Citrus Heights Municipal Code Div. 3 Lot Patterns

This section spells out laws which shall be complied with to create new lots. This section also spells out standards for creating lot patterns that are best suited to the purpose for which the lots are created and, at the same time, create the least potential land use conflicts. In some applications, the standards will conflict with one another or will conflict with the standards for street patterns. When this happens, an exception pursuant to Sections 22.110.020 [82-504] and 22.110.025 [82-505] may be considered, with the most compatible neighborhood development pattern as the ultimate objective. Staff's reports, proposed alternatives, and comments will be based on an analysis of the overall impacts of proposed lots as a total concept, as well as any conflict with any single standard.

(Ord. No. 97-01, § 2(22.110.060), 1-2-1997; Ord. No. 97-13, § 2, 3-26-1997; Ord. No. 97-17, § 2, 9-24-1997)

(a) Each project which proposes to divide land shall result in lots which are consistent with and well suited to the land use designations and policies set forth in the county general plan and in the adopted community plans, including both maps and texts. Potential population densities of residential lots shall not exceed the densities set forth in the general plan or community plans.

(b) Each lot shall conform to the lot size, lot width, and lot frontage requirements as set forth in the county Zoning Code (see Section 22.110.070(h) [82-563(h)] for exception to frontage requirements), unless a variance, waiver, or modification is obtained, as specified in the Zoning Code.

(c) Lot lines shall be located in relation to existing structures so as to maintain required setbacks, yards, and other open space requirements, as set forth in the county Zoning Code, unless a variance, waiver, or modification is obtained, as specified in the Zoning Code.

(d) Lot lines shall be located in relation to existing private septic systems or wells so as to maintain the distance requirements, as set forth in the county Health Code. Lots which propose the installation of private septic systems or wells shall be arranged such that there is sufficient area on the proposed lots' facilities to meet the placement and distance requirements of the county Health Code.

(e) Each parcel of land shall front on a public street or be served by a private road approved pursuant to the Zoning Code which is a component of an approved local street pattern.

(f) Exceptions from the requirements of subsections (a) through (e) shall not be allowed pursuant to Sections 22.110.020 [82-504] and 22.110.020 [82-505].

(Ord. No. 97-01, § 2(22.110.065), 1-2-1997; Ord. No. 97-13, § 2, 3-26-1997; Ord. No. 97-17, § 2, 9-24-1997)

(a) New lots shall be arranged and oriented to maximize effective use of passive solar energy. Each proposal will be evaluated by the advisory agency or the board of supervisors to determine whether it can be demonstrated that alternate designs are feasible, and such design may be presented to the hearing bodies. Upon such presentation, the hearing body may request alternate designs to be prepared by the developer, or may deny the submitted map on the basis that the proposal does not maximize effective use of passive solar energy. Such factors as configuration and orientation of the property being divided, the nature of surrounding development, the nature of the proposed development, circulation patterns, and existing topography shall be weighed in comparison of possible alternatives.

(b) New lots shall be arranged to create comparable yard relationships wherever possible. The creation of interior side yards located adjacent to rear yards should be avoided, and in those cases where such arrangements cannot be reasonably avoided, restrictions may be placed on the final map which limit building height or building location.

(c) The design of the project, including the location of lot lines, shall be such that, to the degree reasonably possible, existing contours and existing trees will be preserved. To achieve this purpose, grading restrictions or building location restrictions may be placed on the final map. Alternatively, the overall design may be revised such that less grading will be needed, or that existing trees become located in the normal yard areas of proposed lots.

(d) The minimum depth of a residential lot shall be 95 feet.

(e) The depth of a lot shall not exceed three times its width when the lot has a width of less than 250 feet except:

(1) In areas planned on the general plan for permanent agriculture, recreation reserve, commercial, industrial intensive and industrial extensive.

(2) The full depth of the lot will not be buildable due to unusual topography such as existence of steep slopes, floodplains or bodies of water.

(3) The full depth of the lot will not be buildable due to the existence of dedicated easements.

(4) A future street pattern is approved in conjunction with the land division proposal which provides for further divisions which will eliminate excessive depth to width ratios.

(f) Each lot shall maintain a relative consistency with the predominant neighborhood development character. Lots which are found to be significantly out of character, either in area, frontage, shape, or access provisions, may be denied if it is found that such character differences may result in detrimental impacts on adjacent properties.

(g) It is recognized that the potential breach of private contracts (such as CC&R's) is a judicial matter and cannot constitute a basis of denial for a proposed land division; however, the county does not desire to become a party to such breach by the inference of its actions and may, when reasonable to do so, require a resolution of the private conflict before taking any action, or may pursue such legislative or administrative resolution as may be available.

(h) Lot frontage requirements, as set forth in the county Zoning Code, may be satisfied in the case of lots on a curved street, the rounded end of a cul-de-sac, or on a bulb corner, by the recordation of a setback line on the final map such that the length of the setback line conforms to the frontage requirements of the zone.

(i) Any new lot which includes or abuts a designated tributary, as defined in Section 22.10.141 [82-63], shall meet either of the following two standards:

(1) All lots shall provide a buildable area outside the 100-year floodplain of that tributary; or

(2) All lots shall provide for a buildable area which is located at least 25 feet from the center line of the tributary and which provides for construction having a minimum habitable floor elevation that is at least one foot above the water surface elevation of the 100-year floodplain and is outside the floodway.

(Ord. No. 97-01, § 2(22.110.070), 1-2-1997; Ord. No. 97-13, § 2, 3-26-1997; Ord. No. 97-17, § 2, 9-24-1997)