Lincoln Municipal Code Ch. 17.28 Design Standards

The size, design, character, grade, location, orientation and configuration of lots within the proposed subdivision and improvements required in connection therewith shall be consistent with the density and uses authorized for the area by the general plan and zoning ordinance and any applicable specific plans.

(Ord. 324B §6-1 (part), 1977)

The density, timing or sequence of development may be restricted by considerations of safety, traffic access or circulation, the slope of the terrain, the physical suitability of the site (including soil conditions), the nature and extent of existing development, the availability of public utilities, or other provisions of this title.

(Ord. 324B §6-1(part), 1977)

Except as provided in Sections 17.28.210, 17.28.220, 17.28.230 and 17.28.250, which shall govern in the case of any conflict with provisions of the zoning ordinance, all subdivisions shall result in lots which comply with the requirements set forth for the particular uses in the zoning ordinance.

(Ord. 360B §6, 1979: Ord. 324B §6-2, 1977)

All subdivisions, and the improvements required in connection therewith, located within areas of special flood hazard as designated in the flood insurance study for the city of Lincoln, shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 15.32, Flood Damage Prevention. If a provision of this title and Chapter 15.32 conflict or overlap, whichever imposes the more stringent requirements or restrictions shall prevail.

(Ord. 403B §3, 1981: Ord. 324B §6-3, 1977)

Each local street providing access to lots within a subdivision shall connect directly or through one or more local streets to a collector street or major street. Each route of access to collector streets or major streets and its point of connection therewith shall be adequate to safely accommodate the composition and volume of vehicular traffic generated by the land uses it serves. In determining the adequacy of a route of access, the deployment of fire equipment or other emergency services shall be considered by the commission and the council. A tentative map which makes use of local streets which pass through a predominantly residential neighborhood as a route of access to industrial, commercial or other subdivisions, generating traffic which would conflict with a residential character of the neighborhood, may be denied.

(Ord. 324B §6-10, 1977)

(a) Proposed streets shall be aligned to conform to the alignment of existing streets in adjoining subdivisions and to the logical continuation of existing streets where the adjoining land is not subdivided.

(b) Dead-end streets (except culs-de-sac) are prohibited. When a street is temporarily dead-ended, a barricade or temporary turning area or temporary connection to another street shall be required unless waived in writing by the commission upon recommendation of the city engineer. The commission or council may require, at the end of a dead-end street, that a turnaround be provided when the future extension of the street is remote.

(Ord. 324B §6-11, 1977)

A frontage road, reverse frontage or other type of limited access may be required where a subdivision adjoins or contains an existing or proposed freeway or major street. To accomplish the purpose of this section, waivers of vehicular and pedestrian access rights to the freeway or major street shall be required unless waived in writing by the commission upon recommendation of the city engineer. Waivers of access rights may also be required to prevent a local or collector street which passes through a predominantly residential neighborhood from being used as a route of access to industrial, commercial or other subdivisions generating traffic which would conflict with the residential character of the neighborhood, unless waived in writing by the commission upon recommendation of the city engineer.

(Ord. 324B §6-12, 1977)

Streets shall intersect at a right angle or as nearly thereto as is practical. Radius of curvature, where the property lines intersect, shall be a minimum of 15 feet, except as to major streets or expressways, where the minimum is 25 feet. Freeway or T intersections are preferable to four-way intersections on local streets, but the centerline of T street intersections shall not be located closer than 200 feet to the centerline of any other intersection. Four-way intersections shall not be located closer than 200 feet to the centerline of any other intersections. Four-way intersections shall not be located closer than 200 feet to any other intersection, measured from the nearest right-of-way lines.

(Ord. 360B §7, 1979: Ord. 324B §6-13, 1977)

Local streets shall be laid out to discourage through traffic. Curvilinear streets shall be encouraged. Maps of proposed subdivisions containing excessively long, straight residential streets conducive to high-speed traffic may be denied.

(Ord. 324B §6-14, 1977)

A cul-de-sac street created by a proposed subdivision shall not exceed 500 feet in length. A proposed cul-de-sac may be reduced in length or may be eliminated in order to provide for the efficient circulation of traffic, the future development of the neighborhood street system, or for the deployment of emergency services.

(Ord. 360B §8, 1979: Ord. 324B §6-15, 1977)

All streets shall conform to the provisions of this title and to standards and specifications set forth in adopted improvement standards.

(Ord. 324B §6-16, 1977)

All street and alley rights-of-way and the location of improvements therein shall be designed to conform to the requirements of the improvement standards, except where a modification is expressly permitted by Chapter 17.44, Modification of Requirements, or where a special cross-section is required to conform to an adopted planned street line or an applicable specific plan.

(Ord. 324B §6-17, 1977)

Grades of all streets shall be consistent with adequate surface-drainage requirements and the approved grading plan of the proposed subdivision if one is required. The maximum permitted grade is six percent;provided, however, that when topography makes a six percent grade impractical, the city council, after the approval of the city engineer, may permit a grade not to exceed ten percent. The city engineer shall determine the minimum grade authorized.

(Ord. 360B §9, 1979: Ord. 324B §6-18, 1977)

All curves shall have sufficient length to avoid the appearance of an angled point. Reverse curves shall be connected by tangents of a length approved by the city engineer. The centerline radii of curves shall be as great as possible but not less than the following: major streets, 1,500 feet; secondary streets, 1,000 feet; collector streets, 100 feet.

(Ord. 360B §10, 1979: Ord. 324B §6-19, 1977)

Improved pedestrian ways, as specified in the improvement standards, may be required where needed for traffic safety, access to schools, playgrounds, shopping facilities, other community facilities or scenic easements.

(Ord. 324B §6-36, 1977)

Equestrian trails, hiking trails, biking paths and similar trails shall be provided in locations established by the general plan and specific plans of the city. Adequate access shall be provided for public maintenance vehicles, emergency vehicles and parking facilities.

(Ord. 324B §6-37, 1977)

(a) Easements for utilities, street lighting, street trees, storm drains, flood control channels, slope rights and other public uses shall be provided at such locations as determined necessary by the commission and of such widths as set forth in the improvement standards. The commission shall be guided by the recommendation of the city engineer.

(b) Open space, public access and scenic easements shall be provided at such locations and to such widths as are necessary to accomplish the objectives, policies and programs of the general plan and specific plans in accordance with the purposes and policies of this title and the requirements of the Subdivision Map Act.

(Ord. 324B §6-38, 1977)

Blocks shall be designed to allow for adequate building sites for the type of use proposed, to allow for convenient pedestrian and vehicular circulation, access, traffic control and safety with regard to limitations created by topography. The width of blocks shall ordinarily be sufficient to allow for two tiers of lots with rear easements as required. Block lengths shall not exceed 1,500 feet unless unusual topographic or other conditions exist.

(Ord. 360B §11, 1979: Ord. 324B §6-50, 1977)

At intersections, all block corners shall have a minimum 20-foot-radius curve at property lines. Greater radii or cutoffs may be required where necessary for traffic safety.

(Ord. 360B §12, 1979: Ord. 324B §6-50.1, 1977)

The minimum width for each lot shall be as follows:

(1) Corner lot: 60 feet at the front building setback line. For corner lots, either street frontage may constitute the front lot line if the lot is consistent with the applicable provisions of the zoning ordinance;

(2) Interior lot: 60 feet at the front building setback line;

(3) Cul-de-sac lot: 35 feet at the street right-of-way.

(Ord. 360B §13, 1979: Ord. 324B §6-51, 1977)

The minimum area for each lot shall be as follows:

(1) Single-family residential interior lot: 6,000 square feet;

(2) Single-family residential corner lot: 6,000 square feet;

(3) Family residential unit on an interior lot: 7,500 square feet for a two-family unit plus an additional 1,000 square feet for each additional unit;

(4) Family residential unit on a corner lot: 7,500 square feet for a two-family unit plus an additional 1,000 square feet for each additional unit.

(Ord. 360B §14(part), 1979: Ord. 324B §6-51.1, 1977)

(Ord. No. 971B, § 4, 7-10-2018)

In determining the minimum lot area, all public utility transmission line easements may be required to be excluded for the purpose of computing land areas, even though such easements are included in the subdivision design.

(Ord. 360B §14(part), 1979: Ord. 324B §6-51.2, 1977)

In the computation of required lot area minimums, no portion of any lot covered by a drainage easement shall be used in calculating the width, depth or area of the lot.

(Ord. 324B §6-54, 1977)

Side lot lines shall be, normally, at right angles or radial to street lines.

(Ord. 360B §14(part), 1979: Ord. 324B §6-51.3, 1977)

The minimum lot depth shall be 100 feet.

(Ord. 324B §6-52, 1977)

The maximum depth of any lot shall not be greater than three times the lot width.

(Ord. 324B §6-53, 1977)

When determined to be necessary to promote the general welfare, or assure the orderly development of a community, residential lots within the proposed subdivision may be required to be increased in size to more closely conform to the size of existing nearby lots.

(Ord. 324B §6-55, 1977)

Flag lots for any proposed usage shall be approved only where required by topographic conditions and where there is no reasonable alternative design for the development of the interior portion of excessively deep parcels.

(Ord. 324B §6-56, 1977)

Lots proposed for single-family and two-family uses which have frontage on two parallel streets shall not be approved.

(Ord. 324B §6-57, 1977)

No lot shall be divided by a city or county boundary line.

(Ord. 324B §6-58, 1977)

Remnants of property which do not conform to minimum lot requirements and which are not required for a public or private utility or other public use shall not be created by a subdivision.

(Ord. 324B §6-59, 1977)

All lots shall be graded to provide adequate drainage. Provisions shall be made for proper erosion control, including the prevention of sedimentation or damage to off-site property.

(Ord. 324B §6-60, 1977)

All areas within a subdivision designated or planned as open space for use for park or recreation purposes, whether public or private, shall be designated as a separate parcel or parcels and dedicated to the city, or shall be designated as a separate parcel or parcels and maintained as common open space within an approved condominium, community or apartment project, or planned development.

(Ord. 324B §6-61, 1977)

Storm drains shall be designed in conformance with the improvement standards.

(Ord. 324B §6-70, 1977)

The commission may authorize lots to be designated as sites for the construction of model homes. Such sites shall be designated and approved on the tentative map. Each site shall be located so as to be easily accessible from existing improved streets during the construction of the model homes. Model home sites shall not be located more than 300 feet from the nearest existing source of water supply for firefighting purposes.

(Ord. 324B §6-71, 1977)

Any model home in which a garage is converted to an office or other use in conjunction with its use as a model home shall, upon termination of the use and prior to ultimate sale, lease or rental as a residence, revert the garage to its originally intended use or provide a garage as required by the zoning ordinance.

(Ord. 324B §6-72, 1977)