It is
the policy of the Carlton County
Transportation Department to
provide and maintain a
transportation system to meet
the needs of the local and
non-local traveling public. This
includes a reasonable effort be
made to remove unnecessary
hazards from the road
right-of-way.
Carlton County bases this policy
on safety guidelines that have
been tested and established by
the Federal Highway
Administration and the Minnesota
Department of Transportation.
DRIVEWAYS:
1.)
Access Permits
are required for all approaches
to County Roads or unorganized
Township Roads. Permits are
available at the Carlton County
Transportation Department.
2.) Any
driveway or access constructed
after the date of this policy
will have at minimum 4:1 side
slopes. Driveway side slope will
be required to conform to the
roadway design and may be
increased based on current
design standards. This includes
driveways constructed by private
individuals or under a county
road construction project.
3.) No
retaining walls will be allowed
in driveway construction.
MAILBOXES:
1.) Any
mailbox support that is erected
or repaired after the date of
this policy shall conform to a
standard or
approved cantilever
design. Existing mailbox
supports may be left in place
except where supports cause a
problem or are a hazard for
roadway maintenance.
2.)
During county construction
projects which might disturb the in
place shoulder and mailbox
supports, the owner will be
notified in writing of the
unsafe or non-standard mailbox
support and of the potential
liability to themselves if the
hazardous support is left in
place. If the owner agrees, the
removal of the existing support,
installation of the new support,
and installation of the new
mailbox can be included in the
construction project at no cost
to the owner. Carlton County
does not assume ownership of the
mailbox or support, and
maintenance of the box and
support remains the
responsibility of the owner.
3.)
Multiple supports that meet
NCHRP 230 AASHTO performance
requirements may be used. Single
supports can be placed 0.75
times the support height apart
to create a multiple box
location.
4.)
Neighborhood or cluster boxes
will not be allowed within the
safety clear zone.
SIGNS:
1.)
Only official identification,
directional, or traffic control
signs (as defined in Minnesota
Laws 1971, Chapter 173, Sec.
173.02, Subd. 6 (a), (b), and
(d), shall be allowed within the
public right-of-way with the
following exceptions:
a)
Signs not exceeding four
(4) square feet in area
and bearing only
property numbers, post
office box numbers,
names of occupants, or
other identification of
premises, not having
commercial connotations;
b)
Flags and insignias of
any government except
when displayed in
connection with
commercial promotion;
c)
Legal notices,
identification,
information, or
directional signs
erected or required by
governmental bodies (as
defined in Minnesota
Laws 1971, Chapter 173,
Sec. 173.02, Subd. 6);
d)
Integral decorative or
architectural features
of a building, except
letters, trademarks,
moving parts, or moving
lights;
e)
Signs directing and
guiding traffic and
parking on private
property, but bearing no
advertising matter;
f)
A temporary sign
indicating real estate
for rent or for sale
related to the premises
only on which it is
located (and not
exceeding six (6) square
feet in area).
2.) In
any case, the supporting
structure shall not be
constructed of: wood posts
larger than 4" x 4" square or 6"
diameter round; metal posts
larger than 2" x 2" x 1/4" wall
square tubing or 2" diameter x
1/4" wall round tubing; metal
'U' channel posts exceeding
transportation department
specifications.
3.) Any
other sign or advertising device
shall comply with
County Zoning
Ordinances, which requires a
permit from that office.
OTHER HAZARDS:
1.)
Retaining walls will not be
permitted within the safety
clear zone for the roadway.
2.)
Objects such as fences, posts,
gates, decorative logs, etc.
will not be allowed within the
public right-of-way.
3.)
Objects such as radio antennas,
television antennas, satellite
dishes and associated mounting
and supporting devices will not
be allowed within the public
right-of-way.
RECOURSE:
1.)
Placement of hazards within the
highway right-of-way constitutes
unauthorized work within the
right-of-way and is a
misdemeanor according to
Minnesota Statutes 160.27. Work
not conforming or permitted
should be reported to the
Engineer's office for
appropriate action.
2.) If
found in violation of this
policy, the landowner will be
notified in writing and
requested to remove or correct
the hazardous condition.
3.) If,
after a reasonable amount of
time, the landowner refuses or
has not corrected or removed the
hazard, the County will correct
or remove the hazard at the
landowner's expense.
4.) If
there appears to be a
significant hazard to the
traveling public or highway
maintenance equipment, the
landowner may be charged with a
misdemeanor with immediate
removal required.
