Chapter 15.45 Improvements

Chapter 15.45
Improvements

Sections:

15.45.020 Specifications for improvements.

15.45.030 Improvements in subdivisions or partitions.

15.45.040 Reimbursement for extra costs.

15.45.010 Improvement procedures.

In addition to other requirements, improvements installed by a land divider, either as a requirement of these regulations or at his/her own option, shall conform to the requirements of this chapter and improvement standards and specifications adopted by the City, and shall be installed in accordance with the following procedure:

A. Improvement work shall not be commenced until plans have been reviewed for adequacy and approved by the City. To the extent necessary for evaluation of the proposal, the plans may be required before approval of the final plat. All plans shall be prepared on materials in accordance with requirements of the City.

B. Improvement work shall not commence until after the City is notified and, if work is discontinued for any reason, it shall not be resumed until after the City is notified.

C. Improvements shall be constructed under the inspection and to the satisfaction of the City. The City may require changes in typical sections and details in the public interest if unusual conditions arise during construction to warrant the change.

D. Underground utilities and storm drains installed in streets shall be constructed prior to the surfacing of the streets. Stubs for service connections for underground utilities shall be placed to lengths that will avoid the need to disturb street improvements when service connections are made.

E. A map showing public improvements as built shall be filed with the City upon completion of the improvements.

F. Costs for required improvements which exceed the City standards for the area to be subdivided shall be divided between the City and the subdivider on a fair-share basis. [Ord. 509 § 9.010, 1981; 1981 Compilation § 8-7:9.010.]

15.45.020 Specifications for improvements.

Specifications for improvements shall be prepared and submitted to the City Council to supplement the standards of this chapter based on engineering standards appropriate for the improvements concerned. Specifications shall be prepared for the construction of the following:

A. Streets, including related improvements such as curbs, shoulders and sidewalks.

B. Surface drainage and storm sewer facilities.

C. Sidewalks and related facilities in pedestrian or bicycle ways.

D. Tests of streets and utilities after completion of the improvements to determine the quality of work performed.

E. Public standards and design criteria pertaining to all developments and improvements to the public infrastructure within the City of Brownsville are hereby accepted and approved by the Planning Commission and Council and can be found under Appendices, Appendix G, in the Brownsville Municipal Code. [Ord. 748 § 1, 2015; Ord. 509 § 9.020, 1981; 1981 Compilation § 8-7:9.020.]

15.45.030 Improvements in subdivisions or partitions.

The following improvements shall be installed in subdivisions and partitions at the expense of the land divider:

A. Water Supply System. Water lines, to each lot or parcel line, and fire hydrants shall be installed. The design shall be to standards established by the City and shall take into account provisions for extensions beyond the development that are in conformance with the Comprehensive Plan and to adequately grid the water system.

B. Sewer Supply System. Sewer lines serving each lot or parcel and connecting them to mains shall be installed. The design shall be to standards established by the City and shall take into account provisions for extensions beyond the development that are in conformance with the Comprehensive Plan and to adequately serve the City. All facilities which are necessary to serve the subdivision shall be installed.

C. Surface Drainage and Storm Drain Facilities. Grading shall be performed and drainage facilities shall be provided within the development and to connect the area drainage to drainage ways or storm sewers outside the subdivision. Design of drainage shall be to City standards, shall be approved by the City, and shall take into account the capacity and grade necessary to maintain unrestricted flow from areas draining through the development and to allow extension of the system to serve such areas. If necessary, provision shall be made for retention storage areas designed and constructed to standards as provided by the City Engineer.

D. Streets. Public streets, including alleys, within the development, and public streets adjacent but only partially within the development, shall be improved. Improvements shall be made to the paving line of existing streets which intersect with streets in the subdivision. Catch basins shall be installed and connected to drainage tile leading to storm sewers on drainage ways. Upon completion of the street improvements, monuments on all property corners shall be established or reestablished by the subdivider. Bench marks shall be installed at each street intersection. Street center lines, crosswalks, bikeways and other traffic control symbols shall be marked.

E. Curbs and Sidewalks. Curbs and sidewalks shall be installed in any special pedestrian way. However, in areas where alternative pedestrian routes are available, the Planning Commission shall determine whether pedestrian access is adequate and sidewalks are required.

F. Street Name Signs. Traffic control devices and street name signs, designed to City specifications, shall be installed at all street intersections and elsewhere as required by the City.

G. Electrical and Other Wires. Wires serving within a land division, including but not limited to electric power, communication, street lighting and cable television wires, shall be placed underground. The Planning Commission may modify or waive this requirement in acting on a tentative plan upon a finding that underground installation:

1. Is impractical due to topography, soil or subsurface conditions;

2. Would result in only minor aesthetic advantages, given the existence of above-ground facilities nearby; or

3. Would be unnecessarily expensive in consideration of the need for low-cost housing proposed on the lots or parcels to be served. [Ord. 614 § 1, 1992; Ord. 509 § 9.030, 1981; 1981 Compilation § 8-7:9.030.]

15.45.040 Reimbursement for extra costs.

The developer may be required to install improvements having supplemental size or capacity in order to benefit property outside the subdivision and to dedicate the additional improvements to the City. If this condition is required, the City shall enter into an agreement with the developer to reimburse him for that portion of the cost of the improvements equal to the difference between the amount it would have cost to install the improvements to serve the subdivision only and the actual cost of the improvements. The City shall reimburse the developer upon receipt of proportionate amounts from owners of property benefited within 10 years of the date of the agreement. [Ord. 509 § 9.040, 1981; 1981 Compilation § 8-7:9.040.]