Unobstructed Right-of-Way. Other than mailboxes and house numbers, no structures, including buildings, permanent or portable signs, lights, displays, fences, walls, etc. shall be permitted on or under the right-of-way. All obstructions shall be removed to a distance at least five feet behind the sight line, and vegetation shall be cut back and maintained, so that the sight line is not compromised.
Minimum Width. Except as the Fire Chief may otherwise determine on a case-by-case basis, the minimum width of any residential driveway along its entire length shall be at least 16 feet, plus two-foot shoulders, but shall in no event be less than 12 feet, plus two-foot shoulders.
Distance to Centerline. The minimum distance between the property line (side and rear) and the centerline of the driveway shall be 30 feet in the Residential District and 50 feet in all other districts. There shall be buffering adequate, in the discretion of the Planning Board, to protect abutting uses from noise, light and other intrusions.
Non-residential Driveways. Driveways for lots to be used in whole or in part for industrial, commercial or agricultural purposes shall be adequately designed for their purpose, as determined by the Road Agent and the Fire Chief, and, if requested by the Planning Board, professional review.
Paved Apron. Driveways that intersect paved rights-of-way shall be constructed in conformance with Appendix I, Road Design Standards and Specifications, of the Land Use Laws and Regulations, with paved aprons as wide as the driveway, including flares, and at least ten feet in depth, measured from the edge of the right-of-way’s pavement. The apron shall be constructed with a minimum of two inches of pavement, and the finished height shall not be higher than the right-of-way.
Maximum Grade. All new driveways established to serve structures intended for human occupancy shall have a maximum grade of 8% at any point along their length. However, grades of up to 10% may be permitted by the Planning Board, as recommended by the Fire Chief, on a case-by-case basis, for short distances no more than 15% of the total length of the driveway. The Fire Chief may impose additional requirements as a condition to allowing steeper grades. This standard shall not apply to driveways intended to serve non-occupancy structures, such as utility service buildings and other private ways intended for purposes such as logging and silviculture.
Additional Access Requirements. Subject to adjustment from time to time by the Fire Chief to accommodate changes in equipment, or to the extent applicable State fire codes or guidance may from time to time require stricter standards:
Driveways 150 or more feet in length shall provide an adequate turnaround at the end of the drive for emergency vehicles, as determined by the Fire Chief.
Driveways longer than 300 feet and narrower than 16 feet, plus two-foot shoulders, shall provide suitable by-passes that will allow two emergency vehicles to pass, as determined by the Fire Chief. Such by-passes shall be located at approximately 300-foot intervals as the topography dictates and shall be of adequate size and load-bearing ability to accommodate a 45-foot-long fire truck weighing 30 tons.
Vertical clearance along the driveway shall be at least 13 feet, six inches (13’6”).
Culverts. The Planning Board, acting through the Secretary, in consultation with the Road Agent and/or the Stormwater Manager, may require one or more new culverts to be constructed where required along the path of a proposed driveway for any of the following reasons:
protection of the driveway from stormwater runoff or other water flow;
retention of stormwater runoff on the property;
wetland protection;
where otherwise required for compliance with the Stormwater Regulations; and/or
as may be reasonably required by specific site conditions.
Culvert Specifications. If a culvert is required, it shall be at least 15 inches in diameter and constructed of at least 16-gauge riveted aluminum, corrugated steel, reinforced concrete, or polypropylene. The culvert shall be a minimum of 20 feet long and with all headers mortared or securely fastened to avoid end damage by vehicles. If the Stormwater Manager recommends a more complex drainage system to address stormwater management concerns, the Planning Board may require professional review at the applicant’s expense.
Stormwater Runoff. All driveways and drainage systems shall be designed to retain stormwater runoff on the property and shall otherwise comply with the Stormwater Regulations. All new driveways located within (pursuant to a Special Exception), or in close proximity to, the Wetland Conservation District setback shall have a road pitch that diverts all stormwater runoff, together with sediment and chemicals carried by the runoff, away from the Wetlands Conservation District. Driveway drainage shall not introduce stormwater runoff to the Wetlands Conservation District from any area beyond the District and its setback.
Additional Design Elements. The Fire Chief and/or the Road Agent may, in their discretion, impose such additional requirements on a case-by-case basis as may be necessary to address identified safety concerns.
