Spokane Municipal Code

Title 17C Land Use Standards

Chapter 17C.124 Downtown Zones

Section 17C.124.280 Site Access and Curb Cuts

1. Purpose.
   The standards of this section are intended to assure that motorized access to a site is consistent with complete streets implementation and minimizes the impact to the pedestrian and non-motorized transportation network.
    
2. The director may allow deviations from the standards within this section after consulting with the director of engineering services on whether and to what extent the deviation would enhance pedestrian safety and comfort, facilitate transit operations, facilitate the movement of vehicles, minimize the on-street queuing of vehicles, enhance vehicular safety, or minimize hazards. Deviations may require mitigation measures in order to minimize impacts to non-motorized transportation. An example of a use that may need a deviation from these standards include major event entertainment uses that draw large numbers of people to specific events or shows that may need to enter and exit a large facility in a short amount of time.
    

3. Site Access Standards.

   1. When a lot abuts an alley, alley access shall be required, unless the director otherwise determines under (C).

   2. Adjacent developments should share new or existing driveways and curb cuts to the greatest extent possible.

   3. When a site does not abut an alley and abuts more than one right-of-way, the new curb cut location shall be based upon the following complete street hierarchy. The curb cuts shall be focused onto lower priority complete streets.

      1. Vehicular access should first be from alleys, then from Type IV, Type III, Type II streets.

      2. Type I complete streets shall only allow curb cuts when there are no other alternatives for access to the site.

   4. All new curb cuts shall demonstrate to the director how they are following “E-1 Minimize Curb Cut Impacts” found in the Downtown Spokane Design Guidelines.
       

4. Curb Cut Spacing.

   1. Curb cuts shall be located at least forty feet away from street intersections.

   2. On an individual site a maximum of two curb cuts for one-way traffic at least forty feet apart, or one curb cut for two-way traffic, is permitted on each street front where access is permitted.

   3. Curb cuts on separate sites should be spaced further than one hundred feet apart.
       

   
    

5. Curb Cut Width.

   1. The maximum curb cut width for one-way traffic shall be fifteen feet. Driveway width for one way traffic where the sidewalk crosses the driveway shall not exceed twelve feet in width.

   2. The maximum curb cut width for two-way traffic shall not exceed thirty feet for combined entry/exits. Driveway width for two way traffic where the sidewalk crosses the driveway shall not exceed twenty-four feet in width.
       

   
    

6. Driveway Paving Across Sidewalks.
   Unless special paving is used across the driveway, the sidewalk pattern next to the driveway shall carry across the driveway.

Date Passed: Monday, December 14, 2009

Effective Date: Saturday, January 16, 2010

Ordinance C34522 Section 1