POLICY STATEMENT 140

Collector Avenue Road Classification

Purpose

To adopt an official policy regarding the development of a new road standard, collector avenues, in all future residential roadway design.

Goals of Policy:

·        To address neighborhood concerns regarding speeding and the need for traffic calming measures

·        To allow for more major streets to function as intended, carrying local traffic to arterials

·        To restrict and limit access along major collectors through the addition of medians

Coverage

This policy, upon adoption by the Town Council, shall be applicable and implemented with all new residential development within the Town of Cary if the qualifying criteria outlined in this policy statement are met.  This policy will not apply in Activity Centers or within the Town Center Area Plan boundary.

Policy

The Town Council of the Town of Cary hereby establishes the following policy to define collector avenue criteria, design requirements and design recommendations.

Qualifying Criteria:

If the proposed collector road has a future ADT of 3,000 or greater and meets one of the following criteria, the collector avenue classification will apply.

1.      Links to two arterial streets

2.      Classification as a major collector road by the Town or a neighboring municipality

Two cross-sections for the Collector Avenue designation are applicable, a standard cross-section and alternative standard cross-section. Design requirements for both are as follows:

Standard Collector Avenue Design Requirements:

A.   Minimized driveway cuts along Avenues.  A minimum distance of 160 ft. between driveway cuts will be required.  Exceptions to this requirement must be approved by Town staff.

B.   Installation of bicycle facilities in the form of striped bicycle lanes will be required. (Note: Thermoplastic pavement markings will be required for lane and bike lane accommodations).

C.  On-street parking will not be permitted.

D.  Typical speed limit posting of 35 mph (maximum).

E.  Materials selection and layout for permanent turf, plantings, and plant beds will be illustrated on the submitted plan for review.  Medians and traffic island landscape maintenance will be the responsibility of the Homeowner’s Association.  All ornamental plantings shown on the plan will be maintained by the Homeowner’s Association. A maintenance agreement will be required as part of site plan submittal.  Planting design will conform to requirements of the Town’s Land Development Ordinance and planting dimensional and selection guidelines provided in the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) “Guidelines for Planting within Highway Right-of-Way”. Plant installation technical specifications and details will conform to the Landscape Development Ordinance.

F.   New road to be named as an Avenue

G.  Cross-sections: (see Engineering Drawings)

*Note: Alternative street cross-sections to consider street tree plantings between the road and sidewalk will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

Alternative Standard Collector Avenue Design Requirements:

A.  All single-family residential driveway cuts will be restricted.  Exceptions to this requirement must be approved by Town staff.

B.  Installation of bicycle facilities in the form of striped bicycle lanes will be required. Thermoplastic pavement markings will be required for lane and bike lane accommodations.

C.  On-street parking will not be permitted.

D.  Typical speed limit posting of 35 mph (maximum).

E.  Medians will not be required with the Alternative Standard cross-section due to the restriction of single-family residential driveway cuts.

F.  New road to be named as an Avenue

G.  Cross-sections: (see Engineering Drawings)

*Note: Alternative street cross-sections to consider street tree plantings between the road and sidewalk will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

Design Recommendations:

The following design recommendations are encouraged to meet collector avenue requirements:

A.  Shared access driveways between adjacent lots fronting Collector Avenues (applicable for the Standard cross-section only).

B.  Construction of half circles to accommodate groups of driveways off of the main Collector Avenue alignment.

C.  Rear alley construction to provide rear access to development fronting Collector Avenues.

Design Exceptions (must be approved by staff and submitted via written request):

A.  Infill projects; defined as roads 1,500 ft. or more in length through vacant land, surrounded by the built environment

B.  Spacing Requirements

C.  Planting design not conforming to the Town LDO or NCDOT guidelines

D.  All other exceptions must be approved by Town Council