City of Oneida, NY Design and Improvement Standards

Design of the development shall take into consideration all existing local and regional plans for the surrounding community.

Development of the site shall be based on the site analysis. To the maximum extent practicable, development shall be located to preserve the natural features of the site, to avoid areas of environmental sensitivity, and to minimize negative impacts and alteration of natural features.

The following specific areas shall be preserved as undeveloped open space, to the extent consistent with the reasonable utilization of land, and in accordance with applicable state or local regulations:

Unique and/or fragile areas, including wetlands as defined in Section 404, Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972, and delineated on wetlands maps prepared by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, field verified by on site inspection;

Significant trees or stands of trees, defined as the largest known individual trees of each species in the state, large trees approaching the diameter of the known largest tree, or species or clumps of trees that are rare to the area or of particular horticultural or landscape value;

Lands in the floodplain, as defined by state or local regulations;

Steep slopes in excess of 20% as measured over a ten-foot interval unless appropriate engineering measures concerning slope stability, erosion, and resident safety are taken;

(e)

Habitats of endangered wildlife, as identified on federal or state lists; and

(f)

Historically significant structures and sites, as listed on federal or state lists of historic places.

The development shall be laid out to avoid adversely affecting groundwater and aquifer recharge; to reduce cut and fill; to avoid unnecessary impervious cover; to prevent flooding; to provide adequate access to lots; and to mitigate adverse effects of shadow, noise, glare, traffic, drainage, and utilities on neighboring properties.

Residential development design.

In planned unit developments (PUD), the Joint Zoning Board of Appeals/Planning Commission may vary lot areas and dimensions, yards, and setbacks for the purpose of encouraging and promoting flexibility, economy, and environmental soundness in layout and design, provided that the average lots, areas and dimensions, yards, and setbacks within the subdivision conform to the minimum requirements of the City's development regulations, and provided that such standards shall be appropriate to the type of development permitted.

[Amended 11-8-2017 by L.L. No. 5-2017]

Residential lots shall front on residential access or subcollector streets, not on collector streets.

Every lot shall have sufficient access to it for emergency vehicles as well as for those needing access to the property in its intended use.

The placement of units in residential developments shall take into consideration topography, privacy, building height, orientation, drainage, and aesthetics.

Buildings shall be spaced so that adequate privacy is provided for units.

Commercial and industrial development design. Commercial and industrial developments shall be designed according to the same principles governing the design of residential developments; namely, buildings shall be located according to topography, with environmentally sensitive areas avoided to the maximum extent practicable; factors such as drainage, noise, odor, and surrounding land uses considered in siting buildings; sufficient access shall be provided; and adverse impacts buffered.

Circulation system design.

The road system shall be designed to permit the safe, efficient, and orderly movement of traffic; to meet but not exceed the needs of the present and future population served; to have a simple and logical pattern; to respect natural features and topography; and to present an attractive streetscape.

In planned residential developments, the road system shall be designed to serve the needs of the neighborhood and to discourage use by through traffic.

The pedestrian system shall be located as required for safety. In conventional developments, walks shall be placed parallel to the street, with exceptions permitted to preserve natural features or to provide visual interest. In residential planned developments, walks may be placed away from the road system, but they may also be required parallel to the street for safety reasons.

Bikeways shall be required only if specifically indicated in the Comprehensive Plan.

Landscape design.

Reasonable landscaping should be provided at development entrances, in public areas, and adjacent to dwellings. The type and amount of landscaping required shall be allowed to vary with the type of development.

The plant or other landscaping material that best serves the intended function shall be selected. Landscaping materials shall be appropriate for the local environment, soil conditions, and availability of water. The impact of the proposed landscaping plan at various time intervals shall also be considered.

§ 143-17 Open space and recreation.

Purpose. Planned unit residential developments shall be required to provide open space. Developed open space shall be designed to provide active recreational facilities to serve the residents of the development. Undeveloped open space shall be designed to preserve important site amenities and environmentally sensitive area. [See § 143-16A(3) for areas to be preserved as undeveloped open space.]

Minimum requirements.

Amount of open space required. Ten percent of the tract proposed for development shall be set aside for developed and undeveloped open space, adjusted, as appropriate, for conditions such as population density, existing municipal facilities, topography and other appropriate site and development-specific factors.

Size of open space parcels. The area of each parcel of open space designed for active recreational purposes shall be of such minimum dimensions as to be functionally usable.

Location of open space parcels. Open space parcels shall be convenient to the dwelling units they are intended to serve. However, because of noise generation, they shall be sited with sensitivity to surrounding development.

Improvements of open space parcels.

[Amended 11-8-2017 by L.L. No. 5-2017]

Developed open space. The Joint Zoning Board of Appeals/Planning Commission may require the installation of recreational facilities, taking into consideration:

The character of the open space land;

The estimated age and the recreation needs of persons likely to reside in the development;

Proximity, nature, and excess capacity of existing municipal recreation facilities; and

The cost of the recreational facilities.

Undeveloped open space. As a general principle, undeveloped open space should be left in its natural state. A developer may make certain improvements such as the cutting of trails for walking or jogging, or the provision of picnic areas, etc. In addition, the Joint Zoning Board of Appeals/Planning Commission may require a developer to make other improvements, such as removing dead or diseased trees, thinning trees or other vegetation to encourage more desirable growth, and grading and seeding.

Open space ownership. The type of ownership of land dedicated for open space purposes shall be selected by the owner, developer, or subdivider, subject to the approval of the Joint Zoning Board of Appeals/Planning Commission. Type of ownership may include, but is not necessarily limited to, the following:

[Amended 11-8-2017 by L.L. No. 5-2017]

The municipality, subject to acceptance by the governing body of the municipality;

Other public jurisdictions or agencies, subject to their acceptance;

Quasi-public organizations, subject to their acceptance;

Homeowner, condominium, or cooperative associations or organizations; or

Shared, undivided interest by all property owners in the subdivision.

Homeowners' association. If the open space is owned and maintained by a homeowner or condominium association, the developer shall file a declaration of covenants and restrictions that will govern the association, to be submitted with the application for the preliminary approval. The provisions shall include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:

The homeowners' association must be established before the homes are sold;

Membership must be mandatory for each home buyer and any successive buyer;

The open space restrictions must be permanent, not just for a period of years;

The association must be responsible for liability insurance, local taxes, and the maintenance of recreational and other facilities;

Homeowners must pay their pro rata share of the cost, and the assessment levied by the association can become a lien on the property if allowed in the master deed establishing the homeowners' association; and

The association must be able to adjust the assessment to meet changed needs.

Maintenance of open space areas. The person or entity identified in Subsection D of this section as having the right of ownership or control over the open space shall be responsible for its continuing upkeep and proper maintenance.

§ 143-18 Landscaping standards.

The intent of this section is to promote the public's health, safety, and general welfare by minimizing noise, air, and visual pollution; improving the appearance of off-street parking and other vehicular use areas; requiring buffering between incompatible land uses; regulating the appearance of property abutting public rights-of-way; protecting and preserving the appearance, character and value of the community and its residential neighborhood areas; preventing soil erosion and soil depletion; and promoting groundwater retention.

Application. These requirements shall apply to all uses, for which site plan review is required. No site plan shall be approved unless said site plan shall show landscaping, greenbelt buffers and screening consistent with the requirements set forth herein. Screening is the enclosure of an area by a visual barrier, which may include a landscape buffer, solid fencing or other materials as specified in Subsections C, D, E and H of this section.

Landscaping plan required. A separate detailed landscaping plan shall be required to be submitted as part of a site plan review. The landscaping plan shall include but not necessarily be limited to the following items:

Location, spacing, size, and root type [bare root (BR) or balled and burlapped (BB)] and descriptions for each plant type proposed for use within the required landscape area.

Minimum scale: 1 inch = 100 feet.

Existing and proposed contours on-site and 150 feet beyond the site at intervals not to exceed two feet.

Typical straight cross section including slope, height, and width of berms and type of ground cover or height and type of construction of wall or fence, including footings.

Significant construction details to resolve specific site conditions, such as tree wells to preserve existing trees or culverts to maintain natural drainage patterns.

Planting and staking details in either text or drawing form to ensure proper installation and establishment of proposed plant materials.

Identification of existing trees and vegetative cover to be preserved.

(8)

Identification of grass and other ground cover and method of planting.

(9)

Identification of landscape maintenance program, including statement that all diseased, damaged, or dead materials shall be replaced in accordance with standards of this chapter.

Parking lot landscaping. Separate landscaped areas shall be required either within or at the perimeter of parking lots. There shall be one tree for every 10 parking spaces, with a minimum landscaped space within a designated parking area of 50 square feet. A minimum distance of three feet shall be established between proposed tree or shrub plantings and the backside of the curb or edge of the pavement.

Greenbelt buffers. A strip of land with a minimum width, determined by the front yard setback of its zoning classification, shall be located between the abutting right-of-way of a public street or major thoroughfare and shall be landscaped with a minimum of one tree not less than 12 feet in height or a minimum caliper of two inches (whichever is greater at the time of planting) for each 30 linear feet or major portion thereof of frontage abutting said right-of-way. The remainder of the greenbelt shall be landscaped in berms, ground cover, shrubs, and/or other natural living, landscape material.

Site landscaping.

In addition to any landscape greenbelt and/or parking lot landscaping required by this section, 10% of the site area, excluding existing thoroughfare right-of-way, shall be landscaped.

Areas used for storm drainage purposes, such as unfenced drainage courses or retention areas in front or side yards, may be included as a portion of the required landscaped area not to exceed 5% of the site area.

Landscape elements. The following minimum standards shall apply:

Quality. Plant material and grasses shall be of generally acceptable varieties and species, free of insects and diseases, hardy to Madison County, conform to the current minimum standard of the American Association of Nurserymen and shall have proof of any required governmental regulations and/or inspections.

Composition. A mixture of plant material, such as evergreen, deciduous trees and shrubs, is recommended as a protective measure against insect and disease infestation. A limited mixture of hardy species is recommended rather than a large quantity of different species to produce a more aesthetic, cohesive design and avoid a disorderly appearing arrangement.

Berms. Berms shall be constructed with slopes not to exceed a 1:3 gradient with side slopes designed and planted to prevent erosion, and with a rounded surface a minimum of two feet in width at the highest point of the berm, extending the length of the berm. Berm slopes shall be protected with sod, seed, shrubs or other form of natural ground cover.

Existing trees.

If existing plant material is labeled "To Remain" on site plans by the applicant or required by the Joint Zoning Board of Appeals/Planning Commission, protective techniques, such as but not limited to fencing or barriers laced at the dripline around the perimeter of the plant material shall be installed during construction. No vehicle or other construction equipment shall be parked or stored within the dripline of any plant material intended to be saved. Other protective techniques may be used, provided that such techniques are approved by the Joint Zoning Board of Appeals/Planning Commission.

[Amended 11-8-2017 by L.L. No. 5-2017]

In the event that healthy trees which are used to meet the minimum requirements of this chapter or those labeled to remain are cut down, destroyed, damaged, or excavated at the dripline, as determined by the Joint Zoning Board of Appeals/Planning Commission, the contractor shall replace them with trees which meet ordinance requirements.

[Amended 11-8-2017 by L.L. No. 5-2017]

Installation, maintenance, and completion. All landscaping required by this chapter shall be planted prior to obtaining a certificate of occupancy. A letter of credit and/or certified check shall be placed in escrow in the amount of the cost of landscaping, to be released only after landscaping is completed.

Installation and maintenance.

All landscaping and landscape elements shall be planted and earth moving or grading performed, in a sound workmanlike manner and according to accepted good planting and grading procedures.

The owner of property required to be landscaped by this chapter shall maintain such landscaping in a reasonably healthy condition, free from refuse and debris. All unhealthy and dead material shall be replaced within one year of damage or death or the next appropriate planting period, whichever comes first. All landscaped areas shall be provided with a readily available and acceptable water supply.

Fencing and screening. Unless otherwise specified or determined by the Joint Zoning Board of Appeals/Planning Commission, fencing and screening is to be no greater than six feet in height. Measurement in excess of six feet in height shall require a variance. Gateposts and other superstructures over site entrances and exits may be up to 12 feet in height. Fencing and screening materials of a height greater than three feet are not to be located within a required front setback or side setback adjacent to a street.

[Amended 11-8-2017 by L.L. No. 5-2017]

Outdoor storage: to be screened on all sides by a solid wall or fencing.

Public utility substations: to be screened on all sides by a solid wall or fencing and landscaping.

§ 143-19 Streets.

General.

The arrangement of streets shall conform to the circulation plan of the Comprehensive Plan or Official Map for the City of Oneida.

For streets not shown on the Comprehensive Plan or Official Map, the arrangement shall provide for the appropriate extension of existing streets.

Residential streets shall be arranged so as to discourage through traffic and provide for maximum privacy.

Street hierarchy.

Streets shall be classified in a street hierarchy system with design tailored to function.

The street hierarchy system shall be defined by road function and average daily traffic (ADT), calculated by trip generation rates prepared by the Institute of Transportation Engineers. Trip generation rates from other sources may be used if the applicant demonstrates that these sources better reflect local conditions.

Each residential street shall be classified and designed for its entire length to meet the City's standards.

The applicant shall demonstrate to the Joint Zoning Board of Appeals/Planning Commission's satisfaction that the distribution of traffic to the proposed street system will not exceed ADT thresholds, for any proposed street type.

[Amended 11-8-2017 by L.L. No. 5-2017]

Cartway width.

Cartway width for each street classification shall be determined by parking and curbing requirements which are based on form and intensity of development.

Intensity of development shall be based on lot frontage as follows:

	Intensity of Development
		Low	Medium	High
	Lot frontage (in feet)	More than 150	75 to 150	Less than 75

Cartway width shall also consider possible limitations imposed by sight distances, climate, terrain, and maintenance needs. In order to minimize street costs, the minimum width assuring satisfaction of needs shall be selected.

Curbs and gutters.

Curbing shall be required for the purposes of drainage, safety, and delineation and protection of pavement edge.

Curb requirements shall vary according to street hierarchy and intensity of development.

Curbing may also be required:

[1]

For storing water management;

[2]

To stabilize pavement edge;

[3]

To delineate parking areas;

[4]

Ten feet on each side of drainage inlets;

At intersections;

At corners; and

At tight radii.

Handicap accessible curb cuts/ramps are required at all intersections.

Where curbing is not required, some sort of edge definition and stabilization shall be furnished for safety reasons and to prevent pavement unraveling.

Where curbing is required, this requirement may be waived and shoulders and/or drainage swales used when it can be shown that:

Shoulders are required by state regulations;

Soil or topography makes the use of shoulders and/or drainage swales preferable; or

It is in the best interests of the community to preserve its rural character by using shoulders and/or drainage swales instead of curbs.

At medium development intensity, the curbing requirement may be waived where front setbacks exceed 40 feet and it can be demonstrated that sufficient on-site parking exists.

Flexibility regarding curb type shall be permitted as long as the curb type accommodates the system of drainage proposed.

Curbing shall be designed to provide a ramp for bicycles and/or wheelchairs as required by state law.

(8)

Curbing shall be constructed according to City specifications.

Shoulders.

Shoulders and/or drainage swales shall be required instead of curbs when:

Shoulders are required by state law;

Soil or topography makes the use of shoulders and/or drainage swales preferable; or

It is in the best interest of the community to serve its rural character by using shoulders and/or drainage swales instead of curbs.

Shoulder requirements shall vary according to street hierarchy and intensity of development in accordance with the City specifications.

Shoulders shall measure four feet in width on each side for all streets and shall be located within the right-of-way. The width of swales shall be determined by site-specific conditions.

Shoulders shall consist of stabilized turf or other material acceptable to the Joint Zoning Board of Appeals/Planning Commission.

[Amended 11-8-2017 by L.L. No. 5-2017]

Sidewalks.

Sidewalks and/or graded areas shall be required depending on road classification and intensity of development in accordance with the City's requirements.

Where sidewalks are optional, they may be required if close to pedestrian generators, to continue a walk on an existing street, to link areas, or depending on probable future development as indicated in the applicable Comprehensive Plan.

In commercial areas sidewalks should be an integral part of the curb/sidewalk design.

In planned developments, sidewalks may be located away from the road system to link dwelling units with other dwelling units, the street, and on-site activity centers such as parking areas and recreational areas. They may also be required parallel to the street for safety and other reasons.

Pedestrian-way easements 10 feet wide may be required by the Joint Zoning Board of Appeals/Planning Commission through the center of blocks more than 600 feet long to provide circulation or access to schools, playgrounds, shopping, or other community facilities.

[Amended 11-8-2017 by L.L. No. 5-2017]

Sidewalks shall measure five feet in width; wider widths may be necessary near pedestrian generators and employment centers. The width of graded areas shall be the same as for sidewalks.

Sidewalks and graded areas shall be constructed according to City specifications.

(8)

Handicapped accessible curb cuts/ramps shall be required at all intersections.

(9)

Sidewalks interrupted by curbed driveways shall be required to have curb ramps for the handicapped.

Bikeways.

Separate bicycle paths shall be required only if such paths have been specified as part of the Comprehensive Plan.

Bicycle lanes, where required, shall be placed in the outside lane of a roadway, adjacent to the curb or shoulder. When on-street parking is permitted, the bicycle lane shall be between the parking lane and the outer lane of moving vehicles. Lanes shall be delineated with markings, preferably stripping. Raised reflectors or curbs shall not be used.

Bikeways shall be constructed according to City specifications.

Utility and shade tree areas.

Utilities and shade trees shall generally be located within the right-of-way on both sides and parallel to the street. Shade trees may also be placed outside the public right-of-way.

Utility and shade tree areas shall be planted with grass or ground cover, or treated with other suitable cover material.

Right-of-way.

The right-of-way shall be measured from lot line to lot line and shall be sufficiently wide to contain the cartway, curbs, shoulders, sidewalks, graded areas, utilities and shade trees (if they are placed within the right-of-way).

The right-of-way width of a new street that is a continuation of an existing street shall in no case be continued at a width less than that of the existing street.

The right-of-way shall reflect future development as indicated by the Comprehensive Plan.

Street grade and intersections. See City specifications.

Pavement section.

Street pavement thickness shall vary by street hierarchy, subgrade properties, and pavement type.

Pavement design for residential access streets, subcollectors, and collectors shall conform to City specifications.

Lighting.

Lighting shall be provided in accordance with a plan designed by the utility company, or using as a guideline the standards set forth by the IES Lighting Handbook.

Lighting for safety shall be provided at intersections, along walkways, at entryways, between buildings, and in parking areas.

Spacing of standards shall be equal to approximately four times the height standard.

The maximum height of standards shall not exceed the maximum building height permitted, or 25 feet, whichever is less.

The height and shielding of lighting standards shall provide proper lighting without hazard to drivers or nuisance to residents, and the design of lighting standards shall be of a type appropriate to the development and the City of Oneida.

Spotlights, if used, shall be placed on standards pointing toward the building and positioned so as not to blind the residents, rather than on the buildings and directed outwards which creates dark shadows adjacent to the buildings.

Underground wiring.

Electric, telephone, television, and other communication lines, both main and service connections, servicing new developments are encouraged to be placed underground within easements or dedicated public rights-of-way and installed in accordance with the prevailing standards and practices of the utility or other companies providing such services.

Where overhead lines are to be utilized, the placement and alignment of poles shall be designed to lessen the visual impact of such. Alignments and pole locations shall be carefully routed to avoid locations along horizons; clearing swaths through treed areas shall be avoided by selective cutting and a staggered alignment; trees shall be planted in open areas and at key locations to minimize the view of the poles and the alignments.

Year-round screening of any utility apparatus appearing above the surface of the ground, other than utility poles, shall be required.

§ 143-20 Water supply.

General.

All installations shall be properly connected with an approved and functioning public community water system.

Distance.

Depending on the number of housing units, planned residential developments shall be connected to an existing public water supply system if public service is available within the following distances:

	Size of Development (units)	Distance (feet)
	1	200
	2	400
	3	600
	4	800
	5-15	1,000

For planned developments with more than 15 units and located within one mile of an existing public water system, adequate justification shall be provided as to why they shall not provide a connection to the existing public water supply system. For planned developments with more than 15 units and located more than one mile from an existing system, the water supply system strategy shall be determined on a case-by-case basis taking into consideration density of the development, costs, and groundwater availability and quality.

If a public water supply system is to be provided to the area within a six-year period as indicated in the City of Oneida's water plan, Official Map, or other official document, the City may require installation of a capped system, or dry lines (mains only), within the road right-of-way; or the City may require a payment in lieu of the improvement.

All proposals for new public community water supplies or extensions to existing public water systems or the installation of dry lines shall be approved by the officially designated agency of local, state or other unit of government.

Capacity.

The water supply system shall be adequate to handle the necessary flow based on complete development.

The demand rates for all uses shall be considered in computing the total system demand. Where fire protection is provided, the system shall be capable of providing the required fire demand plus the required domestic demand.

Average daily residential demand can be computed in accordance with the housing unit type and size data shown herein.

Nonresidential demand can be computed in accordance with data shown herein.

Fire protection shall be furnished for any development connected to the City's water supply system, and minimum fire flows shall be based on recommendations by the American Insurance Association and the National Board of Fire Underwriters.

The water system shall be designed to carry peak-hour flows and be capable of delivering peak hourly demands indicated herein.

For developments one- and two-family dwellings, not exceeding two stories in height, the short method indicated herein.

System design and placement. System design and placement shall comply with City construction specifications.

Fire hydrants.

Hydrants shall be spaced to provide necessary fire flow. The average area per hydrant shall not exceed 120,000 square feet. In addition, hydrants shall be spaced so that each residence shall be within 500 feet of a hydrant.

A hydrant shall be located at all low points and at all high points with adequate means of drainage provided.

Hydrants shall be located at the ends of lines, and valves of full line size shall be provided after hydrant tees at the ends of all dead lines that may be extended in the future.

Size, type and installation of hydrants shall conform to City specifications.

§ 143-21 Sanitary sewers. [1]

General.

All installations shall be properly connected to an approved and functioning sanitary sewer system prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy.

Distance.

Depending on the number of housing units, planned residential developments shall be connected to an existing public sanitary sewer supply system if public service is available within the following distances:

	Size of Development (units)	Distance (feet)
	1	100
	2	100
	3	600
	4	800
	5-15	1,000

For developments with more than 15 units and located within one mile of an existing public sanitary sewer system, adequate justification shall be provided as to why they should not provide a connection to the existing public sanitary sewer system. For developments with more than 15 units and located more than one mile from an existing system, the sanitary sewer system strategy shall be determined on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the density of development and cost.

If a public system is not in place or cannot be extended, the developer must provide individual subsurface disposal systems where appropriate, given site density, soil, slope, and other conditions and subject to applicable state and other prevailing regulations.

If a public sanitary sewer system will be provided to the area within a six-year period as indicated in the City's sewer plan, Official Map, or other official document, the City may require installation of a capped system, or "dry lines" (mains only), within the road right-of-way; or the City may require a payment in lieu of the improvement.

(e)

All proposals for new public sanitary sewer systems, or extensions to existing public sewer systems or the installation of dry lines or the use of individual subsurface disposal systems shall be approved by the officially designated agency of local, state, or other unit of government.

System design and placement.

The sanitary sewer system shall be adequate to handle the necessary flow based on complete development.

Average daily residential sewer flow shall be calculated as shown herein.

Sanitary sewerage facilities shall be designed, approved and constructed IAW with following references as may be appropriate for public sanitary sewers or individual household disposal systems:

Chapter 139, Sewers of the Code of the City of Oneida.

"Recommended Standards for Wastewater Facilities" as published by the Great Lakes-Upper Mississippi River Board of State Public Health and Environmental Managers (common title: "Ten State Standards"), 1990.

"Design Standards for Wastewater Treatment Works," as published by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

"Wastewater Treatment Standards - Individual Household Systems," Appendix 75-A of Part 75 of the Administrative Rules and Regulations contained in Chapter 11 of Title 10 (Health) of the Official Compilation of Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York.

[1]

Editor's Note: See Ch. 139, Sewers.

§ 143-22 Stormwater management.

General.

Design of the stormwater management system shall be consistent with general and specific concerns, values, and standards of the City's Comprehensive Plan and applicable county, regional, and state storm drainage control programs, including Mosquito Commission Control Standards, if applicable. Design shall be based on environmentally sound site planning and engineering techniques.