The purpose of this Article is to describe a set of land division standards which shall be implemented in conjunction with the subdivision and partition procedures of this Chapter, and with the provisions of Chapter 10.10 - Improvements Required with Development.
A.
Applicability. All land divisions shall be in conformance with the requirements of the zone district where the division is proposed, and all other applicable provisions of this Title. Modifications to these requirements may be accomplished through a planned development per the provisions of Article 9.050: Planned Developments.
B.
Annexation. Whenever any new lot is created inside the urban growth boundary but outside the City limits, the City may require annexation or the signing of a consent to annexation and a waiver of the one-year limitation on consent to annexation.
C.
Blocks.
1.
General. Length, width, and shape of blocks shall take into account need for adequate lot size, street width and circulation, recognizing limitations of the topography and conforming to the size requirements specified below.
2.
Size. No block frontage shall be less than 200 feet or more than 1,600 feet in length between corner lines unless topography or location of adjoining streets justifies an exception. Block size shall vary, depending on the adjacent street classification, with shorter blocks fronting local streets and longer blocks fronting collector and arterial streets. In addition the following shall apply:
a.
Local Streets and Minor Collectors. Block width shall be a minimum of 200 feet and a maximum of 600 feet, with a maximum proportional ratio of width-to-length of 1:3. Block length shall be a minimum of 300 feet and a maximum of 600 feet. To provide a connection to the adjoining street, a permanent pedestrian/bicycle through pathway, established by right-of-way and at least 10 feet wide, shall be provided near the middle of blocks greater than 450 feet in length/width.
b.
Central Business Commercial District. Blocks shall be 300 feet by 220 feet and platted with alleys in the pattern common to this district.
c.
Major Collector Streets. Block frontage shall be a minimum of 300 feet and a maximum of 1,200 feet. To provide a connection to the adjoining street, a permanent pedestrian/bicycle through pathway, established by right-of-way and at least 12 feet wide, shall be provided near the middle of blocks greater than 900 feet in length/width.
d.
Arterial Streets. Block frontage shall be a minimum of 600 feet and a maximum of 1,600 feet. To provide a connection to the adjoining street, a permanent pedestrian/bicycle through pathway, established by right-of-way and at least 12 feet wide, shall be provided near the middle of blocks greater than 1,200 feet in length/width.
3.
Exceptions. Block sizes may be reduced or enlarged in the same way separation distance between access points may be reduced, per all of the requirements of Section 10.6.050.050: Exceptions to Standards, substituting block size for separation distance between access points.
D.
General Lot Requirements.
1.
Size and Shape. Lot size, width, shape, and orientation shall be appropriate for location of the subdivision and for the type of use contemplated. No lot shall be dimensioned to contain part of an existing or proposed street. Lot sizes shall not be less than required by this Title for the applicable zone district. Depth and width of properties reserved or laid out for commercial and industrial purposes shall be adequate to provide for off-street parking and service facilities required by the type of use proposed.
2.
Access. Each lot shall abut upon a public street, alley, or approved private access drive for a width of at least the minimum lot width specified by the development standards for the zone district where the lot is located, with the following exception: Lot access requirements for residential rear lot development created through a land partition process may be exempted from the access requirement above when all the provisions of Section 10.9.020.030: Residential Rear Lot Development below have been met.
3.
Access Points. Arterial and collector streets access points shall be either established in the final plat or included in covenants recorded as part of the final plat.
4.
Through Lots. Through lots shall be avoided except where essential to provide separation of residential development from collector or arterial streets or to overcome specific disadvantages of topography and orientation. No rights of access shall be permitted across the rear lot line of a through lot.
5.
Lot Side Lines. Side lines of lots, as far as practicable, shall be at right angles to the street the lots face.
6.
Lot Grading. Lot grading shall conform to the provisions of Article 8.050: Erosion, Slope Failure, and Cuts and Fill.
7.
Building Lines. Building setback lines may be established in a final plat or included in covenants recorded as a part of a plat.
(Ord. 23-1395)
Rear lot development shall be allowed with the intention of eventually creating, where possible, a public street or private access drive connecting two established public streets for the purpose of providing through access to the lots being developed. In addition to complying with the provisions of Section 10.9.020.020: General Provisions above, and all other requirements of this Title and other City ordinances, residential rear lot development shall comply with the following standards and procedures:
A.
Lot Access Requirements. Lot(s) created by rear lot development shall use one of the following applicable permanent access options:
1.
Where opportunities exist for future rear lot development of abutting property to the side and rear of the subject lot, a deed recorded easement at least 25 feet wide abutting one side lot line and running from the front property line to the rear property line shall be required.
2.
Where a permanent access easement on an adjacent property already exists along the side lot line or abuts the rear lot line of the subject lot, a deed recorded easement at least 25 feet wide abutting the side lot line adjacent to the existing easement and running from the front property line to the rear property line shall be required.
3.
Where, in the Director's opinion, existing topography, lack of public right-of-way, or existing development precludes an opportunity to create a through connection to a public street, rear lot development may connect to a dedicated right-of-way via an access way (narrow strip of land). At the Fire Marshall's discretion, an adequate turn around area (such as a hammer head) shall be provided for fire and life safety vehicles.
B.
Improvement Requirements. The City Engineer may require that any private access or driveway over 50 feet in length or serving 2 or more lots shall be improved as required at the same time as the adjacent public street is constructed. This provision includes all required drainage, sewage, and utility facilities.
C.
Public Improvements. Public improvements shall be placed within the easements or rights-of-way per City standards. Where the width of the easements or rights-of-way is not sufficient to accommodate all required improvements, additional easement or right-of-way shall be acquired from adjacent property.
D.
Required Connection to Right-of-Way. Public streets, private access drives and access ways must connect to a dedicated right-of-way at least 40 feet in width that has a street improved to City standards. An exception to the improvement standards for the existing dedicated right-of-way may be allowed if all of the following conditions are met:
1.
The accessway connects to a substandard street.
2.
The property owner signs an irrevocable waiver of remonstrance agreement for public street improvements and records the waiver with the property through the Wasco County Clerk's Office.
3.
The property owner demonstrates that the grade of the property will allow run-off and foundation drainage to be carried by gravity (without pumping) to a public storm drain or other drainage facility approved by the City Engineer without crossing property lines or creating erosion problems.
E.
Lot Area. The minimum lot area shall meet the minimum requirement of the applicable zone district. Land required for future right-of-way or proposed for a future public street shall not count toward the minimum lot area.
F.
Fire Protection. The Fire Marshall may require installation of a fire hydrant and/or turn-arounds where necessary for fire fighting capabilities.
G.
Existing Vegetation. Significant beneficial vegetation including trees and shrubbery shall be preserved wherever possible.
H.
Reciprocal Easements. Where a common drive or private accessway is to be provided to serve more than one lot, a reciprocal easement ensuring access rights shall be recorded with the approved partition map.