Seal Beach Municipal Code Ch. 10.45 Block Structure

This chapter provides City standards for the layout of proposed blocks within new subdivisions. The guidelines and standards set forth in this chapter are intended to:

A. Promote a connected community and ensure public safety by continuing the historic grid system to the greatest extent possible.

B. Ensure that new subdivisions emulate historic development patterns in terms of block sizes to the greatest extent possible.

C. Preserve significant natural features.

D. Provide adequate parkland and other open space.

E. Lessen traffic congestion through the creation of alternative routes and reduce traffic speeds in residential settings to the greatest extent possible.

(Ord. 1567)

Blocks within proposed subdivisions shall be designed in compliance with the following standards, except where different requirements are established for a particular area within the city by an adopted planned unit development, precise plan, or specific plan.

A. Street Layout. Streets within new subdivisions shall align with and connect to those of adjacent subdivisions, avoiding the tendency for the proposed subdivision to become an enclave apart from the rest of the community. Public streets should be planned to be continuous through adjacent residential developments, where permitted by terrain and other natural features, to weave the community together and simplify traffic circulation patterns. Requirements for street widths and other street cross-section features are established by Chapter 10.40: Streetscape.

B. Cul-de-sac Streets. The use of cul-de-sac streets is strongly discouraged, except where the location or configuration of the parcel to be subdivided will not permit a through street to be used, or a significant natural or cultural feature can be more effectively preserved through the use of a cul-de-sac. Where a cul-de-sac street is approved, the review authority shall require pedestrian connections from the cul-de-sac bulb to the next adjacent through street wherever feasible. The length of a cul-de-sac street shall not exceed 500 feet.

C. Block Length. The block dimension between intersecting public streets should normally not exceed 300 feet, or be less than 200 feet.

D. Edge Blocks. Subdivisions proposed on sites with significant natural features (for example, creeks, wetlands, or natural open space) shall be designed to provide a single-loaded "frontage road" adjacent to the natural feature, rather than "backing-up" development to the feature. Proposed subdivisions that are located adjacent to the city's corporate boundary should also be designed to provide the single-loaded frontage road at the edge. See Figure 10.45.010.D: Edge Block Treatment.

E. Alleys. The use of alleys is encouraged in new subdivisions, in order to provide access to units and parking and loading facilities and to improve the pedestrian orientation of primary streets by reducing or eliminating curb cuts. Locations for the inclusion of alleys in future subdivisions and other developments shall be considered during the subdivision plan design.

F. Gated Neighborhoods. Gated residential developments isolate parts of the community from others, and are strongly discouraged.

G. Natural Features. Wetlands, existing healthy mature trees, and other obvious natural features existing on a site proposed for subdivision, should be preserved and incorporated into the project and its landscaping elements to the greatest extent feasible. Additional requirements are set forth in Title 11: Zoning, Chapter 11.2.25: Base District Regulations—Open Space, Parks and Recreation Districts; and Chapter 11.4.30: Landscaping and Buffer Yards.

H. Parks and Neighborhood Open Space. Residential subdivisions shall provide dedicated parkland or park in-lieu fees as provided in Chapter 4.60 Park and Recreation Impact Fees.

1. Guidelines for Park Development. The subdivision technical review committee and the reviewing and approving authorities shall make use of the following guidelines in its review of any development within which dedicated parkland is proposed.

a. Centrally Located. Such facilities should be centrally located within the development and should be located at street frontages rather than behind lot lines (although alternative locations may be considered in order to take advantage of significant natural features).

b. Incorporation of Significant Natural Features. Where feasible, significant natural features should be incorporated into parks.

c. Integrated with Open Space Areas. Residential subdivisions should be designed to integrate and connect with proposed park and other open space elements (for example wetland areas) and with existing and proposed trails and pedestrian ways in the site vicinity.

(Ord. 1567; Ord. 1724, 12/8/2025)

Proposed subdivisions shall be designed to provide parcels that comply with the minimum area and dimensional requirements set forth in Title 11: Zoning; Part II, Base District Regulations; Table 11.2.05.015: Development Standards for Residential Districts, Table 11.2.10.015: Development Standards—Commercial and Mixed Use Districts, and Table 11.2.15.015: Development Standards— Light Manufacturing and Oil Extraction Districts.

(Ord. 1567)