(A) Intent. The standards set forth in this subchapter shall be considered the minimum standards for streets, roads, and intersections.
(B) Street location and arrangement.
(1) Street Plan. The subdivision of land for the dedication of land for streets, highways, and alleys shall conform to the Major Street Plan as adopted by the Planning Commission.
(2) Local or minor streets. The streets shall be so arranged as to discourage their use by through traffic. Nevertheless, dead-end streets are prohibited except those designed as cul-de-sacs and those required for future access to adjacent unplatted properties. Temporary turn-around arrangements for stubbed dead-end streets to unplatted properties may be required.
(3) Street continuation and extension. The arrangement of streets shall provide for continuation of existing streets from adjoining areas into the new subdivision, unless otherwise approved. Streets shall be arranged with respect to topography so as to result in usable lots, safe streets, and reasonable gradients.
(4) Alleys. Alleys shall not be permitted in plats in areas intended for single- or two-family residential development. Alleys may be provided in commercial subdivisions. Dead-end alleys shall be prohibited.
(5) Marginal access streets. Where a subdivision abuts or contains an arterial street, the city may require a marginal access street approximately parallel to the arterial streets, or other treatment as it deems necessary for adequate protection for residential properties and local access, and to afford separation of through and local traffic.
(6) Cul-de-sac streets. Cul-de-sac streets shall not extend more than 700 feet from the centerline of the nearest intersecting street. Special consideration shall be given to longer cul-de-sacs under unfavorable topographical conditions or other unusual circumstances. Cul-de-sac streets shall terminate with an adequate turn-around with a minimum right-of-way diameter of 120 feet.
(7) Half streets. Half streets shall be prohibited, except where unusual circumstances make it essential to the reasonable development of a tract in conformance with these regulations and where satisfactory assurance for dedication of the remaining part of the street is provided. Whenever a tract to be subdivided borders on an existing street or partial street, the other part of the street shall be dedicated within the plat.
(8) Shape. In an attempt to provide a more pleasing appearance and an attractive vista and to discourage excessive vehicular speeds, residential streets shall be curvelinear.
(9) Compliance. All proposed plats shall be in general conformance with the city’s Street Plan and Master Plan.
(C) Specifications.
(1) ROW width. Right-of-way widths shall conform to the adopted Major Street Plan and shall not be less than the following:
(a) Arterial streets, 66 feet;
(b) Collector streets, 60 feet;
(c) Local streets, 60 feet;
(d) Cul-de-sac streets, 60 feet; and
(e) Alleys, 20 feet.
(2) Inadequate width. If a subdivision abuts or contains an existing right-of-way of inadequate width, the city may require that the proprietor dedicate additional right-of-way for the widening of the right-of-way.
(3) Increased width. The city may require right-of-way greater than that provided for above, to assure public safety with regard to subdivision access, traffic circulation, and parking in the subdivision.
(4) Railroad ROW. Whenever a subdivision abuts or contains a railroad right-of-way, a parallel street bordering on or parallel to the railroad right-of-way shall be provided to serve as an interceptor street for minor streets, as determined by the city. Between the street and the railroad there shall be a strip of land of width not less than the depth of one lot which may be used in residential districts as a park, but may be used for business or industrial purposes in appropriate districts.
(5) Street gradients. Local streets shall have minimum and maximum grades of 0.3% and 8%, respectively, and collector and arterial streets shall have minimum and maximum grades of 0.49% and 5%, respectively; provided, however, that the gradient standards may be modified in individual cases by the city.
(6) Street curvature. The minimum horizontal centerline radii of curved local streets shall be 200 feet. Greater radii may be required for collector or principal streets having through traffic. A minimum tangent of 75 feet shall be introduced between reversed curves of streets of 66 feet right-of-way. Greater tangent widths may be required based on the functional classification of the street.
(7) Street intersections. Multiple intersections involving the junction of more than two streets are prohibited. Curved streets, intersecting with major thoroughfares and collector streets shall do so with a tangent section of centerline not less than 50 feet in length, measured from the right-of-way line of the major or collector street.
(8) Horizontal alignment. Centerline of pavement shall coincide with the centerline of the right-of-way, except for irregular right-of-way widths, or as otherwise allowed by the city.
(D) Intersections. Streets shall intersect at 90 degrees, or as closely thereto as feasible but in no case at less than 80 degrees; provided, however, that this standard may be modified in individual cases by the city.
(E) Sight distances. A subdivision street which intersects with primary highways must make provision for adequate and safe sight distances.
(F) Centerline offsets. Street jogs at intersections shall be avoided. Where jogs are unavoidable, street centerlines shall be offset by a distance of 150 feet or more.
(G) Crosswalks and pedestrian walkways. Rights-of-way for crosswalks and pedestrian walkways shall be required where necessary to obtain convenient pedestrian circulation, and shall extend through the blocks in question, unless otherwise allowed by the city. The city may require the proprietor to pave and fence the crosswalk area.
(1993 Code, § 153.30) Penalty, see § 152.999