Concrete end anchorages shall conform to the requirements outlined in § 187-45 of these Design and Construction Standards. All such work shall be the responsibility of, and at the expense of, the applicant.
M.
Crossing of existing sidewalks. Any driveway installation that crosses over an existing sidewalk shall require the complete removal and reconstruction of that portion of the sidewalk extending to the closest construction joint located beyond the edge of driveway. The reconstructed sidewalk section shall match the grade and width of the original sidewalk unless otherwise approved by the Director of Public Works. Construction of the sidewalk shall conform to the construction standards outlined in § 187-49 of these Design and Construction Standards and the Standard Detail Drawing entitled "Driveway Apron with Sidewalk," and shall be the responsibility of, and at the expense of, the applicant.
N.
Damage to existing sidewalks. Any damage to an existing sidewalk, including, but not limited to, cracking and chipping, shall be repaired by, and at the expense of, the applicant. Such repair shall include the complete removal of the damaged section of sidewalk extending to the closest construction joint located on each side of the damaged area. The reconstructed sidewalk section shall match the grade and width of the original sidewalk and shall conform with the construction standards outlined in § 187-49 of these Design and Construction Standards.
O.
Disturbance of monuments or property markers. Driveways shall be
located and constructed such that no disturbance of road right-of-way
monumentation occurs. In the event of accidental disturbance of a
monument or property marker, the owner of the property served by the
driveway shall be responsible for retaining and paying for the services
of a land surveyor licensed in the State of Connecticut to reset the
monument or property marker and to provide a letter of certification
to the Town Engineer or Director of Public Works. Where driveways
are constructed on new roads which have not yet been monumented, they
shall be located so as not to interfere with the future placement
of monuments.
P.
Final grading and stabilization. Where grading is required within a Town road right-of-way, slopes shall not be steeper than one unit vertical to two units horizontal, and shall provide a smooth transition to adjacent grades. All disturbed areas shall be covered with a minimum of six inches of topsoil and limed, fertilized, seeded and mulched. When, in the opinion of the Town Engineer or Director of Public Works, additional measures are necessary to maintain the stability of slopes, special measures as outlined in § 187-27D of these Design and Construction Standards may be required.
Q.
Placement of protective barriers along driveways. It shall be the
property owner's responsibility to place protective barriers
along driveways as needed to minimize the risk of personal injury
resulting from a vehicle departing from the driveway.
A.
Paving materials. Driveway apron paving shall consist of bituminous
concrete pavement or concrete pavement. Required driveway paving beyond
the driveway apron shall consist of a nonerodible all-weather surfacing,
including, but not necessarily limited to, bituminous concrete pavement;
concrete pavement; brick, concrete, or stone/masonry pavers; or penetration
macadam. The Town shall not be responsible for damage to driveway
apron construction materials due to reasonable wear and tear, maintenance,
and/or plowing.
B.
Base materials. For a driveway serving a single residential lot, the prepared base upon which paving materials are placed shall consist of a minimum depth of eight inches, after compaction, of a rolled granular base that conforms to the State Standard Specifications Sections M.02.03 and M.02.06 (Grading C). Regardless of the type of paving surface to be utilized, the base materials shall be capable of supporting AASHTO HS20 loadings. Base materials for all remaining portions of the driveway that extend beyond the required limits of paving shall also be capable of supporting AASHTO HS20 loadings. For a driveway serving more than one residential lot, the base shall consist of the same depth and type of materials required for construction of a local road as specified in §§ 187-41 and 187-42.
C.
Bituminous concrete pavement. For a driveway serving a single residential lot, the bituminous concrete pavement surface shall consist of a minimum of two inches, after compaction, of Class II bituminous concrete. Class II bituminous concrete materials shall conform to the State Standard Specifications Sections M.04.01 and M.04.03. For a driveway serving more than one residential lot, the bituminous concrete pavement surface shall consist of the same depth and type of materials required for construction of a local road as specified in § 187-43.
