North Plains City Zoning Code
STREET STANDARDS
§ 155.650 PURPOSE.
The purpose of this subchapter is:
(A) To provide for safe, efficient and convenient multi-modal movement in the city;
(B) To provide adequate access to all proposed developments in the city; and
(C) To provide adequate area in all public rights-of-way for sidewalks, sanitary sewers, storm sewers, water lines, natural gas lines, power lines and other utilities commonly and appropriately placed in such rights-of-way.
(Prior Code, § 16.150.000) (Ord. 427, passed 5-16-2016; Ord. 470, passed 8-17-2020)
§ 155.651 SCOPE.
The provisions of this subchapter shall be applicable to:
(A) The construction, dedication or creation of all new public or private streets in all subdivisions, partitions or other developments in the city;
(B) The extension or widening of existing public or private street rights-of-way, easements or street improvements, including those which may be proposed by an individual or the city, or which may be required by the city in association with other development approvals; and
(C) The construction or modification of any utilities or sidewalks in public rights-of-way or private street easements.
(Prior Code, § 16.150.005) (Ord. 427, passed 5-16-2016; Ord. 470, passed 8-17-2020)
§ 155.652 GENERAL PROVISIONS.
The following general provisions shall apply to the dedication, construction, improvement or other development of all public streets in the city.
(A) Relationship. The location, width and grade of streets shall be considered in their relation to existing and planned streets, to topographical conditions, to public convenience and safety and to the proposed use of the land to be served by the streets.
(B) Development proposals. Development proposals shall provide for the continuation of existing principal streets where necessary to promote appropriate traffic circulation in the vicinity of the development. All new developments may be required to provide joint-use access to all adjacent undeveloped or underdeveloped parcels.
(C) Reserve strips. Reserve strips will not be approved unless necessary for the protection of the public welfare or of substantial property rights, and in these cases they may be required. The control and disposal of the land composing such strips shall be placed within the jurisdiction of the city under conditions approved by the Planning Commission.
(D) Alignment. Road alignment shall conform to the city public works design standards.
(E) Future extension of streets. Where necessary to give access to or permit a satisfactory future development of adjoining land, streets shall be extended to the boundary of a tract being developed and the resulting dead-end streets may be approved without turnarounds. Reserve strips may be required to preserve the objectives of street extensions.
(F) Intersection angles. Streets shall be laid out to intersect at angles as near to right angles as practical. Intersection design shall conform to the city public works design standards.
(G) Existing streets. Whenever existing public streets adjacent to or within a tract are of inadequate width, additional right-of-way shall be provided at the time of subdivision or development.
(H) Cul-de-sacs.
(1) Cul-de-sacs shall be used only when exceptional topographical constraints, existing development patterns, or compliance with other standards in this code preclude a street extension and circulation. A cul-de-sac shall not be more than 400 feet in length and shall not provide access to more than 20 dwelling units.
(2) All cul-de-sacs shall terminate with a turnaround in accordance with the specifications in the public works design standards. The radius of circular turnarounds may be larger when they contain a landscaped island, parking bay in their center, Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue submits a written request, or an industrial use requires a larger turnaround for truck access.
(3) Public easements, tracts, or right-of-way shall provide paved pedestrian and bicycle access ways at least six feet wide where a cul-de-sac or dead-end street is planned, to connect the ends of the streets together, connect to other streets, or connect to other existing or planned developments in accordance with the standards of this subchapter, the Transportation System Plan, public works design standards or other provisions identified in this code.
(I) Street names. No street names shall be used which will duplicate or be confused with the names of existing streets, except for extensions of existing streets. Street names and number shall conform to the established pattern in the city and shall be subject to the approval of the Planning Commission.
(J) Grades and curves. Grades and curves shall conform to the city public works design standards. Where existing conditions, particularly topography, make it otherwise impractical to provide buildable sites, the City Engineer may accept steeper grades and sharper curves.
(K) Alleys. Alleys shall be provided in commercial and industrial districts unless other permanent provisions for access to off-street parking and loading facilities are made as approved by the City Engineer. Alleys shall be constructed consistent with the city Public Works Design Standards.
(L) Sidewalks. Sidewalks shall conform to the city public works design standards. Curbs and sidewalks shall be required along both sides of all public streets. All new development upon lots, tracts or parcels of land adjacent to a public street will be required to construct curbs and sidewalks.
(M) Bike lanes. Bike lanes shall be provided where required by the city’s Transportation System Plan and shall be designed and constructed in compliance with the city’s Public Works Design Standards.
(N) Street trees. Street trees shall be provided and shall be a species identified on the Washington County approved street trees list.
(O) Access spacing standards. Access spacing standards shall comply with Washington County’s standards on county roads and the city Transportation System Plan and Public Works Design Standards on city roads.
(Prior Code, § 16.150.010) (Ord. 427, passed 5-16-2016)
§ 155.653 GENERAL RIGHT-OF-WAY AND IMPROVEMENT WIDTHS; MODIFICATIONS.
(A) Construction specifications for all street and right-of-way improvement widths shall comply with the criteria of the city Transportation System Plan. These standards shall be the minimum requirements for all streets, except where modifications are permitted under this subchapter or the street standard adopted by the City Council, whichever is less restrictive. Refer to Figures 5-2A to 5-2P in the Transportation System Plan for detailed diagrams depicting street right-of-way, improved and roadway width requirements. County roads are subject to county roadway standards.
(Prior Code, § 16.150.015; Ord. 470, passed 8-17-2020)
(B) The Planning Commission may allow modification to the public street standards of this chapter when both of the following criteria are satisfied.
(1) The modification is necessary to provide design flexibility in instances where:
(a) Unusual topographic conditions require a reduced width or grade separation of improved surfaces;
(b) Parcel shape or configuration precludes accessing a proposed development with a street which meets the full standards of the city;
(c) A modification is necessary to preserve trees or other natural features determined by the Planning Commission to be significant to the aesthetic character of the area; or
(d) A planned unit development is proposed and the modification of street standards is necessary to provide greater privacy or aesthetic quality to the development.
(2) Modification of this subchapter shall only be approved if the Planning Commission finds that the specific design proposed provides adequate vehicular access based on anticipated traffic volumes. If there is insufficient area of on-street parking, the Planning Commission may require additional off-street parking and require that the street be posted to prohibit parking along one or both sides of the street.
(Prior Code, § 16.150.020) (Ord. 427, passed 5-16-2016; Ord. 470, passed 8-17-2020)
§ 155.654 CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS.
Construction specifications for all public improvements shall comply with the criteria of the most recently adopted city Transportation System Plan and public works design standards.
(Prior Code, § 16.150.025) (Ord. 427, passed 5-16-2016; Ord. 470, passed 8-17-2020)
§ 155.656 CLEAR VISION AREAS.
(A) For the purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply regarding streets and alley ways.
PRIVATE ALLEY. A narrow vehicular service access, generally 20-feet in width, to the back or side of properties that is privately owned and maintained, either by an association such as an HOA, or by a specific individual, and/or is not open to all members of the public.
PRIVATE STREET. A street that provides for private or individual use for the purpose of vehicular and pedestrian traffic and the placement of utilities that is owned and maintained by a private entity, either by an association such as an HOA, or by a specific individual, and/or is not open to all members of the public.
PUBLIC ALLEY. A narrow vehicular service access, generally 20-feet in width, to the back or side of properties that is publicly owned and maintained and is open as of right to the public.
PUBLIC STREET. The entire width between the boundary lines of every way of travel which provides for public use for the purpose of vehicular and pedestrian traffic and the placement of utilities and including the terms “road”, “highway”, “place”, “avenue” and other similar designations.
(B) Except in the C-1 Zone, a clear vision area shall be maintained on the corners of all property immediately adjacent to the intersection of the following:
(1) All public streets and public alleys intersecting with another public street or public alley.
(2) All public streets and public alleys intersecting with a private street or private alley.
(3) All public streets intersecting with a railroad.
(4) All driveways providing vehicular access to a public street or public alley, intersecting with such public street or public alley.
(C) Lots or parcels that are immediately adjacent to any of the intersections described above shall maintain a sight triangle with no sight obstruction between three feet and ten feet in height as measured from street grade. Sight obstructions include, but are not limited to, fences, vegetation, berms, signs and structures. The sight triangle shall be measured from the corner of the street, alley, driveway, or railroad in question (apex), to a distance of 20 feet along each side of the applicable intersecting way described above. (See Figure 1.) The city may require additional vision clearance based on a hazard identified by the city. However, tree trunks and sign poles not exceeding 12 inches in diameter may be located within the vision clearance area; provided, the diameter does not exceed 24 inches.
(D) For clarity’s sake, the following intersections are exempt from the city’s clear vision standard requirements of this section, and any HOA or other associated private entity shall bear full responsibility in connection with the same:
(1) All private streets and private alleys intersecting with another private street or private alley.
(2) All driveways providing vehicular access to a private street or private alley, intersecting with such private street or private alley.
(Prior Code, § 16.160.000) (Ord. 491, passed 10-2-2023)
§ 155.657 STREET VACATIONS AND DEDICATIONS.
(A) Description. The public right-of-way described in the deed of dedication and shown on the accompanying map (attached to the ordinance codified herein as “Exhibit A”) is a public street in the city and that the same be and hereby is vacated under the terms and provision of ORS Ch. 271.
(Prior Code, § 16.165.000)
(B) Filing. The city is hereby instructed to file a certified copy of this chapter with the County Clerk and the County Surveyor or the county under the terms and provisions of ORS Ch. 271.
(Prior Code, § 16.165.005)
(C) Community safety. It is necessary and desirable for the peace, health and safety of the citizens of the city for the purpose of providing suitable and appropriate protection of property owners, that this subchapter shall be effective immediately upon passage by the Council and approved by the Mayor, and an emergency is declared to exist.
(Prior Code, § 16.165.010)