Chapter 17.50
DESIGN CRITERIA
Sections:
17.50.020 Lot layout standards.
17.50.030 Block layout standards.
17.50.060 Transportation facilities.
17.50.090 Playgrounds and open space.
17.50.100 Parks and recreation.
17.50.010 Applicability.
This chapter shall apply to all preliminary subdivisions and preliminary short subdivisions. (Ord. 1580 § 7, 2017).
17.50.020 Lot layout standards.
A. Each lot resulting from the subdivision or short subdivision shall conform to the applicable provisions of BLMC Title 18; provided, that corner lots shall be 10 feet wider than required by the provisions of BLMC Title 18.
B. The entire original tract (except adjacent platted or short platted land) shall be included within the subdivision or short subdivision application.
C. Each lot shall be surveyed and staked.
D. Sidelines of lots shall be at right angles or radial to the abutting streets.
E. All newly created and/or modified lots shall be uniformly square or rectangular in shape (four-sided polygon) to the fullest extent possible. Jogging or meandering lot lines shall be avoided unless associated with code-required critical area preservation, significant natural feature(s), established configuration of an abutting legal lot(s) of record, previously recorded easements, or testamentary provisions.
F. Panhandle lots shall comply with the following standards:
1. The panhandle access shall be a minimum of 20 feet wide and no longer than 150 feet long.
2. The panhandle access shall not be included in the calculation of the net acres.
3. The panhandle access shall not share a common boundary with another panhandle access and shall be separated by at least one intervening nonpanhandle lot.
4. The panhandle access shall serve only one lot. (Ord. 1580 § 7, 2017).
17.50.030 Block layout standards.
A. The maximum length of a block shall not exceed 1,000 feet except when topographic constraints require greater length.
B. Irregularly shaped blocks shall only be accepted where unavoidable due to site constraints.
C. On arterials the long section of the block shall generally be parallel to the centerline of the arterial to minimize the number of streets crossing or accessing from the arterial. (Ord. 1580 § 7, 2017).
17.50.040 Critical areas.
In order to preserve and protect natural resources which are important to the character of the community, perform important ecological functions and processes, and/or prevent a hazard to life or property:
A. All divisions of land shall comply with the requirements of BLMC Title 16 – Division II, Critical Areas.
B. All undevelopable critical areas shall be placed in a separate tract owned in common by the lots within the subdivision or short plat. An easement shall be provided that provides permanent access to the city for the purpose of monitoring the preservation of the critical area. (Ord. 1580 § 7, 2017).
17.50.050 Shorelines.
In order to achieve the purpose of the city’s shoreline code, all divisions of land within 200 feet of Lake Tapps shall comply with the requirements of BLMC Title 16 – Division III, Shoreline Code. (Ord. 1580 § 7, 2017).
17.50.060 Transportation facilities.
In order to ensure adequate provisions for transportation facilities for all modes of travel consistent with the city’s comprehensive plan and promote physical activity, all divisions of land shall comply with the following requirements:
A. All divisions of land shall install street frontage improvements except as provided in BLMC 12.04.040.
B. All lots proposed for development shall adjoin a public street; provided, that a short subdivision of six or fewer lots may be allowed to provide access by a private street that meets the following:
1. The minimum width of the private street shall be 20 feet and shall be improved with an all-weather driving surface designed to support the imposed loads of fire apparatus.
2. A greater width may be required at the discretion of the fire district to address the need for emergency access.
3. Private streets over 150 feet in length shall provide an acceptable “T,” “Y” or “hammerhead” turnaround approved by the director, with the concurrence from the fire district.
4. The private street shall be placed in a separate tract owned in common by the lots within the subdivision or short plat.
5. The private street is not located within a future mapped street as defined in BLMC 12.30.010(C).
6. The area of tract for the private street shall not be included in the calculation of the net acres.
7. Private streets shall have an official city street designation; provided, that the private nature shall also be indicated by a street sign.
8. Private streets shall allow use by any public utility and shall include utility easements.
C. All public streets and roadway improvements shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the standards and requirements as set forth in the city of Bonney Lake development policies and public works design standards.
D. Curb, gutter, pavement walkways and storm drainage facilities shall be required for all streets which access four or more lots.
E. The maximum length of a cul-de-sac street shall be 600 feet.
F. Lots shall be arranged to allow the opening of future streets into adjacent parcels for logical future divisions of land. If a future extension of the street is planned the applicant shall install a temporary cul-de-sac, which may be partially provided for by easement rather than dedication.
G. A permanent cul-de-sac may only be opened for extension if it is the only practical means of road access to the adjoining property, and if the impacts of traffic flows, noise and other environmental factors have been considered and mitigated. A SEPA checklist shall be provided.
H. If a temporary or permanent cul-de-sac is extended, the street shall be paved to city standards over its entire length. (Ord. 1702 § 6, 2023; Ord. 1580 § 7, 2017).
17.50.070 Utilities.1
A. In order to ensure the provision of adequate provisions for fire protection, stormwater drainage, potable water and public sanitary sewage disposal systems required to protect and promote the health, safety and welfare of the city and its residents, all divisions of land shall:
1. Provide public water service for each lot proposed for development consistent with the requirements of the Bonney Lake development policies and public works and design standards and Chapter 13.04 BLMC.
2. Provide public sanitary sewer service for each lot proposed for development consistent with the requirements of the Bonney Lake development policies and public works and design standards and Chapter 13.12 BLMC.
3. Provide storm drainage facilities consistent with the requirements of the Bonney Lake development policies and public works and design standards and Chapter 15.13 BLMC.
B. All existing and proposed utilities shall be installed underground at locations approved by the city as outlined in BLMC 12.04.005.
C. All utilities constructed within the street right-of-way shall be built prior to final street surfacing. Laterals of underground utilities with connections to each lot line shall also be provided prior to final street surfacing. (Ord. 1580 § 7, 2017).
17.50.080 Street lighting.2
As a condition to subdividing property into four or more lots, the applicant shall be responsible for the cost of installation of street lights within the subdivision consistent with the following requirements:
A. Upon final plat approval, all residential street illumination systems shall be conveyed to the city. City will not accept dedication of street lights until at least 50 percent of housing units in a new development are occupied.
B. The street light wiring, conduit and service connections shall be underground.
C. The applicant will be responsible for providing or obtaining necessary easements for underground power or street lighting systems designed and constructed as part of an approved development permit.
D. A street lighting plan indicating the placement, type, power source, and number of street lights must be approved by the city as a condition to preliminary plat approval. In residential development, street lights shall be located at entrances to new subdivisions as directed, at all interior intersections, cul-de-sacs, dead-end streets serving more than three homes, and no closer than 500 feet to other street lights along tangent road sections. Any disagreement between the applicant and the public works director regarding the street lighting plan shall be resolved by the hearing examiner as part of the preliminary plat approval process. (Ord. 1580 § 7, 2017).
17.50.090 Playgrounds and open space.3
A. In order to ensure appropriate provisions are made for playgrounds all new subdivisions shall provide a minimum of 193 square feet of playground space, as defined in BLMC 18.04.160, per residential unit; provided, that division of lands within one-quarter mile of a public park that are connected to the public park via an improved pedestrian path and/or sidewalk shall be exempt from this requirement. All playground areas shall be placed in a separate tract owned in common by the lots within the subdivision.
B. All divisions of land shall comply with the tree retention requirements of BLMC Title 16, Division IV, Urban Forestry Code. (Ord. 1702 § 7, 2023; Ord. 1641 § 10, 2020; Ord. 1580 § 7, 2017).
17.50.100 Parks and recreation.4
In order to ensure adequate provision for public parks and recreation facilities:
A. All divisions of land along the Fennel Creek Trail corridor shall dedicate trail right-of-way and develop the portions of the trail adjacent to the subdivision or short subdivision.
B. Park impact fees shall be assessed to all residential development in accordance with Chapter 19.06 BLMC, Parks Impact Fees. (Ord. 1580 § 7, 2017).
17.50.110 Schools.5
In order to ensure adequate provision for public school facilities:
A. All divisions of land for residential purposes within one-quarter mile of an existing or planned school shall demonstrate that there is a safe walking route between the proposed residential development and the school.
B. School impact fees shall be assessed to all residential development in accordance with Chapter 19.08 BLMC, School Impact Fees. (Ord. 1580 § 7, 2017).
Code reviser’s note: Ord. 1580 adds this section as 17.50.030. It has been editorially renumbered to avoid duplication of numbering.
Code reviser’s note: Ord. 1580 adds this section as 17.50.040. It has been editorially renumbered to avoid duplication of numbering.
Code reviser’s note: Ord. 1580 adds this section as 17.50.050. It has been editorially renumbered to avoid duplication of numbering.
Code reviser’s note: Ord. 1580 adds this section as 17.50.060. It has been editorially renumbered to avoid duplication of numbering.
Code reviser’s note: Ord. 1580 adds this section as 17.50.070. It has been editorially renumbered to avoid duplication of numbering.