Chapter 12.22
ROAD APPROACHES
Sections:
12.22.050 Classes of approaches.
12.22.060 Construction standards.
12.22.070 Protection of the public.
12.22.080 Protection of existing facilities.
12.22.090 Perpetual maintenance obligation.
12.22.110 Violation – Penalty.
12.22.115 Stopping sight distance.
12.22.005 General.
The county engineer shall be authorized to issue permits for road approaches to county roads; provided, that the permittee shall comply with appropriate guidelines promulgated by the county engineer in accordance with RCW 36.75.130, 36.75.140, and 36.75.150 and this chapter. (Ord. 2008-6 Att. A, 2008).
12.22.010 Permit application.
Okanogan County department of public works will issue permit applicants written authorization to construct proposed road approaches upon approval of their application. Applicants shall be required to inform this office when said road approach has been completed. The county will perform a final inspection to assure all requirements have been met.
If all requirements have been met, a final approval will be given. In the event that minimum requirements have not been met, the permittee will make revisions as directed by the county to bring the approach into compliance with minimum standards and/or conditions set forth by Okanogan County. (Ord. 2008-6 Att. A, 2008).
12.22.020 Permit expiration.
No permit shall be issued more than 30 days in advance of the expected construction date. In the event construction of the approach does not occur within 30 days of the date of construction shown on the permit, the permit shall be null and void. (Ord. 2008-6 Att. A, 2008).
12.22.030 Permit deviation.
The county engineer shall refer to the board of county commissioners any permit application which in his opinion does not comply with the standards; which constitutes a hazard; or which falls outside the scope of this chapter. (Ord. 2008-6 Att. A, 2008).
12.22.040 Fees.
The charges for said road approach permits shall be those under the current department of public works’ fee schedule as adopted by resolution and approved by the board of county commissioners. (Ord. 2008-6 Att. A, 2008).
12.22.050 Classes of approaches.
Approaches to county roads shall be divided into five classes as follows:
A. “Residential approach” is that which serves one or two dwelling units as defined in OCC 17A.20.315.
B. “Farm approach” is that which serves farmland or outbuildings only with no residential or commercial service.
C. “Commercial approach” is that which serves a business establishment or more than two dwelling units. Some farm approaches may also be determined commercial due to type and volumes of traffic such as dairies, granaries, etc.
D. “Mixed use approaches” are combinations of the above. Requirements are those of the more restrictive class. A permit for the more restrictive class approach will be used.
E. “Private road approach” is the connection of a private road serving a land development project as defined by county code. (Ord. 2008-6 Att. A, 2008).
12.22.060 Construction standards.
Approaches shall be constructed to the following general standards:
A. Approach surface widths, minimum and maximum:
1. Residential, 12 feet minimum, 20 feet maximum;
2. Farm, 12 feet minimum, 20 feet maximum;
3. Commercial, 20 feet minimum, 40 feet maximum;
4. Private road, per road category standards;
5. In addition to the above widths, each approach shall have a transition radius between the approach and the county road of a minimum of 20 feet on each side.
B. Approach angles shall be as near to 90 degrees as practicable based upon the angle of intersection to the centerline of the county road. Ninety degrees will normally be required with exceptions where physical restrictions occur and a hazard is not created.
C. Sight distance requirements based upon Washington State Department of Transportation stopping sight distance charts and the normal safe travel speed of the roadway will be satisfied. Safe travel speed will be determined by the county engineer or his designee.
1. Residential approaches will normally require the desirable minimum stopping sight distance. In the event that physical restrictions prevent achievement of the desirable minimum, the minimum stopping sight distance will be required.
2. Farm approaches will be treated the same as residential approaches for sight distance requirements.
3. Commercial approaches and private road approaches will require the desirable minimum stopping sight distance. No exceptions or deviations will be considered for this class of approach.
4. Deviations to sight distance requirements will only be considered for physical restrictions where no other approach alternative exists. Such deviations will be subject to the sole approval of the county engineer.
D. All grades for road approaches shall conform to these requirements:
1. From the shoulder of the roadway for a distance of six feet minimum, the grade shall be minus two percent.
2. From a distance of six feet from shoulder to a distance of 20 feet from shoulder, the grade shall be a plus or minus two percent maximum.
E. Drainage requirements will be determined at the time of permit application. If drainage structures are required, the following will apply:
1. Materials shall be standard corrugated metal pipe (CMP), or equal, as approved by the county engineer.
2. Minimum size shall be 12-inch diameter. Larger sizes may be required for individual cases due to greater drainage needs. Length of drainage structures shall be adequate to provide for shoulder radii and fill depths as well as approach width.
3. Installation of drainage structures should be in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
4. No requirements for drainage structures at the time of permit approval shall not relieve the permittee or owner of possible future requirements for drainage structures. In the event ditches are constructed along the county road, the road is reconstructed or other changes occur which require such, the approach owner may be required to furnish and/or install drainage structures at that time.
F. Surfacing of approaches shall be required to provide stability and safety of the county road as follows:
1. Gravel surfacing from the shoulder for a minimum of eight feet, full width of the approach, minimum depth six inches, granular material as approved by the county.
2. Paving is not typically required but if accomplished shall be done in accordance with Okanogan County construction standards. All paving within the county right-of-way shall be done by a bonded and licensed contractor. Transitions to the county road shall be smooth, neat and to the satisfaction of the county engineer. Portland concrete pavement or structures shall not be allowed within the right-of-way or within eight feet of the shoulder. (Ord. 2008-6 Att. A, 2008).
12.22.070 Protection of the public.
The permittee shall provide proper signing, barricades, flashing lights, or other methods necessary to warn of obstructions, or other dangers to the public. Signing shall conform to the “Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways,” current edition, published by the U.S. Department of Transportation, and as amended by the state of Washington. The permittee shall keep all traveled ways clear of obstructions and equipment. (Ord. 2008-6 Att. A, 2008).
12.22.080 Protection of existing facilities.
The permittee shall protect all existing facilities, both above and below grade, using whatever methods are necessary. No equipment, except that with rubber tires, shall be allowed to operate on any road. Damage to any road will be repaired by the permittee or by the county at the expense of the permittee to restore the road to its original condition. (Ord. 2008-6 Att. A, 2008).
12.22.090 Perpetual maintenance obligation.
The permittee, his successors and assigns shall perpetually maintain said approach for its full period of existence and shall cause to be repaired or removed any damage or hazard to the county road resulting therefrom. (Ord. 2008-6 Att. A, 2008).
12.22.100 Change of use.
Any change of use as defined under OCC 12.22.050 shall invalidate the approach permit and a new permit shall be required to accommodate the new use. (Ord. 2008-6 Att. A, 2008).
12.22.110 Violation – Penalty.
Any person violating or failing to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, subject to the penalties set out in Chapter 1.28 OCC; provided, that the minimum penalty shall be a fine not less than $150.00. (Ord. 2008-6 Att. A, 2008).
12.22.115 Stopping sight distance.
As stated above, approval of this permit will be dependent on compliance to the standards and/or conditions set forth by Okanogan County.
The following is the standard stopping sight distance chart:
|
Safe Travel Speed |
Stopping Sight Distance |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Desirable |
Minimum |
|
|
25 |
150 |
150 |
|
30 |
200 |
200 |
|
35 |
250 |
225 |
|
40 |
325 |
275 |
|
50 |
475 |
400 |
|
60 |
650 |
525 |
|
70 |
850 |
625 |
(Ord. 2008-6 Att. A, 2008).
12.22.120 Severability.
Should any part of this chapter or any provision contained in this chapter be rendered and declared invalid by reason of or by any decree of a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidation of such part or portion of this chapter shall not invalidate the remaining portions of this chapter. (Ord. 2008-6 Att. A, 2008).