1996 Local Street Tree Plan - Laserfiche WebLink

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Under the current code, the narrowest street that can be built is a 28' street that allows for parking on both sides. The code does not reflect the variety of conditions that actually exist in large and small -scale development and infill projects. For example, the code requires the same pavement width (28') for a street serving 70 homes (which could generate as many as 700 vehicle trips per day) as it does for a cul-de -sac street serving 6 -10 homes where traffic volumes are negligible. In addition, the current code does not allow for flexibility in dealing with on -street parking demands. The current code does not allow for design options for street types with no on -street parking, congregate guest parking, or parking on one side of the street. • Residential Collectors: In residential areas, certain streets function as residential collectors These streets enable moderate amounts of traffic to move between local streets and the major street network (collector and arterial streets). Residential collectors typically have more traffic than most local streets. The current code requires collectors in residential areas to be designed within a 60' right -of -way and to be designed with striped bike lanes. Because residential collectors are part of the residential street system, this plan recommends a design treatment for residential collectors that is more compatible with the residential environment and less like the designs for major streets. Bicycles share the street with automobiles on residential collectors, design speeds are lowered from 35 mph to 25 mph, and options for no- parking, parking on one side, and parking on both sides of the street are provided. A new residential collector street type (Residential Boulevard) is also proposed. The residential boulevard is a collector street type with a landscaped center median separating vehicle travel lanes. While the boulevard is likely to be infrequently used, it provides a design option which could create a distinctive street character to enhance neighborhood identity, especially when used in conjunction with alley access to parcels fronting on the boulevard. * *INSERT PHOTO ** Alleys: In older parts of the city, alleys were planned or constructed to provide an alternative vehicular access to homes. In the past 50 years, however, few alleys have been built. While alleys are allowed in the current zoning code, their construction is not encouraged. Current code requirements for alleys require wider paving than is necessary for adequate access to properties and require concrete paving rather than asphalt. While this design standard reduces maintenance and drainage costs, the initial cost of construction for a secondary access discourages use of alleys in new developments. This plan proposes a design standard for private alleys that would reduce initial construction costs by permitting the use of asphalt paving and inverted curbs rather than concrete paving. (See Figure ). 29