1. Capital Improvement Projects. In cases where the city council has approved a capital improvements plan for a particular public right-of-way, that plan will govern the improvements required for the right-of-way and the provisions of this section do not apply.

1. The residential units being served by a shared driveway are any combination of single-family, duplex, or triplex buildings on individual lots.

1. Lots within subdivisions shall be designed to allow placement of homes to address functional design issues. Lots shall be designed to contain a usable building area. If the building area would be difficult to develop, the lot shall be redesigned or eliminated, unless special conditions can be imposed that will ensure the lot is developed consistent with the standards of this code and does not create nonconforming structures, uses or lots. Soil analysis which determines low-impact development infiltration feasibility may affect site designs and home placement.

2. The placement and orientation of lots and homes should consider privacy, solar orientation, access, location and access to open space and other factors that can contribute to the overall livability of the home and its relationship to the surrounding environment. Flexibility is encouraged in spatial orientation of homes on lots to address these issues and create interesting and attractive streetscapes with homes having a high functional value that might not otherwise occur with a less flexible approach.

1. For commercial, industrial, office, or multifamily projects, the applicant shall improve the alley abutting the subject property and extend the improvements to an existing improved public street.

2. For all types of development permits, the city engineer shall determine the extent and nature of improvements required in alleys on a case-by-case basis. Typical improvements include, but are not limited to, any or all of the following depending on the type of development proposed:

1. If the required improvements will connect with existing improvements of a greater dimension, the improvement shall be built at the greater dimension unless the city engineer determines that the dimensions of the existing improvement will be decreased in the future.

2. If the improvements will connect with existing improvements of a lesser dimension, the following applies, as determined by the city engineer:

1. A request for a modification, deferment, or waiver shall be considered as part of the applicable review process for the underlying development permit application as outlined in Table 17.20.030(1).

2. If subsection (B)(1) of this section does not apply (no land use permit is being reviewed), the city engineer may grant a modification, deferment, or waiver in writing under the provisions of this section.

3. A modification, deferment, or waiver request that is approved under subsection (B)(1) of this section is binding on the city for all subsequent development permits issued for the development within five (5) years of granting of the request.

1. The improvement as required would not match the existing improvements.

2. Unusual topographic or physical conditions preclude the construction of the improvements as required.

3. Other unusual circumstances preclude the construction of the improvements as required.

4. The applicant proposes special amenities such as wider planter strips, wider sidewalks, and/or curb gutter bump-ins to save significant trees or other natural features, or stormwater infrastructure that exceeds minimum standards.

5. A modified standard for a particular street or neighborhood has been approved by city council (see the Aberdeen engineering standards).

1. A deferment to the installation of required improvements may be granted for any of the following reasons:

2. If the applicant meets the criteria in subsection (D)(1) of this section for deferment, the applicant is only obligated to install, at a future date, improvements subject to Section 17.51.040.

3. If the city approves a deferment, the applicant shall sign a concomitant agreement to run with the property, in a form acceptable to the city attorney, specifying that the applicant shall install or reimburse the city for construction of the deferred improvements as directed by the city engineer. The applicant shall record this agreement with the Grays Harbor County Auditor’s Office.

4. The applicant shall grade the subject portion of the right-of-way as though the public improvement were to be immediately installed and stabilize the graded area in a manner approved by the city engineer. The applicant may be relieved of this requirement if the city engineer determines that unusual circumstances preclude the grading.

1. The installation of the improvements will cause a safety hazard or an environmental impact that cannot be mitigated; or

2. The current level and extent of the improvements in the ROW adjacent to the subject property are not likely to be changed in the future.

1. Principal Arterials. Roads including state highways that have a primary function of carrying high volumes of traffic through the city.

2. Minor Arterials. Streets that provide movement of through traffic shall also provide considerably more access for local traffic that originates or is designed to commercial, retail, or activity centers along a corridor.

3. Commercial Collectors. Streets that assemble and concentrate mixed commercial and residential traffic and direct it toward the higher order arterial system.

4. Residential Collectors. Streets that assemble and concentrate residential traffic and direct it toward the higher order arterial system.

5. Commercial Local Access Streets. Low volume streets that serve mixed commercial, industrial and residential areas.

6. Residential Local Access Streets. Low volume streets that serve residential neighborhoods with minimal nonresidential traffic.

7. Alleys.

1. Factors to be considered in determining a street’s classification include the following existing or proposed features:

1. Capital Improvement Projects. In cases where the city council has approved a capital improvements plan for a particular public right-of-way, that plan will govern the improvements required for the right-of-way and the provisions of this section do not apply.

2. Modified and Special Standards. In cases where a modified standard for a particular street or neighborhood has been approved by city council per Section 17.51.060(C)(5), or where special design standards are otherwise identified in the Aberdeen engineering standards, those standards will govern the improvements required for the right-of-way and the provisions of this section do not apply.

1. Right-of-Way. Right-of-way width depends on number of travel lanes, parking lanes, type of curb and gutter, and other elements provided.

2. Landscaped Area. Landscaped area contains vegetation, pedestrian amenities, utilities, LID BMPs such as bioretention, and other roadside infrastructure. Street trees shall be included according to the installation standards and requirements in the Aberdeen engineering standards. When included, curbs are part of the landscaped area width.

3. Pavement Width. Pavement width refers to the minimum width of the traveled way, bike lanes, and parking lanes.

4. On-Street Parking. Parking lanes are included in the pavement width and may be required for traffic calming and/or applicable service deliveries and activities appropriate to the street context and/or typical to the size, type, and density of the proposed development. When included, parking lanes shall be eight (8) feet wide and designed to provide water quality treatment consistent with Chapter 14.14, Stormwater Quality and the adopted DOE Stormwater Management Manual. When included, gutters are part of the pavement width.

5. Grade. The maximum grade is as noted. The maximum grade may be increased with approval of the fire department based on review of emergency services access and water supply availability.

6. Sidewalks. Refers to minimum width of sidewalks.

7. Bike Lanes. Bike lanes may be included as individual bike lanes reserved for bicyclists, combined with trails, or striped as part of the street system.

Bike lanes shall connect to and align with the Aberdeen engineering standards and bike lanes on abutting property. Dimensional standards for bike route signage shall comply with the Manual on Uniform Control Devices (MUTCD).

8. See Section 17.51.060 for permitted modifications to the street standards within Tables 17.52.040(A) through (E).

For rules of table interpretation, see subsection (B) of this section.
Right-of-way width	80 feet minimum
Landscaped area width	Varies
Pavement width	Varies
On-street parking	Optional
Grade	12 percent maximum
Sidewalk width	6 feet minimum
Bike lanes	5 feet minimum

For rules of table interpretation, see subsection (B) of this section
Right-of-way width	60 feet minimum	Some but not all acceptable roadway options shown above.
Landscaped area width	5 feet minimum on each side
Pavement width	At least 30 feet
On-street parking	Required except where bike lanes are included
Grade	12 percent maximum
Sidewalk width	5 feet minimum
Bike lanes	Required on “greenway” routes shown in Map 1 in Chapter 6 of the Aberdeen Active Transportation and Living Master Plan or other relevant planning document.

For rules of table interpretation, see subsection (B) of this section.
Right-of-way width	54 feet minimum
Landscaped area width	6 feet minimum on each side
Pavement width	32 feet
On-street parking	Required
Grade	12 percent maximum
Sidewalk width	5 feet minimum
Bike lanes	N/A

For rules of table interpretation, see subsection (B) of this section.
Right-of-way width	16—20 feet
Landscaped area width	N/A
Pavement width	12—20 feet
Grade	12 percent maximum
Sidewalk width	N/A
Bike lanes	N/A

Lane street types are permitted for residential development accessing up to 9 dwelling units. For rules of table interpretation, see subsection (B) of this section.
Right-of-way width	31 feet
Landscaped area width	6 feet minimum one side
Pavement width	20 feet
Grade	12 percent maximum
Sidewalk width	5 feet minimum (one side)
Bike lanes	N/A

1. Collector and Arterial Streets. Driveways providing direct access onto a collector or arterial street are prohibited when an alternative access is available. When alternative access is not available, a driveway or access may be permitted onto a collector or arterial when approved by the city engineer.

2. Frontage on Multiple Streets. Where a property has frontage on more than one (1) street, driveways and accesses are limited to the lowest volume street, as determined by the city engineer.

3. Alleys. Where a property abuts an alley, driveways shall access from the alley, except when either of the following conditions exist:

1. Driveways and access easements should be located at the greatest distance possible from an intersection of two (2) streets and shall meet the minimum spacing standards in the Aberdeen engineering standards.

2. When compliance with minimum spacing standards in the Aberdeen engineering standards would result in a property without a reasonable means of connection to the street system, a new driveway may be allowed within a smaller distance. The applicant may be required to provide a traffic impact analysis to support the request. Conditions of approval may be established, including, but not limited to:

1. When additional driveways or accesses are needed due to the amount of traffic generated by the project and there is enough space to safely accommodate the additional driveway or access.

2. Multiple driveways may be permitted where each driveway serves a separate dwelling unit on a lot and the driveways comply with other standards herein.

1. The residential units being served by a shared driveway are any combination of single-family, duplex, or triplex buildings on individual lots.

2. At least one (1) lot abuts a public right-of-way.

3. A public street is not anticipated by the city of Aberdeen to be necessary for existing or future traffic and/or pedestrian circulation through the short subdivision or to serve adjacent property.

4. The shared driveway would not adversely affect future circulation to neighboring properties.

5. The shared driveway poses no safety risk and provides sufficient access for emergency vehicles and personnel.

1. Shared driveways shall be located within an easement or tract.

2. Table 17.53.040(B) provides standards for the maximum length, minimum paved width and easement width, and applicable turnaround requirements.

3. If a shared driveway abuts properties that are not part of the subdivision, a five (5) foot wide landscape buffer shall be provided between the shared driveway and neighboring properties.

4. Stormwater management shall be provided according to Chapter 14.14, Stormwater.

5. The maximum grade shall not exceed twelve (12) percent. The maximum grade may be increased with approval of the fire department based on review of emergency services access and water supply availability.

6. The minimum base and surfacing shall comply with the Aberdeen engineering standards and be capable of supporting fire apparatus.

7. New lots served by shared driveways are subject to the design provisions of Section 17.54.040(E).

1. Traffic control devices including installation of “No Parking” signs as required by the city shall be provided.

2. Lots served by the shared driveway shall be addressed to the public street to which the shared driveway connects.

1. The easement or tract shall be shown and recorded on the face of the plat or with the land division to be preserved in perpetuity. If a tract is created, the owners of the subject lots shall have an equal and undivided interest in ownership of the tract.

2. Appropriate legal instruments ensuring that the shared driveway can be continually maintained to minimum standards listed in this section by the owners of the lots served by the driveway shall be provided prior to recording of the short plat.

1. Connectivity to Abutting Lands. The street system of proposed subdivisions shall be designed to connect with existing, proposed, and planned streets outside of the subdivision. Wherever a proposed development abuts unplatted land or other land with the capability of being further subdivided, street stubs shall be provided to allow access to future abutting subdivisions and to logically extend the street system into the surrounding area. All street stubs shall be provided with a temporary turn-around unless specifically exempted by the fire marshal, and the restoration and extension of the street shall be the responsibility of any future developer of the abutting land.

2. Continuation of Streets. Planned streets shall connect with surrounding streets to permit the convenient movement of traffic between neighborhoods and to facilitate emergency access and evacuation. Connections shall be designed to meet or exceed the block standards in subsections (B) and (C) of this section, and to avoid or minimize through traffic on local streets.

3. Pedestrian Pathways. Short internal pathways can improve pedestrian mobility within developments. Examples could include a pathway in the middle of a block or at the end of a cul-de-sac. Such pathways shall be located within an easement or common open space tract allowing for public access and maintained by the homeowners’ association unless the city or other public authority accepts an offer of dedication.

1. Blocks shall be designed to provide pedestrian and vehicular connections at intervals no greater than six hundred sixty (660) feet.

2. Departures to the standard in subsection (B)(1) of this section will be considered per Section 17.20.210, provided the alternative design meets the purposes of the standards (see Section 17.54.010) and meets the following criteria:

1. One-tenth (1/10) of the combined area of lots one (1) acre or less in size, exclusive of all other dedications, shall be forever dedicated to the public for parks, open space, or playgrounds. The decision-maker, in consultation with the parks and recreation department, shall determine suitable locations for such parks and playgrounds.

2. The subdivider creates a property owners’ association for the proposed subdivision and deeds to the association land to be held in perpetuity for use as parks, open space, or playgrounds. The area of land to be deeded to the association shall equal the amount that would otherwise have been dedicated to public use.

1. Shall be convenient, usable and accessible. All open spaces shall be physically and visually accessible from the adjacent street or major internal pedestrian route. Open spaces shall be in locations that the intended user(s) can easily access and use, rather than simply leftover or undevelopable space in locations where very little pedestrian traffic is anticipated or terrain makes access and use difficult. Locations integrated with transit stops, for instance, would be encouraged, as there is likely to be pedestrian traffic in the area.

2. Shall be inviting. Inviting open spaces feature amenities and activities that encourage pedestrians to use and explore the space. On a large scale, it could be a combination of active and passive recreational uses. It could include a children’s play area, special landscaping element, or even a comfortable place to sit and watch the world go by. In order for people to linger in an open space, it shall be comfortable. For instance, a plaza space should receive ample sunlight, particularly at noon, and have design elements that lend the space a “human scale,” including landscaping elements, benches and other seating areas, and pedestrian-scaled lighting. No use shall be allowed within the open space that adversely affects the aesthetic appeal or usability of the open space.

Examples of inviting park design, with design features and amenities that attract usage from the surrounding community.

3. Shall be safe. Safe open spaces incorporate crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) principles:

4. Provides for uses/activities that appropriately serve the anticipated residents and users of the development. For example, common open space that serves a variety of functions will attract greater usage. When designing open spaces, project applicants should consider a broad range of age groups, from small children, to teens, parents, and seniors.

5. Shall be well maintained. Open space shall be maintained by the land owner(s) unless the city or other public authority accepts an offer of dedication.

6. May include LID BMPs. Open spaces may include LID BMPs, like rain gardens, in up to twenty-five (25) percent of subdivision open spaces (cumulative).

1. Lots within subdivisions shall be designed to allow placement of homes to address functional design issues. Lots shall be designed to contain a usable building area. If the building area would be difficult to develop, the lot shall be redesigned or eliminated, unless special conditions can be imposed that will ensure the lot is developed consistent with the standards of this code and does not create nonconforming structures, uses or lots. Soil analysis which determines low-impact development infiltration feasibility may affect site designs and home placement.

2. The placement and orientation of lots and homes should consider privacy, solar orientation, access, location and access to open space and other factors that can contribute to the overall livability of the home and its relationship to the surrounding environment. Flexibility is encouraged in spatial orientation of homes on lots to address these issues and create interesting and attractive streetscapes with homes having a high functional value that might not otherwise occur with a less flexible approach.

3. To maximize site efficiency and usable open space, small lot developments (generally less than five thousand (5,000) square feet in area and less than fifty (50) feet wide) are encouraged to utilize the lot design standards of this chapter or related design schemes provided they meet access, design, and other applicable standards established in this title.

1. Zero lot line, reciprocal use easement lots, and alley-access lots developments are allowed in all residential zones.

2. Lot lines which are contiguous with the development’s exterior property line shall meet the standard setback requirements of Tables 17.42.020(A), (B), and (C).

1. Dwelling units and accessory structures may be placed on one (1) interior side property line that is part of the development. The opposite side setback shall be at least ten (10) feet. Also see Section 17.43.010(F) for townhouse family development standards.

2. Privacy Wall. In order to maintain privacy, no windows, doors, air conditioning units, or any other types of openings in the walls along a zero lot line structure are allowed except for windows that do not allow for visibility into the interior side setback of the adjacent lot. Examples include clerestory or obscured windows. See Figure 17.54.040(C) below for an example of a privacy wall for a zero lot line house.

3. Eaves along a zero lot line may project a maximum of eighteen (18) inches over the interior side property line.

4. Lots intended for zero lot line homes shall be noted on the plat, together with minimum side setback areas and maximum building envelopes.

Zero lot line layout example (left). The right image shows the side setback and privacy wall for a zero lot line house.

1. Reciprocal easements shall be noted on the plat.

2. Privacy Wall. In order to maintain privacy, no windows, doors, air conditioning units, or any other types of openings in the walls of a structure along a reciprocal use easement are allowed except for windows that do not allow for visibility into the side setback of the adjacent lot. Examples include clerestory or obscured windows. See Figure 17.54.040(C) for an example of a privacy wall.

3. Areas within reciprocal use easements may count towards usable open space requirements for applicable lots (see Section 17.43.010(C)(3)).

Example of a reciprocal side setback easement configuration (top image) and reciprocal rear setback easement configuration (bottom image).

1. Dead-end alleys are subject to the turn-around standards of Section 17.52.050 and through alleys are limited by the maximum block length standards of Section 17.54.020(B).

2. Pedestrian access to each alley access lot shall be provided by either a public street or a pedestrian easement with a sidewalk.

1. Interior lots served by a shared driveway that complies with the provisions of Section 17.53.040.

2. Alternative lot designs as described in Section 17.54.040.

3. Any lot created that is not adjacent to a public right-of-way but that has a right of ingress and egress to that right-of-way; provided, that such right has been established as a matter of record in a manner that runs with the land and is irrevocable.