Chapter 20.96
DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
Sections:
20.96.030 Lot size and setbacks.
20.96.050 Cluster subdivision.
20.96.060 Right-of-way widths.
20.96.065 Modification of right-of-way widths.
20.96.110 Open space requirements.
20.96.010 Monumentation.
Monuments shall be placed at all street intersections, boundary angle points, points of curves in streets, and at such intermediate points as required by the city engineer. The monuments shall be of stone or concrete-filled pipe or tile, capped with standard markers. Street monuments shall be set between six inches and one foot below official finished street grades and in paved streets shall be enclosed in a standard monument case. All lot and block corners shall be set with an iron pipe, at least twenty-four inches in length and three-fourths inch in diameter. (Ord. 1032 (Attachment A) (part), 1991)
20.96.020 Through lots.
Through lots shall not normally be allowed; however, if the subdivision abuts an arterial street, the lots on such streets may be through lots provided the planning commission determines such a layout to be in the best interests of safety and General welfare. (Ord. 1032 (Attachment A) (part), 1991)
20.96.030 Lot size and setbacks.
All residential lots not located in a cluster subdivision shall have an average lot area which is not less than the minimum lot area required in the zoning district in which the property is located as identified on the zoning map. In computing the average lot area, not more than ten percent of the number of lots may contain an area less than the prescribed minimum for the zoning district. In no case shall any lots be created which contain an area less than ninety percent of the prescribed minimum for the zoning district. Except in zoning districts with no minimum frontage requirements, each lot shall have no less than forty feet of frontage on a deed or dedicated right-of-way, or this distance may be reduced to thirty feet if the lots front on a cul-de-sac; however, if the frontage is so reduced, then the front yard setback line shall be increased to thirty feet from the front property line. The minimum lot width at the building setback line shall be no less than sixty feet. (Ord. 1032 (Attachment A) (part), 1991)
20.96.040 Blocks.
The maximum length of a block shall be one thousand three hundred twenty feet. The maximum width shall be five hundred feet. Where blocks exceed five hundred feet in length, pedestrian easements may be required if deemed necessary. (Ord. 1032 (Attachment A) (part), 1991)
20.96.050 Cluster subdivision.
(a) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to provide for variation in lot sizes in residential districts so that the standard permitted density of dwelling units allowed by the minimum lot size requirements is maintained on an overall basis while desirable open space, tree cover, recreation areas or scenic vistas are preserved.
(b) Number of Reduced-Size Lots. The developer of a subdivision may vary the lot sizes within the subdivision by use of the procedures contained in this section. The maximum number of lots that may be created under this procedure shall be computed by subtracting thirty percent of the total area being subdivided, exclusive of existing easements and other undevelopable land, for public right-of way and for land reserved for parks, playgrounds, school sites and for other open space; and dividing the remaining land by the minimum lot area requirement of the districts in which the subdivision is to be located. This method shall apply regardless of the amount of land actually required for street right-of-way. Land taken by utilities for easements for major facilities such as electric transmission lines and water mains, where such land is not available to the owner for development because of the easements, shall not be considered as part of the gross acreage in computing the maximum number of lots that may be created under this procedure.
(c) Standard for Area Reduction. Under this procedure lots may be reduced in area below the standard minimum lot size required in the district in which the subdivision is located, provided that the average lot size of the lots created in the subdivision is not below the minimum lot size required in the district. In subdivisions containing twelve or more lots, common land for open space or recreational use may be set aside for use by the owners of residential lots and such common land may be included in determining the average size of the lots created in the subdivision.
(d) Minimum Frontage. Under this procedure, no lot in a residential district shall contain a frontage less than the applicable frontage required by the subdivision regulations, except as otherwise provided in Division III of this title.
(e) Common Open Space. The location, extent and purpose of common land proposed to be set aside for open space or for recreational use within any subdivision must be reviewed and approved by the city council before the provisions of this section shall apply. A private recreational use, such as a golf course or a swimming pool, whose use is limited to the owners or occupants of lots located within the subdivision, may be approved as common land. Other uses or sites which may qualify as common land include historic buildings or sites, parkway areas, ornamental parks, extensive areas with tree cover, and lowland along streams or areas of rough terrain where such areas are extensive and have natural features worthy of preservation. Land which is specifically required to be reserved for public parks, potential school sites, etc., as called for in another section of this division, shall not qualify as common land.
(f) Maintenance of Common Land. The maintenance of common land for open space or recreational use shall be guaranteed by trust indenture or a similar means of contract approved by the city council and shall be filed with the county auditor simultaneously with the recording of the final plat of the subdivision. Such common land shall be set aside by deed restrictions for a minimum period of thirty-five years. (Ord. 1176 § 54, 1996; Ord. 1032 (Attachment A) (part), 1991)
20.96.055 Planned zone.
(a) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to provide for variation in lot sizes in planned residential districts so that the standard permitted density of dwelling units allowed by the minimum lot size requirements are able to be modified to provide desired open space, tree cover, recreation areas or scenic vistas according to an overall master plan.
(b) The developer of a subdivision may vary the lot sizes and frontage and setback dimensions within the subdivision according to the provisions of the approved master plan for the planned zone developed under Division III of this title.
(c) Common Open Space. The location, extent and purpose of common land proposed to be set aside for open space or for recreational use within any subdivision must be reviewed and approved by the city council as part of an overall master plan for the planned residential zone.
A private recreational use, such as a golf course or a swimming pool, whose use is limited to the owners or occupants of lots located within the subdivision, may be approved as common land. Other uses or sites which may qualify as common land include historic buildings or sites, parkway areas, ornamental parks, extensive areas with tree cover, and lowland along streams or areas of rough terrain where such areas are extensive and have natural features worthy of preservation.
(d) Maintenance of Common Land. The maintenance of common land for open space or recreational use shall be guaranteed by trust indenture or a similar means of contract approved by the city council and shall be filed with the county auditor simultaneously with the recording of the final plat of the subdivision. Such common land shall be set aside by deed restrictions for a minimum period of thirty-five years. (Ord. 1176 § 55, 1996; Ord. 1032 (Attachment A) (part), 1991)
20.96.060 Right-of-way widths.
The minimum rights-of-way required for the following street classifications are as follows:
(1) Arterial streets, eighty feet;
(2) Collector, local or minor access streets, sixty feet;
(3) Cul-de-sac streets, fifty feet;
(4) Marginal access streets, forty feet;
(5) Alleys: Minimum, twenty feet; maximum, thirty feet;
(6) Private streets: The minimum right-of-way required for private streets shall be determined by the planning commission. (Ord. 1032 (Attachment A) (part), 1991)
20.96.065 Modification of right-of-way widths.
The minimum rights-of-way established in Section 20.96.060 may be reduced according to the standards of an approved master plan for the zone developed under the provisions of Division III of this title. (Ord. 1032 (Attachment A) (part), 1991)
20.96.070 Cul-de-sac.
(a) The maximum length of a cul-de-sac shall be six hundred feet, unless the planning commission approves a “T” or “Y” shaped paved space in lieu of a turning circle.
(b) The minimum right-of-way radius of a cul-de-sac shall be fifty feet. (Ord. 1032 (Attachment A) (part), 1991)
20.96.080 Grades.
(a) The maximum roadway grade on arterial streets shall be six percent.
(b) The maximum roadway grade on other streets and alleys shall be fourteen percent; however, the optimum grade is no more than ten percent and shall not be exceeded unless in unusual cases.
(c) The minimum grade on all streets or alleys shall be no less than five-tenths percent. (Ord. 1032 (Attachment A) (part), 1991)
20.96.090 Curves.
(a) The minimum centerline radii for horizontal curves shall be one hundred feet.
(b) The minimum radii for vertical curves shall be fifty feet. (Ord. 1032 (Attachment A) (part), 1991)
20.96.100 Alleys.
Alleys are not required but may be included in the subdivision at the subdivider’s option. (Ord. 1032 (Attachment A) (part), 1991)
20.96.110 Open space requirements.
Because of the wide variety of topographic conditions, distances between established parks, proximity to natural areas and similar situations, the provision of required open space, play areas, etc., will be determined in each individual subdivision. (Ord. 1032 (Attachment A) (part), 1991)