Chapter 13
ROADS, STREETS AND SIDEWALKS*

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Cross references: Zoning, app. A; county definitions ordinance, app. B.

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Art. I. Site Construction Standards, §§ 13-1, 13-3

Art. II. Road use Regulations, §§ 13-21--13-32

 

ARTICLE I.
SITE CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS

 

Sec. 13-1. Earthwork.

(a) The entire area within the typical grading section shall be cleared and grubbed of all trees, bushes, stumps and debris. Such debris shall be disposed of in a satisfactory manner, but in no instance, shall be used as fill in the road bed.

(b) Grading shall be accurately done to the lines and grades shown on the plans. Embankments shall be placed in uniform layers not to exceed six (6) inches and compacted to a density of ninety-five (95) percent of the maximum laboratory dry weight per cubic foot as determined by an approved method. Proof-rolling shall be accomplished prior to placement of embankments to detect soft spots.

Slopes in Cut or Fill Sections

Depth of Cut or Fill

Slopes (Maximum)

2 feet or less

4 to 1

2 feet to 5 feet

3 to 1

Over 5 feet

2 to 1

The depth of cut referenced in the table shall be construed to be the maximum cut or fill occurring in any one section of cut or fill. The slope on cut or fill shall be uniform throughout for each section of cut or fill. When a cut is made in rock that requires blasting, slope may be changed to vertical slope upon the written approval of the authorized county representative.

(c) After the earth work has been completed, all storm drainage and other underground utilities have been installed under the roadbed, and the backfill in all such ditches thoroughly compacted, the subgrade shall be brought to the lines, grades and cross section shown on the plans. If any sections of the subgrade are composed of unsuitable or unstable material, such material shall be removed to the depth directed by the road department and replaced with suitable, thoroughly compacted material. When the street is to be used for construction traffic before the paving work is completed, a layer of No. 5 stone can be laid as a traffic surface if the developer so desires, provided:

(1) This material shall not be used as a part of the base material;

(2) It may be worked into the subgrade or it shall be removed before the base course is set up for paving;

(3) Provision shall be made to drain low points in road construction when the final paving surface is delayed.

(d) It shall be the responsibility of the developer to provide core samples to verify compaction requirements from a certified company to the road department.

(Ord. of 3-28-95)

Sec. 13-2. Storm drainage.

(a) Sizing and location of all drainage structures shall be the responsibility of a registered professional land surveyor, subject to approval of the road department.

Storm drainage pipes shall be sloped so as to maintain a minimum velocity of 3fps so that sediment will not collect.

State Highway Standard 1030D (or most current) shall be used in determining class (concrete) or gauge of pipe under fill, method of backfilling and pipe installation, unless otherwise specified and approved by the road department.

Unless specified otherwise, the drainage formula used in determining size of drainage structure shall be determined by Q=CIA Formula.

Talbot's Formula shall use .80 run-off index or the equivalent.

Rational method shall use fifty-year storm or rain as the stated frequency.

Drainage easements shall be a minimum of twenty (20) feet wide when used as an open ditch. Piped storm drainage shall have a minimum easement width of fifteen (15) feet wide.

Catchbasins and/or drop inlets shall be designed by an engineer and subject to final approval by the road department.

Streetwater shall be limited to a maximum distance as follows: Four hundred (400) feet on grades up to seven (7) percent; three hundred (300) feet on grades from seven (7) percent to ten (10) percent; two hundred fifty (250) feet on grades over ten (10) percent.

Subdrainage will be installed to control the surplus groundwater by intercepting sidehill seepage or by lowering or regulating the groundwater level where such conditions exist.

Bridges shall be designed on a fifty-year storm frequency.

(b) Cross drainpipes shall not be less than eighteen (18) inches in size when under the street and fifteen (15) inches under driveways.

Headwalls of a type approved by the county road department shall be required on inlet and outlet ends of the cross drain pipe.

A full shoulder width shall be maintained across all cross drains as the minimum length.

The maximum continuous length of side drain (ditch) pipe shall be fifty (50) feet. A cleanout (open-top graded) catch basin shall be established at each fifty-foot interval. The maximum continuous length of longitudinal pipe shall not exceed three hundred (300) feet.

Junction boxes having access to the pipe shall be constructed to meet the requirements of Georgia DOT Standard 1030D (or most current).

(c) Reinforced concrete pipe shall be used within the right-of-way.  Pipe outside the right‑of‑way may be reinforced concrete, at the option of the owner, or other appropriate material.

Flat bottom and circular pipe sections shall be laid in a prepared trench with the socket ends pointing upstream. Sections shall be joined in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations.

(d) Before any traffic over a storm drain is allowed, the developer shall provide an adequate depth and width of compacted backfill to protect the structure from damage or displacement. Any debris or silt that constructs the flow through a pipe shall be removed by the developer as often as necessary to maintain drainage. All pipe structures shall be cleaned before the work is accepted. Any damage or displacement that may occur due to traffic or erosion shall be repaired or corrected at the developer's expense. The developer's obligation to clean and repair pipes ceases after acceptance of the system by the county.

(e) Minimum clearances are one (1) foot between the bottom of the roadway base and the exterior crown of the culvert. A minimum of 0.5 feet between underground utilities and exterior crown of culverts.

(f) Trench construction for storm drainage pipe shall be in accordance with standard drawings.

(Ord. of 3-28-95)

Sec. 13-3. Surety for completion and maintenance of improvements.

(a) Third parties offering to dedicate street or storm drainage improvements to Whitfield County for public use shall be required by the county to assume full responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep of such improvements for a period of one (1) year from the date of acceptance by the county.

(b) To assure that third party maintenance and upkeep responsibilities are met, the county by and through the board of commissioners or its designee, as a condition precedent to acceptance of such improvements, shall be provided a maintenance bond or irrevocable letter of credit, with surety and conditions reasonably satisfactory to said board, providing for and securing to the county the costs of repair of any damage resulting from defect or deficiency in construction of such improvements by the county. Such security shall be in an amount equal to ten (10) percent of the actual costs of construction of such improvements.

(Ord. of 9-9-97, § 4)

Secs. 13-4--13-20. Reserved.

ARTICLE II.
ROAD USE REGULATIONS

 

Sec. 13-21. When a utility may be closed or altered.

(a) Any utility using or occupying any part of a county road which the department has undertaken to improve or intends to improve shall remove and relocate its facility when, in the reasonable opinion of the department, the facility constitutes an obstruction or interference with the use or safe operation of such road by the travelling public or when, in the reasonable opinion of the department, the facility will interfere with such contemplated construction or maintenance.

(b) Whenever the department reasonably determines it necessary to have a utility facility removed and relocated, the department shall give to the utility at least sixty (60) days' written notice directing the removal and relocation of such utility obstruction. If the utility does not thereafter begin removal within a reasonable time sufficient to allow for engineering and other procedures reasonably necessary to the removal and relocation of the utility facility, the department may give the utility a final notice directing that such removal shall commence not later than ten (10) days from the receipt of such final notice. If such utility does not, within ten (10) days from receipt of such final notice, begin to remove or relocate the facility or, having so begun removal or relocation, thereafter fails to complete the removal or relocation within a reasonable time, the department may remove or relocate the same with its own employees or by employing or contracting for the necessary engineering, labor, tools, equipment, supervision, or other necessary services or materials and whatever else is necessary to accomplish the removal or relocation.

(c) The expenses incurred by the department as a result of utility removal and relocation pursuant to subsection (b), above, shall be paid by the utility. A statement of such expenses shall be submitted to the utility, which shall make payment to Whitfield County, Georgia. In the event the utility does not make payment or arrange to make payment to the county, within sixty (60) days after the receipt of said statement, the department shall certify the amount for collection to the county attorney.

(Ord. of 2-8-99, Pt. B)

Sec. 13-22. Permit requirements and procedures.

(1) Purpose. The purpose of the permit process is to regulate and control modification of and access to the county highway system. Regulations are necessary in order to preserve the functional integrity of the county highway system and to promote the safe and efficient movement of people and goods within the county. The development of a management program serves to protect the traveling public through an orderly control of traffic entering and leaving the county highway system, to prevent hazardous parking adjacent to the travel way, to insure uniform design and construction of driveways on the county highway system, to make certain that modification of the county right-of-way [does not create unsafe conditions for the traveling public, to prevent unauthorized use of county right-of-way,] and to allow beautification of property fronting on the county highway system. The permit process applies to all roads under the jurisdiction of Whitfield County.

(2) Permit required. Any third party desiring to physically modify any portion of a county road shall first file with the office of the county road superintendent an application in writing in such form as the county road superintendent may prescribe, and obtain a formal permit for such modification.

(3) Application and approval procedure.

(a) Application forms. Applications for the various permits must be made on the proper form. These forms may be obtained from the department. Only original forms may be used when making application for one of these permits. Each copy of the application must be signed in ink by the applicant. Application forms will not be furnished for future needs; rather, they will be provided for each permit request after the geometric design and location of the requested driveway and/or other encroachments are agreed upon.

(b) Applicant qualifications. Application for a permit under these rules will be accepted only from the property owner, leasor or an official representing the company, organization or group which owns or leases the property abutting the R/W and upon which the driveway or other permit work will be constructed. In the event the applicant leases the property, the lease should be for a period of at least three (3) years, or the permit must be issued to the property owner. In any case, written acknowledgement of the permit work must be obtained from the owner or his agent.

(c) Where to file application. Applications must be filed with the Whitfield County Road Department.

(d) Plan requirements. A plan must accompany the application which complies with the department's commercial driveway specifications or other encroachments. In addition, the department require in appropriate circumstances to be determined by the department whether a plan should accompany any other application. Data relative to the requested permit must be furnished by the applicant without cost to the department. The permit engineer is available for consultation and advice in these matters to help the applicant develop a plan and design to serve his development while working within the rules and regulations of the department.

(e) Provisions of a permit. The provisions of any permit granted shall be construed as regulatory and not as contractual. No interest or right of an applicant shall be transferred to another except by written consent of the department. No inherent or related right or privilege belonging to any abutting property owner is affected, interfered with or abridged by these standards or by any permit issued thereunder, nor is the county responsible for any damage claim which may arise as between the applicant and any adjacent property owner.

(f) Cost. The department does not charge for these permits at this time. However, the applicant must furnish copies of the approved plans and is responsible for all engineering and construction costs, unless the provisions of the resolution of the board of commissioners of Whitfield County dated January 25, 1994 amended July 26, 1994 pertaining to certain installations of drainage pipe and drain tile apply. Job review and inspection and limited engineering service may be rendered by the department during the time the work is being accomplished. When the complexity of the work requires continuous inspection, as determined by the county road superintendent. This determination and an estimate of inspection costs will be made part of the approved permit.

(g) Department approval. The processing of permits will be accomplished by department personnel in an expeditious manner. The district permit engineer will see that all requests for permits are acted on in a timely fashion.

(4) Conditions placed on permits. The conditions enumerated in this subsection are agreed to by the applicant for a driveway or encroachment permit and are part of the terms of such permit. These conditions to the permit continue in effect unless changes are made or authorized by the department.

(a) General restrictions.

1. Parking is prohibited on county roads except in those instances where temporary conditional special encroachment permit is approved for parking on the R/W.

2. Driveways shall not be provided within the R/W for purposes of parking, loading, servicing, etc.

3. Geometric and safety requirements must be maintained as stipulated in the permit and shall not be altered by the applicant.

4. An approved permit must be picked up by the applicant within sixty (60) days of approval. If not, the permit must be canceled.

5. Work under the permit must begin within ninety (90) days after approval. Failure to begin work will be cause for the permit to be canceled.

6. Construction work authorized by an approved permit should be completed within twelve (12) months following approval of the permit. Permitted work not completed within twelve (12) months, for just reasons, may be officially extended for additional six-month increments.

7. New driveways to new businesses should not be opened for use by the traveling public until the final inspection.

(b) Liability and responsibility of applicant.

1. Applicants to whom permits have been approved shall at all times indemnify and save harmless the department and county from responsibility for any damages or liability arising from the maintenance, repair, operation or use of any installation, parts of installation, construction procedures or actual construction approved under the permit. When determined necessary by the department, the applicant must exhibit satisfactory evidence of adequate liability insurance to cover all phases of work specified under the permit for the protection of the traveling public. Limits of such coverage shall be determined separately for each applicant and declared by the department at its discretion.

2. The applicant must move, relocate or remove any installation or construction placed on DOT R/W without cost to Whitfield County when instructed in writing to do so by the department.

(c) Permit change or modification. No driveway approach or other improvement constructed on a county road as an exercise of the permit shall be relocated or its dimensions altered without the written permission of the department.

(d) Property interest. No property interest is created by the granting of a permit even if the applicant, or his transferee or a subsequent transferee, has incurred expenses or expended effort in reliance on such permit.

(5) Violation of conditions in permit. A violation of conditions specified in a permit shall be grounds for revocation of the permit, removing, correcting, barricading, displacing or closing such driveway and restoring the R/W.

(Ord. of 6-11-96, Pt. B (§§ 1--5); Ord. of 2-8-99, Pt. C)

Sec. 13-23. Other driveways.

(1) Utility driveways. Access to utility sites such as power substations, water tanks, or telephone service sites are to be permitted and should be treated much the same as a residential drive for design and sight distance. The vehicle must not reduce sight distance for driveways located along the same section of roadway. A utility driveway may or may not count as one allowed access point along an applicant's frontage, depending on the length of frontage and safety considerations.

(2) Farm use, logging and mining driveways. These driveways are to be permitted by the department in a manner similar to a utility driveway. A logging driveway will usually be a temporary drive which will either be removed when the logging operation is completed or left in to become a farm use driveway. A mining operation may require a more substantial design to function properly.

(Ord. of 6-11-96, Pt. D (§§ 1, 2); Ord. of 2-8-99, Pt. E)

Sec. 13-24. Commercial driveway specifications.

(1) Purpose. The specifications presented herein are intended to provide basic information for permit approval. When presented with this information, the department can review the application in a timely manner and fulfill its responsibility to preserve the functional integrity of the county highway system and to promote the safe and efficient movement of people and goods throughout the county and to treat all applicants fairly and equitably.

(2) Plan requirements. Five (5) blue line or black line copies of the plans, "A1" metric series - 594 × 841 mm (22 inches × 34 inches) maximum, will normally be submitted with a properly completed permit application.

(a) Design information. The following information should be included on, or with, each plan submission:

1. An overall site plan and location sketch map.

2. All existing features should be shown with dashed lines and all proposed features shown with solid lines. This should be clearly shown on the plan legend.

3. Location of all property lines and the names of the property owner on either side of the property being developed.

4. The distance from the centerline of the highway or road to the R/W line. (A general statement such as "Right-of-Way Varies" is not acceptable.)

5. Existing and proposed elevations sufficient to show the natural and proposed drainage features within the property to be developed. This should include all of the adjacent highway R/W and any elevations needed to show how water flows once it leaves this property.

6. A north arrow.

7. All existing traffic signs within the frontage being developed.

8. The width of existing roadway pavements, lane widths, lane lines and direction of travel (using directional arrows) within the lanes.

9. The total length of frontage of the property owned and, if different, the length of the frontage being developed under the permit.

10. Location, size and type of any trees, shrubs, bushes or other vegetation which exist on county R/W.

11. The distance from the edge of pavement to the side ditch and the direction of the flow of water within the ditch.

12. The location and size of any existing and proposed side drain or cross drain culverts.

13. Location of existing and proposed buildings, pumps, signs, grease racks, wash racks, underground storage tanks, etc.

14. The proposed driveway width, measured either from face of curb to face of barb or from edge of pavement to edge of pavement. This measurement shall be perpendicular to the centerline of the driveway at its narrowest point.

15. The distance from the centerline of the driveway to each property line, measured along the R/W line.

16. Driveways and any new shoulder work on a tangent section should slope downward and away from the edge of pavement for a distance of at least 3.6m (12 feet) at a slope rate of 2.08% ( 1/4 inch per foot), generally, including any accel/decel lane. If located in a super elevated section, all construction should match the superelevation for at least 3.6m (12 feet).

17. Sight distance at each driveway.

18. The difference in elevation between the roadway and the driveway at the R/W line. The slope should not be greater than +/-6.25%, if practical. There are situations which require greater slopes; these should be examined carefully before approving their use. In no case should the slope exceed ten (10) percent.

19. Georgia DOT Standard 9031-W (wheelchair ramps) must be included at all driveways and streets where sidewalk is installed or there is evidence of pedestrian traffic.

(b) Driveway encroachment.

1. Connecting curve or curb return. No portion of a driveway, including the radius, should intersect a curb return or the pavement on a curve connecting two (2) highways or streets.

2. R/W line projection. No portion of a driveway should be within the area between the normal R/W lines projected to the curbline or edge of pavement at an intersection. The department may waive this provision when a deep R/W or an acute angle formed by the intersection makes such action appropriate.

3. R/W miter. No part of any driveway should be permitted to encroach upon the R/W miter. The R/W miter is that additional R/W which has been secured for the highway behind the prolongation of the normal R/W lines in order to provide for channelization of traffic or more adequate sight distance.

4. Intersection features.

a. The legs, connections, ramps, and other roadway features of a highway intersection or interchange are a part of the intersection or interchange. The safety of the public and the planned movement of traffic require that no driveway be connected with such features for the purpose of serving a commercial business.

b. A driveway serving a roadside area should not be connected to a service or frontage road of a limited access road in the area where said service road serves the dual purpose of a leg, connector or ramp of an intersection or interchange.

c. No driveway should be connected to a frontage road or service road in the area where the service road is widened or curved for the connection with an interchange or intersection connection, ramp or leg.

d. No portion of a driveway, other than a normal radius, should enter the R/W at a point which is less than 7.6m (25 feet) from the point of intersection of the R/W lines. Where limited access R/W exists and the frontage is limited in a manner which would deny all access to the property, this distance may be reduced to 3m (10 feet).

(Ord. of 6-11-96, Pt. E (§§ 1, 2); Ord. of 2-8-99, Pt. F)

Sec. 13-25. When a driveway may be closed or altered.

In addition to the conditions agreed to by the applicant, the department may alter or close driveway(s) or require the applicant to alter or close driveway(s) to property abutting county roads for the following reasons:

(a) If the driveway(s) creates an unreasonable interference with the proper use of a public road by the traveling public.

(b) When it becomes necessary to use the R/W to widen and improve the existing roadway or to construct service roads or to make any other revisions in location, alignment or grade of the roadway, making the approved drive(s) impractical, hazardous or otherwise objectionable.

(Ord. of 6-11-96, Pt. F; Ord. of 2-8-99, Pt. G)

Sec. 13-26. Other encroachments, permit required.

Any third party desiring to encroach upon a county right-of-way for any reason other than to use said right-of-way for its intended purposes must file an encroachment permit application including a site plan, and, if requested by the department, a landscaping plan and a cross-section plan, each of which conforms to the department's standards and specifications.

(a) Site plan. The following information should be included on or with each application for a special encroachment permit:

1. An overall site plan and location sketch map.

2. All existing features should be shown with dashed lines and all proposed features shown with solid lines. This should be clearly shown on the plan legend.

3. Location of all property lines and the names of the property owner on either side of the property being developed.

4. The distance from the centerline of the highway or road to the R/W line. (A general statement such as "Right-of-Way Varies" is not acceptable.)

5. County route numbers, state route numbers and U.S. route numbers (if applicable) and names of all highways and roads which appear on the plans. Designations such as "County Road," "Cross Road," or "City Street" are not specific enough and should not be used.

6. Existing and proposed contour lines or elevations sufficient to show the natural and proposed drainage features within the property to be developed. This should include all of the adjacent highway R/W and any elevations needed to show how the water flows once it leaves this property.

7. Distance from one corner of the property, along the R/W line of the abutting road, to the centerline of the nearest named street, road or highway.

8. A north arrow.

9. The DOT milepost, if available, estimated to the nearest hundredth of a mile, at the center of the property being developed. When using milepost along an interstate route, use the cumulative milepost instead of the county milepost.

10. The posted speed limit.

11. All existing and proposed DOT signs within the frontage being developed.

12. The width of existing roadway pavements, lane widths, lane lines and direction of travel (using directional arrows) within the lanes.

13. The total length of frontage of the property owned and, if different, the length of the frontage being developed under the permit.

14. Location, size and type of any trees, shrubs, bushes or other vegetation which exist on county R/W.

15. A title block showing the name of the property owner and the permit applicant, if different from the property owner, and the county in which the project is located. The name of the engineer or individual who prepared the plans should be included also.

16. Existing and proposed ditches on the applicant's property.

17. Location, size, length, type of material and direction of flow within any existing or proposed pipes or culverts on the site.

18. Station numbers along the edge of pavement to match cross-section locations. Use highway stationing if possible.

(b) Cross-section plan.

1. Cross-sections, if requested by the department, taken at right angles to the centerline of the highway at 15m (50 foot) intervals, or less depending on the consistency of the terrain along the property frontage, with at least one cross-section showing the existing ground line beyond the proposed grading limits at either end.

2. Cross-sections should start at the pavement edge and extend at least 15m (50 feet) behind the R/W line.

3. Cross-sections should always be plotted on a 1:12 (1"=1') ratio.

4. Existing and proposed finished contours should be shown in order to clarify proposed work.

5. Slopes with a county R/W should be 4:1 or flatter.

6. Quantities of cut and fill within county R/W should be calculated and shown on the plan apart from overall earthwork quantities.

7. A dashed line should be used to indicate existing ground line and a solid line to indicate the proposed finished ground line.

8. Spot elevations should be shown at sufficient intervals to depict existing ground conditions.

9. Requests involving limited access highways may require suitable photographs of the site showing all existing features.

10. In "cut" sections, a high point rollover should be established or maintained between the ditch or curb and the R/W line. This rollover should be at least 0.3m (one foot) above a line from the edge of pavement to the finished grade of the applicant's site. If headlight glare is a likely problem, enough landscaping to screen the glare or a 1.2m (4 foot) high rollover may be required.

(c) Landscaping plan.

1. If requested by the department, two (2) sets of an overall sight plan and location sketch map.

2. The scale of the drawing should be 1:600 (1"=50') or larger. If a smaller scale is used for overall plans, then enlarged details of the work on the R/W must be furnished on a 1:600 (1"=50') or larger scale.

3. All existing features should be shown with dashed lines and all proposed features shown with solid lines. This should be clearly shown on the plan legend.

4. Location of all property lines and the names of the type business or property owner on either side of the property being developed.

5. The distance from the centerline of the highway or road to the R/W line. (A general statement such as "Rights-of-Way Varies" is not acceptable.)

6. County route numbers, state route numbers and U.S. route numbers (if applicable) and names of all highways and road which appear on the plans. Designations such as "County Road," "Cross Road," or "City Street" are not specific enough and should not be used.

7. Existing and proposed contour lines or elevations sufficient to show the natural and proposed drainage features within the property to be developed. This should include all of the adjacent highway R/W and any elevations needed to show how the water flows once it leaves this property. Flow arrows should also be used along with contour lines and elevations.

8. Distance from one corner of the property, along the R/W of the abutting road, to the centerline of the nearest named street, road or highway.

9. A north arrow.

10. The DOT milepost, if available, estimated to the nearest tenth of a mile to some point on the property being developed.

11. The posted speed limit.

12. All existing traffic signs within the frontage being developed.

13. The width of existing roadway pavements, lane widths, lane lines and direction of travel (using directional arrows) within the lanes.

14. The total length of the frontage of the property owned and, if different, the length of the frontage being developed under the permit.

15. Location, size and type of any trees, shrubs, bushes or other vegetation which exists on county R/W.

16. Suitable photography, snap shots or VHS video tape, of the site showing all existing features may be required for proper review of the application.

17. A title block showing the name of the property owner and the permit applicant, if different from the property owner. The name of the engineer or individual who prepared the plans should also be included.

18. Location and size of any existing and proposed side drains or cross drain culverts, pipes, catch basins, detention ponds, ditches, etc., and direction of flow within the structure.

19. Plants which exceed 760mm (30 inches) in height and/or a trunk diameter of 100mm (4 inches) at maturity cannot be planted within 9m (30 feet) of the pavement edge. In urban areas on streets where speeds are 110 kph (35 mph) or less, a 2.5m (8 foot) setback from back of curb will be required. Some flexibility may be exercised relative to maximum trunk diameter when protected by guardrail or some other suitable type barrier. Almost any type of vegetation may be planted beyond 9m (30 feet) from the pavement edge. AASHTO design guidelines for clear zone must be observed as a minimum separation between plants over 100mm (4 inches) in diameter and the edge of the through-traffic lane.

(Ord. of 6-11-96, Pt. G (§ 1); Ord. of 2-8-99, Pt. H)

Sec. 13-27. Prohibited encroachments.

[The following encroachments are prohibited:]

(1) County R/W must not be used for parking or storage of any vehicle, except for temporary parking of disabled vehicles on the shoulder of roads.

(2) No materials can be stored or placed upon county R/W unless authorized by the department.

(3) Stormwater from property adjacent to the R/W may not be diverted into the highway drainage system. Commercial wastewater will not be allowed on county R/W.

(4) No walls, fences, signs, large rocks, monuments, structures, trees or other plant life can be placed on or removed from county R/W without a special encroachment permit.

(Ord. of 6-11-96, Pt. H; Ord. of 2-8-99, Pt. I)

Sec. 13-28. Regulations governing the physical modifications by third parties of county roads, including future additions thereto.

This article, including the regulations and procedures within it, is established pursuant to Georgia law. The intent is to provide for and assure the safe and efficient movement of traffic to include the allowance of reasonable access to and from abutting property. This article is to make clear and simplify the process of obtaining a permit to perform work or otherwise physically alter any portion of a county right-of-way including the construction of driveways. This information is intended for use by the public and department personnel and reflects the policies of Whitfield County at the time it is written.

(Ord. of 2-8-99)

Sec. 13-29. Regulation of use of county roads.

Any third party (which term, as defined in the regulations adopted herewith, includes any utility), desiring to physically modify any portion of a county road shall comply with each provision of this article (including the regulations promulgated hereby) by first filing with the Whitfield County Road Department an application in writing in such form as the Whitfield County Road Superintendent may prescribe, and obtain a formal permit for such modification.

(Ord. of 2-8-99, § 1)

Sec. 13-30. Application for permit.

Application shall be made by the third party, or its, his or her agent, for or on whose account the proposed work is to be performed. Said application shall specifically describe the nature, extent and duration of the work to be undertaken.

(Ord. of 2-8-99, § 2)

Sec. 13-31. Work performed under permit.

All work performed under a permit issued by the Whitfield County Road Superintendent shall be performed in accordance with the practices and standards established by county ordinance, as now or hereafter established or modified, including, but not limited to, Chapter 13 of the Code of Ordinances of Whitfield County, Georgia. Provided that, should any Whitfield County ordinance be more restrictive upon utilities than are equivalent regulations promulgated by the Georgia Department of Transportation with respect to utilities on the state highway system under the authority of O.C.G.A. § 32-6-174, then the Georgia Department of Transportation regulations shall control.

(Ord. of 2-8-99, § 3)

Sec. 13-32. Violations.

(a) The public is made aware that it is unlawful under state law (O.C.G.A. § 32-6-1 et seq.) for any person to obstruct, encroach upon or injure materially any part of any public road, and any person who unlawfully obstructs, encroaches upon, or injures said public road shall be responsible for reimbursing Whitfield County, Georgia for the costs of the removal of said obstructions or encroachments and the costs of repairs to the county road, including any costs associated with traffic management; provided, however, that such costs shall be limited to those costs which are directly incurred from such damages. Costs incurred for traffic management may include, but not be limited to, costs incurred for flagging, signing or provision of detours, provided that these activities are directly caused by the obstruction, encroachment, or injury to the county road system. Whitfield County, Georgia shall prosecute the violation of state law as the same pertains to county roads to the fullest extent allowed by law.

(b) Any person who violates or fails to comply with any provision of this article (including regulations now or hereafter adopted) shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punishable by Whitfield County and each day such violation shall be permitted to exist shall constitute a separate offense. Each violation of this article shall be prosecuted by citation of any law enforcement officer of Whitfield County and through the magistrate's court of the county in accordance with and as provided in O.C.G.A. § 15-10-1 et seq., and a conviction thereof shall be punishable with a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) per day for each day such violation shall be permitted to exist or imprisonment for not more than twelve (12) months, or both, in the discretion of the court.

(Ord. of 6-11-96, § 5; Ord. of 2-8-99, § 5)