The Official Major Streets and Highways Plan consists of a map entitled "MAJOR STREET & HIGHWAY PLAN, HOWARD COUNTY, INDIANA" and drawings entitled "Thoroughfares, Standard Cross-Sections," (Figures 3 and 4 ) which shows recommended design plans for the proposed streets and highways.  This Official Major Streets and Highways Plan is hereby declared to be a part of this Ordinance and notations, references, indications and other details shown therein are as much a part of this Ordinance as if they were fully described in the text of this Ordinance.

The major streets and highways comprising the Official Major Street and Highways Plan are hereby classified on the basis of width and type, in accordance with their proposed function, as Arterial, Primary Feeder, Secondary Feeder and Residential.

Whenever a street designated in the Official Major Streets and Highway Plan is to be platted as a part of a subdivision, the required right-of-way width for such street shall be platted as specified in the Official Major Streets and Highways Plan, provided that where a street borders a tract of land to be subdivided, the owner of such land shall be required to plat only one-half of the right-of-way designated for such street, measured at ninety (90) degrees to the center line thereof.

A.  Wherever the location of a street is indicated in the Official Major Streets and Highways Plan as following an existing road or street, or a section or half-section or other established property line, the location of the street shall conform to such location; however, a street lying wholly within a subdivision, and not designated as following as existing road or established property line, may be varied in its alignment when such variance promotes the plan of a neighborhood development unit in accordance with good site planning principles, and if such alignment provides for the continuity of traffic movement.

B.  In the absence of any street being designated in each section of land on or approximately on the north-south and east-west section lines of such sections, it is the intent of the Official Major Streets and Highways Plan and this Ordinance that Primary Feeder Streets be established on such section lines.

C.  In the absence of any street being designated in each section of land on or approximately on the north-south and east-west half-section lines of such sections, it is the intent of the Official Major Streets and Highways Plan and this Ordinance that Secondary Feeder Streets be established on such half-section lines.

D.  Wherever the location of a street is indicated in the Official Major Streets and Highways Plan as following an irregular alignment, or a reversed alignment or is not referenced to an established line, it shall follow the alignment shown in the Official Major Streets and Highways Plan. Such alignment shall be subject to a detailed survey which may be provided by the Commission or other public agencies, or by the owners of land to be subdivided if required by the Commission.  The survey for such street shall be subject to the approval of the Commission prior to the dedication of the street.

The Board shall be guided by and give consideration to the general policy and pattern of street development set out in the Official Major Streets and Highways Plan in the authorization, construction, widening, alteration, relocation or abandonment of the public streets, highways and related structures.

No public way shall be abandoned or vacated until the Commission shall have first given notice and held public hearing on vacation or abandonment of such public way.  The Commission shall forward its recommendation to the Board.  The Board shall not override the recommendation of the Commission except by unanimous vote.

Any permits authorized by the Board including but not limited to Improvement Location Permits, permitting the erection, alteration or relocation of structures and other improvements within the jurisdiction of the Commission, shall be issued only if, in addition to satisfying the requirements of other Ordinances, the proposed street  right-of-way as set forth by this Ordinance will be protected from encroachment.  In this instance, the proposed street right-of-way lines will be considered as the front line of lots and tracts bordering such street.

Subsequent to the passage of this Ordinance, the Commission may determine lines for new, extended, widened or narrowed thoroughfares in any portion of the area within the jurisdiction of the Commission, and certify to the Board the amended or additional plan under the dame procedure as established for the certification and approval of the Official Major Streets and Highways Plan.

 Copyright 1999 by Howard County, Indiana
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