Chapter 16.24
BLOCKS AND LOTS--DESIGN STANDARDS
Sections:
16.24.010 Blocks--Length, width and shape.
16.24.050 Lots--Size and determination.
16.24.080 Large lot subdivision.
16.24.010 Blocks--Length, width and shape.
The lengths, widths and shapes of blocks shall be designed with due regard to providing adequate building sites suitable to the special needs of the type and use contemplated, needs for convenient access, circulation, control and safety of street traffic and limitations and opportunities of topography. (Ord. 1997 §2(part), 2014; Ord. 1650(part), 1990).
16.24.020 Blocks--Sizes.
Blocks shall not exceed twelve hundred feet in length except blocks adjacent to arterial streets or unless the previous adjacent layout or topographical conditions justify a variation. The recommended minimum distance between intersections on arterial streets is three hundred feet. (Ord. 1997 §2(part), 2014; Ord. 1650(part), 1990).
16.24.030 Blocks--Easements.
A. Utility Lines. Easements for electric lines or other non-city-owned public utilities may be required, and shall be a minimum of ten feet in width located on the exterior portion of a single property. Easements for city utilities (i.e., water, storm drain and sanitary sewer mains) shall be a minimum of fifteen feet in width located on the exterior portion of a single property. Tie-back easements six feet wide by twenty feet long shall be provided for utility poles along lot lines at change of direction points of easements.
1. Structures Located within a City Utility Easement.
a. Except for public utilities and for signs when developed in accordance with Chapter 15.24 (Sign Code), no person shall locate, construct, or continue to locate a structure (as defined in Chapter 16.08) within a city utility easement (as defined in Chapter 16.08), except as provided in subsections (A)(1)(b) and (A)(2) of this section.
b. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the city may approve fencing, concrete block walls/fencing, retaining walls, and similar fencing/wall structures that are otherwise in compliance with the building code, and with the clearance provisions noted herein, over an easement subject to the following requirements:
i. Said fencing or wall structures that interfere with the installation, maintenance, access, or operation of a public utility or city utility may be removed by the utility provider or the city at the sole cost of owner.
ii. Any replacement or relocation of the fencing or wall structures shall be at the sole cost of the property owner or occupant.
iii. Owners and occupants of property shall not be entitled to compensation for damages related to removal of the fencing or wall structures.
2. Grass, Asphalt, and Concrete Installed within a City Utility Easement.
a. Subject to the limitations of the building code, lawful owners and occupants of property may install grass, asphalt and concrete within a city utility easement.
b. In the course of installing, accessing, maintaining, or operating its facilities in a city utility easement, a public utility or the city, as the case may be, may move or remove any asphalt, concrete, or vegetation located within said easement. After the same are moved or removed and after completion of the necessary work, the grass, asphalt or concrete shall be repaired and replaced in a reasonable manner at the sole cost of the public utility or city.
c. Owners and occupants of property shall not be entitled to compensation related to damages to grass, asphalt, or concrete so long as the repairs and replacement are done in a reasonable manner and in a reasonable time frame.
B. Watercourses. Where a subdivision is traversed by a watercourse, drainage way, channel or stream, there may be required a stormwater easement or drainage right-of-way conforming substantially with the lines of such watercourse, and such further width as will be adequate for the purpose. Streets, parkways or access roads parallel to major watercourses may be required.
C. Pedestrian Ways. In any block over seven hundred fifty feet in length a pedestrian way may be required. The minimum width of the pedestrian right-of-way must be at least six feet in width which shall be hard surfaced through the block and curb to curb in order to provide easy access to schools, parks, shopping centers, mass transportation stops or other community services. If conditions require blocks longer than twelve hundred feet, two pedestrian ways may be required for combination pedestrian way and utility easement. When essential for public convenience, such ways may be required to connect to cul-de-sacs. Long blocks parallel to arterial streets may be approved without pedestrian ways if desirable in the interests of traffic safety. (Ord. 1997 §2(part), 2014; Ord. 1764 §5, 1997; Ord. 1650(part), 1990).
16.24.040 Lots--Uses.
A. The city may, in its discretion, deny approval for the creation of any lot by any manner if the effect of such creation of lot would be to facilitate perpetuation of a nonconforming use.
B. No lot shall be created unless it is in compliance with all applicable provisions of this code. (Ord. 1997 §2(part), 2014; Ord. 1684 §12, 1993).
16.24.050 Lots--Size and determination.
Lot sizes shall conform with the zoning ordinance and shall be appropriate for the location of the subdivision and for the type of development and use contemplated. In the case of irregular lots, the width shall be measured along the front building line. In no case shall the average depth be more than two and one-half times the width. Corner lots for residential use shall have sufficient width to permit appropriate building setback from and orientation to both streets.
A. In areas that cannot be connected to sewer lines, minimum lot sizes shall be sufficient to permit sewage disposal by an engineered system in accordance with Department of Environmental Quality, Jackson County environmental quality section, and public works standards. Such lot sizes shall conform to the requirements of the Jackson County environmental quality section.
B. Where property is zoned and planned for business or industrial use, other widths and areas may be required, at the discretion of the city. Depth and width of properties reserved or laid out for commercial and industrial purposes shall be adequate to provide for the off-street service and parking facilities required by the type of use and development contemplated. (Ord. 1997 §2(part), 2014; Ord. 1764 §6, 1997; Ord. 1650(part), 1990).
16.24.060 Through lots.
Through lots shall be avoided except where essential to reduce access to primary or secondary arterial streets or streets of equivalent traffic volume, reduce access to adjacent nonresidential activities, or to overcome specific disadvantages of topography and orientation. A planting screen easement of at least ten feet may be required along the line of lots abutting such adjacent street. There shall be no right of access across such planting screen easements. (Ord. 1997 §2(part), 2014; Ord. 1764 §7, 1997; Ord. 1650(part), 1990).
16.24.070 Lot side lines.
The side lines of lots shall run at right angles to the street upon which the lots face, as far as practicable, or on curbed streets they shall be radial to the curve. (Ord. 1997 §2(part), 2014; Ord. 1650(part), 1990).
16.24.080 Large lot subdivision.
In subdividing tracts into large lots which at some future time are likely to be resubdivided, the location of lot lines and other details of the layout shall be such that the resubdivisions may readily take place without violating the requirements of these regulations and without interfering with the orderly development of streets or other utilities. Restrictions of building locations in relationship to future rights-of-way shall be made a matter of record if the city considers it necessary. (Ord. 1997 §2(part), 2014; Ord. 1650(part), 1990).