A. Application: All plats shall comply with the design standards set forth in this section.
B. Community Unit Development: The design standards of this section may be modified in the case of a plan utilizing an unusual concept of development which meets the requirements of Minnesota state law. The community unit development provision is intended to encourage original and imaginative subdivision design which preserves the natural amenities of the site and provides for the general welfare of the city. All modification of the subdivision regulations shall conform with the community unit development requirements of the title 11 of this code.
C. Dedication Of Lands For Public Purposes:
1. Utilities And Roads: The developer shall dedicate a reasonable portion of the subdivision to the public for use as public streets, roads, sewers, electric, gas and water facilities, storm water drainage and holding areas for ponds and similar utilities and improvements.
2. Parks, Playgrounds; Cash In Lieu: In addition, at the option of the city council, the developer shall dedicate a reasonable portion of the subdivision to the public, or preserve the same for public use, such as parks, playgrounds, trails or open space; provided, however, that the city may choose, at its option, to accept an equivalent amount in cash from the developer for all or part of the portion required to be dedicated for such public use, based upon the fair market value of the land no later than at the time of final approval. Any cash payments received hereunder shall be placed in a special fund which shall be used only for the purpose of acquisition of additional open spaces described herein or maintenance thereof.
3. Considerations: In determining what is a reasonable portion of the subdivision to be dedicated, the city council shall consider all relevant factors relating to the subdivision, including the additional burden to be placed upon city's public facilities as set forth herein.
D. Natural Features: Existing natural features which would add value to the subdivision and the city such as trees, steep slopes, watercourses, historic spots and similar irreplaceable assets, shall be preserved, insofar as possible, through harmonious design of the subdivision.
E. Streets: The city council shall not approve any plat unless all streets shown thereon are designed and located as to accommodate the probable volume of traffic thereon, afford adequate light and air, facilitate fire protection, provide access of fire fighting equipment to buildings, and provide a coordinated system of streets conforming to the city street plan; and shall specifically comply with the following:
1. Access To Major Street: In the case of subdivision for commercial, industrial and public purposes, no street giving access upon a major street, shall be located closer than three hundred feet (300') along the same side of such major street, to any other driveway, public or private street in the same or another subdivision.
2. Local Streets: Local streets shall be so planned as to discourage through traffic.
3. Cul-De-Sacs: Cul-de-sacs shall normally not be longer than four hundred feet (400'), including a turnaround which shall be provided at the closed end with an outside curb radius of at least forty feet (40') and a right of way radius of not less than fifty feet (50').
4. Alleys: Alleys shall not be provided in residential districts, but shall be included in commercial and industrial areas where needed for loading and unloading or access purposes.
5. Parallel Streets: The minimum distance between centerlines of parallel or approximately parallel streets intersecting a cross street from opposite directions shall be one hundred twenty five feet (125').
6. Intersections: Intersections of more than two (2) streets at one point shall be avoided.
7. Dead End Streets: Dead end streets shall be prohibited unless provided with a turnaround or cul-de-sac arrangement.
8. Right Of Way Requirements: Right of way requirements may be increased for specific thoroughfares if existing or anticipated traffic flow warrants it, or if drainage easements parallel such thoroughfares. Such increased width will be set by the city council after recommendation of the planning commission and engineer.
9. Minimum Widths: Minimum right of way widths, paving widths, angle of intersection, curb radius, horizontal alignments, vertical alignments, as well as maximum grades shall be in accordance with the following table:
STREET DESIGN STANDARDS
Major Streets | Local Streets | Cul-De-Sac | Pedestrian/ Bikeway |
Major Streets | Local Streets | Cul-De-Sac | Pedestrian/ Bikeway | |
Right of way width | 80 feet | 60 feet | 50 feet | 10 feet |
Paving width | 44 feet | 36 feet | 28 feet | 8 feet |
Maximum grade | 3 percent | 5 percent | 5 percent | Subject to approval of city engineer |
Minimum angle for intersection | 90 degrees | 70 degrees | 70 degrees | Subject to approval of city engineer |
Minimum curb radius | 35 feet | 12 feet | 12 feet | Subject to approval of city engineer |
Horizontal alignment (Minimum radii of centerline) | Subject to approval of city engineer | |||
Vertical curves (Minimum sight distance) | 500 feet | 200 feet | 100 feet | |
F. Blocks: Blocks shall ordinarily not exceed five hundred feet (500') in length. Where it is necessary for blocks to exceed this length, pedestrianways and/or easements may be required near the center of the block.
G. Lots: The lot and yard sizes shall conform with the requirement of the city zoning regulations and the lot shall be designed in accord with the following design standards:
1. Access: Every lot shall be provided with access adequate for the use of public safety vehicles and other public and private street system, improved in accordance with this chapter and connected to the general street system.
2. Side Lot Lines: Side lines of lots shall be approximately right angles to straight streets and on radial lines on curved streets. Some variation of this rule is permissible, but pointed or very irregular lots shall be avoided unless it is clearly evident that such variations shall improve the overall neighborhood design.
3. Double Frontage Lots: Double frontage lots shall be avoided.
4. Future Subdivision: When a tract is subdivided into larger than required building lots and there is no covenant preventing resubdivision of the lots, such lots or parcels shall be so arranged as to permit a logical location and opening of future streets and resubdividing with provisions for adequate utility connections for each subdivision.
H. Easements: Easements shall be required at a minimum of twenty feet (20'). Where a subdivision is traversed by a watercourse, there shall be provided a storm water easement or drainage right of way of width sufficient for the purpose.
I. Water And Sewer Systems: The water supply and sewage disposal systems for the subdivision shall meet the design standards and requirements of the city and all regulations promulgated by the Minnesota department of health. (Ord. 217, 3-2-1992)