ARTICLE V: STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS

§ 109-124 Standards for plats within city limits.

Generally.

Conformity with the City of Harlingen Comprehensive Plan, Master Plans, and any HWWS water and sewer master plans. The subdivision shall conform to the current comprehensive plan of the city, as defined herein, as adopted or amended by the city commission, and the HWWS water and sewer master plans for infrastructure as defined herein, as adopted or amended by the HWWS utility board of trustees.

(2)

Reserve strips prohibited. There shall be no reserve strips controlling access to land dedicated or intended to be dedicated to public use or next to adjoining land.

(b)

Lots.

(1)

All lots must front on a public street or must have an approved access easement. The access easement applies to commercial/industrial subdivisions only. All streets accessing the development must have an all-weather surface for emergency vehicle access. Lots can front on a private street if the subdivision has an approved and recorded homeowner's association prior to subdivision recording.

(2)

Lots of irregular shape shall not be allowed unless they have a street frontage of at least 50 feet.

(3)

Lot sizes, setback lines, rear yards and side yards shall be in accordance with the zoning ordinance chapter 111 of the city.

(4)

Side lot lines shall be substantially at right angles to straight street lines or radial to curved street lines.

(5)

Proposed lot grading shall produce a top of ground slope no steeper than 4:1.

(c)

Streets.

(1)

Street layout.

Adequate streets shall be provided by the developer and the arrangement, character, extent, width, grade, and location of each shall conform to the major thoroughfare plan in the transportation chapter of the current comprehensive plan of the city and shall be considered in relation to existing and planned streets, to topographical conditions, to public safety and convenience, and in their appropriate relationship to the proposed uses of land to be served by such streets. Local street layout shall be devised for the most advantageous current and future development of the entire neighborhood/area, as determined by the planning and zoning commission. Subdivisions that adjoin state roads must adhere to TxDOT's access management manual.

(2)

Relation to adjoining street system.

Where necessary to the neighborhood pattern, existing streets in adjoining areas shall be continued as much as possible, and shall be at least as wide as such existing streets and in alignment therewith.

(3)

Projection of streets.

Where adjoining areas are not subdivided, the arrangement of streets in the subdivision being considered shall make provisions for the proper projection of these streets into unsubdivided areas adjacent to it in the most logical and orderly fashion possible.

(4)

Street jogs.

All street jogs shall be approved by the city engineer and in no case will street jogs with centerline offsets of less than 125 feet measured centerline to centerline will be allowed.

(5)

Perimeter streets.

When a perimeter street of a subdivision is deficient, the developer shall either improve the perimeter street or deposit an amount into escrow as described in section 109-189.

(6)

Street intersections.

Street intersections shall be as nearly at right angles as practicable.

(7)

Dead-end streets.

Dead-end streets shall be prohibited, except where necessary to provide for future extension of streets, in which case they may be designed to extend no longer than 150 feet (per fire department requirement Standard 1141 NFPA).

(8)

Culs-de-sac.

Temporary or permanent cul-de-sac streets shall not serve more than 26 lots and shall in no case exceed 1,300 feet in length. The cul-de-sac bulb shall have a right-of-way of 100 feet in the turnaround and paved not less than 80 feet in diameter in residential areas, and a right-of-way of 120 feet and a paved turnaround of not less than 100 feet in diameter in commercial and industrial areas. The measurement of a cul-de-sac shall be taken from the centerline of the nearest intersecting street to the center point of the cul-de-sac turnaround.

(9)

Access points.

Any residential subdivision with 30 or more lots must have a minimum of two points of access entrances. Where two entrances are required, they shall be placed a distance apart equal to not less than one-half of the length of the maximum overall diagonal dimension of the lot or area to be served, measured in a straight line between accesses. Additional entrances may be required as recommended by a traffic impact analysis. Access points for proposed streets must adhere to TxDOT's access management manual.

(10)

Local streets.

Local streets shall be laid out so as to discourage their use by through traffic.

(11)

Pavement widths and rights-of-way.

Pavement widths within a subdivision shall be as follows:

Major arterial streets shall have a right-of-way width of 120 feet, with a minimum pavement width of 80 feet from the back of the curb to the back of the curb. Such streets shall occur, at a minimum, every one mile (5,280 feet) as near as practical.

Minor arterial streets shall have a right-of-way width of 100 feet with a minimum pavement width of 60 feet from the back of the curb to the back of the curb. Such streets shall occur, at a minimum, every one-half mile (2,640 feet) as near as practical.

Collector streets shall have a right-of-way of 80 feet and a pavement width of 42 feet from the back of the curb to the back of the curb. Such streets shall, at a minimum, occur every one-quarter (1,320 feet) to one-half (2,640 feet) mile as near as practical and between arterial streets.

Local streets shall have a right-of-way of 60 feet and a pavement width of a minimum of 37 feet from the back of curb to the back of curb, unless the land use density dictates the need for 40 feet of pavement width as determined by the planning and zoning commission. Local streets which are looped off perimeter local streets, collectors or arterials, and cul-de-sacs not exceeding the maximum length of 600 feet may be 32 feet in pavement width from the back of the curb to the back of the curb with a minimum right-of-way of 50 feet (see section 109-225, Exhibit E). Such streets shall occur as needed for efficient local property access. A 90-degree change in street direction shall be considered as separate streets.

Cross streets are required at a minimum of every one-quarter mile (1,320 feet) as near as practical.

(12)

Pavement widths and rights-of-way of streets forming part of the subdivision boundaries (perimeter streets).

Pavement widths and rights-of-way of streets forming part of the subdivision boundaries (perimeter streets) shall be as follows:

The developer shall dedicate a minimum of one-half of the right-of-way required from centerline for new adjacent major arterial, minor arterial, collector or local streets as defined in the most recently adopted major thoroughfare plan of the city and/or the county thoroughfare plan. If the two plans conflict, that requiring the greater right-of-way dedication shall prevail. The right-of-way dedication shall conform to subsection (c)(11) of this section.

All right-of-way dedicated by plat shall have a statement indicating so on the plat (see section 109-226, Exhibit F, for owner's signature block).

For subdivisions adjacent to perimeter streets that are designated as collector or arterial streets in the city thoroughfare plan or not designated in the plan but collect traffic from other areas and where the roadway is only a two-lane roadway, the developer shall provide ten feet of additional pavement with curb and gutter along the boundary of the subdivision. As an alternative, the developer may place escrow funds with the city based on an approved cost estimate by the city engineer. This shall only apply to subdivisions within the city limits.

For subdivisions that have unimproved perimeter streets, the developer shall pave the perimeter street within or adjacent to the boundary of the subdivision. The pavement shall be a minimum of 24 feet in width or shall generally correlate to the closest improved section of the street. This shall only apply to subdivisions within the city limits.

(13)

Corner clips.

The dedication of right-of-way for corner clips measured from the legs of the clips shall be provided as follows:

50-foot corner clip on major/minor arterials;

30-foot corner clip on collector streets;

15-foot corner clip on local streets; and

Ten-foot corner clip on alleys.

(14)

Curbs.

Curb and gutter shall be installed by the developer on both sides of all interior streets, and on the subdivision side of all city streets forming part of the boundary of the development. In certain cases along perimeter streets escrow funds could be substituted for the installation of curb and gutter if approved by the city engineer.

(15)

Street names.

Names of new streets shall not duplicate or cause confusion with the name of existing city streets, unless the new streets are a continuation of or in alignment with existing streets, in which case names of existing streets shall be used. Proposed street names must be approved by the department of planning and development prior to subdivision recording.

(16)

Street lights.

Street lights shall be installed by the developer at all street intersections and cul-de-sac ends with the subdivision, in accordance with city standards. The standards can be found in the subdivision development guide.

(17)

Street signs.

Street name signs shall be installed by the city at the expense of the developer at all intersections within or abutting the subdivision. Such signs shall be of a type approved by the city.

(18)

Traffic control signs.

Traffic signs such as stop and yield signs and stripping (paint or thermoplastic) shall be installed by the city at the expense of the developer at all necessary locations as determined by city staff. The installation of a new traffic signal may be approved by the city engineer, at the cost of the developer, if warranted by a traffic impact analysis.

(19)

Private streets.

If streets are recorded as private streets, the city shall never have any obligation or duty to receive, adopt, repair or maintain any private street within the limits of the city. Such streets shall be labeled as private on the subdivision plat with a plat note stating that the streets to be owned by maintained by the homeowner's association. As a condition of approval for private streets, a document with covenants, deeds, and restrictions (CCRs) must be recorded with the Cameron County Clerk prior to subdivision recording. If a residential subdivision is proposed to be gated the front gates shall have stacking space for three automobiles from the perimeter street with an area for vehicle turnarounds. The gates must be approved by the fire department prior to subdivision recording.

(20)

Location.

All new streets shall be placed in the center of the right-of-way.

(21)

Curves.

The centerline of curves shall be tangent to the centerline of the street at each end of the curve.

(d)

Alleys.

Alleys may only be proposed and constructed with the approval of the public works director, or the authorized designee unless the developer proposes private alleys to be owned and maintained by the HOA.

(1)

Width and paving.

Alleys shall be 20 feet wide and constructed of asphalt covering 18 feet of the right-of-way, in accordance with city standards.

(2)

Intersecting alleys.

Where two alleys intersect or turn at a right angle, a corner clip of not less than ten feet from the normal intersection of the property line shall be provided along each property line.

(3)

Dedication by plat.

All right-of-way dedicated by plat shall have a statement indicating so on the final plat (see section 109-226, Exhibit F, for owner's signature block).

(4)

Dead-end alleys.

Dead-end alleys shall not be permitted.

(5)

Half alleys.

Half alleys shall not be permitted.

(6)

Curb cuts.

Standard curbs shall be required where alleys intersect streets.

(7)

Intersection at arterials or collectors forbidden.

New alleys shall not intersect any streets identified as arterials or collectors on the City of Harlingen Thoroughfare Plan.

(e)

Utility easements.

(1)

Each block shall have a utility easement along all lot property lines that are adjacent to street right-of-way or are within alleys as defined above in this section. Easements may be provided along the rear property line for utilities other than water and sewer. Water and sewer lines shall be placed only within unobstructed easements or rights of way to ensure ready access for emergency maintenance. Utility easements are to be reserved for the use of public utility lines, conduits, and equipment. Other utility easements may be required as necessary for the public's benefit. Utility easements shall be of sufficient width to accommodate all intended utilities with utility-prescribed separation from other utility types and shall be continuous for the entire length of the block. Front easements shall be contiguous with and parallel as closely as possible to the street line frontage of the block.

(2)

On phased developments, all easements must be provided in their entirety in each phase as developed or must extend into future phase areas as necessary to provide utility services.

(3)

No new third party utilities shall be permitted to run parallel under street or sidewalk pavement with the exception of sanitary sewer lines. Such utilities will be required to be located in remaining street rights-of-way according to utility assignments as prescribed by the City of Harlingen Subdivision Development Guide.

(4)

Any utilities requiring sole dedication easements must take easements behind the utility easement prescribed for general utility assignments if adjacent to street right-of-way frontage unless otherwise approved by the HWWS or the city engineer.

(5)

Drainage easements may not be shared with utility easements, and drainage right-of-way may not be shared with street or alley rights-of-way unless approved by the appropriate drainage authority and the city engineer.

(6)

The planting of trees, placement of fences, and erection of structures is prohibited within utility easements as they may later need to be removed by the entity accessing the easement. The property owner will not be compensated for replacement or destruction of such items by the city or utility providers who access and service their lines.

(f)

Sidewalks.

Sidewalks shall be installed at the expense of the developer as follows:

(1)

On the subdivision side of all perimeter roads external and adjacent to the subdivision that have no curb and gutter, the developer shall be required to escrow funds for sidewalks except for commercial/industrial subdivisions. In residential subdivisions, if the perimeter street is already improved with curb and gutters, the developer shall build the perimeter sidewalk prior to subdivision recording.

(2)

Sidewalks shall conform to the city's sidewalk detail and shall be a minimum of five feet in width. The city engineer may direct placement and layout of sidewalks. The developer shall pay the full cost to adjust utilities including manholes, and valve boxes where proposed sidewalks conflict with existing utilities.

(3)

All sidewalks shall comply with the city's most recent ADA Transition Plan and the most recent version of the Texas Accessibility Standards.

(4)

Sidewalks for residential subdivisions fronting a perimeter street shall be installed at the developer's expense at the time the curb and gutter is installed and may be contiguous with the curb and gutter; provided, however that they shall be installed with due consideration being given to existing trees and shrubbery or proposed mailboxes which may require installation away from the curb but within the city right-of-way for a short distance in order to prevent the removal of such features. For all subdivisions lots fronting an internal or local street, sidewalks shall be provided along the street front of lots and along the street side of corner lots at the time building improvements on the lot are constructed. A note on the plat to this effect shall be required prior to subdivision recording. For commercial, industrial and multifamily subdivisions, a plat note stating that sidewalks will be required during the building permit shall be sufficient and no escrows will be required.

(5)

All sidewalks to be installed shall connect with any existing sidewalks adjacent to or a part of the subdivision. Where applicable and practical a five-foot transition shall be applied to sidewalks of varying width.

(6)

All subdivisions shall have curb ramps at the street intersections installed at the expense of the developer prior to the recording of the subdivision for people with disabilities in accordance with all Texas Accessibility Standards and Federal ADA requirements. The ADA curb ramps must be approved by the engineering department prior to subdivision recording.

(7)

In a residential subdivision for the lots fronting an internal/local street, the developer shall pay a sidewalk assessment for the sidewalk fronting the lots in the amount of 15% of the total cost estimate in the subdivision as calculated in section 109-191. These funds shall be used by the city to fill sidewalk gaps, if necessary, after an approximate five-year period or earlier following the subdivision recording. Guidelines must be developed and adopted for the proper management of the escrows. If the sidewalks are constructed and there are no gaps within the subdivision the developer shall be entitled to be returned the escrowed funds.

(8)

All sidewalks installed shall meet the specifications as set forth in the sidewalk ordinance of chapter 40. (Additional sidewalks not required by this article may be required by chapter 40 in commercial areas.)

(9)

If the internal residential street has 50 feet of right-of-way, the sidewalk shall be constructed against the street curb. If the internal street has 60 feet of right-of-way, the subdivision developer shall have the option to build the internal sidewalks against the curb or to have a separation from the curb of no more than three feet.

(g)

Streetlights.

Streetlights shall be installed at the cost of the developer to city standards at all street intersections within the subdivision, at cul-de-sac ends, and the spacing between them shall be no greater than 300 feet. This section applies to all subdivisions inside the city limits or in subdivisions in which the developer has requested in writing a voluntary annexation. This section applies to perimeter streets for residential and non-residential subdivisions. For private subdivisions, compliance with this section is required, but, the expense of the maintenance and the electricity shall be paid by the subdivision's developer or the homeowner's association. The street lighting plan including the height, style and composition of the street lights shall receive the approval of city staff prior to submission to the appropriate electric utility company.

(h)

Fire hydrants.

(1)

Refer to section 109-91(c)(12) for the standards.

(2)

Fire hydrants shall be placed at a distance not exceeding 150 feet from any building requiring fire sprinklers and/or standpipes.

(i)

Water facilities.

The subdivision construction plans for proposed subdivisions shall indicate the locations, size, and depths of all proposed and existing water lines, valves, fire hydrants, service laterals and meters. When connection to a water system other than the HWWS system is proposed, the plan shall show the point of connection and/or the source of supply.

(j)

Wastewater facilities.

All proposed subdivisions shall have approved plans for wastewater disposal before recording. The subdivision construction plans for proposed new subdivisions shall indicate the location, size, depth, and grade of all proposed and existing sanitary sewer mains, manholes, lift stations, force mains, and clean outs. When a separate sewer system or treatment plant is proposed, the point of discharge or disposal area shall be shown on the subdivision construction plans.

(k)

Utility lines.

All proposed utility lines, including electricity lines, must be underground. When it is necessary that utility lines pass under the street or alley pavement, service laterals shall be installed to the right-of-way line or utility easement boundary internal to the private property, whichever is longer. Unobstructed space shall be allocated for installation of water meters abutting the right-of-way or internal easement line and completely clear of any sidewalks. Sewer lateral cleanouts shall be installed abutting the right-of-way or internal easement line.

(l)

Monuments.

(1)

Subdivision corners shall be monumented in accordance with section 109-92(c) of this ordinance. All lot corners shall be set after all site grading activities or other possible disturbance activities have ceased.

(2)

Additional monument locations may be prescribed by the director of public works or the city engineer and shall be sufficient to furnish survey control of the proposed subdivision.

(m)

Drainage.

(1)

Rights-of-way.

Where a subdivision is traversed by a watercourse, drainage way, natural channel or stream, there shall be a dedicated right-of-way provided conforming substantially to the high bank of such watercourse as determined by the director of public works or the city engineer. Additionally, a minimum of 20 feet on both sides of said watercourse shall be dedicated as public right-of-way to accommodate future needs and maintenance as determined by the director of public works or the city engineer. The drainage district or irrigation district authority shall determine drainage right-of-way where applicable for facilities to be maintained by such agency.

(2)

Drainage facilities.

Drainage facilities shall be provided and constructed as specified by the director of public works, and/or the city engineer.

The proposed subdivision must have drainage plans. The drainage report must include detailed hydrology, hydraulic calculations, flood plain data, soils data, and other data as required by the city engineer. The city subdivision development guide provides additional guidance for drainage reports.

All street widths and grades with elevations shall be indicated on the subdivision construction plans. Final drainage reports shall have runoff figures in cubic feet per second (cfs) as listed in the city subdivision development guide or directed by the city engineer, and shall be indicated on the outlet and inlet side of all drainage ditches and storm drains, at all storm inlets or low points in the street, at changes of grade, or other collection points, or where the water enters another street or storm drain or drainage ditch. Drainage easements shall be indicated on the plat.

A drainage area map for the proposed subdivision showing the drainage area of any existing or proposed drainage facilities shall be provided on the subdivision construction plans. Calculations must be submitted by the developer's engineer showing the anticipated stormwater flow, utilizing a rainfall frequency as determined by the design storm frequency per the city subdivision development guide including watershed area, percent runoff, and time of concentration. When a drainage ditch or storm drain line is proposed, calculations shall be submitted showing the basis for the design.

When a drainage channel or storm drain line is proposed, complete plans, profiles, and specifications shall be submitted by the developer's engineer, showing complete construction details.

All new subdivisions must include an identification of the associated flood zone or zones per the most recent FEMA/FIRM flood zone map. Any buildings proposed for construction in subdivisions located in a Flood Zone X shall be required to have a note on the plat stating all building foundations shall be no less than 18 inches above the top of the curb or at the highest point of the street (absent a curb). Property located in a special flood hazard area or zone shaded X shall be required to present a flood elevation certificate and there shall be a note on the plat stating that all building foundations shall be a minimum of 24 inches above the top of the curb or at the highest point of the street or at a level as determined by the engineer's flood certificate. A permit from the city engineer is required before construction or development begins within any special flood hazard area. In residential subdivisions for any lots within 100 feet of a drainage inlet, a note on the plat shall indicate that the finished floor shall be six inches higher as compared to the other finished floors within the subdivision. The lot numbers affected by this requirement shall be specified in the plat notes.

Subdivision design shall require positive drainage to the ultimate outfall of the proposed system. Offsite drainage appurtenances may be required by the city engineer to accommodate proposed drainage flows. No siphons shall be allowed unless previously approved by the city engineer.

All proposed subdivision plats must conform to the City of Harlingen Subdivision Development Guide.

Grate inlets are not allowed unless previously approved by the city engineer.

Storm pipe shall generally be new reinforced concrete pipe (RCP) of at least class III. Minimum pipe size for inlet laterals shall be 18 inches. Storm manholes shall be used as a collection point for inlets and inlet to inlet connections shall not be allowed unless previously approved by the city engineer.

Inlets shall be provided in new subdivisions such that the spread of water in the street shall not exceed ten feet during the design storm. The edge of an existing or proposed inlet should not be closer than ten feet from a proposed driveway or curb return.

(n)

Planned unit developments.

(1)

Planned unit developments shall be developed in accordance with the city zoning ordinance found in chapter 111 of the Harlingen Code of Ordinances. A planned unit development may include a combination of different dwelling types and/or a variety of land uses which complement each other and harmonize with existing and proposed land uses in the vicinity.

(2)

The regulations below will serve to identify maximum deviations from requirements that may be negotiated as follows:

Lots may be smaller than the minimums, provided overall density of the entire tract is not increased;

Streets may be smaller than the minimum required local street, but in no case smaller than 32 feet of pavement width. (Right-of-way dedications must conform to the city adopted thoroughfare plan regardless of pavement width.)

Building setbacks may be reduced if the development proposal is within the spirit of the subdivision and zoning ordinances and in general compliance with the city's comprehensive plan as approved by the planning and zoning commission.

(3)

A proposed site plan as required in chapter 111 (the zoning ordinance) must be submitted with the subdivision. A "PD" zoning must be obtained prior to the recording of the subdivision plat.

(o)

Electricity.

No overhead electric utility lines shall be allowed for new residential subdivisions.

(Ordinance 2022-52, § 1, adopted 12/21/2022; Ordinance 2024-51 adopted 9/18/2024)

§ 109-127 Specifications and details.

(a)

City specifications and details.

Specifications and details governing subdivision design shall be as prescribed by the city subdivision development guide. This manual is available online at the city website or by request through the city engineering department.

(b)

Water facilities.

(1)

Public water systems.

Where potable water is to be supplied to a subdivision by connection to Harlingen Waterworks System, the distribution system within the subdivision shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the minimum criteria set forth in 30 TAC ch. 290, subch. D, and the standards and requirements of the Harlingen Waterworks System.

Where potable water is to be supplied by 30 TAC ch. 290, subch. F, a written statement by the water purveyor must be provided that indicates the water purveyor agrees to provide potable water to the development at the demand, both daily and peak flow rates, for a minimum period of 30 years.

(2)

Non-public water systems.

Where individual wells are proposed for the supply of potable water to any residential lot within the subdivision, the following conditions and requirements shall be observed:

Existing wells within a one-quarter mile radius of the subdivision or a test well or wells shall be drilled and the waters sampled and submitted to a private laboratory for a complete chemical and bacteriological analysis of the parameters on which there are potable water standards. The results of such analysis shall be made available to prospective property owners and copies of the laboratory results shall be provided the city and Harlingen Waterworks.

The water quality of individual wells must, after treatment, meet the standards of quality for community water systems established by 30 TAC ch. 290, subch. F.

If additional treatment is necessary to provide water meeting the above standards for potable water, a report of such treatment shall accompany the laboratory results.

(3)

Reinforced concrete low-head pressure pipe (for irrigation).

Concrete or PVC pipes may be used, but must meet the specifications as set out by the Harlingen Irrigation District.

(c)

Sanitary sewer facilities.

(1)

Organized wastewater facility.

Connection to Harlingen Waterworks' wastewater system shall be required except where Harlingen Waterworks determines such connection will require unreasonable expenditure when compared with other methods of wastewater disposal.

Developers who propose the development of an organized wastewater collection and treatment system must obtain a permit to dispose of wastes from the TNRCC in accordance with to 30 TAC ch. 305 and obtain approval of engineering planning materials for such systems under 30 TAC ch. 217 and from the state.

Developers who propose to dispose of wastewater by connecting to an existing permitted facility must provide a written agreement with the permittee. The agreement must accommodate the total flow anticipated from the ultimate development and occupancy of the proposed subdivision for a minimum of 30 years. Engineering plans for the proposed wastewater collection lines must be in accordance with state rules and approved by the water provider prior to construction.

(2)

On-site facilities.

On-site facilities which serve single-family or multifamily residential dwellings with anticipated wastewater production of 1,000 or more gallons per day must be designed by a registered professional engineer or registered professional sanitarian.

Proposals for on-site sewerage facilities for the on-site disposal of sewage in the amount of 5,000 gallons per day or greater must be presented to the state for determination of the necessity for a wastewater permit from that agency. Each such disposal facility must be designed by a registered professional engineer.

On-site sewerage facilities not required to obtain a wastewater permit from the state must apply for and receive a permit from the Texas Department of Health or its authorized agent as required by the procedures established in 30 TAC ch. 285.

The Texas Department of Health or its authorized agent shall review proposals for on-site sewage disposal systems and make inspections of such systems as necessary to ensure that the system is in compliance with V.T.C.A. Health and Safety Code ch. 366 and TAC ch. 285 and any additional applicable rules. In addition to the unsatisfactory on-site disposal systems prohibited by the state, pit privies and portable toilets are not acceptable waste disposal systems for lots platted under these rules.

(Ordinance 2022-52, § 1, adopted 12/21/2022)

§ 109-128 Construction documents and construction inspection.

(a)

Review process.

The city engineer's office shall review the construction plans for conformance to subdivision regulations for roadways and drainage improvements. The Harlingen Waterworks Engineer's Office shall also review the construction plans for general conformance to TCEQ and HWWS requirements for water and wastewater improvements. This review shall be for conformance to subdivision regulations and the responsibility and liability for the adequacy of the design shall remain with the engineer sealing the documents.

(b)

Subdivision construction document submission process.

Construction documents shall be produced by an engineer or surveyor as applicable and shall be submitted in a format as directed by the city engineer and HWWS to the department of planning and development. Content and submittal information shall conform to the city subdivision development guide. This manual is available online at the city website.

(c)

Construction inspection.

At all times throughout the construction process, the city shall be provided reasonable access to any areas where public improvements are being constructed.

(1)

During construction of the subdivision improvements, periodic inspection of the quantities and quality of workmanship of the construction shall be provided by the city to oversee compliance with the plans and specifications, as provided, for those improvements that will be dedicated for public use.

(2)

The developer shall ensure that the construction contractor notifies the engineering department and HWWS (as applicable for water and sewer infrastructure) of all key construction activities, milestones, and testing appointments to allow for the witnessing of said activities by city inspection personnel. A minimum time of 24-hours preceding the event or as coordinated through the city or HWWS inspector shall be required for all notifications. Inspections are to be scheduled during normal business hours Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

(3)

All geotechnical and other testing shall be paid for by the developer. Copies of all test reports shall be provided to the city engineer and HWWS (as applicable). The city reserves the right to hire the geotechnical firm to undertake the subdivision's testing or for additional testing. Materials installed by the developer must meet the requirements in the specifications or as approved by the city engineer or HWWS (as applicable). The developer's geotechnical engineering firm must be approved by the city.

(4)

Any field modifications shall be immediately reported to the city engineer, HWWS (as applicable) or their respective inspection personnel and a record of all field changes shall be kept by the contractor on-site. Final acceptance of any changes from plans and specifications shall be approved by the city engineer or HWWS (as applicable) or their duly authorized representative.

(Ordinance 2022-52, § 1, adopted 12/21/2022)