§ 138-3508. Sight visibility triangles.

(a)

General standards. Sight visibility triangles are designated areas located near streets and/or driveway intersections that shall be free from visual obstruction in order to maintain safe visibility for vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians. All property shall maintain sight visibility triangles as described in this section.

(1)

Sight visibility triangles shall be provided on all corners at the intersection of any public or private street with another street, an alley or a driveway; and, on all corners of the intersection of an alley and driveway.

(2)

Within sight visibility triangles, unobstructed sight lines and cross visibility shall be maintained between a height of three feet and eight feet.

(3)

No structure, object, and/or vegetation shall be placed and/or maintained in a manner which materially impedes the visibility from a street, alley or driveway of lawfully oncoming traffic from any direction in the intersecting public street.

(b)

Sight visibility triangle areas. The required sight visibility triangle area is based on the type of intersection and specified below.

(1)

Intersection of two streets: The sight visibility triangle is formed with two sides being 25 feet in length along the abutting street rights-of-way lines (illustrated by the letter "B" on the diagram below), measured from their point of intersection, illustrated by the letter "A" in the diagram below, and the third side being a line connecting the ends of the other two sides, illustrated by the letter "C" in the diagram below.

Figure 138-3508.(b)1 - Sight visibility triangle at the intersection of two streets.

(2)

Intersection of an alley and a street, a street and a driveway, and/or alley and a driveway. The triangle is formed on both sides of the alley and driveway with two sides of each triangle being ten feet in length along the abutting street and/or alley rights-of-way lines, measured from their point of intersection, illustrated by the letter "A" on diagram below, and the third side being a line connecting the ends of the other two sides, illustrated by the letter "C" on the diagram below.

Figure 138-3508.(b)2 — Sight visibility triangle at the intersection of a street and alley or driveway; OR alley and driveway.

(3)

For all of the above cases, in the case of rounded corners and corner chords, the point at which the street/driveway/alley rights-of-way lines would meet, if extended without such rounding, will be used as the point of intersection, as illustrated by the letters "A" and "B" in the diagram below.

Figure 138-3508.(b)3 - Sight visibility triangle calculation with corner chords.

(c)

Exemptions. The following exemptions may apply to sight visibility standards.

(1)

The mixed-use district is exempt from the sight visibility triangle standards, provided that other engineering and design methods are implemented to ensure visibility and safety. This shall be reviewed as part of the site plan review.

(2)

Transparent fences including chain link, wrought iron, and similar styles may be exempt so long as visibility is maintained through the fence.

(3)

Governmental signage and governmental sign posts in the right-of-way.

(4)

Fire hydrants, benches, and traffic control devices in the right-of-way.

(5)

Utility poles and one utility transmission or control device in the right-of-way.

(Ord. No. 18-36 , § 3(Att. B), 10-23-18)