Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
081 <br /> 1 <br /> PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDMENT <br /> ORDINANCE: SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS <br /> REFERENCE: Private Road Standards <br /> ORIGIN OF AMENDMENT: _X_ Staff Planning Board <br /> BOCC Public <br /> Other: <br /> STAFF PRIORITY RECOMMENDATION: High Middle _x_ Low <br /> Comment: <br /> PUBLIC HEARING DATE: August 22, 1994 <br /> PURPOSE OF AMENDMENT: <br /> To allow for modification of the 125-foot curve radius for <br /> subdivisions served by existing private roads which have a lesser <br /> radius. <br /> IMPACTS/ISSUES: <br /> The Orange County Private Road Standards include requirements <br /> pertaining to construction materials, and design standards <br /> pertaining to road and right-of-way width, grade, curve radius, <br /> vertical clearance, drainage, signage, turn-arounds, vegetation <br /> and maintenance. Application of these standards assures that <br /> the road will provide safe access, in terms of traffic <br /> circulation and emergency access, appropriate for the number of <br /> lots it serves. <br /> There is flexibility in some of the dimensional standards to <br /> address various its specific circumstances and constraints. For <br /> example, the Board of Commissioners may approve a partial-width <br /> right-of-way if the full right-of-way width cannot be attained, <br /> and the Erosion Control Officer may approve a grade steeper than <br /> the 12% generally required if "exceptional circumstances" are <br /> involved. There is also some variability allowed in the pitch <br /> of the travelway and construction standards for ditches. <br /> There is currently no flexibility in the requirement for a 125- <br /> foot curve radius. New roads which are created when property is <br /> subdivided are located and designed in such a way that this <br /> requirement can be met. Problems occasionally arise, however, in <br /> the subdivision of lots which are accessed by an existing road <br /> which does not meet the curve radius. In some cases, the road <br /> and/or right-of-way can be reconfigured so that the curve radius <br /> can be met. In other cases, the road cannot be redesigned to <br /> comply with the radius standards due to the inability to change <br /> the location of the right-of-way, the extent of earthwork than <br /> may be required if there are significant slopes or embankments, <br /> and/or the location of the right-of-way in relation to property <br />