Article 1 — Intent and Objectives

A. General. In enacting this division the City Council finds that the city has experienced explosive increases in population and motor vehicle operation, and extensive changes from the former predominantly agricultural uses to land development for high-activity purposes other than agricultural with attendant building construction, which factors directly result in rapidly rendering the present internal road system inadequate in width and development to provide minimum acceptable service capacity to the lands being developed, which inadequacy is growing at an increasing rate, The indirect result of these factors of change and growth is to increasingly tend to deny to the public the use of roads of minimum standards for safe and convenient vehicular and pedestrian access and travel between many points inside and outside the city. B. Cost. The City Council further finds that the total cost of correcting city road system deficiencies substantially exceeds the total funds available to the city for this purpose, and that unless measures are taken to provide for the orderly and systematic increase in width, capacity and improvement of the city roads when and as the development of land as aforesaid takes place, the citizens of this city will early suffer a condition of blight with pernicious effect upon the economic welfare, public convenience and general prosperity of the city.

(CCCC §§ 1006-2.202, 1006-2.204)

Therefore, the provisions of this division are intended to define the requirements and procedures for the dedication of rights-of-way and the improvement of those roads shown on the county major roads plan, a portion of the circulation element of the General Plan of Contra Costa County, (approved by the County Board and in the Public Works Department) in connection with the issuance of building permits or land use permits in certain land use district in order to accomplish the objectives set forth in Section 12.12.030. (CCCC § 1006-2.206)

The objects of these provisions are: A. To insure conformity to the Subdivision Map Act and to Title 16, and to extend the application of the basic requirements thereof to land development in which no subdivision is involved; B. To spread the costs of required public improvements upon the abutting properties as contemplated by law; C. To cause the installation of those improvements necessary to properly serve the property developed, at the time of its development, so that the benefitted property may enjoy the use of such improvements throughout the normal life thereof, and so that such improvements are not indefinitely deferred to the detriment of the public interest, safety and welfare; D. To protect the public's vested interest in the preexisting capacity of this city's streets and highways, and to provide a policy for public participation in the widening and improvement of streets and highways when necessitated by development of abutting property; E. To prevent the dissipation or improper use of the city's general operating and maintenance funds in providing these improvements or in maintaining faulty or substandard installations; and F. To protect the public health, safety living standards and common welfare of the general public. (CCCC § 1006-2.208)