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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem #1 Arterial/Collector Buffering & Sidewalk Standards440d't\ CHUBBUCK 1 0 0 H 0 Memo To: Honorable Mayor & City Council Community Services Department 290 E Linden Ave., Chubbuck, ID 83202 208.237.2430 www.CityofChubbuck.us From: Devin Hillam, Community Services Director ID 7 Date: December 20, 2022 Re: Discussion about Arterial/Collector Buffering & Sidewalk Standards Summary Request Please have reviewed this memo and the attached drafted code change proposal regarding sidewalk construction and buffer lots on arterial and collector streets. Strii(ethre gh-s indicate section of existing code proposed to be deleted. Underlines indicate new proposed sections of code. Background Information A major focus on the Council and City staff in recent years has been to increase walkability throughout our community to decongest the roadways, promote healthier living and alternative ways to commute without needing to always rely on a vehicle, and to provide safer, more comfortable recreational opportunities. While we have succeeded in building a new pathway on New Day Parkway and are seeing the development on walkable new subdivisions in the New Day area, existing city code contains policies which continue to build long-term land developments that hinder walkability efforts, and which ultimately result in perceived City responsibilities for maintenance in summer (weed removal) and winter (snow removal). J:\Administration\Community Services Dept Admin\Memos to Council\12.19.22 memo re buffer lots and sidewalks.docx 1 Concern #1: Existing City Code regarding frontage on 2 non -intersecting streets. Section 16.12.030 of City Code states: "Lots having frontage on two (2) nonintersecting streets shall be prohibited except where necessary, as determined by the Community Services Director, by topographic or other unusual conditions." In practice, this code has proven historically difficult for the City to follow in part, we believe, because there was no alternative or solution for when these types of lots are needed due to lot layout. Due to the need to create developments that access from arterials from a design logistics standpoint, the City has allowed lots such as shown above all over the city and has generally relied on section 16.12.040.A of City Code that states: "The adjacent landowner shall landscape and maintain all areas within the street right of way, not covered by pavement, curb, gutter or pedestrian walk. Trees and shrubs higher than three feet (3) from the surface of the ground shall not be planted or allowed to grow within forty feet (40) of the street intersection on a corner lot." While great in wishing theory, in reality the truth is that of course in many circumstances, property owners with frontage on 2 non -intersecting streets do not maintain the landscaping behind their rear fences, nor do they ensure that pedestrian walks are kept in good passable order- these lots simply don't have quick and convenient access to do so and are out of sight, out of mind (as shown in red outlines below). J:\Administration\Community Services Dept Admin\Memos to Council\12.19.22 memo re buffer lots and sidewalks.docx 2 e R .�.�40 As a result of this bad historical development policy, we have numerous properties around the City with sidewalks and landscaping areas behind their rear fences (typically) that are simply forgotten about (despite the pollyannish hope that property owners who front them will maintain them season round). I want to be clear- I don't believe this is the fault of the property owners; this is the fault of bad policy. Thus, below are images of what these spaces can turn into in winter and summer: Lot owners' Public Road J:\Administration\Community Services Dept Admin\Memos to Council\12.19.22 memo re buffer lots and sidewalks.docx 3 Property Line 1 Sidewalk Public Road 1 � - (Sidewalks are not passable after snow to pedestrians typically unless City removes snow) J:\Administration\Community Services Dept Admin\Memos to Council\12.19.22 memo re buffer lots and sidewalks.docx 4 (Weeds between fences and sidewalks, weeds in landscape/swales. Landscape strip is within the right-of-way) Because bad policy has created these out -of -mind, out -of -sight spaces that under the strict terms of the code are the responsibility to maintain of the adjoining landowner and they don't maintain them as called for in code, it is the City who typically must remove snow, remove weeds, trim trees, fix sidewalks, etc. (unless thankfully from the space in the above photo an awesome group of community volunteers assist as they did last year there). Thus, bad policy has an operational, fiscal cost to the City's general tax liability. Without standards, sidewalks are J:\Administration\Community Services Dept Admin\Memos to Council\12.19.22 memo re buffer lots and sidewalks.docx placed directly against backs of sidewalks or directly against busy roads (and sometimes both in the case of some sections of Chubbuck Road), thus create a sidewalk where pedestrians are forced into uncomfortable "tunnels" of noise and exposure. We recommend a solution to the issues through amending existing code to adopt policies similar to what several other communities in Idaho are already doing- required a separate lot that separates the private lots from the public right-of-way and assign maintenance in perpetuity to a non -city party (like an HOA)- in the code proposal we call these spaces "buffer lots". Much of the code proposal in the attachment for these buffer lots mirrors policies and the built environment from Ada County, Meridian, and the City of Idaho Falls. In the image below, the left-hand side provides a clear overview of property lines as laid over the aerial parcel viewer image; the image on the shows areas between the road and the residential lots that are either in or out of the right-of-way, but all maintained by the HOA, including sidewalks and landscaping. IL J:\Administration\Community Services Dept Admin\Memos to Council\12.19.22 memo re buffer lots and sidewalks.docx 6 The image below demonstrates what these property ownerships turns into at the street view level, again with the landscaping and sidewalks being maintained by the HOA: Concern #2: Sidewalk Width and Commercial Connectivity Sidewalks in the City are typically between four to five feet (4-5') wide and there are no standards that prohibit the placement of structures, like fences against sidewalks, nor are there requirements for wider sidewalks when placed against busy roads. In some parts of the City, there are existing sidewalks that barely exceed three feet (3') in width, even along busy roads! These policies, as they stand, inhibit walkability in the City by creating uncomfortable non -motorized experiences. Both the FHWA and Institute of Transportation Engineers recommend a minimum width of five feet (5') for sidewalks or walkways, which allows two people to walk side-by-side or pass comfortably. Moreover, as we make strides to move people from one place to another in the city on a pedestrian walk network, if they cannot safety access businesses, it is all for nought. For years the design review committee has been requesting that developers install identified walkways from streetside sidewalks to building entrances and now, we ask to make it a requirement. Our recommended proposal helps promote walkability by requiring increased sidewalk widths and access to nonresidential uses, on all classifications of streets- local, collector, and arterial to create a true walkable network. J:\Administration\Community Services Dept Admin\Memos to Council\12.19.22 memo re buffer lots and sidewalks.docx 7 DRAFT ARTERIAL AND COLLECTOR BUFFERING 12.14.22 16.12.020 Q. Pedestrian walks on both sides of the street, vithi^ the Street Fight ofwa�-,together with concrete curbs and gutters, approved by the city, and paved vehicular traffic area, shall be required on all streets in a proposed development. Sidewalk width and placement standards are: 1. Pedestrian walks, including concrete sidewalks or asphalt paths are permitted in either the right-of-way or on private property provided a public easement is provided which encompasses the entire area from the right-of-way to two feet (2') behind the back edge of the walkway. Pedestrian walks shall either be located wholly within the public right-of-way or wholly within an easement. 2. If pedestrian walks are located adjacent to the curb of an adjacent arterial or collector road, the improved walking surface shall be seven feet (7') wide (minimum). 3. If pedestrian walks are located more than six feet (6') behind the curb of an adjacent arterial or collector road, the improved walking surface shall be five feet (5') wide (minimum). Wider separated walks may be required for separated pathways as determined by the Functional Classification Road map. Separated pedestrian walkways are on these higher classification streets are preferred by the City. 4. Pedestrian walks along local streets shall be at least five feet (5') wide whether adjacent to the curb or separated therefrom. S. Meandering pedestrian walks are conducive to desire paths and are inefficient for the non - motorized traveler and except to avoid an existing tree or to address an unusual condition like a topographical or geological feature, pedestrian walks shall be designed and built to be as straight as possible. 6. Pedestrian walks, including at road intersections or other crossings, must meet standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the ISPWC. 7. Pedestrian walks for nonresidential uses: a. A continuous internal pedestrian walk that is a minimum of five feet (5') in width shall be provided from the perimeter sidewalk to the main building entrance. The walkway width shall be maintained clear of any obstructions, such as vehicles, outdoor sale displays, vending machines, or temporary structures. b. The internal pedestrian walk shall be distinguished from the vehicular driving surface through the use of pavers, different material such as concrete, colored or scored concrete, or bricks. c. Alternative compliance from subsections 7.a and 7.b may be obtained if: i. The location of existing buildings or structures prevents conformance with standards of this section, or ii. Strict adherence to such standards would create inconsistency in the design objectives of the proposed development. iii. If the Public Works Director determines that either exists, the Director may consider an alternative design proposal that promotes walkabilitv on the site and is not detrimental to public health, safety, or welfare. 16.12.030 I. Lots having frontage on two (2) nonintersecting streets are permitted only in conformance with the following standards shall be n .,hibite.d pt yApre necepessaFy,deteFFnined by the publi . ,. „rk s All commercial and industrial lots which are desired to have frontage onto a nonintersecting street of any functional classification shall comply with landscaping requirements established in Title 18 and shall comply with access management requirements established in Titles 16 and 17. This requirement shall not be construed to conflict with any additional depth or landscaped buffer requirements When residential lots are desired to have frontage onto a nonintersecting arterial or collector street, such lots shall be separated from the street by a separate non -buildable, landscaped lot (heretofore called "buffer lot"), in accordance with the following standards: a. Buffer lots in residential subdivisions shall be on a common lot. maintained in Perpetuity by a homeowners' association. b. Buffer lots shall be covered in their entirety by a public access/use easement. c. Review and approval of buffer lot designs, including landscaping shall occur at final or short plat plan review and any significant modifications after platting shall require review and approval by the Public Works Director. d. Buffer lots along arterials shall be at least twenty feet (25') in width from the edge of right-of-way to the nearest residential property line. e. Buffer lots along collectors shall be at least twenty feet (15') in width from the edge of right-of-way to the nearest property line. f. Buffer lots shall create effective bufferine between the roads and residential lots throueh an effective combination of earth berms and/or veLyetation. i. Where the buffer lot is encumbered by easements or other restrictions, the buffer lot area shall include a minimum five foot (5') wide area for planting of trees and shrubs. ii. Trees and other vegetation or sign placement shall include consideration for vehicle sight triangles, streetlights, and traffic control devices. iii. All areas not devoted to trees or shrubs shall be planted with grass, ground cover including mulch, river rock, or similar materials constructed of natural materials), or other live landscape treatments. The use of drought -tolerant plantings and designs is strongly encouraged. iv. Berms may be used and have no heieht limit: however. the slope of the berm shall not exceed a 3:1 ratio. The height of a fence/wall that is placed on top of the berm is limited to 6 feet and must be located outside of the buffer lot. Berms shall not inhibit the vehicle sight triangle. v. All landscaped areas shall be provided with an underground irrigation system sufficient to maintain life and growth through the growing season. vi. No structures, including fences and walls or outdoor seating, are permitted in buffer lots except for subdivision identification signs. In residential zones, the maximum allowed background area shall not exceed 50 square feet nor shall it exceed 6 feet in height. In non-residential zones, residential subdivision identification signs shall not exceed 150 square feet and shall not exceed 10 feet in height. If lighting of the signs is desired, it shall be screened from upward transmission into the night sky and shall be limited to only illuminate the sign. 1. Exemption: Above ground utility lines which cannot be located underground due to size are allowed within buffer lots and may be located within three feet (3') from sidewalk edges. g. Buffer lots are required to have 1 deciduous tree planted and maintained every fifty feet (50'), the like of which shall be in accordance with the City's approved tree list. Trees in buffer lots, including those in parkway strips between the road and the sidewalk, shall be at least 5 feet from the curb and from sidewalks. When infeasible because of a sight triangle or other conflict, the trees shall be placed as close as possible to the required fifty -foot (50') distance. Trees may be located in the between the street and sidewalks or pathways. Trees shall be of at least two-inch (2") caliper at breast height and evergreen trees shall be at least six feet (6') in height when planted. No evergreen or non -street trees shall be planted within the buffer lot because of safety, sight distance, and maintenance concerns. h. Buffer lots shall not contain any swales unless they meet the following standards: i. Swales do not exceed twelve inches (12") in storage depth; ii. Swales are separated from back of sidewalk by a minimum of two feet (2'); iii. Rapid sand infiltration windows shall be integrated for timely drainage of stormwater; and iv. No infiltration basins are allowed. i. To promote nonvehicular transportation on sidewalks and paths, no shrubs, trees, fences, or other features shall be allowed to be placed, or grow, within three feet (3') from any sidewalk edge. j. Shrubs in buffer lots shall be limited to three feet (3') high or less at mature size to allow for safety provisions and sight distance. k. Access to residential lots through buffer lots to the residential lot is strictly prohibited. No residential lot shall have frontage on any two (2) nonintersecting streets where all streets are classified as local except where necessary due to unusual topography as determined by the Public Works Director. If circumstances are deemed necessary, buffer lots are required which meet the requirements for collectors as set forth above.