Easements shall be designed to implement the Comprehensive Plan and to comply with the following standards:
(a) Pedestrian Ways. Pedestrian easements, when provided, shall be at least twelve feet wide. Such easements shall be required across blocks or at the end of cul-de- sac streets to provide access to business areas, schools, open spaces, or other public facilities to which convenient pedestrian circulation has not been provided by the street pattern. Landscaping, sidewalks, fencing, and screening of pedestrian ways may be required by the Planning Commission.
(b) Utility Easements. Where utilities are not located in a street right-of-way, an easement at least fifteen feet wide, but preferably twenty feet wide, shall be located on the center of rear lot lines, or on side lot lines where necessary. Easements in a front yard may be approved by the Engineer and the Planning Commission and shall not be more than ten feet wide.
(c) Drainage Ways. Where a subdivision is traversed by a drainage way, channel, or stream, a drainage easement which includes such a watercourse shall be provided. Such easement shall be at least twenty feet wide, or an additional width determined by the City Engineer, so as to adequately contain the top of the banks on either side, and shall provide adequate maintenance accessibility. Insofar as possible, rear lot lines shall be planned along such drainage ways. The area of a lot which is devoted to drainage easements shall not be included in the calculation of the minimum lot area. Other drainage standards are set forth in the improvement standards.
(d) Easement Layouts. Easement layouts shall conform with lot lines where possible. On easements granted to the City, no structures or features of any kind shall be constructed that may be damaged by or hinder normal City access thereto or maintenance thereof, unless the City is held harmless for any subsequent damage thereto by reason of the City's actions.
(Ord. 24-97. Passed 10-14-97; Ord. 75-2005. Passed 10-11-05.)