Subdivision Street Requirements (24VAC30-91)

• Urban Design Standards: Development of additional urban street design standards is imperative to support implementation of modern best practices for multimodal and urban transportation networks. Expanded standards could provide greater flexibility for context-sensitive design in areas with urban and mixed-use development patterns and decrease reliance on the lengthy waiver process to implement a locality’s urban framework.
• Conflicts Between VDOT and Local Design Requirements: Additional guidance is needed regarding the process for resolving conflicts between VDOT requirements and locally adopted design standards. Applicants are frequently required to coordinate between differing agency expectations, which can result in substantial delays, particularly for large or complex developments. A defined interagency resolution process would improve predictability and reduce impacts to development schedules.
• Driveway Spacing Standards: Driveway spacing requirements are difficult, and in some instances impossible, to achieve in established urban and suburban environments, particularly in jurisdictions where most parcels are already developed. As a result, many TIAs and zoning applications require Access Management Exception (AME) requests and/or design waivers. The exception and waiver process are open-ended and evaluated with varying standards based on the individual staff member that is reviewing and/or approving the exceptions.
• Consistency of Internal VDOT Approvals: Greater coordination among VDOT divisions would help ensure that previously issued approvals are not subsequently reconsidered or effectively reversed during later stages of project development, absent a material change in conditions or design. Situations in which later permitting comments conflict with earlier Transportation and Land Use or Traffic Engineering approvals can create uncertainty, additional design work, and project delays.