§ 6.3. Streets

6.3.1 General Requirements

A. Frontage on Improved Streets . No subdivision shall be approved unless the area to be subdivided shall have frontage on and access from an existing street as shown on the comprehensive plan, or unless such street is:

1. An existing state, county, or township highway; or

2. A street shown upon a plat approved by the Planning Commission and recorded in the County Recorder of Deeds' office. Such street or highway must be suitably improved as required by the highway rules, regulations, specifications, or orders, or be secured by a performance bond required under these subdivision regulations, with the width and right-of-way required by these subdivision regulations. Wherever the area to be subdivided is to utilize existing street frontage, the street shall be suitably improved as provided above.

B. Grading and Improvement Plan . Streets shall be graded and improved and conform to the City of Santa Fe construction standards and specifications and shall be approved as to design and specifications by the City of Santa Fe Development Officer, in accordance with the construction plans required to be submitted prior to final plat approval.

C. Classification . All streets shall be classified as arterials, collectors, or local streets. In classifying streets, the City of Santa Fe shall consider projected traffic demands after 20 years of development.

D. Topography and Arrangement .

1. Streets shall be related appropriately to the topography. Local streets shall be curved wherever possible to avoid conformity of lot appearance. All streets shall be arranged so as to obtain as many building sites as possible at, or above, the grades of the streets. Grades of streets shall conform as closely as possible to the original topography. A combination of steep grades and curves shall be avoided.

2. All streets shall be properly integrated with the existing and proposed system of thoroughfares and dedicated rights-of-way as established by the Comprehensive Plan.

3. All thoroughfares shall be properly related to special traffic generators such as industries, business districts, schools, churches, and shopping centers; to population densities; and to the pattern of existing and proposed land uses.

4. Minor or local streets shall be laid out to conform as much as possible to the topography to discourage use by through traffic, to permit efficient drainage and utility systems, and to require the minimum number of streets necessary to provide convenient and safe access to property.

5. The rigid rectangular gridiron street pattern is discouraged, and the use of curvilinear streets, or U-shaped streets shall be encouraged where such use will result in a more desirable layout.

6. Proposed streets shall be extended to the boundary lines of the tract to be subdivided, unless prevented by topography or other physical conditions, or unless in the opinion of the Planning Commission such extension is not necessary or desirable for the coordination of the layout of the subdivision with the existing layout or the most advantageous future development of adjacent tracks.

7. In business and industrial developments, the streets and other access ways shall be planned in connection with the grouping of buildings, location of rail facilities, and the provision of alleys, truck loading and maneuvering areas, and walks and parking areas so as to minimize conflict of movement between the various types of traffic, including pedestrian.

E. Blocks

1. Blocks shall have sufficient width to provide for two (2) tiers of lots of appropriate depths. Exceptions to this prescribed block width shall be permitted in blocks adjacent to major streets, rail streets, or waterways.

2. The lengths, widths, and shapes of blocks shall be such as are appropriate for the locality and the type of development contemplated, but block lengths in residential areas shall not exceed two thousand two hundred (2,200) feet or twelve (12) times the minimum lot width required in the zoning district, nor be less than four hundred (400) feet in length. Wherever practicable, blocks along major arterials and collector streets shall be not less than one thousand (1,000) feet in length.

3. In long blocks the Planning Commission may require the reservation of an easement through the block to accommodate utilities, drainage facilities, or pedestrian traffic.

4. Pedestrian ways or crosswalks, not less than ten (10) feet wide, may be required by the Planning Commission through the center of blocks more than eight hundred (800) feet long where deemed essential to provide circulation or access to schools, playgrounds, shopping centers, transportation, or other community facilities. Blocks designed for industrial uses shall be of such length and width as may be determined suitable by the Planning Commission for prospective use.

F. Access to Primary Arterials : Where a subdivision borders on or contains an existing or proposed primary arterial, the Planning Commission may require that access to such streets be limited by one of the following means:

1. The subdivision of lots so as to back onto the primary arterial and front onto a parallel local street; no access shall be provided from the primary arterial, and screening shall be provided in an eight foot (8') landscape easement along the rear property line of such lots.

2. A series of U-shaped streets, or short loops entered from and designed generally at right angles to such a parallel street, with the rear lines of their terminal lots backing onto the primary arterial.

3. A marginal access or service street (separated from the primary arterial by a planting or grass strip and having access at suitable points).

G. Street Names . Street names shall be sufficiently different in sound and spelling from other street names in the municipality so as not to cause confusion. A street which is (or is planned as) a continuation of an existing street shall bear the same name. The Planning Commission shall have the authority to determine street names. Street names will be verified by 911 services for uniqueness.

H. Street Regulatory Signs . All street and traffic control signs shall be installed by the developer, at developer's expense, before issuance of certificates of occupancy for any structure. Street name signs shall be placed at all intersections within or abutting the subdivision, the type and location of which to be approved by the City of Santa Fe Development Officer.

I. Street Lights . Installation of street lights shall be required in accordance with design and specification standards approved by the City of Santa Fe. The subdivider shall install and shall prepay the estimated costs attributable to street lighting for a period of three years.

J. Reserve Strips . The creation of reserve strips shall not be permitted adjacent to a proposed street in such a manner as to deny access from adjacent property to the street.

K. Construction of Streets and Dead-end Streets .

1. Construction of Streets . The arrangement of streets shall provide for the continuation of principal streets between adjacent properties when the continuation is necessary for convenient movement of traffic, effective fire protection, for efficient provision of utilities, and where the continuation is in accordance with the City of Santa Fe Comprehensive Plan. If the adjacent property is undeveloped and the street must temporarily be a dead-end street, the right-of-way shall be extended to the property line. A temporary T-or L-shaped turnabout shall be provided on all temporary dead-end streets, with the notation on the subdivision plat that land outside the normal street right-of-way shall revert to abutters whenever the street is continued. The Planning Commission may limit the length of temporary dead-end streets in accordance with the design standards of these regulations.

2. Dead-end Streets (Permanent) . Where a street does not extend beyond the boundary of the subdivision and its continuation is not required by the Planning Commission for access to adjoining property, its terminus shall normally not be nearer to such boundary than fifty (50) feet. However, the Planning Commission may require the reservation of an appropriate easement to accommodate drainage facilities, pedestrian traffic, or utilities. A cul-de-sac turnaround shall be provided at the end of a permanent dead-end street in accordance with City of Santa Fe construction standards and specifications. For greater convenience to traffic and more effective police and fire protection, permanent dead-end streets shall, in general, be limited in length in accordance with the design standards of these regulations.

6.3.2 Design Standards

A. General : In order to provide for streets of suitable location, width, and improvement to accommodate prospective traffic and afford satisfactory access to police, fire fighting, sanitation, and street-maintenance equipment, and to coordinate streets so as to compose a convenient system and avoid undue hardships to adjoining properties. Street design and construction standards shall be adopted annually by the Planning Commission and shall be provided to the public by the Development Officer.

B. Street Surfacing and Improvements : After sewer and water utilities have been installed by the developer, the developer shall surface or cause to be surfaced streets to the widths prescribed in these regulations. All surfacing shall be of a character as is suitable for the expected traffic and in harmony with similar improvements in the surrounding areas. Types of pavement shall be as determined by the City of Santa Fe Development Officer. Adequate provision shall be made for culverts, drains, and bridges. All street pavement, shoulders, drainage improvements and structures, curbs, turnarounds, and sidewalks shall conform to all construction standards and specifications adopted by the Planning Commission, City of Santa Fe Development Officer, or City Council and shall be incorporated into the construction plans required to be submitted by the developer for plat approval. Street design and construction standards shall be adopted bi-annually by the Planning Commission and shall be provided to the public by the Development Officer.

C. Excess Right-of-Way : Right-of-way widths in excess of the standards designated in these regulations shall be required whenever, due to topography, additional width is necessary to provide adequate earth slopes. Such slopes shall not be in excess of three to-one.

D. Railstreets and Limited Access Highways : Railstreet rights-of-way and limited access highways where so located as to affect the subdivision of adjoining lands shall be treated as follows:

1. In residential districts a buffer strip at least 25 feet in depth in addition to the normal depth of the lot required in the district shall be provided adjacent to the railstreet right-of-way or limited access highway. This strip shall be part of the platted lots and shall be designated on the plat: "This strip is reserved for screening. The placement of structure on this land is prohibited."

2. In districts zoned for business, commercial, or industrial uses the nearest street extending parallel or approximately parallel to the railstreet right-of-way shall, wherever practicable, be at a sufficient distance from the railstreet right-of-way to ensure suitable depth for commercial or industrial sites.

3. When streets parallel to the railstreet right-of-way intersect a street which crosses the railstreet right-of-way at grade, they shall, to the extent practicable, be at a distance of at least 150 feet from the railroad right-of-way. Such distance shall be determined with due consideration of the minimum distance required for future separation of grades by means of appropriate approach gradients.

E. Intersections :

1. Streets shall be laid out so as to intersect as nearly as possible at right angles. A proposed intersection of two (2) new streets at an angle of less than seventy-five (75) degrees shall not be acceptable. An oblique street should be curved approaching an intersection and should be approximately at right angles for at least one hundred (100) feet therefrom. Not more than two (2) streets shall intersect at any one point unless specifically approved by the Planning Commission.

2. Proposed new intersections along one side of an existing street shall, wherever practicable, coincide with any existing intersections on the opposite side of such street. Street jogs with center-line offsets of less than 150 feet shall not be permitted, except where the intersected street has separated dual drives without median breaks at either intersection. Where streets intersect major streets, their alignment shall be continuous. Intersection of major streets shall be at least eight hundred (800) feet apart.

3. Minimum curb radius at the intersection of two (2) local streets shall be at least twenty (20) feet; and minimum curb radius at an intersection involving a collector street shall be at least twenty-five (25) feet. Alley intersections and abrupt changes in alignment within a block shall have the corners cut off in accordance with standard practice to permit safe vehicular movement.

4. Intersections shall be designed with a flat grade wherever practical. In hilly or rolling areas, at the approach to an intersection, a leveling area shall be provided having not greater than a two percent (2%) rate at a distance of sixty (60) feet, measured from the nearest right-of-way line of the intersecting street.

5. Where any street intersection will involve earth banks or existing vegetation inside any lot corner that would create a traffic hazard by limiting visibility, the developer shall cut such ground and/or vegetation (including trees) in connection with the grading of the public right-of-way to the extent deemed necessary to provide an adequate sight distance.

6. The cross-slopes on all streets, including intersections, shall be three percent (3%) or less.

G. Bridges . Bridges of primary benefit to the applicant, as determined by the Planning Commission, shall be constructed at the full expense of the applicant without reimbursement from the City of Santa Fe. The sharing expense for the construction of bridges not of primary benefit to the applicant as determined by the Planning Commission, will be fixed by special agreement between the City Council and the applicant. The cost of bridges that do not solely benefit the developer shall be charged to the developer pro rata based on the percentage obtained by dividing the service area of the bridge into the area of the land being developed by the subdivider.

6.3.3 Road Dedications and Reservations .

A. New Perimeter Streets : Street systems in new subdivisions shall be laid out so as to eliminate or avoid new perimeter half-streets. Where an existing half-street is adjacent to a new subdivision, the other half of the street shall be improved and dedicated by the subdivider. The Planning Commission may authorize a new perimeter street where the subdivider improves and dedicates the entire required street right-of-way width within its own subdivision boundaries.

B. Widening and Realignment of Existing Streets . Where a subdivision borders an existing narrow road or when the Comprehensive Plan Official Map, or zoning setback regulations indicate plans for realignment or widening a road that would require use of some of the land in the subdivision, the applicant shall be required to improve and dedicate at its expense those areas for widening or realignment of those streets. Frontage roads and streets as described above shall be improved and dedicated by the applicant at its own expense to the full width as required by these subdivision regulations when the applicant's development activities contribute to the need for the road expansion. Land reserved for any road purposes may not be counted in satisfying yard or area requirements of the Zoning Ordinance whether the land is to be dedicated to the municipality in fee simple or an easement is granted to the City of Santa Fe.

(Ordinance No. 02-2010 of April 8, 2010, Secs. 20—23)