Please address the following comments:
- Fire apparatus access road shall be no less than 20’ in width. (14’ for one way)
- The type of Building Construction according to the International Building Code must be present on the plans.
Please add the following Fire & Life Safety notes to the plans:
- Contractor shall maintain an all-weather access for emergency vehicles at all times during construction
- Landscaping or parking cannot block or impede fire hydrants. A 3-foot clear space shall be maintained around the circumference of the hydrant.
- Additional fire protection and/or accessibility requirements may be required due to any special circumstances concerning the project.
- Contractor shall submit a Radio Signal Strength Study that demonstrates that existing emergency responder radio signal levels meet the requirements of Section 510 of the 2018 NC Fire Code.
Please contact Chris Walker at 343-3918 or email at chris.walker@wilmingtonnc.gov with any questions.
AUTO WASH & OIL CHANGE FACILITY [TRC Plan Review]
Initial Review Note
All comments are based on adopted policy documents, specific City of Wilmington Land Development Code (CofW LDC) and City of Wilmington Technical Standards and Specifications Manual (CofWTSSM) requirements in effect at the time of this review. These have been noted after the comment as appropriate for your ease in further research.
The City Engineer may administratively approve dimensional variance requests per LDC Sec. 18-348. If the Applicant feels further interpretation is in order, please contact Transportation Planning directly to discuss in additional detail. Please apply for all administrative variances in writing, an email is acceptable or this may be included on the plan set. Please see Sec. 18-348 of the Land Development Code for the information required to process a variance request.
BASE INFORMATION:
• Revise all sheets to accurately illustrate the existing conditions on and surrounding this parcel. Show all adjacent traffic signs, lane configurations, traffic control devices and pavement markings on the site inventory plan. Please refer to the Technical Standards and Specifications Manual (link is below) Ch. VII C.1.a.2.for specific information and distance requirements. Contact Traffic Engineering at 341-7888 if you need assistance locating these elements.
https://www.wilmingtonnc.gov/home/showdocument?id=1910
• Show/label the street lights and street signs in the vicinity of the project.
NCDOT:
It is the Applicant’s responsibility to coordinate directly with NCDOT to determine if any driveway permits/ revisions/ review processes are required. Contact NCDOT at 910-398-9100. Please note additional comments may be forthcoming once coordination occurs.
TECHNICAL STANDARDS – DRIVEWAY ACCESS (Major Thoroughfares):
1. This segment of Dawson St is a major thoroughfare [Chap VII (C) (2) of CofW Tech Stds]. Driveways for lots along major thoroughfares must be at least 75’ offset from property lines measured at the curb line. [Chap VII (C) (2) (c) (2) of CofW Tech Stds]. A variance may be required for Dawson St driveway.
TECHNICAL STANDARDS – DRIVEWAY ACCESS (Non-Major Thoroughfares):
2. The driveway curb return must be at least 6.5’ from intersecting property lines. [Chapter VII, C, Table 4 CofWTSSM]. A variance may be required for the Wooster St driveway.
3. Driveways along intersection side streets must have corner clearance of 60’ measured along the curb line. [7-13 CofW Tech Stds]. A variance may be required for the Wooster St driveway.
TECHNICAL STANDARDS – ACCESS (driveway, sidewalk, and sight distance):
4. Show driveways for adjacent lots and lots across the street.
5. When the use of any driveway has been permanently discontinued, replace all necessary curbs, gutters, aprons, sidewalks, and appurtenances thereto [Sec. 18-530 CofW LDC].
6. Driveways shall be City-standard ramp-type driveways. Show City standard detail(s) on plan. [SD 3-03.3 & 3-03.4 (Vertical curb) CofWTSSM]. Where no curb exists in the vicinity, a flat slab type or a street type entrance may be allowed or required by the City Engineer. [page 7-9 CofWTSSM]
7. Clearly show whether the driveways are one-way or full access by showing the pavement markings for each of those.
8. A stop sign and stop bar is recommended for all the street type driveways to regulate the egress movement of the vehicular traffic. [MUTCD]
9. ‘Do not enter’ sign shall be installed for the traffic restriction at the one-way drive. [MUTCD]
10. ‘No left turn’ or ‘No right turn’ is recommended at the driveways for the vehicles approaching one-way public ROWs. [MUTCD]
11. Any of the required signs shall not be installed in the public right-of-way when the signs being installed are intended to function as traffic control for a private driveway (Figure 1.4, Figure 2.1). [Sec 1 A (18) CofW Sign Specification]
https://www.wilmingtonnc.gov/home/showdocument?id=3940
12. Show and apply the City’s 20’x70’ sight distance triangle at each driveway and the City’s 46’x46’ sight distance triangle at each street corner intersection on the site plan and landscaping plan. [Sec.18-529(c) (3) CofW LDC] [Sec. 18-812 CofW LDC].
TECHNICAL STANDARDS – PARKING:
13. Dimension parking radii and parking aisles. [Sec. 18-529(b)(2) CofW LDC]
14. The minimum radius is 25’ for any portion of a parking lot adjacent to a travel way (i.e. islands at the end of a parking bay) for parking that is open to the public. If the travel way will not be used for emergency service vehicles or truck traffic, you may request a tighter radius, the minimum is 15’. This request must be made in writing (an email message is acceptable). [Chapter VII, Detail SD 15-13 CofWTSSM]. Please contact Engineering division for this request.
15. The backing stub is to be 10’ deep by 15’ wide. Please dimension. [Chapter VII ,Detail SD 15-12 CofWTSSM]
TECHNICAL STANDARDS – Barrier Free Design:
16. Show the typical handicap sign detail on the plan as per ADA and City standards. [Sheets A1 of 5 and A2 of 5, CofW Sign Specification]
https://www.wilmingtonnc.gov/home/showdocument?id=3940
17. Please show location of accessible ramp for the accessible aisle leading to the nearest entrance of the building.
18. Detectable warning domes must be installed at the end of each sidewalk before entering drive aisle/pavement surface. [City/ADA standards].
MISCELLANEOUS:
Replace SD15-17 with the updated version from City’s website.
https://www.wilmingtonnc.gov/home/showdocument?id=10144
Contact Traffic Engineering at (910) 341-7888 to discuss street lighting options.
We will reserve comments on the parking lot, driveway geometry and other technical issues until a full construction drawing is submitted.
Please let me know if you have any questions or if I can be of further assistance as this development moves through the review process.
AUTO WASH AND OIL CHANGE FACILITY [TRC Plan Review]
Initial Review Note
All comments are based on adopted policy documents, specific City of Wilmington Land Development Code (CofW LDC) and City of Wilmington Technical Standards and Specifications Manual (CofWTSSM) requirements in effect at the time of this review. These have been noted after the comment as appropriate for your ease in further research.
The City Engineer may administratively approve dimensional variance requests per LDC Sec. 18-348. If the Applicant feels further interpretation is in order, please contact Transportation Planning directly to discuss in additional detail. Please apply for all administrative variances in writing, an email is acceptable or this may be included on the plan set. Please see Sec. 18-348 of the Land Development Code for the information required to process a variance request.
BASE INFORMATION:
• If pavement markings on site have weathered to the point they are not in accordance with the MUTCD standard of maintenance, do not show the markings as existing, and rather show them as proposed on the site plan.
TRAFFIC IMPACT:
The site has proposed two land uses that generate Queuing Lanes, Automatic Car Wash (Land Use Code 948) and Oil Change Quick Lubrication Center (Land Use Code 941). Please show the proposed LIST PROPOSED USE + INTENSITY (ite Land Use Code 941 and Land Use Code 948) using xx total driveway volume in the AM peak hours, xx total driveway volume in the PM peak hours and xx average weekday 2-way driveway volume. The trip generation numbers will be used for vehicle queuing.
NCDOT:
The proposed site driveways are within the functional area of the signal intersection of Dawson and Wooster, and the free flow lane at Dawson Street. The ingress and egress traffic from this site shall not interfere with the signal queue. A Right In Right Out driveway may be required to prevent interference within the functional area of the signal.
TECHNICAL STANDARDS – DRIVEWAY ACCESS (Major Thoroughfares):
1. When the lot has sufficient frontage, driveways for corner lots along major thoroughfares must have corner clearance of 230’ as measured along the curb line.
TECHNICAL STANDARDS – DRIVEWAY ACCESS (Non-Major Thoroughfares):
2. Where multiple driveways are allowed they must be separated by 250’ as measured along the curb line. [7-14 CofW Tech Stds]
TECHNICAL STANDARDS – ACCESS (driveway, sidewalk, and sight distance):
3. The site appears to have cross access to the adjacent lot, which will interfere with the operation of the Car Wash Pay Station and Oil Change and Lube Center. Please specify how ingress and egress will be controlled at this cross access drive.
4. Show proposed driveway centerline elevations at both the front and the back of each concrete driveway apron, at the curb line, property line & points at 26’ and 52’ behind the property line. [Chapter VII, C(1)(a)(2)12 CofWTSSM]
5. Driveways are measured at the ROW. Dimension driveway widths and tapers. [Sec.18-529 CofW LDC]
6. The minimum two-lane driveway width is 23’. [7-9 CofW Tech Stds]
7. The maximum two-lane driveway width is 30’. [7-9 CofW Tech Stds]
8. The maximum three-lane driveway width is 36’. [7-9 CofW Tech Stds]
9. The Wooster Street driveways do not appear to meet Technical Standards. Driveways are to intersect the street at a 90 degree angle. [7-11 #3 CofW Tech Stds]
10. Provide a sidewalk connection between the site and the public sidewalk.
11. Show any traffic signal facilities and equipment in front of the development. Contact Traffic Engineering at 341-7888 for help in identifying these. These facilities may be shown/ incorporated on the aerial photo for existing conditions.
TECHNICAL STANDARDS – PARKING:
12. The vehicle queuing and movement within the site is unclear. Please show vehicle directions/ proposed movements on the plan sheet. If the site requires lane lines for the Oil Change Bays, please show them on the plans.
13. All off street parking areas shall be arranged so that ingress and egress is by forward motion of vehicles. [Sec.18-526 CofW LDC]
TECHNICAL STANDARDS – Barrier Free Design:
14. The 5.5’ sidewalk as proposed where adjacent to 90 degree parking spaces does not show the full dimensions of the sidewalk. Please show the front and rear of the sidewalk. The sidewalk must meet ADA requirements. An allowance for a 2.5’ vehicle overhang must be considered. 4' of the sidewalk must remain clear for pedestrian use. [Chapter VII, Detail SD 15-13 CofWTSSM]
15. Note/label the plan with spot elevations that clearly indicate the accessible route from the HC space(s) to the building. [Sec. 18-529(b)(2) CofW LDC]
GENERAL NOTES TO ADD TO THE PLAN:
A. A landscaping plan indicating the location of required street trees shall be submitted to the City of Wilmington Traffic Engineering Division and Parks and Recreation Department for review and approval prior to the recording of the final plat. [SD 15-14 CofW Tech Stds]
MISCELLANEOUS:
Permitting of business identification signage is a separate process. NCDOT/ City of Wilmington will not allow obstructions within the right of way.
Transportation Planning Staff will review the landscape plan once submitted for compliance with sight distance requirements.
Please let me know if you have any questions or if I can be of further assistance as this development moves through the review process.