Chapter 19.16
DESIGN PRINCIPLES AND MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Sections:

19.16.010    Generally.

19.16.020    Certain types of land unsuitable.

19.16.030    Areas where topographical slopes are 15 percent or more.

19.16.040    Attention to official and development plans.

19.16.050    Land to be designated for public use.

19.16.060    Block and street layout.

19.16.070    Block requirements.

19.16.080    Street widths.

19.16.090    Grades for public highways and pedestrian ways.

19.16.100    Curves for public highways and pedestrian ways.

19.16.110    Intersections.

19.16.120    Sidewalks.

19.16.130    Streets and roads.

19.16.140    Curbs.

19.16.150    Water distribution system.

19.16.160    Permanent monuments.

19.16.170    Street lights.

19.16.180    Parking strips.

19.16.190    Lots.

19.16.010 Generally.

In the planning of a subdivision, short plat, or dedication, the developer shall prepare his proposal in conformance with the provisions set forth in this chapter. (Ord. 1505 § 10, 2001; Ord. 951, 1984).

19.16.020 Certain types of land unsuitable.

Land which the city has found to be unsuitable due to flooding, bad drainage, steep slopes, rock formations, or other features likely to be harmful to the safety, welfare and general health of the future residents, and which the city considers inappropriate for subdivision shall not be subdivided, unless adequate methods are formulated by the developer and approved by the city engineer. (Ord. 951, 1984).

19.16.030 Areas where topographical slopes are 15 percent or more.

Those areas of the city where topographic slopes are 15 percent or greater, as predetermined by the director, shall be subdivided in conformance with any additional requirements which the city engineer shall provide to any developer within 10 working days after receipt of his request. This request shall be accompanied by a sketch map showing location of proposed plat, subdivision, or dedication. (Ord. 1505 § 10, 2001; Ord. 951, 1984).

19.16.040 Attention to official and development plans.

The proposed subdivision shall provide for such requirements contained in the official plans or portions thereof and development plans for the city. (Ord. 951, 1984).

19.16.050 Land to be designated for public use.

The developer shall make available for public acquisition such lands in the area to be subdivided as are designated by the official plan for parks, playgrounds and public buildings. (Ord. 951, 1984).

19.16.060 Block and street layout.

The block and street layout shall conform to the most advantageous development of adjoining areas and the entire neighborhood, and shall provide for the following:

A. Street continuity of appropriate streets and arterials;

B. Streets generally following contour lines;

C. Street intersections at right angles, or as nearly as possible;

D. Street jogs shall be avoided;

E. Nothing less than full-width streets, and no boundary streets on the tract in which the plat is located, unless required to provide right-of-way for streets and arterials designated by the official plan or portions thereof;

F. For residential lots fronting on major arterials only, either alleys in the rear, or service drives in front;

G. In the RS zones, the private road standards shall be as follows.

Private Road Standards

Serving

Paved width

Turnaround

Edge treatment

2 lots

12 feet minimum

Same as below unless waived or modified by fire chief

Grass or shrub buffer at least 3 feet wide on both sides, posted “No Parking, Fire Zone”

3 – 4 lots

20 feet minimum

If longer than 150 feet, paved turnaround at least 50 feet in diameter or “hammerhead” per city public works standards

Over 4 lots

The standard shall equal that of a public local access street per the city public works standards

(Ord. 1578 § 1, 2004; Ord. 1195 § 1, 1993; Ord. 987 § 4, 1986; Ord. 951, 1984).

19.16.070 Block requirements.

Blocks shall meet the following requirements:

A. The width of blocks shall provide for two tiers of lots, each of which shall have a minimum depth sufficient to meet zoning requirements;

B. The length of blocks shall not exceed 1,320 feet where the average size of lots does not exceed two acres in area;

C. In any block exceeding 660 feet in length, walks or pedestrian ways at a mid-block point may be required, when determined to be essential to provide circulation or access to schools, playgrounds, shopping centers, etc.;

D. The number of streets intersecting with the existing or proposed public highway as shown on the plan shall be held to a minimum. Whenever the topography and general characteristic of the area to be platted require blocks of more than 1,320 feet in length, such reason shall be listed and supported by the design of the plat, subdivision, or dedication. (Ord. 951, 1984).

19.16.080 Street widths.

Street widths vary according to function and traffic generated. The following street widths shall apply:

 

Right-of-Way

Pavement Width

Major arterial

80'

60'

Secondary arterial

80'

44'

Collector

60'

44'

Residential local access and cul-de-sac

50'

34'

Turnarounds

50' radius

40' radius

Note: Cul-de-sacs shall not exceed 300 feet in length. (Ord. 951, 1984).

19.16.090 Grades for public highways and pedestrian ways.

Grades of streets shall be a minimum of 0.5 percent and a maximum of five percent, except in hillside areas where the director may approve grades to a maximum of 15 percent. Grades of pedestrian ways or crosswalks shall be not more than eight percent unless steps and handicapped ramps designed in accordance with the city public works standards and specifications are provided in the plans. (Ord. 2056 § 5, 2022; Ord. 1505 § 10, 2001; Ord. 951, 1984).

19.16.100 Curves for public highways and pedestrian ways.

The radii of curvature on the centerline shall not be less than the following:

Major arterial – 300 feet

Secondary arterial – 200 feet

Collector arterial – 200 feet

Local access and cul-de-sac – 100 feet

A tangent of at least 200 feet in length shall be provided between reverse curves for major arterials, 150 feet for collector streets, and 100 feet for local access streets and cul-de-sacs. (Ord. 951, 1984).

19.16.110 Intersections.

Street curbs at all intersections shall be rounded by radii of at least 30 feet. Larger radii may be required by the director on arterials and areas of multiple semi-trailer truck movements. (Ord. 1505 § 10, 2001; Ord. 951, 1984).

19.16.120 Sidewalks.

Sidewalks serving proposed commercial, shopping and retail land uses shall be at least seven feet wide. Sidewalks serving residential areas shall be at least five feet wide. Sidewalks shall be constructed on both sides of all existing or proposed through streets in accordance with the city public works standards. Sidewalks shall be constructed on both sides and around the end of a cul-de-sac serving a residential area in accordance with the city public works standards. Handicap ramps shall be provided in sidewalks at all intersections. (Ord. 2056 § 6, 2022; Ord. 1122 § 1, 1990; Ord. 951, 1984).

19.16.130 Streets and roads.

All public streets shall be constructed to full width and surfaced in accordance with the city public works standards. All private roads shall be constructed of (1) a minimum two inches of Class B asphalt and (2) a minimum two inch base course and two inch top course crushed rock surfacing over a minimum six-inch bank run gravel, Class A compacted subbase. (Ord. 2056 § 7, 2022; Ord. 1148 § 1, 1991; Ord. 951, 1984).

19.16.140 Curbs.

Vertical curbs shall be installed in accordance with the city public works standards. (Ord. 2056 § 8, 2022; Ord. 951, 1984).

19.16.150 Water distribution system.

The water distribution system, including the locations of fire hydrants, shall be designed and installed in accordance with the public works standards of the city and water utility serving the area. Connections shall be provided for each lot. (Ord. 2056 § 9, 2022; Ord. 951, 1984).

19.16.160 Permanent monuments.

Permanent monuments and other markers shall be erected and located, and each lot shall be staked in accordance with the city public works standards. Prior to acceptance by the city, the developer shall provide a certificate from a registered professional land surveyor that all monuments and lot corners have been established as shown on the final plat. (Ord. 2056 § 10, 2022; Ord. 951, 1984).

19.16.170 Street lights.

Street lighting shall be provided in all new subdivisions consistent with the city public works standards. Minimum mounting height shall be 25 feet and minimum illumination levels, measured in horizontal footcandles (lumens per square foot) shall be 0.3. In addition, as a minimum standard, the director may require luminaires located at all public and private street intersections. All new power lines and services to the street lights shall be underground. (Ord. 2056 § 11, 2022; Ord. 1505 § 10, 2001; Ord. 951, 1984).

19.16.180 Parking strips.

Landscaped parking strips may be required along such streets as established by the city public works standards. (Ord. 2056 § 12, 2022; Ord. 1122 § 2, 1990; Ord. 951, 1984).

19.16.190 Lots.

A. The size, shape and orientation of lots shall be appropriate for the location of the proposed subdivision and for the type of development contemplated.

B. Excessive depth in relation to width shall be avoided.

C. Every lot shall abut a street or private road.

D. Lots, except corner lots, having frontage on two streets shall be avoided.

E. Side lot lines shall be approximately at right angles to the right-of-way line of the street on which the lot faces.

F. Residential lots fronting on community arterials shall have extra depth.

G. Proposed plats, subdivisions, or dedications which include lot layouts to be used for suburban, commercial or retail purposes shall be designed to provide for a minimum of off-street parking based upon city ordinances. (Ord. 1578 § 2, 2004; Ord. 1457 § 1, 2000; Ord. 1114 § 1, 1990; Ord. 987 § 5, 1986; Ord. 951, 1984).