The purpose of this chapter is to establish minimum standards for traffic and street design requirements within the Village. All design standards in this chapter shall apply to all new or redevelopment projects. The Village retains the ability to rely upon good engineering methods and practices in interpreting application of the codes to individual projects.

The Village views streets as important public spaces and therefore has developed the following set of principles which permit this space to be used by both vehicles and people:

(1)

Streets are designed to be only as wide as necessary to accommodate the vehicular/pedestrian mix serving adjacent land uses, while providing adequate access.

(2)

Whenever an irreconcilable conflict exists among vehicular and pedestrian usage, the conflict should be resolved in favor of the pedestrian, unless in the best interest of public safety.

(3)

Street tree requirements shall be found in subsection 4-3(m)(5), Table 4-6.

(4)

The use of traffic calming devices is strongly preferred as an alternative to conventional traffic control measures. The Village Public Works Director may permit minor variations and exceptions to street engineering and design specified, such as, but not limited to, variations to the pavement width, tree planting areas, street grade, sight distances, and centerline radii in accordance with principles above. Right-of-way widths should be preserved for continuity.

(5)

Closed or gated streets are discouraged.

(6)

Private streets may be allowed within developments that will remain under common ownership, provided they are designed, constructed, and maintained pursuant to best management practices approved by the Village Public Works Director.

(7)

Although discouraged, culs-de-sac if permitted shall not exceed 300 feet in length unless a greater length is approved by the Village Public Works Director. Culs-de-sac shall provide a turnaround having a right-of-way radius sufficient to accommodate truck traffic and emergency vehicles.

(8)

Streets in proposed subdivisions shall be connected to rights-of-way in adjacent areas to allow proper inter-neighborhood traffic flow by means of a collector street. If adjacent lands are not subdivided, stub-outs in the new development shall provide for future connections to these lands.

(9)

The developer of a proposed subdivision shall deposit with the Village sufficient funds to provide all necessary roadway related signage as may be required by Village, county or state standards.

(a)

The arrangement, character, extent, width, grade and location of all streets shall conform to all official plans and shall be considered in their relation to the pattern of existing and planned streets, topographical conditions, public convenience and safety, and the proposed uses of the land to be served by such streets.

(b)

Streets shall generally follow or parallel the existing topography and shall not run perpendicular to it. Streets shall be designed to facilitate drainage and stormwater objectives.

(c)

Streets shall be constructed with grades which conform to construction standards as set forth by the Village. In no case may streets be constructed with grades that create a substantial danger to public safety.

(d)

The widths of proposed rights-of-way and the configuration of any proposed street shall be subject to review by the Village. A typical detail depicting proposed rights-of-way and street configurations shall be submitted concurrent with preliminary plat, subdivision, and site plan applications where dedication of right-of-way and construction of a new street is proposed.

(a)

Street rights-of-way shall be designed and constructed to carry motor vehicle traffic, to provide a safe and convenient passageway for pedestrian and in some cases bicycle traffic, and to serve as a link to the Village's drainage system.

(b)

Street right-of-way widths, in accordance with all official plans, shall not be less than the following:

(c)

Provisions may be made for bicycle lanes.

(d)

Waivers to minimum street right-of-way widths may be granted by the Community Development Director on a case by case basis.

(e)

Street Types shall be constructed in accordance with Martin County Thoroughfare Standards or most similar.

Sidewalks shall be constructed to the construction standards as set forth by the Village for all projects for which a permit for new construction is granted, except as provided in this section. Sidewalks shall be located within the right-of-way of all public and private streets. The location of the sidewalks within the right-of-way shall be as determined by the Public Works Director. No building permits shall be issued unless such sidewalks are shown on plans for construction with the following exceptions:

(1)

There are plans for widening or improving the abutting street right-of-way.

(2)

A lot or parcel is located on a local street within an existing platted subdivision in which over 75 percent of the lots are developed and where no sidewalks exist adjoining the developed lots.

(3)

A lot or parcel is located within a residential subdivision in which the smallest lot is not less than one acre in size and the subdivision does not adjoin an existing residential development in which sidewalks exist.

Minimum standards for traffic and street design requirements in the public right-of-way, not found in this chapter, shall be found in the Construction Standards as set forth by the Village.