City of Garland, TX Alleys

Design & Construction.

Alleys shall be designed and constructed according to the City’s Technical Standards Manual.

Alleys Required.

Alleys are required for all residential subdivisions of two (2) or more lots.

Waiver.

The Director of Engineering may authorize an Alley Waiver only for a subdivision having four or fewer lots, or the Plan Commission may authorize a Development Variance (in accordance with Article 1, Division 4 in Chapter 5 of this GDC) to the requirement for alleys. The requirement for alleys may be waived or varied only if each of the following conditions are met:

(1)

A minimum ten-foot wide utility easement (or other size, as determined by the Director of Engineering or by the applicable utility provider) is provided on each lot adjacent to the street right-of-way, in accordance with Chapter 5, Article 1, Division 4 of this GDC;

(2)

No lot-to-lot surface drainage exists or will result within the subdivision;

(3)

The subdivision design allows for an efficient solid waste collection pattern;

(4)

Adequate area is dedicated for drainage facilities and utilities;

(5)

Adequate on- and off-street parking is provided; and

(6)

Waiver or variance from the requirement for alleys will not adversely affect other properties.

(D)

Alley Width.

(1)

Alleys shall be not less than twenty feet in right-of-way width and paved with reinforced concrete, in accordance with the City’s Technical Standards.

(2)

Additional paving width shall be provided at all intersections and turns in the alley alignment, per the Technical Standards. Curves or turns in alleys shall be in accordance with the Technical Standards such that they will accommodate turning movements of sanitation trucks, fire apparatus and other large vehicles.

(E)

Alley Length.

Alleys may not exceed the maximum length set forth in the City’s Technical Standards Manual, as measured along the centerline of the alley and between intersections with other alleys or entrances onto streets (at the right-of-way line of the street at the alley entrance). A request for a Development Variance of alley length may be considered based on the following:

(1)

The effect of alley length upon access, congestion, delivery of municipal services, and upon convenience to residents of the subdivision in accessing rear driveways and in driving around to the front of their homes; and

(2)

Means of mitigation, including but not limited to additional mid-block alley turnouts, limitation on the number of lots to be served along a single alley segment, temporary points of access, and additional fire protection measures.

(F)

Alley Design.

(1)

Alley intersections shall be perpendicular as described in the Technical Standards Manual.

(2)

Intersection pavement design shall be of sufficient width and inside radius to accommodate waste collection and emergency vehicles.

(3)

Intersections shall be three-way wherever possible, and four-way intersections are prohibited. No alley intersection serving more than four directions is allowed.

(G)

Dead-End Alleys.

(1)

“Hammerhead” alleys are prohibited. Alleys must have adequate turnouts and street entrances such that vehicular traffic flow is continuous and efficient. Where a temporary dead-end alley situation is unavoidable, a temporary turnaround bulb or turnout onto a street, either of which will need a temporary easement for street or alley purposes, shall be provided as determined by the Director of Transportation. Pavement within the easement must be constructed per the reinforced concrete alley section as shown in the City’s Technical Standards.

(2)

Permanent dead-end alleys are prohibited.

(3)

Four-way, alley-to-alley intersections are prohibited.

(Ordinance 6773 adopted 5/19/15; Ordinance 7055, sec. 23, adopted 5/7/19; Ordinance 7107, sec. 47, adopted 12/3/19)