HomeMy WebLinkAboutDraft Private Street Standards Title 11-UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE
CHAPTER 3. - REGULATIONS APPLYING TO ALL DISTRICTS
ARTICLE F. PRIVATE STREET REQUIREMENTS
ARTICLE F. PRIVATE STREET REQUIREMENTS
11-3F-1. Purpose.
The purpose regulations of this article are to pFeVide better support the City's transportation goals by
ensuring safe and adequate circulation within commercial, industrial,mew, multi family develepmeRts and ga"
residential developments by establishing a clear emergency vehicle travel lane and for private street name
addressing purposes. Private streets serving single-family, duplex and townhouse developments may be permitted
at the discretion of the decision-making body in cases where the project qualifies as an infill or planned unit
development,where compliance with public safety and access requirements can be demonstrated.The Fire
Marshal may require that a private street be designated within an existing or proposed development where
necessary to facilitate emergency response and ensure public safety.theeth than these that create a cernmen
Fnew through the site design or that propose a limited gated resideRtial development.The pli -bility Fnay be
exteRded where the director or fire Fnarshal deteFFniRes that private streets vVill enhance the safety of the
development.The fire marshal may requiFe designation of a private street within existing developments where it is-
V n the best inteFest ef the publie safety and health W he able te better lecate a given propeFty in the eve.nt ef-an
(Ord. 10-1463, 11-3-2010,eff. 11-8-2010)
11-3F-2. Applicability.
The provisions of this article apply to any existing or proposed properties that do not have frontage on a
public street or where frontage is not required.The applicability may be extended where the director or Fire
Marshal determines that private streets or conversion of drive aisles are necessary for wayfinding or other public
safety considerations.
(Ord.05-1170,8-30-2005,eff. 9-15-2005)
11-3F-3. Process.
A. An application and fees, in accord with chapter 5, "administration",of this title,shall be submitted to the
director on forms provided by the Planning Department.The application may be reviewed on its own or
reviewed as part of a concurrent hearing level application.
B. Upon tentative appFe al of the app ^,+^^ review and approval by the director subject to any applicable
conditions of approval and the regulations of chapter 5, "administration",of this title,the applicant or owner
shall have ene �two 2 -years,or as otherwise established as part of a concurrent development application,
to complete the following tasks:
1. Ada County Highway District(ACHD)Compliance:
a) Obtain approval from the Ada County Street Name Committee for a private street name(s);
2-. r^^ta�t the transp^rtat;^^autheFity(ACHD)tei!nstall an approved street name sign that complies
with the regulations of the Ada County uniform street name ordinance.
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c) For residential private streets,submit a statement from a registered professional engineer stating that
the street complies with the ACHD structural standards and is constructed consistent with the Cit -
approved set of construction plans.
23. Create a perpetual ingress/egress easement or a single platted lot for the private street to all
properties served by such private street.
34. The applicant or owner shall provide documentation of a binding contract that establishes the party or
parties responsible for the repair and maintenance of the private street, including regulations for the
funding thereof.
4§. Upon completion of the items noted above,the director shall issue a letter stating that the private
street has been approved. No building permit shall be issued for any structure using a private street for
access to a public street until the private street has been approved.
(Ord. 05-1170, 8-30-2005,eff. 9-15-2005) (Ord. 10-1463, 11-3-2010,eff. 11-8-2010)
11-3F-4. Standards.
A. General standards:Residential private streets shall only be permitted at the discretion of the decision-
making body,subject to the following
1. Unique or special circumstances exist with respect to the proposed use, design, location,
topography,or other features of the development or its surroundings such that private streets
will serve to enhance the overall development.
2. The design promotes safe and effective movement of bicycles and pedestrian travel to and
through the project by providing sidewalks and/or pathways connections to abutting properties
at a minimum of two(2) locations.
3. Adequate guest parking and maneuvering areas are provided for service and emergency vehicles,
as determined by the director and Fire Marshal.
4. The private street provides for a connected transportation system and adjacent property will not
be landlocked nor have reduced access, by the site layout.
5. The use or alignment of a private street does not interfere with the continuity of public streets.
6. An appropriate mechanism has been established for the repair and maintenance of the private
street, including provisions for the funding thereof.
7. The use of private streets does not prohibit access to existing or planned multi-use pathways,as
shown in Chapter 3 of the Meridian Pathways Master Plan.
8. Comply with the ACHD structural standards for streets,as shown on design and construction
documents prepared and certified by a registered professional engineer.
AB. Design standards.
1. Easement.The private street shall be constructed on a perpetual ingress/egress easement or a
single platted lot that provides access to all properties served by such private street. In instances
where the subject property is being subdivided,the preference is that the private street be a lot
within such subdivision.
2. Connection point.The private street shall connect to a local or collector street.The private street
shall not connection to an arterial street is prohibited, unless otherwise allowed by the decision-
making body as part of a concurrent hearing level application.Where the point of connection of
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the private street is to a public street,the private street connection shall be approved by the
transportation authority.
3. Emergency vehicle.The private street shall provide sufficient maneuvering area for emergency
vehicles as determined and approved by the Fire Marshal.
4. Gates. Gates or other obstacles(if applicable)&W4may be allowed subject to the following
standards:
a. The proposed development is residential.
b. The proposed development shall have no more than one hundred (100)dwelling units.A
greater number of dwelling units may be approved with a planned unit development. One
(1)gated entry shall be .,FeVided f9F.,.,e FY fifty(50).Dwelling units.
C. The proposed gate(s) do not prohibit pedestrian and bicycle access to and through the
development.
pathways as shewn in Chapte-F_3 ef the Pathways 5.4-a-steff Plan.
de. The applicant shall provide access to the gate for emergency vehicles as determined and
approved by the Mpredwan Fire Marshal DepaFtment and Public Works Department.
ef. To allow sufficient vehicle stacking and turn-around distance,the gate shall be located a
minimum of fifty(50)feet back from the ultimate edge of right-of-way to the connecting
public street and include a dedicated paved vehicle turnaround area.
5. Cul-de-sac. No private street that ends in a cul-de-sac or a dead end shall be longer than five
hundred (500)feet.
6. Common driveways. No common driveways shall be allowed off of a private street unless the
street section allows for parking on at least one side of the street or the development has
designated adequate guest parking dispersed throughout, as determined by the director.
7. Street network.The overall street network within the surrounding area shall allow for properties
to connect at regular intervals in order to promote connected neighborhoods and traffic flow
within the mile section.
-9C. Construction standards.
1. 0eCommercial. For proposed commercial private streets and the conversion of an
existing commercial drive aislefaei+ity to a private street at the direction of the Fire Marshal`
following apply:
a. All drive aisles shall be posted as fire lanes with no parking allowed.
b. If a curb exists next to the drive aisle, it shall be painted red.
C. For proposed commercial private streets,sidewalk shall be provided on at least one side of
the private street,except when converting an existing drive aisle.
d. When converting an existing drive aisle,a written statement from a certified engineer must
be submitted stating the existing drive aisle can support emergency fire apparatus.
2. For all other private streets.
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a. Roadway and storm drainage.The private street shall be constructed in accord with the
roadway and storm drainage standards of the transportation authority or as approved by
the City of Meridian based on plans submitted by a certified engineer.
b. Street width.The private street`hall be^ nstF eted within an ^`and shall have a
minimum travel lane width of twenty-four(24)feet or twenty-six(26)feet as determined
by the Fire Marshal relative to the height and size of the proposed structures that adjoin
the private street.
C. Sidewalks. For private streets serving dwellings, aA five-foot(51 wide attached sidewalk or
four-foot 4' wide detached sidewalk shall be provided on both sides of the private street.
This requirement may be wa+vedmodified by the decision making body if the applicant can
demonstrate that an alternative,similar pedestrian path exists.
d. Fire lanes. All drive aisles shall be posted as fire lanes with no parking allowed. In addition,
if a curb exists next to the drive aisle, it shall be painted red,unless parking is allowed on
one or both sides of the street.
3. Alternative compliance. Upon recommendation of the City Engineer and Fire Marshal,the
Director may approve,or recommend approval of alternative design or construction standards
when the applicant can demonstrate that the proposed overall design meets or exceeds the
intent of the required standards of this Article and ss4Ais not be detrimental to the public health,
safety,and welfare.
4. Nonconforming private streets. Existing private streets that are not consistent with the standards
as set forth in this Section shall be deemed a nonconforming use.Applicants seeking to add
additional lots and/or development accessing such private streets shall seek conditional use
approval as set forth in subsection 11-113-4.A.2 of this Title or improve the full length of the
private street to meet the design and construction standards as set forth in this section.
(Ord.05-1170, 8-30-2005,eff. 9-15-2005;Ord. 10-1463, 11-3-2010,eff. 11-8-2010;Ord. No. 22-2001, § 14, 11-1-
2022)
11-3F-5. Required findings.
In order to approve the appl+satiena private street,the DiFeGt0Fdecision making body shall find the following:
A. The design of the private street meets the requirements of this Article;
B. Granting approval of the private street would not cause damage, hazard,or nuisance,or other
detriment to persons, property,or uses in the vicinity;
C. The use and location of the private street shall not conflict with the Comprehensive Plan and/or the
Regional Transportation Plan;and
D. The proposed residential development(if applicable) ism a gated community, promotes infill,
or is a planned unit development.
(Ord.05-1170,8-30-2005,eff. 9-15-2005;Ord. 10-1463, 11-3-2010,eff. 11-8-2010)
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