Chapter 22.110
DESIGN AND IMPROVEMENT STANDARDS

Sections:

Article I. Purpose and Applicability

22.110.005    Design and improvement standards.

22.110.010    Purpose.

22.110.015    Applicability.

22.110.020    Exceptions.

22.110.025    Request for exception.

22.110.030    Project proponent responsibilities.

Article II. Roadways and Access

22.110.035    Lot access.

22.110.040    Roadway network design.

22.110.045    Roadway design.

22.110.050    Reserved.

Article III. Lot Patterns

22.110.060    Purpose.

22.110.065    Compliance with law.

22.110.070    Standards.

Article I. Purpose and Applicability

22.110.005 Design and improvement standards.

To ensure that proposed subdivisions are developed in the best interests of the people of the City of Elk Grove, land subdivided under the provisions of this title shall conform to design standards and improvement standards in this chapter, including the latest version of the City of Elk Grove Improvement Standards, Construction Specifications and Standard Drawings, as approved and amended periodically by the City Engineer and/or any applicable specific plan or special planning area, or precise plan. Plans, maps or other drawings for any project which includes the installation of public streets or creation of lots or division of land shall comply with the standards set forth herein. [Ord. 3-2018 §3 (Exh. B), eff. 4-13-2018; Ord. 7-2009 §3, eff. 5-1-2009; Ord. 2000-14A §1, eff. 10-25-2000; Ord. 2000-1 §1, eff. 7-1-2000]

22.110.010 Purpose.

It is the purpose of these design standards to provide basic planning standards applicable to the design, review and development of local street patterns and lot patterns in subdivisions, land divisions and other development projects. [Ord. 7-2009 §3, eff. 5-1-2009; Ord. 2000-14A §1, eff. 10-25-2000; Ord. 2000-1 §1, eff. 7-1-2000]

22.110.015 Applicability.

The standards in this chapter shall apply to any development project in the City. The standards provide the City flexibility to make reasonable decisions that take into account alternative designs, physical features on and off the site, and public input and testimony, as applicable.

When applying these standards, the City shall consider the identifiable effects that any proposed project may have upon other properties in the vicinity, now and in the foreseeable future.

In order to deal with physical features on and off the site, the City may take into consideration unusual topography, environmental preservation, existing and approved streets, historically established traffic patterns, neighboring lot patterns, existing and evolving land use patterns, zoning, and past policy or permit decisions. [Ord. 3-2018 §3 (Exh. B), eff. 4-13-2018; Ord. 7-2009 §3, eff. 5-1-2009; Ord. 2000-14A §1, eff. 10-25-2000; Ord. 2000-1 §1, eff. 7-1-2000]

22.110.020 Exceptions.

The City Engineer may authorize conditional exceptions to any of the design and improvement standards in this chapter, unless the standard specifically states that an exception cannot be granted. Such exception may be granted if the City Engineer finds, in writing, that the proposed design or improvement is in substantial compliance with the purpose and intent of the standard to be excepted. The design exception shall be included in any accompanying discretionary approval required by EGMC Title 23. [Ord. 3-2018 §3 (Exh. B), eff. 4-13-2018; Ord. 7-2009 §3, eff. 5-1-2009; Ord. 2000-14A §1, eff. 10-25-2000; Ord. 2000-1 §1, eff. 7-1-2000]

22.110.025 Request for exception.

The applicant may separately request that an exception from the standard be granted. If noncompliance with these standards is identified at any stage of review of the proposed project, the application may be considered to include a request for an exception, unless the applicant objects. The City Engineer shall not grant an exception request unless a reasonable justification is made by the applicant to support the action. Noncompliance with these standards without grant of an exception pursuant to this section shall be grounds for denial of a request. [Ord. 3-2018 §3 (Exh. B), eff. 4-13-2018; Ord. 7-2009 §3, eff. 5-1-2009; Ord. 2000-14A §1, eff. 10-25-2000; Ord. 2000-1 §1, eff. 7-1-2000]

22.110.030 Project proponent responsibilities.

All project applications shall include drawings showing the manner in which the requirements and standards in this chapter are complied with. When the applicant decides to apply for an exception, the applicant shall provide documentation and data to support and justify the request for a waiver or modification. [Ord. 7-2009 §3, eff. 5-1-2009; Ord. 2000-14A §1, eff. 10-25-2000; Ord. 2000-1 §1, eff. 7-1-2000]

Article II. Roadways and Access

22.110.035 Lot access.

A. Each local street providing access to lots within a subdivision shall connect directly to or by way of one or more local streets to a collector street or arterial street.

B. Each route of access to collector streets or arterial streets and its point of connection therewith shall be adequate to safely accommodate the composition and volume of vehicular traffic generated by the land uses that it serves as determined by the City Engineer.

C. All subdivisions of forty (40) or more lots shall have at least two (2) points of public access, unless otherwise approved by the City Engineer through an approved design exception from standards pursuant to EGMC Sections 22.20.010(D) and 22.110.020 and included as part of the required subdivision design review pursuant to EGMC Section 23.16.080.

D. Notwithstanding subsection (C) of this section, all subdivisions shall comply with the requirements of EGMC Chapter 17.04 and the California Fire Code relative to emergency access. [Ord. 3-2018 §3 (Exh. B), eff. 4-13-2018; Ord. 7-2009 §3, eff. 5-1-2009; Ord. 2000-14A §1, eff. 10-25-2000; Ord. 2000-1 §1, eff. 7-1-2000]

22.110.040 Roadway network design.

The alignment of streets shown on a tentative map shall be consistent with the General Plan and any applicable specific plan or other applicable master or precise plan, and as follows:

A. Streets shall be laid out to conform to the alignment of existing streets in adjoining subdivisions and to the logical continuation of existing streets where the adjoining land is not subdivided.

B. The realignment of streets in contemplation of the development, or use of adjoining property, and the provision of streets or dead-end street extensions to facilitate the subdivision of adjoining property may be required at the City’s discretion.

C. Permanently dead-ended streets (except cul-de-sacs) are prohibited. When a street is temporarily dead-ended, a barricade or temporary turning area (with signage providing notification of the future street connection or extension) or temporary connection to another street may be required at the City’s discretion. Permanent turnarounds may be required at the end of dead-end streets where the timing of the future extension is unknown, at the City’s discretion.

D. Minor residential cul-de-sac streets shall serve a maximum of twenty (20) dwelling units and have a maximum length of six hundred (600' 0") feet. The City Engineer may approve an alternative maximum length standard for lots in the rural area, such that turnarounds for emergency equipment are provided at appropriate locations as determined by the City Engineer. For purposes of this section, the “rural area” shall be defined as the rural area as described and illustrated in the Rural Area Community Plan as contained in the General Plan.

E. Minor residential streets serve a maximum of one hundred (100) dwelling units when there are only two (2) public street accesses into the area.

F. The creation of pass-through, shortcut, or sneak street situations shall be limited. In those instances where through traffic is unavoidable and of probable high volume, the specific street shall be designed to primary residential or collector street standards, as applicable.

G. The intersections of minor residential streets with collector streets, or with major arterial streets, shall be designed to align with existing street(s) or previously approved street(s) on the opposite side of the street wherever possible. If such alignment is not feasible, as determined by the City, the street shall be offset in accordance with the City’s improvement standards.

H. Private roads, to the extent approved by the City, shall comply with the following:

1. The standards of the Fire Code as provided in EGMC Chapter 17.04;

2. The City’s improvement standards and construction specifications; and

3. Provide private maintenance agreements between the parties using and responsible for the upkeep of the private road prior to approval of additional development on the road. [Ord. 6-2019 §3 (Exh. A), 4-26-2019; Ord. 3-2018 §3 (Exh. B), eff. 4-13-2018; Ord. 7-2009 §3, eff. 5-1-2009; Ord. 2000-14A §1, eff. 10-25-2000; Ord. 2000-1 §1, eff. 7-1-2000]

22.110.045 Roadway design.

The design of public roads within subdivisions (e.g., roadway cross sections) shall conform to the City’s adopted improvement standards and any applicable specific plan or other applicable master plan or precise plan and to the satisfaction of the City, unless expressly deviated at the time of approval of the tentative map. [Ord. 3-2018 §3 (Exh. B), eff. 4-13-2018; Ord. 7-2009 §3, eff. 5-1-2009; Ord. 2000-14A §1, eff. 10-25-2000; Ord. 2000-1 §1, eff. 7-1-2000]

22.110.050 Reserved.

[Ord. 3-2018 §3 (Exh. B), eff. 4-13-2018; Ord. 7-2009 §3, eff. 5-1-2009; Ord. 2000-14A §1, eff. 10-25-2000; Ord. 2000-1 §1, eff. 7-1-2000]

Article III. Lot Patterns

22.110.060 Purpose.

This section spells out laws which shall be complied with to create new lots. This section also spells out standards for creating lot patterns that are best suited to the purpose for which the lots are created and, at the same time, create the least potential land use conflicts. In some applications, the standards will conflict with one another or will conflict with the standards for street patterns. When this happens, an exception pursuant to EGMC Sections 22.110.020 and 22.110.025 may be considered, with the most compatible neighborhood development pattern as the ultimate objective. Staff’s reports, proposed alternatives, and comments will be based on an analysis of the overall impacts of proposed lots as a total concept, as well as any conflict with any single standard. [Ord. 7-2009 §3, eff. 5-1-2009; Ord. 2000-14A §1, eff. 10-25-2000; Ord. 2000-1 §1, eff. 7-1-2000]

22.110.065 Compliance with law.

A. Each project which proposes to divide land shall result in lots which are consistent with and well suited to the land use designations and policies set forth in the General Plan and in the adopted specific plan if applicable, including both maps and texts. Potential population densities of residential lots shall not exceed the densities set forth in the General Plan or specific plans.

B. Each lot shall conform to the lot size, lot width, and lot frontage requirements as set forth in the Zoning Code, unless a variance, waiver, or modification is obtained, as specified in the Zoning Code.

C. Lot lines shall be located in relation to existing structures so as to maintain required setbacks, yards, and other open space requirements, as set forth in the Zoning Code, unless a variance, waiver, or modification is obtained, as specified in the Zoning Code.

D. Lot lines shall be located in relation to existing private septic systems or wells so as to maintain the distance requirements as set forth in the County health code. Lots which propose the installation of private septic systems or wells shall be arranged such that there is sufficient area on the proposed lots’ facilities to meet the placement and distance requirements of the County health code.

E. Each parcel of land shall front on a public street or be served by a private road which is a component of an approved local street pattern.

F. Exceptions from the requirements of subsections (A) through (E) of this section shall not be allowed pursuant to EGMC Sections 22.110.020 and 22.110.025. [Ord. 7-2009 §3, eff. 5-1-2009; Ord. 2000-14A §1, eff. 10-25-2000; Ord. 2000-1 §1, eff. 7-1-2000]

22.110.070 Standards.

A. New lots shall be arranged and oriented to maximize effective use of passive solar energy. Each proposal will be evaluated by the advisory agency or the City Council to determine whether it can be demonstrated that alternate designs are feasible, and such design may be presented to the hearing bodies. Upon such presentation, the hearing body may request alternate designs to be prepared by the developer, or may deny the submitted map on the basis that the proposal does not maximize effective use of passive solar energy. Such factors as configuration and orientation of the property being divided, the nature of surrounding development, the nature of the proposed development, circulation patterns, and existing topography shall be weighed in comparison of possible alternatives.

B. New lots shall be arranged to create comparable yard relationships wherever possible. The creation of interior side yards located adjacent to rear yards should be avoided, and in those cases where such arrangements cannot be reasonably avoided, restrictions may be placed on the final map which limit building height or building location.

C. The design of the project, including the location of lot lines, shall be such that, to the degree reasonably possible, existing contours and existing trees will be preserved. To achieve this purpose, grading restrictions or building location restrictions may be placed on the final map. Alternatively, the overall design may be revised such that less grading will be needed, or that existing trees become located in the normal yard areas of proposed lots.

D. New lots shall be consistent with the development standards set forth in the Zoning Code.

E. Each lot shall maintain a relative consistency with the predominant neighborhood development character. Lots which are found to be significantly out of character, either in area, frontage, shape, or access provisions may be denied if it is found that such character differences may result in detrimental impacts on adjacent properties.

F. It is recognized that the potential breach of private contracts, such as covenants, codes and restrictions (CC&Rs), is a judicial matter and cannot constitute a basis of denial for a proposed land division; however, the City does not desire to become a party to such breach by the inference of its actions and may, when reasonable to do so, require a resolution of the private conflict before taking any action, or may pursue such legislative or administrative resolution as may be available.

G. Any new lot shall meet the following standards:

1. All lots shall comply with the provisions of EGMC Chapter 16.50 (Flood Damage Prevention); and

2. All lots shall provide for a buildable area which is located at least fifty (50' 0") feet from the centerline of a creek, drainage channel or designated tributary as defined in EGMC Section 22.10.141. [Ord. 3-2018 §3 (Exh. B), eff. 4-13-2018; Ord. 7-2009 §3, eff. 5-1-2009; Ord. 29-2007 §3, eff. 10-26-2007; Ord. 2000-14A §1, eff. 10-25-2000; Ord. 2000-1 §1, eff. 7-1-2000]