A.
Street design and construction plans shall be designed and prepared by a professional engineer registered in the State of Maine. No construction will be permitted until the Planning Board has approved the plans. No lot in a subdivision may be sold, leased or otherwise conveyed before the street upon which the lot fronts is completed in accordance with these standards up to and including that lot. New streets may be required to reduce new driveway entrances onto highways or principal thoroughfares. (See § 121-15J.) See § 121-7H regarding acceptance of new roads and maintenance of stormwater management infrastructure. Maintenance of stormwater management facilities that are not accepted by the Town are the responsibility of the developer or homeowners’ association and are subject to annual certification per Chapter 108 of the Town’s Code.
[Amended 6-15-2009]
B.
In addition to information described in §§ 121-31 and 121-36 above, subdivision plans which propose new streets shall include the following data:
(1)
The beginning and ending points with relation to accepted
town ways and any planned or anticipated future extensions of the
streets proposed for acceptance. (All terminal points and the center-line
alignment shall be identified by survey stationing.)
(2)
The kind, size, location, profile and cross section
of all existing and proposed drainage structures and their location
with respect to the existing natural waterways and/or watercourses.
(3)
Complete curve data for all horizontal and vertical
curves.
(4)
The turning radii at all intersections.
(5)
All center-line gradients.
(6)
The limits and location of all proposed sidewalks
and curbing.
C.
The design of streets shall provide for proper continuation
of streets from adjacent subdivisions and built-up areas and proper
projection of streets into adjacent unsubdivided and open land.
D.
The Comprehensive Plan of the municipality shall serve
as a guide in determining the proper distribution of pavement widths,
shoulders and sidewalks within proposed rights-of-way.
E.
The center line of the street shall be the center
line of the right-of-way, except where the Planning Board approves
an alternative design.
F.
T-intersections formed on opposite sides of the same
collector street shall not be closer than 200 feet, center line to
center line.
G.
All streets in the subdivision shall be so designed
that, in the opinion of the Board, they will provide safe vehicular
travel while discouraging movement of through traffic.
H.
Dead ends; culs-de-sac; hammerheads.
[Amended 2-26-1990; 4-14-2015]
(1)
All
proposed dead-end streets or culs-de-sac shall not exceed 600 feet
in length and shall be provided with a suitable turnaround at the
closed end. When a turning circle is used, it shall have a minimum
outside curb radius of 65 feet.
(2)
All
culs-de-sac shall be measured from the intersection of the cul-de-sac
and the connecting road to the most distal point of the cul-de-sac.
(3)
No
existing dead-end streets or culs-de-sac shall be extended beyond
600 feet if the street will remain a dead end or a cul-de-sac. The
street may be reconfigured such that it connects back to itself at
a point no less than 300 feet from the current terminus, thus forming
a loop, or provides direct connectivity to a second means of egress.
(4)
A
hammerhead turnaround shall be measured from the intersection of the
center line of the existing and proposed street to the intersection
point of the hammerhead.
I.
All streets shall be provided with sidewalks wherever
practical.
[Amended 1-27-2003; 6-15-2009]
(1)
A buffer strip of at least five feet between curb
and sidewalk may be required by the Planning Board.
(2)
In the R3, R4, and R5 Zones, connecting recreational
trails and/or sidewalks may be required. The Planning Board encourages
alternate pedestrian and nonmotorized ways to help preserve South
Berwick's rural character.
J.
That portion of any corner lot which is necessary
to allow twenty-five-foot sight lines between intersecting streets
shall be cleared of all growth, except isolated trees, and obstructions
above the level two feet higher than the center line of the street.
If directed, ground shall be excavated to achieve visibility.
K.
All changes in grade shall be connected by vertical curves of such length and radius as meet with the approval of the Planning Board so that clear visibility shall be provided for distances specified in Subsection N.
[Amended 8-26-1991]
L.
Street intersections and curves shall be so designed
as to permit adequate visibility for both pedestrian and vehicular
traffic.
M.
Street classifications.
[Amended 4-14-2015]
(1)
Minor
local street: A public or private street, serving no more than five
residential units or 80 ADT trips, based on any additional nonresidential
accessory uses located on the property.
(2)
Local residential street: Any street which affords
direct access to houses and places of business which do not generate
significant amounts of traffic. These streets are always to be designed
and constructed so as to discourage through traffic of any type.
(3)
Collector streets: Any street which serves primarily
to feed arterial roads and which collects traffic from local residential
streets for circulation and access.
(4)
Arterial street: Any street or major thoroughfare
which serves primarily to carry traffic through and/or between towns.
(5)
Commercial and industrial street: Any street that
is used primarily by commercial or industrial traffic as an access
route to commercial or industrial buildings and other places of business.
(6)
The classification of a proposed street shall be made
by the Planning Board when such a street is part of an application
for a subdivision requiring Planning Board approval. This determination
may be made by the Planning Board prior to the formal application,
after submission of all information which may be required for that
purpose.
N.
Design standards. The following table provides design standards for the five classifications of streets. All proposed public or private streets shall meet the following standards as found in the Street Design table. When existing roads are pertinent to a subdivision application requiring Planning Board approval, those existing road(s) will also be improved to conform to the standards below. Where the standards cannot be met and upon a showing of undue hardship, the Board of Appeals may grant a variance from the standards of § 121-44N, Design standards.
[Amended 6-15-2009; 4-14-2015]
|
Description
|
Type of Street
| |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Minor Local, 5 Units or 80 ADT
|
Local Residential, 51 to 250 ADT
|
Collector, 251 to 1,000 ADT
|
Arterial, >1,000 ADT
|
Industrial/
Commercial
| ||
|
Minimum right-of-way width
|
50 feet
|
50 feet
|
60 feet
|
80 feet
|
80 feet
| |
|
Minimum pavement/gravel width
|
16 feet
|
22 feet
|
24 feet
|
28 feet
|
36 feet
| |
|
Sidewalk width, one side of the street
|
N/A
|
5 feet
|
5 feet
|
5 feet
|
5 feet
| |
|
Minimum grade
|
0.5%
|
0.5%
|
0.5%
|
0.5%
|
0.5%
| |
|
Maximum grade
|
8%
|
6.0%
|
6.0%
|
5.0%
|
5.0%
| |
|
Minimum center-line radius
|
N/A
|
150 feet
|
230 feet
|
800 feet
|
800 feet
| |
|
Minimum tangent between curves of reverse alignment
|
N/A
|
100 feet
|
200 feet
|
300 feet
|
800 feet
| |
|
Roadway crown
|
N/A
|
1/4 inch per foot
|
1/4 inch per foot
|
1/4 inch per foot
|
1/4 inch per foot
| |
|
Minimum angle of street intersections
|
N/A
|
60°
|
60°
|
90°
|
90°
| |
|
Maximum grade at intersection (within 75 feet
of intersections)
|
N/A
|
2%
|
2%
|
2%
|
2%
| |
|
Curb radii at intersection 90°
|
N/A
|
15 feet
|
20 feet
|
30 feet
|
30 feet
| |
|
Minimum property line radii at intersections
|
N/A
|
10 feet
|
10 feet
|
20 feet
|
20 feet
| |
|
Minimum width of shoulders (each side)
|
2 feet
|
3 feet
|
3 feet
|
3 feet
|
9 feet
| |
|
Minimum Safe Sight Distances
| |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Posted Speed Limit
(mph)*
| |||||||
|
30
|
35
|
40
|
45
|
50
|
55
| ||
|
Passenger cars
|
300 feet
|
350 feet
|
400 feet
|
450 feet
|
500 feet
|
550 feet
| |
|
Single-unit trucks
|
415 feet
|
475 feet
|
540 feet
|
600 feet
|
675 feet
|
750 feet
| |
|
Tractor-trailers
|
530 feet
|
615 feet
|
700 feet
|
840 feet
|
975 feet
|
1,100 feet
| |
|
NOTE: Where it is impossible to meet these sight-distance standards due to physical conditions, a maximum variance of 30% may be permitted, in accordance with the waiver provisions in § 121-8. The thirty-percent variance is consistent with the absolute minimum stopping distance requirements on wet pavements established by the Maine Department of Transportation.
| |
|
*NOTE: Along existing road, where new street
is to intersect.
|
O.
Monuments.
(1)
Permanent monuments shall be set as all corners and
angle points of the subdivision boundaries and at all street intersections
and points of curvature.
(2)
Monuments shall be stone, shall be located in the
ground at final grade level and shall be indicated on the final plan.
After they are set, drill holes 1/8 inch deep shall locate the point
or points described above.
P.
Street signs. Streets which join or are in alignment
with streets of abutting or neighboring properties shall bear the
same name. Names of new streets shall not duplicate nor bear phonetic
resemblance to the names of existing streets within the municipalities
and shall be subject to the approval of the Board. Street name signs
shall be furnished and installed by the subdivider. The type, size
and location shall be subject to the approval of the Board.
Q.
Sidewalks and curbing. Sidewalks and curbing shall
meet the minimum requirements below:
(1)
Bituminous sidewalks.
(a)
The gravel aggregate subbase course (MDOT 703.06
Type D) shall be not less than 12 inches in thickness.
[Amended 6-15-2009]
(b)
The crushed aggregate base course (MDOT 703.06
Type A) shall be not less than three inches in thickness.
[Amended 6-15-2009]
(c)
The hot bituminous pavement surface course shall
be not less than two inches in thickness after compaction.
(2)
Portland cement concrete sidewalks.
[Amended 6-15-2009]
(a)
The gravel aggregate subbase course (MDOT 703.06
Type D) shall be not less than 12 inches in thickness.
(b)
The crushed aggregate base course (MDOT 703.06 Type A) shall be not
less than three inches in thickness.
(c)
The Portland cement concrete shall be reinforced
with six-inch-square No. 10 wire mesh and shall be not less than four
inches in thickness.
(3)
Curbing. Curbing shall be quarried granite or a suitable
substitute approved by the Planning Board and Road Commissioner and
shall be installed according to Section 609 Maine Department of Transportation
Standard Specifications for Highways and Bridges, December 2002, or
the latest revision thereof.
[Amended 6-15-2009]
(4)
Alternate composition. The Planning Board may require
any combination of alternate materials for construction of sidewalks
and/or trails to include approved subbase and overlay at the discretion
of the South Berwick Road Commissioner.
[Added 1-27-2003]
R.
Construction standards.
[Amended 6-15-2009]
(1)
The minimum thickness of materials after compaction
shall be:
[Amended 4-14-2015]
|
Street Materials
|
Minimum Requirements
(inches)
| |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Arterial
|
Collector
|
Local
Residential
|
Minor Local Street
|
Industrial
Commercial
| ||
|
Aggregate subbase course (maximum size stone:
4 inches)
|
24
|
18
|
18
|
12
|
24
| |
|
Crushed aggregate base course
|
4
|
3
|
3
|
3
|
4
| |
|
Hot bituminous pavement (after compaction)
|
N/A
| |||||
|
Total thickness (after compaction)
|
5
|
4
|
4
|
N/A
|
5
| |
|
Surface course (after compaction) (MDOT HMA,
9.5 mm) (3/8 inch) 50 GYR
|
2
|
1 1/2
|
1 1/2
|
N/A
|
2
| |
|
Base course (after compaction) (MDOT HMA 19.0
mm) (3/4 inch) 50 GYR
|
3
|
2 1/2
|
2 1/2
|
N/A
|
23
| |
(2)
Hot bituminous pavement shall be as specified in the
Maine Department of Transportation Standard Specifications, December
2002, or latest revision thereof, and shall be used on all streets
in conformance with this chapter.
S.
Bases and pavement.
(1)
Bases. The aggregate subbase course shall not contain
particles of rock exceeding four inches in any dimension. The crushed
aggregate base shall not contain particles of rock that will not pass
the two-inch-square sieve.
(2)
Pavement joints. Where pavement placed joins an existing
pavement, the existing pavement shall be cut along a smooth line and
to a neat, even, vertical joint.
T.
Preparation.
(1)
Before any clearing has started on the right-of-way,
the center line of the new road shall be staked and sidestaked at
fifty-foot intervals. Limits of clearing shall be marked by stakes
or flagging; distances from the center line shall be obtained from
the cross sections.
(2)
Before
any clearing has started, erosion and sediment control measures shall
be installed per the Maine Erosion and Sediment Control BMP Manual,
March 2003, or latest revision thereof.
[Added 6-15-2009[1]]
[1]
Editor’s Note: This ordinance also redesignated former
Subsection T(2) through (4) as Subsection T(3) through (5), respectively.
(3)
Before grading is started, the entire right-of-way
area shall be cleared of all stumps, roots, brush and other objectionable
material. All ledge, large boulders and tree stumps shall be removed
from the right-of-way.
(4)
Tree stumps and other organic materials shall be removed
to a depth of two feet below the subgrade of the roadway. Rocks and
boulders shall also be removed to a depth of two feet below the subgrade
of the roadway. Unsuitable soils shall be removed from the right-of-way
to a depth of two feet below the subgrade and shall be replaced, where
necessary, with soils listed by the soil suitable for road construction.
[Amended 6-15-2009]
(5)
Side slopes shall not be steeper than a slope of three
feet horizontal to one foot vertical, graded, fertilized and seeded.
Planting strips to be limed at the rate of 10 pounds of a 10-10-10
fertilizer per 100 square feet or equivalent and seeded with an appropriate
seed mix meeting the standards of the Maine Erosion and Sediment Control
BMP Manual, March 2003, or latest revision thereof.
[Amended 6-15-2009]
U.
Erosion control.
[Amended 6-15-2009; 5-9-2023]
(1)
For sites that disturb one or more acres of land, including sites
that disturb less than one acre of land if the site is part of a larger
subdivision that would disturb one or more acres of land, the soil
erosion and sediment control plan will be in conformance with Maine
DEP Chapter 500 Appendices A, B, and C.
(2)
For all other sites, procedures shall be undertaken, both during
preparatory, construction and cleanup stages, to prevent soil erosion
and water pollution as specified in the Maine Erosion and Sediment
Control BMP Manual, March 2016, or latest revision thereof.
V.
Cleanup. Following street construction, the developer
or contractor shall conduct a thorough cleanup of stumps and other
debris from the entire road or street right-of-way.
W.
Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, construction
specifications shall be in conformance with Maine Department of Transportation
Standard Specifications December 2002, or latest revision thereof.
A.
A public water supply system with fire hydrants shall be installed at the expense of the subdivider, or if, in the opinion of the Board, service to each lot by a public water system is not feasible, the Board may allow individual wells to be used. (See also § 121-22D.)
B.
The subdivider shall demonstrate by actual test or
by a signed affidavit from an authorized representative of the servicing
water company that water meeting State of Maine Drinking Water Standards,
can be supplied to the subdivision at the rate of at least 350 gallons
per day per dwelling unit and at an adequate pressure for fire-fighting
purposes.
[Amended 6-15-2009]
C.
Storage shall be provided as necessary to meet peak
domestic demands and fire protection needs.
D.
The subdivider shall demonstrate in the form of signed
affidavits from the servicing water company or by engineering reports
prepared by a civil engineer registered in the State of Maine that
the proposed subdivision will not result in an undue burden on the
source, treatment facilities or distribution system involved or provide
adequate assurance that such source treatment facility or distribution
system will be modified to meet the expanded needs.
E.
The minimum water main permitted shall be eight inches
and shall be installed at the expense of the subdivider.
F.
The water supply system shall be designed and installed
in accordance with requirements of the Maine Department of Health
and Human Services.
[Amended 6-15-2009]
G.
Because they are difficult to maintain in a sanitary condition, dug wells shall be permitted only if it is not economically or technically feasible to develop other groundwater sources. (See also § 121-22D.)
H.
If a central water supply system is provided by the
subdivider, location and protection of the source and design, construction
and operation of the distribution system and appurtenances and treatment
facilities shall conform to the applicable regulations of the State
of Maine Drinking Water Program.
[Amended 6-15-2009]
A.
A sanitary sewer system shall be installed at the
expense of the subdivider, or if, in the opinion of the Board, service
to each lot by a sanitary sewer system is not feasible, the Board
may allow individual septic tanks to be used, which shall likewise
be installed at the expense of the subdivider.
B.
A developer shall submit plans for sewage disposal
designed by a professional civil engineer in full compliance with
the requirements of the State of Maine Plumbing Code and/or Department
of Environmental Protection.
C.
Where a public sanitary sewer line is located within 1,500 feet of a proposed subdivision at its nearest point, the subdivider shall connect with such sanitary sewer line with a main not less than eight inches in diameter, provided that the appropriate municipal agencies certify that extending the services will not be a burden on the system. (See also § 121-22E.)
[Amended 6-15-2009]
A.
Where a subdivision is traversed by a watercourse, drainageway or future sewer line or where the Board feels that surface water drainage to be created by the subdivision should be controlled for the protection of the subdivision and owners of property abutting it, there shall be provided an easement or drainage right-of-way and culverts, catch basins or other means of channeling surface water within such subdivision and over the property of owners abutting upon it of such nature, width and location as the Board or Municipal Engineer deems adequate. (See also § 121-17.)
B.
Subdivisions
shall be designed, constructed, and maintained in accordance with
the following:
[Amended 5-9-2023]
(1)
For sites that disturb one or more acres of land, including sites
that disturb less than one acre of land if the site is part of a larger
subdivision that would disturb one or more acres of land, the soil
erosion and sediment control plan will be in conformance with Maine
DEP Chapter 500 Appendices A, B, and C.
(2)
For all other sites, procedures shall be undertaken, both during
preparatory construction and clean up stages, for erosion and sediment
control as specified in the Maine Erosion and Sediment Control BMP
Manual, October 2016, or latest revision thereof.
C.
The developer shall provide a statement from a civil
engineer, registered in the State of Maine, that the proposed subdivision
will not create erosion, drainage or runoff problems either in the
subdivision or in adjacent properties. The developer shall submit
a surface drainage plan showing ditching, culverts, easements and
other proposed improvements.
D.
Topsoil shall be considered part of the subdivision.
Except for surplus topsoil for roads, parking areas and building excavations,
it is not to be removed from the site.
E.
Except for normal thinning and landscaping and cutting
of trees to provide access to direct sunlight, existing vegetation
shall be left intact to prevent soil erosion. The Board may require
a developer to take measures to correct and prevent soil erosion in
the proposed subdivision.
F.
To prevent soil erosion of shoreline areas, any clearing
of vegetation within the Resource Protection District and Shoreland/Slope
District is subject to § 140-48E of the Town’s Zoning
Ordinance.
[Amended 6-15-2009]
A.
Any development that triggers the Maine DEP Chapter 500, Stormwater
Management Rules, shall incorporate low-impact development standards
as outlined in the Maine Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual.
[Amended 1-12-2016]
B.
Development
projects that do not trigger the Maine DEP Chapter 500, Stormwater
Management Rules may incorporate low-impact development standards
as outlined in the Maine Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual,
where practicable. In addition, the following provisions apply:
[Amended 1-12-2016]
(1)
Adequate
provision shall be made for disposal of all stormwater collected in
streets and areas tributary to the street system and underground water
through ditches, culverts, underdrain and/or stormwater drainage systems.
(a)
All stormwater systems shall be designed to meet the criteria of
a twenty-five-year storm based on rainfall data from weather bureau
records in Portland.
(b)
Appropriate conveyances for outlets to drainage systems must be provided.
Asphalt-coated steel culverts and asphalt-coated steel pipes or equivalent
shall be used where drainage is required.
(c)
In any case, the minimum pipe size for any storm drainage pipe or
driveway culvert shall be 12 inches. Catch basins of an appropriate
size and type shall be installed where necessary and shall be located
generally at the curbline. Catch basins shall be placed away from
the line of traffic flow; however, they shall be adequate in design
and strength to accommodate vehicle traffic.
(d)
Appropriate stabilization of storm drain pipe inlets and outfalls
needs to be designed, constructed, and maintained per the Maine Erosion
and Sediment Control BMP Manual, March 2003, or latest revision thereof.
(2)
Upstream
drainage shall be accommodated by an adequately sized system for existing
conditions and future potential development in the upstream drainage
area or areas tributary to the proposed Town way. The adequacy of
the proposed system(s) shall be determined by the Planning Board.
(3)
Existing
or future downstream drainage requirements shall be studied to determine
the effect of proposed drainage. The applicant shall demonstrate to
the satisfaction of the Planning Board that the storm drainage will
not, in any way, overload existing or future storm drainage systems
downstream from the proposed street.
(4)
Where
open ditches, channels, streams or natural drainage courses are used
either to collect or discharge stormwater, adequately sized perpetual
easements shall be provided and appropriate erosion control measures
taken. No stormwater will be permitted to drain across a street or
across an intersection.
C.
Underdrainage
system.
(1)
Where
subsurface soils are of the nature to require an underdrainage system,
underdrains shall be installed on one or both sides of the road, as
determined by the Public Works Department.
(2)
An
underdrainage system shall be installed to properly drain all springs
or areas where the groundwater level is too high and would cause a
hazard to the stability of the roadway base.
D.
For other
guidelines regarding stormwater management and low-impact development,
reference is made to the Low Impact Development Guidance Manual for
Maine Communities, dated September 25, 2006, for the Maine Coastal
Program of the State Planning Office. Reference to this document is
for guideline purposes only and is not considered to be part of this
chapter.
A.
All material utilized for storm drain construction
shall be in conformity with the Maine Department of Transportation
Standard Specifications, December 2002, or latest revision thereof.
[Amended 6-15-2009]
B.
General construction requirements.
(1)
Trenching shall be accomplished in accordance with
all appropriate state and federal safety requirements.
(2)
Drain alignment shall be straight in both horizontal
and vertical alignment, unless specific approval of a curvilinear
drain is obtained, in writing, from the Planning Board.
(3)
Manholes shall be provided at all changes in vertical
or horizontal alignment and at all junctions. In straight runs, manholes
shall be placed at a maximum of three-hundred-foot intervals.
[Amended 6-15-2009[1]]
[1]
Editor’s Note: This ordinance also repealed former Subsection
B(4), which immediately followed and provided for termination or riprapping
of outlets and for energy dissipation.
