26.44 — PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS AND GRADING

The subdivider shall improve or agree to improve all streets, thoroughfares, public ways or public or private easements within the development and adjacent thereto, as required to serve the development. No grading or improvement work shall be commenced until either an appropriate subdivision improvement agreement, land alteration permit, or street encroachment permit has been approved and any necessary bonds posted. Improvements shall be installed to line and grade and in accordance with the standard drawings and specifications of the city and/or as determined by the city engineer. Street structural sections shall be designed in accordance with the "Division of Highways stabilometer method" or such comparable method as may be approved by the city engineer. The minimum improvements which the subdivider shall normally be required to agree to install, at his own cost, in the creation of a parcel or parcels shall include the following:

• A. Grading, curbs and gutter, paving and drainage structures necessary for the proper use and drainage of the development, streets, highways and/or public safety;

• B. Site grading and drainage, taking into consideration the drainage pattern of adjacent improved or unimproved property and making drainage provisions adequate for total ultimate development of the natural tributary area. Runoff quantities to be anticipated shall be derived from the drainage study as defined in this chapter, or by such other method as may be approved by the city engineer. Alternate methods shall be fully substantiated by the engineer of work. Grading shall be in full conformity with the provisions of the appropriate ordinances of the city. Drainage facilities and concepts shall conform to the requirements of the Coachella Valley County water district and the city engineer;

• C. Street name and traffic control signs;

• D. Sidewalks and bicycle paths;

• E. Fire hydrants and a water system with mains of sufficient size and capacity to provide future extensions to adjacent property and having a sufficient number of services to furnish an adequate water supply for each lot or parcel in the subdivision and to provide adequate fire protection. Water system mains shall extend to the boundaries of the parcel map and subdivision. All domestic water shall be taken from the city-approved public system serving the subdivision;

• F. Sanitary sewer facilities and connections for each lot. Sewer mains, whose size and depth shall be adequate to serve adjacent and upstream properties, shall extend to the boundaries of the parcel split or subdivision;

• G. Street trees as required by the director;

• H. Underground utilities;

• I. Provision shall be made for any and all railroad crossings necessary to provide access to or circulation within the proposed subdivision, including the preparation of all documents necessary for application to the state Public Utilities Commission for the establishment and improvement of such crossings;

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City of Palm Desert, CA § 26.44.010

PALM DESERT CODE

§ 26.44.040

• J. Mid-block pedestrian ways, where required;

• K. Improvements on private access easements shall be required as determined by the city engineer;

• L. Street lighting facilities shall be provided in accordance with the council's policy for the area of the city where the subdivision is located. Lighting shall be adequate to permit proper policing of the subdivision and shall be so screened or otherwise designed as not to interfere with views from the hillsides of the city;

• M. All utility distribution lines including, but not limited to electric, communication, natural gas, and cable television lines installed in and for the purpose of supplying service to any subdivision shall be placed underground. Undergrounding shall include existing aboveground facilities located within the subdivision and extending to the first existing pole outside the subdivision.

Equipment appurtenant to underground facilities, such as surface-mounted transformers, street light poles, pedestal-mounted terminal boxes and meter cabinets and concealed ducts may be installed above the surface of the ground subject to the approval of the city engineer.

The subdivider is responsible for complying with the requirements of this section, and shall make the necessary arrangements with the utility companies involved for the installation of the facilities;

• N. Traffic signals in an amount proportionate to the benefits received according to rules and regulations as may be adopted from time to time by the council.

• (Ord. 125 § 1, 1976, Exhibit A § 26.14-1)

All underground utilities, including, but not limited to, sanitary sewers, storm drains and natural gas distribution facilities installed in streets or alleys shall be constructed prior to the surfacing of such streets or alleys. Connections for all underground utilities and sanitary sewers shall be laid to such length as will obviate the necessity for disturbing the street or alley improvements when the service connections thereto are made.

(Ord. 125 § 1, 1976, Exhibit A § 26.14-2)

All wells shall be abandoned by sealing in a manner satisfactory to the city engineer or shall be transferred to the ownership of the cognizant water agency serving the property unless specific approval to retain the well for private use is granted by the city at the time of approval of the tentative map. The locations of such wells shall be shown on the final map and well logs, if available, shall be submitted to the Coachella Valley County water district. (Ord. 125 § 1, 1976, Exhibit A § 26.14-3)

A complete improvement plan "as built" shall be filed with the city engineer upon completion of these improvements; the "as built" plans to be drawn on copies of the original tracings and certified as to accuracy and completeness by the subdivider's licensed contractor. Upon receipt

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City of Palm Desert, CA

SUBDIVISIONS

§ 26.44.040

§ 26.44.060

and acceptance of the "as built" plans, the city engineer may accept the public improvements. (Ord. 125 § 1, 1976, Exhibit A § 26.14-4)

The city engineer shall have the authority and responsibility to accept public improvements and approve site grading relative to subdivision of land whether through the major subdivision process or the parcel split process. Completion of all improvements and/or grading as contemplated by the subdivision improvement agreement, the land alteration permit or the street encroachment permit is a condition of approval and acceptance. (Ord. 125 § 1, 1976, Exhibit A § 26.14-5)

The provisions of this chapter shall not be construed to limit or interfere with the installation, maintenance and operation of water lines, sewer lines, gas lines, other public utility pipelines, and electric, cable and open video systems, telephone or telegraph transmission lines when installed, maintained and operated in accordance with all other applicable laws. Pursuant to Title 23, Section 23.03.030, and notwithstanding anything in this municipal code to the contrary, utility distribution facilities for electricity that are installed within the designated spot municipal utility and completed from and after enactment of this section, shall be dedicated to the city. (Ord. 1050 § 3, 2003)

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City of Palm Desert, CA

SUBDIVISIONS

§ 26.48.010

§ 26.48.050