20D.210.20 Street and Access Standards.

20D.210.20-010 Purpose.

The purpose of this section is to establish street and access standards to implement RCDG Title 20B, Goals, Policies and Plans. (Formerly 20C.20.240(05))

20D.210.20-020 Scope.

The requirements of this section shall apply to all development in the City processed by RCDG Title 20E, Building and Construction Codes, and RCDG Title 20F, Administration and Procedures. No permit shall be issued nor approval granted without compliance with this section. (Formerly 20C.20.240(10))

20D.210.20-030 Street Classification.

Streets and rights-of-way are classified as follows:

(1) Freeways/expressways are divided arterial highways with full control of access and do not provide direct property access. Their function is traffic service.

(2) Principal arterials provide for traffic movement between major traffic generators and may connect with freeway/expressway systems and are subject to regulations for the control of parking, turning movements and access to adjoining property. Their primary function is traffic service with a secondary function of property access.

(3) Minor arterials provide for traffic movement within developed areas and between major arterial streets and collector and local access streets. They carry traffic between neighborhoods. Their function is a combination of traffic service and property access.

(4) Collector streets collect and distribute traffic between arterial streets and local access streets. They serve neighborhood traffic and provide direct access to abutting property. Their function is a combination of traffic service and property access.

(5) Local access streets provide direct access to abutting property with connections to collector and arterial streets. Their function is property access.

(6) Alleys are public passages that provide a secondary means of vehicular access to abutting lots and are not intended for general traffic circulation. Their function is property access. (Formerly 20C.20.240(15))

20D.210.20-040 Street Plan.

Streets shall be designated and located to conform to the Arterial Street Plan, the City Center Plan, and the Land Use Plan. Where not part of an adopted plan, streets shall be designed to provide for the appropriate continuation of existing principal streets in surrounding areas. Where topography or other natural conditions make such continuation impractical, street design shall conform to a system approved by the Technical Committee. (Formerly 20C.20.240(20))

20D.210.20-050 Right-of-Way Dedication.

Where a planned street right-of-way, as indicated by RCDG 20D.210.20-040 or as is necessary to complete a public City street, lies within a proposed development, it may be required to be dedicated to the City as a condition of approval under RCDG 20F.20.20-050, Application Approval. (Formerly 20C.20.240(25))

20D.210.20-060 Local Access Streets.

Local access streets may be private, subject to the approval of the City. (Formerly 20C.20.240(30))

20D.210.20-070 Construction Specifications and Design Standards.

Street and right-of-way improvement construction specifications, standardized details, and design standards shall be prepared by the Director of Public Works. The specifications shall include, but are not limited to, the following: street widths, curve radii, alignments, street layout, block size, grades, sidewalk placement and standards, length of cul-de-sacs, intersection design, sight distance and clearance, and driveway location. Amendments to these standards may be made as conditions warrant. The specifications and any amendments shall be made available to the public and become an appendix to the Development Guide. (Formerly 20C.20.240(35))

20D.210.20-080 Access.

(1) Lot Access. All lots shall have access to a public right-of-way by direct access to a right-of-way; an easement recorded with the King County Auditor which meets the standards of this section; a private drive or road which meets the standards of this section.

(2) Waterfront Access. Rights-of-way may be required to be extended to water bodies and/or the center of watercourses as land is developed to provide public access. (Formerly 20C.20.240(40))

20D.210.20-090 Traffic Control, Safety Devices and Street Lights.

As a condition of development approval, the Director of Public Works may require that all or any portion of the needed traffic control and safety markings, signs, signals, street lights, turn lanes and other devices be installed or funded. Such devices shall only be required when it is clearly demonstrated that the development itself or in conjunction with other developments is causing the need. (Formerly 20C.20.240(45))

20D.210.20-100 Optional Street Standards.

Alternative street designs may be approved by the City Council to encourage innovative designs or reduce disturbance to the natural setting if it finds that the alternative meets the intent of this section. (Formerly 20C.20.240(50))

20D.210.20-110 Other Improvements in Rights-of-Way.

Other improvements within rights-of-way may be required by the Development Guide. (Formerly 20C.20.240(55))

20D.210.20-120 Private Street Dedication.

Private streets may be dedicated to the City but only upon meeting the requirements of this section. (Formerly 20C.20.240(60))

20D.210.20-130 Performance Assurance.

To ensure compliance with this section the provisions of RCDG 20F.20.60-060, Performance Assurance, shall be met. (Formerly 20C.20.240(65))

20D.210.20-140 Street Naming and Numbering.

The Technical Committee shall name and number City streets based on the King County Street Grid System. The Technical Committee may modify the King County System to fit special City needs. (Formerly 20C.20.240(70))

20D.210.20-150 Required Off-Site Street Improvements.

It shall be a condition of approval for development permits that off-site street improvements including paving, curbs, sidewalk, storm drainage, street lights and underground utilities conforming to the standards adopted by the Technical Committee shall be installed by the applicant prior to final approval or occupancy as follows:

(1) This section shall apply to:

(a) New commercial, industrial or multi-family construction with five units or more.

(b) Subdivisions.

(c) Remodeling or additions to existing commercial or industrial buildings or conversions to these uses that increase floor area by 20 percent or greater, or any alterations or repairs which exceed 50 percent of the value of the previously existing structure.

(2) Street improvements shall as a minimum include half the street abutting the property. Additional improvements may be required to insure safe movement of traffic, such as tapering of centerline improvements into the other half of street, traffic signalization, channeling, etc.

(3) The Technical Committee may allow an exception to these requirements if the applicant demonstrates to the Technical Committee that any of the following conditions are present:

(a) The impacts of the development do not contribute to the need for the required improvement or dedication; or

(b) The required improvement or dedication is not roughly proportional to the impact from the development. The applicant shall show that the required improvement or dedication is not related either in nature or extent to impact of the proposed development; or

(c) If constructed, the use or operation of the improvements would decrease traffic safety; or

(d) The street is planned to be improved as a whole through a LID or City-financed project; or

(e) The street is within a transitional area designated by the City where LIDs may not occur or be proposed in the near future. In designated transitional areas contributions shall be made to an in-lieu fund as provided by RCDG 20D.210.20-160.

      The Technical Committee may require the applicant to furnish an interim street plan to mitigate the impacts of the development. Any interim street plan may include a covenant consenting to formation of a local improvement district, and a plan for the installation of improvements which will bring the roadway up to the existing character of surrounding streets and pedestrian facilities.

      The Technical Committee may require those improvements necessary to mitigate the impacts of the development including widening or installation of the asphalt street surface, gravel shoulder, temporary drainage facilities, walkways or bikeways. (Ord. 1875. Formerly 20C.20.240(75))

20D.210.20-160 Streets Designated in Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program.

Where a street has been designated in the Transportation Improvement Program, full improvements may be waived provided all of the following conditions are met:

(1) An adequate interim level of improvements shall be provided as determined to be necessary by the Technical Committee.

(2) A contribution shall be made to an in-lieu street construction fund. The fee shall be calculated by the Director of Public Works based on traffic impact on a fully improved street. Street construction funds contributed shall offset future assessments on the property resulting from a local improvement district.

(3) An LID covenant shall be recorded. (Formerly 20C.20.240(80))