Chapter 17.32 DESIGN STANDARDS

Land which the planning commission has found to be unsuitable for subdivision due to flooding, bad drainage, steep slopes, rock formations, other critical areas (as defined by the Growth Management Act) or other features likely to be harmful to the safety and general health of the future residents, and which the planning commission considers inappropriate for subdivision, shall not be subdivided, unless adequate methods approved by the city are planned to overcome these conditions.

Those areas of the city where topographical slopes are ten percent or more shall be subdivided in conformance with such additional requirements as deemed appropriate. Such additional requirements shall be obtained from the appropriate department heads by the planning commission or administrator and presented to the subdivider within thirty days of the request for such information.

The proposed subdivision shall provide for such requirements contained in the comprehensive plan.

§ 17.32.030 Street, rights-of-way and accesses.

The subdivider shall make available for public acquisition by dedication or at a reasonable price such land in the area to be subdivided as designated by the comprehensive plan for educational and recreational purposes.

(Ord. 1226 (part), 1993; Ord. 1812 § 1 (Exh. A)(part), 2015)

The following standards for streets, rights-of-way and accesses apply to all proposed subdivisions in the city of Omak:

The arrangement, character, extent, width, grade and location of all streets shall conform to the general comprehensive plan and shall be considered in their relation to existing and planned streets, to topographical conditions, to public convenience and safety and in their appropriate relation to the proposed uses of the land to be served by such streets;

Where such is not shown in the comprehensive plan, the arrangement of streets in a subdivision shall, when applicable, either:

Provide for the continuation or appropriate projection of existing principal streets in surrounding areas; or

Conform to a plan for the neighborhood approved or adopted by the city council to meet a particular situation where topographical or other conditions make continuance or conformance to existing streets impracticable;

Minor streets shall be so planned as to discourage their use by nonlocal traffic;

Where a subdivision abuts or contains an existing or proposed arterial street (US 97, SR 215, SR 155 and local arterials as designated in the comprehensive plan), the city council may require reverse frontage (with screen planting) and a non-access reservation along designated property lines, or such other treatment as may be necessary for adequate protection of residential properties and to afford separation of through and local traffic;

Nothing less than full width streets except boundary streets on the tract in which the plat is located. In the case of boundary streets with less than full width, there shall be included a conditional dedication clause on the face of the plat which will reserve the outer one foot of the boundary street from public usage until such time as the remainder of the right-of-way necessary to assure a full width street is dedicated from the adjoining parcels;

Where a subdivision borders on or contains a railroad right-of-way or limited access highway right-of-way, and there exists a reasonable possibility of a future overpass or intersection, the city council may require a “reservation for potential future right-of-way.” Such reservations for potential future right-of-way shall be laid out with due regard for the requirements of approach grades and future grade separations;

(g)

Reserve strips controlling access to streets shall be prohibited except where their control is definitely placed with the city under conditions approved by the city council;

(h)

Service drives, where provided in residential areas, shall be a minimum of twenty feet wide in front of residences facing major arterials;

(i)

Street jogs with centerline off-sets of less than one hundred twenty-five feet shall not be allowed;

(j)

Right-of-way for private roads shall not be less than thirty feet nor more than that required for regular plats. Right-of-way for access to utilities or service parcels not expected to be in regular use may not be less than fifteen feet in width;

(k)

A tangent at least fifty feet long shall be introduced between reverse curves on arterials and collector streets;

(l)

When connecting street lines deflect from each other at any one point by more than ten degrees, they shall be connected by a curve for arterial and collector streets, for which the degree of curvature shall be determined by the public works director;

(m)

Streets and/or road intersections shall be laid out so as to intersect as nearly as possible at right angles and no street shall intersect any other street at less than eighty degrees and at street intersections, property line corners shall be rounded by an arc, the minimum radius of which shall be twenty feet;

(n)

Street designs and right-of-way widths free from any encumbrances shall be as shown in the comprehensive plan and where not shown therein shall be not less than the specifications set forth in the current City of Omak Construction Standards for the Private Construction of Public Facilities.

A reduction of the right-of-way width may be permitted where topography permits or when the proposed street connects to or is the extension of any existing platted street having a right-of-way width less than the required minimum, when approved in accordance with Chapters 17.36 and 17.40;

(o)

The street area between the curbs shall be constructed in accordance with the provisions of the current City of Omak Construction Standards for the Private Construction of Public Facilities;

(p)

Half streets shall be prohibited except where essential to the reasonable development of the subdivision in conformity with the other requirements of this title and where the city council finds it will be practicable to require the dedication of the other half when the adjoining property is subdivided. Whenever a half street is adjacent to a tract being subdivided, the other half of the street shall be included as a part of the subdivision;

(q)

Dead-end streets, also referred to as cul-de-sacs, designed to be so permanently, may serve a maximum potential of two hundred vehicles per day and should otherwise be limited to a length of six hundred feet. Cul-de-sacs shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the current City of Omak Construction Standards for the Private Construction of Public Facilities;

(r)

No street names shall be used which will duplicate or be confused with the names of existing city streets. Street names shall be subject to the approval of the city council;

(s)

Street grades shall not exceed the standards set forth in the current City of Omak Construction Standards for the Private Construction of Public Facilities;

(t)

If access corridors are permitted, the minimum corridor width to serve one or two lots shall be twenty feet, and to serve three or four lots, shall be thirty feet. Greater width may be required at the discretion of the public works director and the planning commission if such greater width is deemed necessary to provide emergency ingress/egress;

(u)

If access by corridor in the same ownership as the lots served is permitted, the area of such corridor shall not be included in the lot areas in determining conformance with zoning requirements;

(v)

Permitted maximum length of an access corridor shall be three hundred feet, except as recommended by the planning commission and approved by the city council, it may be longer; provided, that if a lesser length serves the lots in the subdivision, such shorter length shall be the maximum permitted;

(w)

Access corridors may have official city street designations, provided the private nature shall also be indicated;

(x)

Curb, gutter, pavement and storm drainage facilities shall be required to prevent stormwater erosion and damage, unless such requirement is waived by the city council;

(y)

Private property may be dedicated to public use as streets by a deed of dedication acceptable to the city or by preparing and recording a plat in accordance with this title;

(z)

Curbs and gutters shall be installed in accordance with the current City of Omak Construction Standards for the Private Construction of Public Facilities;

(aa)

Street lights shall be provided and installed in conformance with Chapter 18.17, Outdoor Lighting Regulations, and the following standards:

One street light at each street intersection;

One street light at mid-block if the block is longer than five hundred feet;

Placement of street lights along arterial streets shall conform to the street light design plans for the street.

(bb)

Guard rails shall be provided on trestles or bridges and guard fences shall be provided on fills or culverts over four feet in height. Where streets or roads of the subdivision connect to or intersect existing roadways, there shall be installed drains of metal or concrete pipe of not less than twelve inches diameter.

(Ord. 1226 (part), 1993; Ord. 1599 § 17, 2007; Ord. 1812 § 1 (Exh. A)(part), 2015)

§ 17.32.040 Utilities.

All underground utilities in all new residential areas shall be installed and maintained at a depth of not less than three feet below the graded surface of said street, provided existing installations may be maintained at the present level until replaced.

All new utilities shall be installed underground except for the following:

Electric, pad-mounted transformers;

Electric transmission systems of a voltage of fifteen KV or more;

Service meters at structures;

(4)

TV cable amplifiers and distribution taps;

(5)

Telephone pedestals and cross-connection terminals;

(6)

Temporary services necessary for construction.

No buildings or structures, except fences, shall be permitted to be constructed on any utility easements, or over any utility facilities. Masonry fences will be considered as structures, rather than fences.

Water.

A complete domestic water distribution and fire protection system shall be installed at the expense of the developer in conformance with the comprehensive water plan and the current City of Omak Construction Standards for the Private Construction of Public Facilities. All water lines and services shall be installed prior to street improvements.

The water distribution system shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the current City of Omak Construction Standards for the Private Construction of Public Facilities and the state Department of Health regulations. Fire hydrants shall be installed, at the expense of the developer, at locations determined necessary by the city fire chief. Water mains shall be extended to the far edge of subdivisions for future extension by others.

The city, at its discretion, may direct that water main diameters in excess of that needed by service and fire protection for the subdivision be installed. If the city directs such oversizing, the city will pay the difference in pipe material cost between the pipe diameter required for the subdivision and the city-directed oversize diameter pipe.

Sanitary Sewer.

A sanitary sewer system shall be installed at the expense of the developer with a separate connection to the city sewer system for each lot and shall be designed and constructed in conformance with the comprehensive sewer plan, the state Department of Ecology, and the current City of Omak Construction Standards for the Private Construction of Public Facilities.

Sewer mains shall be extended to the far edge of subdivisions for future extensions by others.

The city, at its discretion, may direct that sewer main diameters in excess of that needed for service for the subdivision be installed. If the city directs such oversizing, the city will pay the difference in pipe material cost between the pipe diameter required for the subdivision and the city-directed oversize diameter pipe.

(Ord. 1226 (part), 1993; Ord. 1599 § 18, 2007; Ord. 1812 § 1 (Exh. A)(part), 2015)

§ 17.32.050 Storm drainage.

All developments shall make provisions for collection, retention and disposal of storm and other water runoff. The method of storm drainage handling will be dependent on the location of the development, but in all cases shall at a minimum comply with the Eastern Washington Storm Water Management requirements. The developer shall design and install a collection system according to the current City of Omak Construction Standards for the Private Construction of Public Facilities and Chapter 9.12. Where access to the system is not available, the developer must design and install the improvements needed to collect, retain and dispose of runoff on site. Such method of disposal must meet current local, state and federal standards for runoff collection, retention and disposal.

It is the intent of this section to adequately provide for suitable drainage provision in all short plats or regular subdivisions. All subdivisions shall provide for drainage such that their development does not conflict with present drainage patterns, or create a drainage problem within itself or for its neighbors. Most common short subdivisions are not anticipated to cause such conflicts; therefore, they will be subject to the requirements of this section only when review of the short subdivision by the city reveals, in its opinion, that such conflicts exist or potentially exist. When the city makes such determination, the subdivider shall conform to this section. Regular subdivisions shall comply with this section in all cases.

A drainage plan, where required, shall be prepared by a licensed engineer registered in the state of Washington and submitted to the city for review and approval for any proposed land development that will increase the quantity of or in any way alter the drainage runoff occurring prior to development.

Design calculations for peak flow and peak volume storage requirements shall be in accordance with the provisions of the current City of Omak Construction Standards for the Private Construction of Public Facilities and Chapter 9.12 unless it is determined by the city that the development is located in a drainage problem area, whereby the design storm frequency may be increased accordingly.

The plan shall provide for the on-site detention and/or retention of the total water intercepted and collected by the development and the areas (improved or unimproved) lying and draining presently to and through the proposed development, for the design storm, unless other natural or man-made systems are available for use.

Detention and/or retention of storm water runoff from any proposed land development shall be accomplished by storm water holding facilities either open or closed or by introduction, on site, of storm water into permeable soils via an infiltration system.

The drainage plan shall incorporate all calculations required by and in the current City of Omak Construction Standards for the Private Construction of Public Facilities and Chapter 9.12. Collection systems shall be either gravity pipe systems, open channels, or a combination of the two.

(g)

The overflow of runoff in excess of the design storm quantities must be situated or directed to where it would have overflowed under the conditions existing prior to proposed development. The capacity of the drainage course downstream of the development may be required to be evaluated. The submitted drainage plan shall incorporate, among other data, a topographical map to clearly define:

The proposed development;

All areas, improved or unimproved, lying upstream and draining to and across the proposed development; and

Drainage course, natural or otherwise, to which the proposed development shall drain.

(h)

The plans shall be prepared in accordance with the current City of Omak Construction Standards for the Private Construction of Public Facilities and Chapter 9.12.

(Ord. 1226 (part), 1993; Ord. 1599 § 19, 2007; Ord. 1812 § 1 (Exh. A)(part), 2015)

§ 17.32.060 Sidewalks.

Sidewalks shall be provided along all new and existing streets in conformance with the current City of Omak Construction Standards for the Private Construction of Public Facilities where designated in the comprehensive plan.

(Ord. 1226 (part), 1993; Ord. 1599 § 20, 2007; Ord. 1812 § 1 (Exh. A)(part), 2015)

§ 17.32.070 Alleys.

Alleys shall be provided in commercial and industrial districts, except that the city council may waive this requirement where other definite and assured provision is made for service access, such as off-street loading, unloading and parking consistent with and adequate for the uses proposed;

The minimum width of an alley shall be twenty feet;

Alley intersections and sharp changes in alignment shall be avoided, but where necessary corners shall be cut off sufficiently to permit safe vehicular movement as determined by the public works director; and

Dead-end alleys shall be avoided where possible, but if unavoidable, shall be provided with adequate turn-around facilities at the dead-end, as determined by the public works director.

(Ord. 1226 (part), 1993; Ord. 1812 § 1 (Exh. A)(part), 2015)

§ 17.32.080 Easements.

Easements across lots or centered on rear or side lot lines shall be provided for utilities. Utility easements shall have a minimum width of fifteen feet. Damage to properties within the easement area is at the owner’s risk and is not subject to reimbursement by the city;

Where a subdivision is traversed by a water-course, drainage, channel or stream there shall be provided a storm water easement or drainage right-of-way conforming substantially with the lines of such water-course, and such further width for construction or maintenance, or both, as will be adequate for the purpose. Parallel streets or parkways may be required in connection therewith; and

A six- to eight-foot pedestrian walking easement, parallel and near the water’s edge at any given time, is encouraged if feasible and appropriate on natural streams and creeks and other bodies of water along or within a proposed subdivision. In the construction of such a trail, a tread of three to four feet width is to be used and only such vegetation as necessary to establish such tread may be removed.

(Ord. 1226 (part), 1993; Ord. 1812 § 1 (Exh. A)(part), 2015)

§ 17.32.090 Blocks.

The lengths, widths and shapes of blocks shall be determined with due regard to:

Provision of adequate building sites suitable to the special needs of the type of use contemplated;

Needs for convenient access, circulation, control and safety of street traffic; and

Limitations and opportunities of topography.

Block lengths should not exceed one thousand feet.

Pedestrian crosswalks shall be required where deemed essential to provide circulation or access to schools, playgrounds, shopping centers, transportation and other community facilities.

(Ord. 1226 (part), 1993; Ord. 1812 § 1 (Exh. A)(part), 2015)

§ 17.32.100 Lots.

Each lot resulting from the subdivision of an area shall conform with zoning regulations;

Each lot shall adjoin a public street unless one of the following alternatives is approved by the public works director and recommended for approval by the planning commission. Lots may have access to a public street by an access corridor in the same ownership as the lots served, or by recorded easement over an access corridor in other ownership, whichever in the discretion of the approving officials is the best method of access based on existing adjacent development and potential development in as yet undeveloped adjacent properties, and on existing streets and potential future streets; further provided, that in the event the subdivider disagrees with the decision of the officials, he may take the matter to the city council for final decision;

The lot size, width, depth, shape and orientation shall be in accordance with the applicable city zoning laws;

Corner lots for residential use shall have extra width to permit appropriate building setback from and orientation to both streets;

The subdividing of the land shall be such as to provide, by means of a public street, each lot with satisfactory access to an existing public street; and

§ 17.32.110 Parks and recreational areas.

Double frontage and reverse frontage lots should be avoided except where essential to provide separation of residential development from traffic arteries or to overcome specific disadvantages of topography and orientation. An easement of at least eight feet, and across which there shall be no right of access, shall be provided along the line of lots abutting such a traffic artery or other disadvantageous use.

(Ord. 1226 (part), 1993; Ord. 1812 § 1 (Exh. A)(part), 2015)

Pursuant to RCW 58.17.110 and related statutes, the planning commission may recommend and the city council require that plats with less than ten thousand square feet lot sizes in urban areas not already served by parks and recreational areas to designate up to five percent of their land exclusive of streets, as either private or public parks and recreational areas subject to the following:

The nature of the park or recreation area shall be clearly indicated on the plat;

The acquisition of the land required by the city for public parks or recreational areas, other than streets and alleys, shall be obtained by deed from the developer in conjunction with final approval of the plat;

Such mitigation of park and recreation land and/or facilities shall be based on an identified and quantified impact on recreational resources;

Parks and recreation areas proposed for dedication shall at a minimum have an efficient irrigation system and suitable landscaping installed;

Parks and recreation areas proposed for dedication shall require low maintenance and a minimum of irrigation and landscaping;