(a) Purpose. The purpose of the street standards is to establish a safe, efficient, attractive transportation system that promotes all modes of transportation and is sensitive to the environment.
(b) Standards. The local street system of any proposed development shall be designed to be safe, efficient, convenient and attractive, and consider the use by all modes of transportation that will use the system. Streets should be an inviting public space and an integral part of community design. Local streets shall provide for both intra- and inter-neighborhood connections to knit developments together, rather than forming barriers between them. All streets should interconnect to help create a comprehensive network of public areas to allow free movement of cars, bicycles and pedestrians.
(1) Street connections. All streets shall be aligned to join with planned or existing streets as allowed by topography. All streets shall be designed to bear a logical relationship to the topography of the land. Intersections of streets shall be at right angles unless otherwise approved by the City. Street intersections shall be separated by not less than one hundred twenty-five (125) feet as measured from the intersecting right-of-way lines.
(2) Street layout. The street layout shall form an interconnected system of streets primarily in a grid or modified pattern adapted to the topography, unique natural features, environmental constraints and peripheral open space areas. The street layout shall emphasize the location of neighborhood focus points, other internal open space areas, gateways and vistas. The use of cul-de-sacs and other roadways with a single point of access shall be minimized. The integration of traffic calming features within and adjacent to residential areas shall be utilized when appropriate. All streets shall be designed with snow removal taken into consideration.
(3) Visibility at intersections. No shrubs, ground cover, berms, fences, structures, or other materials or items greater than thirty (30) inches in height shall be planted, created or maintained at street intersections within the site distance triangle. Trees shall not be planted in the site distance triangle.
(4) Pedestrian crossings at street intersections and mid-block. Pedestrian crossings shall be accessible to handicapped individuals and mid-block crossings may be required at the direction of the Board of Trustees.
(5) Horizontal alignment. Horizontal alignment shall provide for the safety of pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists. The street pattern shall be the most advantageous to serve the adjoining areas.
(6) Vertical alignment. No vertical grade shall be less than four-tenths percent (0.04%) in order to facilitate adequate drainage. The maximum percent of street grade, except as approved by the City Engineer, shall be five percent (5%). Street grades shall not exceed four percent (4%) for a distance extending at least forty (40) feet in each direction from a street intersection.
(7) Access. Access to all subdivisions should be from a public street system. Driveways shall be discouraged to have direct access to arterials or state highways (Principal Arterials).
(8) Street right-of-way dedication. The full width of right-of-way for all streets being platted must be dedicated to the City and the streets shall be completed to City standards before acceptance by the City. The subdivider shall finalize an agreement with the City which guarantees the construction of the street to City standards.
(9) Perimeter streets. When a street is dedicated which ends on the plat, the street right-of-way must be dedicated to the boundary of the plat.
(c) Street standards. The width of street right-of-way and the design of the street it contains shall be designed by an engineer and approved by the City Engineer.
(1) Local streets.
a. Local streets shall generally follow a modified grid pattern adapted to the topography, unique natural features, environmental constraints and peripheral open space areas. These streets shall generally parallel the arterial and collector street system, provide a variety of route options, interconnect to allow traffic to disperse in an equitable manner and be as narrow as possible without sacrificing the ability to accommodate expected traffic and services.
b. Right-of-way requirements for local streets with detached sidewalk: Fifty (50) feet of right-of-way.
(2) Alleys.
a. Alleys shall be treated as public ways, and any lot having access from an alley shall also front upon a public street.
b. Garages, accessory dwellings above garages and rear yards may access the collector and local street system via an alley with minimal travel through other land uses.
c. Right-of-way requirements for residential alleys: Fifteen (15) feet of right-of-way.
d. Right-of-way requirements for commercial/industrial alley: Fifteen (15) feet of right-of-way.
(Ord. 395 §3, 2016)