City Code (cont.)

Table of Contents

 

Chapter 50  STREETS AND SIDEWALKS*

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*Charter references: Vacation of streets, § 12.06.

Cross references: Buildings and building regulations, ch. 18; painting or coloring streets or sidewalks, curbs or gutters, § 38-31; street and block layout in subdivisions, § 54-129; minimum widths for street and alley rights-of-way, § 54-130; minimum pavement widths and surface type in subdivisions, § 54-131; street grade, curves and sight distances in subdivisions, § 54-132; riding bicycles on sidewalks in the central business district, § 62-151.

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ARTICLE I.  IN GENERAL

Sec. 50-1.  Sidewalk maintenance and repair.

(a)        Primary responsibility. It is the primary responsibility of the owner of property upon which there is abutting any sidewalk to keep and maintain such sidewalk in safe and serviceable condition.

(b)        Construction, reconstruction and repair specifications. All construction, reconstruction or repair of sidewalks shall be done in strict accordance with specifications on file in the office of the city engineer.

(c)        Notice when no emergency exists. Where, in the opinion of the city engineer, no emergency exists, notice of the required repair or reconstruction shall be given to the owner of the abutting property. Such notice shall require completion of the work within 90 days and shall be mailed to the owner shown to be such on the records of the county officer who mails tax statements.

(d)        Notice in emergency. Where, in the opinion of the city engineer, an emergency exists, notice of the required repair or reconstruction shall be given to the owner of the abutting property. Such notice shall require completion of the work within ten days and shall be mailed to the owner shown to be such on the records of the county officer who mails tax statements.

(e)        Failure of owner to reconstruct or make repairs. If the owner of the abutting property fails to make repairs or accomplish reconstruction as required in this section, the city engineer shall report such failure to the council, and the council may order such work to be done under its direction and the cost thereof assessed to the abutting property owner as any other special assessment.

(f)         Inspections. In order to accomplish the purpose of this section, it shall be the duty of the city engineer to inspect sidewalks within the city or cause the inspection under his direction.

(Code 1980, § 7.17)

Sec. 50-2.  Snow and ice on public sidewalks.

(a)        Nuisance. All snow and ice remaining upon public sidewalks is declared to constitute a public nuisance and shall be abated by the owner or tenant of the abutting private property within 12 hours after such snow or ice has ceased to be deposited.

(b)        Removal by city. The city may cause to be removed from all public sidewalks, beginning 24 hours after snow or ice has ceased to fall, all snow and ice which may be discovered thereon, and it shall keep a record of the cost of such removal and the private property adjacent to which such accumulations are found and removed.

(c)        Cost of removal. On or before the first Monday of May of each year, the city clerk shall prepare a list showing the name of the owner of the land adjacent to and adjoining all sidewalks cleared by the city, the legal description of the land, and the cost and expense of the removal of the snow and ice therefrom, and the list shall be filed in the city office.

(Code 1980, § 7.04)

Sec. 50-3.  Placing snow or ice in public street or on city property.

(a)        It is a petty misdemeanor for any person, not acting under a specific contract with the city or without special permission from the director of public works, to remove snow or ice from private property and place the slow or ice on a public street, including a public sidewalk.

(b)        Where permission is granted by the director of public works, the person to whom such permission is granted shall be initially responsible for payment of all direct or indirect costs of removing the snow or ice from the street. If not paid, collection shall be by civil action or assessment against the benefited property as any other special assessment.

(c)        It is a petty misdemeanor for any person not acting under a contract with the city to dump snow or ice on any other city property.

(Code 1980, § 7.05)

Sec. 50-4.  Grass, weeds and trees in streets.

(a)        Tree planting standards. The city shall have control and supervision of planting shrubs and trees upon or overhanging all streets or other public property. The city may establish and enforce uniform standards relating to the species and types of trees to be planted and the placement and the maintenance and removal thereof. Such standards shall be kept on file in the office of the city clerk and may be revised from time to time by action of the council upon the recommendation of the city manager.

(b)        Permit to plant or remove trees. It is a misdemeanor for any person to plant or remove any tree upon or overhanging streets, without first procuring from the city a permit in writing to do so.

(c)        Duty of property owners to cut grass and weeds and maintain trees and shrubs. Every owner of property abutting on any street shall cause the grass and weeds to be cut from the line of such property nearest to such street to the center of such street. If the grass or weeds in such place attain a height in excess of nine inches, it shall be prima facie evidence of a failure to comply with this subdivision. Every owner of property abutting on any street shall, subject to subsection (b) of this section requiring a permit therefor, trim, cut, remove and otherwise maintain all trees and shrubs in unhazardous and healthy condition, from the line of such property nearest to such street to the center thereof.

(d)        Work done by city. The city may, for failure to comply with this section, perform such work with employees of the city, keeping an accurate account of the cost thereof for each lot, piece or parcel of land abutting upon such street.

(e)        Assessment. If maintenance work described in subsection (d) of this section is performed by the city, the city clerk shall forthwith upon completion thereof ascertain the cost attributable to each lot, piece or parcel of abutting land. The city clerk shall, at the next regular meeting thereof, present such certificate to the council and obtain its approval. When such certificate has been approved, it shall be extended as to the cost therein stated as a special assessment against such abutting land, and such special assessment shall, at the time of certifying taxes to the county auditor, be certified for collection as other special assessments are certified and collected.

(Code 1980, § 7.06)

Cross references: Vegetation, ch. 70.

Sec. 50-5.  Obstructions; fires; dumping; signs and other structures.

(a)        Obstructions. It is a misdemeanor for any person to place, deposit, display or offer for sale any fence, sign, goods or other obstruction upon, over, across or under any street or other public property without first having obtained a written permit from the council, and then only in compliance in all respects with the terms and conditions of such permit and taking precautionary measures for the protection of the public. An electrical cord or device of any kind is included, but not by way of limitation, within the definition of an obstruction.

(b)        Fires. It is a misdemeanor for any person to build or maintain a fire upon a roadway.

(c)        Dumping in streets. It is a misdemeanor for any person to throw, place or dump or cause to be placed, thrown or deposited in any street or any other public place any nails, dirt, glass, tin cans, metal scraps, garbage, leaves, grass or tree limbs, shreds or rubbish, oil, grease, automotive antifreeze or other petroleum products or to empty any water containing salt or other injurious chemical thereon. It is a violation of this subsection to haul any such material, not adequately enclosed or covered, thereby permitting the material to fall upon the streets.

(d)        Continuing violation. Each day that any person continues in violation of this section shall be a separate offense and punishable as such.

(e)        Permit conditions. Before granting any permit under this section, the council may impose such insurance or bonding conditions thereon as it, considering the projected danger to public or private property or to persons, deems proper for safeguarding such persons and property. Such insurance or bond shall also protect the city from any suit, action or cause of action arising by reason of such obstruction.

(Code 1980, § 7.09)

Cross references: Bicycles obstructing pedestrians or blocking doorways, § 62-152.

Sec. 50-6.  Sewer and water main service lateral installation.

(a)        Required during street improvement. No petition for the improvement of a street shall be considered by the council if such petition contemplates constructing therein any part of a pavement or stabilized base or curb and gutter, unless all sewer and water main installations shall have been made, including the installation of service laterals to the curb, if the area along such street will be served by such utilities installed in the street.

(b)        Sewer service laterals. No sewer system shall be constructed or extended unless service laterals to platted lots and frontage facing thereon shall be extended simultaneously with construction of mains.

(c)        Waiver. The council may waive the requirements of this section only if it finds the effects of this section are burdensome and upon such notice and hearing as the council may deem necessary or proper.

(Code 1980, § 7.12)

Cross references: Utilities, ch. 66.

Secs. 50-7--50-35.  Reserved.

ARTICLE II.  CONSTRUCTION AND RECONSTRUCTION OF ROADWAYS, SIDEWALKS, CURBS AND GUTTERS

Sec. 50-36.  Procedures; permit; standards.

(a)        Procedures. Procedures for the construction and reconstruction of roadway surfacing, sidewalks, curbs and gutters shall be as follows:

(1)        Abutting or affected property owners may contract for, construct or reconstruct roadway surfacing, sidewalk or curb and gutter in accordance with this section if advance payment is made or arrangements for payment considered adequate by the city are completed in advance.

(2)        The work may be done with or without petition by the methods set forth in M.S.A. § 429.011.

(b)        Permit required. It is a misdemeanor to construct a sidewalk, curb and gutter, driveway or roadway surfacing in any street or other public property in the city without a permit in writing from the city engineer. Application for such permit shall be made on forms approved and provided by the city and shall sufficiently describe the contemplated improvements, the contemplated date of beginning of work, and the length of time required to complete the work, provided that no permit shall be required for any such improvement ordered installed by the council. All such applications shall contain an agreement by the applicant to be bound by this chapter and plans and specifications consistent with this chapter and good engineering practices. A permit from the city shall not relieve the holder from damages to the person or property of another caused by such work.

(c)        Specifications and standards. All construction and reconstruction of roadway surfacing, sidewalk and curb and gutter improvements, including curb cuts, shall be strictly in accordance with specifications and standards on file in the office of the city engineer and open to inspection and copying there. Such specifications and standards may be amended from time to time by the city, but shall be uniformly enforced.

(d)        Bond required. Before any such permit shall be granted, a bond, approved by the city attorney, in an amount equal to the value of the improvements and conditioned upon the completion of the work, shall be deposited with the city clerk.

(e)        Inspection. The city engineer shall inspect such improvements as deemed necessary or advisable. Any work not done according to the applicable specifications and standards shall be removed and corrected at the expense of the permit holder. Any work done under this section may be stopped by the city engineer if found to be unsatisfactory or not in accordance with the specifications and standards, but this shall not place a continuing burden upon the city to inspect or supervise such work.

(Code 1980, § 7.07)

Sec. 50-37.  Curb setback for angle parking.

(a)        Permit required. It is a misdemeanor for any person to remove or cause to be removed any curb from its position abutting upon the roadway to another position without first making application to the council and obtaining a permit.

(b)        Agreement for costs and maintenance. No such permit shall be issued until the applicant and abutting landowner, if other than applicant, shall enter into a written agreement with the city agreeing to pay all costs of constructing and maintaining such setback area in at least as good condition as the abutting roadway, and further agreeing to demolish and remove such setback and reconstruct the area as was at the expense of the landowner, his heirs or assigns if the area ever, in the council's opinion, becomes a public hazard. Such agreement shall be recorded in the office of the county recorder and shall run with the adjoining land.

(c)        Angle parking signs. Signs for angle parking only shall be purchased from the city and erected and maintained at the expense of the adjoining landowner in all such setback areas in use or hereafter constructed. It is unlawful for any person to park other than at an angle in such setback areas, as such angle parking is described and allowed in this subsection.

(d)        Public rights preserved. Such setback parking areas shall be kept open for public parking, and the abutting landowner shall at no time acquire any special interest or control of or in such areas.

(Code 1980, § 7.14)

Secs. 50-38--50-65.  Reserved.

ARTICLE III.  OPENINGS OR EXCAVATIONS*

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*State law references: Authority to regulate dangerous excavations, M.S.A. § 471.92.

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DIVISION 1.  GENERALLY

Sec. 50-66.  Noncompletion or abandonment of work.

Work done under this article shall progress expeditiously to completion in accordance with any time limitation placed thereon so as to avoid unnecessary inconvenience to the public. If work is not performed in accordance therewith or shall cease or be abandoned without due cause, the city may, after six hours' notice in writing to the holder of the permit of its intention to do so, correct the work, fill the excavation and repair the public property, and the cost thereof shall be paid by the person holding the permit.

(Code 1980, § 7.08, subd. 3(A))

Sec. 50-67.  Repairs.

All temporary and permanent repairs made under this article, including backfilling, compacting and resurfacing, shall be made or contracted for by the city in a manner prescribed by the city engineer, and an accurate account of costs thereof shall be kept.

(Code 1980, § 7.08, subd. 5)

Sec. 50-68.  Cost adjustment.

Within 60 days following completion of such permanent repairs made under this article, the city clerk shall determine actual costs of repairs, including cost of investigation, and prepare and furnish to such permit holder an itemized statement thereof and claim additional payment from or make refund, without interest, to the permit holder, as the case may be.

(Code 1980, § 7.08, subd. 6)

Sec. 50-69.  Alternate method of charging.

In lieu of section 50-68 relating to cost and cost adjustment for street openings, the city may charge on the basis of surface square feet removed, excavated cubic feet or a combination of surface square feet and excavated cubic feet, on an estimated unit price uniformly charged.

(Code 1980, § 7.08, subd. 7)

Secs. 50-70--50-95.  Reserved.

DIVISION 2.  PERMIT

Sec. 50-96.  Required.

It is a misdemeanor for any person, except a city employee acting within the course and scope of his employment or a contractor acting within the course and scope of a contract with the city, to make any excavation, opening or tunnel in, over, across or upon a street or other public property without first having obtained a written permit from the city engineer as provided in this division.

(Code 1980, § 7.08)

Sec. 50-97.  Application.

Application for a permit to make a street excavation shall describe with reasonable particularity the name and address of the applicant; the place, purpose and size of the excavation; and such other information as may be necessary or desirable to facilitate the investigation provided for in section 50-98. The application shall be filed with the city engineer.

(Code 1980, § 7.08, subd. 1)

Sec. 50-98.  Investigation and payment of estimated costs.

Upon receipt of the application for the permit required under this division, the city engineer shall cause such investigation to be made as he may deem necessary to determine estimated cost of repair, such as backfilling, compacting, resurfacing and replacement; and the conditions as to the time of commencement of work; the manner of procedure; and the time limitation upon such excavation. The estimated costs shall include permanent and temporary repairs due to weather or other conditions, and the cost of such investigation shall be included in such estimate.

(Code 1980, § 7.08, subd. 2)

Sec. 50-99.  Insurance.

Prior to commencement of the work described in the application for the permit required under this division, the applicant shall furnish the city satisfactory evidence in writing that the applicant will keep in effect public liability and property damage insurance in the currently required amounts, issued by an insurance company authorized to do business in the state, on which the city is named as a coinsured.

(Code 1980, § 7.08, subd. 3(B))

Sec. 50-100.  Indemnification.

Before issuance of a permit required under this division, the applicant shall, in writing, agree to indemnify and hold the city harmless from any liability for injury or damage arising out of the action of the applicant in performance of the work or any expense whatsoever incurred by the city incident to a claim or action brought or commenced by any person arising therefrom.

(Code 1980, § 7.08, subd. 3(C))

Sec. 50-101.  Issuance.

The city engineer shall issue the permit required under this division after:

(1)        Completion of the investigation per section 50-98;

(2)        Payment by the applicant in advance of all estimated costs;

(3)        Agreement by the applicant to the conditions of time and manner as stated in this division;

(4)        Agreement in writing by the applicant to pay all actual cost of repairs over and above such estimate, including cost of such investigation; and

(5)        Agreement in writing by the applicant to be bound by all of the provisions of this article.

(Code 1980, § 7.08, subd. 4)

Secs. 50-102--50-130.  Reserved.

ARTICLE IV.  PARADES

Sec. 50-131.  Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Parade means any movement of vehicles, persons or animals or any combination thereof, which either moves together and as a body so as to in some way impede or affect the free and unobstructed flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic or which moves so that some part thereof is in violation of one or more traffic laws or regulations, if such movement is without a permit issued under this article.

(Code 1980, § 7.15, subd. 1)

Cross references: Definitions generally, § 1-2.

Sec. 50-132.  Permit required.

(a)        It is a misdemeanor to sponsor or participate in a parade for which no permit has been obtained from the city, and it is also a misdemeanor to obtain a parade permit and not conduct the parade in accordance with a permit granted by the city.

(b)        Application for such permit shall be made to the chief of police, at least 30 days in advance of the date on which it is to occur and shall state the sponsoring organization or individuals, the route, the length, the estimated time of commencement and termination and the general composition. Such application shall be executed by the individuals applying therefor or the duly authorized agent or representative of the sponsoring organization.

(Code 1980, § 7.15, subd. 2)

Sec. 50-133.  Issuance or denial of permit.

If the chief of police finds that such a parade will not cause a hazard to persons or property and will cause no great inconvenience to the public and if he is able to make arrangements for necessary direction and control of traffic, he shall issue the permit required under this article. If the chief of police finds the parade described in the application to be a hazard, a substantial inconvenience or if he is unable to make adequate arrangements for direction or control of traffic, the permit shall not be granted unless all conditions and objections of the chief of police are met or removed by the applicant.

(Code 1980, § 7.15, subd. 3)

Sec. 50-134.  Alternate routes.

If any state trunk highways are in the parade route, the chief of police shall make all necessary arrangements with the state department of public safety for alternate routes or whatever may be necessary.

(Code 1980, § 7.15, subd. 3)

Secs. 50-135--50-160.  Reserved.

ARTICLE V.  HOUSE NUMBERING AND STREET NAMING*

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*Cross references: Buildings and building regulations, ch. 18.

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Sec. 50-161.  Procedures.

(a)        The change in name or renaming of any street, avenue or public way in the city shall be by ordinance passed by an affirmative vote of five-sevenths of all the members of the council.

(b)        Streets, avenues, roads or public rights-of-way not named by recorded plat may be named by the council by resolution passed by a simple majority vote of all the members of the council.

(c)        Street names assumed by usage or assumed by persons as an address without being recorded in a plat or without designation by the council shall not be official names. The procedure of the council for naming shall be the same as though such name did not exist.

(d)        The changing of a directional suffix or prefix or the changing of an appellation such as road, street, avenue, court, terrace, lane, circle, place, etc., shall not be considered as a name change. Such designation changes may be made separately or in accordance with an overall plea by simple motion and majority vote of the council.

(e)        Lots or houses along all streets, avenues or public way in the city shall be assigned house numbers in accordance with a numbering plan as drawn by the city engineer and contained on the official maps of the city. House numbers shall be assigned on building permits or upon annexation of property and buildings to the city. Upon any change in the official map requiring changes in house numbers, the property owner shall be advised of the new number.

(f)         All streets running in an easterly and westerly direction shall be numbered from Broadway, commencing at 100 east or west, as the case may be. All streets running in a northerly and southerly direction shall be numbered from Clark Street, commencing at 100 north or south, as the case may be. The numbering of all streets shall increase progressively from such initial lines. North of Clark Street, odd numbers shall be on the west side and even numbers on the east side. South of Clark Street, odd numbers shall be on the east side and even numbers on the west side. West of Broadway, odd numbers shall be on the south side and even numbers on the north side. East of Broadway, odd numbers shall be on the north side and even numbers on the south side.

(g)        Curvilinear streets, diagonal streets, culs-de-sac and streets running both north-south and east-west may be numbered uniformly through their length or for courts and culs-de-sac in uniformity with the main street, at the discretion of the city engineer, to produce the least confusion.

(h)        It is the duty of all owners and occupants of buildings on all of the streets of the city to obtain the correct house numbers for their respective buildings and to cause such correct numbers to be conspicuously placed on their buildings in numbers at least three inches in dimension.

(i)         It is unlawful to:

(1)        Knowingly use a number other than the official assigned number;

(2)        Knowingly use a street name other than the official name;

(3)        Commit any act to willfully confuse street names and addresses; or

(4)        Damage, deface, turn or change a street sign so as to cause confusion or to mislead or misdirect others.

(Code 1980, § 2.72)

Chapters 51--53  RESERVED

Chapter 54  SUBDIVISIONS*

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*Cross references: Buildings and building regulations, ch. 18.

State law references: Authority to regulate subdivisions, M.S.A. § 462.358.

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ARTICLE I.  IN GENERAL

Sec. 54-1.  Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Alley means a minor way which is used primarily for vehicular service access to the backs or to the sides of properties which otherwise abut on streets.

Arterial streets and highways means those designed or utilized primarily for high vehicular speeds and for heavy volumes of traffic.

Block means the distance as measured along a street between intersecting streets from centerline to centerline and it also means the enclosed area within the perimeter of the streets or property lines enclosing it.

Collector streets and highways means those designed or utilized to carry intermediate volumes of traffic from minor streets to arterial streets.

Commission means the city advisory planning commission.

Drainage course means a watercourse or indenture for the drainage of surface water.

Easement means a grant by a property owner for the use of a strip of land for the purpose of constructing and maintaining utilities, including but not limited to sanitary sewers, water mains, electric lines, telephone lines, storm sewer or storm drainage courses and gas lines.

Fair market value means the average fair market value of all undeveloped land within the city as established by the county assessor for the current year.

Lake level means the mean level of the lake or watercourse into which a property does or will drain, as established by the city engineer.

Local streets means those which are used or will be used primarily for access to abutting properties and which carry limited volumes of traffic.

Lot means a piece or parcel of land occupied or to be occupied by a building or a use or as a unit for the transfer of ownership.

Lot width means the dimension of a lot from sideline to sideline as measured at the building setback line.

Map means a drawing showing one or more parcels of land.

Official map means a map which designates certain existing and proposed alignments and rights-of-way of streets, alleys, other public ways, streams, stormwater drainage channels and sewers and sanitary sewers, and the sites of parks, schools and other public grounds. Such map shall have been adopted by ordinance following public hearing procedures and is intended to guide future development in the city as it relates to thoroughfares and community facilities.

Owner means an individual, firm, association, syndicate, copartnership, corporation, trust or any other legal entity having sufficient proprietary interest in the land sought to be subdivided to commence and maintain proceedings to subdivide land under this chapter.

Park means an area of public land developed and maintained primarily as a pleasurable landscaped area providing for both active and passive recreational pursuits, including tot lots, playgrounds, neighborhood parks, playfields and special purpose areas.

Plat means a map showing a plan for the subdivision of land which is submitted for approval and is intended in final form for recording.

Private street means a purported street, way or strip of land reserved for the use of a limited number of persons or purposes, as distinguished from a publicly dedicated street.

Public walkway means a public way designated for the use of pedestrian traffic.

Sanitary sewer means a constructed conduit connected with a sewer system for the carrying of liquids and solids other than stormwaters to a sanitary treatment facility.

Service drives means minor streets which are parallel and adjacent to higher classified thoroughfares and which serve to reduce the number of access points to those thoroughfares and thereby increase traffic safety.

Setback means the building setback line of distance as measured from the nearest street, road or water shoreline.

Storm sewer means a constructed conduit for carrying surface waters to a drainage course.

Street means a way set aside for vehicular traffic, regardless of size or designation, but excluding private driveways serving only one parcel of land.

Subdivider means any person, individual, firm, association, syndicate, copartnership, corporation, trust or other legal entity commencing proceedings under this chapter to effect a subdivision of land.

Subdivision means the division of any parcel of land shown as a unit or as contiguous units on the last preceding tax roll, by platting, conveyance, registered land survey or other means, into two or more parcels, sites or lots, any one of which is less than five acres for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of transfer of ownership. However, the sale or exchange of parcels between adjoining lot owners, where such sale or exchange does not create additional building sites, shall be exempted. The term "subdivision" also means the division of land, regardless of area, if such division or plat provides for the granting or dedicating of a public street; the resubdivision of land heretofore divided or platted into lots, sites or parcels, where the total area of the land being resubdivided is one acre or more; the division or allocation of land as open space for common use by owners, occupants or lease holders or as easements for the extension and maintenance of public sewer, water, storm drainage or other public facilities.

Surveyor means a duly registered land surveyor employed by the subdivider for the preparation of subdivision surveys or plats as required by this chapter and state statute, and in accordance with Code provisions and state law.

Transportation plan means the part of the comprehensive plan adopted which includes a major street and highway plan and sets forth the location, alignment, dimension, identification and classification of existing and proposed streets, highways and other thoroughfares.

(Code 1980, § 12.02)

Cross references: Definitions generally, § 1-2.

Sec. 54-2.  Scope of chapter.

Land subdivision is the first step in the process of community development. Once land has been divided into streets, blocks, lots and open spaces, a pattern has been established which determines how well community needs for residences, businesses and industries will be met. It also determines, to a great extent, how well the community will be able to handle its traffic circulation problems, how well it will be able to meet the demand for home sites and how efficiently and economically it will be able to provide the many services that are required. The regulations in this chapter are designed to provide for harmonious development of a subdivided area; for a coordinated layout; for the proper arrangement of streets; for adequate and convenient spaces for traffic, utilities, recreation, light, air, and access for firefighting equipment; and for adequate provision of water, drainage, sewer and other sanitary facilities. This chapter shall not apply to land used only for agricultural purposes.

(Code 1980, § 12.01, subd. 1)

Sec. 54-3.  Legal authority.

This chapter is enacted pursuant to M.S.A. § 462.358.

(Code 1980, § 12.01, subd. 2)

Sec. 54-4.  Jurisdiction.

The regulations in this chapter governing plats and the subdivision of land shall apply within the corporate limits of the city as determined by plat at the time of application and the unincorporated area within two miles of its limits, provided that where a municipality lies less than four miles from the limits of the city, this chapter shall apply only to a line equidistant from the city and the municipality, and provided that the governing bodies of unincorporated towns adjacent to the city have not adopted ordinances for the regulation of subdivision of land or platting. Copies of resolutions approving subdivision plats of land outside the city but not subject to township subdivision regulations shall be filed with the clerk of the town in which the land is situated.

(Code 1980, § 12.01, subd. 3)

Sec. 54-5.  Applicability of chapter.

Any plat for each subdivision or each part thereof lying within the jurisdiction of this chapter shall be prepared, presented for approval and recorded as prescribed in this chapter. The regulations contained in this chapter shall apply to the subdivision of a lot, tract or parcel of land into two or more lots, tracts or other division of land for the purpose of sale or building development, whether immediate or future, including the resubdivision or replatting of land or lots. Division of land in tracts larger than five acres in area and 300 feet in width shall be exempt from the requirements of this chapter.

(Code 1980, § 12.01, subd. 4)

Sec. 54-6.  Violations.

Every person who violates this chapter when he performs an act thereby prohibited or declared unlawful, or who fails to act when such failure is thereby prohibited or declared unlawful, upon conviction, shall be punished as for a misdemeanor in accordance with section 1-13.

(Code 1980, § 12.99)

Sec. 54-7.  Schedule of fees, charges and expenses.

Under this chapter, the schedule of currently required fees shall be available at the city offices and may be altered or amended only by the council. No plat shall be reviewed until all fees have been paid in full.

(Code 1980, § 12.40)

Sec. 54-8.  Conveyance of land.

No conveyance of land in which the land conveyed is described by metes and bounds or by reference to a plat made after the effective date of the ordinance from which this chapter derives without approval by council resolution shall be made or recorded if the parcel described in the conveyance is less than five acres in area and 300 feet in width, unless such parcel is a separate parcel of record on the effective date of the ordinance from which this chapter derives or unless an agreement to convey such smaller parcel was entered into prior to such time and the instrument showing the agreement to convey is recorded in the office of the registrar of the county within one year after the effective date of the ordinance from which this chapter derives.

(Code 1980, § 12.01, subd. 5)

Sec. 54-9.  Division and consolidation of lots of record.

(a)        Conditions. This section shall not apply to the division of one or more lots, platted into lots and blocks and designated in a subdivision plat on file and of record in the office of the county registrar, into one or more separately described tracts nor shall this section apply to the consolidation of two or more such platted lots or parts thereof into one or more tracts, upon compliance with the following conditions:

(1)        The owner of such platted lots or lots to be so divided shall file a proposed plat or survey of the lot or lots to be divided or consolidated in the office of the city planner. Such plat or survey shall show the dimensions of the lots measured upon the recorded plat and also the proposed division thereof. A written description of the separately described tracts which will result from the proposed division or consolidation shall be filed with such plat or survey;

(2)        The separately described tract of land to be conveyed or designated for building permit purposes because of such division or consolidation, as described upon the proposed plat or registered land survey, shall not be less than dimensions required to secure the minimum lot widths and minimum lot areas as specified in chapter 74;

(3)        As a result of such division or consolidation as authorized in this section, no remaining part of an original subdivision shall become a separately described tract having less than the minimum dimensions required to secure the minimum lot widths and the minimum lot areas as specified in chapter 74; and

(4)        For any separately described tract which is the result of a division or consolidation as authorized in this section and which is a corner lot and which shall have its front yard on a different street because of such division or consolidation, the minimum front yard requirement for the zoning district in which such tract is located shall apply to both street frontages or where applicable such minimum front yard requirements as set forth in chapter 74 shall apply on both streets.

(5)        All assessments must be paid in full as certified by the county auditor.

(b)        Application for and issuance of building permits. Upon the application of an owner who shall have complied with this section, the inspection division, subject only to other applicable provisions of this Code, is authorized to issue the building permit requested for any separately described tract designated and set forth upon such proposed plat or survey, notwithstanding any provision of chapter 74 to the contrary.

(Code 1980, § 12.01, subd. 6)

Sec. 54-10.  Right of building permit refusal.

The city engineer and building inspector shall refuse building permits and utility services to any parcel of property conveyed by metes and bounds description in violation of this chapter.

(Code 1980, § 12.01, subd. 7)

Sec. 54-11.  Public street grants.

Under this chapter, no grant of a public street to the city by deed shall be filed without the approval of the council by a resolution to that effect.

(Code 1980, § 12.01, subd. 8)

Sec. 54-12.  Variances.

(a)        The council may grant a variance from this chapter following a finding that all of the following conditions exist:

(1)        There are special circumstances or conditions affecting the property such that the strict application of the provisions of this chapter would deprive the applicant of the reasonable use of his land.

(2)        The variance is necessary for the preservation and enjoyment of a substantial property right of the petitioner.

(3)        The granting of the variance will not be detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to other property in the territory in which the property is situated.

(b)        In making this finding the council shall consider the nature of the proposed use of land and the existing use of land in the vicinity, the number of persons to reside or work in the proposed subdivision and the probable effect of the proposed subdivision upon traffic conditions in the vicinity. In granting a variance, the council shall prescribe only conditions that it deems desirable or necessary to the public interest.

(c)        Application for any such variance shall be made in writing by the subdivider at the time when the preliminary plat is filed for the consideration of the planning commission and council, stating fully and clearly all facts relied upon by the petitioner, and shall be supplemented with maps, plans or other additional data which may aid the planning commission and council in the analysis of the proposed project. The plans for such development shall include such covenants, restrictions or other legal provisions necessary to guarantee the full achievement of the plan. In all cases where applications for variance are submitted for conditional approval along with the preliminary plat, the action on such conditional approval shall issue from the council.

(Code 1980, §§ 12.50, 12.51)

Secs. 54-13--54-40.  Reserved.

ARTICLE II.  PLATS

DIVISION 1.  GENERALLY

Sec. 54-41.  Approval required prior to recordation.

No plat of any subdivision shall be recorded in the office of the county recorder or shall have any validity until it has been approved by the council in the manner described in this article. It is unlawful for the owner or the agent of the owner to transfer or sell any land by reference to or by other use of a plat or description unless the plat has been approved by the council as required in this article.

(Code 1980, § 12.31)

Secs. 54-42--54-65.  Reserved.

DIVISION 2.  PRELIMINARY PLAT

Sec. 54-66.  Advisory meeting with city planning staff.

Before preparing a subdivision preliminary plat and submitting it to the planning commission for approval, the subdivider shall meet and consult informally with the city planning staff for the purpose of ascertaining the locations of proposed major streets, parks, playgrounds, school sites, and other planned projects which may affect the property being considered for subdivision. At the same meeting, the subdivider shall review with the city planning staff the minimum standards of subdivision design set forth in section 54-126. This informal review should prevent unnecessary and costly revisions in the layout and development of the subdivision. Formal application or filing of a plat with the city is not required for this informal advisory meeting.

(Code 1980, § 12.10, subd. 1)

Sec. 54-67.  Preparation and submission.

Before submission of a subdivision final plat the subdivider shall prepare and submit to the city clerk the preliminary plats of the land he proposes to develop as described in subsection 54-69(b). The preliminary plats shall be submitted only after the advisory meeting with the city planning staff and prior to the making of any street improvements or the installation of any utilities.

(Code 1980, § 12.10, subd. 2)

Sec. 54-68.  Data.

The subdivision preliminary plat shall meet the standards of design as set forth in section 54-126 and shall show the following information:

(1)        Scale of 100 feet to one inch or larger.

(2)        Name of subdivision, name and address of the owners, the engineer or surveyor, and the owners of the adjacent property.

(3)        Location of the subdivision by section, town, range or other legal description, together with a small-scale sketch showing the location within the section.

(4)        Date, approximate north point and graphic scale.

(5)        Acreage of land to be subdivided.

(6)        Zoning classification of lands to be subdivided and all adjacent lands.

(7)        Contours at an interval of two feet.

(8)        Boundary lines of area to be subdivided and their bearings and distances.

(9)        Existing and proposed easements and their locations, widths and distances.

(10)      Streets on and adjacent to the tract and their names, widths, proposed approximate grades and proposed relative ground elevations at the intersections of all streets and every 100 feet along such streets and at the corners or extremities of the plat, and other dimensions as may be required. Elevations shall be to city datum, or if unavailable a benchmark for the plat shall be shown.

(11)      Utilities on and adjacent to the tract showing proposed connections to existing utility systems. Rear easements for utility poles and wires shall be provided wherever possible. Data to be provided includes type of utility; location of manholes, catchbasins, hydrants, etc.; approximate depth of pipe, size of pipe and direction of flow.

(12)      Lot lines, lot numbers and approximate lot dimensions.

(13)      Sites and their acreages, if any, to be reserved or dedicated for parks, recreation areas, open spaces, schools, or other public uses; sites, if any, for semipublic, commercial or multifamily uses.

(14)      Minimum building setback lines.

(15)      Location of railroads, streams, natural and proposed drainage courses, permanent buildings or other structures.

(16)      Other reasonable information, such as percolation and other soil tests, if so requested by the commission in order to make a proper review of the site.

(17)      Copies of proposed deed restrictions, if any, shall be attached to the preliminary plat.

(18)      An informal statement as to the general plan of improvements, drainage and development.

(Code 1980, § 12.10, subd. 3)

Sec. 54-69.  Procedures.

(a)        Prior to submittal of the subdivision preliminary plat, the subdivider shall submit a sketch plat to the city planner for review and comment. Such sketch plat shall be submitted on a survey of the area to be platted and shall show the general layout and any state, county, municipal or township roadways or public facilities within or adjacent to the proposed plat. The city planner shall provide comment in writing to the subdivider within ten days.

(b)        The preliminary plat and supplemental material are required, and an application provided by the city planning division shall be submitted to the city planner. The number of copies of the preliminary plat required shall be specified by the city planner.

(c)        The city planner shall, upon receipt of the preliminary plat, submit copies for review and comment to the inspection, parks, and engineering departments and public utility companies and the state department of transportation, and county engineering if state or county rights-of-way are within or adjacent to the proposed plat.

(d)        Upon completion of review, the city planner shall submit the preliminary plat to the planning commission for public hearing.

(e)        The city shall notify the subdivider by mail of the time and place of the public hearing no less than five days before the date fixed for the hearing. Similar notice shall be mailed to the owners of the land immediately adjoining the area to be subdivided as shown on the preliminary plat.

(f)         Within 60 days after the hearing on the preliminary plat, the planning commission shall recommend approval, disapproval, or approval subject to modifications of the plat to the council. Failure of the planning commission to act on this preliminary plat within 60 days shall be deemed a recommendation of approval of the plat. If a plat is recommended for disapproval, reasons for such disapproval must be stated in writing. If approval subject to modifications is recommended, the nature of the required modifications shall be indicated in writing. The planning commission shall then forward the preliminary plat with its recommendations to the council for final action. The final action of the council shall be noted on two copies of the preliminary plat with any notations made at the time of approval or disapproval of the specific changes required. One copy shall be returned to the subdivider and the other placed on file in the office of the city planner.

(g)        Approval of the preliminary plat shall not constitute acceptance of the final plat. The approval of the preliminary plat shall lapse unless a final plat based thereon is submitted within one year from the date of such approval. One extension of time, not to exceed 60 days, may be applied for by the subdivider and granted by the council.

(Code 1980, § 12.10, subd. 4)

Sec. 54-70.  Subdivision of portion of larger tract.

Whenever part of a tract is proposed to be subdivided and it is intended to subdivide additional parts of the tract in the future, a sketch plan for the entire tract showing the proposed platting arrangements shall be submitted to the planning commission at the time the preliminary plat for the first part of the tract to be platted is submitted.

(Code 1980, § 12.10, subd. 5)

Sec. 54-71.  Review fee.

A filing fee will be charged at the time of filing the subdivision preliminary plat, to offset administrative costs in processing the application. This fee will be assessed once for each preliminary plat application submitted; no additional fee will be charged for filing a final plat. Such fee will be computed on the basis of the currently required minimum fee.

(Code 1980, § 12.10, subd. 6)

Secs. 54-72--54-95.  Reserved.

DIVISION 3.  FINAL PLAT

Sec. 54-96.  Data and supplementary data.

(a)        The subdivision final plat shall be prepared at a scale of one inch equals 100 feet in the following numbers:

(1)        One Mylar reproducible stamped "copy," unsigned.

(2)        One cloth, signed (official plat).

(3)        Four cloth, stamped "copy," signed.

(4)        One cloth, stamped "copy," unsigned.

(5)        Five paper, stamped "copy," unsigned.

(6)        One paper reduction 11  X  17, signed.

(7)        One digital file.

(b)        The final plat shall be prepared on sheets 20 inches wide and 30 inches in length with a two-inch left borderline and a one-half-inch top, bottom and right borderline and in appropriate digital form. The final plat shall include the following information and any other information required by state law:

(1)        Data required by state law to fully describe the land to be platted, including accurate dimensions, angles, bearings to describe boundaries, streets, easements, areas reserved for public purpose and other important features.

(2)        Name and right-of-way width of each street, highway, easement or other rights-of-way as required by state law.

(3)        Lot numbers, lot lines and dimensions.

(4)        Purpose for which sites, other than residential lots, are dedicated or reserved.

(5)        Location of rivers, streams, creeks, lakes, ponds, swamps as required by state law.

(6)        Location and description of monuments as required by state law.

(7)        Names and location of adjoining subdivisions, streets and unplatted properties.

(8)        Certification on the plat of title showing that the applicant is the owner and a statement by such owner dedicating streets, rights-of-way and any other sites for public use.

(9)        Certification on the plat by the surveyor as to the accuracy of survey and plat.

(10)      Certification on the plat by the city clerk that the plat has been approved for recording in the office of the county recorder.

(c)        The following shall be submitted with the final plat:

(1)        Certification that the subdivider has complied with one of the following alternatives:

a.         All the improvements have been installed in accordance with the requirements of this chapter; or

b.         A bond has been posted with the city which is in an amount determined by the council to be sufficient to complete the improvements and installations in compliance with this chapter, which is with a surety satisfactory to the council, and which specifies the time for the completion of the improvements and installations.

(2)        Cross sections, profiles and grades of streets, curbs, gutters and sidewalks showing locations of in-street utilities and drawn to standard scales and elevations.

(3)        Protective covenants, if any.

(4)        Letters of approval of highway access points and service roads from the commissioner of highways and the county engineer, as applicable.

(Code 1980, § 12.11, subd. 1)

Sec. 54-97.  Procedures.

(a)        Four paper print copies of the subdivision final plat, together with any street profiles, other plans and certifications as indicated in this division that may be required shall be submitted to the city clerk by the subdivider.

(b)        One paper print copy of the final plat shall be transmitted to the engineer who will check the plat as to computations, monuments, etc., and that all the required improvements have been completed to the satisfaction of the city or, if a security bond has been posted, that it is sufficient to cover the cost of the required improvements. If found satisfactory, he will refer the paper print copy of the final plat to the planning commission with his approval certified thereon within 30 days of receipt thereof.

(c)        Within 60 days after the submittal of the final plat, the planning commission shall recommend approval or disapproval of the plat. Failure of the planning commission to act upon this final plat within 60 days shall be deemed a recommendation of approval of the plat. If plat disapproval is recommended, the grounds for disapproval shall be stated in the records of the planning commission. A plat shall not be recommended for approval unless it:

(1)        Conforms to the preliminary plat.

(2)        Conforms to the design standards set forth in this chapter.

(3)        Conforms to the adopted comprehensive plan.

(4)        Is in accordance with all requirements and laws of the state.

(d)        The planning commission shall then forward the plat together with its recommendations to the council for final action. It is the intent of this chapter that a paper copy of the final plat go to the planning commission and city engineer for review and to the council for action. When the paper print of the final plat has been approved by the council, the developer shall then cause the required Mylar, cloth and paper prints to be made with the approval of the city certified thereon and distributed according to state statute.

(e)        When the final plat has been approved by the council, the required copies shall be returned to the subdivider, with the approval of the city certified thereon, for filing with the county recorder as an official plat of record.

(f)         Upon approval of the final plat, the subdivider shall record it with the county recorder within 90 days in the manner specified by state law. Otherwise the approval shall become void unless a request for extension has been made in writing and approved by the council.

(Code 1980, § 12.11, subd. 2)

Secs. 54-98--54-125.  Reserved.

ARTICLE III.  IMPROVEMENTS

Sec. 54-126.  Minimum improvements.

(a)        Required. The developer shall provide the following improvements before approval of a subdivision plat or shall provide the necessary funds in escrow or shall provide a performance bond in an amount necessary to insure compliance with the installation of improvements as required in this article. However, the council may also accept petitions for the improvements to be installed on a special-assessment basis. All of the improvements required in this section shall be constructed only after the plans and specifications thereof have been approved by the city. No area platted after the effective date of the ordinance from which this section derives outside the city or property subdivided by metes and bounds descriptions after the effective date of the ordinance from which this section derives will be accepted for annexation unless it shall substantially conform or can be made to substantially conform to the minimum standards in this section.

(b)        Conformance to official map and comprehensive plan. The plat shall conform to the official map and other parts of the adopted comprehensive plan of the city.

(c)        Official map. Whenever a tract to be subdivided embraces any part of an arterial or collector street or highway, so designated on the official map, such part shall be platted by the subdivider in the location and at the width indicated on the plan.

(d)        Land subject to poor drainage. The right is reserved to disapprove any subdivision which is subject to poor drainage. However, if the subdivider agrees to make such improvements as will make the area safe for residential, commercial or industrial occupancy, the subdivision may be approved subject, however, to the approval of the city planning commission and city council. No land shall be subdivided which is unsuitable for the reason of flooding, inadequate drainage, water supply, or sewage treatment facilities. All lots within the floodplain districts shall contain a building site at or above the regulatory flood protection elevation. All subdivisions shall have road access both to the subdivision and to the individual building sites no lower than two feet below the regulatory flood protection elevation. For all subdivisions in the floodplain, the flood and flood fringe boundaries, the regulatory flood protection elevation and the required elevation of all access roads shall be clearly labeled on all required subdivision drawings and platting documents.

(e)        Community assets. In all subdivisions, due regard shall be shown for natural features such as trees, unusual rock formations and watercourses; for sites which have historical significance; and for similar assets which, if preserved, will add attractiveness and value to the subdivision and to the community. The planning commission may prepare a list of all such features within its area of subdivision jurisdiction which it deems worthy of preservation.

(f)         Monuments and stakes. All subdivision boundary corners, block and lot corners, street intersection corners, and points of tangency and curvature shall be marked with survey monuments consisting of minimum five-eighths-inch steel rods 24 inches in length. Inscribed on the monument or cap, according to state statute, shall be the registration number of the land surveyor making the survey. All U.S., state, county and other official benchmarks, monuments or triangulation stations in or adjacent to the property shall be preserved in precise position.

(g)        Public utilities and facilities in floodplain. Public utilities and facilities such as gas, electrical, sewer and water supply systems to be located in the floodplain shall be floodproofed in accordance with the state building code or elevated to one foot above the regulatory flood protection elevation.

(h)        Public transportation facilities in floodplain. Public transportation facilities, including railroad tracks, roads, and bridges, within floodplain areas shall be elevated to the regulatory flood protection elevation where failure or interruption of these transportation facilities would result in danger to the public health or safety or where such facilities are essential to the orderly functioning of the area.

(Code 1980, § 12.20)

Sec. 54-127.  Modifications and exceptions.

(a)        Major subdivisions. The general principles of design and minimum requirements for the layout of subdivisions, set forth in section 54-126, may be varied by the council for a subdivision large enough to constitute a more or less self-contained neighborhood which is to be developed in accordance with a comprehensive plan safeguarded by appropriate restrictions, and which, in the judgment of the council, makes adequate provision for all essential community requirements. However, no modification shall be granted by the council which would conflict with the proposals of the official map or with the other features of the comprehensive plan or with the intent and purposes of such general principles of design and minimum requirements.

(b)        Small subdivisions. For a subdivision of small size and minor importance, situated in a locality where conditions are well defined and containing not more than four lots fronting on an existing street not involving any new street or road or the extension of municipal facilities and not adversely affecting the adjoining property, the council may exempt the subdivider from complying with some or all of the requirements stipulated in division 2 of article II of this chapter pertaining to the preparation of the preliminary plat.

(c)        Unusual physical conditions. In any particular case where the subdivider can show that, because of exceptional topographic or other physical conditions, strict compliance with any requirement of this chapter would cause unusual difficulty or exceptional and undue hardship, the council may relax such requirement to the extent deemed just and proper, so as to relieve such difficulty or hardship, provided that such relief may be granted without detriment to the public good and without impairing the intent and purposes of this chapter or the desirable general development of the neighborhood and the community in accordance with the comprehensive plan and chapter 74. Any modification thus granted shall be entered in the minutes of the council setting forth the reasons which, in the opinion of the council, justify the modification.

(Code 1980, § 12.30)

Sec. 54-128.  Public sites and open spaces.

(a)        Applicability of section. The requirements in this section are applicable to all subdivisions within the jurisdiction of the city.

(b)        Dedication of land.

(1)        In subdividing land or resubdividing an existing plat, due consideration shall be given by the subdivider and by the planning commission upon review to the dedication or reservation of suitable sites for schools, conservation areas or other public or semipublic recreational areas or open spaces and parks. Where a proposed public park, recreational area or open space, as determined by the comprehensive plan, planning commission and council, is located in whole or in part within a subdivision, the subdivider shall dedicate such lands to the city; provided, however, that the total dedication exclusive of public streets, alleys and pedestrian ways and exclusive of all other purchased sites such as fire and police stations, water towers and treatment plants, and sewer lift stations shall be consistent with the following:

a.         For land within a residential zone, one acre of land for each 54 dwelling units based on the maximum permitted density in the residential zone in which the property is designated at the time the subdivision is approved.

b.         For commercial or industrial zoned land, one acre of land for each nine acres of commercial or industrial land.

(2)        Where an area that is specifically designated by the comprehensive plan or council for a public park, recreation area, or open space exceeds the area required in subsection (b)(1)a or (b)(1)b of this section, the entire area shall be reserved for use on all subdivision plans and plats, and the acquisition of such additional area shall be made by the city or arrangements made for its acquisition within a period not to exceed five years from the date of approval of the final plat or, if the land is not acquired, the city shall permit the development of the property. The value of the subject land before improvements shall be established by three qualified appraisers, one of whom shall be appointed by the council, one by the subdivider, and one of whom shall be mutually agreed upon by the other two.

(c)        Payment in lieu of dedication. In lieu of dedication of land as required in subsection (b)(1)a or (b)(1)b of this section, in proposed subdivisions where the planning commission and council have determined that land shown on the comprehensive plan for parks and open spaces or other public facilities is not needed by the city and when the proposed subdivision does not encompass land shown on the comprehensive plan for parks, open spaces, and other public facilities, the subdivider shall make a cash payment to the city in accordance with the following:

(1)        Residential zoned property. An amount equal to the fair market value of one acre of land for each 54 dwelling units based on the maximum permitted density in the residential zone in which the property is designated at the time the subdivision is approved.

(2)        Industrial zoned or commercial zoned land. An amount equal to the fair market value of one acre of land for each nine acres of commercial or industrial land.

(d)        Partial dedication and partial payment. The city may permit or require the subdivider to provide a partial dedication and a partial payment in accordance with the requirements of subsections (b) and (c) of this section where parkland is readily available or where less parkland is determined to be needed with the proposed subdivision.

(e)        Public land purchase and improvement account. Sums of money paid in lieu of dedication and so received by the city shall be placed in a special account, to be known as the public land purchase and improvement account, and allocated by the council solely for acquisition of land for public parks, recreation areas or open spaces; development of existing parks and recreation areas; or debt retirement in connection with land previously acquired for parks, recreation areas or open spaces.

(Code 1980, § 12.21)

Cross references: Parks and recreation, ch. 42.

Sec. 54-129.  Street and block layout.

(a)        The requirements in this section are applicable to all subdivisions within the jurisdiction of the city.

(b)        The subdivision shall be so designed as to be in harmony with adjacent subdivisions and shall provide for the continuation of existing streets. Provision shall be made for streets through the subdivision for the platting of contiguous property. No strip of unplatted land or portion of street or artifice shall be used or retained by the subdivider to impede the platting of adjacent parcels.

(c)        The street layout shall provide access adequate for emergency and public service vehicles to all lots and parcels of land within the subdivision.

(d)        Where appropriate to the design, streets shall be established to avoid jogs at intersections and to promote continuity of local streets and those of higher classifications. Street jogs with centerline offsets of less than 125 feet shall be prohibited.

(e)        Streets shall be established to take advantage of the contour of the land so as to produce usable lots, to cause a minimum of cutting and filling and to produce streets with reasonable grades as defined in section 54-132.

(f)         Certain proposed streets, where appropriate, shall be extended to the boundary line of the tract to provide for adequate circulation of traffic within the vicinity.

(g)        Streets shall intersect other streets as near to a 90-degree angle as topography and other factors permit. Intersections of streets with arterial or collector streets shall be limited to a minimum angle of 70 degrees unless specifically approved by the commission.

(h)        Whenever there exists a dedicated or platted portion of a street or alley adjacent to the proposed subdivision which conforms to the official map, the remainder of the street or alley shall be platted to the prescribed width within the proposed subdivision.

(i)         Half-width streets shall be prohibited except where essential to the reasonable development of the subdivision in conformity with the other requirements of this chapter. Where an existing, half-width street adjoins a portion of the boundary of a proposed subdivision, street dedication in a width needed to make this a full-width street may be required.

(j)         Street and right-of-way widths shall conform to those indicated in the transportation plan. Where such widths are not prescribed therein, the widths shall not be less than the minimum stated in section 54-130.

(k)        Alleys shall be platted in the rear of all lots to be used for commercial or industrial purposes. Alleys will not be approved in residential areas, unless required by unusual topography or other exceptional conditions.

(l)         Lands abutting arterial or collector streets shall be platted with the view of making the lots, if for residential use, desirable for such use by cushioning the impact of heavy traffic on such trafficways and with the view also of minimizing interference with traffic on such trafficways as well as the accident hazard. This may be accomplished in several ways:

(1)        By platting the lots abutting such trafficways at very generous depths, with setbacks or front yards at least ten feet greater or deeper than otherwise required, and providing vehicular access to them by means of frontage access roads next to the trafficway, connected therewith at infrequent intervals.

(2)        By not fronting the lots on the highway or thoroughfare but on a parallel local street at a distance of a generous lot depth, in which case private driveways shall connect with such local street.

(3)        By a collector street platted more or less parallel with the highway or thoroughfares, 600 to 1,000 feet distance therefrom, from which loop streets or dead-end streets would extend toward the highway, the ends of which provide access to the lots abutting the highway to their rear.

(m)      Dead-end streets will be approved if limited to 500 feet long, provided a permanently designed turnaround area having a minimum diameter to the edge of the finished street or curbline of not less than 50 feet and a minimum right-of-way diameter of 70 feet is constructed.

(n)        Closed subdivisions, with one exit, shall not be permitted.

(o)        Blocks shall have sufficient width to provide for two tiers of lots of appropriate depth unless, in the opinion of the commission, prevented by unusual topography or other physical conditions.

(p)        The lengths, widths and shapes of blocks and lots within blocks shall be determined with due regard to the following:

(1)        Provision of adequate building sites suitable to the special needs of the principal and all required accessory uses.

(2)        Zoning requirements as to lot sizes and dimensions and provisions regulating off-street parking and loading spaces.

(3)        Needs for convenient access, circulation, control and safety of street traffic.

(4)        Limitations and opportunities of topography.

(5)        Generally, blocks shall not exceed 1,320 feet nor less than 500 feet in length measured along the greatest dimension of the block.

(q)        Residential blocks shall normally be of sufficient width for two tiers of lots. Block lengths shall be determined by circulation and other needs. Where residential blocks with lots deeper than 200 feet are proposed, a reservation for a future street through the middle of the block, longitudinally, may be required.

(r)        Pedestrian crosswalks, not less than ten feet wide, shall be required where deemed essential to provide circulation or access to schools, playgrounds, shopping centers, transportation and other community facilities.

(s)        The number of intersecting streets along arterial and collector streets shall be held to a minimum, and where practicable blocks along such trafficways shall not be less than 800 feet in length.

(Code 1980, § 12.22)

Cross references: Streets and sidewalks, ch. 50.

Sec. 54-130.  Minimum widths for street and alley rights-of-way.

(a)        For all public ways dedicated and a