Section 25-42 Street improvements generally.
Prior to the adoption of Ord. 17228 on 03/18/2002, Section 25-42 read as follows.
Streets and curbs and gutters shall be improved to comply with the standards
contained herein,
and in the city street and storm sewer specifications and design standards, and all design
standards and specifications now or hereafter promulgated by the director of public works or
adopted by the council, in accordance with the final construction plans required to be approved
prior to final plat approval.
(1) Responsibility for improvements costs. It
is the policy of the city to participate in or
contribute only to certain additional costs of construction of major thoroughfares over and above
the normal costs of local standard streets, when streets are designated at higher standards by the
city. Such participation, and its timing, is not mandated and is solely at the election of the
council, according to the needs of the community.
(2) Arrangement. All thoroughfares streets
shall be located properly with respect to
extending existing and platted streets, to special traffic generators, to population
densities, and to
the pattern of existing and proposed land uses.
a. Local streets shall
be arranged so as to discourage use by through traffic, to permit
efficient drainage and utility systems, and to require the minimum number of streets necessary to
provide convenient and safe access to all properties. The use of curvilinear streets, cul-de-sacs, or
U-shaped streets shall be encouraged where such use will result in a more desirable layout. Local streets shall be designed to provide convenient and safe access to all properties
and to
permit efficient drainage and utility systems. The use of through streets shall be encouraged
to
connect adjoining areas and to facilitate the delivery of public and emergency services; however,
straight streets more than 800 feet long shall be avoided to discourage speeding. Individual local
residential street segments should serve no more than 50 dwelling units without additional street
connections. Local streets with connections to arterial and collector streets shall be designed
to
avoid cut-through traffic. Curvilinear streets are encouraged to minimize speeding and the
amount of grading. Cul-de-sacs and loop (U-shaped) streets should be short in length, less
prevalent than through streets, and may be especially appropriate to avoid steep slopes, major
creeks, floodplains, wetlands and other sensitive environmental areas.
b. Where a subdivision abuts
or contains an existing arterial street or highway having
limited access, the commission may require the arrangement of residential lots with rear yards
abutting the major street, or the provision of frontage roads, or other such treatment as may be
necessary in order to provide for adequate protection of residential properties, to afford
separation of through and local traffic, and to provide for suitable access to the property
involved.
c. When a new subdivision
adjoins unplatted or undeveloped lands, the new streets shall
be carried to the boundaries of such land as appropriate. A temporary turnaround approved by the
director of public works shall be installed at this point, except when the terminus of the street is
less than two hundred (200) feet from an intersecting right-of-way. Interconnection
of adjacent
subdivisions with compatible land uses shall be encouraged. When a new subdivision adjoins
unplatted or undeveloped land, the new streets shall be carried to the boundaries of such land
unless vehicular access is unnecessary or inappropriate. A temporary turnaround approved by
the director of public works shall be installed at this point, except when the terminus of the street
is less than three hundred (300) feet from an intersecting street right-of-way. Where street
connections to adjoining land are not provided and there is a need for non-vehicular public
access to a school, park, trail or other area or use, the city may require the dedication and
improvement of a green space access easement or green space trail easement. Whenever such
public improvements are required and the landowner conveys fee title in lieu of an easement, the
city shall accept ownership and maintenance.
d. Private drives may be allowed
only to provide internal circulation within a single lot or
parcel,
except when approved in conjunction with a planned district.
(3) Blocks. Streets should generally intersect
at intervals not exceeding one thousand (1,000)
feet or less than four hundred (400) feet. Blocks shall have sufficient depth to provide for two (2)
tiers of lots of appropriate depth. Exceptions to this prescribed block depth shall be encouraged
in blocks adjacent to major streets, railroads or waterways.
(Code 1964, § 19.544(1); Ord. No. 10099, § 1, 3-5-84; Ord. No. 15847, § 1, 1-5-99)