All streets shall be interconnected with each other and with streets on abutting properties in a systematic grid pattern. Street connectivity and continuity is necessary to circulate traffic, provide emergency service access, ensure network reliability and redundancy, develop a logical system to facilitate the movement of all transportation system modes and users, and sustainably and efficiently manage uses of land and the provision of utilities and public services. Connectivity, for the purposes of this Ordinance, refers to the structure of the transportation network of City of North Muskegon consisting of blocks, intersections, and connecting points.

Development shall occur using a combination of both the existing street network and new streets added to establish an improved circulation system. Streets may be public or private. Where existing streets are being improved, these standards along with the other standards overseeing such road development shall guide the design of the improvements.

Requirements. The following requirements shall apply to ensure that North Muskegon's street network develops as an interconnected network of streets.

A.

The street network shall be laid out in defined blocks to connect with one (1) another.

B.

Where adjoining areas are not subdivided, the arrangement of streets shall be required to be extended to the boundary line of the project to make provision for the future projection of streets into adjoining areas.

C.

A minimum of one (1) stub street shall be provided for each six hundred sixty (660) feet or fraction thereof along such property lines.

D.

No block perimeter, measured along the block face at the public right-of-way or private road easement, shall exceed two thousand four hundred (2,400) feet.

E.

Blocks should be designed so that at the terminus of street intersections, street alignment, or the curvature of a street produces "terminal vistas" of civic buildings, public art, play fields, meadows, wetlands, or other notable structures or natural features.

F.

Privately held reserve strips controlling access to streets shall be prohibited.

A.

Streets shall intersect as nearly as possible to ninety (90) degrees and in no case less than eighty (80) degrees. Curved streets, intersecting with primary roads, will have a tangent section of centerline fifty (50) feet in length, measured from the right-of-way line of the primary road.

B.

Where the proposed continuation of a street at an intersection is not in alignment with the existing street, it must not intersect such cross street closer than two hundred (200) feet from such opposite existing street, as measured from the centerline of said streets.

A.

Streets shall connect to existing outlots in adjacent developments and shall provide outlots or other provisions for future connections to adjacent land that is presently undeveloped.

B.

Where adjoining areas are undeveloped and the street must temporarily dead-end, the right-of-way shall be extended to the property line to make provision for the future projection of street.

C.

Failure for a development to properly connect to logical street connections (public and/or private) may be detrimental to the mobility network and/or emergency response needs and can be the basis for project denial.

D.

Dead-End Streets.

1.

Administrative Departure. A permanent dead-end street shall only be permitted where the topography of the area, lakes, streams, other natural features or existing adjacent development of the area, causes difficulty in connection and can be granted without creating any safety concerns.

2.

Planning Commission Approval.

a.

A dead-end public right-of-way or private street easement (whether temporary or permanent) in excess of six hundred sixty (660) feet in length, as measured from the nearest public right-of-way or private street easement to the dead-end street, shall be prohibited except as approved by the Planning Commission and an extension can be granted without creating a safety hazard.

b.

A cul-de-sac turnaround will be provided at the end of a permanent dead-end street or a temporary dead-end street (and associated temporary right-of-way). The City may require an easement or a reservation of easement to accommodate drainage facilities, pedestrian access, or utilities. The Planning Commission may find a hammerhead "T" or a continuous loop layout acceptable to terminate a private dead-end street where public or private utilities are unaffected and sufficient space is provided for vehicle maneuvering.

E.

Cross-Access Agreements.

1.

Purpose and Intent. The provisions set forth in this Section are intended to establish minimum requirements for access to property and other elements of site design to improve safety and enhance aesthetics in the Traditional Mixed-Use District.

2.

Applicability. Parcels in the TMD Zone District.

3.

Requirements.

a.

Internal vehicular circulation areas shall be designed to allow for cross access to adjacent lots with multiple family, nonresidential or mixed-uses.

b.

A stub for future cross access shall be provided from the vehicular use area to all adjacent lots.

c.

A cross-access easement shall be recorded with the Muskegon County Register of Deeds prior to the issuance of a building certificate of occupancy for the development.

4.

Administrative Departure. Where cross access is deemed impractical by the Planning Commission or Zoning Administrator during Site Plan Review or on the basis of topography, the presence of natural features, or vehicular safety factors, the requirement for cross access may be waived provided that appropriate bicycle and pedestrian connections are made between adjacent developments or uses.

A.

Purpose and Intent. The purpose of this Section is to provide access to residential, nonresidential, and site condominium developments as tracts of land are divided, sold, and transferred. The City has determined it is in the best interest of the public health, safety, and welfare to regulate the design, construction, improvement, extension, relocation, maintenance, and use of private streets to ensure they provide for the safe passage and maneuverability of emergency vehicles and multiple public and private users; and that such streets are constructed of suitable materials to maximize their durability. Private streets may also help preserve safe and efficient traffic movement by providing reasonable access to public roadways.

B.

Authorization. Private streets shall be permitted where there is limited or no opportunity or potential to establish a public street or plat the land. Private streets shall not be constructed, extended or relocated without express written approval by the Zoning Administrator. If approved as a private street, the City shall have no obligation or liability for the private street or maintenance thereof.

C.

Agreement. All improvements installed or constructed as required under the terms of this Ordinance shall be made and maintained at the expense of the property owner(s) or developer. The City may enter into an agreement with the owner/developer of the private street that would also benefit the public and the City for reasons of additional access, connectivity, and mobility.

D.

Street Frontage. All lots and parcels of land with access to a private street shall have frontage on the approved private street right-of-way equal to the minimum lot width requirement of the Zone District in which the lot is located.

E.

Design. Streets within the City shall be designed as follows:

1.

The right-of-way shall be sixty-six (66) feet.

2.

Each travel lane must be a minimum of nine (9) feet wide on residential streets and no more than eleven (11) feet wide. On high-traffic streets lane widths may be eleven (11) feet wide.

3.

Street trees shall be required to be planted every thirty-five (35) feet within a six (6)-foot parkway/lawn and planted in accordance with Section 10.02, Landscaping.

4.

Sidewalks shall be provided on both sides of the street measuring five (5) feet wide.

5.

On-street parking will be permitted.

A.

Sidewalks shall not be less than five (5) feet in width and included within the dedicated non-pavement portion of the right-of-way on both sides of all roads within a plat, subdivision, site condominium, or multi-family development.

B.

Slopes. Non-motorized facilities shall be aligned horizontally and vertically with existing facilities on adjacent properties. and designed to maintain the existing direction and flow of storm water and to avoid damming or flooding.

C.

Sidewalks at Driveway Crossings. Sidewalks shall be maintained across driveways and the driveway shall retain the elevation of the sidewalk.