Hanford Municipal Code Ch. 16.20 Design Standards

All subdivision maps shall conform to any specific plans of streets, public areas, or other projects adopted by the council. There shall be conformance to the principles and standards of the general plan or elements thereof and to the city's zoning regulations. In the absence of a master or general plan, the street system in a proposed subdivision shall relate to the existing streets in the area adjoining the subdivision, unless the commission finds that such is not reasonable.

(Prior code § 9-3.201)

Freeways and limited-access highways shall conform to the standards of the Department of Transportation of the state and, where the same are involved in any subdivision, shall be subject to individual consideration by the city. The standards of the Department of Transportation shall be the minimum standards acceptable to the city.

(Prior code § 9-3.202)

Arterial streets shall conform to the standard specifications adopted by the council for subdivision improvements.

(Prior code § 9-3.203)

Collector streets shall conform to the standard specifications adopted by the council for subdivision improvements.

(Prior code § 9-3.204)

Minor streets shall conform to the standard specifications adopted by the council for subdivision improvements. Cul-de-sac streets shall be not more than 400 feet in length, measured from the center line of the intersecting through street to the center of the cul-de-sac, and shall be terminated by a turnaround of not less than 50 feet radius.

(Prior code § 9-3.205)

Special minor streets, where railroads, parkways, grade separations, freeways or other dominant factors are involved, shall be subject to individual consideration by the city.

(Prior code § 9-3.206)

Along arterial streets or highways a frontage street separated from the arterial street or highway by an adequate separation, when indicated by the master or precise plan, may be required for access to abutting private property and minor streets. All dimensions on such multiple roadway thoroughfares shall be as defined on the precise plan.

(Prior code § 9-3.207)

A minimum center line radius of at least 500 feet shall be used on all arterial streets. Curves on minor streets shall have radii as long as possible consistent with local conditions. Suitable tangents, when possible, shall be used between all curves.

(Prior code § 9-3.208)

Street corner radii shall conform to the standard specifications.

(Prior code § 9-3.209)

Street intersections shall be as near right angles as practicable. In no case should the angle of intersection be less than 60 degrees.

(Prior code § 9-3.210)

Streets which are a continuation of streets in contiguous territory shall be so aligned as to assure that their center lines shall coincide. In cases where straight line continuations are not physically possible, such center lines shall be continued by curves.

(Prior code § 9-3.211)

Alleys 20 feet wide may be required at the rear of all lots classified for, and to be used for, commercial purposes.

(Prior code § 9-3.212)

All lots shall have a frontage on a public street. Lots having double frontage should be avoided but where unavoidable should have depths of not less than 200 feet, except where access is limited to one street frontage only or necessitated by topographical or other physical conditions.

(Prior code § 9-3.213)

No lot shall be divided by a city boundary line.

(Prior code § 9-3.214)

Blocks less than 400 feet in length or more than 880 feet in length may be cause for disapproval of the tentative map, but in no case shall blocks be longer than 1,320 feet in residential subdivisions. The block length shall be measured along the street center line of which lots front; blocks which have no lots fronting thereon may be of lesser length.

(Prior code § 9-3.215)

Long blocks shall be desirable adjacent to arterial streets in order to reduce the number of intersections. The dimensions of such blocks measured at right angles to such arterial streets shall be sufficient to allow for two tiers of lots, except when access from lots is limited to one street frontage only.

(Prior code § 9-3.216)

When property is designated for commercial or industrial use either in the general plan or an element thereof or the zoning regulations, the plan of the subdivision shall be appropriate for such use. Streets shall have adequate capacity to handle the anticipated traffic which will utilize them. As far as practicable, streets shall be laid out so that there will be direct access to the commercial or industrial area from arterial or collector streets without utilizing the local streets transversing the residential areas. The lot areas and dimensions shall be adequate to accommodate the yard spaces, off-street parking facilities, and off-street loading facilities required by the zoning regulations.

(Prior code § 9-3.217)

Utility distribution facilities and lines, including but not limited to, electric, communications, street lighting, and cable television, shall be placed underground in any residential, commercial or industrial subdivision. The subdivider shall be responsible for complying with the requirements of this section, and the subdivider shall make the necessary arrangements with the utility companies for the installation of and access to such facilities. For the purposes of this section, appurtenances and associated equipment, such as, but not limited to, surface-mounted transformers and pedestal-mounted terminal boxes and meter cabinets, may be placed aboveground. The provisions of this section shall not apply to utility distribution facilities and lines which do not provide services to the area being subdivided.

(Prior code § 9-3.218)

A. Stubbed Streets. Where a subdivision adjoins unsubdivided land, streets which may be necessary to assure the proper subdivision of the adjoining land shall be provided through to the boundary line of the subdivision. A temporary turnaround of a 50 foot radius shall be provided at the end of a stubbed street where it is determined by the planning director and fire chief to be necessary for the movement of emergency vehicles.

B. Partial Width Streets. Partial width streets proposed adjacent and parallel to the boundary line of the subdivision shall be permitted at a minimum of one-half of the required right-of-way plus a 12 foot travel lane. Improvements of partial width streets shall meet the standards prescribed in the city's standard specifications. Where an existing partial width street is located adjacent and parallel to the boundary line of the proposed subdivision, the subdivider shall dedicate such additional land as may be necessary to meet the standards prescribed in the city's standard specifications.

(Prior code § 9-3.219)

A. A one-foot reserve strip shall be provided at the dead end of a stubbed street or at the edge of a partial width street and shall be offered for dedication to the city for future street purposes.

B. Reserve strips shall be designated on the final map of the subdivision and shall be specifically referred to in the dedication certificate.

(Prior code § 9-3.220)

Private streets shall be permitted only by specific approval of the council.

(Prior code § 9-3.221)

Every map approved pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be conditioned on compliance with the requirements for grading and erosion control, including the prevention of sedimentation or damage to off-site property, set forth in Chapter 70 of the Appendix to the Uniform Building Code, 1973 Edition, or editions subsequently adopted.

(Prior code § 9-3.222)