§ 34-3. Traffic, speed, truck, parking and other zones, signs and traffic control devices.
(a)
Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this section, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Combined gross vehicle weight rating, CGVWR means the combined total gross vehicle weight rating of the vehicle and any trailers. The actual weight of the vehicle is not considered unless it exceeds 18,000 lbs.
Length means the overall total distance from the front bumper to the rear most point of the vehicle or vehicle combination.
Oversize vehicle means trucks, truck-trailer combinations, vehicle with trailer combinations with an actual weight or a CGVWR of 18,000 lbs. or more; trucks, truck-trailer combinations, and vehicle with trailer combinations with an overall length of more than 30 feet; motor homes, recreational vehicles, and buses over 25 feet.
Oversized vehicle route means the roadways designated for all oversized vehicular traffic to use to travel through and around the City of Norcross, Georgia.
Oversized vehicles allowed means the roadways designated for all vehicular traffic to use without a special permit or a way point.
Prohibited roadway means all roadways within the city limits of Norcross not designated as an oversize vehicle route. Only oversize vehicles that have a way point on a prohibited roadway or exempt vehicles shall use a prohibited roadway.
Way point means a terminal, a repair facility, a point of pickup or a point of delivery for an oversize vehicle. The way point shall be specific or contained upon the shipping invoice for the address of the way point.
(b)
Traffic control signs, markings and devices. Except as may otherwise be provided in this chapter, upon approval by resolution of the City Council, the Police Chief is authorized to designate and maintain by appropriate traffic control signs, markings and devices:
(1)
Crosswalks at intersections where there is particular danger to pedestrians crossing the roadway;
(2)
Other safety zones for pedestrians;
(3)
Traffic lanes;
(4)
Speed, parking, truck or other traffic control zones;
(5)
Stop, yield, one-way and other directional devices;
(6)
Parking time limitations or parking prohibitions on designated streets; and
(7)
Any other sign, marking, device or zone necessary for orderly and safe conditions on the streets of the city.
(c)
Oversize vehicles. Oversize vehicles are prohibited from city roadways not designated as oversize vehicle routes. Each time the term "oversize vehicles" is used, it shall include all vehicles within that definition specified in subsection (a) of this section.
(1)
Because of the physical obstacles presented by the road character, all oversize vehicles, all vehicles over 14 feet long, all vehicles with trailers, all buses, all vehicles placarded or carrying hazardous materials, all motor homes, and all recreational vehicles are prohibited from crossing the railroad right-of-way at the North Cemetery Street (aka Holcomb Bridge Road Crossing) and Autry Street crossings.
(2)
The Chief of Police, or his designee, is authorized to issue a special permit allowing an oversize vehicle to utilize an approved specific route within the city. The permit will include the date the authorization begins and the expiration date. All special permits will expire on December 31 of each year. The special permit will specify the road names or routes to be authorized for travel and the vehicle identification number of each oversize vehicle the permit is issued for. The special permit may have more than one oversize vehicle listed or may specify the fleet belonging to the permittee.
(3)
Oversized vehicles are allowed on the following roadways:
a.
SR 13 (Buford Highway).
b.
SR 140 (Jimmy Carter Boulevard).
c.
SR 378 (Beaver Ruin Road).
d.
Atlantic Boulevard.
e.
Best Friend Drive.
f.
Brookhollow Parkway.
g.
Holcomb Bridge Road between Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and Peachtree Corners East.
h.
Langford Road.
i.
Peachtree Industrial Boulevard.
j.
Peachtree Corners East.
k.
Pinnacle Court.
l.
Pinnacle Way.
(4)
Oversized vehicle routes, bypassing the historical district, are established as the following:
a.
Langford Road.
b.
Peachtree Industrial Boulevard.
c.
SR 13 (Buford Highway).
d.
SR 140 (Jimmy Carter Boulevard).
e.
SR 378 (Beaver Ruin Road).
(5)
Exemptions. Oversized vehicles meeting the following criteria are exempt from the oversized vehicle route prohibitions.
a.
Oversized vehicles with way points elsewhere within the city and on a prohibited roadway. Oversize vehicles must use the route that is most direct and most suited for the vehicle from the nearest oversize vehicle route.
b.
Oversize vehicles that have their terminal or place of business elsewhere within the city and on a prohibited roadway.
c.
Oversize vehicles that are in route to or from a vehicle repair facility within the city and on a prohibited roadway.
d.
Public transit buses following an approved route through the city.
e.
All school buses.
f.
Any authorized emergency vehicle as defined in O.C.G.A. § 40-1-1(5) belonging to police, fire, or EMS, or other emergency governmental agency.
g.
A vehicle belonging to the city, the county, the state, or a utility company; performing work within the city.
h.
A contractor for the city, the county, the state, or a utility company; performing work on their behalf.
i.
A vehicle belonging to the railroad or a contractor for the railroad performing work within the city.
j.
Any vehicle with a special permit issued by the Chief of Police.
(6)
Any officer with the Police Department may request the operator of an oversize vehicle, traveling on a prohibited roadway, to show work orders, purchase orders, delivery requests, or other documentation to establish their authorization to be upon a prohibited roadway. If the operator does not have proper documentation, the police officer is authorized to issue a summons for violation of this Code section and require the operator to return to the nearest oversized vehicle route. Official traffic control signs will be placed along every designated oversize vehicle route identifying it as a city oversized vehicle route. Official traffic control signs prohibiting oversized vehicles shall be placed where every street intersects with an oversized vehicle route and at every city limit on every roadway entering the city. Each traffic control device erected pursuant to this section shall have this Code section displayed on the traffic control device. Special signs shall be placed along common approaches to the city directing drivers of oversized vehicles to call for directions. The number posted shall be established by the Chief of Police.
(7)
The driver of an oversize vehicle included in this section is responsible for compliance with the prohibitions of this article and to have proper documentation for every way point with him whenever he is using a prohibited roadway. The City Clerk shall keep and maintain an accurate official schedule setting out all traffic speed zones. The schedule and any amendments or changes thereto shall be adopted by resolution of the City Council and shall be known as the Official Traffic Control Schedule of the City of Norcross, Georgia. An official copy thereof shall be kept in the Office of the City Clerk; shall be available for public inspection; and copies certified by the City Clerk shall be admissible in court as proof of the location of any traffic zone. No person shall be charged with violating a traffic zone, marking, sign or other traffic control device unless appropriate signs, markings or devices are in fact operating or in existence on streets involved. Any violation of any traffic zone, marking, sign or other traffic control device established hereunder shall be a violation of this Code.
(Code 1979, § 10-1-3; Code 1998, § 70-3; Ord. No. 21-2007, 11-8-2007)