ARTICLE E. TRANSPORTATION AND CONNECTIVITY PROVISIONS

SECTION:

8-4E-1:    Purpose

8-4E-2:    Applicability

8-4E-3:    Public Street Connections

8-4E-4:    Internal Circulation Standards

8-4E-5:    Private Street Standards

8-4E-6:    Sidewalk Standards

8-4E-7:    Pedestrian And Bicycle Accessibility Standards

8-4E-8:    Transit Facilities

8-4E-1: PURPOSE:

This article provides regulations and standards for streets, transit, pedestrian and bicycle connectivity with the following purposes:

A.    To provide a safe, attractive and functional transportation system that is accessible and accommodates all modes of transportation including automobiles, pedestrian, bicycling, and transit;

B.    To provide a transportation system for all modes that supports the pattern of compact mixed use development identified in the city’s comprehensive plan and reduces dependency on vehicular transportation;

C.    To improve the connectivity, standards and safety of pedestrian and bicycle facilities;

D.    To maintain safe streets and control traffic through neighborhoods; and

E.    To limit the amount of land required for streets and driveways with the consequent impacts on water quality and storm drainage.

8-4E-2: APPLICABILITY:

A.    This article provides design standards that shall apply to any new construction, addition, expansion, grading, alteration, or any new or more intense use of property.

B.    Nothing in the provisions of this article shall alter or negate the responsibilities of the transportation authority. (Ord. 898-08, 9-8-2008; amd. Ord. 975-15, 4-27-2015)

8-4E-3: PUBLIC STREET CONNECTIONS:

A.    Clear Vision Triangle: All streets and driveways shall adhere to the standards of a clear vision triangle.

1. Measurement: The clear vision triangle shall be measured as follows:

a. The area is measured from the intersection of two (2) streets from the edge of pavement at the corner to a distance of forty feet (40') along each public street. The triangular area within is the "clear vision triangle". (Ord. 898-08, 9-8-2008)

b. The area of the clear vision triangle at the intersection of private streets or driveways with a public street is dependent on the volume of traffic and existing safety conditions at the intersection as determined by the transportation authority. The clear vision triangle shall not be less than seven feet (7'). (Ord. 944-12, 5-14-2012)

2. Standards Within The Clear Vision Triangle:

a. Trees planted within a clear vision triangle shall be pruned to a minimum height of eight feet (8') above the ground or sidewalk surface and fourteen feet (14') above the adjacent street surface.

b. No evergreen trees shall be planted within any clear vision triangle.

c. The maximum height of any berm or vegetative ground cover at maturity within the clear vision triangle shall be three feet (3') from the lowest adjacent street grade.

d. No fences higher than three feet (3') from the lowest adjacent street grade are permitted in the clear vision triangle.

e. No signs taller than three feet (3') are permitted in the clear vision triangle, except for street/stop signs approved by the transportation authority.

B.    Street Access:

1. All developments shall have approved access to a public street, in conformance with the provisions of the transportation authority.

2. Driveways shall be the minimum width necessary to provide the required number of vehicle travel lanes and to reduce the impact on sidewalk crossings.

3. Driveway access shall be separated from other driveways and street intersections in accordance with the requirements of the respective transportation authority, or as agreed to by the city and the transportation authority. Properties that do not conform to the requirements shall be brought into conformance when: a) the property is redeveloped; b) the property is altered by any structural addition that adds more than twenty five percent (25%) increase in gross floor; or c) the property is used for a higher intensity use.

4. Access management controls, such as shared access, and/or access in variance with that specified by the transportation authority may be recommended by the city for the purpose of protecting the function, safety and functionality of the street.

5. Properties adjacent to Chinden Boulevard with alley access, shall provide access to the property from the alley. (Ord. 898-08, 9-8-2008)

8-4E-4: INTERNAL CIRCULATION STANDARDS:

A.    Driveways, aisles and turnaround areas, when required for fire and refuse access, shall meet the following standards:

1. Have a minimum vertical clearance of thirteen feet six inches (13’6") for their entire length and width.

2. Have a minimum width of twenty feet (20').

3. The design of internal circulation should be integrated with the overall site design and adjacent properties, including the location of structures, pedestrian walkways and landscaping. (Ord. 898-08, 9-8-2008)

8-4E-5: PRIVATE STREET STANDARDS:

All private streets shall be designed and constructed to the following standards:

A.    The private street shall be constructed on a perpetual ingress/egress easement or a single platted lot that provides access to all applicable properties.

B.    The private street shall be constructed within the easement and shall have a travel lane width of twenty six feet (26').

C.    The private street shall provide sufficient maneuvering area for emergency vehicles as determined and approved by the fire authority.

D.    The private street name(s) shall obtain approval from the Ada County street name committee.

E.    A binding contract that establishes the party or parties responsible for the repair and maintenance of the private street including regulations for the funding shall be recorded with a final plat. No building permit shall be issued until the contract has been recorded. (Ord. 898-08, 9-8-2008)

8-4E-6: SIDEWALK STANDARDS:

All sidewalks shall be designed and constructed to the following standards:

A.    Sidewalks shall be required along public rights-of-way intended for vehicular travel.

B.    All sidewalks shall be a minimum of five feet (5'), except if detached sidewalks are provided on local streets in residential subdivisions, the minimum sidewalk width may be reduced to four feet (4').

C.    Detached sidewalks shall be required unless in conflict with a street plan adopted by the transit authority and/or the city or there is existing attached sidewalk on both sides adjacent to the property.

D.    Sidewalks shall be designed to flare around mailboxes, utility boxes and other impediments to pedestrian circulation to maintain a minimum five feet (5') of travel width. (Ord. 898-08, 9-8-2008; amd. Ord. 975-15, 4-27-2015)

8-4E-7: PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS:

A.    Pedestrian Accessibility: All new nonresidential development shall provide for pedestrian accessibility. Accessibility shall be from a direct, convenient and attractive pathway system that conforms to the following standards:

1. A pathway system shall extend through the development site and connect the street sidewalk to all primary building entrances, as generally shown in figure 8-4E-1 of this subsection.

Figure 8-4E-1

Typical Pedestrian Pathway

2. The pathway shall be designed to connect or stub a pathway(s) to adjacent private property, transit stops, adjacent trails, plazas, future phases of development, and open space areas.

3. The pathway shall be designed to connect all portions of a development in a direct manner and not involve a significant amount of out of direction travel for likely users.

4. The pathway is free from hazards, has appropriate lighting levels, and meets the standards for ADA accessibility.

5. A pathway shall be a minimum width of four feet (4').

6. Pedestrian amenities shall be provided along sidewalks and pathways to support defensible space, crime prevention, pedestrian comfort and accessibility.

7. Pathway surfaces shall be concrete, and have a width that is based on their function. Pavers, brick, raised walkways, and other ornamental paving may be used if it has a smooth finish, and textured or bumpy materials may be used as an edge treatment, provided that an accessible route is provided between the edge treatments.

B.    Bicycle Accessibility:

1. All new residential and nonresidential development shall provide for bicycle accessibility in the following situations:

a. A bicycle route is identified in the city and/or the transportation authority’s bicycle master plans;

b. Where the property is adjacent to the Boise River greenbelt and there is an opportunity for a connection;

c. Where cul-de-sacs or dead end streets are planned;

d. To connect the ends of the streets together, to other streets, and/or to other developments, where practicable.

2. Bicycle accessibility shall conform to and comply with the standards the ACHD adopted "Bike Facility Design And Designation Guide". (Ord. 898-08, 9-8-2008)

8-4E-8: TRANSIT FACILITIES:

Bus pullouts, shelter pads, shelters, and related right of way and easements may be required when a development is adjacent to an existing or planned bus stop or transit station. These facilities shall be integrated into the overall pedestrian plan of a project, and designed consistent with the requirements of the Valley Regional Transit authority. (Ord. 898-08, 9-8-2008)