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Comprehensive Plan Transportation Element <br /> intersections. These distances are based on functional classification and type of <br /> movements served(right turn vs. left turn). <br /> These restrictions and controls apply only to new development or proposed access changes to <br /> existing development. Because existing land uses which do not conform to these standards are <br /> grandfathered in, there is a profusion of driveways in the already developed areas along the <br /> county's key thoroughfares, including US 1, SR 60 and portions of SR Al A. These access <br /> conditions reduce the traffic carrying capacity of the thoroughfares by creating "side friction" as <br /> vehicles enter and exit the driveways. This side friction is increased on divided roadways (such <br /> as portions of US 1 and SR 60) where there are either no medians at all or medians with a large <br /> number of median openings. Those conditions allow vehicles to make left turns across the flow <br /> of traffic. <br /> On State maintained roadways, special permits must be obtained from the Florida Department of <br /> Transportation (FDOT) in order to create median openings where none currently exist. Because <br /> of the negative impact that an excessive number of median openings have on arterial capacity <br /> and motorist safety, FDOT applies strict criteria in issuing such permits. Until the construction of <br /> Indian River Boulevard and CR 512, the County did not have any divided arterials under its <br /> jurisdiction, and thus did not have any special regulations on median openings in its land <br /> development regulations. <br /> While limiting the number and location of driveways and median openings is an effective means <br /> of preserving an arterial's traffic capacity, the most effective means of limiting side friction is <br /> through the use of frontage (or marginal access) roadways. These roads act as buffers between <br /> arterials and adjacent land uses. Where frontage roads are used, land uses have direct access to <br /> the marginal access road (which may be either a one or two way facility), and the access road <br /> typically has connections provided to the arterial at discreet intervals. In Indian River County, <br /> the County's land development regulations state that non-residential developments fronting <br /> major and minor arterials shall establish frontage/marginal access roads by interconnecting <br /> parking areas. <br /> Existing Right of Way <br /> Right-of-way is that land on which a roadway is located. Besides accommodating the roadway <br /> itself, the right-of-way must also accommodate various other improvements, including drainage <br /> swales/canals, utility lines, sidewalks, bike paths, landscaping, and traffic control signs. <br /> In the 2010 Comprehensive Plan adopted in 1990, Indian River County established minimum <br /> right-of-way requirements for all roadways identified on the Thoroughfare Plan map. These <br /> requirements were organized according to functional classification and are listed below: <br /> Type of Facility Urban Rural <br /> U.S. 1 Corridor- 6LD 130 240 <br /> U.S. 1 Corridor-,4LD w/frontage roads 140 240 <br /> 6LD Principal Arterial 130 240 <br /> 4LD Principal Arterial 100 200 <br /> Community Development Department Indian River County 25 <br /> APPENDIX A—Transportation Amendments <br />