Friday, April 24, 2009

Draft Code: Easement Access for Plats

The following proposed Code language will allow lots to be developed without frontage on streets. This change to the current requirements is intended to allow for more flexibility within short plats, and areas where providing street frontage is particularly difficult.

This new Code language will be part of Chapter 21.50 Improvement Standards. The concept of access easements was initially brought up as part of the Short Plat discussion. This Code language is proposed so that the benefits can be extended to all plats as applicable, not just short plats.

Short plat Section 21.60.070 Design Standards and Required Improvements may need to be revised accordingly.


XXX.XX.XX1 Alternative Access Exception. The City may, at the request of the applicant and as permitted by the Oak Harbor zoning code, allow access to residential lots created through land division by alternative means, in the form of shared drives and private streets when in the opinion of the Development Services Director and City Engineer:
(a) The improvement of a public street is not necessary to accommodate public utilities.
(b) the improvement of a public street is not necessary to provide safe and efficient traffic flow.
(c) The improvement of a public street is not necessary to provide access to future developable area;
(d) The improvement of a public street is not necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare of the residents and general public and,
(e) A site contains natural constraints, such as topography or environmentally sensitive areas, and the provision of an easement would reduce impacts to those areas

XXX.XX.XX2 Shared Drives. Shared drives may be created which access a limited number of units as follows:
(a) four (4) single-family lots or,
(b) eight (8) multifamily units.

XXX.XX.XX3 Private Streets. Private streets may be created which access a limited number of units as follows:
(a) Nine (9) single-family lots or,
(b) 18 multifamily units

XXX.XX.XX4 Design Standards. Shared drives and private streets shall be constructed to City standards as required. The City Engineer may require a turnaround to City standards on any easement access drive. The following standards outline the required elements and dimensions of shared access drives and private streets:

Table X. Required Elements and Dimensions for Private Streets (to be added to OHMC)

XXX.XX.XX5 Development Standards for Easement Access Lots. All lots or residential units that abut or are adjacent to an easement access drive are required to take access off the easement, unless it is determined by the Development Services Director or City Engineer that:
(a) it is impractical or impossible due to:
(i) existing site conditions;
(ii) existing structures; and, or
(iii) topography or environmental constraints of the site.

XXX.XX.XX6 Services. A maximum of two lots can be served by private utility side services within an easement, unless the City Engineer determines that a public utility main is necessary for adequate area service. Three or more lots served within an easement will require public utilities.

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