The purpose of this Chapter is to assure the development of functional and safe circulation patterns within new subdivisions, in order to encourage economical and effective movement of motor vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians; provide access for public safety vehicles; and encourage the development of circulation systems that enhance the quality of life within new and existing neighborhoods in the City of Kearney and its planning jurisdiction.

The design of circulation systems should conform to the following general standards and requirements:

A.

Roadway System Design.

1.

The road system shall be designed to permit safe and orderly movement of traffic, to meet, but not exceed, needs of the present and future served population; to be simple and logical; to respect natural features, topography, and landscape, and to present an attractive streetscape.

2.

The system shall conform with the City's Comprehensive Development Plan. For streets not shown on the Comprehensive Development Plan, the arrangement of streets shall provide for the logical extension of existing streets.

3.

The street network of a subdivision should provide for logical, continuous extensions of streets to subsequent later developments. Such extensions shall make provision when necessary with a temporary turnaround with a radius of at least fifty (50) feet.

4.

The system shall provide adequate traffic flow through a subdivision and provide at least two (2) routes from each lot within the subdivision to the rest of the City, except as explicitly permitted by the approving authorities. Additionally, the system should be designed to discourage through traffic from using local streets.

5.

The system should provide good internal street network connectivity. Internal connectivity shall be measured by a Connectivity Index, calculated as:

CI = L/N

where

N = the number of nodes (including intersections and cul-de-sac heads ) in a subdivision and

L = the number of street links defined by those nodes. A desirable target for street connectivity is an index of 1.30 to 1.40.

B.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Systems.

1.

A continuous pedestrian system shall be provided within each non-industrial subdivision, designed to conduct pedestrians between every point in the subdivision in a safe manner.

2.

In conventional subdivisions, the pedestrian system will ordinarily be provided by sidewalks placed parallel to and on both sides of each street, with exceptions permitted to preserve natural features, create visual interest, or maintain greenways and pedestrian ways proposed in the Kearney Comprehensive Development Plan.

3.

In innovative developments, the pedestrian system may be an independent network diverging from streets but providing continuous pedestrian access between all points.

4.

All aspects of the pedestrian system, including sidewalks and intersection crossings, must be designed to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

5.

Bikeways or recreational trails shall be required only if specifically indicated by the Comprehensive Development Plan. Any land dedicated for trail development shall be credited toward the satisfaction of pedestrian system and open space standards set forth by this ordinance.

A.

Characteristics of the Hierarchy.

1.

Streets shall be classified according to a street hierarchy with design tailored to function.

2.

The street hierarchy shall be defined by road function and projected average daily traffic (ADT), as calculated by trip generation rates prepared by the Institute of Transportation Engineers or other generally accepted standards.

3.

Each residential street shall be classified and designed to meet appropriate standards for its entire length.

4.

The applicant shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the approving agencies that the distribution of traffic created by the subdivision will not exceed the design capacity of the proposed street system and its individual segments.

5.

The categories, functions, and projected traffic loads of the street hierarchy are set forth in Table 55-1.

B.

Cartway Width.

1.

Cartway width for each street classification is determined by parking and curbing requirements based on form or intensity of adjacent development.

2.

To promote economical development of streets, minimum cartway width should generally be used. Minimum cartway widths are set forth in Table 55-2.

C.

Curbs, Gutters, and Shoulders.

1.

Curbing shall be required for the purposes of safety, drainage, and protection of the pavement edge, as set forth in Table 55-3.

2.

Requirements for curbs vary according to street function and the nature of adjacent development. Adjacent development is defined as urban or rural as follows:

(a)

Rural: Residential or predominately agricultural land use where average lot frontage exceeds two hundred (200) feet, generally within an RR-1, Rural Residential (Rural Standards) District.

(b)

Intermediate: Residential: Residential land use where average lot frontage may range from one hundred fifty (150) to two hundred fifty (250) feet within areas in the City's growth path, but unlikely to receive short-term urban services.

(c)

Urban: Residential land use where average lot frontage is less than or equal to one hundred (150) feet; or adjacent land uses include commercial, office, industrial, or civic use types.

3.

Where curbing is not required, edge definition and stabilization shall be provided.

4.

Where curbing is required, shoulders and drainage swales may be used only if soils or topography make the provision of shoulders preferable to curbs; or where the character of an area is preserved by the use of shoulders and drainage swales.

5.

Shoulders, when developed, shall be at least eight (8) feet in width on each side for all streets; and located within the right-of-way. Swale width is site-specific. Shoulders shall consist of stabilized turf or other acceptable material.

6.

All curbs shall provide ramps for accessibility by handicapped people consistent with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

7.

Curb construction shall follow standards established by the City of Kearney.

D.

Sidewalks.

1.

Sidewalk requirements are determined by road classification and intensity of development, as set forth in Table 55-3.

2.

Where sidewalks are not otherwise required by Table 55-3, the City Council may require their installation if necessary to provide access to generators of pedestrian traffic or major community features; to continue a walk on an adjacent street; to link parts of the City; or to accommodate future development.

3.

In conventional development, sidewalks shall be placed generally parallel to streets within the right-of-way. Exceptions are possible to preserve important natural features or to accommodate topography or vegetation; when applicant shows an alternative for a safe and convenient pedestrian system; or in creative subdivisions.

4.

In commercial areas, sidewalks may abut curb provided they are a minimum of five (5) feet wide. In industrial areas, sidewalks are not mandatory but may be ordered in by the City Council.

5.

Pedestrian rights-of-way at least fifteen (15) feet in width may be required through the center of blocks over six hundred (600) feet in length if deemed necessary by the approving authorities to provide access to schools or community facilities; or to maintain a continuous pedestrian network within and between subdivisions and districts of the City of Kearney and its jurisdiction. Such rights-of-way shall be dedicated to the public in the same manner as streets.

6.

Sidewalks shall provide a clear path of at least four (4) foot in width, free of any obstructions.

7.

All sidewalks shall be constructed according to current standards in use by the City of Kearney. Sidewalks shall be of concrete construction four (4) inches thick except at points of vehicular crossing where they shall be six (6) inches thick and no less than a minimum of six (6) sack mix.

8.

All sidewalks, crossings, and other segments of a continuous pedestrian system must comply with standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

E.

Bikeways and Recreational Trails.

1.

Bikeways and recreational trails shall be required in subdivisions only when specified as part of the Comprehensive Development Plan.

2.

All off-street recreational trails shall be a minimum of ten (10) feet in width for two-way traffic and comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Surfacing of trails shall be acceptable to the City of Kearney. Gradients for bikeways and recreational trails should not exceed five percent (5%), except for short distances.

3.

Recreational trails may satisfy part of the requirements of this ordinance for sidewalks or open space.

4.

All residential streets shall utilize bicycle safe drainage grates at storm sewer inlets.

F.

Alleys. It is the general policy of the City of Kearney to discourage the use of alleys outside of Planned Developments or Traditional Neighborhood Developments. When permitted in such projects, alleys shall be paved and shall have a width of not less than eighteen (18) feet. Alleys shall not be used for parking.

G.

Right-of-Way.

1.

Measurement: The right-of-way of a street shall be measured from lot line to lot line, and shall be wide enough to contain the cartway, curbs or shoulder, sidewalks and sidewalk setbacks, other necessary graded areas, and utilities.

2.

Any right-of-way that continues an existing street shall be no less than that of existing street.

3.

The requirements for rights-of-way for functional categories of roads is set forth in Table 55-3.

4.

Dedications: Dedications of right-of-way for collector, subcollector, community, or arterial streets shall be made consistent with the Comprehensive Development Plan.

H.

Street Design Standards.

1.

Pavement.

(a)

All streets shall be paved to current standards utilized in the City of Kearney except:

(1)

Local streets in rural subdivisions. Rural subdivisions may utilize a gravel or crushed rock surface of sufficient thickness and with an adequate base to provide a durable surface. This permission is subject to submission of a petition by the platting owners binding themselves and all succeeding property owners to agree that all paving would be completed by a special assessment project if the subdivision were annexed by the City. Such petition shall waive any required resolution of necessity, any applicable limitations of the amount which could be assessed against subdivision property owners including intersection costs, and other costs normally paid by the City in special assessment projects.

(2)

Local streets in intermediate subdivisions. Intermediate subdivisions may utilize forty-five (45) inch P.C.C.P. non-reinforced paving or five (5) inch hot mix asphaltic paving.

(3)

Courts or lanes, which may utilize six (6) inch concrete, provided that such courts or lanes remain in private or private cooperative ownership.

(b)

Street pavement thickness shall relate to the role of the street in the hierarchy, subgrade conditions, and pavement type.

2.

Continuity of Arterial or Collector Streets. No subdivision shall prevent the extension of arterial or collector streets through and beyond the subdivision. The subdivider may plan and design collector streets not designated in the Comprehensive Development Plan subject to the approval of the City Council.

3.

Cul-de-sacs.

(a)

Cul-de-sac streets designed to have one (1) end permanently closed generally should not exceed six hundred (600) feet in length and shall be designed so that vision from entrance to end is not restricted. A longer length is permissible within conservation developments or in the case of unconventional developments, such as golf course subdivisions.

(b)

The closed end of a cul-de-sac within a conventional subdivision shall have a turnaround with a street property line diameter of at least one hundred (100) feet in residential subdivisions. This diameter may be increased by the Planning Commission if deemed necessary in the case of a commercial or industrial subdivision. In very low density settings, the Planning Commission may allow the use of hammerhead designs or other non-standard designs.

4.

Street Grades. Maximum permitted street grades are set forth in Table 55-2. In typical circumstances, the minimum permitted street gradient shall be 1.0%. In exceptional circumstances, the City Engineer may permit street gradients of less than 1.0%; however, under no circumstances may the gradient be less than 0.4%.

5.

Street Intersections.

(a)

Streets shall intersect as nearly at right angles as possible, unless limited by topography, existing street alignments, or other clearly defined constraints.

(b)

In most cases, no more than two (2) streets should intersect at a single intersection. Exceptions may be made within TND, Traditional Neighborhood Development Overlay District or Planned Developments.

(c)

Local streets shall minimize intersections with major arterials.

(d)

New intersections along one (1) side of an existing or proposed street shall, if possible, align with intersections on the other side of the street. Offsets between adjacent intersections shall measure at least one hundred fifty (150) feet between centerlines. The use of T-intersections is encouraged on local streets within the interior of a subdivision.

(e)

Intersection design standards are set forth in Table 55-2.

6.

Block Size.

(a)

The length, widths, and shapes of blocks shall be suited to the proposed land use and design of the proposed subdivision. Blocks within urban subdivisions shall not exceed six hundred (600) feet in length, unless necessitated by exceptional topography or other demonstrable constraints. Blocks within rural subdivisions shall not exceed one thousand three hundred twenty (1,320) feet.

7.

Specific design standards established by the City of Kearney's Subdivision Design Manual.

8.

Other design standards shall be as set forth in Table 55-4.

A.

Underground Wiring.

1.

All electric, telephone, television, cable TV, and other communication lines shall be provided by underground wiring within easements or public right-of-way, except where, in the opinion of the approving authorities, such location is not feasible. Poles for permitted overhead lines shall be placed in rear lot line easements; or in other locations designed to lessen their visual impact.

2.

New lots adjacent to existing overhead service may utilize that service; however, new local service connections shall be underground.

3.

Year-round screening of any above ground utility apparatus is required. Screening shall be consistent with the Landscape and Screening Standards set forth in Chapter 48.

Table 55-1: Street Hierarchy

Table 55-2:
Cartway Width, Grade, and Intersection Standards

* Denotes Maximum Street Grade Within Fifty (50) Feet of an Intersection

Note 1: Intersections shall be rounded at the curb line, with the street having the highest radius requirement as shown in Table 55-2 determining the minimum standard for all curb lines.

Note 2: Arterial street width, grade, and curb radii are determined by state standards and the designation of individual street or roadway segments.

Table 55-3:
Curb, Sidewalks and Right-of-way Requirements

* Right-of-way widths for these classes of street may be modified within Traditional Neighborhood Developments, Planned Developments, or Conservation Subdivisions.

Notes to Table 55-3.

Note 1: Arterial street width, grade, and curb radii are determined by state standards and the designation of individual street or roadway segments.

Note 2: The inner edge of the sidewalk is normally located one (1) foot off the property pin. Sidewalks may meander and diverge from this distance but should at no point be located closer than four (4) feet from the inside of the curb or edge of pavement.

Note 3: Required sidewalks in Industrial zoning districts are not mandatory but the City Council may order in sidewalks in any zoning districts.

Table 55-4:
Street Design Requirements