Chapter 17.24
SIDEWALKS, CURBS AND GUTTERS INSTALLATION
Sections:
17.24.010 Prerequisite for building permit – Exception.
17.24.020 Plans and specifications.
17.24.010 Prerequisite for building permit – Exception.
(1) No building permit shall hereafter be granted for a new commercial, industrial or residential building or structure or for the remodeling or alteration of a commercial, industrial or residential building exceeding 60 percent in assessed value of the existing structures and buildings unless the plans and specifications therefor contain provisions for sidewalks and/or driveways across sidewalks on all sides of such property that may abut on a public street or highway to extend the full distance that such property sought to be occupied and/or developed; provided, however, that the city engineer may authorize the issuance of a building permit without compliance with this section where compliance is deemed to be impracticable or infeasible. In making this decision, the city engineer shall consider the following:
(a) Existence of Adjacent Sidewalks, Trails or Paths. If sidewalks, trails or paths do not exist in the immediate area surrounding the site, sidewalk construction may be postponed by the city engineer until such time as construction is required by the city council under the provision of Chapter 11.12 OHMC.
(b) Proposed Street Improvements in the Area. If widening or other street improvements are planned in the next five years that would require removal of the sidewalks, sidewalk construction may be postponed by the city engineer until such time as construction is required by the city council under the provisions of Chapter 11.12 OHMC.
(c) Elevation of the Walk. If conditions require that the walk be installed at an elevation too high to be functional for access or drainage at the present time, sidewalk construction may be postponed by the city engineer until such time as construction is required by the city council under the provisions of Chapter 11.12 OHMC.
(d) Need. If there is no practical demand for sidewalks in the area, sidewalk construction may be postponed by the city engineer until such time as construction is required by the city council under the provisions of Chapter 11.12 OHMC.
(e) Historical or Environmental Impact. If the sidewalk would destroy structures of historical significance or specimen trees such as Gerry oaks, sidewalk construction may be postponed by the city engineer until such time as construction is required by the city council under the provisions of Chapter 11.12 OHMC.
Owners of properties proposing construction as defined in this chapter shall also construct curbs and gutters along the abutting streets unless, in the opinion of the city engineer, the conditions of drainage do not require such curbs and gutters and it is impracticable and infeasible and not in the best interest of the city to require the same. In making said decision, the city engineer shall take into consideration the history of drainage in the area, and also the effect of the construction of the improvements proposed upon the drainage. (Ord. 1791 § 1, 2017; Ord. 750 § 1, 1986; Ord. 506 § 1, 1978).
17.24.020 Plans and specifications.
Plans for the construction of sidewalks, curbs and gutters required by this chapter shall be submitted to the building official as part of the plans submitted for obtaining a building permit. Grades for the construction of the improvements required by this chapter shall be established by the city engineer or by the approval of plans and grades furnished by the owner. All sidewalks, driveways, curbs and gutters required by this chapter shall be constructed of cement concrete and in accordance with the Standard Specifications for Municipal Public Works Construction as prepared by the Washington State Chapter, American Public Works Association. Openings for driveways for ingress and egress from the property shall be approved by the city engineer. (Ord. 750 § 2, 1986; Ord. 506 § 2, 1978).
17.24.030 Permits.
The building permit shall include the required improvement and the value of the sidewalks or other improvement and shall be added to the value of the structure and the permit fee based on the total cost. (Ord. 750 § 3, 1986; Ord. 506 § 3, 1978).
17.24.040 Appeal.
Appeal of the city engineer’s decision shall be to the city council. (Ord. 750 § 4, 1986).