Summary of Proposed Changes to Driveway Standards

DRIVEWAY STANDARDS ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGE

Summary The proposed Ordinance changes will clarify the applicability to the driveway standards to various roads in Town. They will also update certain performance standards to address current construction practices and safety issues.

Current vs. Proposed Driveway Standards
             Aspect                     Current                       Proposed
 Clarify jurisdiction of the    Driveway permits for         Driveway permits for roads
 Road Commissioner.             “Town” roads.                maintained by the Town or
                                                             approved by the Planning
                                                             Board. MDOT issues driveway
                                                             permits on State routes.
 Safe sight distances at        Table is inconsistent with   Adopt MDOT standards for
 driveway entrance.             MDOT standards.              consistency.
 Driveway grade at road         Ten percent.                 Three percent.
 entrance.
 Driveway angle at             Road Commissioner can         Require all driveways to be at
 road entrance.                approve greater less than     least 75 degrees.
                               75 degree angle.
 Paving of driveway apron.     Must be paved if grade        Must be paved if roadway is
                               exceeds 5 percent.            paved.
 Erosion controls.             Erosion control standards     Reference the general erosion
                               are contained in other        control standards.
                               parts of the Ordinance.

Why the Changes?

The current language is unclear as to the meaning of “Town” roads. Is that all roads in Town or just those maintained by the Town? The clarification gives the Road Commissioner authority over all new driveway placement along roads where the Town has regulatory authority and leaves authority for new driveway placement on State routes with MDOT. Changes on safe sight distances, driveway grade at the entrance, paving of driveway entrances, and erosion standards are included.

We want to hear from you! Do you support the proposed changes to the driveway standards or have any concerns with them? Please share your thoughts with the Planning Board during the public participation process. You can submit written comments to the Town Planner for circulation to the Board by emailing townplanner@durhammaine.gov.