6.12.6.   Easements
Easements for drainage or utilities may be required where necessary, and shall be provided in accordance with the following:
   A.   Locations.
      1.   Such easements shall be placed along side or rear property lines where practicable.
      2.   Easements shall center along or be adjacent to a common property line where practicable.
      3.   Redesign of the lot arrangements may be required to meet extreme conditions.
   B.   Utilities.
      1.   Power or Communications. Where alleys are not provided, easements (of not less than ten feet in width) shall be provided adjacent to public rights-of-way or in such other locations as may be directed by the Planning Department for poles, wires, or conduits for electrical utilities, natural gas service, or telephone services.
      2.   Potable Water. Easements of at least 20 feet in width, as centered on the pipe, shall be provided for public potable water supply systems in locations as may be directed by the Planning Department for water distribution lines, water meters, and access points.
      3.   Sanitary Sewer. Easements of at least 30 feet in width, as centered on the pipe, shall be provided for public sanitary sewer systems in locations as may be directed by the Planning Department for sewer collection lines and access points.
      4.   Easement Upsizing. The Planning Director may increase the easement widths for public water and sewer services based on the size of the line, the required depth of the line, or the need to remain clear of other utilities.
   C.   Drainage.
      1.   Provision of drainage facilities to maintain the established flow of off-site water through any property to be subdivided shall be the responsibility of the subdivider.
      2.   No subdivision shall block or obstruct the natural drainage of an adjoining area.
      3.   Easements, when required for drainage of the area to be subdivided, shall be of such width as is necessary to permit proper construction and maintenance of the drainage facilities required to drain the area properly.
      4.   Open channel drainage easements shall be of a minimum width of 10 feet.
      5.   Drainage easements containing piped stormwater facilities shall be at least 20 feet in width.
      6.   The Planning Director may require drainage easements up to 50 feet in width as necessary in the public interest.
      7.   Easements of greater width may be required along the lines of or across lots where necessary for storm drainage, channels, surface overflow or for the extension of main sewers or similar utilities and when necessary for adequate separation of specific utilities.
      8.   Existing natural drainage shall be retained or adequately relocated.
   D.   Maintenance.
      1.   All easements for drainage or utilities shall be cleared of undergrowth, trees, and other obstructions prior to approval of the final plat unless Planning Director certifies in writing that such clearance is unnecessary.
      2.   Clearance is not required for easements that are provided for possible future use.
      3.   Easements for stormwater management facilities and stormwater drainage systems located outside the street right-of-way shall be maintained by an owners' association, and maintenance responsibility for these features shall be indicated on the final plat.
   E.   Identification. All easements shall be granted in favor of the Town of Zebulon, the State of North Carolina, the appropriate utility provider, an owners' association, as appropriate, and shall be shown and clearly labeled on the final plat.
(Ord. 2020-36, passed 12-2-2019)