4-7-150 STREETS – GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND MINIMUM STANDARDS:

A. RELATIONSHIP TO ADJOINING STREET SYSTEM:

The proposed street system shall extend and create connections between existing streets unless otherwise approved by the Public Works Department. Prior to approving a street system that does not extend or connect, the Public Works Administrator shall find that such exception shall meet the requirements of subsection E3 of this Section. The roadway classifications shall be as defined and designated by the Department. (Ord. 5450, 3-2-2009; Ord. 5676, 12-3-2012)

B. STREET NAMES:

All proposed street names shall be approved by the City.

C. ARTERIALS, INTERSECTIONS:

Streets intersecting with existing or proposed public highways, major or secondary arterials shall be held to a minimum.

D. STREET ALIGNMENT:

The alignment of all streets shall be reviewed and approved by the Public Works Department. The street standards set by RMC 4-6-060 shall apply unless otherwise approved. Street alignment offsets of less than one hundred twenty five feet (125') are not desirable, but may be approved by the Department upon a showing of need but only after provision of all necessary safety measures. (Ord. 5450, 3-2-2009)

E. STREET PATTERN:

1. Grid: A grid street pattern shall be used to connect existing and new development and shall be the predominant street pattern in any subdivision permitted by this Section.

2. Linkages: Linkages, including streets, sidewalks, pedestrian or bike paths shall be provided within and between neighborhoods when they can create a continuous and interconnected network of roads and pathways. Implementation of this requirement shall comply with related policies of the Transportation and Land Use Elements of the Comprehensive Plan. (Ord. 5759, 6-22-2015)

3. Exceptions:

a. The grid pattern may be adjusted to a “flexible grid” by reducing the number of linkages or the alignment between roads, where the following factors are present on site:

i. Infeasible due to topographical/environmental constraints; and/or

ii. Substantial improvements are existing.

4. Connections: Prior to adoption of a complete grid street plan, reasonable connections that link existing portions of the grid system shall be made. At a minimum, stub streets shall be required within subdivisions to allow future connectivity.

5. Alley Access: Alley access is the preferred street pattern for all new residential development except in the Residential Low Density land use designation (RC, R-1, and R-4 zones) and the R-6 zone. All new residential development in an area that has existing alleys shall utilize alley access. New residential development in areas without existing alleys shall utilize alley access for interior lots. If the developer or property owner demonstrates that alley access is not practical, the use of alleys may not be required. The City will consider the following factors in determining whether the use of alleys is not practical:

a. Size: The new development is a short plat.

b. Topography: The topography of the site proposed for development is not conducive for an alley configuration.

c. Environmental Impacts: The use of alleys would have more of a negative impact on the environment than a street pattern without alleys.

d. If site characteristics allow for the effective use of alleys.

“Alleys” shall mean singular or plural in this subsection. (Ord. 5515, 12-14-2009; Ord. 5676, 12-3-2012; Ord. 5702, 12-9-2013; Ord. 5841, 6-12-2017)

6. Alternative Configurations: Offset or loop roads are the preferred alternative configurations.

7. Cul-de-Sac Streets: Cul-de-sac streets may only be permitted where no future connection to a larger street pattern is physically possible due to demonstrable physical constraints. See RMC 4-6-060H, Dead End Streets, for standards and options. (Ord. 5676, 12-3-2012; Ord. 5828, 12-12-2016).

F. IMPROVEMENTS REQUIRED:

All abutting rights-of-way and new rights-of-way dedicated as part of the plat, including streets, roads, and alleys, shall be graded to their full width and the pavement and sidewalks shall be constructed as specified in the street standards or deferred by the Public Works Administrator. (Ord. 4636, 9-23-1996; Ord. 5156, 9-26-2005; Ord. 5676, 12-3-2012)

G. ADJACENT OR ABUTTING UNPLATTED ACREAGE:

Streets that may be extended in the event of future adjacent or abutting platting shall be required to be dedicated to the plat boundary line. Extensions of greater depth than an average lot shall be improved with temporary turnarounds. Dedication of a full-width boundary street shall be required in certain instances to facilitate future development. (Ord. 5100, 11-1-2004; Ord. 5676, 12-3-2012)