Gilroy Municipal Code Art. II Requirements for Highways, Streets, Alleys and Utilities

Street widths, sections, grades, and alignments shall conform to standards prepared by the department of public works in conformance with council direction. Wherever possible, streets shall be laid out to provide maximum solar access for the building sites. Alternative widths, sections, grades and/or alignments may be used upon approval by the planning commission. The developer’s engineer shall provide supportive data necessary, taking into account: Traffic volume and speed; the number and width of traffic lanes and bike paths; on-street and off-street parking; grades and sight distances; pedestrian safety; drainage, utilities, signals, streetlights and street tree needs; the effect of cut and fill slopes on the ease of access to the adjoining lots; possible maintenance problems; and provisions for turning or reversing the direction of travel.

(Ord. No. 81-11, § 1, 3-16-1981)

Unless otherwise proposed by the developer’s engineer, recommended by the city engineer, and approved by the planning commission, local streets shall conform to the following standards:

(a) Collector Streets and Streets Serving More Than Twenty-Four (24) Single-Family Residences. The width of right-of-way for all collector streets, neighborhood entrance streets, gridiron plan streets, local streets serving more than twenty-four (24) single-family residences, and streets in areas to be used for other than one-family or two-family residences, shall be not less than sixty (60) feet with a roadway width of not less than thirty-eight (38) feet, except that in mountainous or hill-side areas where the width of right-of-way and roadbed may be reduced to meet the conditions encountered at the discretion of the planning commission.

(b) Lot Access Streets Serving Twenty-Four (24) or Fewer Single-Family Lots. The width of right-of-way for culs-de-sac or other local streets designed and intended to serve as access for twenty-four (24) one-family residences or less, shall be not less than fifty-two (52) feet with a five-foot wide tree planting easement together with a roadway width of not less than thirty-eight (38) feet, except in mountainous or hillside areas where the width of right-of-way and roadbed may be reduced to meet the conditions encountered at the discretion of the planning commission.

(c) Frontage Road. The width of right-of-way for an interceptor street paralleling a highway or a drainage channel shall be not less than thirty-seven (37) feet with a roadway width of not less than thirty-two (32) feet. The width of right-of-way out-side the roadway and adjoining the lot lines shall be not less than five (5) feet.

(d) Culs-de-Sac. Turning circles at the end of cul-de-sac streets shall have a roadway radius of not less than forty (40) feet. Cul-de-sac streets shall serve no more than twenty-five (25) single-family dwelling units. Alternate designs for turning or reversing direction may be used in lieu of the turning circle if approved by the fire chief and the planning commission. Midblock provisions for reversing direction of travel may be required of culs-de-sac longer than five hundred (500) feet.

(Ord. No. 81-11, § 1, 3-16-1981; Ord. No. 86-19, § 67, 10-6-1986)

The width of right-of-way and of roadway for highways and for industrial streets shall conform to widths established by the planning commission or as recommended by the city engineer and approved by the planning commission.

(Ord. No. 81-11, § 1, 3-16-1981)

New alleys shall have a right-of-way of at least twenty (20) feet in width and shall be improved to a roadway width of at least twenty (20) feet.

When lots are proposed to be used for commercial purpose or for multiple residential use, not including two-family use, an alley of up to thirty (30) feet in width may be required along the rear of such lots.

(Ord. No. 81-11, § 1, 3-16-1981)

At each intersection between two (2) streets, the property lines shall be rounded with a curve having a radius of not less than twenty (20) feet. At major collector streets, the city engineer may require a larger radius.

At each intersection between two (2) alleys, the property lines shall be rounded with a curve having a radius of not less than ten (10) feet or cut back by a diagonal straight line joining points at a distance of not less than ten (10) feet along each property line from the normal point of intersection. At intersections between an alley and a street, the radius of cut back distance shall be not less than ten (10) feet.

(Ord. No. 81-11, § 1, 3-16-1981)

Whenever the planning commission shall have determined that a street is necessary for the future development of the property shown on the map or for adjoining property, but that the present dedication and construction of such street is not warranted, the planning commission may require that the locations, width and extent of such street shall be shown on the final map as a future street. The developer may be required to enter into a deferred improvement agreement for any such future street improvements shown within the development boundary.

(Ord. No. 81-11, § 1, 3-16-1981)

Whenever it is proposed to subdivide property abutting or fronting on a highway or a drainage channel, a frontage road or an alley in the rear of such lots between such lots and the highway or channel may be required by the planning commission.

(Ord. No. 81-11, § 1, 3-16-1981)

Unless otherwise approved by the planning commission by reason of special circumstances, lots for one-family and two-family use shall not be designed with frontage on two (2) streets except at street intersections and except along highways. Double frontage lots with rear lot lines along a highway may be required to have a wall or fence constructed and access prohibited along such rear lot lines. The developer may also be required to dedicate and improve each street upon which the lots front.

(Ord. No. 81-11, § 1, 3-16-1981)

On streets where parking of automobiles is prohibited along either or both sides of the normal roadway, parking bays may be required at convenient locations or intervals outside the normal traffic lanes.

(Ord. No. 81-11, § 1, 3-16-1981)

Bikeways built to city standards on separate rights-of-way may be required by the city engineer or planning commission.

(Ord. No. 81-11, § 1, 3-16-1981)

Private roads are to be constructed, inspected and maintained, by the owner, to city standards and requirements.

(Ord. No. 81-11, § 1, 3-16-1981)

A pedestrian way may be required in blocks having a length greater than twelve hundred (1200) feet. Such pedestrian ways shall be improved with walks or ramps as approved by the city engineer.

(Ord. No. 81-11, § 1, 3-16-1981)

The angle of intersection between streets, or between a street and an alley, shall not vary more than twenty (20) degrees from a right angle. Exceptions to this limit may be permitted upon recommendation of the director of public works and approval by the planning commission.

(Ord. No. 81-11, § 1, 3-16-1981)

Unless otherwise approved by the city engineer and by the planning commission, the center lines of any two (2) streets entering upon opposite sides of any certain street shall intersect the center line of that street at the same point, or at points separated by not less than one hundred (100) feet.

(Ord. No. 81-11, § 1, 3-16-1981)

The grades of highways, streets and alleys shall not be less than three-tenths (0.3) of a per cent and not greater than fifteen (15) per cent unless otherwise approved by the city engineer.

(Ord. No. 81-11, § 1, 3-16-1981)

Horizontal and vertical sight distances shall be not less than those recommended by the state division of highways planning manual.

(Ord. No. 81-11, § 1, 3-16-1981)

Roadways on streets, highways and alleys within and or adjacent to the development shall be paved to the minimum standards of the city except that if, in the opinion of the city engineer, the natural soil in the development is not sufficiently stable to support a minimum pavement, the developer shall furnish soil tests and recommendations made by a qualified soil-testing engineer as to the thickness of pavement and base material.

(Ord. No. 81-11, § 1, 3-16-1981)

Curbs and gutters shall be constructed on all streets and highways within the development, except that in mountainous or hillside areas and on special scenic roads or highways, curbs and gutters may be omitted on one or both side(s) subject to the approval of the city engineer and the planning commission.

The developer shall stamp “S” mark for sewer and “W” mark for water on the face or top of curb or on a written post if there is no curb over the location of each appropriate service lateral.

**Cross references—**Installation of curbs, gutters and sidewalks generally, § 20.13 et seq.

(Ord. No. 81-11, § 1, 3-16-1981)

Sidewalks shall be constructed on all highways within the subdivision and on all local streets within the subdivision, except that in mountainous or hillside areas and on certain culs-de-sac and nonmajor streets, sidewalks may be omitted or may be on only one side of the street or highway, subject to the approval of the city engineer and the planning commission. Whenever a sidewalk is not constructed on either side of the street or highway, a graded strip along one side of the roadway shall be provided for the use of pedestrians.

**Cross references—**Installation of curbs, gutters and sidewalks generally, § 20.13 et seq.

(Ord. No. 81-11, § 1, 3-16-1981)

Improvements conforming to the requirements specified in the preceding sections shall be constructed on the one-half of any streets and highways adjoining the development.

(Ord. No. 81-11, § 1, 3-16-1981)

Improvements conforming to the requirements specified in the preceding sections shall be con-structed on any half streets or highways (to center line plus twelve (12) feet) within or adjacent to the development. If cut or fill slopes along the subdivision boundary line are found to be necessary, such slopes must be placed so that the property line will fall at the top of the bank which will exist upon the development of the site of higher elevation. A letter of permission from the owner of adjoining land to make the necessary cuts or fill slopes on his land will be accepted in lieu of an easement for such slopes. Land occupied by such cut or fill slopes within the subdivision shall be dedicated as “slope easements.”

(Ord. No. 81-11, § 1, 3-16-1981; Ord. No. 86-19, § 68, 10-6-1986)

Culverts, storm drains and drainage structures shall be constructed in, under or along streets, alleys and highways as required by the city engineer to prevent frequent and probable damage to streets or adjoining properties from storm water, or to prevent the frequent occurrence of a flow of storm water on streets of depth and velocity as to present a hazardous condition for moving vehicles and pedestrians, or to maintain the flow of storm water in its natural channel. The term “frequent,” as used in this section, is intended to designate a probable frequency of once in ten (10) years or less, when averaged over a long period of one hundred (100) years or more. Protection against erosion of natural channels or watercourse on adjoining property is not intended to be required unless the development affects drainage on such adjacent property.

(Ord. No. 81-11, § 1, 3-16-1981)

Sanitary sewers with service connection laterals extending from the main to the property line shall be constructed to serve each lot within the proposed development.

**Cross references—**Sewers and drains generally, Ch. 19.

(Ord. No. 81-11, § 1, 3-16-1981)

Necessary water mains, valves, fire hydrants and services with connections to each lot within the development shall be constructed as required by the city. Service connections to each lot shall extend from the main to the meter location.

**Cross references—**Water generally, Ch. 27.

(Ord. No. 81-11, § 1, 3-16-1981)

Standard street lights shall be installed as required by the city engineer.

(Ord. No. 81-11, § 1, 3-16-1981)

As required by the city, the developer shall pay a fee for planting street trees by the city, or shall obtain a permit and plant street trees.

**Cross references—**Trees along streets, Ch. 26.

(Ord. No. 81-11, § 1, 3-16-1981)

(a) Standards and Specifications. The developer is responsible for installing all paving, curbing, sidewalks, street lights, street trees, driveway approaches, valley gutters, street signs, traffic signs, traffic striping, legends, curb painting, storm drainage catch basins, manholes, water mains, fire hydrants, valve boxes, sewer mains and services in accordance with specifications and standards of design on file in the office of the city engineer.

All improvements shall be installed in conformance with the city standards for the subdivision or developments of property and the developer shall pay such fees and provide such bonds as are outlined in the resolution or resolutions in effect of the time of development which established such standards and fees. Such resolution(s) shall be maintained on file in the office of the city clerk and the city engineer.

(b) Agreements. In consideration for the approval of the development and the acceptance by the city of responsibility for maintenance and operation of the required public improvements, the developer shall enter into an agreement with the city.

Agreements covering work to be performed immediately shall cover the type, quality and character of the improvements as well as the development fees. They shall be accompanied by improvement plans as required by the city engineer.

Agreements covering deferred work shall note the extent of work being deferred and the reason for deferment. These shall be recorded in the office of the county recorder and shall become a lien on the title of the affected property.

The developer shall agree to: Clean and maintain all streets, alleys, roads, courts, sewers, and drains free from construction debris and dirt prior to acceptance by the city; keep the construction area which may become exposed to pedestrian or vehicular traffic in a safe condition; and to take appropriate measures to prevent erosion and the deposit of silt in the streets and drainage system until all lots within the development are built upon. He further agrees to compensate the city for providing such services should it be necessary that they be performed by city forces.

(c) Corrections of Defects. All improvements covered by agreement between the city and the developer will be accepted for maintenance and operation by the city when certification of completion has been received and accepted by the city council. The repair and correction of any defects or deficiencies due to workmanship or materials, which are discovered within one year from the date of acceptance by the city, shall be the responsibility of the developer. A bond for ten (10) per cent of the value of the public improvement (with a minimum amount of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00)) shall be posted with the city for the purpose of guaranteeing that such corrections will be made.

(d) Testing of Materials. The developer shall be required to provide certain material tests as determined by the city. All tests shall be made by laboratories or agencies approved by the city. All tests and reports shall be accomplished at no cost to the city. A copy of the report on the required tests shall be forwarded to the director of public works prior to the continuance of the next related phase of construction. The required tests in the following schedule shall be a minimum requirement:

(1) Subgrade. At least three (3) tests will be required, locations of tests to be selected by the director of public works or his appointed representative. The subgrade shall have a relative compaction of not less than ninety-five (95) per cent for a depth of one foot as determined by Test Method No. California 216.

(2) Aggregate Base. At least three (3) tests will be required, locations of tests to be selected by the director of public works or his appointed representative. The relative compaction of each layer of compacted base material shall not be less than ninety-five (95) per cent as determined by Test Method No. California 216.

(3) Concrete. Shall be sampled daily at such times as designated by the director of public works or his appointed representative. The minimum strength of any concrete shall be three thousand (3,000) pounds per square inch after twenty-eight (28) days unless specified otherwise.

(4) Plant Mixes Surfacing. Shall be sampled daily or for each one thousand (1,000) tons or fraction thereof as designated by the director of public works or his appointed representative. The samples shall be of uncompressed plant mix taken at the job site. Compaction of ninety-five (95) per cent relative density (using the nuclear procedure) shall be accomplished when the plant mix is no hotter than one hundred seventy-five (175) degrees Fahrenheit, (seventy-nine (79) degrees Celsius), nor colder than one hundred fifty (150) degrees Fahrenheit (sixty-six (66) degrees Celsius).

(e) Installation of Underground Utility Lines, etc.; Exceptions. New and existing utility lines, appurtenances and associated equipment, including, but not limited to electrical transmission, communication transmission, street lighting, and cable television shall be required to be placed underground as required in Article V of this chapter starting with section 21.111.

(Ord. No. 81-11, § 1, 3-16-1981; Ord. No. 89-17, § 1, 10-16-1989)