§ 21.24.090. Pedestrian circulation requirements.

A.

It shall be the responsibility of the property owner/developer to ensure the provision of a safe and convenient pedestrian circulation linkage system as described in this section and consistent with the designation identified on Table 21T-10.

B.

The pedestrian linkage system is a network including the major pedestrian corridor, landscaped walkways and perimeter sidewalks. It is established to provide safe pedestrian routes; enhance the appearance of buildings and their settings; provide a unified design element to offset varying architectural styles; and to soften the appearance of parking lots and service storage areas.

C.

The various components of the linkage system shall be provided as property is developed or redeveloped by the property owner/developer as noted on Table 21T-10.

D.

The dimensions of the pedestrian linkage system are as shown in Table 21T-23. The dimensions of the pedestrian linkage system shall include the necessary improved pedestrian walkway, pedestrian amenities (where specified), planter strip landscaping and perimeter landscaping. Where a zero foot front yard setback is utilized, half the perimeter landscaping shall be added to the planter strip.

E.

When zero foot setbacks are utilized, landscaping requirements for planter strips may require sidewalks to be located outside of the normal right-of-way. In such cases, an unrestricted easement across sidewalks shall be granted to the county.

F.

To maximize a pedestrian-friendly environment by providing an adequate separation between pedestrians and automobile traffic, development of a planter strip with street trees and grass between the curb and sidewalk shall be a primary goal and shall be required unless specifically stated otherwise below.

G.

In cases where a sidewalk exists adjacent to the curb, the sidewalk must be moved back to accommodate a new planter strip, provided that improvements to the property necessitating site plan review and requiring conformance with this title exceed twenty-five percent of the fair market value of existing improvements at the site and the site has one hundred feet or more of lineal feet of frontage. In cases where only minor improvements to a project site are requested that do not exceed twenty-five percent of the fair market value of existing improvements at the site or the site has less than one hundred feet of frontage, the requirement for moving the sidewalk shall not be mandatory; provided, however, that in consideration of the twenty-five percent threshold all improvements at the site since the effective date of this provision shall be included in calculating the total value. The twenty-five percent value shall be determined using the valuation tables of the Uniform Building Code for proposed improvements and assessor's office values for current structures.

H.

Where adjacent properties do not have a planter strip and the sidewalk abuts the street, the new sidewalk shall be meandered to interconnect with the existing sidewalk and will provide the required planter strip for the project's street frontage.

I.

In cases where provision of a planter strip would necessitate removal or moving of a building, provision of a planter strip shall not be required unless the site is to be redeveloped and the building removed and reconstructed as part of the proposal.

J.

In cases where parking must be removed to provide the planter strip and landscaping, this shall be required, provided it leaves the site with at least seventy-five percent of the number of parking stalls required by the Lacey UGA zoning code or parking can be obtained on an adjacent site.

K.

In cases where a minimum six and one-half foot planter strip area cannot be provided because of limitations discussed above, options for different dimensions of the planter area discussed below under subsection S, street tree planting requirements, may be used if approved by the department. Minimum planter strip requirements may not be reduced when a zero foot front setback is proposed. Where the zero foot front yard setback is proposed, the front of the building shall have a main pedestrian entrance.

L.

Where a linkage system exists or is required outside of a public right-of-way, an easement to the county shall be required to provide continuity of public access to adjoining properties.

M.

A structure may extend into or over a required linkage system or walkway only when:

1.

The encroachment is integrated into the linkage system by providing a covered walkway, arcade, marquee, etc. or it otherwise complements pedestrian activities; and

2.

The required width of the linkage system is maintained or when compensation is provided at another location.

N.

Where a linkage system adjoins a public street, the system's width shall be measured from the edge of the existing or proposed curb.

O.

Construction standards for the major pedestrian corridor, walkways, sidewalks and landscaping shall be as specified by the county engineer or as otherwise provided for in this chapter. In no case shall the width be less than the standards under Section 21.24.090D.

P.

A pedestrian-oriented facility may utilize a zero foot front yard setback if it meets all of the following criteria:

1.

Use is pedestrian-oriented as determined by the director or his designee;

2.

Facade has pedestrian-friendly features, such as awnings, main entrances, and pedestrian scale;

3.

Pedestrian entrance is direct to building with no parking or vehicle access lane between sidewalk and the main pedestrian entrance to the building;

4.

A planter strip is provided between the street and the sidewalk which meets requirements of Section 21.24.090D.

Q.

Walkways, perimeter sidewalks and landscaping shall be maintained by the property owner, unless a special assessment district is duly established for the specific purpose of maintaining a portion of or all such pedestrian linkage and landscaping improvements. The county shall maintain the intersections of all public streets adjoining any portion of the pedestrian linkage system.

R.

A plot plan of all proposed pedestrian linkage improvements identifying all dimensions and pedestrian features shall be submitted along with the site plan for review to the county.

S.

The property owner shall install street trees, in addition to any other landscaping requirements, for his or her section of Type I, II and III pedestrian linkages as follows:

Where an eight and one-half foot planter strip is to be provided in a Type I pedestrian corridor street trees must be planted four and one-half feet back from curb edge located between the street improvement and the walkway or other segment of the pedestrian linkage system. Where a six and one-half foot planter strip is to be provided in a Type II or III pedestrian corridor, street trees must be planted four feet back from the curb edge between the street and walkway. Trees may be protected by a decorative metal grate or some other protective device. Street trees at least two inches in caliper measured six inches above existing grade must be planted not more than thirty-five feet on center. A street tree planting area may also include decorative paving, other plant materials and street furniture as required. Street trees must be planted as specified in Section 21.24.090V.

T.

Outdoor exhibits, displays, sales, service of food or drinks, or other activities may be conducted in pedestrian open space and linkage systems, including plazas, whether or not such facilities or activities are customarily accessory to the adjacent principal use; provided, free pedestrian movement through the area without unreasonable interruption by such facilities or activities is available and provided said activities comply with the county's regulations for street merchants. Areas, activities and facilities so approved may be used for regular, intermittent, or temporary special events without further permitting under these zoning regulations, but shall not be exempted hereby from requirements for other permits.

U.

Bonus floor area associated with the pedestrian linkage system (for Type I and IV linkages) shall be awarded to an owner/developer in conjunction with an application for a permit to construct a structure and his or her section of the pedestrian linkage system. Refer to Table 21T-09 for specific allowable FAR bonuses.

V.

The volume of exploitable soil in the pit of an urban street tree planting spot is critical to the long-term survival and health of the tree. Due to increased bulk density and difficulty for roots to penetrate the interface between the planting media placed in the pit and the surrounding subsurface soils, many tree's roots do not effectively utilize growing space beyond the pit. Therefore, total pit volume and exposed surface area are the two most important elements of pit design. In consideration of these points, the following pit design is required for street trees:

1.

Minimum surface area shall be six-foot by six-foot with a depth excavated to at least four feet and replaced with appropriate soil media. Variations in the shape of the surface opening are acceptable, however the total pit volume achieved by the six-foot by six-foot by four-foot pit design (one hundred forty-four cubic feet) shall not be compromised; see Tables 21T-24 and 21T-25.

2.

A six inch layer of gravel shall be placed in the bottom of the pit for drainage and a layer of fabric placed over the top of the gravel. The pit should then be filled with planting media and the media firmed before setting the balled and burlapped tree. A four-inch diameter perforated PVC percolator tube shall be placed vertically in the pit to allow deep irrigation penetration. The top of the root ball shall be set just above the surface of the planting media (two to three inches). Barriers shall be installed at an angle near the pit edges by sidewalks to deflect the roots downward to prevent heaving of the concrete. These barriers may be made from sheet metal, tin, fiberglass sheets, or wood.

3.

The top of the pit shall be covered with two inches of pea gravel to prevent soil disturbance while irrigating. A two-inch lip shall be cut in the surrounding concrete to allow placement of metal grates with perforations.

4.

Another option allowed is to place a four-inch bed of sand over the planting media and lay brick pavers that would be at the same level as the sidewalk. This technique also allows for aeration of the tree's root system.

(Ord. 11804 § 112, 1998; Ord. 11274 § 1 (part), 1996)