Minutes 05-12-2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Chair McKee said in his case he built the road, and when the homeowners bought the lots they took responsibility for the maintenance. He said it was a Class B road. Commissioner Price asked if there is a difference between a really wide driveway and a Class B road. Michael Harvey said a Class B road must have a minimum travel width of twelve feet. Commissioner Price asked if this road would be twelve feet. Michael Harvey said a larger road will likely be recommended, based on the recommendation of First Responders; who say twelve feet is not viable for their needs. He said the recommendation will suggest a shared driveway with a larger cul de sac, than is required, so that emergency vehicles will be able to operate properly. He said this would allow smaller properties seeking a three lot subdivision to avoid the need for a Class A road, but allow access for emergency vehicles. He said the recommendation will require larger developers to comply with the Class A road standards. Abigaile Pittman said a Class B road has 15 foot right of way, while a driveway would not. Commissioner Price asked if such a right of way sacrifices clearance area. Abigaile Pittman said not necessarily as there are standards to accommodate Emergency Vehicles. Commissioner Dorosin asked if the intention is to apply the recommendation to roads from this point forward, or if it is to retrofit existing roads. He asked if there was any sense of the scope of the problem. Abigaile Pittman said if there is an amendment to the UDO, it would be only going forward; but if the County adopts other policies, then it could affect whatever the BOCC decided. Commissioner Jacobs asked if there are three lots cut out along the road way, must they all connect on one driveway. Michael Harvey said typically joint driveways and shared access roads are required to avoid multiple curb cuts on the roadway; and thereby lesson traffic congestion. Commissioner Jacobs said he understood the sense in two lots sharing a driveway, but he is specifically asking if three lots must always share a driveway. He said it makes no sense to him to cut across three lots, just so there can be a shared driveway. Michael Harvey said no. He said it is incumbent upon the developer to come up with a solution that avoids that scenario. Chair McKee said that current regulations state that one cannot have multiple access points into a minor subdivision. He added that a minor subdivision is considered one to five lots. Commissioner Jacobs asked if anyone has spoken to local realtors or members of the local development community regarding this topic. Michael Harvey said no. Commissioner Jacobs asked if the 16 foot pipe was 16 feet in length or diameter. Abigaile Pittman referred to the drawing graphic that outlined these measurements. Jason Shepherd said there is an apron entrance off of the road, and the length of the pipe would have to be the width of the apron. He said the length would be 16 feet long, lying across the width of the driveway. Commissioner Jacobs asked David Stancil if he could give some background on the rural character study. He said a mixed group of stakeholders came together to discuss ways to preserve rural character. David Stancil said the study was done 22 years ago. He said the study was done prior to the existence of cluster subdivisions and open space developments. He said there was a lot of emphasis, at that time, on the environment, and the ability of constructing narrower