A.
Intent. The intent of this Section is to:
1.
Plan and coordinate street networks to ensure the proper arrangement of blocks and lots for long-range development goals.
2.
Increase connectivity, improve options for access in the community, and allow greater variety of street designs on different street segments.
3.
Provide for efficient and safe movement of all potential users of the streets, including pedestrians, bicycles, automobiles, and trucks or transit, and balance street designs so the interests of a single mode does not compromise other modes.
4.
Emphasize street design as a key determinant of community character and design of the public realm, as identified in the Master Plan and other specific plans.
5.
Use streetscape design to call attention to differing contexts, including opportunities to implement green infrastructure policies.
B.
Applicability. The standards in this Section apply to:
C.
Network And Connectivity. Arterial, collector and local streets shall generally be laid out according to the policies of the Master Plan in a manner that follows terrain, minimizes impact on the environment, limits dead-end streets, and provides non-vehicular networks where connectivity is not possible.
1.
Block Sizes. Except where more specific guidance is provided by detailed plans, streets shall generally be laid out to provide a network of blocks and streets based on the planning context and development pattern as identified in Table 404-1:
Table 404-1: Block Sizes | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Planning Context | Block Length (feet) | Block Area (acres) | Cul-De-Sac Limits (feet) |
Walkable/Compact: downtown, core areas of commercial centers, and abutting blocks adjacent to walkable places | 250 minimum; 500 maximum | 2.5 to 5 | Prohibited |
General: traditional neighborhoods, near downtown areas, and areas supporting commercial corridors | 350 minimum; 800 maximum | 4 to 8 | 250 maximum |
Suburban: areas more removed from walkable centers, commercial corridors or large-scale projects arranged around a campus plan | 500 minimum; 1,000 maximum | 5 to 8 | 500 maximum |
2.
External Connections. Street network plans shall provide for the continuation of streets in adjacent subdivisions and to future growth areas at intervals that meet these standards and shall be constructed to the subdivision boundary.
3.
Exceptions. The following are exceptions to the block and connectivity standards:
a.
Natural Features And Civic Spaces. Blocks or parcels abutting or containing important natural features, topographical constraints or otherwise creating parts of the open and civic space system may be larger, provided that the proposed street layout preserves these features and integrates them into the overall structure of the community.
b.
Regional Transportation Routes. Blocks or parcels abutting intervening regional transportation routes such as highways or rail rights-of-way may be larger, provided that street layouts and development patterns achieve local connectivity in all other ways possible.
c.
Rural Parcels. Tracts divided into larger or rural lots of at least five (5) acres may exceed block limits, provided that development is arranged to allow future streets in compliance with these regulations, and a logical pattern of resubdivision can occur with minimal disruption of buildings, utilities, and other structures.
d.
Oversized Parcels. Where oversized parcels are platted for special land uses or development projects that involve large-scale buildings and patterns, such as campuses or large-scale employment areas, platted blocks may be larger, provided that internal access streets mimic the block structure and urban design amenity of these standards, and create logical extensions and connectivity to the public streetscapes.
4.
Dead-End Streets. In any case where streets are not required to connect by these standards, dead-end streets shall be limited as specified in Table 404-1. Turnaround shall be required with a back of curb radius of at least thirty-nine (39) feet. Alternative designs such as loops or closes are preferred over dead ends and culs-de-sac.
5.
Walkways And Passages. In any case where exceptions for larger blocks apply, or any other area where substantial pedestrian traffic may occur, such as adjacent to schools, the Planning Commission or Board of Alderman may require pedestrian walkways through blocks or at any dead-end streets. In general, any block longer than seven hundred fifty (750) feet should be considered for additional walkways and passages.
D.
Street Design. Streets shall be designed to reinforce the character of the area and the anticipated development patterns, land uses and designs of projects fronting the street.
1.
Street Design Types. Each functional classification may use the following street design types so that urban design features and streetscape design better support the development context and character of the area. Table 404-2 identifies which design types are most appropriate for different contexts and different functional classes of streets.
Table 404-2: Street Design Types and Functional Classification | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Street Type | Arterial (A) | Collector (C) | Local (L) | ||
Standard A basic street type appropriate generally where no particular development characteristics or urban design context warrant application of other street types | ▪ | □ | □ | ||
Activity A pedestrian-oriented street type appropriate for all areas where walkability is a goal. It is characterized by narrow lanes, slow speeds, on-street parking, and large, well-designed pedestrian amenity zones that support businesses and economic activity along these streets. | □ | ▪ | ▪ | ||
Neighborhood A community-oriented street type appropriate where a higher level of neighborhood design amenity and neighborhood walkability is desired. It is characterized by large street trees, sidewalks, slow speeds, and occasional on-street parking. | ▪ | ▪ | ▪ | ||
Natural A green street type appropriate where streets cross or align with natural features, particularly to emphasize the open space and environmental themes of a particular context. It is characterized by slow to moderate speeds, and informal and natural landscape edges, and the incorporation of trails or other open spaces. | □ | ▪ | ▪ | ||
▪ | Preferred type |
□ | Limited type, based on street network plan and surrounding development context and natural characteristics |
2.
Context Appropriate Street Design Standards. The context appropriate street design standards in Appendix A[1] provide a framework for assembling cross sections for each specific street type. The standards and guidelines in Appendix A shall be used to create specific cross sections for a specific context, or to adjust the typical street cross sections provided in this Section.
[1]
Editor's Note: Appendix A, Context Appropriate Street Design Standards is included as an attachment to this Title.
E.
Intersection Design.
Figure 303-1 Corner Radii Comparison Two (2) curbs with differing radii, ten (10) feet and thirty (30) feet, overlap with a red shaded area highlighting the difference in vehicular space, pedestrian space and crossing distances |
1.
Corner Radii. Corner radii of intersections shall be the minimum amount necessary to balance the competing interest of vehicle turning movements and the distance and safety of pedestrians crossing the street, based on the specific context. Table 404-3 establishes the base requirements. In areas where large vehicles will make frequent turning movements, the Commission may require greater turning radius. In areas where slower speeds are desired or walkability is important the Commission may require tighter corner radii.
Figure 303-2 Corner Radii Measurement The figure demonstrates the typical method for measuring a corner radius at the intersection. |
Table 404-3: Corner Curb Radius | |
|---|---|
Intersection Type | Curb Radius (feet) |
Local/Local | 5 to 15 |
Local/Collector | 10 to 20 |
Local/Arterial | 15 to 20 |
Collector/Collector | 10 to 20 |
Collector/Arterial | 20 to 30 |
Arterial/Arterial | 25 to 30 |
2.
Sight Distances. Proper lines of sight shall be maintained at all intersections. The proper line of sight shall be an unobstructed view from the stopping point on the approaching street to all points three (3) feet above the roadway along the center line of the intersecting street. The distance of the unobstructed view shall be based upon the design speed of the intersection street, specified in Table 404-5.
Figure 303-4 Clear Sight Distance A clear line of sight must be maintained at a specific distance depending on the design speed of the roadway, and the stop point and control type on the intersection. This grants drivers appropriate warning on incoming vehicles. |
Table 404-4: Clear Sight Distance | |
|---|---|
Design Speed of Intersection Street (miles per hour) | Intersection Sight Distance (measured along center line of intersecting street) (feet) |
15 | 105 |
20 | 125 |
25 | 150 |
30 | 200 |
35 | 225 to 250 |
40 | 275 to 325 |
45 | 325 to 400 |
Source: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets. |
a.
Street trees, light poles or other limited obstructions are allowed within the sight triangle, provided that they do not have any foliage, limbs, or other obstructions between two (2) and eight (8) feet, and are no closer than twenty (20) feet to the intersecting right-of-way line.
b.
Fully controlled intersections, where signalization establishes and prioritizes safe turning movements, may deviate from the above sight triangle standards if site conditions warrant and based upon a recommendation of the Public Works Director.




















