(A) Easements of not less than ten feet in width shall be provided on each side of all rear lot lines, and alongside lot lines where necessary for storm and sanitary sewers, water and drainage swales. Separate rear and side lot easements are required for other public utilities. Easements of greater width may be required for adequate access along or across lots when necessary for the extension of main sewers where both water and sewer lines are located in the same easement, at the discretion of the City Engineer. Easements of not less than 15 feet in width shall be provided in front of all lots for sanitary sewer, water and other utilities.
(B) Adequate easements for storm water drainage shall be established along any natural drainage channel and in such other locations as may be necessary to provide satisfactory disposal of storm water from streets, alleys and all other portions of the subdivision. The location and minimum widths of such easements shall be determined by the City Engineer.
(C) No private tree, shrub, fence, building, other structure or sprinkler system shall be placed or erected in any easement for utility, access or drainage purposes, except at the owner’s risk as to all costs for demolition, removal and reconstruction. The proper authorities may have free access to and use of the easements at any time. No fence or structure shall impede the free flow of surface water across any lot with an easement.
(D) No brick mailboxes, decorative walls, sprinkler systems, private landscaping or other permanent structure protruding above the natural ground level shall be located within any easement or public rights-of-way unless authorized by the City Engineer, and only at the owner’s risk as to all costs for demolition, removal and reconstruction.
(E) All easements shall be aligned such that existing, and any future, utilities or drainage facilities can be extended beyond the boundaries of the subdivision.
(F) Where a subdivision is traversed by a natural watercourse, drainageway, wetland, channel or stream, there shall be provided a drainage easement, conforming substantially to the lines of such watercourse. It shall include an additional width, adjoining both edges of the established area that encompasses the 100-year floodplain. Required width shall be approved by the City Engineer.
(G) All utility distribution lines for telephone and electric service shall be installed underground within general utility easements and dedicated public rights-of-way.
(H) Easements shall be clearly identified on all plats (e.g., drainage easement or utility easement). Easements shall be marked noting location, width and nature of the easement.
(I) No utility pedestals or transformers shall be located within 15 feet of city utilities.
(J) All easements for city utilities shall be in such form as approved by the city and shown as such on the plat. All other easements shall include the city as a beneficiary and shall be shown on such plat in such form as approved by the city.
(Ord. 3319, passed 2-22-2005)