Chapter 21.28 — IMPROVEMENTS — Palo Alto Planning Code

21.28.010 Improvements required of all subdivisions.¶

The improvements set forth in this chapter shall be required of all subdivisions unless the city council or director of planning, in the case of a preliminary parcel map, finds that due to the particular circumstances of the subdivision said improvements are not necessary, are not desirable, or that alternatives are desired for the public health, safety and welfare. The subdivider shall pay the expense of all required improvements.

(Ord. 3157 § 1 (part), 1979)

21.28.020 Standards for improvements.¶

All improvements shall be subject to the approval of the city engineer and shall not be less than those set forth in the "Standard Specifications of the City of Palo Alto," copies of which are on file in the office of the city engineer; except that the city engineer may approve alternate standards if conditions such as location, size, and terrain make the application of such specifications unfeasible or undesirable for the particular improvement. All improvements shall also be subject to the standards of the director of utilities and fire chief. The location of all improvements shall be subject to the approval of the city engineer. All improvements shall provide facilities for the handicapped as required by federal, state or local law.

(Ord. 3157 § 1 (part), 1979)

21.28.030 Submission and approval of plans prior to improvement work.¶

Plans and profiles for all improvement work shall be prepared in accordance with the requirements of the city engineer. No improvement work shall be commenced until such plans and the profiles have been submitted to and approved by the city engineer. The subdivider shall be required to pay for the cost of checking such plans. (Ord. 3157 § 1 (part), 1979)

21.28.040 Inspection and approval of improvements, cost of inspection.¶

All improvements shall be constructed under the inspection of and subject to the approval of the city engineer. The subdivider shall pay the cost of such inspection.

(Ord. 3157 § 1 (part), 1979)

21.28.050 Underground facilities, construction prior to street finishing.¶

All underground facilities and storm drains installed in streets or alleys shall be constructed prior to the surfacing of such streets or alleys. Connections for all underground utilities shall be laid to such lengths as the city engineer determines necessary to avoid disturbing the street or alley improvements when service connections are made. (Ord. 3157 § 1 (part), 1979)

21.28.060 Specific improvements required - Benchmarks.¶

Permanent and accurate benchmarks shall be established on the monument or other approved location at each street intersection. Complete field notes showing locations and elevations of all benchmarks and monuments shall be filed with the city engineer.

(Ord. 3157 § l (part), 1979)

21.28.070 Curbs and gutters.¶

Curbs and gutters shall be installed to locations and grades approved by the city engineer. Ramps shall be provided for the handicapped in accordance with state and local requirements. (Ord. 3157 § 1 (part), 1979)

21.28.080 Monuments.¶

Permanent pipe monuments and boxes shall conform to the standards of the city. Permanent pipe monuments shall be set at each boundary corner of the subdivision along the exterior boundary lines at intervals of approximately five hundred feet at the beginning of curves and ending of curves of property line curves. Monuments shall be set at intersections of all street monument line tangents and at both the beginning of curves and ending of curves of all monument line curves. Complete field notes showing permanent references or ties shall be filed with the city engineer. All monuments that are required to be set shall be marked to conform with the provisions of Chapter 775 of the Statutes of 1935, and all subsequent amendments thereto and with the provisions of this title. (Ord. 3157 § 1 (part), 1979)

21.28.090 Railroad crossings.¶

Provision shall be made for all railroad crossings necessary to provide access or circulation within the proposed subdivision, including the preparation of all documents necessary for application to the California State Public Utilities Commission for the establishment and improvement of such crossings. (Ord. 3157 § 1 (part), 1979)

21.28.100 Sewers.¶

Sanitary sewer facilities connecting with the existing city sewer system shall be installed to serve each lot and to grades and sizes approved by the city engineer. The location, grade and size of all sewers must be approved by the city engineer.

(Ord. 3157 § 1 (part), 1979)

21.28.110 Sidewalks.¶

Sidewalks shall be installed to locations, grades, and widths approved by the city engineer. (Ord. 3157 § 1 (part), 1979)

21.28.120 Street lighting.¶

Street lights shall be installed. (Ord. 3157 § 1 (part), 1979)

21.28.130 Street trees.¶

Approved street trees shall be provided and planted by the subdivider. (Ord. 3157 § l (part), 1979)

21.28.140 Streets.¶

All streets shall be graded and surfaced to widths and grades approved by the city engineer. All extensions of subdivision streets to the intersecting paving line of any county road, city street or state highway shall be improved. (Ord. 3157 § 1 (part), 1979)

21.28.150 Water mains, fire hydrants, and gas mains.¶

Water mains, fire hydrants, and gas mains connecting to the city system shall be installed as required by the city engineer, fire chief, and director of utilities.

(Ord. 3157 § 1 (part), 1979)

21.28.160 Street name and traffic-control signs.¶

Street name and traffic-control signal systems, signs, and markings shall be installed by the subdivider when required.

(Ord. 3157 § 1 1979)

21.28.170 Alleys.¶

All alleys shall be paved. (Ord. 3157 § 1 (part), 1979)

21.28.180 Planting strips.¶

All planting strips shall be landscaped.

(Ord. 3157 § 1 (part), 1979)

21.28.190 Service roads and off-street parking.¶

All service roads and off-street parking areas shall be improved. (Ord. 3157 § 1 (part), 1979)

21.28.200 Undergrounding of public utilities.¶

All public utilities shall be installed underground.

(Ord. 3157 § 1 (part), 1979)

21.28.210 Storm drainage.¶

Adequate storm drainage improvements shall be required, including, but not limited to, storm drain sewers, structures for drainage, and access to such improvements for service and/or public safety. (Ord. 3157 § 1 (part), 1979)

21.28.220 Walkways.¶

Walkways shall be improved. (Ord. 3157 § 1 (part), 1979)

21.28.230 Bicycle paths.¶

Bicycle paths shall be paved.

(Ord. 3157 § 1 (part), 1979)

21.28.240 Local transit facilities.¶

Local transit facilities shall be improved.

(Ord. 3157 § 1 (part), 1979)

21.28.250 Other improvements.¶

Other improvements necessary or convenient to insure conformity to or implementation of the comprehensive plan or other local ordinances and to insure the public health, safety and welfare, shall be required. In addition, improvements outside of the subdivision may be required where such improvements are required for the general health, safety and welfare, and where conditions necessitating such improvements are caused or aggravated by the subdivision.

(Ord. 3157 § 1 (part), 1979)