Agenda - 06-03-2008-5b1b - Laserfiche WebLink

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17 DESIGN SOLUTION FOUR (4) as outlined on page twenty (20) of the application reading as follows: `Tlie applicant requests a waiver from Section 2.4 Environmental Factors -Grading and E3•osion Control -Driveway and Access Drive Slopes of the EDD Design Manual' The applicant is requesting the ability to utilize NC DOT standards of two percent (2%) or '/a" per foot minimum. and a twelve percent (12%) maximum access/drive slope where necessary. The applicant argues that with the existing slope standards of two percent (2%) minimum and five percent (5%) maximum for access/driveways is common, there will be need for additional flexibility given the number of connections proposed with this development. The additional slope value may be necessary to achieve the number of connections to facilitate safe, pedestrian friendly, circulation within the development and between individual development districts. STAFF BACKGROUND AND COMMENT: The applicant argues that with the existing slope standards of two percent (2%) minimum and five percent (5%) maximum for access/driveways is common. However, there will be need for additional flexibility given the number of connections proposed with this development. The additional slope value may be necessary to achieve the number of connections to facilitate safe, pedestrian friendly, circulation within the development and between individual development districts. As stated within the analysis of Design Solution number three (2), with steeper bacl{ slopes this design alternative will avoid unnecessary disturbance and preserve more land area in it present natural condition, as well as providing safe, pedestrian friendly internal circulation. Such a design alternative will confer a unique natural design quality to the proposed development. Furthermore, by allowing for such a deviation from the existing standard, the County would be promoting the concept of clustering the various land uses within the development as demonstrated within the attached sketch below. Staff believes that by allowing for this flexibility, we would be promoting several provisions within both the Comprehensive Plan and the Economic Development Design Manual that speak to the encouragement of clustering land uses to encourage pedestrian friendly design and avoid the need for expansive parking facilities. It should also be noted that given the permitting requirements that could be imposed as part of the NC DOT driveway permit, some flexibility needs to be built into the standard to address NC DOT requirements/concern.