20C.40.105 Downtown Pedestrian System.

20C.40.105-010 Purpose.

The Downtown pedestrian system is a network of pedestrian walkways, vehicular lanes, and small greenbelts. It is established to provide safe pedestrian routes removed from traffic, enhance the appearance of buildings and their settings, provide a unified design element to offset varying architectural styles, and to soften the appearance of parking lots and service storage areas. Planting is intended to provide street trees and other vegetation appropriate for an urban setting.

Where landscaping is required, massing and aggregating of plantings to achieve a strong, positive statement is encouraged. Use of seasonal color and ease of maintenance are plant characteristics that should also be considered. (Ord. 2302; Ord. 1901)

20C.40.105-020 Installation of Pedestrian System.

The various components of the pedestrian system shall be provided as noted on the map entitled “Downtown Pedestrian System” which is incorporated as a part of this section. As property is developed or redeveloped, corresponding portions of the system shall be installed or otherwise provided for by the property owner/developer. The mid-block segments shown on the map represent desired connections between blocks. In order to provide flexibility, the actual alignment shall be determined through the site plan entitlement process.

(Ord. 2302; Ord. 1901)

20C.40.105-030 Pedestrian System Description.

(1)    Type I – A 30-foot landscaped walkway which includes a 10-foot parkway planter for street trees, a six-foot sidewalk, and 14 feet of planting/plaza area.

(2)    Type II – A 20-foot landscaped walkway which includes an eight-foot sidewalk, 12 feet of planting, and street trees in tree wells along the street.

    Type II is used on a few collector streets. Average width is 20 feet with a minimum width of 10 feet. The sidewalk shall be no less than eight feet wide.

(3)    Type III – A 20-foot landscaped walkway with an eight-foot parkway planter for street trees, a six-foot sidewalk, and six-foot planting area for site landscaping.

(4)    Type IV – A 25-foot landscaped walkway with a five-foot parkway for street trees, a five-foot sidewalk, and 15 feet of landscaped yard area. Type IV is most typically used in residential areas.

(5)    Type V and Va – A 14-foot sidewalk with the first floor of buildings up to the edge of the sidewalk, and street trees in tree wells next to the street. Sidewalks may be wider than 14 feet. The minimum unobstructed pedestrian travel way shall be no less than 10 feet wide.*

    *Except Gilman Street which shall become a brick-lined pedestrian/vehicular plaza, and Brown Street which includes an 8.5-foot-wide sidewalk.

(6)    Type VI – A 30-foot-wide combination walkway/vehicular lane which incorporates landscaping, decorative lighting, and seating areas. If the lane does not have a separated raised walkway six feet in width, the surface must be paved with unit pavers to denote that it is a pedestrian area. The width of the lane shall provide for a minimum of one lane of vehicular travel (one way) and one parking lane. Most used to reduce the size of large blocks, provide vehicular access to rear of lots, minimize need for curb cuts on street fronts, and provide mid-block connections for pedestrians. Type VI may be substituted for Type VIII mid-block pathway if the Technical Committee finds that a vehicular lane is not necessary to provide for the completion of an already started segment or circulation system.

(7)    Type VII – A 10-foot-wide sidewalk from the Sammamish River Trail to and around buildings fronting the river.

(8)    Type VIII – A 30-foot-wide, mid-block pathway that includes an eight-foot-wide sidewalk and 11 feet of landscaping on both sides. Where a mid-block connection is desired through the interior of a property, the landscaping buffer may be omitted or reduced through the site plan entitlement process, provided that the walkway be a minimum of 12 feet in width and be safe and appealing for pedestrian use. Where storefronts open directly onto these pathways, unit pavers or decorative pavement finishes are encouraged, as well as landscaping in planters and tree wells. Mid-block sections may pass through buildings when providing access to pedestrian-oriented uses within a ground floor arcade. On large development sites, these mid-block pathways are desired to be spaced no greater than 500 feet away from a parallel street. Type VIII may be substituted by Type VI segments where found appropriate by the Technical Committee. In this case, walkways separated from the 20-foot drive lane may be required at the edges of the drive lane.

(Ord. 2302; Ord. 1901)

20C.40.105-040 Easements/Dedications.

Where a pedestrian system walkway exists or is required outside of a public right-of-way, an easement or the dedication to the City of Redmond may be required to provide continuity of the walkway to adjoining property. In case of dedication, residential density shall be calculated based on prededication lot area. (Ord. 2302; Ord. 1901)

20C.40.105-050 Permitted Encroachments.

Encroachments into pedestrian systems are permitted as follows:

Upper floors of buildings, marquees, potted plants, awnings, blade signs, and roof projections may extend over the pedestrian system when they enhance pedestrian activities and when the encroachment is integrated into the pedestrian system by providing a covered walkway, plaza, or it otherwise complements pedestrian activities.

Buildings, marquees and roof projections may extend over pedestrian systems when they enhance pedestrian activities.

(Ord. 2302; Ord. 1901)

20C.40.105-060 Width Measured from Back of Curb.

Where a pedestrian system adjoins a public street, the system’s width shall be measured from the back of the existing or proposed curb. (Ord. 2302; Ord. 1901)

20C.40.105-070 Construction Standards.

Construction standards for sidewalks are identified in Appendix 20C-1, Downtown Linkage System Construction Specifications. (Ord. 2302; Ord. 1901)

20C.40.105-080 Driveway Crossings.

Driveways crossing the pedestrian system should be minimized and joint use of driveways encouraged to separate vehicles and pedestrians. Areas in driveways will not be calculated as part of the area required to be landscaped in the pedestrian system. (Ord. 2302; Ord. 1901)

20C.40.105-090 Access to Buildings.

Pedestrian access from primary building to pedestrian system should not be interrupted by vehicular circulation, parking, or other elements which discourage pedestrian use. (Ord. 2302; Ord. 1901)

20C.40.105-100 Interior Block Pedestrian System.

Interruptions of mid-block pedestrian systems by vehicular circulation or parking shall typically not be permitted. (Ord. 2302; Ord. 1901)

20C.40.105-110 Variations Exceeding Standards.

Variations in the pedestrian system which exceed the standards may be approved by the Technical Committee. The variation, in the judgment of the Technical Committee, must not create a pedestrian system out of character and harmony with the surrounding pedestrian systems. (Ord. 2302; Ord. 1901)

20C.40.105-120 Variations Not Meeting Standards.

Variations in the pedestrian system which do not meet minimum standards may be approved by the Technical Committee. Variations may be allowed after consideration of factors, including, but not limited to:

(1)    Existing right-of-way available to meet standards;

(2)    Existing buildings encroaching in linkage area;

(3)    Pedestrian and vehicular volumes anticipated;

(4)    Existing vegetation;

(5)    Disruption of system continuity;

(6)    Accessibility to buildings. (Ord. 2302; Ord. 1901)