Item #CC

Item #CC

Remove the reference to dead-end streets, which are not permitted, and also to correct spelling and provide consistent formatting.

7.10.3 Standards for Streets/On-Site Vehicular Circulation

The following standards shall be met in all new residential development in order to increase connectivity:

(A) Street Connectivity

Any residential development shall be required to achieve a connectivity index of 1.2 or greater unless the Planning Director determines that this requirement is impractical due to topography, existing development, and/or natural features. In the event that this requirement is waived, a six (6)-foot pedestrian trail shall be provided to link any cul-de-sacs within a residential development in which the required connectivity index has been waived. A connectivity index is a ratio of the number of street links (road sections between intersections and cul-de-sacs) divided by the number of street nodes (intersections and cul-de-sac heads). The following illustration provides an example of how to calculate the index. Street links on existing adjacent streets that are not part of the proposed subdivision are not included in the connectivity index calculation.

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NOTE: The measure of connectivity is the number of street links divided by the number of nodes. Nodes exist at street intersections as well as cul-de-sac heads. Links are the stretches of road that connect nodes. Stub outs shall also be considered as links. In this example, there are eleven (11) links (circles) and nine (9) nodes (stars); therefore, the connectivity index is 1.22

(B) Street Arrangement

(1) The proposed public or private street system shall be designed to provide vehicular interconnections to facilitate internal and external traffic movements in the area. Such connections shall be provided during the initial phase of the project approximately every 1,250 to 1,500 linear feet for each direction (north, south, east, west) in which the subject property abuts. If the common property boundary in any direction is less than 1,250 linear feet, the subject property will be required to provide an interconnection if it is determined by the Planning Director that the interconnection in that direction can best be accomplished through the subject property. When the Planning Director deems a vehicular connection impractical, he/she can increase the length requirement and/or require pedestrian connections. The Planning Director may delay the interconnection if such interconnection requires state approval or will result in significant hardship to the property owner. The intent of this standard is to improve access/egress for Town neighborhoods, provide faster response time for emergency vehicles, and improve the connections between neighborhoods.

(2) Any development of more than one hundred (100) residential units or additions to existing developments such that the total number of units exceeds one hundred (100) shall be required to provide vehicular access to at least two (2) public streets unless such provision is deemed impractical by the Planning Director or Town Engineer due to topography, natural features, or the configuration of adjacent developments.

(3) Where new development is adjacent to vacant land likely to be divided in the future, all streets, bicycle paths, and access ways in the development's proposed street system shall continue through to the boundary lines of the area under the same ownership as the subdivision, as determined by the Planning Director or the Town Engineer, to provide for the orderly subdivision of such adjacent land or the transportation and access needs of the community. In addition, all redevelopment and street improvement projects shall take advantage of opportunities for retrofitting existing streets to provide increased vehicular and pedestrian connectivity.

(4) In general, permanent cul-de-sacs are discouraged in the design of street systems, and should only be used when topography, the presence of natural features, and/or vehicular safety factors make a vehicular connection impractical. Where cul-de-sacs are unavoidable, site and/or subdivision plans shall incorporate provisions for future vehicular connections to adjacent, undeveloped properties, and to existing adjacent development where existing connections are poor.

(5) Permanent cul-de-sacs shall comply with the length limits and design standards set forth in the Town's Standard Specifications and Details Manual, and shall be provided with a turnaround at the closed street end.

All non-residential development shall be designed to allow for cross-access to adjacent properties to encourage shared parking and shared access points on public or private streets. A minimum distance of one hundred (100) feet shall be required between a cross-access way and an intersection or driveway entrance. When cross-access is deemed impractical by the Planning Director on the basis of topography, the presence of natural features, or vehicular safety factors, this requirement may be waived provided that appropriate bicycle and pedestrian connections are provided between adjacent developments or land uses. A cross access easement must be recorded prior to issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy for the development.

7.10.4 Standards for Pedestrian Facilities

In addition to the general provisions of Section 7.10.3 above, the following specific standards shall be met in designing and achieving a pedestrian circulation system in new residential and non-residential development:

(A) Sidewalks

(1) All sidewalks shall be designed to comply with the standards provided by the Design Guidelines Manual, the Town Center Design Guidelines, and the Standard Specifications and Details Manual.

(2) Sidewalks shall be installed on both sides of all arterials, collector streets, and non-residential cul-de-sacs, and within and along the frontage of all new development or redevelopment. On local streets, sidewalks shall be required on only one (1) side of the street. Loop streets and/or residential cul-de-sacs are not required to have sidewalks, unless the street is located within one and one-half (1.5) miles of a school, or one-half (0.5) mile of a greenway, park, or shopping area, in which case a sidewalk shall be required on one (1) side of the street only.

(3) Pedestrian crossings shall be made safer for pedestrians whenever possible by shortening crosswalk distance with curb extensions, reducing sidewalk curb radii, and eliminating free right-turn lanes. Signals that allow longer crossing times in shopping districts, mid-block crossings in high-pedestrians use areas (if well marked and traffic speeds are low), and raised crosswalks and medians shall be provided as appropriate.

(4) Within residential and/or non-residential developments, pedestrian ways, crosswalks, or multi-purpose trails no less than five (5) feet in width, shall be constructed near the center and entirely through any block which is nine hundred (900) feet or more in length where necessary to provide adequate pedestrian circulation or access to schools, churches, retail stores, personal service establishments, recreational areas, or transportation facilities.

(5) Pedestrian walkways shall form an on-site circulation system that minimizes conflict between pedestrians and traffic at all points of pedestrian access to on-site parking and building entrances. Pedestrian walkways shall connect building entrances to one another and from building entrances to public sidewalk connections and existing or planned transit stops. Pedestrian walkways shall be provided to any pedestrian access point or any parking space that is more than fifty (50) feet from the building entrance or principal on-site destination. All developments that contain more than one (1) building shall provide walkways between the principal entrances of the buildings. All non-residential buildings set back more than one hundred (100) feet from the public right-of-way shall provide for direct pedestrian access from the building to buildings on adjacent lots.

(6) Where residential developments have cul-de-sacs, such streets shall be connected to the closest local or collector streets or to cul-de-sacs in adjoining subdivisions via a sidewalk or multi-use path, except where deemed impractical by the Planning Director.

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