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5. driveway and culvert policy Staff Report Date of Meeting: June 1, 2016 To: City Council From: Neil Soltis, Administrator Re: Driveway permits Background: In the course of the current street improvement project, City Engineer Ryan Goodman noted that the current driveway application and permit and installation notes state that the homeowner is responsible for culvert installation and the establishment of vegetation along the driveway and, once final approval is given by the city, the City will maintain. Issue: Should the City be responsible for the maintenance of culverts installed under driveways? Proposal Details: The typical driveway and culvert installation is the same one that was adopted by the Town of New Scandia in 1999. Below are Ryan’s comments regarding the policy in other communities and potential options. From my experience with “private access/driveway culverts” I would say the majority of the policies are similar to Scandia. However, as development has come forward and density increased over the last 20 years, communities have seen a significant increase in budget dollars and labor time on maintaining driveway culverts as the CMP either has deteriorated or are plugged with sediment/leaves and blocking drainage. Thus, some communities have moved away from their original policy because of cost and the thought the culvert was only put in place to serve the property that needed the access. Also some particular culverts are relatively large in size and can incur significant costs. If the Council wants to stay with the current policy I would suggest discussing:  Provide background/education that a lot of the driveway culverts installed will last around 25 years, +/- 5 years  Budget amount on driveway culvert replacement should be tracked separately from street crossing work.  Any potential revisions/updates to current policy (maybe if culvert replacement is required, property owner pays for cost of culvert and City cost shares on labor and maintenance related to drainage flow) Options: 1. Continue to maintain driveway culverts 2. Establish a policy to provide for cost sharing of culvert replacement 3. Establish a policy that places the maintenance responsibility on the property owner. City of Scandia Typical Residential Driveway & Culvert Installation June 18, 2013 Notes: 1. Driveway width (W): 12’ minimum, 24’ maximum 2. Culvert under driveway: Minimum 15” diameter, 16 gauge CMP 3. Culvert flared ends sections are mandatory 4. Driveway slopes greater than 6% shall be paved to prevent erosion 5. Radius at connection to street (R): 5’ minimum, 15’ maximum 6. Maintain 75’ minimum clearance from edge of driveway to right of way line of adjacent street intersection or obtain pre-approval from the City 7. Minimum 2% grade on culvert 8. Two driveways per lot or obtain pre-approval from the City 9. Homeowner is responsible for culvert installation and establishment of vegetation along driveway. Once final approval, City will maintain.