§ 16-505. Cross-access easements.

(a) Circulation between sites encouraged.

Adjacent commercial uses that possess dedicated parking areas are encouraged to provide a cross-access drive to allow circulation between sites. For new commercial and office uses, a system of joint-use driveways and cross-access easements is encouraged where feasible. Commercial property owners are encouraged to pursue cross-access with neighboring property owners when site plan review is requested. If cross-access will be provided, the Zoning Administrator may require that the property owner provide proof that adjacent property owners have been contacted in writing regarding the provision of cross-access.

(b) Design requirements.

Joint-use driveways and cross-access easements must incorporate the following:

(1) a minimum width of 24 feet to ensure 2-way travel aisles to accommodate automobiles, service vehicles and loading vehicles;

(2) bump-outs and other design features to make it visually obvious that the abutting properties are tied together; and

(3) a unified access and circulation plan for coordinated or shared-parking areas.

(c) Easement requirements.

Property owners who establish cross-access easements under this section must:

(1) record an easement that allows cross-access to and from properties served by the joint-use driveways and cross-access easement;

(2) record an easement to the effect that remaining access rights along the roadway will be dedicated to the City, and that any pre-existing driveways will be closed and eliminated after construction of the joint-use driveway; and

(3) record a joint maintenance agreement that defines the maintenance responsibilities of each property owner.