Glenn County Municipal Code § 15.64 Part 1 Standard Land Use Districts

1. The planning commission shall require as a condition of the approval of all land division, including lot line adjustments for which a parcel map is required, that the applicant or land divider make an irrevocable offer of dedication to the county and to the public, such rights-of-way for public streets, roads, and easements, and construct and install at his or her expense such improvements, including off-site and on-site rights-of-way, as are required by these standards or as deemed necessary by the planning commission. All such improvements shall be constructed in accordance with these standards, shall be governed by the State of California Department of Transportation’s latest edition of the Standard Specifications and Standard Plans.

2. If a parcel of land to be divided or subdivided includes a portion of the right-of-way necessary for a public freeway or parkway, and the board of supervisors determines the boundaries of the right-of-way, the applicant shall either make an irrevocable offer of dedication or withhold from the subdivision all the area included in said right-of-way. (Ord. 1269 § 10, 2018; Ord. 1183 § 2, 2006)

1. All parcels within a subdivision shall be required to have either an approved access or other acceptable access to an improved public road. Whenever private road construction or improvements are required, the improvements will not be accepted by the county for maintenance.

2. Any subdivision street which is the primary access to any school, or other traffic generator, shall meet or exceed the requirements for a collector street, as provided in this chapter.

3. All road or street easements within a subdivision, whether required by these standards or by the planning commission shall be shown on the parcel map or final map as “public easements for ingress and egress and for public utilities.” Private roads, however, may be “exclusive easements for egress and ingress for public utilities.” (Ord. 1183 § 2, 2006)

When public streets are required within a subdivision, the street shall connect to an improved road in the county-maintained road system, an improved state highway or an improved city street. Where an off-site connection is necessary to provide access to such road or highway, the applicant shall acquire the right-of-way and construct the improvements pursuant to conditions established by the planning commission and Section 66462.5 of the Subdivision Map Act. (Ord. 1183 § 2, 2006)

1. If a portion or all of a parcel as shown on the latest county equalized assessment roll abuts an existing county road and such parcel is being divided, the applicant shall make an irrevocable offer of dedication of sufficient right-of-way to enable the abutting section of road to be constructed to the standards set forth in this chapter. The applicant shall improve the following sections of the abutting road to comply with these standards and the standard drawings and typical cross-sections adopted by the board of supervisors:

   1. Those sections of any existing county road which abut a parcel containing less than four and one quarter net acres within the subdivision;

   2. Those sections of any existing county road which abut the subdivision if the land is zoned industrial or commercial;

   3. Those sections of any county road which abut the subdivision if the planning commission determines that such improvements are necessary, as a result of increased density, to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public.

2. Such improvements shall be subject to the following conditions:

   1. If the parcel abuts both sides of the county road, the improvements shall be made to the full width of the road. If such parcel abuts one side only, the improvements shall be made to the abutting one-half width of the road except as hereinafter provided;

   2. If the grade of the existing roadway is such that the new pavement can join the existing pavement and not vary from the approved cross-slope shown in the drawings by two percent for the length of the improvement, the improvement shall consist of reconstructing the abutting one-half width or, if it is deemed structurally adequate by the public works director, widening the existing pavement. If the existing paved surface is such that due to its shape, the pavement cannot join within the above limits of cross-slope and/or if it is desired by the developer or required by the public works director to change the grade of the existing roadway, the entire roadway shall be reconstructed. The public works director may grant an exception to the cross-slope requirement set forth above if in his or her opinion it will not create ponding, drainage problems, or a safety hazard;

   3. If land abutting existing substandard streets or roads is being subdivided and ingress and egress to the lots within the subdivision is not required from the street or road, the applicant shall dedicate additional right-of-way and dedicate reserve strips of land to control access from the lots;

   4. If the only access to land being subdivided is an existing substandard street or road system, and it is expected that this substandard street or road will carry principally vehicular traffic generated by the proposed subdivision, the planning commission may determine that the applicant shall pay the cost of or enter into an agreement to pay the cost of acquisition of off-site right-of-way pursuant to Section 66462.5 of the Subdivision Map Act;

   5. At the time the improvements are to be made, the applicant may request the public works director to require the applicant to defer the construction of such improvements by agreement in lieu of requiring the immediate construction thereof. The public works director may require deferment of the construction requirements only if he or she finds one or more of the following to be true:

      1. The improvements will not be beneficial or in the best interest of the county at the time the improvements are to be made;

      2. The improvements will cause safety hazards if constructed at the time required by the planning commission. For purposes of this paragraph transitions are deemed not to be safety hazards;

      3. The specific terrain, run-off, and/or other conditions in the area require deferment of the improvements.

The public works director shall make a written determination, within twenty days after submission of a written request by the applicant, as to whether the construction of improvements shall be deferred. The public works director may require plans in sufficient detail to enable him or her to make that determination. Any such decision may be appealed to the board of supervisors by submitting a notice of such appeal and the appropriate fee to the clerk of the board of supervisors within ten days after a copy of the written determination is mailed to the applicant;

6. At any time after entering into a deferred improvement agreement, a applicant or his or her successor in interest may request cancellation of the agreement by paying to the county a sum of money equal to not more than the estimated cost of making the improvements. The developer’s engineer shall provide the estimate subject to the approval of the public works director. The board of supervisors shall adopt by resolution a schedule of costs for such cancellations.

• (Ord. 1269 § 10, 2018; Ord. 1200 § 3, 2008; Ord. 1183 § 2, 2006)

The planning commission may approve an exception from these standards based on a modified design if the resulting subdivision would be a substantial improvement over that which could have been developed by following these standards. A request for an exception from these standards shall accompany the tentative map, together with the substantiating evidence that such exception will improve the subdivision. (Ord. 1183 § 2, 2006)

1. The applicant shall improve, with channelized intersections, that is, one with lanes marked with paint or physical dividers, on county roads where any of the following conditions exist:

   1. The street intersects at a point of restricted sight distance which requires a reduction in the normal driving speed on the major street or highway;

   2. The intersecting street serves more than one hundred lots as sole access;

   3. It is anticipated that the street will generate traffic in excess of one thousand vehicles per day.

2. The channelized intersection shall be designed in accordance with the requirements of the California Department of Transportation, Highway Design Manual, and the following width of turning lanes requirements:

(Ord. 1183 § 2, 2006)

The construction of off-site and on-site streets, roads, and other improvements required by these standards shall conform to the typical cross-sections adopted by the board of supervisors for the land division classification assigned. All roads and streets required to be constructed and dedications therefore shall be one of the following as indicated:

1. Major Divided Street or Road. This street is so designated on a general or specific plan adopted by the board of supervisors. This classification shall also include any street which by reason of its through route characteristics, now carries or is expected to carry within twenty years more than ten thousand vehicles per day or any street which is expected to handle one thousand five hundred turning movements per day such as a street providing access to a shopping center. The right-of-way shall be at least one hundred ten feet in width. The improved roadbed, including median strip, shall be at least ninety feet in width. Where a circulation element of the general plan has been adopted by the board of supervisors for this major county street, the applicant shall construct, in accordance with these standards, any required curbs and gutters and forty-four feet of surfacing, consisting of two twenty-two-foot strips of pavement; one along each exterior edge of the roadbed. In the event a subdivision creates a four-lane traffic demand on the major divided street, the applicant shall construct the street in its entirety and/or complete any portion not previously constructed.

2. Major Street. This street is so designated by the circulation element of the general plan adopted by the board of supervisors, but shall also include any street which by reason of its route characteristics is expected to carry within twenty years more than five thousand but less than fifteen thousand vehicles per day.

3. Major streets shall be designed and improved by the applicant to provide a four-lane highway with parking lanes as follows:

   1. Right-of-way shall be eighty-four feet in width, minimum;

   2. Surfaced roadbed shall be sixty-four feet in width, minimum;

   3. Where a master plan of streets and highways has been adopted by the board of supervisors for this major street, the applicant shall construct, in accordance with adopted standards, any required curbs and gutters and forty-four feet of surfacing consisting of two twenty-two-foot strips of pavement, one along each exterior edge of the roadbed. In the event a subdivision creates a four-lane traffic demand, the applicant shall construct the street in its entirety or complete any portion not previously constructed.

4. Collector Street or Road. This street classification is expected to collect or carry vehicular traffic generated from up to four hundred tributary dwelling units through a subdivision having two or more entrances, or constitutes the principal entrance to a residential subdivision of two hundred dwelling units that is not expected to serve in the future as a major street. Where access is relinquished along an appreciable length of street frontage and where an emergency parking lane is provided, the number of tributary dwelling units may be increased thirty percent. The structural section shall be increased appropriately. Collector streets shall be designed and improved by the developer to provide a two-lane street with parking lanes (except for estate, rural, and agricultural developments in which case parking lanes are not required) as follows:

   1. Minimum right-of-way shall be sixty feet in width;

   2. Design speed shall be not less than thirty-five miles per hour;

   3. The minimum centerline radius shall be three hundred fifty feet;

   4. The minimum safe stopping sight distance shall be two hundred fifty feet for standard street sections.

5. Local Street or Road. This street classification is abutted by residential lots, is to provide access to not more than one hundred tributary dwelling units and is not intended to serve, now or in the future, as a major street or collector street. Local streets shall be designed and improved by the developer to provide a twolane street and parking lanes (except for estate, rural, and agricultural developments in which case parking lanes are not required) as follows:

   1. Right-of-way shall be not less than sixty feet in width;

   2. Local streets which are to be extended and whose temporary terminus cannot be seen shall have a turning circle paved to a radius of at least forty feet with defensible easement of uniform sidewalk width;

   3. The design speed shall be not less than thirty miles per hour;

   4. The minimum centerline radius shall be two hundred fifty feet;

   5. The minimum safe stopping sight distance shall be two hundred feet.

6. Cul-de-sac Street or Road. This street classification is a dead-end street which is to provide access to a limited number of abutting dwelling units and which cannot be extended to serve a greater number of dwelling units. No cul-de-sac street constructed for dedication to Glenn County shall be longer than five hundred feet in length. Cul-de-sac streets shall be designed and improved by the applicant to provide a two-lane street and parking lanes (except for estate, rural, and agricultural developments in which case parking lanes are not required) as follows:

   1. Minimum right-of-way shall be sixty feet in width;

7. Turning circle shall have not less than sixty-foot property line radius except for urban developments where a fifty-foot radius will be acceptable; 3. Turning circle shall be paved to a radius of not less than forty feet;

   4. The minimum design speed shall be twenty-five miles per hour;

   5. The minimum centerline radius shall be one hundred seventy-five feet;

   6. The minimum safe stopping sight distance shall be fifty feet;

8. Industrial Street. This street classification is to provide access to abutting industrial lots. In these streets:

   1. Right-of-way shall be not less than sixty feet in width;

   2. Surfaced roadbed shall be not less than forty-four feet in width;

   3. A turning circle shall be provided for dead-end or cul-de-sac industrial streets which provide access to a limited frontage where due to physical conditions such street cannot be expected to be extended. The turning circle shall have a minimum of sixty feet property line radius, and forty-four feet curb radius;

   4. In cases where an industrial street collects traffic from intersecting industrial streets or commercial streets, or where such street provides access to property which has an area of more than forty acres and is zoned for industrial or commercial purposes, the right-of-way shall be increased by not less than twenty-four feet and surface roadbed shall be increased by not less than twenty feet;

   5. The minimum design speed for determining safe stopping sight distance and minimum curve radius shall be thirty-five miles per hour.

9. Frontage Road. This street classification is auxiliary to and located adjacent to a freeway, major highway, railroad or arterial street. A frontage road provides service to abutting property and adjacent areas where access to the adjacent major route is restricted. A frontage road may be of any street classification. The following requirements are for frontage roads:

   1. Right-of-way width for the frontage road shall equal the right-of-way width for a standard street of the same classification, less ten feet, but in no event shall it be less than a total of fifty feet in width;

   2. Surfaced roadbed shall be equal to the improved width for a standard street of the same classification, less six feet for parking lanes, but in no event shall it be less than a total of thirty feet in width.

10. Alleys. Alleys shall be permitted only along the rear of lots zoned for commercial or multiple dwelling use or the rear of lots fronting on major streets when said streets are divided by a median barrier. The following criteria apply:

    1. Right-of-way shall be not less than twenty feet in width;

    2. No intersecting alleys shall be permitted;

    3. Surfaced roadbed shall be the full width of the right-of-way, except at intersections with streets where standard returns shall be constructed.

11. Split-level Street. This type of street shall have the same geometrics of design, improvements and capacity as those provided in a normal street of the same classification, but with each direction of traffic constructed at different elevations separated by a median. A split-level street may be designed and improved by the applicant on approval of the public works director as follows:

12. A split-level street shall provide for the same margins, parking lanes, traveled way and turning-lane area required for a normal street of the same classification. In addition, a shoulder at least two feet in width along the median of the lower roadway, and a strip at least four feet in width along the median edge of the upper roadway shall be provided. In this strip, the concrete curb or approved type barrier, shall be installed in those locations where they are required for the safe use of the street. A guard rail shall be provided on the median side of the upper roadway when the difference in street level elevation exceeds ten feet or when retaining walls are provided.

13. An additional right-of-way width for the cut or fill slope shall be provided if required. The total width of the dedicated right-of-way shall not be less than the sum of the improvement widths, slope requirements and margins.

14. Grade at intersections shall not exceed two percent cross slope within the area bounded by the curb line or traveled way.

15. Pedestrian walkways shall be provided at approximately the mid-block points for blocks in excess of five hundred feet or at not greater than five hundred feet spacing.

16. One-way Loop Road. A one-way loop road is a road which is designed for traffic in one direction only, which serves less than thirty lots, which lies in difficult side-hill development on slopes exceeding fifteen percent and which serves a useful purpose to the development of “view” lots or other interesting lots which could not otherwise be developed by the use of other roads. The minimum right-of-way width is fifty feet. (Ord. 1183 § 2, 2006)

1. Private streets and roads may be permitted in subdivisions provided that they meet the minimum standards set forth in the typical cross sections for private roads for each zone as may be adopted by the board of supervisors by resolution.

2. An admonishment in substantially the following form shall be shown on the face of the final map or parcel map and included in deeds prior to recording for subdivisions in which lots or parcels are served by a private road:

• Lots or parcels 1, 2, 3, etc....are served by a private road. Maintenance of said road is not the responsibility of Glenn County. Owners of said lots or parcels are hereby advised that they and/or others are solely responsible for maintenance of this road .

3. The board of supervisors may refuse to accept any offer of dedication until such time as it is determined that the portion of the street or road dedicated serves a public purpose or the portion of the street or road no longer lies within property under one ownership and does not continue through such ownership or end touching property of another. The county will refuse to accept any private road until such time as the road has been constructed in accordance with current county road standards for the zone in which the road is located. (Ord. 1183 § 2, 2006)

The alignment of street extensions shall connect with existing streets by continuation of the centerlines or by adjustments by curves and shall be in general conformity with plans that the director determines to be the most advantageous development of the area in which the subdivision lies. (Ord. 1183 § 2, 2006)

The location of streets shall be such that intersections are spaced not less than two hundred feet apart on secondary streets and five hundred feet apart on major streets. All streets shall be required to intersect one another at an angle as near to a right angle as is practicable in each case. “Tee” type intersections are preferred except at arterial intersections. (Ord. 1183 § 2, 2006)

On all street, road and highway intersections, the property line at each block corner shall be rounded with a curve having a radius of not less than twenty feet. In any case, a greater curve radius may be required if streets or alleys intersect other than at right angles. (Ord. 1183 § 2, 2006)

All other specifications for intersections shall be as shown on the standard drawings adopted by the board of supervisors. (Ord. 1183 § 2, 2006)

The centerline curve radius of all streets and highways shall conform to acceptable engineering standards of design as shown in the latest edition of the California Department of Transportation Highway Design Manual. Generally, horizontal curves shall be as long as practical. The use of compound curves and double reversing curves shall be held to a minimum. As far as practical, one hundred-foot tangents shall be provided between all curves on residential streets, with longer tangents of not less than safe stopping sight distance on major streets. (Ord. 1183 § 2, 2006)

All subdivision streets shall be designed to provide safe stopping sight distance, horizontal curve radii, and vertical curves for not less than the following speed shown for that particular street section and in accordance with the California Department of Transportation Design Manual, except for stop streets. Combinations of changes in grade and curve alignment shall be designed with greater than the minimum design as far as practical. The following shall apply:

(Ord. 1183 § 2, 2006)

1. No street or highway shall have a grade of more than eight percent except where, because of topographical conditions or other exceptional conditions, the public works director may determine that a grade up to fifteen percent maximum may be allowed. No gutter grade shall be less than 0.3 percent where underground storm drainage systems are required. All others shall be not less than 0.2 percent unless approved by the public works director.

2. The grade within the intersection of streets shall not exceed four percent in the area bounded by the curb returns, except that the street anticipated to handle the major movement of traffic may exceed four percent but shall not be greater than the grade approaching the intersection. The grade of the turn around bulb at the end of cul-de-sac streets shall not exceed eight percent. (Ord. 1183 § 2, 2006)

1. Structural sections of all streets and roads shall be designed based on R-values determined by California Test Method No. 301 of the soil within the roadway and in accordance with Section 600 of the Highway Design Manual.

2. R-value tests for structural pavement design shall be taken within the soil to be used for the subgrade or at the designated source of selected material. A soil inventory consisting of location and R-value tests of various soils to be used within the designed structural section shall be provided unless the plans specify that the thickness of the elements of structural pavement shall be determined by R-value tests to be performed after rough subgrade is completed. The locations and number of samples of soil taken for R-value tests on rough subgrade shall be determined by the public works director.

3. Upon request of the applicant, the public works director may assign the structural section or R-value to be used for design in areas of consistent soils, provided that adequate information is available as to the properties of such soil.

4. The traffic index may be determined by using the Highway Design Manual together with a traffic study of the area contributing truck traffic loads to such streets. If ultimate street development pattern is not known and streets can be extended, the traffic index shall be as follows:

   1. Cul-de-sac and loop streets shall be a minimum of 4.5;

   2. Local streets shall be a minimum of 5.0;

   3. Residential collector streets shall be a minimum of 5.5;

   4. Major or primary collector streets shall be a minimum of 6.0;

   5. Farm to market roads in agricultural zoned areas shall be a minimum of 7.0;

   6. Commercial roads shall be a minimum of 8.0;

   7. County highways shall be a minimum of 9.0;

   8. The above traffic indexes shall be increased to reflect commercial and industrial truck traffic loading.

5. The minimum structural thickness of all new roads and streets or those roads and streets to be reconstructed shall be as shown on the standard drawings adopted by the board of supervisors unless otherwise approved by the public works director.

6. Where asphalt concrete (AC) is used it shall be type B one-half maximum (medium). Class 2 Aggregate Base (AB) and Class 1 Imported Aggregate Subbase (ASB) shall be used in street construction except that select material may be used in place of Class 2 Aggregate Base and Class A Imported Aggregate Sub-base provided the following requirements are met:

   1. The R-value of select material in place shall determine the thickness of asphaltic concrete in accordance with the “Pavement Design Chart” shown in the Highway Design Manual, with the addition of ten percent as a safety factor. The minimum thickness of asphaltic concrete shall be 0.20 foot;

   2. The sand equivalent shall exceed twenty-five;

   3. Ten percent or 0.17 foot, whichever is greatest, shall be added to the thickness determined for select material as a safety factor;

   4. The top 0.34 foot of select material shall be screened to remove oversized aggregate larger than 2 inches;

7. The particle interlock shall provide a firm working table. (Ord. 1183 § 2, 2006)

1. Improvements. The applicant shall improve side slopes for functional effectiveness, and pleasing appearance. Planting of vegetation may be required to prevent erosion.

2. Cut and fill. Cut slopes for subdivision streets shall be one and one-half to one and fill slopes shall be two to one. Flatter slopes shall be used in soils susceptible to erosion. Steeper cut slopes will be considered in special situations, such as in solid material, if approved by the public works director. Cut slopes steeper than one to one that are higher than ten feet will be considered only if submitted with a report from an engineering firm based on an analysis of soil borings or excavations determining that such cut bank will be stable and not lead to structural defects to dwellings constructed on adjacent lots.

3. Catch Point. In light grading where the normal slopes catch in a distance less than ten feet from the hinge point, a uniform catch point is to be used to provide flatter slopes. Transition slopes shall be provided between adjacent cuts and fills. Such slopes shall intersect the ground at a catch point ten feet from the hinge point.

4. Slope Roundings. The tip of all slopes shall be rounded. Where material cut is solid rock, only the layer of earth overlaying the rock shall be rounded.

5. Slope Benches. Width and vertical spacing shall be established from adequate soils investigation. Benches may be used in unstable material and to intercept and store loose material resulting from minor slides. Sufficient width shall be provided for maintenance and drainage control.

6. Special Slope Treatment. When it is desirable to retain certain natural features such as trees or natural banks within the side slope, the size, location and elevation shall be shown on the improvement plans. Cut and fill slopes shall be designed to retain such features. Retaining walls may be required. (Ord. 1183 § 2, 2006)

Vertical concrete curb or roll-type concrete curb and gutter shall be constructed by the applicant in accordance with the specifications set forth in the standard drawings adopted by the board of supervisors on all streets where any abutting lots have an area of twenty thousand square feet or less or a frontage of less than one hundred five feet and on all streets in areas zoned for commercial, industrial, or multiple residential uses. They may also be required by the director if the streets are located within one-half mile of any incorporated city. They may be constructed on any street on which the applicant elects to construct such curbs and gutters. The construction of concrete curb and gutter may be deferred by the public works director pursuant to the procedure set forth in subsection (B) (5) of Section 15.64.040. (Ord. 1183 § 2, 2006)

Concrete sidewalks shall be constructed by the applicant in accordance with the specifications set forth in the standard drawings adopted by the board of supervisors in areas zoned for commercial or multiple residential uses and in areas zoned for single-family or two-family residential use where any of the lots contain ten thousand square feet or less. They may be required by the director if the sidewalks are to be located within one-half mile of any incorporated city. Sidewalks may be constructed on any other street at the option of the applicant. The construction of sidewalks may be deferred by the public works director pursuant to the procedures set forth in subsection (B) (5) of Section 15.64.040. (Ord. 1183 § 2, 2006)

1. The location of utilities within subdivision street rights-of-way, either above ground or below ground, shall be in accordance with the specifications set forth in the standard drawings adopted by the board of supervisors unless an alternative location is approved by the public works director. Utilities shall be underground wherever practical.

2. The minimum depth of underground conduits, with the exception of appurtenances designed for surface loads such as manholes, valve boxes, and electrical vaults, shall be thirty inches. Where location of electrical cables for power, community television, and telephone are located under portland cement concrete sidewalks, a minimum depth of eighteen inches may be permitted. (Ord. 1183 § 2, 2006)

Roads which are extensions of or are determined to be in future alignment with existing named roads shall bear the name of the existing road. Naming of new subdivision roads shall be subject to the approval of the planning commission and shall not duplicate or be similar to any other road in the county. (Ord. 1183 § 2, 2006)