Chapter 18.80
STREETS AND DRIVEWAYS
Sections:
18.80.000 Adoption of standard specifications.
18.80.005 Highway access management – Administrative process.
18.80.010 Street standards.
18.80.020 Plans and specifications.
18.80.030 Storm drainage.
18.80.040 Surfacing and base preparation.
18.80.050 Utilities.
18.80.060 Driveway and curb cut requirements.
18.80.070 Street slope requirements.
18.80.000 Adoption of standard specifications.
The documents listed in this section are adopted by this reference subject to changes made in this chapter. The city clerk and city engineer shall keep these documents on file for public review. All new public works construction shall conform to the standards contained in these documents. The reconstruction of existing facilities shall conform to the standards as closely as is practical and economically feasible.
A. Public Works Construction. All public works construction undertaken by the city with funds provided by the state of Washington, all projects for which the use of such specifications are required by the state and all projects for which said specifications are required by order of the city engineer, shall be undertaken in accordance with the standards contained in Standard Specifications for Road, Bridge and Municipal Construction prepared by the Washington State Department of Transportation and the American Public Works Association, Washington State Chapter, as the same exists or as hereafter amended, along with any amendments and general special provisions (GSP) promulgated thereunder. Increased requirements may be imposed as a result of EPA requirements or when ordered by the city engineer in the interest of the public health, safety and welfare.
B. Major and Secondary Arterial Streets. Streets defined as major arterials and/or secondary arterials by the definitions established in RCW 35.78.010 shall be constructed and/or reconstructed in accordance with the Washington State “City Design Standards” as prepared by the state of Washington Design Standard Committee. [Ord. 2713, 1989; Ord. 2475, 1985; Ord. 2264, 1982].
18.80.005 Highway access management – Administrative process.
The following state statutes, including all future amendments, are adopted by reference:
A. Chapter 47.50 RCW Highway Access Management Act, and Chapter 468-51 WAC which codifies the procedural requirements of Chapter 47.50 RCW. [Ord. 3018 § 1, 1995].
18.80.010 Street standards.
The standards for all street construction other than designated major and secondary arterial streets constructed in accordance with ECDC 18.80.000(B) shall be as shown in the Table of Street Standards below. The public works director shall prepare drawings illustrating the street standards. Sidewalk standards and requirements are contained in ECDC 18.90.030.
|
Zone |
Number of Lots or Units |
Minimum R.O.W.* Width |
Pavement Width |
Curbs Gutters |
Dead End Reqrmts |
|
RS-20 |
1 – 2 |
15′4 |
12′4 |
No1 |
Turn ar'd |
|
RS-12 |
1 – 2 |
15′4 |
12′4 |
No1 |
“ |
|
RS-8, 6 |
1 – 2 |
15′4 |
12′4 |
Yes2 |
“ |
|
RM, B, C |
1 – 2 |
15′4 |
12′4 |
Yes2 |
“ |
|
RS-20 |
3 – 4 |
20′4 |
16′4 |
No1 |
“ |
|
RS-12 |
3 – 4 |
20′4 |
16′4 |
No1 |
“ |
|
RS-8, 6 |
3 – 4 |
20′4 |
16′4 |
Yes2 |
“ |
|
RM, B, C |
3 – 4 |
30′ |
22′ |
Yes2 |
“ |
|
RS-20 |
5 – 9 |
30′ |
20′ |
Yes2 |
“ |
|
RS-12 |
5 – 9 |
30′ |
20′ |
Yes2 |
“ |
|
RS-8, 6 |
5 – 9 |
30′ |
20′ |
Yes2 |
“ |
|
RM, B, C |
5 – 9 |
30′ |
22′ |
Yes2 |
“ |
|
RS-20 |
10 – 15 |
40′ |
22′ |
Yes2 |
cul/sac |
|
RS-12 |
10 – 15 |
40′ |
22′ |
Yes3 |
“ |
|
RS-8, 6 |
10 – 15 |
40′ |
22′ |
Yes3 |
“ |
|
RM, B, C |
10 – 15 |
40′ |
22′ |
Yes3 |
“ |
|
All |
16+ |
Dependent on Design |
|
Yes3 |
“ |
* Or easement; additional width shall be required in accordance with the provisions of the city's official street map and/or sidewalk plan under the city's comprehensive plan.
Notes:
1 Asphaltic concrete if needed for drainage (thickened edge or curbs).
2 Asphaltic concrete (thickened edge or curbs).
3 Portland cement concrete (vertical or rolled).
4 If the fire chief and public works director can demonstrate that the fire fighting or rescue operations may be impaired by limited roadway width, the right-of-way width and paving requirements for a street or access easement may be increased and/or additional paved or graveled shoulders required. Both such decisions shall be staff decisions rendered and appealable as provided in ECDC 20.95.050.
5 Paving of rights-of-way or easements by the city for the sole purpose of stormwater control and water quality is exempt from the pavement width requirements of this table.
All streets and access easements must be paved to a minimum width of 16 feet unless otherwise provided herein and developed in accordance with the city of Edmonds' street standards, on file in the city engineer's office. This paving requirement does not pertain to alleys as defined in ECDC 21.05.025.
The right-of-way and paving requirements will apply to any property upon subdivision or for multi-family or commercial purposes. They shall not be required for the development of a single residential (RS-single-family) lot on an existing street or access easement unless development impacts are required to be mitigated as a condition of SEPA approval or of issuance of a variance, conditional use permit, or other grant of permit requiring compliance with the provisions of the Edmonds Comprehensive Plan. [Ord. 3594 § 1, 2006; Ord. 2713, 1989; Ord. 2528, 1985].
18.80.020 Plans and specifications.
A. Required. A plan and profile of the proposed street, showing the following data, shall be submitted to the public works director for approval before construction or the issuance of a building permit for any structure within a subdivision and before construction or issuance of a building permit for any commercial or multiple residential building.
B. Plan.
1. Street alignment in stations of 100- foot intervals;
2. Bearings on street center line;
3. Curve data on all horizontal curves;
4. Right-of-way lines and widths for proposed streets and side streets;
5. All topography within the right-of-way limits including all utilities;
6. Names of all streets and adjoining subdivisions;
7. Typical roadway section of proposed street;
8. Existing and proposed drainage structures (indicate direction of flow) and easements;
9. Suggested map scale 1" = 100' or 1' = 50'.
C. Profile.
1. Original ground line;
2. Stationing intervals of 100 feet;
3. Control elevation on border of sheet;
4. Grade line showing percents and vertical curves;
5. Indicate datum used and all bench marks;
6. Profile scale shall be vertical 1' = 10' or 1' = 5'; horizontal 1" = 100' or 1' = 50'.
18.80.030 Storm drainage.
Adequate provision shall be made for storm drainage. The minimum standards for drainage shall be as approved or directed by the public works director.
18.80.040 Surfacing and base preparation.
Street surfacing and base preparation shall be in accordance with standards adopted by the public works director.
18.80.050 Utilities.
Locations for utilities shall be shown on the engineer's drawing provided for in this chapter. The public works director may authorize deviations in the case of special circumstances due to topographical configurations, existing and proposed development or other engineering considerations. Mains and service connections to all lots shall be completed prior to placing or replacing any surfacing materials. The construction of underground utilities shall conform to the Standard Specifications for Municipal Public Works Construction adopted by this chapter.
18.80.060 Driveway and curb cut requirements.
A. Permit Required. No person shall begin work on the construction alteration, repair or removal of any driveway or the paving of any parking strip on any or adjacent to any street, alley or other public place in the city, without first obtaining a permit from the public works director. Fees shall be as set forth in Chapter 15.00 ECDC.
B. Location.
1. No driveway shall be so located as to create a hazard to pedestrians, bicyclists or motorists or invite or compel illegal or unsafe traffic movements.
2. Unless otherwise approved by the public works director, all driveways including the returns shall be confined within lines perpendicular to the curb line and passing through the property corners.
3. No driveway shall be constructed in such a manner as to be a hazard to any existing street lighting standard, utility pole, traffic regulating device, or fire hydrant. The cost of relocating any such street structure when necessary to do so shall be paid by the abutting property owner. The relocation of any street structure shall be allowed only on approval of the person owning the structure involved.
4. On private property every driveway must provide access to parking structures or access specifically designated for parking purposes requiring the entrance of vehicles.
5. Downtown Business Area. Within the downtown business area of the city as defined in ECDC 17.50.070, vehicular access shall be provided from alleyways for all on-site parking whenever it is practically and reasonably available. No curb cut shall be approved where there is vehicular access to a lot in the downtown area from an existing alleyway unless the applicant demonstrates by substantial evidence that:
a. One of the following conditions exist:
i. No alleyway exists which would provide reasonable vehicular access to the subject property; or
ii. Access from an existing alleyway would substantially impair reasonable access to an abutting public street or utility because of circumstances related to site size, topography or orientation; or
iii. Access can be provided from an existing or relocated driveway or curb cut in a manner which preserves or enhances street parking; or
iv. Providing access from a point other than the alley would promote traffic safety, or otherwise better promote the purposes of the transportation element of the comprehensive plan.
b. The application complies with all other criteria of the community development code.
c. In such cases, the city engineer may then consider use of an existing common driveway or other alternative. Only when no other reasonable alternative exists for access to a property will a curb cut be approved which results in the loss of existing on-street parking. No more than one access point per lot will be permitted in the downtown business area. The city engineer's decision to approve alternative access shall be processed in accordance with ECDC 20.95.050.
C. Size and Number.
1. Except as otherwise provided, the width of any residential driveway shall not exceed 20 feet exclusive of the radii of the turns, with such measurement being made parallel with the center line of the street. Driveway approaches shall extend from the edge of the existing street a distance of 20 feet or to the edge of the property line, whichever is greater. Approaches shall be constructed of asphalt concrete pavement or an equivalent approved by the city engineer. The standard width for commercial and other nonresidential streets shall be 30 feet. At the application of the appli‑
cant or the city engineer, additional width in excess of the established standard may be approved as a staff decision to a maximum width of 40 feet. Such decision shall be made only after notice and hearing in accordance with provisions of ECDC 20.95.050. Such application shall be approved only if: (a) it conforms to the provisions of the comprehensive plan; (b) is found to be in the public interest when the needs of the applicant are reviewed and balanced in light of the benefits to the general public and the impacts, if any, on the immediate neighborhood; and (c) is consistent with or enhances public safety and will not create a hazard to vehicular, pedestrian or bicycle traffic. The public works director may authorize additional residential driveway width for three-car garages and for access driveways necessary for off-street parking or recreational vehicles.
D. Driveway Slopes.
1. Driveway slopes shall not exceed 14 percent unless authorized by the public works director as set forth below.
2. The public works director may authorize driveway slopes to exceed 14 percent, up to a maximum of 20 percent, if he determines that:
a. The driveway is the only economically and environmentally reasonable alternative;
b. The driveway will not present a traffic, pedestrian, bicycle or safety hazard;
c. The police and fire chief concur in allowing the increased driveway slope;
d. The public health, safety and general welfare will not be adversely affected.
3. The public works director shall place in the appropriate city file, a signed, written statement of findings and reasons for authorizing the driveway slope to exceed 14 percent. The statement shall also contain the maximum slope authorized up to 20 percent. [Ord. 3302 § 1, 2000; Ord. 3132 § 1, 1997; Ord. 2713, 1989].
18.80.070 Street slope requirements.
A. Street slopes shall not exceed 12 percent unless authorized by the public works director as set forth below.
B. The public works director may authorize street slopes to exceed 12 percent, up to a maximum of 15 percent, if the director determines that:
1. The street as proposed is the only economical and environmentally reasonable alternative;
2. The street as proposed will not create a traffic, pedestrian or bicycle hazard or otherwise negatively impact the safety of its use;
3. The police and fire chiefs concur in the increased street slope; and
4. The public health, safety and general welfare will not be adversely affected.
C. The public works director shall place in the appropriate city file, a signed, written statement of findings and reasons for authorizing the street slope to exceed 12 percent. The statement shall also contain the maximum slope authorized up to 15 percent. [Ord. 2731, 1989].