Chapter 20.70
Engineering and Utilities
Development Standards
Sections:
Subchapter 1. General Engineering Provisions
20.70.010 Purpose.
20.70.020 Engineering Development Guide.
20.70.030 Required street improvements.
20.70.035 Required stormwater drainage facilities.
Subchapter 2. Dedications
20.70.040 Purpose.
20.70.050 Dedication of right-of-way.
20.70.060 Dedication of stormwater facilities – Drainage facilities accepted by the City.
20.70.070 Dedication of stormwater facilities – Drainage facilities not accepted by the City.
20.70.080 Dedication of open space.
20.70.090 Easements and tracts.
Subchapter 3. Streets
20.70.100 Purpose.
20.70.110 Street classification.
20.70.120 Street plan.
20.70.130 Street trees.
20.70.140 Truck routes.
20.70.150 Street naming and numbering.
20.70.160 Private streets.
20.70.170 Sight clearance at intersections – Purpose.
20.70.180 Sight clearance at intersections – Obstruction of intersection.
20.70.190 Sight clearance at intersections – Sightline setbacks for intersection types.
20.70.200 Sight clearance at intersections – Obstructions allowed.
Subchapter 4. Sidewalks, Walkways, Paths and Trails
20.70.210 Purpose.
20.70.220 Required installation.
20.70.230 Location.
Subchapter 5. Utility Standards
20.70.440 Undergrounding of electric and communication facilities – Purpose.
20.70.470 Undergrounding of electric and communication facilities – When required.
20.70.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to establish requirements for engineering regulations and standards to implement the Comprehensive Plan and provide a general framework for relating development standards and other requirements of this Code to:
A. Adopted service level standards for public facilities and services;
B. Procedural requirements for phasing development projects to ensure that services are provided as development occurs; and
C. The reviews of development permit applications.
The requirements of this chapter shall apply to all development in the City processed under the provisions of the Shoreline Development Code. No permit shall be issued nor approval granted without compliance with this chapter. (Ord. 439 § 1, 2006; Ord. 238 Ch. VII § 1(A), 2000).
20.70.020 Engineering Development Guide.
The Department shall prepare an “Engineering Development Guide” to include construction specifications, standardized details, and design standards referred to in this chapter. The Engineering Development Guide and any amendments shall be made available to the public. The specifications shall include, but are not limited to, the following:
A. Street widths, curve radii, alignments, street layout, street grades;
B. Intersection design, sight distance and clearance, driveway location;
C. Block size, sidewalk placement and standards, length of cul-de-sacs, usage of hammerhead turnarounds;
D. Streetscape specifications (trees, landscaping, benches, other amenities);
E. Surface water and stormwater specifications;
F. Traffic control and safety markings, signs, signals, street lights, turn lanes and other devices be installed or funded; and
G. Other improvements within rights-of-way. (Ord. 439 § 1, 2006; Ord. 238 Ch. VII § 1(B), 2000).
20.70.030 Required street improvements.
The purpose of this section is to identify the types of development proposals to which the provisions of this chapter apply.
A. Street improvements shall, as a minimum, include half of all streets abutting the property. Additional improvements may be required to ensure safe movement of traffic, including pedestrians, bicycles, nonmotorized vehicles, and other modes of travel. This may include tapering of centerline improvements into the other half of the street, traffic signalization, channeling, etc.
B. Development proposals that do not require City-approved plans or a permit still must meet the requirements specified in this chapter.
C. It shall be a condition of approval for development permits that required improvements be installed by the applicant prior to final approval or occupancy.
D. The provisions of the engineering chapter shall apply to:
1. All new multifamily, nonresidential, and mixed-use construction;
2. Remodeling or additions to multifamily, nonresidential, and mixed-use buildings or conversions to these uses that increase floor area by 20 percent or greater, as long as the original building footprint is a minimum of 4,000 square feet, or any alterations or repairs which exceed 50 percent of the value of the previously existing structure;
3. Subdivisions;
Exception:
i. Subdivisions, short plats, and binding site plans where all of the lots are fully developed.
4. Single-family, new construction, additions and remodels.
Exception:
i. Single-family addition and remodel projects where the value of the project does not exceed 50 percent or more of the assessed valuation of the property at the time of application may be exempted from some or all of the provisions of this chapter.
ii. New single-family construction of a single house may be exempted from some or all of the provisions of this chapter, except sidewalks and necessary drainage facilities.
E. Exemptions to some or all of these requirements may be allowed if:
1. The street will be improved as a whole through a Local Improvement District (LID) or City-financed project scheduled to be completed within five years of approval. In such a case, a contribution may be made and calculated based on the improvements that would be required of the development. Contributed funds shall be directed to the City’s capital project fund and shall be used for the capital project and offset future assessments on the property resulting from a LID. A LID “no-protest” commitment shall also be recorded. Adequate interim levels of improvements for public safety shall be required.
2. A payment in lieu of construction of required frontage improvements including curb, gutter, and sidewalk may be allowed to replace these improvements for single-family developments located on local streets if the development does not abut or provide connections to existing or planned frontage improvements, schools, parks, bus stops, shopping, or large places of employment, provided:
a. The Director and the applicant agree that a payment in lieu of construction is appropriate;
b. The Director and the applicant agree on the amount of the in-lieu-of payment and the capital project to which the payment shall be applied. Priority shall be given to capital projects in the vicinity of the proposed development, and the fund shall be used for pedestrian improvements;
c. Adequate drainage control is maintained;
d. At least one of the following conditions exists. The required improvements:
i. Would not be of sufficient length for reasonable use;
ii. Would conflict with existing public facilities or a planned public capital project; or
iii. Would negatively impact critical areas; and
e. An agreement to pay the required fee in lieu of constructing frontage improvements shall be signed prior to permit issuance. The fee shall be remitted to the City prior to final approval or occupancy. The amount of the required payment shall be calculated based on the construction costs of the improvements that would be required. (Ord. 531 § 1 (Exh. 1), 2009; Ord. 515 § 1, 2008; Ord. 469 § 1, 2007; Ord. 439 § 1, 2006; Ord. 303 § 1, 2002; Ord. 238 Ch. VII § 1(C), 2000).
20.70.035 Required stormwater drainage facilities.
A. All development and redevelopment as defined in the Stormwater Manual shall provide stormwater drainage improvements that meet the minimum requirements of the Stormwater Manual.
B. Development proposals that do not require City-approved plans or a permit still must meet the requirements specified in this chapter.
C. It shall be a condition of approval for development permits that required improvements be installed by the applicant prior to final approval or occupancy. (Ord. 531 § 1 (Exh. 1), 2009).
20.70.040 Purpose.
The purpose of this subchapter is to provide guidance regarding the dedication of facilities to the City. Dedication shall occur at the time of recording for subdivisions, and prior to permit issuance for construction projects. Dedications may be required in the following situations:
A. To accommodate motorized and nonmotorized transportation, landscaping, utility, street lighting, traffic control devices, and buffer requirements;
B. The City will accept maintenance responsibility of the facility to be dedicated;
C. The development project abuts an existing substandard public street and the additional right-of-way is necessary to incorporate future frontage improvements for public safety;
D. Right-of-way is needed for the extension of existing public street improvements necessary for public safety. (Ord. 352 § 1, 2004; Ord. 238 Ch. VII § 2(A), 2000).
20.70.050 Dedication of right-of-way.
A. The City may require the dedication of right-of-way in order to incorporate improvements that are reasonably necessary to mitigate the direct impacts of development.
B. The Director may grant some reduction in the minimum right-of-way requirement where it can be demonstrated that sufficient area has been provided for all frontage improvements, including utilities, within the right-of-way.
C. The Public Works Department shall maintain a list of public streets maintained by the City. The City may assume maintenance responsibility of a privately maintained street only if the following conditions are met:
1. All necessary upgrades to the street to meet City standards have been completed;
2. All necessary easements and dedications entitling the City to properly maintain the street have been conveyed to the City;
3. The Director has determined that maintenance of the facility will contribute to protecting or improving the health, safety, and welfare of the community; and
4. The City has accepted maintenance responsibility in writing. (Ord. 352 § 1, 2004; Ord. 299 § 1, 2002; Ord. 238 Ch. VII § 2(B), 2000).
20.70.060 Dedication of stormwater facilities – Drainage facilities accepted by the City.
A. The City is responsible for the maintenance, including performance and operation, of drainage facilities which have formally been accepted for maintenance by the City.
B. The City may assume maintenance of privately maintained drainage facilities only if the following conditions have been met:
1. All necessary upgrades to the facilities to meet City standards have been completed;
2. All necessary easements or dedications entitling the City to properly maintain the drainage facility have been conveyed to the City;
3. The Director has determined that the facility is in the dedicated public road right-of-way or that maintenance of the facility will contribute to protecting or improving the health, safety and welfare of the community based upon review of the existence of or potential for:
a. Flooding;
b. Downstream erosion;
c. Property damage due to improper function of the facility;
d. Safety hazard associated with the facility;
e. Degradation of water quality or in-stream resources; or
f. Degradation to the general welfare of the community; and
4. The City has accepted maintenance responsibility in writing.
C. The Director may terminate the Department’s assumption of maintenance responsibilities in writing after determining that continued maintenance will not significantly contribute to protecting or improving the health, safety and welfare of the community based upon review of the existence of or potential for:
1. Flooding;
2. Downstream erosion;
3. Property damage due to improper function of the facility;
4. Safety hazard associated with the facility;
5. Degradation of water quality or in-stream resources; or
6. Degradation to the general welfare of the community.
Copies of this document will be kept on file with the City of Shoreline.
D. A drainage facility which does not meet the criteria of this section shall remain the responsibility of the applicant required to construct the facility and persons holding title to the property for which the facility was required. (Ord. 238 Ch. VII § 2(C-1), 2000).
20.70.070 Dedication of stormwater facilities – Drainage facilities not accepted by the City.
A. The property owner and the applicant required to construct a drainage facility shall remain responsible for the facility’s continual performance, operation and maintenance and remain responsible for any liability as a result of these duties. This responsibility includes maintenance of a drainage facility that is:
1. Under a maintenance guarantee or defect guarantee;
2. A private road conveyance system;
3. Released from all required financial guarantees prior to date of this Code;
4. Located within and serving only one single-family residential lot;
5. Located within and serving a multifamily or commercial site unless the facility is part of an approved shared facility plan;
6. Located within or associated with an administrative or formal subdivision which handles runoff from an area of which less than two-thirds is designated for detached or townhouse dwelling units located on individual lots unless the facility is part of an approved shared facility plan;
7. Previously terminated for assumption of maintenance responsibilities by the Department; or
8. Not otherwise accepted by the City for maintenance.
B. Prior to the issuance of any of the permits for any multifamily or nonresidential project required to have a flow control or water quality treatment facility, the applicant shall record a declaration of covenant as specified in SMC 13.10.200, Surface Water Management Code and adopted standards. The restrictions set forth in such covenant shall include, but not be limited to, provisions for notice to the property owner of a City determination that maintenance and/or repairs are necessary to the facility and a reasonable time limit in which such work is to be completed.
1. In the event that the titleholders do not effect such maintenance and/or repairs, the City may perform such work upon due notice. The titleholders are required to reimburse for any such work. The restrictions set forth in such covenant shall be included in any instrument of conveyance of the subject property and shall be recorded with the county.
2. The City may enforce the restrictions set forth in the declaration of covenant provided in SMC 13.10.200, Surface Water Management Code and adopted standards.
C. Where not specifically defined in this section, the responsibility for performance, operation and maintenance of drainage facilities and conveyance systems, both natural and constructed, shall be determined on a case by case basis. (Ord. 531 § 1 (Exh. 1), 2009; Ord. 238 Ch. VII § 2(C-2), 2000).
20.70.080 Dedication of open space.
A. The City may accept dedications of sensitive areas which have been identified and are required to be protected as a condition of development. Dedication of such areas to the City will be considered when:
1. The dedicated area would contribute to the City’s overall open space and greenway system;
2. The dedicated area would provide passive recreation opportunities and nonmotorized linkages;
3. The dedicated area would preserve and protect ecologically sensitive natural areas, wildlife habitat and wildlife corridors;
4. The dedicated area is of low hazard/liability potential; and
5. The dedicated area can be adequately managed and maintained. (Ord. 238 Ch. VII § 2(C-3), 2000).
20.70.090 Easements and tracts.
This section addresses the usage of easements and tracts when facilities on private property will be used by more than one lot or by the public in addition to the property owner(s).
A. Easements.
1. Easements may be used for facilities used by a limited number of parties. Examples of situations where easements may be used include, but are not limited to:
a. Access for ingress and egress (driveways), or utilities is granted to a neighboring property;
b. Design features of a street necessitate the granting of slope, wall, and drainage easements; and
c. Nonmotorized easements are required to facilitate pedestrian circulation between neighborhoods, schools, shopping centers and other activity centers even if the facility is not specifically shown on the City’s nonmotorized circulation adopted plan maps.
Easements granted for public use shall be designated “City of Shoreline Public Easement.” All easements shall specify the maintenance responsibility in the recording documents.
B. Tracts. Tracts should be used for facilities that are used by a broader group of individuals, may have some degree of access by the general public, and typically require regular maintenance activities. Examples of facilities that may be located in tracts include private streets or drainage facilities serving more than one lot. Tracts are not subject to minimum lot size specifications for the zone, although they must be large enough to accommodate the facilities located within them. (Ord. 238 Ch. VII § 2(D), 2000).
20.70.100 Purpose.
The purpose of this subchapter is to classify streets in accordance with designations of the Comprehensive Plan and to ensure the naming of new streets and assignment of new addresses occurs in an orderly manner. This subchapter also specifies requirements for the acceptability of private streets and intersection sight clearance. (Ord. 238 Ch. VII § 3(A), 2000).
20.70.110 Street classification.
Streets and rights-of-way are classified as adopted in the Comprehensive Plan in the Street Classification Map, the Pedestrian System Map, the Bicycle System Map, the Truck Routes Map, and the Green Streets Map. (Ord. 238 Ch. VII § 3(B), 2000).
20.70.120 Street plan.
Streets shall be designated and located to conform to the Comprehensive 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 Director. (Ord. 238 Ch. VII § 3(B-1), 2000).
20.70.130 Street trees.
The purpose of this section is to protect existing street trees by regulating their maintenance and removal, and to provide for new street trees on existing and new streets.
A. No person shall plant, remove, prune, or otherwise change a tree on a right-of-way, without an approved right-of-way permit, or if appropriate, site development permit. The general maintenance of street trees by City employees, their contractors, or assigns in accordance with an approved maintenance schedule is exempt from this requirement.
B. When it is necessary to remove a street tree in connection with right-of-way improvements, the tree(s) shall be replanted or replaced. Replacements shall meet the standards specified in SMC 20.50.480 and the Engineering Development Guide. The cost of the removal and replacement of street trees shall be the responsibility of the permittee.
C. All new development applications are required to plant street trees consistent with the requirements of the landscaping subchapter (Chapter 20.50 SMC, Subchapter 7). Developments with street frontage identified as green streets in the Comprehensive Plan shall be subject to additional/different provisions as specified in the Engineering Development Guide. (Ord. 352 § 1, 2004; Ord. 238 Ch. VII § 3(B-2), 2000).
20.70.140 Truck routes.
Development proposals located adjacent to truck routes, as identified in the Comprehensive Plan, may be subject to additional/different construction specifications as identified in the Engineering Development Guide. (Ord. 238 Ch. VII § 3(B-3), 2000).
20.70.150 Street naming and numbering.
The purpose of this section is to establish standards for assigning street names and numbers, and for addressing the principal entrances of all buildings or other developments.
A. All streets shall be designated in the following manner:
1. Public or private streets shall be designated within the guidelines of the grid system as determined by the Department. Named streets can only be assigned when the numbered grid is determined infeasible by the Department. The Department may redesignate existing private and City streets if such streets are determined to be inconsistent with the surrounding street designation system.
2. All streets shall carry a geographic suffix or prefix. Streets designated as “Avenues” shall carry a geographic suffix and be in a north-south direction, and streets designated as “Streets” shall carry a geographic prefix and be in an east-west direction. Diagonal streets are treated as being either north-south or east-west streets. Names such as lane, place, way, court, and drive may be used on streets running either direction.
3. Only entire street lengths or distinct major portions of street shall be separately designated.
4. In determining the designation, the Department shall consider consistency with the provisions of this section and emergency services responsiveness including Emergency-911 services.
B. Building addresses shall be assigned as follows:
1. New Buildings. The assignment of addresses for new buildings shall occur in conjunction with the issuance of a building permit.
2. New Lots. The assignment of new lots created through subdivision, binding site plan, or boundary line adjustment shall occur during project review and be included in the recording documents.
3. Previously Unassigned Lots. Lots with no address of record shall be assigned an address and the property owner shall be notified of the address.
4. The assignment of addresses shall be based on the following criteria:
a. Even numbers shall be used on the northerly side of streets named as east-west and on the easterly side of streets named as north-south.
b. Odd numbers shall be used on the southerly side of streets named as east-west and on the westerly side of streets named as north-south. Addresses shall be assigned whole numbers only.
c. In determining the address assignment, the Department shall consider the consistency with the provisions of this section, consistency with the addressing needs of the area, and emergency services responsiveness, including Emergency-911 services.
C. Whenever there is doubt or difference of opinion as to the correct street designation or correct address, it shall be determined by the Department guided by the specific provisions of this section.
D. All buildings must display addresses as follows:
1. The owner, occupant, or renter of any addressed building or other structure shall maintain the address numbers in a conspicuous place over or near the principal entrance or entrances. If said entrance(s) cannot be easily seen from the nearest adjoining street, the address numbers shall be placed in such other conspicuous place on said building or structure as is necessary for visually locating such address numbers from the nearest adjoining street.
2. If the addressed building or structure cannot be easily seen or is greater than 50 feet from the nearest adjoining street, the address numbers shall be placed on a portion of the site that is clearly visible and no greater than 20 feet from the street.
3. The address numbers shall be easily legible figures, not less than three inches high if a residential use or individual multifamily unit, nor less than five inches high if a commercial use. Numbers shall contrast with the color of the structure upon which they are placed, and shall either be illuminated during periods of darkness, or be reflective, so they are easily seen at night. (Ord. 238 Ch. VII § 3(C), 2000).
20.70.160 Private streets.
Local access streets may be private, subject to the approval of the City. Private streets will be allowed when all of the following conditions are present:
A. The private street is located within a tract or easement;
B. A covenant tract or easement which provides for maintenance and repair of the private street by property owners has been approved by the City and recorded with the County; and
C. The covenant or easement includes a condition that the private street will remain open at all times for emergency and public service vehicles; and
D. The private street would not hinder public street circulation; and
E. At least one of the following conditions exists:
1. The street would ultimately serve four or fewer single-family lots; or
2. A Director’s decision is required for approval and must demonstrate that the private street would ultimately serve more than four lots, and the Director determines that no other access is available. In addition, the proposed private street would be adequate for transportation and fire access needs (to be reviewed by the Fire Department and Traffic Engineer), and the private street would be compatible with the surrounding neighborhood character; or
3. The private street would serve developments where no circulation continuity is necessary; and
F. If the conditions for approval of a private street cannot be met or is otherwise denied by the Director, then a public street will be required. (Ord. 439 § 1, 2006; Ord. 238 Ch. VII § 3(D), 2000).
20.70.170 Sight clearance at intersections – Purpose.
The purpose of this subchapter is to provide for safety at street intersections by restricting the construction or placement of objects in the vicinity of intersections. Intersections addressed in this subchapter include the following:
A. The intersection of two public streets;
B. The intersection of a commercial driveway with a public street;
C. The intersection of a residential driveway with a public street; and
D. The intersection of a private street with a public street. (Ord. 238 Ch. VII § 3(E-1), 2000).
20.70.180 Sight clearance at intersections – Obstruction of intersection.
A. No vehicles shall be parked or any sign, fence, landscaping or other obstruction installed, set out or maintained, which obstructs the view of motor vehicle operators at an intersection within the sight areas and between the height limits.
B. The minimum sight distance for pedestrian safety shall be determined as follows: the driver of an exiting vehicle shall be able to view a one-foot-high object 15 feet away from either edge of the driveway throat when the driver’s eye is 14 feet behind the back of the sidewalk.
C. The minimum sight distance shall be maintained at all driveways, buildings, and garage entrances where structures, wing walls, etc. are located adjacent to or in close proximity to a pedestrian walkway.
D. Sight lines to traffic control devices, such as signs or signals, shall not be obscured by landscaping, street furniture, marquees, awnings, or other such obstructions.
E. Sight obstruction shall not be permitted above a line two and one-half feet above the street surface within the sight areas established by this section. However, sight obstructions above a line seven and one-half feet above the street surface are permitted. For single-family residential driveways, this upper height requirement is reduced from seven and one-half feet to six feet. (Ord. 238 Ch. VII § 3(E-2), 2000).
20.70.190 Sight clearance at intersections – Sightline setbacks for intersection types.
The sight area at an intersection is defined as the area bounded by setback lines, or bounded by setback lines and the edge of the traveled lane. Setbacks for intersection types are as specified in the following paragraphs.
A. Major Street/Minor Street.
1. Intersections of this type have no control or flashing yellow on the major street, and a stop sign or flashing red signal on the minor street. Private commercial driveways (which may or may not have a stop sign) used by the public for entering any City street are also included in intersections of this type.
2. The setback line shall be defined as a line which joins a point in the center of the minor street approach lane located 14 feet back from the edge of the through-street approach lane (Point A) and a point in the center of the through-street approach lane (Point B). The location of Point B in the through-street approach lane is specified in the following table:
|
Posted Speed Limit For |
Distance from Center of Intersection |
|
40 MPH |
410 Feet |
|
35 MPH |
360 Feet |
|
30 MPH |
300 Feet |
|
25 MPH |
250 Feet |
3. Where the major street is a divided highway, only the left setback line applies. Where the major street is a one-way street, only the setback line toward the direction of approach applies.
4. Where major obstacles such as preexisting permanent structures, elevated contour of the ground, embankments, or other elements preclude the reasonable enforcement of the setback lines specified above, these setbacks may be modified at the discretion of the City Traffic Engineer. The minor street setback distance to Point A may be reduced from 14 feet to 10 feet, and the major street Point B location may be modified as follows:
|
Posted Speed Limit For |
Distance from Center of Intersection |
|
40 MPH |
325 Feet |
|
35 MPH |
250 Feet |
|
30 MPH |
200 Feet |
|
25 MPH |
150 Feet |
B. Signalized Intersection. For signalized intersection approaches with right-turn-on-red-after-stop permitted, the left setback line joins a point in the center of the minor street approach lane located 14 feet back from the edge of the through-street approach lane (Point A) and a point in the center of the left through-street approach lane (Point B). The location of Point A may be reduced to 10 feet subject to approval of the City Engineer. The location of Point B is specified in the following table:
|
Posted Speed Limit For |
Distance from Center of Intersection to |
|
40 MPH |
325 Feet |
|
35 MPH |
250 Feet |
|
30 MPH |
200 Feet |
|
25 MPH |
150 Feet |
C. For the intersection of a residential driveway with a public street, a sight distance triangle for a site access point shall be determined by measuring 15 feet along the street lines and 15 feet along the edges of the driveway beginning at the respective points of intersection. The third side of each triangle shall be a line connecting the end points of the first two sides of each triangle.
Figure 20.70.190(C): Sight distance triangle for residential driveway intersections.
D. Uncontrolled Intersection. For intersections with no traffic control on any approach, the setback lines join a point on the approach located 50 feet back from the center of the intersection with points located 80 feet back from the center of the intersection on the right and left hand streets. All points are on the street centerlines.
Figure 20.70.190(D): Setback lines – Uncontrolled crossing intersection.
E. Yield Intersection and T Intersection. Yield intersections have a yield sign on one or both of the minor street approaches, and no control on the major street approaches. The setback lines for yield intersections join a point in the center of the yield approach lane 25 feet back from the edge of the crossing traffic lane with points in the centers of the crossing approach lanes 100 feet back from the center of the intersection. This setback also applies to a T intersection with no restrictive control; in this case the 25-foot setback point is on the stem of the T.
Figure 20.70.190(E): Setback lines – Yield and T intersections.
(Ord. 299 § 1, 2002; Ord. 238 Ch. VII § 3(E-3), 2000).
20.70.200 Sight clearance at intersections – Obstructions allowed.
Obstructions may be allowed as follows:
A. For minor street/through street intersections (major/minor, signalized, and residential driveways), the following obstructions within the established sight areas shall be permitted:
1. One obstruction within each sight area which presents a maximum of two and one-half feet width when viewed from the applicable angle, which has at least two feet clear view inside the obstruction (on the side away from the intersection). At distances greater than 40 feet from the viewpoint, the obstruction may present a maximum of four feet width.
2. Any number of obstructions one and one-half feet or less in maximum width when viewed from any applicable angle; provided there is equal open space on each side of the obstruction for all angles.
B. For intersections with no signalization or stop signs (uncontrolled, yield and T), the following obstructions within the established sight areas shall be permitted:
1. One obstruction within each sight area which presents a maximum of eight feet width when viewed from any applicable angle, and which has at least four feet clear view inside the obstruction and eight feet clear view between the obstruction and the edge of the traffic lanes; or
2. Two obstructions within each sight area each of which presents a maximum of five feet width when viewed from any applicable angle, and separated by four feet or more open space when viewed from all applicable angles, and which have at least four feet clear view inside the obstructions and eight feet clear view between the obstructions and the edge of the traffic lanes; or
3. Any number of obstructions one foot or less in width; provided they obstruct no more than two feet continuous obstruction width when viewed from any applicable angle; and provided there is equal open space on each side of the obstruction for all angles.
C. For intersections not clearly included in the above types and for which view problems may exist, the City Engineer will establish setback lines as required.
D. Where unusual conditions preclude the application of this subchapter in a reasonable manner, the Director may establish minimum sight distances based on the purpose of this subchapter. These minimum sight distances may be more restrictive than provided in this subchapter. (Ord. 238 Ch. VII § 3(E-4), 2000).
20.70.210 Purpose.
The purpose of this subchapter is to provide safe and accessible transportation facilities for alternative travel modes as described in the Comprehensive Plan and the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan. (Ord. 238 Ch. VII § 4(A), 2000).
20.70.220 Required installation.
As new development occurs, sidewalks, walkways, paths or trails shall be provided. Installation, or a financial security of installation subject to approval by the Director, is required as a condition of development approval. Sidewalks shall be required on all public and private streets as described in the Engineering Development Guide. (Ord. 238 Ch. VII § 4(B), 2000).
20.70.230 Location.
Sidewalks fronting public streets shall be located within public right-of-way. Other sidewalks or trails should use existing undeveloped right-of-way, or, if located outside the City’s planned street system, may be located across private property on pedestrian right-of-way restricted to that purpose. The width may vary according to site-specific design issues such as topography, buffering, and landscaping. (Ord. 352 § 1, 2004; Ord. 238 Ch. VII § 4(C), 2000).
20.70.440 Undergrounding of electric and communication facilities – Purpose.
The purpose of SMC 20.70.440 through 20.70.470 is to require compliance with the following orderly program pertaining to the relocation of all existing overhead wires including, but not limited to, telephone, telegraph, cable television, and electrical power, and to require the underground installation of all electrical and communication facilities, with certain exceptions. (Ord. 238 Ch. VII § 6(D), 2000).
20.70.470 Undergrounding of electric and communication facilities – When required.
A. Undergrounding of electrical and telecommunication facilities defined in SMC 13.20.030 shall be required with new development as follows unless the facility is exempt under SMC 13.20.030:
1. All new nonresidential construction, including remodels and additions where the total value of the project exceeds 50 percent of the assessed valuation of the site at the time of application and involves the relocation of service.
2. All new residential construction and new accessory structures, the creation of new residential lots, and residential remodels and additions where the total value of the project exceeds 50 percent of the assessed valuation of the site at the time of application and involves the relocation of service. Residential projects may be exempted from some or all of the undergrounding provisions at the request of the applicant if the project involves the construction, remodel, or addition to only one new house or accessory structure and a street crossing would be necessary.
B. Conversion of facilities shall not be required with:
1. The upgrade or change of location of electrical panel, service, or meter for existing structures not associated with a development application; and
2. New or replacement phone lines, cable lines, or any communication lines for existing structures not associated with a development application. (Ord. 352 § 1, 2004; Ord. 340 § 3, 2003; Ord. 238 Ch. VII § 6(D-4), 2000).