§ 17.46

Proposed subdivisions shall be designed to provide adequate access from each new parcel to a city street. Street systems to be constructed with new subdivisions shall be designed in compliance with this section, and with the Calabasas Public Works policies and related design standards.

A.

Access to Subdivision. Every subdivision shall be designed to have access to a city street. Private roads are allowed only in compliance with subsection (D) of this section. Access shall be provided by:

1.

The subdivision abutting a street, where the length of the subdivision along the street, the street right-of-way, and the width of the right-of-way will accommodate the construction of all road improvements required by this section; or

2.

The subdivision being connected to a city street by a non-exclusive right-of-way easement for street, utility and appurtenant drainage facilities purposes, where the easement shall be:

a.

Offered for dedication,

b.

Unencumbered by any senior rights that might serve to restrict its proposed use, and

c.

Of a width and location to accommodate the construction of all improvements required by this section and the Calabasas Public Works policies and related design standards.

B.

Access to New Parcels. Parcels within a proposed subdivision shall be provided access as follows:

1.

City Street Access Required. Each parcel within a proposed subdivision shall be provided access to a city street by being located on an existing city street or a new city street designed and improved in compliance with subsection (C) of this section, or on a private road if allowed by subsection (D) of this section.

2.

Access Denial. When a state highway or a street classified as a major arterial in the circulation element of the General Plan passes through or abuts a proposed subdivision, direct access to the highway or arterial shall not be permitted from proposed parcels. Reservation strips shall be dedicated to the state or city, as appropriate, where required to control access over certain lot lines over the ends of street stubs.

3.

Frontage Roads. When lots are proposed to front on a major arterial or state highway, the review authority may require the subdivider to dedicate and improve a service or frontage road separate from the arterial or highway.

4.

Alleys. Alleys may be proposed as part of residential or nonresidential subdivisions. When a subdivision is proposed in an area zoned commercial or industrial, the subdivider may be required to dedicate and improve alleys at least twenty (20) feet wide at the rear of the parcels.

C.

Design and Improvement of Proposed Streets. New streets proposed or required within a new subdivision or adjacent to a new subdivision shall be located and designed as follows, and in compliance with the Calabasas Public Works policies and related design standards:

1.

Alignment. The alignment of streets shown on a tentative map shall be:

a.

Consistent with the circulation element of the General Plan, where applicable; and

b.

Located so as to be in alignment with existing adjacent streets by continuation of their centerlines, or by adjustments by curves; and

c.

As required by the city engineer.

2.

Right-of-Way and Surfaced Width. The width of the right-of-way and improved surface of streets shown on a tentative map shall be as provided by the Calabasas Public Works policies and related design standards.

3.

Access to Unsubdivided Property. When a proposed subdivision abuts vacant land that is designated by the General Plan for future subdivision and development, the review authority may require that streets to be constructed with the proposed subdivision be extended to the boundary of the property to provide the future development street access.

4.

Improvements to Existing Streets. When an existing city street provides access to, passes through, or is contiguous with a proposed subdivision, the review authority may require dedication of additional right-of-way and/or improvements to be made to the city street in compliance with the General Plan; provided they determine that the proposed subdivision will create the need for the improvements, or the subdivider otherwise agrees to the improvements.

5.

Length of Loop, Cul-de-sac and Other Dead-End Streets. The maximum length of a loop street shall be one thousand two hundred (1,200) feet. A proposed subdivision shall not be designed with a dead-end street having a length from the first intersecting through street greater than six hundred (600) feet, except for private roads. The maximum length of a private dead-end road, including all dead-end roads accessed from that dead-end road, shall not exceed eight hundred (800) feet, regardless of the number of parcels served. Maximum length shall be measured from the edge of the roadway surface at the intersection that begins the road, to the end of the road surface at its farthest point.

6.

Street Names. All streets within a proposed subdivision shall be named, and the names shall be approved by the review authority. Duplication of existing names within the same area shall not be allowed in a new subdivision unless the street is an obvious extension of an existing street.

D.

Private Roads. Private roads are allowed as provided in this section. Private roads shall not be permitted except where the council determines that a private street system will adequately serve the proposed subdivision, will not be a substantial detriment to adjoining properties and will not disrupt or prevent the establishment of an orderly circulation system in the vicinity of the subdivision.

1.

Maintenance Requirements. Provisions satisfactory to the city attorney shall be made for lot owners association or other organization to assume responsibility for the maintenance of private roads and ownership of the street right-of-ways of any subdivision.

2.

Design and Improvement Standards. Private roads shall be designed and improved as set forth in subsections (B) and (C) of this section.

3.

Security and Conditions. The review authority may require any guarantees and conditions it deems necessary to carry out the provisions of this article pertaining to private roads. Private roads and easements providing access to parcels within a subdivision shall be located and shown on the parcel or tract map.

E.

Alternative Circulation Systems. Proposed subdivisions shall be designed to provide rights-of-way for pedestrian paths, bikeways and multiple use trails consistent with the circulation element of the General Plan, the Parks and Recreation Master Plan or Bikeway Master Plan, as applicable, where the review authority determines that the alignment of these systems shown in the General Plan and/or any applicable specific plan can be feasibly accommodated within the subdivision, and that the system is needed because of the characteristics of the proposed subdivision.

(Ord. No. 2010-265, § 3, 1-27-2010)

17.46.030 - Drainage and watercourses.

A.

Drainage Systems Required. Subdivisions shall be provided storm drainage facilities as required by this section, Chapter 17.48 and Chapter 17.20. Storm drain facilities to be dedicated to Los Angeles County Flood Control District shall instead comply with the standards of that agency.

1.

Performance and Capacity. Subdivisions shall be designed to provide drainage systems to carry storm run-off both tributary to and originating within the subdivision to approved points of discharge, determined to be necessary by the city engineer on the basis of information and recommendations provided by the engineer for the subdivider. Drainage facilities shall be designed pursuant to the current edition of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works Hydrology Manual most recently adopted by the city engineer and available for review in the office of the city engineer. Drainage system design shall avoid unnatural concentrations of stormwater runoff and retain existing drainage courses wherever possible to avoid crosslot drainage.

2.

Culverts. The minimum diameter of a storm drain pipe placed beneath a public street shall be eighteen (18) inches. Pipes shall be made of reinforced concrete, and placed at the grade of the drainage channel whenever practical. Minimum allowable culvert grade shall be two percent under normal circumstances or where otherwise approved by the city engineer. Minimum allowable open ditch grade shall be one percent.

3.

Location of Facilities. Drainage facilities shall be located within a street right-of-way or within public drainage easements. Drainage facilities shall be installed prior to the issuance of building permits unless otherwise approved by the city engineer.

4.

Timing of Installation. Any drainage structures required for the individual parcels of a subdivision shall be installed at the same time as drainage structures within street rights-of-way and other subdivision improvements. Any drainage facilities to be transferred to Los Angeles County Flood Control district shall be designed to Los Angeles County Public Works standards.

5.

Interim Maintenance. All subdivision drainage facilities shall be maintained by the developer until accepted by the Los Angeles County Flood Control District.

B.

Drainage Easements. Required drainage systems shall be located within drainage easements delineated on the final map or parcel map, and the easements shall satisfy the following standards. Drainage easements to be dedicated to the Los Angeles County Flood Control District, shall instead comply with the standards of that agency.

1.

Offer of Dedication. Drainage easements shall be offered for dedication in a form acceptable to the city engineer.

2.

Alignment of Easements. The alignment of drainage easements shall conform to the meandering of the natural watercourse or to the alignment approved for the drainage system.

3.

Width of Easements.

a.

Natural Channels. A drainage easement for a natural channel is required where determined to be necessary by the city engineer. The width of drainage easements for natural channels shall be sufficient to include the one-hundred-year flood high water marks, plus five feet on either side, but in no case less than twenty (20) feet.

b.

Constructed Channels. The minimum width of any drainage easement for a closed conduit system shall be ten (10) feet and the minimum width for any open system shall be twenty (20) feet.

c.

Service Roads. For any conduit exceeding thirty (30) inches in diameter, or any open ditch with a top width exceeding twelve (12) feet, a twelve-foot service road shall be improved within the drainage easement.

4.

Natural Watercourses. Drainage easements shall be provided for all natural watercourses.

5.

Downstream Property. Where a subdivision causes an increase in and the unnatural concentration of surface waters onto adjacent private or public property, the subdivider shall obtain an easement for drainage purposes across the property of sufficient width and shall improve the easement in a manner adequate to convey the runoff to an approved point of disposal. If the owner(s) of the affected property agrees to accept the increased run-off concentration of surface water and the agreement has been recorded, an easement shall not be required.

(Ord. No. 2010-265, § 3, 1-27-2010)

The design of a subdivision for which a tentative and final map are required by this article shall provide, to the extent feasible, for future passive or natural heating or cooling opportunities in the subdivisions, in compliance with Map Act Section 66473.1.

(Ord. No. 2010-265, § 3, 1-27-2010)

New subdivisions shall be designed so that all proposed grading incorporates appropriate erosion and sediment control measures in compliance with Chapter 17.54.

(Ord. No. 2010-265, § 3, 1-27-2010)

Residential subdivisions shall be provided landscaping in the form of street trees on each proposed parcel, and landscaping with irrigation facilities for any common areas or other open space areas within the subdivision. The improvements may be deferred until the subdivided lots are developed through the provisions of Section 17.48.040.

(Ord. No. 2010-265, § 3, 1-27-2010)

The size, shape and arrangement of new parcels shall conform to the provisions of this section, or with any General Plan policy, applicable specific plan requirement, development code provision, or other Municipal Code provision applicable to a proposed subdivision.

A.

Minimum Lot Area. The minimum area for new parcels shall be as required by Article II except as otherwise provided by this section.

1.

Calculation of Area. When calculating the area of a parcel to determine compliance with this section, Article II or the General Plan, the following shall be deducted from the gross area of any parcel:

a.

A vehicular or nonvehicular access easement through the lot;

b.

An easement for or relating to an open drainage course, whether a ditch, natural channel or floodway; or

c.

The "flag pole" (access strip) of a flag lot. (See subsection (B)(4) of this section.)

The area of an easement exclusively for constructing and maintaining construction slopes may be included when calculating lot area.

2.

Specific Minimum Lot Area Requirements—Small-Lot Projects. The minimum lot area requirements of Article II shall not apply to condominiums and condominium conversions, planned developments, townhouses, zero lot line, and similar small-lot projects intending individual lot ownership. However, the minimum lot area requirements of Article II shall apply to the creation of the original parcel or parcels that are the location of the small-lot project.

B.

Size and Shape. The size and shape of new parcels shall be as required by Article II, except as otherwise provided by the following.

1.

Lot Width. New parcels shall be designed to have a minimum width of fifty (50) feet; except that each parcel on a turnaround, cul-de-sac or curved street, where the side lot lines are diverging from the front to the rear of the parcel, shall have a minimum width of sixty (60) feet, or the width required by Article II, whichever is greater, measured at the front setback line required for the main building by Article II.

2.

Lot Depth. No new parcel shall have a depth less than eighty feet, or a depth greater than three times the average width of the lot when the lot has a width of less than two hundred fifty (250) feet.

3.

Exceptions. Parcels may be approved with a width and depth less than otherwise required by this section where:

a.

Located in the CT (Old Town) zoning district (Chapter 17.14), and authorized through the approval of a development plan (Section 17.62.070) in compliance with the Old Town Calabasas Master Plan and Design Guidelines;

b.

Located in the -OT and CH (Old Topanga/Highlands) overlay zoning districts (Section 17.18.020 and 17.18.025), and authorized through the approval of a development plan (Section 17.62.070); or

c.

Located in the - DP (Development Plan) overlay zoning district (Section 17.18.030) and authorized through the approval of a development plan (Section 17.62.070).

4.

Location of Lot Lines.

a.

Orientation to Streets. The side lot lines of all parcels shall be at right angles to the center line of the street, and radial or approximately radial to curved streets.

b.

City Limits. No parcel shall be designed so that it will be divided by the city's corporate boundary.

c.

Relationship to Easements. Parcels shall be designed so that lot lines conform to existing or planned easements unless the easements are relocated to conform to the proposed lot pattern.

5.

Flag Lots. Flag lots are generally discouraged unless they can improve the efficiency of land use, protect natural features, or implement provisions of the General Plan and Chapter 17.20. Where determined to be appropriate by the review authority, flag lots shall comply with the following requirements.

a.

Lot Design and Size. The main portion of the flag lot (not including the access strip, or "flag pole") shall satisfy the provisions of this section for length, depth, area and design. In no case shall the access strip be less than eighteen (18) feet in width nor

more than two hundred (200) feet in depth.

b.

Number of Housing Units Served. No tentative map shall be approved with more than four homes being provided access to a public street by means of a single flag access strip.

C.

Parcel and Block Configuration. The layout of proposed parcels and streets shall be designed to use land efficiently, mitigate environmental impacts, and minimize site disturbance in terms of cuts and fills, and the removal of significant vegetation.

1.

Double-Frontage Lots. Parcels with streets along both the front and rear lot lines shall be prohibited, except when necessitated by topographical or other physical conditions or where access from one of the roads is prohibited.

2.

Block Length. Blocks shall be no longer than one thousand two hundred (1,200) feet unless existing conditions warrant an exception (Section 17.40.040).

(Ord. No. 2010-265, § 3, 1-27-2010; Ord. No. 2014-310, § 1(Att. A), 2-12-2014)

Survey monuments shall be set for all new subdivisions requiring a parcel map or final map by the engineer or surveyor, as set forth in this section. All monuments shall conform with the provisions of Article 9, Chapter 4 of the Map Act, the California Land Surveyors Act and the following standards:

A.

Location of Monuments. Permanent ferrous survey monuments shall be set in the following locations:

1.

At all angle points on the exterior boundary of the subdivision;

2.

At all lot corners and at the beginning and ending of all property line curves, except that in a subdivision creating parcels each with a gross area of twenty (20) acres or more, a permanent ferrous monument shall be set at the major parcel corners and at the intersection of all property lines with the side lines of all street easements;

3.

Swing ties points shall be provided at all locations where curves begin or end, at intersections, and as required by the Map Act. Swing ties sheets shall be provided to the city engineer on reproducible mylar film, on eighteen (18) by twenty-four (24) inch sheets;

4.

A permanent survey monument approved by the city engineer shall be set at the intersection of all street centerlines;

5.

If the exterior boundary of the subdivision or any lot or parcel line is at a location where setting a monument is impractical, a reference monument shall be set in a manner and location satisfactory to the city engineer;

All tract boundary corners shall be two-inch diameter pipe with cap and set in concrete;

7.

All bench marks set for the subdivision shall be recorded with the county of Los Angeles surveyor's office. Copies of bench marks that have been accepted and recorded shall be provided to the city engineer and noted on the final map.

B.

Timing of Monument Installation. The exterior boundary of the subdivision shall be completely monumented or referenced before the final map or parcel map is submitted to the city engineer for filing. Interior monuments need not be set at the time the final map or parcel map is filed if the engineer or surveyor certifies on the map that the monuments will be set on or before a specified later date, and if the subdivider furnishes the city a bond, instrument of credit, or cash deposit in a sufficient amount to guarantee payment of the cost of setting the monuments in compliance with Map Act Section 66496.

C.

Cost Estimate and Bond Requirements. The cost of setting monuments shall be included in the engineer's estimate for improvements in compliance with Section 17.46.040. If requested, this amount of the bond may be released upon verification of the setting of monuments by the city engineer.

D.

Notice of Completion. Within five days after the final setting of all monuments has been completed, the engineer or surveyor shall give written notice to the subdivider and the city engineer that the final monuments have been set. Verification of payment to the engineer or surveyor shall be filed as required by Article 9, Chapter 4 of the Map Act.

(Ord. No. 2010-265, § 3, 1-27-2010)

Public utilities including electricity, gas, water, sewer, telecommunications services, and storm drain shall be installed as part of the improvements within all subdivisions as provided by this section, and by Sections 17.46.100 and 17.46.120. The installation of utilities may be waived by the review authority through the exception process (Section 17.40.040) if the review authority finds not installing the utilities as part of the subdivision improvements to be in the public interest.

A.

Underground Utilities Required. Utilities in new subdivisions shall be installed underground, as follows:

1.

When Undergrounding is Required. All existing and proposed utility distribution facilities (including but not limited to electric, telecommunications and cable television lines) installed in and for the purpose of supplying service to any subdivision, except for equipment appurtenant to underground facilities, including surface mounted transformers, pedestal mounted terminal boxes, meter cabinets, and concealed ducts.

The subdivider is responsible for complying with the requirements of this section and shall make the necessary arrangements with the affected utility companies for facility installation. The utilities shall be installed along the entire subdivision frontage unless waived by the city engineer. The review authority may waive the requirements of this section if topographical, soil or any other conditions make underground installation unreasonable or impractical.

2.

Location of Installation. Underground utility lines may be installed within street rights-of-way or along any lot line. When installed within street rights-of-way, their location and method of installation, insofar as it affects other improvements within

the street right-of-way, shall be subject to the approval of the city engineer.

3.

Timing of Installation. All underground utilities, water lines, sanitary sewers and storm drains installed in streets, shall be constructed before the streets are surfaced. Connections to all underground utilities, water lines and sanitary sewers shall be laid to sufficient lengths to avoid the need for disturbing the street improvements when service connections are made.

B.

Utility Easements.

1.

Minimum Width. The minimum width of easements for public or private utilities, sanitary sewers, or water distribution systems, shall be as determined by the review authority based on the recommendations of the city engineer for city facilities, and the recommendations of the applicable utility company, for public or private utilities.

2.

Overhead Lines. Easements for overhead utility lines shall be located at the rear of lots where practical, and along the side of lots where necessary. Where practical, the poles supporting overhead lines shall not be installed within any street, alley or easement designated exclusively for drainage purposes.

(Ord. No. 2010-265, § 3, 1-27-2010)

A proposed subdivision shall be designed to provide for connection to the city's sewage collection, treatment and disposal system, where available as determined by the city engineer. If any part of the system is to be installed within a street right-ofway, the system location and construction specifications shall be subject to the approval of the city engineer. Sewage lines shall be installed as part of the improvements within all subdivisions and shall be dedicated to the city or other public agency. Installation shall be governed by Chapter 17.48 requirements, the current edition of the Los Angeles County Private Contract Sanitary Sewer Procedural Manual, most recently adopted by the city engineer and available for review in the office of the city engineer. When applicable, installations shall also be governed by the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District Standard Plans and Specifications for the Construction of Water Mains and Facilities, most recently adopted by the city engineer and available for review in the office of the city engineer.

(Ord. No. 2010-265, § 3, 1-27-2010)

A proposed subdivision shall incorporate street lighting facilities determined by the review authority to be consistent with the character of the area, and the needs of public safety, and designed and constructed to the standards established by the applicable lighting district, or the city engineer.

(Ord. No. 2010-265, § 3, 1-27-2010)

Water mains and services shall be installed to serve each lot in a proposed subdivision and connected to the facilities of the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District. These installations will require a separate permit issued by the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District. If any part of the water system is to be installed within a street right-of-way, the system location, including valve boxes, meter boxes, and fire hydrants and the system construction specifications shall be subject to the approval of the city engineer, and the location of fire hydrants shall also be approved by the Los Angeles County fire department.

(Ord. No. 2010-265, § 3, 1-27-2010)