Atwater Municipal Code Ch. 16.32 Improvements

A. A preliminary soils report prepared by a civil engineer registered in this state, and based upon adequate test borings, shall be required for every subdivision for which a final map or parcel map is required.

B. The preliminary soils report may be waived if the City Engineer determines that, due to the knowledge he has as to the soils qualities of the soils of the subdivision, no preliminary analysis is necessary.

C. If the preliminary soils report indicates the presence of critically expansive soils or other soils problems which, if not corrected, would lead to structural defects, a soils investigation of each lot in the subdivision may be required.

D. Such soils investigation shall be done by a civil engineer registered in this state, who shall recommend the corrective action which is likely to prevent structural damage to each structure proposed to be constructed in the area where such soils problem exists.

E. The City Council may approve the subdivision or portion thereof where such soils problems exist if it determines that the recommended action is likely to prevent structural damage to each structure to be constructed and, as a condition to the issuance of any building permit, may require that the approved recommended action be incorporated in the construction of each structure.

(Prior Code § 10-2.1201; Ord. CS 347, 1977)

A. A grading plan shall be prepared for each subdivision which requires a final map. The plan shall be prepared by a registered civil engineer or land surveyor and shall show how the total subdivision is to be protected from surface flooding as well as how all lots will be drained towards a public street and easement provided for such purposes. The plan shall show the amount of excavation and fill to be made in the subdivision along with the shrinkage factor or swelling factor of the soils to be used, as shown by the preliminary soils report. The plan shall also indicate any borrow needs from outside the subdivision or any material to be exported from the subdivision. The plan must provide an acceptable method of disposing of surface waters without probable erosion or damage to property downstream from the subdivision as determined by the City Engineer.

B. The plan must meet all requirements of the Uniform Building Code, as adopted by the City.

(Prior Code § 10-2.1202; Ord. CS 347, 1977)

The subdivider shall provide adequately sized storm drains, storm drain catch basins, storm drain outlet structures, and related accessories to provide proper drainage of all streets, highways, ways, alleys, and lots of the subdivision.

(Prior Code § 10-2.1203; Ord. CS 347, 1977)

The subdivider shall provide adequate street lighting within the subdivision in conformance with construction specifications and standards as approved by the City Council.

(Prior Code § 10-2.1204; Ord. CS 347, 1977)

A. Subdivider shall provide adequate grading, subgrade, base, and pavement for all public streets within the subdivision. These improvements must be in conformance with the construction specifications and standards as approved by the City Council or as required as a condition for approval of the tentative map, and each shall be constructed to equal or exceed the section as recommended in the soils report. The traffic index to be used in the design of each street shall be as determined by the City Engineer.

B. The subdivider shall also provide other street improvements as indicated in the approved standards or as required as a condition of approval of the tentative map including, but not limited to, concrete curbs, gutters, cross gutters, driveways, sidewalks, street name signs, traffic-control signs, and barricades.

C. The subdivider shall also provide street trees as indicated in the City's approved street tree plan. The exact species and location of individual trees shall be shown on a plan, which plan shall be subject to consideration and approval of the City Engineer.

D. All improvements required in this section shall be shown on plan and profile improvement plans which are sufficient to show all of the proposed improvements to be constructed. Sufficient construction notes must appear on the plans to refer contractors to construction methods and standards to be used. A typical cross-section of streets shall be shown for each different section. Detailed quantity amounts shall be tabulated for construction items. Such improvement plans must be approved in writing by the City Engineer before work is commenced on such improvements.

(Prior Code § 10-2.1205; Ord. CS 347, 1977)

A. The subdivider shall provide adequately sized water distribution lines, valves, fire hydrants, water services, and related accessories, for water supply and fire protection to each lot in the subdivision. These facilities shall be in conformance with construction specifications and standards as approved by the City Council.

B. All water facilities required in this section shall be shown on improvement plans which are sufficient to show all of the proposed facilities to be constructed. Detailed quantity amounts shall be tabulated for construction items. Such improvement plans must be approved by the City Engineer in writing before work is commenced on such facilities.

(Prior Code § 102.1206; Ord. CS 347, 1977; Ord. CS 362, 1978)

A. The subdivider shall provide adequately sized sewer mains, laterals, manholes, hand holes and accessories for sanitary sewer service to each lot in the subdivision.

B. All sewer facilities required in this section shall be shown on improvement plans which are sufficient to show all of the proposed facilities to be constructed. Detailed quantity amounts shall be tabulated for construction items. Such improvement plans must be approved by the City Engineer in writing before work is commenced on such facilities.

(Prior Code § 10-2.1207; Ord. CS 362, 1978)

A. All new utility facilities (including but not limited to electric, communication and cable television lines) extended to and installed within any new subdivision shall be placed underground. The installation of the facilities of privately owned utility companies shall be made in accordance with the Utilities' Rules and Regulations on file with the Public Utilities Commission. Exempt from this requirement are:

1. Aboveground facilities may be installed and maintained for a period, not to exceed ten days, without authority of the Director of Public Works in order to provide emergency service. The City Council may grant special permission on such terms as the City Council may deem appropriate, in cases of unusual circumstances, without discrimination as to any person or utility, to erect, construct, install, maintain, use or operate poles, overhead wires and associated overhead wires and associated overhead structures;

2. Poles or electroliers used exclusively for street lighting;

3. Equipment appurtenant to underground facilities, such as surface-mounted transformers, pedestal-mounted terminal boxes, meter cabinets, and concealed ducts;

4. Temporary poles, overhead wires and associated overhead structures used or to be used in conjunction with subdivision and building construction;

5. Industrial subdivisions;

6. Individual situations as approved by the City Council including:

a. Any municipal facilities or equipment installed under the supervision and to the satisfaction of the City Engineer;

b. Overhead wires (exclusive of supporting structures) crossing any portion of a district within which overhead wires have been prohibited, or connecting to buildings on the perimeter of a district, when such wires originate in an area from which poles, overhead wires and associated overhead structures are not prohibited;

c. Poles, overhead wires and associated overhead structures used for the transmission of electric energy at nominal voltages in excess of 34,500 volts;

d. Overhead wires attached to the exterior surface of a building for the means of a bracket or other fixture and extending from one location on the building to another location on the same building or to an adjacent building without crossing any public street or property line;

e. Antennas, associated equipment and supporting structures, used by a utility for furnishing communication services.

B. The subdivider is responsible for complying with the requirements of this section and shall make the necessary arrangements with the utility companies involved for the installation of said facilities.

(Prior Code § 10-2.1208; Ord. CS 347, 1977)

A. Trees shall be required as a condition of approval of any residential land subdivision or development plan, commercial subdivision or development plan, and any industrial subdivision or development plan. The variety of tree planted in any given location within the City shall be in accordance with the City of Atwater master plan for tree planting.

B. No less than one tree per interior lot and three trees per corner lot shall be required within single family subdivisions.

Within multi-family residential subdivisions and developments, there shall be trees planted on centers no greater than a distance of 70 feet along the entire street frontages of the parcel or parcels.

Within commercial or industrial developments or subdivisions, placement and number of trees shall be provided per the direction of the City Engineer. The City Engineer shall be provided with a development plan showing the location and number of trees proposed. Said development plan shall be submitted in a standard format approved by the City Engineer.

C. All trees planted as a requirement of this Section shall be shown on the improvement plans of the subject subdivision or development.

D. A fee, as established by Council resolution, shall be paid to the City of Atwater for any residential, commercial or industrial subdivision or development whereupon the City, at the appropriate time, shall cause to have said trees placed in accordance with the plans and specifications, as approved by the City Engineer, or as may be modified by the Parks and Recreation Director at the time of planting, and the City of Atwater Master Plan for Tree Planting.

(Ord. CS 460, 1980)

A. If the improvements required under this chapter are not completed and accepted before the time of approval of the final map or parcel map, the subdivider shall enter into a written agreement with the City Council, upon mutually agreeable terms, to complete such improvements at the subdivider's expense. Such improvements shall comply with construction specifications and standards applicable at the time of approval or conditional approval of the tentative map.

B. The agreement to make the improvement shall contain the legal description of the subdivision and shall be in such form and executed in such manner as may be required by the City Engineer, as approved by the City Attorney, and shall be secured by a bond, cash deposit or other security as may be approved by the City Council. The agreement may provide for improvements to be installed in units and reasonable time limits may be placed upon any and all construction. The covenants and conditions contained in the agreement shall run with the land and shall be binding upon the successors, assigns, heirs, administrators and executors of all parties to the agreement.

(Prior Code § 10-2.1301; Ord. CS 347, 1977)