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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2578 Transportation and Rights-of-Way Improvement StandardsORDINANCE NO. 2578 AN ORDINANCE FOR THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND RELATING TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY AND GENERAL WELFARE, TITLE 12, REPEALING AND RECODIFYING CHAPTERS 12.04 AND 12.10 INTO A NEW CHAFI~R 12.04 ENTITLED, TRANSPORTATION AND RIGHTS'OF-WAY IMPROVEMENT STANDARDS; ADOPTING AND IMPLEMENTING DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR RIGHT-OF-WAY AND TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS, ADOPTING AN ENGINEERING DESIGN STANDARDS MANUAL, AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE; AND AMENDING OTHER CHAPTERS FINDINGS AND RECITALS 1. The City of Port Townsend adopted its Comprehensive Plan in accordance with the Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA) on July 15, 1996, Ordinance No. 2539. Ail findings, recitals and other provisions of Ordinance No. 2539, and all provisions of the Comprehensive Plan are incorporated herein by this reference. 2. The City Council finds that the existing streets standards ordinance contains outdated provisions, and that it is necessary to replace chapter 12.04 in its entirety with a new title that implements the Comprehensive Plan and updates and clarifies city policy with regard to transportation system improvements. 3. In Eldridge, et al. vs. City of Port Townsend, WWGMHB No. 96-0029, Final Decision and Order (February 5, 1997), petitioners appealed the City's Comprehensive Plan to the Western Washington Growth Management Hearings Board, alleging that the City's Plan failed to comply with the GMA. However, after a full hearing on the merits, the Hearings Board held that the City's Comprehensive Plan far exceeds mandatory GMA requirements; involved exemplary public process; provides significant benefit for the Port Townsend community; provides a thorough and complete capital facilities analysis tied to land use planning which ensures the adequacy of capital facilities to serve growth and to promote Port Townsend's future economic development; and serves "as a model" for other cities. The Hearings Board held that the City has "complied with the GMA in all respects challenged by the petitioner.' With this Ordinance, the City Council implements the City's Comprehensive Plan through the adoption of infrastructure improvement requirements which are fully consistent with the GMA and the Comprehensive Plan. 4. The Port Townsend Comprehensive Plan contains goals, policies, implementing strategies and a land use map intended to establish the character, quality and pattern of the future physical development of Port Townsend. The provisions of this title are necessary to implement the following goals and policies of the Comprehensive Plan: (1) to allow relatively narrow local access streets so as to meet the goals of preserving the small town character of Port Townsend, . lowering construction and maintenance costs and reducing impervious surfaces, while at the same time assuring that local access streets are safe and have adequate pedestrian and bicycle facilities; (2) to adopt standards for local access streets that strike a balance between initial expense and long-term operations and maintenance costs; (3) to promote nonmotorized travel and create an integrated network of bicycle and pedestrian pathways that provide incentives to walk or bicycle across town; and (4) to implement the policies for arterial, major collector and S.R. 20 needs for nonmotorized system needs, and for unimproved rights-of-way and transportation demand management. 5. The Comprehensive Plan Capital Facilities and Utilities Element sets forth the following tiering strategy and policies: Goal 2: To phase the timing and provision of capital improvements in a manner that promotes orderly growth and development and the efficient use of City resources. Policy 2.1: Ensure that the growth and development patterns established in the Land Use Element minimize facility demands for transportation, water treatment and distribution, wastewater treatment, surface water management, and police and fire protection. Policy 2.2: Make efficient and cost-effective use of existing public facilities, including such techniques as: conservation; demand management and improved scheduling; shared use of public facilities; and the use of alternative technologies. Policy 2.3: Expand public facilities, or construct new public facilities, only when necessary to achieve efficient service delivery or attain identified levels of service. Policy 2.4: Identify and designate urban growth tiers which are consistent with and support the growth and development patterns established in the Land Use Element. 2.4.1 Designate areas that are currently characterized by urban development and densities which are provided with the full range of public facilities and utilities, as "Tier 1" areas. 2.4.2 Designate areas currently provided with limited public infrastructure which are designated for commercial, manufacturing, or higher density residential development, as "Tier 2" areas. (Note: This would include the unincorporated portions of the final urban growth area (FUGA) if designated). 2.4.3 Designate all remaining areas as "Tier 3." ii Policy 2.5: Within the framework of the annual Capital Improvement Program (CIP) process, prioritize the provision of capital facilities, services and utilities. 2.5.1 Highest priority should be given to ensuring the continued operation and maintenance of urban capital facilities, services and utilities regardless of their location. 2.5.2 Second priority should be given to expanding capital facilities, services and utilities within Tier 1 areas. 2.5.3 Third priority should be given to expanding capital facilities, services, and utilities within Tier 2 areas, within the 20 year planning horizon. 2.5.4 Lowest priority should be given to expanding capital facilities, services, and utilities within Tier 3 areas. Policy 2.6 Consistent with policy 2.5 above, the City should not provide capital facilities, services and utilities in unserved areas unless clearly specified within the annual CIP. However, developers and home builders may, at their own expense, provide facilities, services and utilities for new development in presently unserved areas, based on adopted level of service standards. 6. The Growth Management Act states as follows with regard to phasing/tiering of growth and infrastructure: RCW 36.70A.110(3): "Urban growth should be located first in areas already characterized by urban growth that have adequate existing public facility and service capacities to serve such development, second in areas already characterized by urban growth that will be served adequately by a combination of both existing public facilities and services and any additional needed public facilities and services that are provided by either public or private sources, and third in the remaining portions of the urban growth areas." 7. While the provision cited in Finding 6 is applicable to Counties designating UGAs, the City and the County based the Countywide Planning Policies (CWPP) regarding phasing upon this provision. The City's Comprehensive Plan is designed to implement this policy. 8. CWPP 1.5 requires that "land use plans, regulations and capital facility plans within each UGA will be designed to accommodate the projected population." Further, growth is to be directed into "two tiers." The first tier is to accommodate "existing commercial centers and urbanized areas where the six (6) year capital facilities plan is prepared to provide urban infrastructure." The second tier is to accommodate "areas included within a capital facilities plan iii to receive the full range of urban services within twenty (20) years." Infrastructure improvements necessary to support development in the second tier Sd//be provided by the developer concurrent with development, or by public entities as a result of implementing ail or a portion of the Capital Facilities Plan." [Emphasis added.] 9. In EMridge, et al. vs. Port Townsend, supra, the Hearings Board stated: " . [The City adopted a three-tier approach for maximizing efficient use of existing infrastructure and providing for future infrastructure. Tier I is located where existing infrastructure is adequate to sustain current population growth and development patterns. Tier II is located where adequate infrastructure can be expanded in the near term by either public or private funding. Tier llI is located on the outer reaches of the City and is not scheduled for development until much later when public funding may be available or unless a developer fully funds all infrastructure costs. This tiering method not only complies with the Act but goes well beyond compliance to achieve one of the fundamental purposes of the Act; to maximize efficient use of tax dollars." (Order, Page 6.) 10. In addition to implementing the Comprehensive Plan, it is the further intent of the Council to revise Title 12 PTMC so as to make provisions for mitigating the direct impacts of development on existing utility services, streets, alleys, easements and rights-of-way in the City of Port Townsend. The City Council finds that new developments have the potentiai for impacting traffic and utility services in such a way as to create serious health, safety and welfare problems, and that the owners of new developments should be responsible for the improvements of streets and utilities reasonably necessary to mitigate the direct impacts of such development. 11. The City Council finds that it is desirable to remove the majority of the prescriptive and performance standards from the code itself and put them in an Engineering Design Standards Manuai, so as to make development requirements more uniform, consistent and predictable for the development community, and to aid city staff in implementing improvement requirements and anaiyzing project infrastructure impacts. 12. Title 12, therefore, adopts and requires conformance with the Public Works Department's Engineering Design Standards Manuai. Fundamentally, the Engineering Design Standards Manual will create uniform and predictable design standards, specifications, requirements and procedures to ensure that necessary public and private facilities and infrastructure are installed to protect the public from inadequate and/or unsafe transportation, water system, wastewater and stormwater improvements. 13. If public and private facilities and improvements are not constructed in conformance with adopted engineering design standards, as approved by the City, there is a substantial risk that the improvements may impose significant health and safety risks upon the public. Further, inadequate public facilities and improvements can be difficult and costly for the public to repair and maintain. 14. All engineering design standards for public and private facilities and infrastructure were deliberately omitted from Titles 17 and 18 PTMC, relying upon the separately adopted and codified engineering design standards in this Title 12, Title 13, and the Engineering Design Standards Manual. 15. The Land Division Ordinance, Chapter 18.24 PTMC, adopted and incorporated by reference all requirements of the City's engineering design standards, including Tires 12 and 13 PTMC and the Public Works Department's Engineering Design Standards Manual, requiring that all applications subject to the Ordinance comply with clear, predictable engineering design standards which balance the initial capital costs of improvements with long term operation and maintenance costs. 16. With regard to right-of-way transportation system improvements and platted property, the historic platting of properties in Port Townsend was undertaken prior to the enactment of modern local, state and federal land use and environmental controls which have been enacted for the protection of the public health, safety and welfare, and for the protection of the natural and built environment. The historic platting of properties in Port Townsend was undertaken almost exclusively under the territorial platting statute, primarily for the purpose of land division and conveyance. 17. By allowing the construction and development on historic platted properties without compliance with land use and environmental controls (particularly Chapter 58.17 RCW), the City would encourage and facilitate haphazard, unplanned development which would not adequately construct necessary public facilities to serve the health and safety needs of purchasers of platted lots and other members of the community, imposing financial burdens on the City's taxpayers and utility ratepayers to fund infrastructure which, under Washington law, should be installed by subdivision applicants and developers prior to obtaining final plat approval, and prior to the conveyance of lots. 18. For the most part, the historic platting of properties in Port Townsend was not subjected to regulatory review, and was not conducted in compliance with mandatory regulatory requirements, including but not limited to the State Subdivision Act, Chapter 58.17 RCW, the Growth Management Act, Chapter 36.70A RCW, the Shoreline Management Act, Chapter 90.58 RCW, and the State Environmental Policy Act, Chapter 43.21C RCW, as well as local plans and ordinances adopted to implement Washington regulatory requirements. In adopting the Land Division Ordinance, the Council found that as a matter of law and public policy, there is no rational basis to discriminate in favor of owners of historically platted lots by exempting such properties from regulatory standards applicable to unplatted properties posing similar impacts upon public services, facilities, infrastructure and the environment. The Council further found that V historically platted lots are not exempt from, and shall be subject to local, state and federal land use regulations and controls. 19. The construction upon, and the development of lots which are rendered "nonconforming" by the enactment of minimum lot size and density standards contained within Title 17 PTMC, and are inconsistent with the Land Division Ordinance, Title 18, PTMC, Chapter 43.21C RCW (SEPA), Chapter 58.17 RCW (Subdivision Act), Chapter 36.70A RCW (GMA), and the 1996 Port Townsend Comprehensive Plan undermines the important public purposes of Washington law and the Port Townsend zoning code, including but not limited to the installation of necessary public facilities, and the protection of public safety and environmental quality, and is contrary to the public interest as set forth in the Port Townsend Comprehensive Plan. 20. The Land Division Ordinance, Chapter 18.18, sets a threshold for administrative, "Type I" review for nine or fewer platted lots of record, through the use of checklists, allowing owners of lots of record the oppommity to obtain regulatory review of development plans for lots of record at the time they seek building permits, with minimal regulatory burdens. However, in adopting Title 18, the Council found that the City has the authority to require the redivision of properties in compliance with Chapter 58.17 RCW where the layout, design and feasibility of infrastructure provision for platted lots fail to meet the mandatory requirements of State, federal and local land use and environmental laws. For applications involving more than nine lots of record, the Council found that the development will impose impacts upon neighborhoods and the City as a whole, including but not limited to the efficient provision of infrastructure, requiring public notice and heatings available through full "Type III" subdivision review, as further set forth in Title 18. 21. By enabling administrative "Type I' review through the City's authority under Chapter 58.17 RCW for up to the maximum number of lots allowed under Washington law, RCW 58.17.020(6), applications for recognition of lots of record will be processed expeditiously under predictable, clear regulatory standards, serving the important public purpose of treating all properties in the City uniformly under land use and environmental laws, as further set forth in Title 18. 22. In addition to implementing the Comprehensive Plan tiering strategy, subdivision law and nexus requirements, this new Title 12 is necessary to update and revise code provisions related to processing street development applications, payment of fees and other procedural requirements. 23. To avoid confusion with the pre-application conference requirements of Chapter 20.01 PTMC, the City Council desires to change the former public works "pre-application" review to a public works "technical conference," to include a meeting between the developer and public works staff and written review, valid for a period of one year provided that no substantial changes are made to the proposed project, with a credit given in Tier 1 towards the street and utility development permit application fee, consistent with the City's adopted tiering strategy. vi NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Port Townsend ordains as follows: SECTION 1. Chapter 12.04, Street Construction and Repair, is hereby repealed and recodifled as a new Chapter 12.04, entitled, Transportation and Rights-of-Way Improvement Standards, to read as follows: CHAFFER 12.04 TRANSPORTATION AND RIGHTS-OF-WAY IMPROVEMENT STANDARDS Sections: Article I. 12.04.010 12.04.020 12.04.030 12.04.040 12.04.050 12.04.060 General Provisions Intent - Findings. Purpose - Authority. Definitions. Engineering design standards manual adopted -Purpose/administration. Gateway plan incorporated by reference. Tiering - Expenditure of public funds. Article II. 12.04.070 12.04.080 12.04.090 12.04.100 12.04.110 12.04.120 Permit Processing and Admlni~ration Street Development Permit required - Revocation - Expiration. Applicant submittal and contents - Permit issuance. Preparation of plans and specifications - Surveys and engineering. Inspection - Fees - Deposit required. Construction and maintenance bonds. Acceptance of improvements. Article m. Improvement Requirements 12.04.130 General right-of-way improvement and construction requirements. 12.04.140 Implementation of general requirements. 12.04.150 Cutting significant trees and vegetation. 12.04.160 Waiver/modification of the required rights-of-way and transportation improvement standards. 12.04.170 Variances. Article IV - Liability, Violations and Appeals 12.04.180 Property damage responsibility. 12.04.190 12.04.200 12.04.210 12.04.220 Liability of city Interpretations. Violations, enforcement and penalties. Appeals. 24. In order to increase consistency and uniformity in the administration of street and utility development permits, the City Council desires to make the permit valid for a period of one year or as long as there is a valid building permit. 25. The City Council desires to adopt a uniform appeals procedures, making specified decisions of the public works director appealable to a hearings examiner pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 1.14 PTMC, as amended. 26. The City Council desires to require surveying for all development where necessary to determine the limits of the right-of-way for street development and in order to ensure that constructed streets are properly located. 27. Since Tier 1, by definition, includes areas that are currently characterized by urban development which are provided with the full range of public facilities and utilities, engineering is less complicated and an existing street system is close to the development, thereby justifying city-engineering of new or upgraded streets. 28. The City Council therefore desires to set a fee for city-engineered utility and street design drawings at a significantly reduced level in Tier 1 to reflect the City absorbing a share of engineering design costs in Tier 1 based on the Comprehensive Plan tiering strategy and direction to promote "infill' development. 29. The City Council recognizes that waivers or modifications from the standards or requirements of the Engineering Design Standards Manual may be necessary or appropriate under certain situations. In order to make implementation of waivers/modifications fair and predictable, the City Council desires to set criteria to be followed by the public works director, and to establish a procedure whereby such waivers or modifications may be granted on a case by case basis. The City Council further desires that where such waivers or modifications are granted, or for any projects with reduced improvement requirements, the property owner shall be required to sign a no-protest to future formation of a Local Improvement District or Road Improvement District, as authorized by RCW Chapter 35.43. 30. Review of this ordinance has been conducted in accordance with Chapter 43.21C RCW, the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA); and 31. The City Council's Utilities Committee and the Transportation Committee held numerous public meetings on Titles 12 and 13 and the Engineering Design Standards Manual, and the City Council held a public meeting on Titles 12 and 13 and the Engineering Design Standards Manual on April 15, 1997, to receive public comment on the same. The City Council adopts the findings and recitals contained within this ordinance in response to presentations and testimony presented, and all deliberations occurring at the Utilities and Transportation Committees' meetings and the City Council public hearing. vii Article I- General Provisions 12.04.010 Intent - Findings. A. In accordance with the Growth Management Act (GMA) (Chapter 36.70A RCW), the Port Townsend comprehensive plan seeks to ensure that appropriate public services and facilities, including transportation facilities, are provided concurrently with development. It is hereby found that the provisions of this Title 12 are necessary to implement the Port Townsend comprehensive plan. B. It is further found that the Port Townsend comprehensive plan sets forth the following policy direction and that the provisions of this title are necessary to implement the goals and policies of the comprehensive plan: (1) allow relatively narrow local access streets so as to meet the goals of preserving the small town character of Port Townsend, lowering construction and maintenance costs and reducing impervious surfaces, while at the same time assuring that local access streets are safe and have adequate pedestrian and bicycle facilities; (2) adopt standards for local access streets that strike a balance between initial expense and long-term operations and maintenance costs; and (3) promote nonmotorized travel and create an integrated network of bicycle and pedestrian pathways that provide incentives to walk or bicycle across town. C. It is further found that the acquisition, construction, and improvement of streets and other transportation facilities to serve new developments in the city of Port Townsend imposes a major burden upon city taxpayers; that as an urban growth area, the city expects to experience an increasing intensity of land use and population growth which creates an increased demand for city transportation system services; that existing and projected city funds are inadequate to meet future projected transportation needs; that a failure to ensure that adequate transportation system improvements are made as traffic and street usage increases will cause safety problems, impede commerce and interfere with the comfort and repose of the public; and that alternative methods of travel, including a nonmotorized transportation network, provision for public transit, transportation demand management and other similar improvements are necessary to reduce the demands on and the costs of maintaining the street network. D. It is further found that the city has the authority under existing law to condition development and require right-of-way and transportation system improvements where reasonably necessary to mitigate the direct impacts of a proposed development or use, and that it is appropriate and desirable to set out standards for development in this title and in an adopted engineering design standards manual. E. It is further found that it may not be in the best interest of the public to improve all currently platted streets. Therefore, certain rights-of-way may be designated by the city for bicycle- and pedestrian-only connections, public access to vistas and shorelines, stormwater facilities, traffic calming, utility easements, and other uses; provided, however, that this policy shall not be construed as preventing the opening of rights-of-way so as to deprive property owners of reasonable access to their property. F. It is further found and declared that the regulations contained in this fire are necessary to ensure that public health, safety and welfare will be preserved by having an adequate 2 transportation system serving new and existing development by requiring that all development mitigate transportation impacts, which may include constructing improvements, that have been identified as a consequence of a proposed development or use; to provide for the equitable sharing of private improvement costs; to promote the orderly and economic development of the city-maintained transportation network, and to otherwise protect the public health, safety and welfare. 12.tM.020 Purpose - Authority. The purpose of this title is to establish: A. The authority of the city to require any person (1) applying for a building permit or other development permit required under Titles 16, 17 or 18 PTMC, (2) seeking to temporarily use a public fight-of-way for vehicle access, (3) seeking to open, develop or improve any fight-of-way or easement for bicycle or vehicular traffic, or (4) proposing other transportation-related improvements within the fight-of-way, to apply for and receive a street development utility permit as a prerequisite to development, to comply with the terms and conditions of such permit, and to conform to the requirements of the engineering design standards manual; B. Predictable, clear, uniform and consistent procedures and permitting requirements that apply to all developments for the provision of safe and adequate access; C. Critefia which will be used to determine the nature, extent and location of required right-of-way and transportation system improvements; D. A procedure for the public works director to grant, on a case-by-case basis, a waiver or modification of, or variance from, the requirements of this chapter. This authority is based on a recognition that variances from the required standards may be necessary or appropriate in certain cases, and that where a proposed deviation from certain engineering design standards is minor or appropriate, it is desirable to give the public works director the discretion to waive or modify technical compliance with such standards; and E. The authority of the public works director to impose conditions upon development to mitigate the problems caused by a particular development or use. The basis for this authority comes from the following statutes: Article XI, § 11 of the State Constitution; Title 18 PTMC and Chapter 58.17 RCW (Subdivisions), Chapter 19.04 and 43.21C RCW (SEPA), Chapter 19.05 (F_SA ordinance), RCW 35A.63.100 and RCW 35A.47.020, the Uniform Fire Code (adopted in Title 16 PTMC), and all other applicable federal, state, and local laws. Mitigation measures made a condition of development under the authority of this chapter are not intended to be, and shall not be construed as, transportation impact fees under RCW § 82.02.020. 12.04.030 Del'tuitions. A. General. The words used in this title shall have the meaning given in this section. This section on definitions is supplemented by the engineering design standards manual. The definition of any words or phrases not listed in this section or the engineering design standards manual which is in question when administering this title shall be defined from one of the following sources, which shall be used by finding the desired definition from source number one; if not available there, then source number two may be used, and so on. The sources are as follows: 1. Any city of Port Townsend resolution, ordinance, code, regulation or formally adopted comprehensive plan, shoreline master plan or program or other formally adopted land use plan; 2. Any statute or regulation of the state of Washington; 3. Legal definitions from Washington common law or a law dictionary; 4. The common dictionary. B. Specific Definitions. "Abutting property" includes all property that fronts upon the margin of any street, right-of-way, alley or other public place. "ADA" means the Americans with Disabilities Act, P.L. 101-336, 42 U.S.C. § 12101, et seq. "Adjacent to" for the purposes of chapter 12.26, generally means abutting, but in limited circumstances (such as in the case of arterials or collector streets) may include lots which are situated nearby, or close to, the improvements. "Alley" means a public thoroughfare or way having a width of not more than 20 feet which normally affords only a secondary means of access to properties. "Approved street" means a public right-of-way accepted and approved, in writing, by the public works director to be fully developed to city street standards or any permitted variation. "BCD director" means the director of the building and community development department, or his or her designee. "Benefit arm" means that area which includes parcels of real estate adjacent to the improvements that would require similar street improvements as a condition of development. "Bikeway" means any road, path, or way which in some manner is specifically designated as being open to bicycle travel, regardless of whether such facilities are designated for the exclusive use of bicycles or are to be shared with other transportation modes. Specific types of bikeways are defined in the engineering design standards manual. "Bicycle lane" means a clearly marked lane of travel for bicycles on the side of a street or roadway, separated from the automobile lanes by painted strips, curbs or buttons. "Bicycle path" means a bicycle pathway that is physically separated from the roadway. "City block" means one city block of approximately 260 feet or less. "City street standards" means those standards for right-of-way and transportation system construction and improvement set forth in this chapter and in the city of Port Townsend "Engineering Design Standards Manual," adopted by reference in Section 12.04.040 below, together with any other requirements for streets provided by other ordinances of the city. "Cost of construction" for the purposes of Chapter 12.26, means the cost for design, engineering, permitting, surveying, inspection, labor, materials and installation necessary to 4 construct or improve a street project which complies with city standards. If there is a disagreement between the city and the developer about the "cost of construction" in a particular situation, the determination of the public works director shall be final. "Cul-de-sac" means a short street having one end open to traffic and being terminated at the other end by a vehicular turnaround. "Dedication" means conveyance of land to the city for street purposes by deed or some other instrument of conveyance or by dedication on a duly filed and recorded plat or short plat. "Developer"means any person, including his/her authorized representative, proposing to engage or engaging in the development of a parcel. "Development" means (1) construction of a new dwelling unit, mixed use center, commercial or manufacturing establishment, or other new structure on a vacant lot or parcel; or (2) a redevelopment or change in the intensity of the use of an existing structure that creates an appreciable impact on existing infrastructure. "Developer reimbursement charge" for the purposes of Chapter 12.26, means a reimbursement share to be paid by an owner of property who did not contribute to the original cost of improvements covered by a latecomer agreement, based on the benefit to the property from the street project. The term "developer reimbursement charge" may be used interchangeably with the terms "street latecomer charge" or "street latecomer fee." "Director" means the public works director for the public works department of the city of Port Townsend, or his/her designee, and shall include without limitation, the city engineer and the city development review engineer. "Engineering design standards" shall mean the design and construction standards for all right-of-way and transportation system improvements contained in this Title 12, Title 13 and the engineering design standards manual. "Hammerhead turnaround" means an area at the end of a street that is designed to provide a fire apparatus turnaround area. "Improvement method report" shall have the same meaning as defined in PTMC 18.12.090. "Level-of-service" ("LOS") standards are qualitative measures describing both the operational conditions within a traffic stream and the perception of these conditions by motorists and/or passengers, as further described in the city arterial street plan. Each level of service describes these conditions in objective terms, such as speed, travel time, or vehicle density (i.e., the number of vehicles per mile). The conditions are also qualitatively described in terms of a driver's ability to change lanes, to safely make tums at intersections, and to choose his/her own travel speed. Level of service may also include a qualitative rating of how well other units of transportation, such as sidewalks, bikeways, walkways or transit routes meet current or projected demand. "Lot frontage" means the boundary of a lot which is along an existing or dedicated public street, or where no public street exists, along a private road, easement or access way. On an interior lot, it is the lot line abutting a street; or, on a pipestem (flag) lot, it is the interior lot line most parallel to and nearest the street from which access is obtained. On a comer lot the lot frontage shall be proposed by the property owner, subject to review and approval by the public works director. "Lot, pipestem" is synonymous with "flag lot" and means a lot not meeting minimum frontage requirements and where access to the public road is by a narrow private right-of-way or driveway. "Maintenance" or "maintain," for the purposes of Chapter 12.12, means the removal and disposal of debris, litter, and vegetation, snow, ice, and mud which tends to impair use of the right-of-way for public purposes. "Maintenance agreement" means a duly authorized agreement that requires private maintenance of a street. "Nonmotorized' means bicycle, pedestrian or other form of travel not associated with a motor vehicle. "Opened street" means a public right-of-way opened for use by motor vehicles which may or may not be fully developed to street standards. Opened streets may or may not be accepted or maintained by the city. "Pathway" means a developed or undeveloped route separated from or adjacent to the street for pedestrian, bicycle and/or other nonmotorized travel. "Pedestrian" has its ordinary meaning and shall include motorized and nonmotorized wheelchairs. "Person" means any person, fu'm, partnership, association, corporation, organization, or entity of any kind. "Property owner" for the purposes of Chapter 12.26, means the record owner, based on the records of the Jefferson County assessor, on the day the street latecomer agreement is signed by the parties. URight-of-way' means property acquired by or dedicated to the city and available for use in pedestrian, vehicular or other transportation modes. Right-of-way may or may not be accessible for public use, and may or may not contain an opened street. "Right-of-way improvements" means the installation of all public facilities required to improve the streets to city street standards, including grading, pavement, utilities, curb and gutter, walkways, pathways, sidewalks, bicycle paths and lanes, storm drainage, street lights, traffic signals, signs and other traffic control devices, landscaping, cul-de-sacs/hammerheads, street widening, on-street parking, driveways, bikeways, and other necessary appurtenances. 1. UImprovement,' for the purposes of Chapter 12.12, means all work to construct, reconstruct, and repair sidewalks, gutters and curbs along, and driveways across, sidewalks. 2. "Street improvements" subject to reimbursement under Chapter 12.26 PTMC, may include the design, inspection, surveying, acquisition of right-of-way and/or easements, grading, construction, paving, installation of curbs, streets, gutters, storm drainage, sidewalks or bike lanes incorporated as part of the street improvements, street lighting, signs, planting strips, traffic controls, and other similar improvements as required by the street standards of the city. The term "street improvements" is used interchangeably with the term "street projects" in Chapter 12.26. "Sidewalk" means any and all pedestrian structures or forms of improvements for pedestrians included in the space between the street and the margin, as defined by a curb or the edge of traveled road surface and the line where the public right-of-way meets the abutting property. 6 "Significant trees and vegetation" means all trees and vegetation, unless otherwise exempted, situated within opened or unopened public rights-of-way, as follows: (1) trees with a diameter of 12 inches or greater measured 4 feet from the ground; (2) trees with a diameter of 6 inches or greater measured 4 feet from the ground and identified in the engineering design standards manual as special, landmark or unique species; or (3) any shrubs or other vegetation identified in the engineering design standards manual as landmark or unique species. "Street" is intended to be broadly defined, and includes any street, highway, easement, avenue, alley or other public right-of-way or public grounds intended for travel, parking or access for vehicles, bicycles or equestrians or any other legitimate street purpose, whether opened or unopened, platted and partially improved or open but not improved to the level required by the city. Specific street classifications are defined in the engineering design standards manual and are generally to be considered as follows: 1. "Local access street" means a public right-of-way used primarily to provide access to abutting residential properties, and includes any street not designated in the engineering design standards manual as a collector, minor arterial, or principal arterial street. 2. "Collector street" means a street that collects traffic from local streets and connects with minor and major arterials, and includes, but is not limited to, any street designated as a collector street in the engineering design standards manual. 3. "Minor arterial street" means a street with signals at important intersections and stop signs on the side streets and that collects and distributes traffic to and from collector streets, and includes, but is not limited to, any street designated as a minor arterial street in the engineering design standards manual. 4. "Principal arterial street" shall have the same meaning as "major arterial" in the comprehensive plan, and means a street with access control, channelized intersections, restricted parking, and that collects and distributes traffic to and from minor arterials, and includes, but is not limited to, any street designated as a major arterial street in the engineering design standards manual. Direct access to a major arterial is usually restricted to intersecting streets or consolidated commercial or industrial entrances. "Street development permit" means any permit required under the provisions of Titles 12, 13, 17 and 18 PTMC for work in the public right-of-way and is used interchangeably with the terms "street development and utility digging permit" and "street and utility development permit," A street development permit includes a minor activities permit issued under § 12.04.070 of this chapter. "Street latecomer agreement" or "assessment reimbursement contract" means a written agreement, recorded in the Jefferson County auditor's office, between the city, as approved by the city council and executed by the mayor, and one or more developers providing both for construction of street projects and for partial reimbursement to the developer by owner(s) of properties benefitted by the improvements if such owner(s) develop the benefitted property within the 15-year term of the agreement. "Substandard street" means any street that does not meet the city's engineering design standards and is not an approved street under this chapter. 7 "Tiers 1, 2, and 3" refer to the city's infrastructure tiering strategy, which is designed to promote infill and discourage "leap frog" development, as further set forth in the Port Townsend comprehensive plan (see Chapter VII, pages VII-4 to VII-5). A map designating the various tiers in accordance with the comprehensive plan is attached as an exhibit to the engineering design standards manual. "Transportation demand management" ("TDM") refers to policies and public and private programs that manage the demand placed on transportation supply. TDM measures are frequently directed toward increasing the use of transit and car pools. "Transportation system" means the full range of infrastructure provided for all modes of travel, including motorized and nonmotorized travel. "Walkway" includes any sidewalk, trail, pathway or other form of improvement designed and intended for use by pedestrians. "Zoning map" is the official land use map which classifies all land within the city limits of Port Townsend with one of the land uses. 8 12.04.040 Engineering design standards manual adopted - Purpose/admini~ration. A. Standards Adopted. The city engineering design and construction standards and specifications contained in the engineering design standards manual, as it now exists or is later amended, are hereby adopted, incorporated by reference, and made applicable to ail right-of- way and transportation system improvements covered by this title. Provided, however, that where an applicant for a building or street development permit has applied for and received written preapplication review prior to the effective date of this code (April 28, 1997), to the extent there is an inconsistency between the right-of-way improvements identified in the preapplication review and the engineering design standards manual, the requirements of the preapplication review shall apply if: 1. the applicant submits a complete application within 12 months from the date of the written preappiication review; 2. the application is in substantial conformance with the written assurances and requirements provided by the city at the conclusion of the preapplication review; and 3. ail improvements are designed and installed in full conformance with the standards and criteria as provided by the city during or after the preapplication review. B. Capital Facilities Tiering Map. The capital facilities tiering map attached as an exhibit to the engineering design standards manual is hereby adopted. The map is intended to implement the capital facilities tiering strategy pursuant to the capital facilities and utilities element of the Port Townsend comprehensive plan. C Purpose. 1. The purpose of the engineering design standards manual is to establish, in one comprehensive document, prescriptive and performance standards and procedures for infrastructure development. The manual updates and revises existing standards for the construction of right-of-way improvements in order to implement the Port Townsend comprehensive plan and to make the requirements for transportation system development more uniform, clear, consistent and predictable. 2. The public works director is authorized to make minor, technical changes to the engineering design standards manual without further city council approval or adoption, although such minor changes must still be forwarded to city council. Such changes shall be effective upon filing with the city clerk. Significant or substantive changes to the engineering design standards manual require approval by the city council, and are effective upon such approval. Changes to the capital facilities tiering map shall be considered substantive. 3. Copies of the engineering design standards manual and all revisions shall be maintained in the city clerk's office, the BCD department, and the public works department for use and examination by the public, and shall be made available for purchase at city hall. D. To the extent a conflict exists between this title and the engineering design standards manual, the code shall prevail. 12.04.050 Gateway plan incorporated by reference. The Port Townsend Gateway Development plan is incorporated by reference and adopted as a part of this Title 12 as .policy direction for new development, redevelopment, and future 9 improvements along SR 20/Sims Way, and prevailS over any inconsistent standards in the engineering design standards manual. 12.04.060 Tiering - Expenditure of public funds. As set forth in the Port Townsend comprehensive plan, the city has adopted a tiering structure for the phasing or prioritizing of capital improvements in a manner designed to promote orderly growth and development and efficient use of city resources. Accordingly, if the location, nature, and/or timing of a proposed development necessitates the expenditure of public funds in excess of those currently available in the six-year CIP for the necessary right- of-way or transportation system improvements, and provision has not otherwise been made to meet the mitigation of direct traffic impact requirements as provided in this rifle, the city may refuse to approve or grant a permit for development pursuant to the concurrency requirements of the Growth Management Act. As an alternative, the city (1) will consider alternatives to the proposal so that the need for the improvements is lessened; (2) may provide the developer with the option of bearing the full cost of the required improvements; or (3) may consider the development for approval upon alternative arrangements for financing of the necessary improvements, such as no-protest LID covenants or latecomer agreements. 10 Article H. Permit Processing and Admini~ration 12.04.070 Street Development Permit Required -Revocation - Expiration. A. Director Authority. The public works director is designated to administer this title by granting or denying street development permit applications in accordance with its provisions. B. Prerequisite to Development. Construction of the right-of-way and transportation improvements required by this chapter and the engineering design standards manual are prerequisite to, and condition of, further property development. C. Permit Required. No person shall clear, grade, disturb, construct, or make improvements within any right-of-way, or open for vehicular traffic (even temporarily) any city right-of-way, without first obtaining a street development permit from the public works director as provided in this chapter. A permit shall not be required of persons performing minor work in the right-of-way such as landscaping; provided, however, that no such person shall obtain any vested rights. 1. Minor Activities Permit. A short form "street development permit -- minor activities" application may be submitted for right-of-way improvements related to construction of minor improvements (for example, sidewalks, new driveways, culverts, private utilities to a single house) which are associated with opened streets. If the director determines that for environmental, safety or other reasons a minor activities permit is inappropriate, a street development permit shall be required. Specific activities covered by the minor activities permit shall be as defined in the engineering design standards manual. D. Revocation. The permit granted may be revoked by the public works director without prior notice for failure to comply with any provision of the Port Townsend Municipal Code or violation of any condition imposed on the permit. E. Expiration. 1. All street development permits not tied to a building permit shall expire unless the work is completed within 12 months after issuance of the permit unless earlier revoked; provided, however, that a written request for an extension may be made prior to expiration upon a showing to the public works director that justifiable delays or unanticipated events beyond the control of the applicant have or will preclude timely commencement or completion of the work. Any extension shall include a condition that the work will be completed within a reasonable time, not to exceed one year, as specifically set forth in the grant of the extension. Only one extension may be granted under this section. 2. All street development permits tied to a building permit shall remain valid so long as the building permit remains active with the building department, as shown in the building department files. In the event the building permit becomes inactive as further set forth in the Uniform Building Code and Title 16 PTMC, the street development permit shall automatically expire. 3. Notwithstanding subsections 1 and 2 above, the construction of infrastructure improvements required for subdivisions under Title 18 (Subdivisions) may, at the discretion of the director, be phased during the statutory five-year period for final plat approval. Where the city approves a final plat prior to completion of all rights-of-way or street improvements, the construction shall occur in accordance with all requirements of any approved improvement 11 method report. In such case the street development permit shall expire unless the work is completed in accordance with the conditions of subdivision approval, the requirements of the approved improvement method report, and/or as set forth in the street development permit itself. F. Emergency Exception. In the case of an emergency occurring outside regular office hours, whenever an immediate excavation is necessary for the protection of life or property, the public works director may grant permission to make the necessary excavation upon the condition that an application for a permit be made under this chapter on or before noon of the next following business day. G. City Exemptions. All maintenance work performed by or under the direction of the public works department is exempt from the permit requirements of this chapter. In the case of construction work performed by or under the direction of the public works department, preparation of drawings by the director or signing of a public construction contract shall constitute compliance with the permit requirements of this section. 12.04.080 Applicant submittal and contents - Permit issuance. A. Technical Conference. Any developer or property owner may request a technical conference and written review with the public works department, upon payment of a fee as set forth in Chapter 3.36 PTMC. Such conferences are strongly encouraged and may be required by the public works director when utilities are to be extended or new streets installed. The project requirements identified during the public works review shall remain valid for a period of one year from the date of the review, unless any changes which would materially impact the design of the right-of-way and transportation system improvements are made to the proposed development, in which case requirements related to those changes may be modified. 1. The technical conference allowed by this section is intended to be a separate process from the preapplication conference required by Section 20.01.090 PTMC, and is not required for a determination of completeness under Chapter 20.01 PTMC. B. Form of Application - Fees. Applications for street development permits shall be on a form provided by the city. No application shall be accepted for review unless accompanied by the non-refundable application fee set forth in Chapter 3.36 PTMC. The applicant shall follow the submittal and review procedures in the engineering design standards manual. Before an application will be accepted for review it must contain all information required by the manual, including: 1. The name of the owner or agent and mailing address, the street address or name of the premises to be developed, and the legal description of the premises to be developed; 2. The type of development proposed and the number of living units and/or the type of activity that will occur within the premises to be developed; 3. A site plan showing the proposed location of the right-of-way and transportation system improvements; 4. The design drawings and specifications of the right-of-way and transportation system improvements required under Section 12.04.090 of this chapter; and 5. Any other information deemed reasonably necessary by the director for action upon the application, or required by other provisions of this title SEPA (Chapter 20.04 PTMC), 12 Subdivisions (Title 18 PTMC), the ESA ordinance (Chapter 19.05 PTMC), other city ordinances, and/or subdivision, PUD or other project approval conditions. C. Complete Application Required. The city will not process any application unless and until the information required by subsection B above is substantially complete. The city may reject an application as incomplete within a reasonable time after the initial review, in which case the city shall return it to the applicant with an indication of the additional information needed to make the application complete. D. The applicant shall agree to hold harmless and indemnify the city as specifically described on the face of each permit. E. No permit may be assigned to any other person(s). F. The permit holder shall be deemed to be the property owner or franchise owner in whose name the permit is issued. G. Issuance in violation deemed inoperative. Any street development permit or other authorization issued, granted or approved in violation of the provisions of this chapter shall be null and void and of no effect without the necessity of any proceedings for a revocation or nullification, and any work undertaken pursuant to any such permit or other authorization is unlawful. 12.04.090 Preparation of plans and specifications - Surveys and engineering. A. Plans and Surveying Requirements. All applicants shall furnish design and construction plans and specifications for proposed right-of-waY and transportation system improvements. All design and construction plans and specifications shall be prepared in accordance with the city's engineering design standards manual. If base maps prepared by a licensed land surveyor are available, the design and construction plans shall be submitted on such maps. If base maps are unavailable and the public works director determines that a survey is neces~ to adequately define the limits of the right-of-way for the purposes of transportation system construction and design, the applicant shall have the right-of-way surveyed by a licensed land surveyor and the plans shall be prepared and submitted on such surveyed base maps. B. Engineering of Plans/Costs. All design and construction plans involving the construction of a new street, or the paving of an existing street, must be prepared, signed and stamped by a Washington State licensed civil engineer. Where paving is required, the engineering design shall be to the next intersection, even if the developer is required to pave only a portion of the street. All plans shall be prepared at the developer's sole cost, except that for new streets in Tier 1 of one city block or less, which do not require licensed plans under other municipal code provisions, the developer has the option of the city performing the engineering for the project upon payment of the fee set forth in Chapter 3.36 PTMC. C. Approval by Director Required. All plans prepared or required under this subsection must be reviewed and approved by the director prior to proceeding with construction of the proposed improvements, and must comply with the requirement of the engineering design standards manual. D. Reimbursement Under Section 12.26 PTMC. The costs of the surveying and engineering design may be included in the total project cost subject to partial reimbursement under a "street latecomer agreement" as further set forth in Chapter 12.26 of this rifle. 13 12.04.100 Inspection - Fees - Deposit required. A. All construction covered by this Title 12 must be inspected by the city. After the approval of the design and construction plans and prior to the issuance of the street development permit, the developer shall be required to pay a construction inspection fee in the amount set forth in Chapter 3.36 PTMC. No inspection fee will be required for a minor activities permit. The street development permit will not be issued until the inspection fees have been deposited with the city treasurer. If, during the course of construction, the developer exceeds the two-hour allowance covered by the inspection fee, the developer will be billed for the time in excess of two hours, and no final public works sign-off shall be provided until all bills are paid. B. The purpose of the city inspection is to verify that the improvements are installed in accordance with the project design and construction plans and specif'lcations. The duties of the inspector, inspection procedures including requirements for preconstmction conferences, and the obligation of the developer to coordinate inspections with the city shall be followed in accordance with the procedures set forth in the engineering design standards manual. 12.04.110 Construction and maintenance bonds. The public works director may require that the developer furnish the city with a performance bond, in which assurance is given that the required improvements will be installed as provided by the approved plans, and that the installed improvements will be free from material defects for a period of one year from the date of city final acceptance of the street improvements. Types of securities include a bond with a surety qualified to do bonding business in the state of Washington, a cash deposit or an assigned bank account. Any security posted with the city shall be in an amount equal to 120 percent of the estimated cost for the city to contract for construction or replacement of the improvements as determined by the public works director, and shall be for a period of one year from the date of final acceptance of the improvement by the city. 12.04.120 Acceptance of improvements. The city reserves the right to reject any installation not inspected by the public works department, or not installed per the plans and specifications or any modifications agreed to in writing by the city. As a condition of acceptance of the improvements by the city, the developer shall provide the city with: (1) a statement of the actual cost of design and construction of the street improvements; (2) a properly executed bill of sale or conveyance for all improvements; and (3) as-built drawings prepared in accordance with the engineering design standards manual. 14 Article III, - Standards and Improvement Requirements 12.04,130 General ri t-of-way improvement and construction requirements. A. General requirements. 1. Whenever new lots are proposed to be created, or previously undeveloped lots of record are proposed for development or improvement, or any type of development is proposed including a change of use, as a condition to further property development one or more of the following types of right-of-way improvements may be required to mitigate the direct impacts caused by the development or use: a. Pavement; b. Curb and gutter installation; c. Walkway improvements; d. Storm and street drainage; e. Design of structures and/or grading to future right-of-way grade; f. Pathways and bikeways; g. Landscaping; h. Driveways; i. Street widening and turning lanes; j. Street lighting/illumination; k. Cul-de-sacs or hammerheads; 1. On-street parking; m. Utilities; n. Signs and/or other traffic control devices. o. No protest agreement(s); p. Maintenance agreement(s); q. Transit pull-outs or shelters. 2. Detailed requirements and standards for rights-of-way and transportation system improvements and development requirements are contained in the engineering design standards manual. 3. All improvements in the public right-of-way shall be constructed by a contractor or contractors duly licensed and bonded under the laws of Washington State. 4. Where reasonably necessary to mitigate the direct impacts of the proposed development and/or to meet safety requirements, off-site improvements (including, but not limited to, provision of drainage systems, fire access roads, paving and grading of streets, pedestrian and bicycle connections, street widening or turn lanes, traffic control signals, turnarounds and related utility improvements, and/or dedication of land or easements) may be required as a condition of permit approval under the authority of this chapter, other city ordinances, the Uniform Fire Code, Chapter 58.17 RCW and Title 18 PTMC (Subdivisions), RCW 43.21C and Chapter 19.04 PTMC (SEPA), or as allowed by state law. 5. The regulations in this section are not intended to supersede or preclude the use of Chapter 19.04 PTMC, the Port Townsend environmental protection ordinance relating to SEPA, to mitigate significant adverse environmental impacts where such mitigation would not be duplicative of the requirements under this chapter. For example, SEPA conditions may be 15 required to mitigate the impacts of development on the transportation system, including but not limited to the cumulative impacts of such development, or to meet safety standards where consistent with applicable SEPA policies and the Washington Administrative Code ("WAC"), Chapter 197-11. 6. The regulations in this section are not intended to supersede or preclude the enforcement of the provisions of Chapter 19.05 PTMC, the Port Townsend ordinance relating to environmentally sensitive areas. Review of development under this chapter and Chapter 19.05 shall be coordinated to ensure consistency. 7. The regulations in this section are not intended to supersede or preclude the enforcement of the provisions of the Subdivision Code, Title 18 PTMC. To create uniformity of standards, it is the intent of this chapter to make the prescriptive standards in the engineering design standards manual applicable to subdivisions. In addition, approved subdivisions or existing plats with specific improvement requirements identified as conditions to the subdivision approval shall prevail over the right-of-way and transportation system standards set forth in this chapter and the engineering design standards manual, so long as street improvements are completed within five years of final plat approval or any extensions granted under PTMC Title 18. 8. The regulations in this section are not intended to supersede or preclude the enforcement of the provisions of the code relating to Flood Damage Prevention and Drainage Improvement Requirements, Chapter 16.08 PTMC. 9. All street development permits are subject to the erosion control, stormwater management and drainage plan requirements of Chapter 13.32 PTMC and the engineering design standards manual, which requirements may be included as conditions of street development permit approval. 12.04.140 Implementation of general requirements. A Street Frontage Improvements. All development shall be required to make street frontage improvements on the parcels' frontage. Such improvements may include, as further specified in the engineering design standards manual, stormwater improvements, curbs and gutters, water and sewer lines, utilities, traffic signals/signs, walkways, sidewalk.q, pathways, bike lanes, street trees, landscaping, street widening, and/or any other reasonably necessary improvements. Such frontage improvements shall generally include the full improvements identified in the engineering design standards manual for the type of street at issue for the side of the street abutting the lot frontage. In addition, any required grading and paving shall generally be required to extend the full width of the street, as determined by the minimum standards for the type of street set forth in the engineering design standards manual. Full improvements to both sides of the street can be required based on an individual analysis of whether such improvements are reasonably necessary to mitigate the direct impacts of development and/or meet safety concerns. The frontage improvement requirements set forth in this section may be waived if the criteria of Section 12.04.160 are met. B. Minimum Right-of-way Widths. The minimum right-of-way widths for streets and pathways shall be as specified in the engineering design standards manual. C. Dedications/Easements. Person(s) developing property may be required to dedicate additional right-of-way or easements for public street and transportation systems to meet 16 minimum right-of-way requirements, for public safety and compatibility with the arm's circulation system, and/or for nonmotorized pathway connections, when to do so is found to be reasonably necessary as a direct consequence of the proposed development or plat to which the dedication of land or easement is to apply. D. Street Pavement. 1. Paving of New Streets and Connecting Unopened Streets. All unopened rights-of- way to serve a proposed development shall be graded and paved to and through the lot frontage from the nearest opened street as a condition of street development. Paving of connecting, unopened rights-of-way beyond the block on which the proposed development is located shall be required if, based on an individualized analysis, the director determines that such paving is reasonably necessary to ensure public safety (including but not limited to emergency vehicle access) and/or to mitigate the direct impacts of the development. 2. Upgrading or Paving of Opened, but Substandard Connecting Street(s). If the street to be opened and improved to serve the proposed development connects to a substandard street(s) and such substandard street(s) is the only connection to the street network, the director may require paving or upgrading of such connecting street(s). Whether such connecting street(s) must be upgraded or paved shall be based on an individualized analysis of whether such off-site improvements are reasonably necessary to ensure public safety (including but not limited to emergency vehicle access) and/or to mitigate the direct impacts of the development. 3. Paving and Upgrading of Existing Substandard Streets Abutting the Lot Frontage of the Development. Any street that does not meet the current design standards is considered a substandard street. If the proposed development is served by a substandard street abutting the lot frontage, and the proposed development creates the need for upgrading or paving the substandard street, the developer will be required to pay the full costs of upgrading or paving in order to mitigate the direct impacts of the proposed development and/or meet safety requirements. E. Other Off-site Improvements to Unopened or Substandard Streets. In addition to paving and grading, the director may require any and all off-site improvements, as further specified in the engineering design standards manual, reasonably necessary to mitigate the direct impacts of development and/or meet safety requirements. F. The city reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to pay a portion or all of the costs of off-site improvements, including paving of streets, as determined on a case-by-case basis and to the extent funds are available. G. Dead-end Streets. The public works director may require that streets forming a permanent or temporary dead-end be improved with a cul-de-sac, hammerhead or other vehicular turnaround in accordance with the engineering design standards manual. H. Sight Obstruction. Pedestrian, vehicle and traffic control devices, and trees and shrubbery, shall be located and maintained to prevent sight obstruction as set forth in the engineering design standards manual. I. Fire Access. If a lot does not have access for emergency vehicles from a street or private easement which meets the requirements or standards of the engineering design standards manual, such access shall be provided from the nearest existing opened street fight- 17 of-way. Any existing street must also meet these requirements, unless the public works director approves an alternative that provides adequate emergency vehicle access. J. Driveways. All curb cuts, driveways or other points of access or egress to a street shall be located and conform to the specifications in the engineering design standards manual. Private driveways located in the public right-of-way may be approved in limited instances and require a street development permit or minor activities permit, depending on the circumstances. K. Intersections - Sight Obstruction. The number of local access streets intersecting with principal and minor arterials shall be held to the minimum. Intersection geometrics shall be as specified in the engineering design standards manual. Sight obstruction and sight distance requirements shall be as specified in the manual. L. Utilities. When utilities are installed in streets, trench backfill and street restoration shall be as specified in the engineering design standards manual and/or any applicable franchise agreement. Utilities such as telephone, power and cable television lines shall be placed underground where required in the engineering design standards manual. M. Traffic Calming. Methods to calm traffic and provide for the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists on local access streets are encouraged as further described in the engineering design standards manual. N. LID/RID No Protest Agreements. Whenever the director (1) grants a waiver or modification of, or variance from, the engineering design standards, or (2) imposes a street development requirement that is less than the minimum standards based on an analysis of the particular project impacts, the director has full authority to require that the property owner(s) enter into a "no protest agreement." Where a property owner enters into a no protest agreement with the city waiving the property owner's right under RCW 35.43 et seq., to protest formation of a local improvement district (LID) or road improvement district (RID), the agreement must specify the improvements to be financed by the district and set forth the effective term of the agreement, which shall not exceed ten years. The agreement shall be a burden upon and run with the title to the property subject to the development application, and shall be binding upon all successors and owners of the property. The agreement shall be recorded with the Jefferson County Auditor. The agreement cannot require the property owner to waive objections to the amount of the owner's individual assessment (including the determination of special benefits allocable to the property) or the right to appeal the final assessment to superior court. O. Maintenance of Streets. The city has a program for maintenance of open and approved streets. In the case of rights-of-way which were privately developed, the city will not maintain such right-of-way unless the city has "accepted" the right-of-way as a public street. A street will not be deemed to be accepted unless it is an approved street, or unless the street is devoted to a general use by and for the convenience of public travel as opposed to a local access street predominantly used by the owners of abutting properties which was constructed to minimum street standards at the time of installation of the street. 18 12.04.150 Cutting significant trees and vegetation. Notwithstanding any other provision in this chapter, no significant trees or vegetation, as defined in Section 12.04.030 and the engineering design standards manual, shall be pruned, cut down or removed from any city right-of-way, except as follows: A. Emergency. The restrictions on cutting or removing a significant tree do not apply where the tree presents a clear and present danger or is otherwise detrimental to the public health safety and welfare as determined by the public works director. In the event that any such trees are cut or removed by a utility, such utility shall notify the city of doing so within 24 hours of the time of the removal. B. Existing Developed Area. A significant tree in an existing developed right-of-way may be cut down or removed with the prior approval of the public works director, or pursuant to a street development permit, utility development permit, ESA permit, or other city permit. Such permits shall include identification of all significant trees or vegetation on the site. Where significant trees or vegetation are identified, the public works director may condition or mitigate any significant adverse impacts of development through SEPA, the F_SA ordinance, or under the authority granted in the chapter. C. Street Opening. Removal of the tree or vegetation cannot be avoided for the opening of the street and construction as set forth in the engineering design standards manual. D. City Trimming/Pruning. This section shall not be construed to prevent the necessary trimming or pruning of significant trees by the city or under city permission or agreement for the purpose of protecting telephone, electrical or other above-ground utility wiring, for vehicle or other safety purposes or for the health of the trees. 12.04.160 Waiver/modification of the required right-of-way and transportation improvement standards. A. Authority to Grant Waiver/Modification. The provisions of this section are intended to be a separate and distinct procedure from the zoning code variance procedures. Waivers and/or modifications of the standards of this chapter and/or the engineering design standards manual may be granted only upon meeting the criteria of subsection B below. Waivers may be initiated by the city or the developer pursuant to subsection D below, or by the public works director on his or her own initiative. B. Criteria. The public works director may waive or modify applicable requirements contained in this title and/or the engineering design standards manual for paving, curb and gutter installation, storm drainage, design of structures and/or grading to future right-of- way grade, signs or other traffic control devices, landscaping, walkways, bikeways, sidewalks, on-street parking, driveways, surveys, engineering, street widening, cul-de- sacs/hammerheads, and/or utilities, when it is determined that the waiver or modification will not harm or will be beneficial to the public in general and that one or more of the following conditions are met: 1. Ix>cation in an environmentally sensitive area as determined by Chapter 19.05 PTMC, disruption of existing drainage patterns, or removal of natural features such as 19 significant trees or vegetation makes widening and/or improving the street or right-of-way impractical or undesirable. 2. The existence of a structure such as a substantial retaining wall makes widening the street or right-of-way impractical or undesirable. 3. Widening and/or improving the street or right-of-way would eliminate street access to an existing lot. 4. Widening and/or improving the street or right-of-way would make building on a lot infeasible by reducing it to dimensions where; (1) development standards cannot reasonably be met; or (2) under which the property owner will have no reasonable use of the property. 5. One or more structures on the same side of the block as the proposed project are located in the area needed for future expansion of the street or right-of-way, and the structure(s)' condition and size make future widening of the remainder of the street or fight- of-way unlikely. 6. Widening and/or improving the street or right-of-way is impractical because topography would preclude the use of the street for vehicular access to the lot (for example due to an inability to meet the required maximum driveway slope). 7. Widening, paving or street frontage improvements are unnecessary because (1) the street is adequate for current and potential pedestrian and vehicular traffic, for example, due to the limited number of lots served by the development, or (2) the development is on a street that is already developed at or near its zoned capacity and the improvements would provide little public benefit. 8. The specific design of the future street is currently unknown, making immediate improvement impractical and undesirable. 9. The installation of the required improvements would likely cause unacceptable significant adverse environmental impacts that may not be mitigated as determined by the SEPA official, and the waiver/modification would avoid such impacts. 10. There is insufficient street or right-of-way adjacent to the lot[si and easement access cannot be obtained across private property or 11. There is no street or right-of-way adjacent to the lots and easement access can be obtained across private property. 12. In the case of engineered plans for street construction, when the public works department determines that engineering is unnecessary due to the limited extent of the improvements, where short or dead-end streets have no foreseeable need to be joined to the city's existing street network at a future date, or where storm drainage concerns are not at issue or are a minor issue. 13. Application of the requirements of the engineering design standards manual as applied to a particular development would conflict with goals and policies of the Port Townsend comprehensive plan. 14. It is determined that development of the property will create impacts which can only be later mitigated through construction of an area-wide or neighborhood improvement and it would be unreasonable to require the full improvement as a condition of the development. 2O 15. It is determined that the street frontage improvements required in the engineering design standards manual could best be accomplished by construction of area- wide improvements at a future date. 16. It is determined that requiring paving of an existing substandard street would be unreasonable because of the limited impacts caused by the proposed development. 17. It is determined that private streets or access easements can provide necessary vehicular access, including emergency vehicle access. 18. It is determined that emergency vehicle access is otherwise adequate. C. Any waivers from the engineering requirement under this section do not exempt the developer from submitting plans which meet all other applicable specifications contained in the engineering design standards manual. D. Application Requirements. The application for a waiver or modifications of the above listed standards shall be by written request to the city and shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable filing fee in the amount set forth in Chapter 3.36 PTMC. The application shall be made on a form provided by the city. The application shall specify which requirement(s) of this chapter and the engineering design standards manual are at issue and which of the condition(s) listed above can be met. It shall also contain a statement as to why the deviation from the required standards is necessary and why the waiver or modification sought will not harm or will be beneficial to the general public. E. Public Works Director's Decision. The public works director will make a decision within 2I days of receipt of the application, subject to his or her notification to the applicant that additional time is needed to obtain further necessary information. The public works director's decision shall be made in writing and shall be an administrative decision which may be appealed by the applicant only pursuant to Chapter 1.14 PTMC, upon payment of an appeal filing fee in the amount set forth in Chapter 3.36 PTMC. F. Authority to Condition. The public works director may, in his or her discretion, condition the granting of the modification or waiver on the property owner(s) signing of a no protest agreement to future formation of an LID or RID, as further set forth in subsection 12.04.140N of this chapter. 12.04.170 Variances. A. Authority to Grant Variance. The public works director shall have the authority, under limited circumstances, to grant a variance from the requirements of this chapter, provided, however, that all variances under Titles 17 and 18 shall be processed and decided under the requirements of those ritles: B. Application Requests. The person(s) seeking a variance shall prepare and submit an application to the city on forms provided by the city and accompanied by a filing fee in the amount set forth in Chapter 3.36.020, PTMC. Upon receipt, the application shall first be reviewed for completeness. If the application is incomplete, the director shall promptly return it to the applicant and indicate the additional information needed to make the application complete. 21 C. Public Works Director's Decision. Within 30 days of receipt of a complete application, the public works director shall make a determination to grant the variance, grant the variance under certain delineated conditions, or to deny the variance. The time for such determination may be continued to a later date as agreed to in writing by the applicant. D. Criteria. A variance may be from all or part of the requirements of this chapter, may require other standards to be satisfied by the applicant, and may be subject to any conditions which the public works director deems necessary to carry out the purpose and intent of this tire in the public interest, safety and welfare. In making his or her determination, the public works director may grant a variance only upon specific written findings of fact and conclusions showing that all of the following conditions exist: 1. The variance will not constitute a grant of special privilege inconsistent with the limitation upon uses of other properties in the vicinity and zoning district in which the subject property is located; and 2. The variance is necessary because of special circumstances relating to the size, shape, topography, location or surroundings of the subject property, to provide it with use rights and privileges permitted to other properties in the vicinity and in the zoning district in which the subject property is located; and 3. The granting of the variance will not be materially detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to the property or improvements in the vicinity and zoning district in which the subject property is located; and 4. The special circumstances of the subject property make the strict enforcement of the provisions of this fire an unnecessary hardship to the property owner; and 5. The special circumstances of the subject property are not the result of the actions of the applicant; and 6. The variance is the minimum necessary to fulfill the purpose and the need of the applicant; and 7. The variance is consistent with the purposes and intent of this fire; and 8. The variance is consistent with the goals and policies of the Port Townsend comprehensive plan; and 9. The fact that property may be utilized more profitably will not be an element of consideration before the decision maker. E. The public works director's decision shall be made by written findings and conclusions and is an administrative decision which may be appealed by the applicant only pursuant to Chapter 1.14 PTMC, upon payment of an appeal filing fee in the amount set forth in Chapter 3.36 PTMC. 22 Article IV - Liability, Violations and Appeals 12.04.180 Property damage responsibility. Any person who damages any public property or improvements, either without a street development permit or in carrying out a street development permit, shall be responsible for restoration of the area damaged to its prior condition. If the person fails to do so, the public works director shall have the authority to restore the damage either with city labor and materials or by hiring a licensed contractor, and charge the cost of the work plus administrative overhead against the person responsible for such damage. 12.04.190 Liability of city. This chapter shall not be construed as imposing on the city or any city official or employee any liability or responsibility for damages to any person or property injured by the performance of any work done under a street development permit; nor does the city or any city official or employee assume any such liability or responsibility by reason of inspections authorized by the provisions of this chapter, the issuance of any permit, or the approval of any work. This title is for benefit of the city of Port Townsend and not for any individual property owner or citizen. 12.04.200 Interpretations. Where there is any dispute concerning the interpretation of this chapter, the decision of the public works director shall prevail, subject to appeal pursuant to Chapter 1.14 PTMC. 12.04.210 Violations, enforcement and penalties. A. Director's Authority; Chapter 20.10 Made Applicable. The public works director is authorized to enforce the provisions of this rifle. All violations of this rifle are made subject to all the provisions of Chapter 20.10 PTMC, and the director is authorized to order correction and discontinuance of any violative condition of the provisions of this title under the procedures of Chapter 20.10 PTMC, which provides for suspension and revocation of permits, voluntary correction orders, notice and orders to correct the violation, abatement orders, stop work and emergency orders, and assessment of civil and/or criminal penalties. B. Immediate Stay Orders. Pending commencement and completion of the voluntary correction and/or notice and order procedures of Chapter 20.10 PTMC, the director may order the immediate cessation of any activity causing the violative condition by notice in writing served on or mailed to the person(s) engaged in or causing such condition. Such order shall not be affected by any right of appeal afforded by this or any other code provision. C. Additional Authority. The public works or BCD director may list the provisions of any permit under this chapter, and/or any required no-protest agreement or agreement to participate in a local improvement district, as a condition of any approved building or other permit. In addition to the enforcement provisions of this chapter, the condition may be enforced as part of the building or other permit. 23 D. Public Nuisance. All violations of this title and standards required thereby are determined to be detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare and are public nuisances. All conditions which are determined by the director to be in violation of this title or standards required thereby shall be subject to the provisions of this title and shall be corrected by any reasonable and lawful means, as provided in Chapter 20.10 PTMC. 12.04.220 Appeals. A. Administrative Appeals. An administrative decision of the public works director to issue or refuse to issue a permit, or to revoke or refuse to revoke a permit, or to issue an emergency or stop work order may be appealed pursuant to Chapter 1.14 PTMC, except that appeals of enforcement decisions under Chapter 20.10 PTMC (Land Use Administration and Enforcement) shall be governed by that chapter. The appeal must be accompanied by a filing fee in the amount set forth in Chapter 3.36 PTMC. Any such decision of the public works director shall be final at the time made, unless appealed. B. Judicial Appeals. Appeals from the final decision of the city pursuant to Chapter 1.14 PTMC shall be made to the Jefferson County superior court within 21 calendar days from the date of the issuance of the decision, and processed in accordance with the Land Use Petition Act, 36.70C RCW. 24 SECTION 2. Section 12.08.640, Unlawful digging of streets, and Section 12.08.050, Deposit, of Chapter 12.08 are hereby repealed. A new section 12.08.020, Restoration of right-of-way is created; Section 12.08.020 is renumbered and recodified as .030; Section 12.08.030 is renumbered, renamed, and recodified as 640. Chapter 12.08, Street Conditions, is renamed Right-of-way Conditions and amended as follows: Chapter 12.08 RIGHT-OF-WAY CONDITIONS Sections: 12.08.010 12.08.020 12.08.,~.,~ 12.08.,,.,,, 12.08.060 Removal of debris accumulation. Restoration of right-of-way. 030 Notice to remove obstruction. [ren-mbered/recodified] 640 Failure to remove or restore. [renumbered/recodified] .... ' .... ~'--'-"--:---~' ....... [repealed] Deposi;. [repealed] Leaving streets in improper condition. 12.08.010 Removal of debris acc-mulation. All earth, rock, stones and other substances which have heretofore and which may hereafter accumulate in any open street ~ of the city, by caving, falling, crumbling or sliding from land abutting upon such street en'-at~, shall immediately be removed at the cost of the owner of the land so caving, falling, crumbling or sliding from the land abutting upon such street or alley. This section also prohibits the accumulation of debris mused by any vehicle, truck or person. (Ord. 118 § 1, 1885). 12.08.020 Restoration of right-of-way. All persons making any right-of-way improvements or doing any work in any right-of-way, whether pursuant to a street and utility development permit, minor activities _:)emit or without a permit, shall be solely responsible for restoring the street. Such persons shall leave all rights-of-way in as good and safe condition in all respects as they were before the commencement with the work, and as may be further set forth in city ordinances, regulations, or the engineering design standards manual. (Ord. __ § 2, 1997.) 12.08.020030 Notice to remove obstruction. Notice to forthwith remove all suc,h obstructions, and/or to restore streets, shall be given to the persons liable for the costs of removing oI.mitogng the same, as provided in PTMC Chapter 20 10 '" "° "'" .......... :-- -'--' 1- ...... : ......... : .... -' ---' -1--' 1- ...... ~ ~-- · I~=,,%/O,~IL/, Ot{.%.,ll ll%YlJ.~ i~llglil IJ~ I'~IILI, GII ~.Jl IJllll~ I~{J.l%.l ~lllilJ. l {J~ i~;l¥1[~J, Os 25 .[VI, U/ ~/~lJ.%.~! V! I~IJ. IU I/Viii WlUL, II ,'~UL,II VU~)Li. UI~,UVII~ ;~lll~lJ. ll,n¥~ r~o-,,,~ -, .,. ~-~. (Ord. __ ~ 2, 1997; ~d. 118 ~ 2, 1885). 12.08.030040 Failure to remove or restore. If the owner of such premises sha~ fails to remove or restore the right-of-way within three nc~, such obstruction -~-' be~v,~-~----"Lmw,u, may be removed or such s~eet may be restored by the stre~ ' ' city, and the properS, such owner shall pay [~ '-' ......... ' ' ................................. of commencing ........... ~d abatement costs as fu~er sa fo~ ~ Chanter 20.10 ~C. (Ord. ~ ~ 2, 1997; Ord. 118 ~ 3, 1885). lli&lltGll~l~ ~IIU 111 UIG ~IIUUIIL Ui ~JW.W IUi ~bli &IU GYUI~ BUbll ~UI~G IUl WIUbli IL UIU ~aOll~ ~1[~ ~111~11[, gll~ ~1~111 ~i ~1 ~Ol~la~Oll ~111~11 ~11~ ~Ul~al[ 111 ~1~ (Ord. ~ ~ 2, 1997; Ord. 1953 ~ 1, 1983; Ord. 790 ~ 1, 1911). O~ll ~11~ UU IULUllI~ U~ ~15ll ~ UIU ~l~ll 111~11[ UIU ~IIU M~II IIULIII~HUII IIUIII UIU ~gUH~ ~Ulg U~tlIIUIIt [U UIU ~1~1~ Hl~t ~11 BU[g 11~ ~11 ~l~k$ 111 pIU~l ~IIUIUUIII ~IU ll~ U~II ~IU~II~ lllal~ll~ IUI UIIU ~) U~ Ul k~ ~il ~U~ IIG~ bond. (Ord. ~ ~ 2, 1~7; Ord. 1953 ~ 2, 1983; ~d. 7~ ~ 2, 1911). 26 12.08.060 Leaving streets in improper condition. It shall further be deemed unlawful and a violation of this chapter for any person, firm or corporation pursuant to any of the purposes hereinbefore mentioned to leave any sn~ streets in an improper condition for travel, which violation shall be subject to enforcement and penalties provisions of Chapter 20.10 PTMC. (Ord. ~ § 2, 1997; Ord. 2508 § 2, 1996; Ord. 790 § 3, 1911). 27 SECTION 3. Chapter 12.10, Street right-of-way, is hereby repealed in its entirety. SECTION 4. Section 12.12.010, Definitions, of Chapter 12.12 is hereby repealed. Chapter 12.12, Sidewalk maintenance, construction and repair is hereby amended as follows: Chapter 12.12 SIDEWALK MAINTENANCE, CONSTRUCTION AND REPAIR Sections: Article I. 12.12.020 12.12.030 12.12.040 General Provisions [repealed] Scope. Adjoining property owners/occupants to clean sidewalks. Standards for sidewalk construction. Article H. Sidewalk Construction - Responsibility and Process 12.12.050 Owner's responsibility to consWact sidewalks. 12.12.060 12.12.070 12.12.080 12.12.090 12.12.100 12.12.110 12.12.120 Necessity to construct. Order to construct - Notice. Order to construct - Requirements. Order to construct - Serving of notice. Notice - Noncompliance - Action by city - Assessment. Assessment - Hearing - Notice. Assessment- Collection. Article IH. Sidewalk Maintenance and Repair/Reconstruction/ConstructiOn 12.12.130 Authority to construct improvements of sidewalks, gutters, curbs and driveways. 12.12.140 Unfit sidewalk - Resolution ordering improvements. 12.12.150 Resolution - Notice. 12.12.160 Service of notice. 12.12.170 Assessment roll showing costs - Notice. 12.12.180 Assessment of abutting property for sidewalk improvements - Hearing. 12.12.190 Collection of assessments. 12.12.200 Authority to proceed under Chapter 35.68 RCW. 12.12.210 Curb ramps for physically handicapped - Standards and requirements. 12.12.220 City participation in voluntary improvements. 12.12.230 Exemption to payinenL Limitation on abutting owner's obligation under this chapter For statutory provisions on sidewalks in second class cities, see Chapters 35.68, 35.69 and 35.70 RCW, three copies of which are on file with the city clerk for public examination. 28 Article I. General Provisions 12.12.020 Scope. This chapter shall not be construed as repealing or amending any provision of the street standm'ds transportation and rights-of-way improvement ordinance, Chapter 12.04 PTMC, any other laws or city ordinances relating to construction, reconstruction and repair of sidewalks, gutters and curbs along driveways across sidewalks, or any provision relating to the improvement of streets or public ways by special assessments commonly known as local improvement laws, but shall be considered as additional and ancillary legislation. The procedures set forth in this chapter shall apply only where the sidewalk improvement is not required by other ordinances of the city, including, but not limited to, hh~ sh-~ slanda~d:, ordinam~, Chapter 12.04 PTMC, the SEPA ordinance, Chapter 19.04 PTMC, the subdivision ordinance, PTMC Title 18, or any zoning laws of the city of Port Townsend. (Ord. § 2, 1997; Ord. 2474 § 1, 1995). 12.12.030 Adjoining property owners/occupants to clean sidewalks. It shall be the responsibility of every occupant or owner of property abutting upon a public sidewalk to maintain the sidewalk at all times in a condition that is fit and safe for purposes of public travel and is free of any and all obstructions or defects, including, but not limited to, snow, ice, and mud. (Ord. 2474 § 1, 1995). 12.12.040 Standards for sidewalk construction. All sidewalks constructed, maintained, reconstructed, repaired or improved ~ chapter shall conform to established grade, materials and standards established by the city, shall conform to ADA criteria for new or reconstructed sections, and shall be subject to approval by the public works director. Information concerning grade, materials and standards shall be available to property owners on request. (Ord. § 2, 1997; Ord. 2474 § 1, 1995). Article H. Sidewalk Construction - Responsibility and Process 12.12.050 Owner's responsibility to construct sidewalks. Pursuant to Chapter 35.70 RCW, as now or later amended, the burden and expense of constructing sidewalks along the side of any street or other public place shall devolve upon and be borne by the directly abutting property. The city may charge such property with all costs of construction of any form of sidewalk improvement, in accordance with the procedures set forth below; provided that such abutting property shall not be charged with any costs of construction in excess of 50 percent of the valuation of such abutting property, exclusive of improvements thereof, according to the valuation last placed ur>on it for pu _rposes of general taxation. (Ord. __ § 2, 1997; Ord. 2474 § 1, 1995). 29 12.12.060 Necessity to construct. The public works director shall report to the city council areas where, in his or her judgment, public convenience or safety requires that a sidewalk be constructed along either side of any street. To the extent possible, the public works director's report shall be tied to the capital improvement plan process. (Ord. 2474 § 1, 1995). 12.12.070 Order to construct - Notice. If, upon receiving a report from the public works director, the city council deems the construction of the proposed sidewalk necessary or convenient for the public, it shall by an appropriate resolution order the sidewalk constructed. The council shall direct the public works director to serve a written notice upon the owner of each parcel of land abutting upon that portion and side of the street where the sidewalk is constructed, requiring the owner to construct the sidewalk in accordance with the resolution. (Ord. 2474 § 1, 1995). 12.12.080 Order to construct - Requirements. The resolution and notice and order to construct a sidewalk shall: A. Describe each parcel of land abutting upon that portion and side of the street where the sidewalk is ordered to be constructed; B. Specify the kind of sidewalk required, its size and dimensions, and the method and material to be used in the construction; C. Contain a cost estimate; and D. State that unless the sidewalk is constructed in compliance with the notice and within a reasonable time as specified, the city will construct the sidewalk and assess the cost and expense against the abutting property described in the notice. (Ord. 2474 § 1, 1995). 12.12.090 Order to construct - Serving of notice. The notice shall be served: A. By delivering a copy to the owner or reputed owner of each parcel of land affected, or to the authorized agent of the owner(s); or B. By leaving a copy at the usual place of abode of such owner in the city with a person of suitable age and discretion residing therein; or C. By leaving a copy with an agent of the owner(s) authorized to collect rentals on such parcel of land; or D. If the owner is a nonresident of the city and his or her place of residence is known, by mailing a copy to the owner addressed to his or her last known place of residence; or E. If the place of residence of the owner is unknown or if the owner of any parcel of land affected is unknown, by publication in the official newspaper of the city, once a week, for two consecutive weeks. The notice shall specify a reasonable time within which the sidewalk shall be constructed which, in the case of publication of the notice, shall be not less than 60 days from the date of first publication of such notice. (Ord. 2474 § 1, 1995). 30 12.12.100 Notice - Noncompliance - Action by city - Assessment. If the notice and order to construct a sidewalk is not complied with within the time specified, the public works director shall proceed to construct the sidewalk and shall report to the city council at its next regular meeting, or as soon after as is practicable, an assessment roll showing each parcel of land abutting upon the sidewalk, the name of the owner, if known, and apportion the cost of the improvement to be assessed against each parcel of such land. (Ord. 2474 § 1, 1995). 12.12.110 Assessment - Hearing - Notice. Upon action by the public works director set forth in PTMC 12.12.100, the council shall set a date for hearing any protests against the proposed assessment roll and give notice of the time and place of the hearing. Such notice shall be published once a week for two successive weeks in the official newspaper of the city, and the date of the hearing may not be less than 30 days from the date of the first publication of the notice. At the hearing or at any adjournment of the hearing, the city council shall, by ordinance, assess the cost of constructing or repairing the sidewalk against the abutting property in accordance with the benefits to the property. (Ord. 2474 § 1, 1995). 12.12.120 Assessment - Collection. The assessments shall become a lien upon the respective parcels of land and shall be collected in the manner provided by law for the collection of local improvement assessments and shall bear interest at the rate of six percent per annum from the date of the approval of the assessment. (Ord. 2474 § 1, 1995). 31 Article HI. Sidewalk Maintenance and Repair/Reconstruction/Construction 12.12.130 Authority to construct improvements of sidewalks, gutters, curbs and driveways. Pursuant to Chapter 35.69 RCW, as now or later amended, the duty, burden and expense of maintaining, repairing sidewalks, reconstructing or constructing sidewalks less than one block in length (collectively referred to as "improvements") shall devolve upon the property directly abutting the sidewalk as set forth in PTMC 12.12.140 through 12.12.190; provided, that such abutting property shall not be charged with any costs of construction or reconstruction under such sections in excess of 50 percent of the valuation of the abutting property, exclusive of improvements thereon, according to the valuation last placed upon it for purposes of general taxation. (Ord. 2474 § 1, 1995). 12.12.140 Unfit sidewalk- Resolution ordering improvements. Whenever a portion of a street, not longer than one block in length, is not improved by the construction of a sidewalk, or whenever a sidewalk or portion of a sidewalk has become unfit or unsafe for travel and the city council by resolution finds that the improvement of the sidewalk is necessary for public safety and convenience, the city may require the owner of the property directly abutting upon such portion to perform the necessary improvements. (Ord. 2474 § 1, 1995). 12.12.150 Resolution - Notice. The resolution shall direct the public works director to notify the abutting owner(s) instructing the owner to construct the improvements on such portion in accordance with the plans and specif'lcations which shall be attached to such notice. The notice shall further: A. Specify a reasonable time within which the work shall be commenced and completed. B. State that if the improvements are not completed within the time specified that the city public works department will perform and complete the improvements and assess the costs against the abutting property owner. C. State that if the city performs the improvements the public works director shall, at a fixed date specified in the notice, report to the city council an assessment roll showing the lot or parcel of land directly abutting on the portion of the street so improved, the cost of the improvement, and the name of the owner, if known. D. State that at the time specified in the notice the time the council will hear any and all protests against the proposed assessment; provided, however, that the hearing may be postponed from time to time to a definite date until the hearing is held. (Ord. 2474 § 1, 1995). 12.12.160 Service of notice. The notice provided for in PTMC 12.12.150 shall be deemed sufficiently served as follows: A. If delivered in person to the owner; or 32 B. If left at the home of the owner with a person of suitable age and discretion residing therein; or C. If left with an agent of the owner authorized to collect rentals on such property; or D. If the owner is not a resident of the state of Washington, by mailing a copy to his or her last known address; or E. If the owner is unknown or his or her address in unknown, by posting a copy in a conspicuous place at such portion of the street where the improvement is to be made. (Ord. 2474 § 1, 1995). 12.12.170 Assessment roll showing costs - Notice. Upon the expiration of the time fixed for completion of the improvements by the abutting owner, if the owner has failed to perform such work, the public works department may proceed to perform the Work and the public works director shall, within the time fixed in the notice, report to the city council an assessment roll showing the lot or parcel of land immediately abutting on that portion of the sidewalk so improved, the cost of the work and the name of the owner, if known. The city clerk shall give notice to the owner or owners at least 10 days before the meeting of the city council that the roll has been fried with the city treasurer. Proof of publication of the resolution ordering improvements and the mailing of the notice(s) to abutting property owner(s) shall be filed with the city clerk prior to the hearing on the proposed assessments. (Ord. 2474 § 1, 1995). 12.12.180 Assessment of abutting property for sidewalk improvements - Hearing. The council shall at the time designated in the notice, or at an adjourned time or times, hear any and all protests against the proposed assessments, and assess the costs of such work against the property, based to the extent necessary on benefits derived to the property from the improvements, and shall fix the time and manner for payment. This action may be taken by resolution adopted in the usual manner. (Ord. 2474 § 1, 1995). 12.12.190 Collection of assessments. The amount of the assessment, including interest, if any, shall become a lien against the described property from the date of the filing of the assessment roll with the city treasurer. The lien shall be collected in the manner as is provided by law for collection of local improvement districts. (Ord. 2474 § 1, 1995). 12.12.200 Authority to proceed under Chapter 35.43 and 35.68 RCW. PTMC 12.12.130 through 12.12.190 are adopted pursuant to the authority granted in Chapter 35.69 RCW. As an alternative method of construction, reconstruction, improvement or repair of sidewalks, the city, in its discretion, may follow the procedures required for mandatory assessment set forth in Chapters 35.43 ~d 35.68 RCW, as now or later amended, which are adopted by reference. (Ord. ~ § 4, 1997; Ord. 2474 § 1, 1995). 33 12.12.210 Curb ramps for physically handicapped - Standards and requirements. A. The standard for construction on any city street, for which curbs in combination with sidewalks, paths, or other pedestrian access ways are to be constructed, shall be not less than two ramps per lineal block on or near the crosswalks at intersections. Such ramps shall be at least 36 inches wide and so constructed as to allow reasonable access to the crosswalk for physically handicapped persons, without uniquely endangering blind persons. B. Standards set for curb ramping under subsection A of this section shall not apply to any curb existing upon enactment of this section but shall apply to all new curb construction and to all replacement curbs constructed at any point in a block which gives reasonable access to a crosswalk. C. Every ramp constructed under subsection A of this section, which serves one end of a crosswalk, shall be matched by another ramp at the other end of the crosswalk. However, no ramp shall be required at the other end of the crosswalk if there is no curb nor sidewalk at the other end of the crosswalk, nor shall any matching ramp constructed pursuant to this subsection require a subsequent matching ramp. D. This section shall be supplemental and ancillary to all other state federal law, including the Americans With Disabilities Act, relating to sidewalk standards for access by the physically handicapped, as those laws currently exist or are later amended. (Ord. 2474 § 1, 1995). 12.12.220 City participation in voluntary improvements. A. Voluntary Improvements. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to individual improvements undertaken voluntarily by an abutting property owner at his/her own expense; provided, that such owner secures necessary permits prior to constructing the improvements and conducts and completes the improvement under the supervision of the public works department. B. City Discretionary Contribution. 1. Where the property owner desires to remove and replace an existing sidewalk, the city may, in its discretion, participate on a 50-50 basis sharing the cost of removal and replacement, depending on funds available and the ranking of the repair on a priority basis, pursuant to subsection (B)(4) of t_his section. In general, the repair of existing failed sidewalks shall have priority over a similarly ranked new project. 2. If the property owner desires to participate in the removal and replacement of the poor sidewalk and public works funds are not available to participate on a 50-50 basis, then the public works department may remove the existing sidewalk material, if the owner will install the new sidewalk to city specifications. 3. If a sidewalk repair involves city action ordering the property owner to repair the sidewalk, all costs associated with that work shall be borne by the property owner, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. 4. Sidewalk Comparison Rating Form. The public works department shall formulate a sidewalk comparison rating form which is to be used whenever it is necessary to rank sidewalks for repair, maintenance, and new construction. This process shall be used as necessary, based upon requests by property owners. The work accomplished during any 34 particular year shall be subject to the available funding from the city council. (Ord. 2474 § 1, 1995). 12.12,230 Ex.:.~ot.on,- .... _a -' .... to _a-3o~,.~at. Limitation on abutting owner's obligation under this Notwithstanding any other provision in this chapter, an abutting owner shall not be charged with the costs of reconstruction under this chapter if the reconstruction is re~_Uired to correct deterioration of or damage to the sidewalk that is the direCt result of actions by the city or its agents, to correCt deterioration of or damage to the sidewalk that is the dire~t result of the failure of the city. to enforce its ordinances. Subject to this limitation, the cost of reConstructing or repairing existing sidewalks may devolve u'~on the abutting property as set forth in this chapter. (Ord. ~ § 4, 1997.) 35 SECTION 5. Chapter 12.16, House numbering, is hereby revised as follows: Sections: 12.16.010 12.16.020 12.16.030 12.16.040 12.16.050 12.16.060 12.16.070 12.16.080 Chapter 12.16 HOUSE NUMBERING Applicable streets. Odd and even numbers. Base line. Numbering in each block. Placement of numbers on house. Filing of plats. Owner to number at his owner's expense. Fine for showing wrong number. 12.16.010 Applicable streets. Ail house and buildings fronting on any public street or avenue in that part of the city hereafter bounded and described shall be numbered in conformity with the provisions contained in this chapter. This chapter shall apply to that part of the city enclosed within the following boundary: Commencing at the intersection of the centerline of Scott Street with the centerline of Front Street, thence east along the centerline of Front Street (including the wharves) to the centerline of block four, Original Townsite; thence north along the centerline of the tier of blocks to the centerline of Lawrence Street; thence east along the centerline of Lawrence Street to the centerline of Jackson Street; thence north along the centerline of Jackson Street to the centerline of Roosevelt Street; thence east along the centerline of Roosevelt Street to the centerline of Hudson Street; thence north along the centerline of Hudson Street to the centerline of Cosgrove Street; thence west along the centerline of Cosgrove Street to the centerline of Jackson Street; thence south along the centerline of Jackson Street to the centerline of Roosevelt Street; thence west along the centerline of Roosevelt Street to the centerline of Taylor Street; thence north along the centerline of Taylor Street to the centerline of Taft Street; thence west along the centerline of Taft Street to the centerline of Oak Street; thence south along the centerline of Oak Street to the centerline of "F" Street; thence west along the centerline of "F" Street to the centerline of Willow Street; thence north along the centerline of Willow Street to the centerline of "J" Street; thence west along the centerline of "J" Street to the centerline of Cherry Street; thence south along the centerline of Cherry Street to the centerline of "F" Street; thence east along the centerline of "F" Street to the centerline of Willow Street; thence south along the centerline of Willow Street to the Kuhn Estate; thence west along the Kuhn Estate to the centerline of Walker Street; thence south along the centerline of Walker Street to the centerline of Lawrence Street; thence west along the centerline of Lawrence Street to the centerline of Scott Street; thence south along the centerline of Scott Street to the place of beginning. (Ord. 818 § 1, 1912). 36 12.16.020 Odd and even nnmbers. Buildings on the east side of streets and avenues running in a northerly and southerly direction and on the north side of streets and avenues running in an easterly and westerly direction shall be entitled to even numbers and buildings on the opposite side of the streets and avenues to odd numbers. (Ord. 818 § 2, 1912). 12.16.030 Base line. The initial or base line for numbering buildings fronting on streets running in a northerly and southerly direction shall be Front Street; and the initial point or base line for numbering buildings fronting on streets running in an easterly and westerly direction shall be Hudson Street; and the first street number in each case shall be 100 and the first number in each succeeding block going from the waterfront in either direction shall be increased by 100. (Ord. 818 § 3, 1912). 12.16.040 Numbering in each block. The buildings in each block shall be numbered consecutively from the initial number of such block, and each main entrance door on all the streets within the district shall be entitled to a number and vacant land or lots between buildings fronting on such streets shall be entitled to one number for every 10 feet or fraction thereof, and as to land lying in areas where no platted streets exist, the same rule shall apply as if the platted streets in the city were extended into such unplatted area. A block as used in this chapter shall consist of two half-blocks, one on each side of the street. House numbers for buildings on corner or through lots shall be numbered on the street which affords the principal means of access to the property. (Ord. 2125 § 1, 1988; Ord. 1644 § 1, 1972; Ord. 818 § 4, 1912). 12.16.050 Placement of nnmbers on house. The figures used in numbering the houses shall be made of durable material which is colored to contrast sharply with the background and shall be at least five inches high, and such numbers shall be placed in a conspicuous place near the door so that the same may be easily seen from the street. If the figures cannot be easily seen from the street, a second set of figures, which shall be at least three inches high, shall be placed on a post or mailbox at the property line adjacent to the main entrance on the street. (Ord. 2125 § 2, 1988; Ord. 818 § 5, 1912). 12.16.060 Filing of plats. A. It shall be the duty of the city engineer to prepare and keep in his/her office plats of lots and blocks within the districts and to enter thereon in such manner as to enable all parties interested to readily ascertain the same, the house number of all buildings or building lots in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, and any person or persons desiring to ascertain the number or numbers for house numbering purposes shall upon applying therefor and paying a fee of $3.00 to the city treasurer, be informed in writing of the proper number or numbers by the city engineer; provided, however, that every application for a building permit issued by the city after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this section shall also include 37 application for house number, and shall be accompanied by the application fee of $3.00 provided for in this section. B. The fee set forth in subsection A of this section shall not apply and shall not be collected between June 4, 1986, and January 1, 1987. (Ord. 2040 § 1, 1986; Ord. 1644 § 2, 1972; Ord. 818 § 6, 1912). 12.16.070 Owner to n. mber at owner's expense. It shall be the duty of every person owning a building located within the district to number the same at his/her own expense within 15 days after the taking effect of the ordinance codified in this chapter in accordance with the provisions thereof, and it shall be the duty of the police ~ public works department to notify the owner or owners of unnumbered houses of the requirement of this chapter, and unless such houses be properly numbered within 30 days after such notification, the owner or owners of such unnumbered house or houses shall be subject to a ,,_,,~ ,.. ,,,.,,. niore tilt'Hi q~lU.~J UI Iii UUI~UI[ Ut UIU IJ~t~iliUll[ UI BU%,~ii IIIiU, tU &ccordiiig u., l~w, bcfor~ ,~,y ,~,,,,~ ~,. ,~,,a,,},~,,~ ju,~u~,~,~,,, the_ nenalties and enforcement provisions of Chapter 20.10 PTMC. (Ord. ~ § 5, 1997; Ord. 818 § 7, 1912). 12.16.080 Fine for showing wrong number. If any person shall display on any building or house fronting on any street within the district any numbering different from the numbers here indicated, he shall be subject to the same fine provided in PTMC 12.16.070. (Ord. 818 § 8, 1912). 38 SECTION 6. Section 12.20.020, Definitions, is hereby repealed. Chapter 12.20, Street vacation procedure, is hereby revised as follows: Chapter 12.20 STREET VACATION PROCEDURE Sections: 12.20.010 12.20.030 12.20.040 12.20.045 12.20.050 12.20.060 12.20.070 12.20.080 12.20.090 12.20.100 12.20.110 12.20.120 12.20.130 ............ [repealed] Scope. Administration. Petition fees. Building and community development department recommendation. Review criteria. Legislative action. Variances. Compensation for vacation. Appraisals. Payment of compensation. Recording ordinance. Decision final. 12.20.010 Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to provide uniform review criteria for the vacation of streets within the incorporated limits of the city, and to comply with the provisions set forth in Chapter 35.79 RCW. (Ord. 1802 § 1, 1978). 12.20.030 Scope. This chapter all apply to all petitions or requests for the vacation or abandonment of platted, deeded, dedicated, granted or otherwise conveyed public rights-of-way, including streets and alleys within the incorporated limits of the city. (Ord. 1802 § 3, 1978). 12.20.040 Administration. A. City Clerk. The city clei-k-i~easui-ei BCD or public works director or his/her designee shall review all applications for street vacations to ensure that the application is filled out properly pletely,_ard ~- -: ....................... '- ig ept and com . ,.,,~ ,~,y ,~,~,~-u~m,~ u~ ,,,~ des nee shall not acc application and/or application fees for deficient applications. The city cler~ or his or her designee shall be responsible for the procedural requirements set forth in Chapter 35.79 RCW, including the setting of public hearings, posting of notices, publishing of legal notices and similar matters. B. The public works director or his/her designee shall coordinate the routing of the street vacation application to ensure that all pertinent offices have submitted recommendations. The 39 public works director shall review applications to determine whether the proposed vacated street will complement the overall area traffic circulation. C. The public works director shall review applications to determine whether the proposed vacation will be consistent with the orderly expansion and maintenance of the city street system, the city sewer system, and the city water system and the city drainage system. D. City Police Department. The police department shall review applications to determine whether the proposed vacation will hinder the efficient delivery of police protection for the area in which the street is to be vacated. E. City Fire Department. The fire department shall review applications to determine whether the proposed vacation will hinder the efficient delivery of fire protection for the area in which the street is to be vacated. F. Emergency Medical Services. Purveyors of emergency medical service shall review applications to determine whether the proposed vacation will hinder the efficient delivery of emergency services to the area in which the street is to be vacated. G. City Planning and Building Department. The city planning and building department shall review applications for conformance with the goals and policies contained in the city comprehensive plan and other adopted city plans and the review criteria contained in this chapter. (Ord. ~ § 6, 1997; Ord. 2256 § 1, 1991; Ord. 1992 § 1, 1984; Ord. 1802 § 4, 1978). 12.20.045 Petition fees. Every petition for the vacation of any street, alley or public place, or any part thereof, shall be accompanied by a payment to the city of a fee in the amount otherwise established by ordinance of the city, to defray the costs of processing such vacation petitions and such fee shall not be refunded under any circumstances. In addition, at the time the city council, or a committee thereof, recommends granting a vacation petition, an additional fee in the amount of $750.00 shall be paid to cover appraisal costs for a street, alley or public place. In the event an appraisal cost is less than the payment therefor, the vacation compensation payable to the city shall be reduced by the difference between the fee and the actual cost or, in the alternative, such difference shall be refunded. (Ord. 2440 § 2, 1995; Ord. 1992 § 2, 1984). 12.20.050 Building and community development (BCD) department recommendation. Before the city council takes action on street vacation applications, the city building and community development department shall submit a recommendation to the city council, which shall include the information set forth in PTMC 12.20.040 and the application of the criteria for street or alley vacations set forth in PTMC 12.20.060. (Ord. 2440 § 3, 1995; Ord. 2256 12.20.060 Review criteria. Review criteria for street vacation applications shall be as follows: A. That the proposed vacation of a street or alley is in compliance with the goals and policies of the city comprehensive plan and other adopted city plans; and 40 B. That the proposed vacated street or alley is not required for current or anticipated overall area circulation; and C. That the effectiveness of fire, law enforcement, medical or other emergency services will not be unduly impaired by the vacation of the street or alley; and D. That the proposed vacated street or alley is not required as a current or anticipated utility corridor (suitable water, sewer, storm sewer and other easements may be required to satisfy this criterion); and E. That the proposed vacated street or alley is not required as a current or anticipated bicycle, pedestrian or equestrian trail corridor (suitable trail easements may be required to satisfy this criterion); and F. That, in the case of the proposed vacation of any portion of a street or alley which abuts a body of fresh or salt water, the proposed vacation meets the criteria and has been reviewed and approved in accordance with RCW 35.79.035, as now or hereafter amended. (Ord. 2256 § 3, 1991). 12.20.070 Legislative action. The city council, upon receipt of a street vacation application, shall fix a time, by formal resolution, of not more than 60 days and not fewer than 20 days from the date of said resolution, when a public hearing will be held. The city council, on the date of the public hearing, shall review the recommendation of the plmmingnmd tmitding BCD department and all other testimony in support of, or opposition to, the proposed street vacation. The city council shall make a decision to grant or deny petitions for street vacations by ordinance, provided that such ordinance may retain an easement or the right to exercise and grant easements over vacated property, and provided, further, that the proposed street to be vacated, or part thereof, does not abut on a body of salt or fresh water, unless such vacation meets the requirements set forth in RCW 35.79.035, as now or hereafter amended. (Ord. ~ § 6, 1997; Ord. 2256 § 4, 1991). 12.20.080 Variances. A. Variance Request. Variances from the review criteria set forth in PTMC 12.20.060 may be permitted under certain circumstances, provided that a variance request is submitted in writing and attached to the street vacation application. B. Findings. The city council shall only grant a variance if it makes the following findings on variance requests: 1. That there exist extraordinary conditions or unusual circumstances peculiar to the property or structure thereon, not the result of the action of the applicant; and 2. That the literal enforcement of the review criteria would result in undue and unnecessary hardship; and 3. That justice could be done and the public interest secured by the granting of a suitable variance. C. City Council Action. In granting variances, the city council may require such conditions as will, in its judgment, secure substantially the objectives of the review criteria so varied. (Ord. 2256 § 5, 1991; Ord. 1802 § 7, 1978). 41 12.20.090 Compensation for vacation. All ordinances vacating any street or alley, or any part thereof, shall provide that the same shall not become effective until the owners of property abutting upon the street or alley, or part thereof so vacated, pay to the city one-half of the appraised value of the area so vaCated, or the full apo_ raisal value if the city. acquired the right-of-way other than by dedication, except where such payment is made prior to introduction of the ordinance. (Ord. ~ § 6, 1997; Ord. 1992 § 3, 1984). 12.20.100 Appraisals. The public works director is authorized to obtain appraisals from either qualified, independent appraisers or qualified public works department personnel of the city, in the discretion of the public works director, of such streets or alleys as are recommended for vaCation after hearing by the city council or a committee thereof. Where qualified public works department personnel are used to make the required appraisals, a reasonable hourly rate of compensation, as determined from time to time by the public works director shall be charged against the appraisal deposit fee. (Ord. 1992 § 3, 1984). 12.20.110 Payment of compensation. Upon securing an appraisal of the value of the street or alley area to be vacated as provided in this chapter, the public works director shall notify the petitioner that payment of one-half such appraised value, deducting therefrom any appraisal fee coverage not previously refunded to petitioner, may be made to the public works director who shall, upon receipt of any such payment, forthwith transmit the same to the city treasurer for deposit in the general fund and shall make a written report of such payment to the city council. (Ord. 1992 § 3, 1984). 12.20.120 Recording ordinance. As required by law, a certified copy of the ordinance vacating a street, alley or public place, or part thereof, shall be recorded by the city clerk in the office of the Jefferson County auditor, upon receipt by the city of all fees and compensation required hereunder. (Ord. 1992 § 3, 1984). 12.20.130 Decision f'mal. Any decision, finding, ruling, order or determination of the city council made pursuant to street vaCations provided for in this chapter shall be final on the effective date of an ordinance giving effect thereto, and no action to set aside or modify the same shall be brought in the Superior Court or other tribunal unless the action shall be filed within 30 days from the effective date of such decision, finding, ruling, order or determination. (Ord. 2206 § 4, 1990; Ord. 1990 § 4, 1984; Ord. 1802 § 7.20, 1978). 42 SECTION 7. Section 12.24.050, Review by city council, is hereby repealed. Chapter 12.24, Street and park trees, is hereby modified as follows: Chapter 12.24 STREET AND PARK TREES Sections: 12.24.010 12.24.020 12.24.030 12.24.040 12.2-,.,,.,~, 12.24.060 Purpose. Definitions. Maintenance. Abuse or mutilation prohibited. Review '----' ........."[repealed] uy ~,~y ~OUtl~t. Violations and penalties - Enforcement. 12.24.010 Purpose. Much of the beauty of the city is concentrated in the trees situated in and along the public rights-of-way within the city. In order to maintain, preserve and enhance the beauty of the city, it is desirable that the roles and standards set forth in this chapter be established. (Ord. 2076 § 1, 1987). 12.24.020 Definitions. "Park trees" are def'med as trees, shrubs, bushes and all other woody vegetation in public parks having individual names, or located on all other property owned by the city within the city limits. "Street trees" are defined as trees, shrubs, bushes and all other woody vegetation on land lying within the public rights-of-way as further defined in the engineering design standards manu~. ~ ......... L ......... ,, ....... "L - - -' ~ - - ~ -" ....... ways ---"~'~- ~ - --~ ......' ..........~ ......... -'~ .......... '- ~--" (Ord § 7 1997; Ord 2076 § 2 1987). 12.24.030 Maintenance. Other than pursuant to a street development permit under Chapter 12.04 of this title, the city parks public works department or any authorized professional hired by the city public works department, shall have the sole right to cut, trim, prune, maintain and remove all street trees and park trees within the city as may be neces~ for public safety or to preserve or enhance the symmetry and beauty of such public grounds, streets and sidewalks, within the areas shown in the ent, i_neerin~, desisn standards manual, u,, ,~,.,,,m, A Au u,~ u, uu,oa,~.~ ~,u,,,g4.s iii ~. (Ord. __ § 7, 1997; Ord. 2076 § 3, 1987). 12.24.040 Abuse or mutilation prohibited. It is unlawful for any person to intentionally damage, cut, trim, prune, carve, transplant or remove any street tree or park tree, or to attach any rope, wire, nail, poster, sign or other 43 object or contrivance to any street tree or park tree; or to allow any gas, chemical or liquid or any solid substance of any kind which is harmful to such trees to come in contact with such trees, including but not limited to gasoline, oil, paint, paint thinner, construction material, plaster, garbage, litter, wastewater, sewage, soap or detergents, solvents, herbicides, fertilizers, or bleach, regardless of whether any such materials harm any such tree or not; or to set fire or permit or allow any fire to burn when such fire or the heat thereof will injure any portion of any street tree or park tree. (Ord. 2076 § 4, 1987). (Ord. ~ ~ 7, 1997; Ord. 2076 ~ 5, 1987). 12.24.060 Violations and penalties - Enforcement. A. The public works director or his or her designee Cdirector") is authorized to enforce the provisions of this chapter. All violations of this chapter are made subject to the enforcement and penalties provisions of Chapter 20.10 PTMC and the director is authorized to issue all orders and pursue all civil and criminal remedies and penalties pursuant to that chapter. B. Pending commencement and completion of the voluntary correction and/or notice and order procedures of Chapter 20.10 PTMC, the director may order the immediate cessation of any activity causing the violative condition by notice in writing served on or mailed to the person(s) engaged in or causing such condition. Such order shall not be affected by any right of appeal afforded by this chapter. (Ord. 2508 § 4, 1996). 44 SECTION 8. Section 12.26.020, Definitions, is hereby repealed. Chapter 12.26, Street latecomer agreements, is hereby modified as follows: Chapter 12.26 STREET LATECOMER AGREEMENTS Sections: 12.26.010 12.26.030 Purpose - Intent. ~'-~--- :'~' .... [repealed] Authorization - Minimum project size. 12.26.040 Application Design standards/cost estimates - Combined street and utility latecomer agreement. 12.26.050 Duration of street latecomer agreements. 12.26.060 Public works director's determination - Right of appeal. 12.26.070 Assessment reimbursement area and charge - Notice - Appeal. 12.26.080 Written agreement - Payment of city costs in excess of application fee. 12.26.090 Street latecomer agreement must be recorded. 12.26.100 Construction and acceptance of improvements - Recording of revised fees. 12.26.110 Acceptance of improvements or systems. 12.26.120 Defective work. 12.26.130 Implementation of street latecomer agreement - Prepayment requirement- Administrative costs. 12.26.140 Payments of street latecomer charge - Notice of change of address required. 12.26.150 12.26.160 12.26.170 12.26.180 12.26.190 Rights and nonliability of city. Director's authority - Violations. Existing latecomer agreements - Completed construction. Alternative financing method. Severability. 12.26.010 Purpose - Intent. A. Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to define the procedures for executing 15-year contracts between the city and developers for private construction of street improvements by providing means for (1) partial cost recovery through a charge to later developers who were not required to install similar street projects because they were already provided for by the original developer, and (2) the establishment of benefit areas defining which properties are subject to such charges and reimbursement shares based upon the benefit to the property. This chapter is also intended to implement Chapter 35.72 RCW, et seq., as it now reads, or is later amended. B. Intent. It is intended that the processing of street latecomer agreements under this chapter be independent from the project permit time lines contained in PTMC Title 20. (Ord. 2548 § 1, 1996). 45 12.26,030 Authorization - 1Minimum project size. A. Authorization. Any property owner or developer of property located within the city limits who uses private funds to construct street improvements may apply to the city tmitd/ag and comraurdtyu,v-' .... ~,Ulam~m' ......... (BCD) dep~iiieii~ to establish a street latecomer agreement in order to recover a portion of the costs from owner(s) of property benefitted by such improvements when such owner(s) later apply for permits to develop their property. B. Minimum Project Size. To be eligible for a street latecomer agreement, the estimated total cost of the street improvements must be at least $2,500, to be adjusted annually in accordance with the Engineering News Record Index CENR"). The determination of eligibility shall be made by the public works director, based upon contractOr bids, engineering or architectural estimates, or other information determined by the director to be a reliable basis for estimating cost. The determination of the director shall be final and conclusive. (Ord. ~ § 8, 1997; Ord. 2548 § 1, 1996). 12.26.040 Application - Design standards/cost estimates - Combined street and utility latecomer agreement. A. Application Form - Fee. The application must be on a form provided by the city BCD dcpm'tm~ and accompanied by a nonrefundable application fee in an amount as set forth in Chapter 3.36 PTMC, except as provided under subsection D below for combined utility and street latecomer agreements. The application shall be accompanied by the following: 1. Cost Estimate/Design Standards. The street improvements design shall be based on PTMC Title 12 "~' ..................... : ........ ~u,~ ~u~o ~,~o_~,,~ ,,,,~,,~,,~, the ~ design standards manual, and any requirements or modifications as recommended or required during or following the preapplication conference for development review. Based on this information, the applicant shall submit with the application a statement from a licensed contractor or engineer containing an itemized estimate of the total projected cost of the street projects, including property acquisition, acquisition of easements and/or right-of-way, contract administration, grading, construction, paving, installation of curbs, streets, gutters, storm drainage, sidewalks or bike lanes incorporated as part of the street improvements, street lights, traffic signals, signs, and planting strips, and other similar improvements as required by city street standards. 2. A map depicting the boundaries of a proposed assessment reimbursement area and consisting of those properties adjacent to the street improvements for which similar improvements would be required as a prerequisite to deVelopment, each parcel of property within such area, and the street improvements in relation to such property. 3. Copies of executed deeds and/or easements in which the applicant is the grantee for all property necessary for the installation of such street projects. 4. The name and mailing address of each owner of record of property within the proposed benefit area, together with the legal description and the size and the county assessor's tax number for each property. Such information must be certified as complete and accurate by the applicant. B. Additional Requirements. When deemed necessary in the discretion of the public works director to determine the benefit area and reimbursement charge, the city may also require that the application be accompanied by any or all of the following: 46 1. A proposed benefit area based on an assessment of which parcels adjacent to the improvements would require similar street improvements as a condition of development, including, if requested by the city, a special benefit analysis prepared by a certified MAI appraiser. 2. A proposed assessment reimbursement roll stating a proposed assessment for each parcel of property within the proposed assessment reimbursement area, to be determined by apportioning the total street project costs among such parcels on the basis of the benefit of the project to each such parcel of property. 3. Detailed construction plans and drawings of the entire improvements prepared and stamped by a professional engineer with specific expertise regarding design, construction and maintenance of public streets, and certifying that the design complies with city design standards and specifications. C. Compliance with City Requirements. Before an agreement will be processed, applicants must comply with the requirements of this chapter, and all other applicable city ordinances, rules and regulations. D. Combined Street and Utility Latecomer Agreements. If a developer or property owner is installing utility improvements under Ehapter-l--3-.~ Title 13 PTMC and requests a utility latecomer agreement under that chapter, and is concurrently installing street improvements under PTMC Title 12 and requests a street latecomer agreement, oni3r-one ~ latecomer agreement shall be processed under the procedures set forth in this chapter; provided, that the benefit areas for the utility improvements and the street improvements are identical (if they are not identical, the agreements will be processed separately). The application fee for a combined utility and street latecomer agreement shall be a single fee, in the amount set by Chapter 3.36 PTMC for a street latecomer agreement. (Ord. ~ § 8, 1997; Ord. 2548 § 1, 1996). 12.26.050 Duration of street latecomer agreements. The street latecomer agreement shall be for a period of 15 years from the date the latecomer agreement is signed by both parties. (Ord. 2548 § 1, 1996). 12.26.060 Public works director's determination - Right of appeal. A. Approval of Application. The public works director shall review all applications and shall approve the application only if the following requirements are met: 1. The project satisfies the minimum cost requirement and complies with city design and construction standards and all applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules and regulations, including but not limited to street codes, street standards manual, and environmental laws; 2. The proposed improvements fall within the def'mition of street improvements; 3. The proposed improvements are not constructed or currently under construction; 4. The proposed improvements are consistent with the Port Townsend comprehensive plan, transportation plan and/or nonmotorized plan or other functional plan adopted by the city; and 47 5. The city has the capability and capacity to service and maintain the street improvements. B. Public Works Director's Determination - Appeal of Determination. In the event all of the above criteria are not satisfied, the public works director shall either condition approval as neces~ in order for the application to conform to such criteria or deny the application. The final determination of the public works director shall be in writing. ~"-,,,,~'- ,~,..,~,,1J--~'-:--- may be C. Administrative Ap?~tl, 1. The final determination of the public works director is an administrative decision h:&: which may be appealed by an applicant pursuant to Chapter 1.14 PTMC. to-t~ "- ~ .... '- ~- ............ -' .... :--: ..... :'-~ ......... ': ..... d i i f th publi rks director not appealed shall be final at the time the decision is made. The appeal must be accompanied by a filing fee in the amount set forth in Chapter 3.36 PTMC. 2. The procedures set forth in Chapter 1.14 PTIVIC shall apply to any appeal. In reviewing a final determination, the clt-~ ~,u,z,.,. ~.,m aFIaz~ the criteria set forth above ~ h~, and shatimpt~ the administrative decision of the public works director upheld unless evidence clearly demonstrates that the criteria have been satisfied. (Ord. § 8, 1997; Ord. 2548 § 1, 1996). 12.26.070 Assessment reimbursement area and charge - Notice - Appeal. A. Reimbursement Area Formula. 1. The public works director shall formulate the benefit reimbursement area for all approved applications based upon a determination of which parcels adjacent to the improvements would require similar street improvements upon development and will be benefitted by the improvements. 2. The estimated amount of the reimbursement charge shall be established so that each property owner obligated to make a payment under this chapter will pay a fair, pro rata share of the cost of construction of the improvement and reimbursement of contract administration costs of the street project; provided, however, that the public works director shall have the authority to remove from the benefit area later developed properties if such properties do not need to use the street improvements due to alternate access, or a similar, valid reason as approved by the public works director (which may include such factors as topography, traffic circulation and/or cost). 3. The city shall determine, in its sole discretion, the reimbursement share based on the benefit to the property by using a method of cost apportionment such as a front footage, acre, or other equitable basis. B. Clarification Regarding Multiple Lots Owned by the Original Developer or Property Owner. 1. For the purpose of formulating the proportionate benefit amount, the benefit area shall include all properties owned by the developer at the time of the application. 48 2. The applicant/property owner or developer is not entitled to reimbursement for lots that are adjacent to the improvements if those lots are owned by such person at the time they apply for the street latecomer agreement or at the time the street improvements are constructed. C. Notice to Property Owners - Right to Request a Hearing. A notice containing the benefit reimbursement area boundaries and preliminary or estimated charges shall be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the property owners within the proposed benefit reimbursement area. The notice shall also contain a description of the property owner's rights to request a public hearing before the city council with regard to the area boundaries and special benefits and charges. The public works department will maintain a certificate or sworn declaration of mailing in its files. D. Appeal - RequeSt for Hearing. 1. Any appellant requesting a hearing under subsection C of this section must file an appeal within 15 calendar days of the date the notice is mailed to the property owners. ~ -" "-- ~----'-- -'--" ~-- -: ....... " ............... appeal mpanied ~,, ,,,~ ,,~,,,,,,~ ~,,~, ,,~ ~,,~,, ~, ,~ aff~f, ~,,~,~.~,,y ~,.,,~,~. The must be acco by a filing fee in the amount set forth in Chapter 3.36 PTMC. Any decision of the public works director not appealed shall be fmal at the time the decision is made. 2. The procedures set forth in Chapter 1.14 PTMC shall apply to any appeal. Notice of the hearing shall be given to all affected property owners. In reviewing a final determination, the city council shall apply the criteria set forth in subsection A of this section, and shall uphold the administrative decision of the public works director, unless evidence clearly demonstrates that the criteria have been satisfied. 3. After reviewing the public hearing testimony and the determination of the public Works director, the city council may approve, modify or reject the benefit reimbursement area and/or charges. The city council's determination shall be final. 4. Any judicial appeal of the city council's determination must be fried and served within 21 days of the issuance of tbe decision. (Ord. ~ § 8, 1997; Ord. 2548 § 1, 1996). 12.26.080 Written agreement - Payment of city costs in excess of application fee. A. Upon approval of the application, formulation of a reimbursement area and charge, notice to the property owners and expiration of the appeal period or a determination by the city council, the street latecomer agreement and supporting documents shall be presented to the city council with a resolution authorizing the mayor to sign the agreement on behalf of the city. B. If in processing the application, the city incurs costs for engineering or other professional consultant services, the public works director shall so advise the city council. Council approval may be conditioned upon receipt of payment by the applicant of an additional amount sufficient to compensate the city for its actual costs in excess of the application fee. (Ord. 2548 § 1, 1996). 12.26.1190 Street latecomer agreement must be recorded. In order to become effective, a street latecomer agreement must be recorded with the Jefferson County auditor within 30 days of the final execution of the agreement. After the agreement has been signed by all parties, the city shall record the agreement, with a notice to title on each property within the benefitted area. (Ord. 2548 § 1, 1996). 49 12.26.100 Construction and acceptance of improvements - Recording of revised fees. A. Construction of Improvements. After the street latecomer agreement has been signed by all parties, and all necessary permits and approvals have been obtained, the applicant shall construct the improvements and upon completion, request final inspection and acceptance of the improvements by the city, subject to any required obligation to repair defects. The develo.~r ma.v be_~in construction during the processing of the latecomer agreement: but such construction shall be at the developer's sole risk and the city. assumes no liability in the event that the latecomer agreement does not become effective. B. Documents Required. An appropriate bill of sale, easement and any other document needed to ensure right-of-access for maintenance and replacement shall be provided, along with documentation of the actual costs of the improvements and a certification by the applicant that all of such costs have been paid. A copy of any engineering "as-built" plans, specifications and drawings, including all necessary rights-of-way and easement documents shall be provided to the city prior to acceptance of the street improvements. The city may also require that the documents be provided on "AutoCAD," or another electronic format as specified by the city. In addition, the developer shall deliver to the city reproducible copies of all plans and specifications, if any, and shall comply with any other requirements imposed by city codes or adopted standards for engineering plans, specifications, and drawings. C. Revised List of Charges. The final cost of the improvements shall be reviewed against the preliminary assessments established by the city. Upon a showing of good cause, the agreement shall be modified to include cost overruns up to a maximum of 10 percent. In the event that actual costs are less than the public works director's estimate by 10 percent or more, the public works director shall recalculate the charges, reducing them accordingly. For any revisions under this section, the public works director shall cause a revised list of charges to be recorded with the Jefferson County auditor, with a notice to title on each property within the benefitted area. (Ord. 2548 § 1, 1996). 12.26.110 Acceptance of improvements or systems. Upon approval of a street latecomer agreement and the completion and acceptance of the construction, the street improvement(s) and/or system(s) shall become accepted city streets. Acceptance of construction of the improvements must be evidenced by a written sign-off by the public works director. Acceptance of the street as a city street shall be accomplished in the manner set forth in the street standards ordinance, Chapter 12.04 PTMC. Transfer of ownership or the grant of any easements to the city shall be clear of all encumbrances. (Ord. 2548 § 1, 1996). 12.26.120 Defective work. The applicant shall be responsible for all work found to be defective within one year after the date of acceptance of the street improvements by the city. The public works director may require the applicant or his/her assignee to provide the city with a Washington surety "maintenance guaranty bond" or other appropriate bond as set forth in city street codes or any adopted design standards. (Ord. 2548 § 1, 1996). 50 12.26.130 Implementation of street latecomer agreement - Prepayment requirement - Admlni~rative costs. A. Implementation of Agreement. Upon recording, the street latecomer agreement and charge shall be binding upon all property owners of record within the benefit area who were not parties to the contract. If any such owner later develops his or her property within 15 years from the date of recording with the Jefferson County auditor and is not required to install similar street improvements because such improvements were already installed under the latecomer agreement, the city shall require that owner to reimburse the developer/owner who initially constmc~ the projects pursuant to the reimbursement share previously determined in the street latecomer agreement. B. Administrative Charge. Unless modified in the agreement, the city shall add 10 percent, but not less than $20.00, to each street latecomer charge, to be used by the city to defray the costs of labor, bookkeeping, and accounting necess~ to administer the agreement, such amount to be adjusted annually in accordance with ENR Index. C. Prepayment Requirement. No building permit shall be issued until the reimbursement payment is made. D. Nonliability of City. The city will exercise its best efforts to assure compliance with this section; however, in no event shall the city incur liability for any unauthorized use of the constructed street improvements. (Ord. 2548 § 1, 1996). 12.26.140 Payments of street latecomer charge - Notice of change of address required. A. Single Sum Payment Required. Each payment of the street development reimbursement charge, including administrative costs, shall be made payable to the city treasurer in one single sum. The city will pay the amounts due to the beneficiary (developer/property owner) within 60 days of receipt, subject to subsection C below. B. Certificate of Payment. When the street latecomer fee for a particular parcel has been paid, at the request of the owner/payor the city shall approve a certification of payment which may be recorded by the owner. C. Notice Requirement. Throughout the term of the agreement the developer/property owner shall notify the city, in writing, of any change of his or her name(s) or address(es). Absent such notice, the city is not responsible for locating any developer/property owner entitled to benefits under the street latecomer agreement. The developer/property owner may not assign any rights under the street latecomer agreement without written notification to the city. Absent such notification, any assignment of rights under the agreement shall have no effect on the obligations of the city under the latecomer agreement. D. Unclaimed Funds. Any funds not claimed by the developer/property owner within 180 days from the date collected shall become the property of the city. Before the expiration of the 180 days, the city shall send to the developer/property owner, by certified mail, return receipt requested, a final notice of the city's intent to deposit the funds as city revenue. If the city does not receive a response by the expiration of the 180 days, the funds shall be revenue to the city street fund or as allowed by law. (Ord. 2548 § 1, 1996). 51 12.26.150 Rights and nonliability of city. A. City Rights. The city reserves the right to refuse to enter into any street latecomer agreement or to reject any application thereof. B. Hold Harmless Agreement Required. All applicants for street latecomer agreements shall be required to provide a written release, indemnification, and hold harmless agreement releasing and indemnifying the city from all claims of any nature, including property damage and personal injury arising out of the execution, establishment, enforcement and implementation of such agreement including claims arising during the course of construction and during the one-year warranty period following accep~ce of the improvements by the city. Such indemnification shall include attorney fees and costs reasonably incurred in the defense of such action. (Ord. 2548 § 1, 1996). 12.26.160 Director's authority- Violations. Whenever the director determines that a condition exists in violation of this chapter, or any code or standard required to be adhered to by this chapter, he or she is authorized to enforce the provisions of this chapter and/or to order correction and discontinuance of any violation pursuant to the procedures set forth in Chapter 20.10 PTMC. (Ord. 2548 § 1, 1996). 12.26.170 Existing latecomer agreements - Completed construction. For street development permits issued after January 1, 1995, developers/property owners have until December 31, 1997, to apply for latecomer agreements for street improvements already constructed; provided they meet the requirements of this chapter. Notwithstanding other provisions of this chapter, the reimbursement charge for such agreements shall be based on the actual cost of the constructed improvement. All other provisions of this chapter shall apply to such agreements. (Ord. 2548 § 1, 1996). 12.26.180 Alternative f'mancing method. As an alternative to financing projects under this chapter solely by owners of real estate, the city may join in the financing of these improvement projects and may be reimbursed in the same manner as the owners of real estate who participate in the projects; provided, that the city has specified the conditions of its participation in an ordinance. The city may be reimbursed only for the costs of improvements that benefit that portion of the public who will use the developments within the established assessment reimbursement area. No city costs for improvements that benefit the general public shall be reimbursed. (Ord. 2548 § 1, 1996). -' ..... apb .... ' ......... ~"'- ' ....... ~,au~, ~i~n~, p~agi , ~uu, ut gm~ u~ u,a ~aw m~ d~l~-~ severable. If ~y clau~, sentence, prograph, ~fion or ~ of ~is Ordinm~ or its applimfion to my ~rmn or ckcumsm~ is held ~ ~ ~v~d or unmnsfimfionfl by a ~u~ of com~tent jurisdiction, such order or judgment ~ not aff~t ~e v~di~ or consfitufion~ of ~e rem~der of my p~ 52 of this Ordinance. To this end, the provisions of each clause, sentence, paragraph, section or part of this law are declared severable. (Ord. ~ § 8, I997; Ord. 2548 § 1, 1996). This ordinance shall take effect and be in force five days after the date of its publication in the manner provided by law. Read for the first, second, and third times and passed by the City Council of the City of Port Townsend, Washington, at a regular meeting thereof, held this 21st day of April, 1997. Attest: Julie ~ulloch; M~yor Para Kolacy, City Clerk ~~ Approved as to Form: -~Timo.~ L. McMahan, City Attorney' - 04/17/97 CA§Ord{Titlel2f. ord} 53